Tag Archives: personal fulfillment

Wacky, Weird Words

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When God bestowed man with the power of language, he did not equip us with a way to know exactly how and when to use words in every context.  Therefore, fulfilling an obligation to use words in a responsible manner is easier for some individuals than others. There are appropriate words for each occasion, but finding the right words can be a challenge.

Some words are used so infrequently, that they become obsolete. I have a new computer.  Let’s put it through a rigorous test to see if it can exhume some very helpful but rarely used words to assist me with my blog writing today.

The internet is a sciniary, so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography.  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist. I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language, that were not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous! If  I continue, it will end up a capilotade and you will call me a cumber-ground and suggest that I become a bouquinist.

Does it sound like morology to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp unless you have linguipotence.

Enough of being inaniloguous. These words are not drogulus, they can be verified. I will deliciate by ending this blog. If you want to learn the meaning of these weird, almost obsolete words,  come on back tomorrow and I will give you a full interpretation!

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond around them!

 

Devilish Distractions

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“Patience and fortitude conquer all things.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

My computer, the little devil, has really gotten under my skin! It has even become the cause of writer’s cramp. I’ve got writer’s block – of all things! I have begun to write not out of desire but out of will.  My will to test my fortitude over a machine. Imagine that!

Having to work on what has become an antiquated, slow computer that freezes up, coughs and chokes every time I turn it on has been the bane of my existance all summer long. I have put off getting a new transmitter of digital information for far too long. My limits of being a fiscally conservative business owner have been reached, that is for sure!

I have learned alot from this adversarial relationship between my old computer and me –

  1. Write out of desire, not out of will!
  2. Recognize when it is time to let go of the old old and bring in the new.
  3. If a relationship becomes too overwhelming, get out of it!
  4. To write and think clearly and succinctly, you must clear out the clutter.

I need to have patience for a few more days. Then, I will be in a new relationship – one that will not be detrimental to my mental health.  As readers of this blogsite, you’ve got to be tired of hearing about this relationship with my old computer that I have found hard to forget! The relationship with my new electronic transmission device will be positive and filled with all good things! It will be more aligned with the way I like to live.  I will look forward to sharing all things fulfilling, once again!

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Stepping into the Light after 9-11

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“..the whole healing process – art, colors and design – all that makes a difference.” ~  Barbara Weaver

I was never more cognizant of art fulfilling it’s purpose than during the days following September 11, 2001. As much as I wanted to do all that I could to shield my eyes from the ugly images of destruction, rubble and death, I found myself glued to the television watching images I never expected to see in the United States of America.

Going to work each morning, following the horrific events of 9-11 gave me the opportunity to escape from a world of ugliness into a environment  filled with beauty and light. I had begun my employment at West Wind Fine Art, where my introduction into a career of order fulfillment for independent publishers began.

Not only was I surrounded by inspiring art books and videos, I was also amidst magnificent paintings by master artists. Each morning after 9-11, as I stepped into the art gallery, my place of work, I lingered a little longer in front of each painting so I could forget the images of the destruction of the Twin Towers, and into an environment of beautiful landscapes, floral images and portrait paintings that exquisitely captured faces without pain, fear and horror. At the end of the work day, I would do the same, stand and be drawn into worlds far different than what the media was charged with covering.

Art fulfilled it’s purpose by changing my perspective, it connected me with peace and set me free from my emotions of sadness and doom. It allowed me to replenish and nuture the seasons of my soul.

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Keeping Us Safe

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“Sometimes it takes risking that friendship to find a love that will endure all things.” ~  Unknown

The events of 9-11 are all so fresh in my mind. Early Saturday morning, I reached page 197 in former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir “Speaking from the Heart.” Here begins Mrs. Bush’s recounting of all the tragic events of that horrific, fateful day.

On this 9th anniversary of  the senseless loss of thousands of Americans, I helped my fellow Kiwanians as they rescued, with nets and buckets, the majority of 2500 rubber ducks that were released and floated down the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Rubber Duckie Race is an annual fundraising event for the Yampa Valley Medical Center, which Kiwanis has been involved with for over twenty years now. www.kiwanis.org. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchasing a medical instrument which will detect infections, such as staph, of new patients prior to being admitted to the hospital. An important, pro-active medical device.

