weekendgetaway – Success Strategies

My Favorite Getaway Space…

The sun, sand and sea is my favorite place to be.

I was asked to write about my favorite space to share with a visiting friend. I must confess that my love of nature transcends everything. It provides inspiration and a peace that boosts my writing prowess. That said, as my friend Chrissie comes for a 5-Day-visit, I will steal away to the island that captivates. None other than Captiva Island in Sunny Florida. It is a place I getaway to whenever I need to relax and unwind. When you get to Captiva Island, it feels like you are away from all the worries and cares of the world. Indeed the perfect distraction. The rooms overlook the bay or garden, your choice dependent on your budget.

Once I hosted a group business session at the end of the year to this ideal place. The goal was to reflect about plans…

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31 Opportunities To Get To Know Yourself …

To find yourself, think for yourself
Socrates

Get to know yourself. Here are 31 ways. My top 11 favs are revealed but that’s just me.

If I were famous what would I be known for?
When I do… time flies fast
Something I would really like to do one day is…
My favorite things to do are…
If I had to describe myself using only 3 words, they would be…
If I were running a company this would be its mission…
My biggest dream is to…
If I could become an expert in one thing it would be…
What I really need at the moment is… because…
This is who I look up to … and why…
I feel brave when I…

I’m curious about yours. Do share. We would love to hear.

Have fun getting to know you!

Cheers!

A Late January Evening By The Seashore…

By the sea I couldn’t wait to be. To sit causally on the sand. Me, towel, book and birds all in one as the mighty waves thundered and splashed against the seashore. The weather forecasted it would be the coldest day of the season. Disappointment soared at the spoilt prospect yet still I was determined to chill (literally).

I sat still gazing in the distance. Cold yet relaxed. It was as if there was not a care in the world. I watched the little bird hunt its food fighting against the rushing waves as it eroded the shore. “Give up,” I shouted. But it didn’t as it tried again and again to grab another peck, and another peck. It’s little body was no match for the cold windy weather, but it was yet to give up.

That Smile

That smile… my smile, as usual with it’s pleasantries drew in passersby. Many waved hello and flashed smiles in turn. Then along came an aged one. She spilt her life story in 20 long minutes. Deflecting, I was pleased to have been there to allow her tales of melancholy. A journey of sickness, travel and friendships throughout the years. Amidst her quiet tears and outstretched arms, a flash hug ensued (but alas what of Covid?!) she eventually walked on.

As the sun set, what more could I ask for? A late January evening of peace and quiet. Distant laughter reigned from sultry beach lovers against the sounds as the mighty sunset waves splashed!

Do it again I mused. Tis pure bliss of memories made in tow.

The 5 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Florida Energizes A Writer’s Getaway…

A writer’s dream getaway comes through with Travel & Leisure’s recommendation of The 5 Best All Inclusive Resorts in Florida! And guess what? One of them happens to be in my backyard! Often I have been guilty of traveling far for the all inclusive getaway experience. Travel and Leisure takes me back to my native island of Jamaica where none beats the all inclusive concept in any of the Caribbean islands. There you will find white Sandy beaches. Tons of drinks usher your presence in a welcoming gala on arrival and throughout your hotel stay. Such include the Jewel Resorts, Sandals, Beaches, Half Moon and tons more.

Getaway To Write

I love to getaway to write, to relax amidst the beauty and safety of the beach shores. Now I commit to trying the concept right here in my backyard. Will get back with the results as I go to my safe place to bask in the beauty of Florida’s sand, seas and shores.

3 Writing Resorts

Oh and by the way, 3 of the Resorts named were:

Bungalows Key Largo, Florida Keys
Club Med Sand Piper Bay, Port St. Lucie
Trade Winds Island Resorts, St Pete Beach

Start planning to get your writing on. Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Books: Readers Share Their Top Getaway Reads…

Readers Read. Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.

Anna Quindlen

Success Strategies

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ~Ursula K. Le Guin

We have all had our favorite books that we have read from a young age. Some have left an impact on our lives. On a B&N public forum, a reader asked “What Book has stayed with you long after you’ve read it?” Fellow readers poured in with responses. Here I share a few that may prove worthwhile for your vacation, getaway, or a mid-summer night’s read.

Man’s Search for Meaning
Pecan Man
The Power
We Were the Lucky Ones
The Book Thief
Before I Fall
The Lovely Bones
It Ends with Us
The Sparrow
The Lovely Bones
One Hundred Years f solitude
The Alchemist
Harry Potter
We Were Yours
East of Eden
The Chrysalids
The Bible
The Savage Song
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Notebook
The Outsiders
A History of Loneliness
Tell Me Your Dreams

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What Happened To Friday?

Friyay! Yay! Every-day-a-Friday! Thank-God-it’s-Friday! All popular BC. Yep! Before Corona. The virus. Before the world became infected with the silence that’s so deafening. Questions prevail. What is Corona? How do we avoid? Will it ever leave? Panicked? Curious? Hopeful? Wash hands. Change clothes. Sanitize. Clean. Clean. Clean.

Remote Work

Now with remote work everyone is at home…but quarantined. Yikes! That’s not what we were thinking? Every-day-a-Friday meant being able to stay home, enjoy life, work when you want, go on vacations, long days at the beach soaking up the sun, time with friends and family… simply lounging around doing only what you want to do.

So what happened to Friday? For now its here everyday…though employers watch closely in the distance. Workers, co-workers, family feel more relaxed, yet hopefully more productive as work gets done in a more ‘soothing’ environment.

Tell it to Our Hearts

Tell it to our hearts. With kids at home away from school…maybe that’s not what we meant when we said every-day-a-Friday.

Hold strong. This too shall pass and our real Fridays will return. In the meantime, wash your hands. Keep safe.

