Wishing you joy that springs from deep within Wishing you brave heart that’s infinite Wishing you love beyond measure Wishing you smiles that’s hard to dissolve Wishing you peace even when things go wrong Wishing you God’s divine direction in all you do
May God grant your heart’s desire, throughout the new year and beyond.
The ball dropped and suddenly we went from the old to the new. it’s new year’s day at universal and islands of adventure. Beehives of Chattering voices everywhere. I sit quietly People watching cultures far, near, and everywhere. Fun. Rides. Food. Smiles. Tired feet clad in running shoes, t-shirts, jeans, tights; it’s family time you can’t miss.
Lots of gleeful noise amidst the screams of the world famous hulk ride. Twists, turns, ups, downs. It’s like you’re just gonna explode. Why would people do that to themselves?! Omgeee!
There’s Spider-Man. Tired legs allowed the young ones to go do their thing. After men in black, fast n furious, I was missing nothing.
But who am I to complain after enjoying my own knee jerking skydive that only few dared to hit
It’s Started With a Bang
Yep it’s New Year’s Day and it started off with a bang with plans for a year filled with lots of fun, excitement, and thrill. All wrapped in fear of the twists and turns among the unknown. But hey, doing it anyway. You won’t know until you try, right?
Armed with goals to finish my long outstanding book series titled RedLight, I’ll getaway for a solo retreat to think, to plan, to write in a faraway land. A time of peace and quiet. It’s become personal January tradition.
The object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result is the defined meaning of GOALS
TED Talk asked individuals in a public forum to share their 2023 goals. Aghast I was when many chimed in sharing their own personal goals. Many chimed in with a few snippets shared here. One person replied … “No goals. No achievement. Just letting life happen”. Hmmm, to not plan is to just go with the flow. That may be good at times but what happens when you periodically assess? What result do you expect to find?
If you’re not measuring, you’re not managing it
Peter Drucker
Another said he was working on achieving his ‘2020’ goals. One may be quick to laugh until we remember what happened tin 2020. Yep! The pandemic. So that person is still focused on working that goal….hence the comment.
Retirement: The Journey and The Destination is a guide to help readers in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties learn and appreciate the key considerations that should direct the process of planning for retirement so their preparation will not be fragmented, lopsided and insufficient.
Overcoming writer’s block isn’t always easy, but it helps to keep a pen and paper at the ready for when inspiration strikes.
Unknown
Many complain of experiencing writer’s block. It refers that time when writers attempt to write and nothing comes. Some complain that it last days, weeks, months. Others say it may even last years. The question came up in an authors’ forum. Here I share 13 tips recommended.
Take a day off from writing
Work on two different books at the same time. If you have trouble with one, move to the other. It helps with the creative process
If you don’t know what you’re going to write there’s no point in sitting down. What you can do is think during the day what the next few pages are going to be like (when writing fiction). So when you sit you know exactly what’s coming
Only it seems to me that once in your life before you die you ought to see a country where they don’t talk in English and don’t even want to. ~Thornton Wilder
I ordered a coffee and a little something to eat and savored the warmth and dryness. Somewhere in the background Nat King Cole sang a perky tune. I watched the rain beat down on the road outside and told myself that one day this would be twenty years ago. ~Bill Bryson
I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out. I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:
10 Reasons Writers Write
They love to write
To express their thoughts
To communicate
To share experiences
To tell about events
To share their feelings
To persuade
To teach
To Ask Questions
They want something
Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
Writing is a joy. Being a first time publisher is exhilarating! But what’s difficult is some parts of the writing journey. In a Public forum authors were asked what was the hardest part of writing. Many eagerly chimed in with top issues such as marketing and editing. Here I share the top 25:
The Hardest Part Of Writing
Marketing
Building and attracting an audience
A blank page
Convincing people to read your book
Being confident that you write for yourself first, then the secondary audience – the public
Tips on tips! What to give. When to give. Should you give?
And the gratuity? Did you help me load my luggage? No, but …
-Jack Vance
CNN Headline News (HLN) shared the evolution of tips in our society. Cash registers now have built in tips at the grocery store, retail store and even at the plant nursery! Yikes! All this separated from the traditional tipping places like hospitality-hotels, restaurants, salon, nail services and more. Caused me to think. We are all being bombarded by this new extra invasion of the ‘plasticcards.’ Should we Fair Tip or Guilt Tip? HLN’s Money Coach recommends, no service–no tip.
Not sure when to give and how much? Here I share HLN’s recommendation of the amounts to give as fair tips for both the travel and restaurant dining options.
No Service. No Tip
HLN’s Money Coach
Appropriate Tip: Travel
Skycap & Bellhop: at least $2
Housekeeper: $5 per day
Taxi Driver: 15-20% of fare but minimally $1 (more if they carry your bags)
Appropriate Tip: Restaurant
Wait Service: 15-20%
Take Out: It’s up to you!
Bartender: $1-2 per beer, more for cocktails
Tipping Jars: It’s up to you!
So there you have it. Tips on tips! What to give. When to give. Should you give? It’s all like your career and the workplace. Pay for Performance. The more you work, the more productive you are, the more bonus and salary increase you get (all things being equal, right)?
What are your thoughts on this trend? Do share. We would love to hear.
The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by. – Alek Wek
I love challenges. I set goals, and do everything to accomplish them. Then when I do, I move on to the next goal. As the head of Head of Human Resources for many years, I relentlessly celebrated the achievement of others on the job, but I never stopped to celebrate my own personal achievements. In recent years I came to value the importance of celebrating life’s triumphs. I guess it comes with maturity. There is something gratifying to it. Besides, it leaves a lasting legacy on those close to me.
Oh how to celebrate? The question was asked and many Bravely Expressed and jumped in. But I found Sarah Starrs list of ways to celebrate insightful. Here I share my top favs!
Tough Nickel 
I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out. I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:
