Monthly Archives: February 2018

The Power of Inspiring Someone Else

Reposts

A couple of weeks ago, Christy Birmingham honored me with a mention on her blog When Women Inspire in a post about inspiring others.  Like Christy, I’ve had many influences in my life, many good, some not-so-good, that have fueled my passion for writing. I’m simply going to echo her challenge here, that we each take the time to share with those who’ve so positively inspired us, exactly how much their words and actions mean to us.

When Women Inspire

I love the concept of one person inspiring another. D’uh, you say, that’s the name of your blog Christy. But seriously, when you think about it, it’s all pretty cool. It shows the positive impact we can have on one another.

The power of inspiring others My dad’s pretty awesome. Photo ©2018 Christy B.

But sometimes we don’t even know we’re doing it. I remember years ago, being in a bad mental space and thinking “No one would even care if I weren’t here.”

My dad set me straight on that one! And so did other people. The reality is that you are likely touching other hearts without even realizing it. So let’s make that affect on others full of good energy, rather than bad.

Recently author and blogger Amy Caudill humbled me with her review of my book Versions of the Self on Goodreads. That review had me beaming, but you know what…

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Changing Life-Goals and Ditching Plans

Blog Posts

I used to think that by the time I reached my mid-forties I would have the entire rest of my life mapped out.  I thought that at some predetermined point I would have a firmly set path in front of me, complete with clearly-defined goals and the steps required to get there.

The road to the hills
Each journey we take starts with one step. Photo by highlights6 on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

I started a career in the medical field, and though there were missteps and difficulties here and there, I managed to get where I wanted to go.  That vocation allowed me to support my kids while they grew up, finished school, and then began the pursuit of their own dreams.  One day, though, I realized the work no longer satisfied me, fulfilled me.  I asked myself, where do I go from here?

Life, I’ve heard, is not a destination, but a journey.  It follows then, that when one goal is reached, it’s time to set a new one.  Some people are lucky to find a career, a lifestyle they love, and are content to stay with that for the rest of their lives, and I say great for them!  However, I was not one of those people; after a while the job I held for so long became, to put it bluntly, boring.

I became aware that the aims and goals that I had when I was struggling with a young family in my twenties no longer fit my changing life now that my kids were grown and (mostly) on their own.  Eventually I decided to go back to school, and start on a new path, one that I had lacked the financial security and perhaps, the courage, to pursue as a parent of young children.  I decided to become a professional writer, something I’d dare only dream about before.

I still don’t have it all figured out, but somewhere along the way I realized that that’s okay.  Somedays it still feels like I take two steps forward and four steps backward on the path I have chosen.  I don’t expect I’ll ever become rich or famous, but I’m happy sharing my gifts with the world.

My life no longer has a completely set plan, but I’ve decided I really don’t need one.  All the changes, growth, and even succumbing to uncertainty I’ve experienced on this particular expedition, means I’m still alive, still growing, still becoming whom I’m meant to be.  I’m only forty-six after all; I ‘m optimistic that I still have quite a bit more untraveled road ahead of me, and I’m just enjoying the journey.

Here’s to hoping you all find your own path to happiness,

Amy

For My Valentine

Original Poetry

When I sat down to decide on a topic for this week’s post, I naturally considered the holiday that we in the U.S., as well as several other countries, will celebrate tomorrow, Valentine’s Day.  I considered discussing famous pairings from TV or movies, or famous lines from romantic movies, but in the end I decided to do something a little more original.

I blame the craziness surrounding me right now; I’m making plans for my daughter’s college graduation (!) and we’re getting the house in shape to receive out-of-state relatives.  On top of that, my husband’s on a business trip this week , and won’t be home until after Valentine’s.   I decided to work out my stress by putting pen to paper, and this was the result.

I don’t share original prose on this site very often, and this is the first piece of poetry I’ve written in years.  I will admit to being inspired by a book I just finished by my friend Christy Birmingham.  See a link to my review of Versions of the Self here.

This is dedicated to Steve.

Sunset seen through hands in heart shape
Photo on Foter.com

A Lack of Words

I want to write down

Exactly what you mean to me

But all the love songs I’ve

ever heard,

And all the lines from movies I’ve

ever seen,

Crowd out the voice in my head.

How do I express

exactly what I feel

when I can’t find words

to encompass

everything you are?

How I depend on you,

how I need you,

how much a part of me

you are.

Nothing I can say will ever be enough.

Nothing I write

will ever contain what I feel.

Words fail me

when it comes to

only you.

-Amy Caudill

 

 

Resident Evil:Apocalypse, American movie (2004)

Reposts

I may not be a gamer like Raistlin0903, who wrote this post, but I’m a big fan of female action heroes. In my opinion Milla Jovovich is one of the best out there today, not only for her long-running Resident Evil series, but starring roles in other films such as The Fifth Element and Ultraviolet. Milla will be next seen in her upcoming role as the lead villian in the Hellboy reboot. Whatever role she takes, this lady is known for using brains, martial arts moves, and bullets to demolish her opponents where they stand. Check her out at a theatre or RedBox near you.

Raistlin0903

There was a time when I was a very obsessive player of computergames. Just as with movies, I had a particular fondness for games that were set in the horrorgenre. It will probably not be a very big surprise that the infamous Resident Evil series was my favorite. For those that are not familiar with it, shame on you! But of course being the nice guy that I am, I will tell you a little bit of background on it. Resident Evil tells the story of the evil Umbrella corporation, that unknown to the public at large, secretly produces bio weapons. One of their biggest creations was the socalled T-virus, that turns normal people into terrible flesh eating zombies. And of course…at one point something goes terribly wrong, and the virus gets unleashed in the fictional town of Raccoon City. The third game in the series introduced a foe that…

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