An acquaintance from the Susan Elizabeth Phillips bulletin board is staring 2009 with a wonderful contest. Sanna is a very talented seamstress and designer and is starting 2009 by giving away a handmade handbag. My friend April has one of her handbags and loves it!
Hope on over to Sanna's Blog and follow the instructions and you too may be the lucky owner of an Angel original. *g*
Thursday, January 01, 2009
One Of These Days
Isn't that what we always say? One of these days I'm going to...fill in the blank.
All through 2008 this was my mantra. My energies were focused on staying positive at work, finding a new job (still working on that one), renovations and continuing to nurture my marriage. Then I lost my job. And suddenly most of my excuses fell away. Financially, there were plenty of things I couldn't do, but I had all this time where I could knit, reconnect with friends, read books I had sitting on my shelves for months or even years. I had time to write, to build my coaching practice. To be.
And yet, looking back, I feel I squandered some of that time. I didn't write every day like I planned. I didn't network every day. I didn't pull out my Bible and read a passage every day. I didn't even get out of my house every day. I certainly didn't increase my blogging activity.
It occurred to me this week that I had bought into the there-will-always-be-time mentality. I would likely be out of work for 6 months (so say the stats) so I would have all this time to write and journal and coach. I could put off the things that weren't motivating me or were difficult. I could plan and talk and plan as much as I wanted without executing. I had goals. I had dreams. But I didn't have results.
2009 is a brand new year. And I'm going to start it off right. I am going to not just plan, but I'm going to follow through. It means changing how I think, how I plan and what I focus on. But I know deep in my heart of heart it will be worth it. I almost want to change the title of my blog because I'm not going to keep chasing inspiration, I'm going to hit it over the head!
So, how am I going to change? Well, I read on occasion this wonderful blog titled Zen Habits and the author of the blog has written a book titled The Power Of Less. Since my lay-off, I've been contemplating the theme of less being more. We aren't going through money as quickly because I've been uber-conscious of what we're spending. And we aren't missing the little things like I thought we would. I've been passing on books more than buying them and my heart doesn't hurt when I let a book out into the world like it used to. I've been simplifying some of the systems we/I have created to keep ourselves organized and on track and I feel less stress. Big duh moment here.
But what I'm getting from The Power Of Less is to learn more about goals and purpose and honing in and honing in with that laser intensity that helps to shake all the rest away so you can complete your goal(s). Part of that process is to publically commit. I'm taking the next couple of days to really figure out what my goals are and purpose is for 2009 and then I'm going to commit. Publically. Here for all to see. Keep me honest, people. Ask me the hard questions.
It's time to put an end to "one of these days" and to live with purpose and passion today. Is it going to be easy? I suspect not. But it will be oh so worth it in the end!
Happy 2009! May this be your year of purpose and passion and living in the now!
All through 2008 this was my mantra. My energies were focused on staying positive at work, finding a new job (still working on that one), renovations and continuing to nurture my marriage. Then I lost my job. And suddenly most of my excuses fell away. Financially, there were plenty of things I couldn't do, but I had all this time where I could knit, reconnect with friends, read books I had sitting on my shelves for months or even years. I had time to write, to build my coaching practice. To be.
And yet, looking back, I feel I squandered some of that time. I didn't write every day like I planned. I didn't network every day. I didn't pull out my Bible and read a passage every day. I didn't even get out of my house every day. I certainly didn't increase my blogging activity.
It occurred to me this week that I had bought into the there-will-always-be-time mentality. I would likely be out of work for 6 months (so say the stats) so I would have all this time to write and journal and coach. I could put off the things that weren't motivating me or were difficult. I could plan and talk and plan as much as I wanted without executing. I had goals. I had dreams. But I didn't have results.
2009 is a brand new year. And I'm going to start it off right. I am going to not just plan, but I'm going to follow through. It means changing how I think, how I plan and what I focus on. But I know deep in my heart of heart it will be worth it. I almost want to change the title of my blog because I'm not going to keep chasing inspiration, I'm going to hit it over the head!
