Tag Archives: Writing

Family Dynamics in Stories

Leave a comment

“Our brothers and sisters are there with us from the dawn of our personal stories to the inevitable dusk.” ~ Susan Scarf Merrill 

Brother-for-saleOh, brother! How I can relate- there were many times when I was growing up that I felt just like the little girl in this image. 

Did you ever consider that sibling relationships are the longest bonds we will have in our lives with other people? There is a lot of research about how birth order affects our family ties. 

 There is an interesting interview on NPR about the sibling effect. Tune in and listen. http://n.pr/WZnKPG. 

My siblings have been on my mind a lot recently since I have been writing a book which involves many universal issues, including human relationships. The manuscript has been in the hands of select advance readers, including a child psychologist  and the feedback has been invaluable.  I am most grateful for it and I’m wrapping up final revisions before the book is published. My very realistic goal is to have it complete this year.

My family has not read my manuscript. I didn’t want the dynamics of the book to be changed by the  opinions of family members. I’ve dropped only a few clues about the storyline, and they are chomping at the bit to read it. By now, they might  be questioning whether there is really a book in the making or whether I am  just  taunting them and  making teasing promises like when we were children.

Only kidding! I can hardly wait for my family to read it. They don’t know to what what extent they play roles in the storyline.

Visit us tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Seasonal Sprouting, Roots of Fulfillment

Leave a comment

“Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” ~ Dalai Lama

Our blogs this week have been devoted to the power of the mind. Today we are focusing on seasonal attitudes.

I believe God gave us four seasons so we can appreciate each of them for their own reasons and pleasures! What a treat to have Day Light Savings time arrive on Sunday to give us more hours of light. Warmer temps are around the corner, even here in northwestern Colorado. Easter, the holiday named after the Germanic Goddess of the Dawn “Ostern” arrives early this year. I’m grateful for that.

Spring brings beautiful images to my mind, and by just envisioning some the things that I associate with the season brings a smile to my face, and an uplifting of the spirit. It is a good time of year to do some housecleaning because our physical environments, our homes, have been closed up all winter.  

garden sproutsJust as importantly, however, is that we remember that the season of the dawn is for the renewal of the spirit, too. By sweeping away old beliefs, from our minds, that have held us back ,we prepare for new growth of self and allow seeds of fulfilling, new ways of living to take root and sprout.  It has been found that there is a correlation between wellness and spirituality. For more information, see this article. http://bit.ly/15MmRkt.

In this season of Lent, what old attitudes will you lift up and do away with in order to make way for improvements in your life?

Return on Monday to All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Brains at the Center of the Story

Leave a comment

  The Seventh Journey book cover

Robert J R Graham’s newly released fictional story, The Seventh Journey, is fascinating because of it’s insight into human behavior. The experiment that is at the center of the narrative warrants deep consideration. It addresses how brainwaves control our human emotions and potentially, by rearranging frequencies in the brain, the ramifications on a society could be stunning. 

We, as human beings, it must be pointed out, already have the capacity to change our own mindsets and outcomes of our lives through our subconscious thinking. However, the premise of The Seventh Journey introduced me to concepts that go beyond just individual behavior, and begged me take a more serious look at researchers speculation that media, through music and film, has the capacity to change large populations of people. If fiction became reality, the ramifications of this tale could positively overhaul the medical field, military engagement and the energy of the Universe, as we know it. Or conversely, it could be used to create a path of destruction and despair. 

I have not read a large selection of books in the new genre of writing, paranormal fiction, however, Graham’s publication was fascinating to me. I have always been a student of human behavior, and resolve to live a life that is personally fulfilling. I deeply believe my life experience will be the result of my own choices, intentions, thoughts and reactions to relationships. The Seventh Journey addresses the theoretical power of our own brain frequencies and energy we put out into the world. 

Robert J R GrahamThe Seventh Journey has been honored with the Editor’s Choice and the Rising Star awards from the publisher, iUniverse, a division of Penguin Books. It is the first book in a series. For more information on this Canadian author or to order this creatively written story in hardcover or paperback, please follow this link www.robertjrgraham.com.  The book is also available in e-book format through Smashwords http://bit.ly/ViAiFt  and at select bookstores in Canada. 

