The Giving Tree was such a popular children’s book, but I always felt there should have been a story on the side… The Giving of a Tree
This Is Us β A Positive Escape into a Mo
If lifeβs stresses are getting you down. If the news just seems too dire. If the same old challenge-filled shows are not your cup of tea anymore and the evil they are trying to pass as entertainment is turning you offβ¦ then I highly encourage you to check out This Is Us.
Chrysalis BREW Book Award
The 5300 Year History of Unicorns and Bi...
Unicorns have been written about, described, sketched and drawn for more than 5300 years – and yet, historians want to claim they are a myth? Why do you think that is?
The Painting Receives Outstanding Book R...
“In The Painting by Kathleen J. Shields, the author has taken one of the most controversial topics and written the most inspiring, heartfelt story I have had the privilege to read in a long time.”
No Resolutions for 2014
What are resolutions anyway? It isΒ the process of resolving a problem. But what if you donβt have a problem? Just kiddingβ¦ Actually, I say if your resolutions are to lose weight, quit smoking, get organized, or spend less, you are doomed to fail (shy 8% – which is the statistic of those who actually succeed […]
Magic Eye – A Metaphore for Jesus’ Plan
The Magic Eye is an excellent metaphor for Jesusβ plan for us. From a quick glance it looks like a collage of random shapes and colors melded together to create chaos. From the outside looking in, without the instructions, you can not see what the rest of us see.Β You must first read the directions […]
The older I grow the more I distrust the...
The older I grow the more I distrust that familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom. H. L. Mencken One of the guys at breakfast club said this a while back and while I burst out laughing, it also made me think. βI was looking at a guy who had really white hair thinking to myself […]
Laughter is the best medicine.
What was it that said you should laugh every day?Β Have you ever gone a day without laughing? A chuckle, a giggle a simple smile? I know that when I am stressed out, even funny jokes donβt get me laughing. Sometimes I hear my husband barrel laughing so loud heβs falling out of his chair […]
To escape criticism β do nothing, say no
Oh those dreaded rejection letters! Your story doesnβt fit us, your story isnβt marketable, you canβt writeβ¦ I made that last one up, they donβt say that anymore (political correctness and all) but it used to happen. Did you know that Rudyard Kipling was told he didnβt know how to use the English language and […]
The most motivational words in history: ...
I betcha canβt guess what this is. I betcha canβt beat this. I betcha canβt hold your breath forβ¦ I betcha canβt have just one. I betcha canβt do thisβ¦ I betcha canβt catch me. Life, for me, is an I betcha canβt enticement, pushing me harder and harder to successfully accomplish each goal. In […]
It is the little bits of things that fre...
Okay that statement is so true itβs hilarious! Can you imagine not being able to dodge an elephant? I mean they are big, yes.Β They can move, yes. But Iβve never seen an elephant land in my soup! Yet letβs analyze that just a wee bit deeper, shall we? Itβs the little things that worry […]
I am Thankful⦠are you?
As always, this time of year leads people to pause and consider what all we are so thankful for. Itβs one of the best times of year because, if we do it right, it forces us to look at the silver linings in our lives and appreciate them. Our daily lives can be so stressful.Β […]
Art is a collaboration between God and t...
Art is a collaboration between God and the artist and the less the artist does the better. Andre Gide I am not an artist! Or at least I have told myself that. I was told I was wrong. If you can paint a picture with paint, you are an artist. If you can paint a […]
The busy have no time for tears.
Β The busy have no time for tears. Lord Byron When I read that I immediately fell back in time to the day my mom was killed. From the moment after I hung up after the first phone call from the police, until, oh, about 10 months later, I was so busy, I hardly had […]
Life is about the moments not the things...
The other day I was talking with a friend and we got into a deep philosophical conversation about life.Β She had been the primary caretaker for her mother (a scene I know all too well) and was describing everything that needed to be done.Β This needs to be gotten. I need to pick this up. […]
There are three things you can not recov...
There are three things you can not recover in life, the MOMENT after itβs gone, the WORD after itβs said and the TIME after itβs wasted. – Carpe diem – Seize the day Think before you speak. Stop playing games. – God gives you the exact number of opportunities that you will get in life […]
Everyone thinks of changing the world bu...
Β The World is Falling Apart! β Look at all those crazy people on the other sideβ¦ if only they wouldβ¦ (insert complaint hereβ¦) We all do it. We look out upon the world and see what is going on; watch the news, read the papers, listen to the rumors and we all feel like […]
Too many people miss the silver lining b...
Have you seen your silver lining? Itβs probably that great thing just on this side of your golden dream. The one that wins the lottery, gets the promotion, upgrades to the better house or better car. Too many people miss the silver lining because their expecting gold. Maurice Setter I studied all week and only […]
Stick to it β like a postage stamp
If youβve written a story, publish it. Once itβs published, market it. Once you start marketing, never stop!Β Stick to it like crazy glue. Attach your dream to that item and hold fast. Bond with it. Make it part of your heart, your soulβ¦ you are joined together like Siamese twins. Β Talk about it. Dream […]
Ability is nothing without opportunity
Ability is of little account without opportunity. Napoleon Bonaparte Do you know why American Idol, So you think you can Dance and Americaβs Got Talent are so popular?Β The same reason Star Search and Soul Train was so popular in the 80βs. Because people with talent need a place to showcase said talent.Β They need […]