So, how am I going to change? Well, I read on occasion this wonderful blog titled Zen Habits and the author of the blog has written a book titled The Power Of Less. Since my lay-off, I've been contemplating the theme of less being more. We aren't going through money as quickly because I've been uber-conscious of what we're spending. And we aren't missing the little things like I thought we would. I've been passing on books more than buying them and my heart doesn't hurt when I let a book out into the world like it used to. I've been simplifying some of the systems we/I have created to keep ourselves organized and on track and I feel less stress. Big duh moment here.
But what I'm getting from The Power Of Less is to learn more about goals and purpose and honing in and honing in with that laser intensity that helps to shake all the rest away so you can complete your goal(s). Part of that process is to publically commit. I'm taking the next couple of days to really figure out what my goals are and purpose is for 2009 and then I'm going to commit. Publically. Here for all to see. Keep me honest, people. Ask me the hard questions.
It's time to put an end to "one of these days" and to live with purpose and passion today. Is it going to be easy? I suspect not. But it will be oh so worth it in the end!
Happy 2009! May this be your year of purpose and passion and living in the now!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December Reads
Night Lost, Evermore and Twilight Fall by Lynn Viehl -- the Darkyn series continues through these books with more intrigue and the series long plot lines getting ready to tie up in the final book that comes out in 2009. Well done. Very well done!
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern -- I haven't seen the movie and I'm not sure I loved this book but it was a great freshman effort and I'll read more of CA's work.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh -- This was a reread and is the first book in Nalini's Psy/Changling series. It was great to revisit because I remember why I loved it all over again.
Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton -- A nice escapist read.
What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris -- Sebastian St. Cyr. S'all I'm saying!
Heating Up The Holidays anthology with Jill Shalvis as contributing author-- Good holiday fun with hot and spicy firemen. Mmm, mmm.
Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor -- The first book of her Dark Crescent Sisterhood series. I'll read the next books, for sure.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay -- The book that sparked the Showtime series.
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James -- Lawyers, Hollywood and sexual tension, oh my!
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern -- I haven't seen the movie and I'm not sure I loved this book but it was a great freshman effort and I'll read more of CA's work.
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh -- This was a reread and is the first book in Nalini's Psy/Changling series. It was great to revisit because I remember why I loved it all over again.
Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton -- A nice escapist read.
What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris -- Sebastian St. Cyr. S'all I'm saying!
Heating Up The Holidays anthology with Jill Shalvis as contributing author-- Good holiday fun with hot and spicy firemen. Mmm, mmm.
Bound by Shadow by Anna Windsor -- The first book of her Dark Crescent Sisterhood series. I'll read the next books, for sure.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay -- The book that sparked the Showtime series.
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James -- Lawyers, Hollywood and sexual tension, oh my!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Eve
Just got back from Christmas Eve service at church and am finally feeling the yuletide spirit. Nothing like some candles, carols and that awe that comes from being in a holy place does for one's attitude.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May you experience peace and joy and love.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May you experience peace and joy and love.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Weather Outside is Frightful
And I don't have a fire to warm up with so the weather inside is merely better than the cold wind and snow that is outside. If you haven't guessed, it's freezing here! Which is normal for winter. Except the past winters have been anything but normal so I've been lulled into believing that winter doesn't dip below zero and the winds don't blow you into the next county.
The job search continues. I have some leads and an almost dream job that I'm applying for. Almost because it's not really my dream job but has elements of that job and wouldn't be so taxing that I have no energy to write and coach once the work day is finished. Please pray/send good thoughts regarding this position. I just feel...right about it.
On the writing front, I'm doing a lot of brainstorming right now. I've started back at the beginning of the materials in Holly Lisle's How To Think Sideways: Career Survival for Writers course and that has really helped. I powered through many lessons this summer and then after the layoff just stopped looking at it. I have all the lessons (22 weeks worth) so decided to start over. Best decision I have made regarding my writing. I feel organized, I feel confident and I feel like I have someone who's been there, done that looking over my shoulder whispering words of advise and encouragement. I love this course! LOL. If you haven't checked it out, please do.
The home office is starting to feel complete. Nothing like being forced to spend time in four walls to make a girl want to organize. I still want more bookshelves and may convince The Man to help me organize the shelves that are attached to the wall to give me more space. He's much more spatially oriented than I am. Me, I just pile stuff on. He actually maximizes the space. Good thing I'm married to him.
