Hmm. I read a lot of non-fiction in 2013. I need to read more young adult books in 2014. Goal. Set.
What did you read in 2013? Do you have a favorite?
What do you want to read more of in 2014?
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Holiday Highlights
Here's what I've been up to this week:
What was the highlight of your week?
 |
| Checking out the lights in Caldwell, Idaho, with family |
 |
| Christmas Eve Dinner with family and friends |
 |
| Delicious food! |
 |
| Reading about the birth of Jesus Christ |
 |
| Talking with my sons who are serving missions - one in New York and one in Alabama |
 |
| Botanical Gardens in Boise, Idaho |
 |
| Botanical Gardens in Boise, Idaho |
 |
| Botanical Gardens in Boise, Idaho |
What was the highlight of your week?
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Guest Post: How to Stop Analyzing Life and Start Living Life
A guest post today by Bob Miglani. Enjoy!
.........................................................................
Read the news. Go on LinkedIn, Facebook or see a Tweet. We notice uncertainty and chaos everywhere. In our job, in our career and in our life. We think about the future and our mind 'cannot compute'. We consider the possibilities ahead and because of all the negativity in the air, we see only a bleak path in front of us.
We look for more information to help guide us to a better job, a more fulfilling pursuit or a powerful purpose. But we can't seem to find one. So we freeze. We get stuck in our job, our career and in our life.
And time slips by.
I believe there is hope. Within the experience of our past lies the key to getting unstuck and moving forward into a better future.
In my own journey of learning to get unstuck and move forward in life, I have two valuable lessons on how to stop analyzing life and start living life, which I would like to share with you today.
1. Don't overthink because you cannot predict the future
We are often paralyzed by the over analysis of our circumstance. We think so deeply about how we got here. From the economy to our boss or our lack of money, education or an upbringing, we look for things to blame. We get frustrated and point to the fact that we don't know enough.
We think about how we're going to fare in the future and look for predictable paths. We analyze the consequence of a simple action we take and make assumptions and scenarios for how things will turn out. We pour over research, data and facts as a way to give us some clue as to how the future will play out.
But we get nowhere. The complexity of the world today, from our work and careers to the prices in the supermarket to the prices in the stock market are simply not predictable. And trying to figure out an increasingly unpredictable and complex future gives us only more stress and anxiety, paralyzing any decisions we wish to make.
By accepting that we simply cannot predict what can happen in the future, we can begin our journey of learning to live in the here and now. I stopped overthinking and overanalyzing life when I realized that I'm really not that smart.
2. Take action
The root cause of so much of the suffocation we feel during moments we are overwhelmed with life is because we are not moving anywhere. The stress and anxiety of not knowing what's coming up around the corner is worse than actually discovering the reality.
Much of the worry we feel about something bad happening in life is unfounded especially when we allow the mind to go into hyperdrive after reading a news story or hearing about a negative event. The seeds of doubt and fear are always around us, as are the seeds of encouragement and confidence. All we have to do is to pick them up and put them into our mind.
When we move forward and take action as small as making a phone call, sending an email, talking with a friend or even registering a website to start a blog, it can make us feel great about life. Action empowers us because at least we're going somewhere and not sitting around and endlessly pondering possibilities.
I believe that in order to stop overanalyzing life and start living it, we have to realize that it is not about the economy, the job or anything else but the choice we make for ourselves that will determine our happiness and success and it begins with our own mind and our own actions.
© 2013 Bob Miglani, author of Embrace the Chaos: How India Taught Me to Stop Overthinking and Start Living
Author Bio
Bob Miglani, is an author and accomplished executive with a Fortune 50 Company in NYC for the last 20 years, grew up running his family's Dairy Queen Store and came to America from India about 35 years ago with only $75 and the desire to pursue the American dream.
Through real life experiences in India, Bob has been able to bring a fresh perspective to the chaos that surrounds our modern life right here at home in America, which is the topic of his new book titled, Embrace the Chaos.
Bob writes and speaks about: #Moving Forward in Life and Work, #Getting Unstuck, #Managing Career Chaos
.................................................................................
Read Margo's review of Bob Miglani's book: Embrace the Chaos
.........................................................................
How to Stop Analyzing Life and
Start Living Life
By Bob Miglani,
Author of Embrace the Chaos: How India Taught Me to Stop Overthinking and Start Living
By Bob Miglani,
Author of Embrace the Chaos: How India Taught Me to Stop Overthinking and Start Living
Read the news. Go on LinkedIn, Facebook or see a Tweet. We notice uncertainty and chaos everywhere. In our job, in our career and in our life. We think about the future and our mind 'cannot compute'. We consider the possibilities ahead and because of all the negativity in the air, we see only a bleak path in front of us.