Anyone who has an interest in quantum physics, self-development and mastery will be stimulated by the concepts Graham brings to this invented story that could have astounding real life consequences.

reviews The Seventh Journey

Please return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling, a space where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Mind Power Returning

1 Comment

 “To think is to practice brain chemistry.” ~ Deepak Chopra 

On March 4th, I posted a blog called Stirring the Mind. If you missed it, please scroll back or follow this link.   http://bit.ly/12onO4D . The blog was essentially about some fascinating thoughts that were presented at a Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference in Long Beach, California by “The Young, The Wise and the Undiscovered” minds of innovative, creative and brilliant people. 

brain chemistryTomorrow on this site, Brains at the Center of the Story will be featured. Ideas about the power of technology, the brain and research on the sixth sense (our emotive powers) will be entertained through a review of a fictional book by a Canadian author who has “dedicated his life to uncovering the deeper truths within us all.”

Note: This book was briefly mentioned in a blog I wrote several weeks ago, called Transported to Another Realm http://bit.ly/ZxQMJd  where I told of removing myself from external stimuli so I could become fully engaged in this author’s story. He is a leader and life-long student in the field of self-discovery and mastery. and writes about some very fascinating and thought-provoking stuff!

Please return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling, a space where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Stories of Disappearing Acts

Leave a comment

“Sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can fall together.” ~ Unknown

Yesterday, as I walked, I began thinking about how there are things in life that we take for granted – like there will always be spring, puppy dogs, love, water coming from the Earth’s natural hot springs and rain coming from clouds in the sky. 

There are things that have always been part of our American heritage that are disappearing. We have always assumed there will be post offices to receive the mail, and a male and a female constitute a marriage. We can’t assume that anymore, it seems we are entering new horizons in every aspect of living. 

print media is dyingDisappearing traditions, mores, products, and professions need to be documented in books for the sake of future generations. An accounting of our country’s past history, stories about the family of man and how the world has evolved socially, economically, culturally, anthropologically are important  for studies and hypotheses about how human beings have survived throughout the ages and for future problem solving.

Take a look at fulfilling things that you thought would exist throughout your lifetime but have disappeared or are at the risk of becoming extinct in our society. Here is a list of twenty-five things to get you started. http://bit.ly/13GJ1Gx.  Help me add to this list. How has your world has changed since you arrived on this planet? Share them with our readers. 

At the bottom of this blog, click on comment, and digitally submit your observances. Your thoughts will be gratefully appreciated.

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Intuition in Children

Leave a comment

“Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.” – Florence Scovel Shinn

Last week at the TED conference, a two or three minute video clip of children talking about being were scared was aired. The children voiced their solutions of moving away from the emotive feelings that come with being scared by thinking of happy things – such as pizza, puppy dogs, pretty images.

How astute for young children to realize the value of visualization and to know the importance of the power of the brain to bring about change in our emotions.

In my opinion, raising perceptive children in this day and age is so important. Beyond teaching children they have the ability to change how they are feeling themselves, being well-tuned into our intuition can mean the difference between sensing if our safety is in jeopardy. This is useful for children and adults. A heightened sense of perception can also help steer children in the right direction in life, and aid them in having a strong moral compass.

A psychologist in one segment of the TED presentation spoke of the dangers of parents inhibiting a crucial developmental step in children by not letting children learn by their own mistakes and make their own decisions, within reason. As a person who has always been interested in psychology, this TED session was fascinating.

Raising intuitive childrenCheck out this publication, available in e-book format,Raising Intuitive Children  by authors Caron B Goode and Tara Paterson.

Co-author Dr. Goode is the founder of the e-learning school, the Academy for Coaching Parents International, which trains and certifies coaches for parents and families. She is also the founder of the HeartWise.™ Click for info & ordering more books by Caron B Goode

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Stirring the Mind

Leave a comment

“All things are possible until they are proved impossible. Even the impossible may only be so, as of now.” – Pearl S. Buck

creative-brainLast week, The Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs, Colorado brought in a live stream of the TED Conference from Long Beach, California. I had hoped to individually highlight some of the presenters this week on this site. However, a better approach would be to share some of the fulfilling thoughts that I came away with after viewing a good deal of the four day broadcast. 

“We”, meaning as a country and a world, are indeed blessed with:

  •  forward thinking, creative people
  • a population of individuals who like to dream and imagine and ask “What if?”
  • people, who when they believe in their passions, are not afraid to take risks
  • technological advances that will increasingly free people to labor with their brains, rather than brawn.
  • living during a time when turning the hypothetical to reality, is happening more often.
  • learning more about our sixth sense and the amagydala – the emotive part of the brain.
  • “At the precipice of a new era where ideas can be used for global fulfillment in the world, rather than for just personal gain.” As stated by a TED presenter.
  • an era when professions will be more cognitively demanding and specialized. 