As I helped with this fundraiser from the sidelines, I began to think how taking pro-active steps saves lives. Had our country known just how vulnerable, we were to attack, it would have done all that it could to be pro-active on that fateful day. If  all the safety nets had been in place, perhaps several thousand lives could have been spared.

I opted to stay safely out of the waters , as I helped with this fundraising event on Saturday. I did not want to risk the chances of petite, little ole me, being carried down the rapidly rushing waters of the Yampa River. I wanted to stay safe to enjoy today. It is a day of celebration of two people who have survived the challenges  and risks of marriage for 30 years! My husband has been my safety through each and every day of it.  I am truly grateful for all that I have and feel sad for those that no longer can share anniversaries, holidays and daily living with their mates that were lost in the Twin Towers.

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Do Another Nice Thing!

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“A library of all wisdom is more precious than all wealth…” ~ Unknown

All children need to learn the virtues of compassion and sharing. Teach your child to be a book angel, by donating their gently used (or new) books to inner city children, homeless shelters, youth centers and family literacy centers through www.bookends.org.

The founder of this non-profit is a 8 year old boy. The focus of  this  organization is kids helping other kids for the sake of literacy. Since this organization was founded in 1998, 1.9 million books have landed in the hands of 478,000 at risk childrens hands. Imagine how many smiles this gesture of kindness has brought to the faces of children who needed it the most!

Keep the momentum going from yesterday’s cleaning out of kid flicks to give to children in hospitals. Have your child make room for new books by donating those they no longer need!

Teaching your children to be involved with doing good things sure beats the alternative, doesn’t it?

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Do a Nice Thing!

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“It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope.” ~ Ursula K LeGuin

How would you like to fulfill a dream of a child who is sick and in the hospital? Well, you can, in a very easy way! If you are a parent whose kids have grown, and you have no longer used children’s DVDs sitting in boxes, or in your basement or garage, you can donate your kid’s flicks to children’s hospitals and pediatric medical units, all over the United States.

This idea came about when four sisters visited a young friend being treated for leukemia in the hospital. Children are distracted and pain is eased when they can watch colorful, fun DVDs from the comfort of their hospital beds.

Rather than selling your children’s  idle DVDs in garage sales and the like, give them away to children who will value them the most. Send them to –

Kid flicks/Barta, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA  90025

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You’ve Got to be Kidding!

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“The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed.”  ~ Chamfort

What good are the words “RANT” and “RAVE” if we don’t use them every once in a while? The thing is, they are just two little words taking up unnecessary space in the dictionary unless we all put them to work occassionally!

 I put “RANT” to good use yesterday, as I sat in front of a computer at the library. Once again, my computer is in the shop. This occurrence has been  repeated far too many times this summer. I tried to console myself as I walked through the library doors. I uttered words to myself like “oh well, at least our library is gorgeous, new and bright!” Followed by, “I will work efficiently, since my time will be limited on a library computer.” To cement this concept in my brain, I chanted “I will quickly get in and out, I will quickly get in and out.”

Yeah, right!! I selected a computer placed right across from #028.909 NEL in the non-fiction section of the Dewey Decimal System. There sat the culprit ogling me and it refused to let me be! The flirt was a book called “So Many Books, So Little Time : A Year of Passionate Reading” by Sara Nelson.

Now, I ask you – “How can you possibly get in and out when you spy a title starring at you like that?”

  1. The title – I can relate to!
  2. My dream is the tag line.
  3. I met the author at a publishing conference a few years ago.
  4. I am curious to know if Sara Nelson can write as well as she speaks.
  5. You can not just strike up a relationship with just one book! What about all the others?

Now for my “RAVE” – Sara Nelson’s book came home with me (and a few others, too!) What a delightful, easily-devoured book! As a book reviewer, Sara executes her job so well. Throughout the book, she name drops titles left and right, and gives you enough of a tease to know you want the whole story! It is a great publication for someone who wants to read so many books, but has so little time!

When my computer is back from the repair shop, I will resume my chanting “I will work efficiently, I will, I will, I will.” That way, I’ll have more time for you know what!

