Nothing Can Stop You - No Matter How Old You Are

 Nothing can stop you - no matter how old you are

How many times have you awakened in the morning and wondered what happened with the past three, four, five, six or seven decades?  Or have you looked into the mirror and felt it was unfair that life passed you by without giving you a chance to pursue the career you always wanted?  As much as some people look forward to retirement, what if you don’t have the income to maintain the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to?  Then there is the backdoor threat of Alzheimer’s.  You may wonder how you are going to stay alert and focused when your days may only be filled with volunteer community work or gardening.  Is your only option being a Walmart greeter?

Do You Want To Know A Secret?

Do you have secrets that you plan to take to the grave?  Are there things in your past that you want to bury and hope no one ever finds out about them?

Everyone has secrets. My mother-in-law had an undisclosed recipe for Rum Balls that she swore she would take with her when she died. And that she did.  No one ever figured out her secret ingredient.  But what good did it do for her not to share it so we could continue to enjoy her wonderful dessert?

There are secrets we hide, never discuss, and hope no one ever finds out.  We keep secrets to protect those we love or to prevent people from thinking less of us.

Do You Have Trouble Finishing What You Started?

Do you struggle with finishing a project?  Do you have a great idea and then run into obstacles and shelve it, rather than finish it?  Do you sometimes get discouraged because you run into hurdles and can't seem to figure out how to complete the task?

I want to encourage you to do whatever it takes to fulfill that dream you had.  I speak from experience as most of my life I have been battered, beaten, broken and had more shattered dreams than any one person should have to endure.  But HOLD ON...You can do it!

Keep your focus.  Don't forget the dream.  Never forget in the darkness what you have seen in the light.  You will be rewarded.  Sometimes it may not be as quickly as you had hoped but perseverance pays off.

After years of struggling in a variety of arenas, I am finally seeing the fruit of all my labor.  Yes, there were many times when I felt it just wasn't worth it, but I assure you, it will be!

It took me ten years to write my memoir and it was not for lack of desire or time.  It was because it was so painful.  But when it finally went to print, doors of opportunity to write and to speak have poured into my life.

As difficult as it is to believe, all the pain and ugliness of the past can be turned into something good. We need to be tenacious with our dreams, our goals and see them through to the end.

WHAT IF??????

I AM HERE - Untold Stories Of Everyday People

JUST PUBLISHED - FREE NEXT TWO DAYS

Something very exciting has happened – I have a story published in a book! It’s called I Am Here: The Untold Stories of Everyday People and is a collection of true, funny, heart-wrenching, and ultimately inspiring stories. It’s format is similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul and if you like those books, you’ll like this one.

Follow Your Dream or One Crazy Miniature Dachshund

When Inderpreet Kaur Uppal requested that I guest post on her blog, she was specific.  She asked me to share what motivated me to write my memoir.  That was easy!  A crazy miniature Dachshund named Louis Vuitton was responsible for inspiring me to share my story.

 
It was a difficult but therapeutic journey requiring me to visit places in my past where I never wanted to go again.  The struggles I endured through life would make most people roll over and quit.  But through them all, I gained incredible strength and my memoir has become an encouragement for many.

I thoroughly enjoy guest posting as it is a great opportunity to gain a new audience and new friends.  Last month  Inderpreet Kaur Uppal did a guest post on my blog of her views on marriage and relationships.  Although we are half a world apart, our views are very similar.  Her post can be read here.  A Friend Indeed

We met on a blogging challenge last Spring and I have grown to appreciate her as a blogger and friend.  She is a freelance writer, blogger, editor and lecturer.  She has a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management.  She loves to read and travel.  Her blog posts are a range of subjects from lifestyle to book reviews.  She blogs at  Eloquent Articulation.  

There are no excuses -- Follow Your Dreams

 

I know you will enjoy this humorous and remarkable story of one very special dog.  Please connect with me on Inderpreet's blog and comment here..... or there or BOTH.  I will answer in both places.   Here is the story:  Follow Your Dream

6 Tools To Keep Your Reader's Attention

All of us wrote essays in school. Many of us took various forms of creative writing classes. Most of us like to write and all of us would like to improve. If you want to write, there is an abundance of information available to help you.

