Life Is A Journey

I came across a couple of thoughts I'd like to share with you.

Where you stand is not important -- it is in what direction you are moving that counts.

Sometimes I get discouraged and feel I'm not spending enough time writing or that I'm not finishing my stories, but when I realized that as long as I am taking one step at a time heading in the direction of reaching my goal, that is all that matters. It seems each day gets filled with things I have to do -- cleaning, laundry, time with my family, and now the holidays with the extra work they create, that I forget that this is my life and I need to make it the best it can be. As long as I take a step each day, eventually I'll succeed. If I can take more than one step - great for me, but if not, one step at a time is all that I need to and I'll get there.

Life is a journey - not a camp.

Keep striving to better yourself. Make each day worthwhile to you, and most of all take time to be happy. Live today and tomorrow will get here on its own accord.

A Sense of Accomplishment

Isn't it wonderful to experience a sense of accomplishment when you've finished a big project?

This week I finished two projects (yeah for me!). First, cleaning the carpets in my home. Everything just feels wonderful and just in time for the upcoming holidays.

Secondly, I finished a novella I started in October. What a great feeling to write "the end" and send off a query to an editor. Cross your fingers for me that she'll want it. My critique partners say it's my best story yet.

I challenge you to work hard and feel the heady sense of accomplishing something you've been working at but just hadn't finished yet.

Great Advice to Live By

A friend gave me the following and as I read through it again tonight, I found myself thinking it is so true. I don't know who wrote it, but I wanted to share the thoughts with you.

DO FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
Every super-successful person's gotta do what they love.

DON'T BE AFRAID
You'll never walk if you don't take the first step.

DO JUST DO IT
You can dream, you can talk, but at some point you have to do it.

DONT EVER GIVE UP
Tenacity: you're gonna get knocked down. Take your knocks and get right back up.

DO GET A YES
You might get a hundred doors slammed in your face. So go to door 101.

DON'T OVER PROMISE
You have to keep your credibility.

DO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SMARTER THAN YOU.
That's the Ronald Reagan School of Management.

DON'T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS.

Life - Use It Wisely

Life is a coin
You can spend it anyway you wish,
But you can only spend it once.
----Unknown

I found this saying and remember writing it down because it really made me think. We have one life. We can only have each day, each hour, each minute once, and then it is gone. How did you spend yours? Did you do something to improve yourself or did you do something to help someone else? So often we wile away our days, putting off doing things until tomorrow, then wish we had the time back.

Each time I read through the above thought, I find myself thinking of all the things I'd like to do, all the love I'd like to give, all the happiness I want for myself and others, and then I realize I'm the only one who can spend my day doing just that.

Be happy. Live your life and spend it wisely.

Utah RWA Conference

I just returned from a wonderful Writers Conference sponsored by the Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America held at The Lodges at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. Beautiful setting, wonderful rooms, and great service.

It was a fantastic conference with workshops by such authors as Jo Leigh, Lynn Kurland, Nicole Jordan, Elizabeth Lane, Rachel Gibson, Melissa Mayhue and Raeanne Thayne. In addition, we had a special workshop by Jude Bown, author and inspirational speaker. I enjoyed all their words of advice and am amazed at all the talent of these wonderful authors.

We were also lucky to have agents, Kelly Mortimer and Christine Witthohn, as well as editor, Amanda Bergeron from Avon Books, present workshops and a panel for us to ask questions to gain from their knowledge.

If you’re an author or anyone who is striving to achieve a dream, here are few words of wisdom I gained from the workshops and speakers:

You have to take the first step. If you’re an author, put your butt in the chair and start writing.

Never stop learning about the process. Do your homework. Know who to submit your work to, know what they are looking for. Overcome your fears and never stop pushing yourself to do better.

Don’t try to mimick others. Learn your strong points, emphasize those strong points. Find what makes you unique and go for it. Don’t let anyone change that.

Network. Get to know others in the field you’re striving to succeed in. Ask for their help. Be their friend and offer any assistance you can to help them. Always be professional. Look for the positive and don’t complain.

Treasure the small successes and achievements you make. And lastly, Do what you love.

I Read a New Book

Have any of you read Carla Neggers? I got a copy of her book, Cold Pursuit, and I loved it. From the first murder in Black Fall, a small town in Vermont, to the hit and run murder of a prominent ambassador in Washington, D.C. her story grabbed me and didn't let go. Her hero was wonderful and the heroine determined. I couldn't put the book down and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and romance at its finest.

Her website is: CarlaNeggers.com

Live Life On Purpose

I had the opportunity to attend one of Jude Bown’s workshops, and she gave some wonderful words of wisdom. Jude is as member of our Utah Romance Writers of American Chapter and is an award winning international speaker and author. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of her seminars, take the time to do so. You’ll be glad you did!

Even if you’re not an author, her words could help you as you strive to reach your goals and make your dreams come true. Let me just pass on some of the things that made me stop and think. They’re taken from her workshop, Live Life on Purpose.

We get what we expect in life.
Our thoughts lead to our words.
Our words lead to our beliefs.
Our beliefs lead to our actions.
Our actions lead to our results.
If our thoughts don’t change, our results won’t change.

Words like woulda, coulda, shoulda will kill you.
How many times have you said I shoulda done something, or I would have if I coulda? I know I use these excuses. They definitely keep us from accomplishing what we want, don't they?

Instead of thinking GOAL think GO ALL OUT!
I've always hated it when I'm told set goals. I don't know why but it is a turn off for me, but when I think, Go All Out, it sort of energizes me to try harder.

No matter what you are striving to accomplish, what you want to be, or what your dream is, these are some wonderful tools that could help you be what you want to be. Think about her words. Take them to heart. Hopefully they'll work for you.

Positive mental attitude is a confident, honest constructive state of mind (Napoleon Hill )

Our attitudes control our lives. (Tom Blandi)

Take control of your life. Remember, Its not about will power, its about want power!
What we focus on in our minds, we give our power to.

Check out Jude’s web site at: www.JudeBown.com