Cheers!

11 Epic Christmas Movies…

Just love the holidays! Absolutely love the holidays! The air is different. The spirit of Christmas is evident. Family, laughter, fun, and cheer fills the atmosphere. Lights everywhere brightens the sky ushering the spirit of the season. Not to mention the gifts; the fun; the parties and so much more.

Movies

Though I write and it brings me joy, there’s nothing like a good movie. I’m not talking the hallmark type where we can predict the end. It’s always the ideal ending. I’m talking real entertainment. Fun times with the family. Here I share 11 epic holiday movies.

A Christmas Story
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Home Alone
The Holiday
Scrooged
A Christmas Carol
This Christmas
Jingle All The Way
Christmas With The Kranks
The Family Stone
Miracle on 34th Street
Die Hard
Elf

Curl up with popcorn, your favorite blanket, dog or your love and enjoy the delight of these unforgettable holiday movies.

From the list, how many have you seen? Any missing? Add your fav.

Cheers!

Get your copy of book GreenLight and start planning for your holiday gift list.

My Sea Scape Getaway…

Getaway to the Sea, the sand, the beach

I decided to getaway to the sea…my favorite place. To stay on the beach. Ahhh yessss!

The day before was beautiful. Though a bit overcast after a week of rain, the sun shined through. I stayed . Relaxed and enjoyed…til sunset.

The next day was grand. A tanner’s dream. I sat birdwatching without a care. But the midday sun pelted my skin and I could hardly bear it.

The Hammock

Defeated …I headed for the rescue of the hammock in the shade. Crazy! It swung me 180 degrees and I toppled out and landed flat on my back. But it actually felt good lying there on the ground. So I stayed for around 20 mins. Beach Bag, phone, books scattered around me. Lying there, I read.

30 minutes later I retreated for a drink. Strawberry Daiquiri…non alcoholic. I sit contemplating as the clock ticked by. I didn’t have a plan. The goal was to simply relax and listen to the quiet inner voice.

Eyed the hammock again. Perhaps it will give me some insights. But scared I may topple over again, I stood staring.

Hmmm let’s see.

Wonder how the day is gonna end? Will I have the courage to get in and even more, will I get that coveted pic?

Hmmm … tried again. Second time. Yup! I did it again. Toppled over. Stayed right there on the ground again. Maybe it’s meant to be. Ground for me.

To the Rescue

Apparently my plight was seen by a groundskeeper who may have found my situation rather humorous (wonder if it happens all the time). Anyway, he came over.

Yep! I got in. Groundskeeper drove his grounds mobile like Batman to rescue the hilarious sight. With his help, I not only got into the hammock. I was able to get a pic for my girls. Evidence! I did it!

Careful not to swing too much, I chose land and safety. Decided after 15 minutes to get back on the beach to spend time with the birds. Time with the sea. Time listening to the sound of the waves. Time writing, and Time Reading.

Rejuvenated

Rejuvenated, inspired, refreshed. My 2-day Getaway was absolutely worth it!

Now it’s your turn. Try it. Getaway! You’ll love it!

Cheers!

If You Could Read Only One Author For The Rest Of Your Life, Who Would It Be? 18 Writers Share…

Read. Write. Read. There’s no writing without reading.

Some thought it difficult to select but here I share as Writers chimed in to Penguin Publishers’ public forum question:

If you could read only one author for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Stephen King
Don DeLillo
J. K. Rowling
Jane Austen
Agatha Christie
Margate Atwood
William Shakespeare
J.R.R. Tolkien
Virginia Woolf
Toni Morrison
Paulo Coelho
The Bible
John Green
Alice Munro
C.S. Lewis
Ernest Hemmingway
James Baldwin
Dickens

If you had to choose, who would it be? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Getaway To The Waves. The Sea. The Shore.

Waves splashing. Seas rough. Birds chirping. Softly. Quietly. Then louder as if composing a song. As if complaining … oh why so rough?

Now they fly. They soar. They meander. Still chirping high above beneath the sky. The white clouds embrace.

Waves calm down. Storm’s afloat. Passes by the outskirts as if to say, I’ll stop by next time…whenever that is. Behind it leaves weeds on the shore. Washed up. All aghast.

She Reads By The Sea

Book in hand she reads by the sea. Listening. Listening to the sounds of the waves. The birds. People shouting indistinctly in the distance. Soaking up the sun. Then softly covered by the clouds. Be still my soul.

Trees. Palm trees sway softly. Tenderly. Hear the birds call. The sun shines brightly against the afternoon’s wave.

The Right Time To Write

‘Tis the right time to write. To pray. To listen to the still small voice. Speak. Help me listen. Help me hear you. Don’t let me miss what you must say.

Peace.

The 10 Key Tips To Beat Workplace Woes…

Some days are just a mess. It’s even worse during prolonged Quarter or month-end report preparations or during times of change. It’s at those times that anything we can do to lessen the stress is welcomed. I fell aghast when I bumped into Amy Jackson’s 10 tips to beat workplace woes repeated by writer Ariana Huffington. Read the full piece here. For those who gotta have a quick peek, here I share the abbreviated list.

Brighten up your Desk (make it personal)
Do Something you enjoy during your Lunch Break (not errands)
Plan things to look forward to (weekend getaways, vacations)
Eat & Drink to boost your mood (water is good)
Meditate (breathe)
Make use of Perks (if you’re lucky to get them…check HR to see what exists)
Chat to your Colleagues
Laugh (look at memes or YouTube video)
Look at your work life balance
Identify if there’s an underlying problem

I found this list interesting to beat the workplace woes and I hope you will too. Any burning tip missing? Do share! We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Take A Day Away. Separate The Past From The Future…

Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. ~Maya Angelou