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Saved by the Book

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“We need to be pro-children and pro-literacy of all kinds.” ~ David Booth

Saved! By former First Lady, Laura Bush! All was not lost when my wishes for a weekend full of literary enjoyment began with a bomb of a book that did nothing to fulfill my expectations. Determined to immerse myself in some good reading, I switched gears and delved into a wonderful  journey that was entitled “Spoken from the Heart.”

From the time Laura Bush was a little girl, literature has been an all encompassing part of her life. As an only child, she found a treasure trove of good times with characters and places to escape to all by herself.  Later on in her life, her positions as a mother, teacher, librarian and First Lady allowed her to share her passion of reading with her twin daughters, students and  others, around the globe. She made stories come alive for children in disadvantaged areas so they could also escape into worlds beyond their own environments,.  She taught students how to make handmade books and  former students became subjects of her own first published book “Read All About It.”

As first lady of the United States, she traveled to many countries, like Zanzabar to spread the good news that private and American funds would place 20,000 books in 16 schools for underserved children.

Laura Bush has always been at the top of my list for favorite First Ladies.  Her book “Spoken from the Heart” gave me even more insight into the wholesome Texas values she was raised with, the fact that she is deeply aware of how blessed we are to have children in our lives and our responsibility to do all that we can to spread the value of literacy around the world.

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Limited Only by Initiative

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“Initiative is key. Anybody who wants to be somebody is going to work as hard as they can to fulfill that dream.” ~ Unknown 

It is no secret that the publishing industry has undergone dramatic change over the past ten years. As cited by Bowker, non-traditional publishing grew a robust 181% between 2008 and 2009. In a few more months, we will be able to determine whether these growth percentages have been sustained for yet another year. From where I stand, this would be fulfilling news! 

Although many in the traditional publishing industry would like to tell you that these numbers are all a result of the downturn in the economy, I am not convinced of that!  

Agreed, the downturn of the economy has been a catalyst for change in business. It has given businesses a good reason to take a look at outmoded ways of thinking and to restructure. For businesses who believe that change is good – they have done things to work in positive new directions which include developing creative vision, gaining new momentum and starting fresh initiatives! Non-traditional publishers and businesses alike are putting technology at the center of the company and are learning how to reach large numbers of people at the least cost. Not a bad deal , now, is it?  

Are you an independent publisher whose marketing tactics are no longer relevant for the times? Wasting time, energy and money preserving old ways of doing business is never a good idea. Don’t have the comfort level or the time to explore what your next steps should entail?  That is okay.  There are those that can help! But do not tarry – invest in the future of your business and move forward. Go to your favorite search engine and look for  e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers.

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You are Worth it!

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“The best thing you can do is be a teacher to young people” ~ Rick Pitino 

Have you ever asked any kind of volunteer “if it is worth it?” In my experience, many will respond “YES,  that volunteer work is both fulfilling and satisfying, and that is payment enough.” 

Last week at our Kiwanis meeting, www.kiwanis.org, three mentors from the Partners in Routt County Program, a program associated with AmeriCorp., visited and spoke with the Kiwanians about the admirable work they do in mentoring children at risk.

The program pairs mentors with children, at local schools, who have been identified as being “at risk” for a number of reasons – perhaps poor family dynamics, drug or alcohol addiction problems, low self -esteem or kids who struggle socially or educationally. The mentors develop comfortable relationships with the at-risk children and they become someone the kids will confide in when things get rough. 

Did you ever wonder what your time is worth, as a volunteer? On average $20.58 per hour! However, it does to vary from State to State. To see what value your state of residence puts on volunteering, please visit http://bit.ly/cxvboF. 

I was glad to hear that these valuable volunteers from Partners in Routt County are compensated by way of a small stipend and the benefits include being able to “pay back” educational debt. It makes volunteering even more worthwhile. However, what the volunteers are paid does not fully compensate for what these volunteers are worth according to the statistics given by the www.volunteeringinamerica.gov  chart. 

By donating their time, volunteers from Partners in Routt County are saying to each and every child they mentor “YOU ARE WORTH  IT!”  And that is like music to children’s ears!! 

Thank you, Volunteers – you are worth it, too!

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