1.  DO YOUR RESEARCH. The crazy thing is, I did my research about creative writing after I published my memoir last year. I certainly do NOT recommend it, but I was totally unaware of the help available in blogosphere before I had completed the book.  I was terrified when I started reading all the blogs about what to do and what not to do.  I imagined I had done everything wrong and was more than shocked when I discovered that almost all the advice that was given, I had done.  I had applied common sense, one of our senses that has our best interest at heart!

Arrested, But Why?

The silence was deafening.  The only sounds I heard were coming from inside my head.  I could hear the blood rushing through my veins from the palpitations of my heart.  My sweater was moving to the uneven rhythm.

I had to keep telling myself to remain calm.  I must be very careful not to appear flustered or guilty.  I tried taking deep breaths to slow down the pace of my heart which took every ounce of my strength and fortitude.  I grabbed my knees with both hands in an effort to stop them from shaking.  But that didn't seem to help, and fear prevented me from thinking rationally.

Write a Review

Write a review about a book you love.  Write a review or discuss a book you love in detail.  That is the assignment!

I have read this book many times.  Sometimes I have read one chapter over and over and each time I read it I try to read it from a different perspective.

I read it to get a general feeling about the story.  Then I would read it to see how it flowed. Then I tried reading it from various points of views.  I would read it from a man's point of view, from a woman's point of view and then from a young woman's point.  Each time, I would get something more out of it.  Almost each time I would laugh and cry and feel the emotion of each chapter.

What Ultimate Blogging Challenge Meant To Me

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  The Ultimate Blogging Challenge was not only a challenge but a great tool in so many ways.  

Met new friends.  Thanks to all of you who stopped by my blog, took the time to read and comment and make a connection.  I am thankful for new relationships and friendships.

Losing a Child? Does the Pain Ever Stop?

"I am getting pressure from my family.  I need to have my son back."  I fell into my chair not believing what I was hearing.  We had our son since he was three days old and now a year later, she was asking for him back.  Our lawyer said "Give him back."  Words that will resonate fear and pain forever.

When I wrote my memoir, Battered Hope, one of the many traumas I share is losing our young son and the pain that penetrated like none other.  Then a year later, we adopted another little boy and his mother changed her mind before we ever got to hold him. I knew I was going to be a mommy but my hope was withering. 

Ever Feel Hopeless? Helpless? True Story That Will Grab You

Battered Hope is a true story of a courageous, strong woman who refused to accept defeat.  Through her life of trauma in several arenas, she overcame incredible odds and became successful.  Here is the first chapter...

CHAPTER ONE

     The silence was deafening. The only sounds I heard were coming from inside my head. I could hear the blood rushing through my veins from the palpitations of my heart. My sweater was moving to the uneven rhythm. I had to keep telling myself to remain calm. I must not appear flustered or guilty. I tried taking deep breaths to slow down the pace of my heart which took every ounce of my strength and fortitude. I grabbed my knees with both hands in an effort to stop them from shaking. But that didn’t seem to help, and fear prevented me from thinking rationally.

Battered Hope - A Memoir to Remember

When my daughter turned 16, she went on a trip for fourteen days and left me with her new puppy, a miniature Dachshund. This little guy named Louis Vuitton was one intelligent dog. I made notes of his escapades and took pictures during this two-week stay.

I May Be A Small Dog - But I Dream Big

I come from strong stock.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.

Dreams Do Come True

Even when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to be a husband and father and I never gave up hope that I would meet the perfect girl.  When I laid eyes on that Mexican senorita, I knew she was the one for me. She did not disappoint and we were able to raise a family together.

The Miniature Dachshund Who Started Me On My Journey To Become An Author

Books. So many warm thoughts are evoked when I think of that word. It is exciting to plan your date with the book you want to read and then take the time to sit in a quiet place and shut out the world you are living in to enter another world you choose to go.