How does a writer like me re-energize and stay inspired to keep writing? The answer to that changes daily. But today my inspiration came from a whole room full of people, mostly educators dedicating time on a Saturday to help promote writing and reading among the youth in our community. It was a humbling, amazing …
I have been thinking about the importance of reading the past few days. As next week is Celebrate Literacy Week in Florida, schools all over the state and in my district are planning activities to engage kids in reading. This makes my soul happy. I wish adults could have a break from the regular work …
Ahh, a New Year…this means a clean slate. New possibilities await. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you set goals at the beginning of a calendar year? I certainly have in the past. Last year I came up with a word for 2016: Mindfulness. Although I must admit, it was well past …
Today is Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday. Today is the day I thought I’d be selling my children’s book in local retailers for #ShopSmall and #ShopLocal. I had it all pictured in my mind. Friends and family would come by to pick up their copies. Maybe I’d even sign a few of …
A place I have missed visiting A place I once tried to push away A place I slipped from furiously A place for simply another day A place I thought unworthy A place I didn’t appreciate A place I deemed trivial A place to almost hate A place to prevent growth A place to stump …
I draw most of my inspiration for my writing from real people and real experiences. From things I witness to conversations I overhear to the hilarity I spy in my own home, nothing is sacred. I may turn around and write about you. Therefore, I believe it’s time I read you your “Mrs. Mandy Warning” …
Like most people in their twenties, I had fun in those years and didn’t work too hard. I dreamed away the first thirty years of my life with no regrets. After I entered the third decade however, I began to want more. I began to contemplate less and take more action. My head floated down from the clouds and …
Only takes one… One word One expression One smile One thought One heart One beat One resolution One you One me One million odds One world One love One step One leap One push One fight One victory One moment One pause One breakthrough One tear One laugh One life One blessing One chance One gift One need …
“Shut up and Get to work!” I yell at myself. That’s right. I can talk to my inner voice like this. And sometimes I need to. I doubt I’d appreciate anyone else being so blunt with me. But I often need to stare my whiny self in the mirror and tell me, “Enough already! Plant your butt …
I gave the below speech today to the Gulf Power Engineering Society and my fellow Toastmasters group on May 26, 2016. I wrote this in March 2016 and finally had the opportunity to deliver it for a crowd in the way I wanted. This was my final speech to complete the Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual. …