Okay, it's back to work for me. Yes, work. Job hunting is a lot of work and I must find a job so I must work. Wish me luck!
The job search continues. I have some leads and an almost dream job that I'm applying for. Almost because it's not really my dream job but has elements of that job and wouldn't be so taxing that I have no energy to write and coach once the work day is finished. Please pray/send good thoughts regarding this position. I just feel...right about it.
On the writing front, I'm doing a lot of brainstorming right now. I've started back at the beginning of the materials in Holly Lisle's How To Think Sideways: Career Survival for Writers course and that has really helped. I powered through many lessons this summer and then after the layoff just stopped looking at it. I have all the lessons (22 weeks worth) so decided to start over. Best decision I have made regarding my writing. I feel organized, I feel confident and I feel like I have someone who's been there, done that looking over my shoulder whispering words of advise and encouragement. I love this course! LOL. If you haven't checked it out, please do.
The home office is starting to feel complete. Nothing like being forced to spend time in four walls to make a girl want to organize. I still want more bookshelves and may convince The Man to help me organize the shelves that are attached to the wall to give me more space. He's much more spatially oriented than I am. Me, I just pile stuff on. He actually maximizes the space. Good thing I'm married to him.
Okay, it's back to work for me. Yes, work. Job hunting is a lot of work and I must find a job so I must work. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fear
I lost my job recently and the one job I really hoped to obtain fell through. I thought I was dealing rather well with this set back and with being unemployed. Sure, it's not fun and the money is going to run thin and I worry about our finances at the best of times. But I had time to find that good fit instead of looking for just another job.
And then the stark reality hit. The job market isn't strong and lay-offs are becoming the norm. And it could happen to my husband. And wouldn't that really really bite the big one if we were both out of work at the same time?
So what's a girl to do? Find a job doing what she doesn't love so the family can be sure of survival? Or hold out for that perfect fit? All the coaching I've received lately focuses on fit. But our personal fear is that we need to ensure we are paying the bills. Life marches on and the mortgage needs to be paid.
Today I am shrouded in fear. But I'm working through it. Because there is no reason life should be driven by fear. Fear lies to us. Fear holds us back. Fear keeps things the same. Caution is healthy - it makes us thing, evaluate, analyze. But fear? It does nothing but hold us back. And as much as I would love to curl up into a little ball and forget the world around me exists, that's fear talking and I cannot, will not let it win.
How do you combat fear? I don't have the answers...yet. But I do know that a lot of fear is in our heads. So I'm going to start to combat the fear. And move forward with purpose toward that new job. Praying the entire time that things don't get worse for us before they get better.
And then the stark reality hit. The job market isn't strong and lay-offs are becoming the norm. And it could happen to my husband. And wouldn't that really really bite the big one if we were both out of work at the same time?
So what's a girl to do? Find a job doing what she doesn't love so the family can be sure of survival? Or hold out for that perfect fit? All the coaching I've received lately focuses on fit. But our personal fear is that we need to ensure we are paying the bills. Life marches on and the mortgage needs to be paid.
Today I am shrouded in fear. But I'm working through it. Because there is no reason life should be driven by fear. Fear lies to us. Fear holds us back. Fear keeps things the same. Caution is healthy - it makes us thing, evaluate, analyze. But fear? It does nothing but hold us back. And as much as I would love to curl up into a little ball and forget the world around me exists, that's fear talking and I cannot, will not let it win.
How do you combat fear? I don't have the answers...yet. But I do know that a lot of fear is in our heads. So I'm going to start to combat the fear. And move forward with purpose toward that new job. Praying the entire time that things don't get worse for us before they get better.
Monday, December 01, 2008
November Good Reads
If Angels Burn, Private Demon and Dark Need by Lynn Viehl -- This is a new-to-me series about vampires. It's another fresh take on an age old mythology told by an amazing storyteller. If I could spend a day in her head, I would gladly do so to learn everything I can about this business and writing.
A Perfect Groom by Samantha James -- This is the final book in her Sterling family trilogy.
Wild and Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson -- Book two of her sexy new series set in Big Knob, Ohio. Witches, wizards, dragons and true love...oh my!