The TED conference was designed to stir thought, and for me, it fulfilled its mission. When I asked myself “Who Are We?” after viewing the broadcast, I can’t help but defer to the tag line of TED. We are a population of “The Young, the Wise and the Undiscovered.” Thank God for that! It opens up all kinds of possibilities for future generations. 

A special shout out to Jenny Lay, events coordinator and the library board members who do an outstanding job of bringing thoughtful programs to our community.

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Typography for Independent Publishers

1 Comment

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning,” ~ Benjamin Franklin

With each new generation of publishing software for e-books, options for typography, continues to expand. And as with any industry, there is language specific to that technology in the field.

AuthorMichael N Marcus‘ book TypogrTypography for Indie Publishersaphy for Independent Publishers is a reference book that helps authors understand language such as fonts, serifs, outlining, embossing and other words that may be unfamiliar to those who are new to the publishing world.

Typography for e-books is quickly becoming an art. Since the initial offerings of e-books, readers are becoming more discriminating in what they want to see in e-books. Good layout, formatting and cover design is important for hard and soft cover publications and also for e-book buyers. Understanding typography terminology will help authors determine what they want to incorporate in their finished product.

No need to worry that you don’t have room for one more book on your bookshelf. Typography for Independent Publishers comes in e-book format, and it can be referenced from digital handheld devices from anyplace, anytime. Check it out!

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

E-Book Sales 2012

Leave a comment

“You can tap on a word to see what it means and you can make the words big or small.”  ~ 9 year old girl, Virginia

The first quarter of 2013 will soon be coming to an end, and reports on book sales in 2012 have been complied and released from many sources. E-books continue to increase in popularity, as technology continues to offer improved products such as digital readers, and tablets. 

e-book softwareAccording to The Kids and Family Reading Report, published by Scholastic, “as much of 46% percent of children have read an e-book.” They are being used more frequently in the classroom and for this tech savvy generation of children, e-books designs are incorporating interactive features that children like. 

The Kindle Fire, a digital book reader had presales back in September 2011 of one million units per week. According to Dave Limp, V.P. of Amazon “Kindle Fire is the most successful product we’ve ever launched- it’s the bestselling product across all of Amazon for 11 straight weeks.” 

Attached is an article from Venturebeat.com about e-book sales in 2012. I’ll let the information speak for itself, rather than try to interpret it for you. http://bit.ly/Zq5L8s . 

Not convinced this is a fair assessment of the e-book market? Here are a few other articles which also cite a growing demand for digital books. 

http://bit.ly/YkT2Dg  

http://on.mash.to/Zq6YwO

From analyzing the reports, there is a healthy market for e-books. The growing use technology in our lives, an increased focus on sustainable, green living, the affordability of e-books and the ability to store books in a computer or handheld digital device rather than on bookshelves that take up space in rooms, in my opinion explain why e-book sales is a growing market.

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Film Friday: Surprising Developments in Life

2 Comments

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~ Unknown 

At the beginning of the week I posted a blog called Bundled Energy. The gist of the writing was that positive energy brings good things about.  If you missed it, here is the link. http://bit.ly/XirgZP.

Twenty five years ago, a bundle of joy, was placed in my arms, swaddled in a blanket.  A gift that has showered my husband and me with blessings in so many ways. What a pleasure it has been to watch our bundle of energy grow and develop, from newborn to an adult,  now thriving of  his own accord. Our dreams have been fulfilled and the arrival  that day was the birth of our son. 

Today, we wish Marc a fantastic Film Friday, although for him, everyday is Film Friday. In retrospect, with the path his life has taken, perhaps he should have arrived between the covers of a DVD. Just kidding! http://bit.ly/UJrK73.

Happy 25th Birthday, Marc, on Monday! We are overwhelmed by our love for you and you make us proud, everyday. Have a wonderful year ahead and enjoy the Academy Awards on Sunday night. 

Marc at Reelz November 2012

 Embracing Life and Career in N.M.

 Putting his energy to work & reaping the rewards of staying focused on his dreams.

heart cake

Appreciate the gift of every day – ordinary and extraordinary!

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.