The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. Covey -- A great book on the value of trust in business and life by the son of 7 Habits icon, Stephen R. Covey. A must read!
Salvation in Death by J. D. Robb -- the latest book in the Eve & Roarke saga. Loved it! But then I love all these books. Now, if I could just figure out how many more she was going to write so I could ensure shelf space for them all...
Suite 606 Anthology featuring J. D. Robb -- A great short story.
Enchanted, Inc, Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress and Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson -- Harry Potter meets Bridget Jones is the tag line, but these are way more than fantasy light chick lit. The world building and word economy to tell fantastic stories blew me away. I've had these books since the 2007 RWA conference (all but the last one, which was released in 2008), so this was a reread, but these books are staying on my shelf and I'll reread them again. Here's hoping the movie option actually becomes a movie and that Shanna will be able to write more wonderful books in this series. Seriously, I want to know more about Owen!
The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts -- The long anticipated book 3 in her Sign of Seven trilogy was a great book. I wanted more at the end - like a picture of the protagonists in the not-too-distant future, but I was satisfied with the culmination of story arcs, the characters themselves and the world building. Nora can always spin a great tale. I seriously need to study the books to see what I can learn from this master. *sigh*
Merrick's Eleventh Hour by Wendy Rosnau -- The wonderfully poignant and action packed close to Wendy's Spy Games series. If you haven't read this series, you are missing some well crafted books about lies, spies and redemption. Yeah, these stories are not to be missed. Check Wendy's site for details. And please, don't let the fact the books are published by Silhoutte put you off! Good writing is good writing, no matter who the publisher is.
[Edited to add books I forgot I read]
The Trouble With Witches. Witch Hunt and The Witch Is Dead by Shirley Damsgaard -- With each Abby & Ophelia book, Shirley gets better and better. I'm looking forward to The Witch's Grave, which is book 6 and out now. Book 7 has just been written so will likely be out sometime in 2009. *sigh* I hate when I have to wait. *g*
A Perfect Groom by Samantha James -- This is the final book in her Sterling family trilogy.
Wild and Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson -- Book two of her sexy new series set in Big Knob, Ohio. Witches, wizards, dragons and true love...oh my!
The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. Covey -- A great book on the value of trust in business and life by the son of 7 Habits icon, Stephen R. Covey. A must read!
Salvation in Death by J. D. Robb -- the latest book in the Eve & Roarke saga. Loved it! But then I love all these books. Now, if I could just figure out how many more she was going to write so I could ensure shelf space for them all...
Suite 606 Anthology featuring J. D. Robb -- A great short story.
Enchanted, Inc, Once Upon Stilettos, Damsel Under Stress and Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson -- Harry Potter meets Bridget Jones is the tag line, but these are way more than fantasy light chick lit. The world building and word economy to tell fantastic stories blew me away. I've had these books since the 2007 RWA conference (all but the last one, which was released in 2008), so this was a reread, but these books are staying on my shelf and I'll reread them again. Here's hoping the movie option actually becomes a movie and that Shanna will be able to write more wonderful books in this series. Seriously, I want to know more about Owen!
The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts -- The long anticipated book 3 in her Sign of Seven trilogy was a great book. I wanted more at the end - like a picture of the protagonists in the not-too-distant future, but I was satisfied with the culmination of story arcs, the characters themselves and the world building. Nora can always spin a great tale. I seriously need to study the books to see what I can learn from this master. *sigh*
Merrick's Eleventh Hour by Wendy Rosnau -- The wonderfully poignant and action packed close to Wendy's Spy Games series. If you haven't read this series, you are missing some well crafted books about lies, spies and redemption. Yeah, these stories are not to be missed. Check Wendy's site for details. And please, don't let the fact the books are published by Silhoutte put you off! Good writing is good writing, no matter who the publisher is.
[Edited to add books I forgot I read]
The Trouble With Witches. Witch Hunt and The Witch Is Dead by Shirley Damsgaard -- With each Abby & Ophelia book, Shirley gets better and better. I'm looking forward to The Witch's Grave, which is book 6 and out now. Book 7 has just been written so will likely be out sometime in 2009. *sigh* I hate when I have to wait. *g*
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