We look for more information to help guide us to a better job, a more fulfilling pursuit or a powerful purpose. But we can't seem to find one. So we freeze. We get stuck in our job, our career and in our life.
And time slips by.
I believe there is hope. Within the experience of our past lies the key to getting unstuck and moving forward into a better future.
In my own journey of learning to get unstuck and move forward in life, I have two valuable lessons on how to stop analyzing life and start living life, which I would like to share with you today.
1. Don't overthink because you cannot predict the future
We are often paralyzed by the over analysis of our circumstance. We think so deeply about how we got here. From the economy to our boss or our lack of money, education or an upbringing, we look for things to blame. We get frustrated and point to the fact that we don't know enough.
We think about how we're going to fare in the future and look for predictable paths. We analyze the consequence of a simple action we take and make assumptions and scenarios for how things will turn out. We pour over research, data and facts as a way to give us some clue as to how the future will play out.
But we get nowhere. The complexity of the world today, from our work and careers to the prices in the supermarket to the prices in the stock market are simply not predictable. And trying to figure out an increasingly unpredictable and complex future gives us only more stress and anxiety, paralyzing any decisions we wish to make.
By accepting that we simply cannot predict what can happen in the future, we can begin our journey of learning to live in the here and now. I stopped overthinking and overanalyzing life when I realized that I'm really not that smart.
2. Take action
The root cause of so much of the suffocation we feel during moments we are overwhelmed with life is because we are not moving anywhere. The stress and anxiety of not knowing what's coming up around the corner is worse than actually discovering the reality.
Much of the worry we feel about something bad happening in life is unfounded especially when we allow the mind to go into hyperdrive after reading a news story or hearing about a negative event. The seeds of doubt and fear are always around us, as are the seeds of encouragement and confidence. All we have to do is to pick them up and put them into our mind.
When we move forward and take action as small as making a phone call, sending an email, talking with a friend or even registering a website to start a blog, it can make us feel great about life. Action empowers us because at least we're going somewhere and not sitting around and endlessly pondering possibilities.
Human
nature is fairly simple in that it requires us to instill energy inside through
movement and it is that forwardly motion that breathes life into and often
lifeless soul. It progresses us into the future that is boundless with
opportunities and prosperity.
I believe that in order to stop overanalyzing life and start living it, we have to realize that it is not about the economy, the job or anything else but the choice we make for ourselves that will determine our happiness and success and it begins with our own mind and our own actions.
© 2013 Bob Miglani, author of Embrace the Chaos: How India Taught Me to Stop Overthinking and Start Living
Author Bio
Bob Miglani, is an author and accomplished executive with a Fortune 50 Company in NYC for the last 20 years, grew up running his family's Dairy Queen Store and came to America from India about 35 years ago with only $75 and the desire to pursue the American dream.
Through real life experiences in India, Bob has been able to bring a fresh perspective to the chaos that surrounds our modern life right here at home in America, which is the topic of his new book titled, Embrace the Chaos.
Bob writes and speaks about: #Moving Forward in Life and Work, #Getting Unstuck, #Managing Career Chaos
For
more information please visit http://embracethechaos.com and
follow the author on Facebook and Twitter
Friday, December 20, 2013
Darkly Delicious - And I'm Not Talking About Chocolate!
Have you checked out this awesome new blog for young adult books?
Well, today is the perfect day to hop on over there, because I'm featured! ;)
http://darklydeliciousya.blogspot.com
Yes, that's right. Today, I'm sharing my holiday secrets. If you want to read about one of my most embarrassing holiday moments, go on over to Darkly Delicious YA.
What's your most embarrassing holiday moment?
Well, today is the perfect day to hop on over there, because I'm featured! ;)
http://darklydeliciousya.blogspot.com
Yes, that's right. Today, I'm sharing my holiday secrets. If you want to read about one of my most embarrassing holiday moments, go on over to Darkly Delicious YA.
What's your most embarrassing holiday moment?
Friday, December 13, 2013
Awhile or A While?
Awhile is an adverb.
A while is a noun phrase.
An adverb modifies a verb. For example: I sat awhile. ... Meaning I sat a short time. Since "awhile" is modifying the verb, you could exchange it with another adverb. Like: I sat quietly.
The noun phrase "a while" refers to a period of time. For example: We walked for a while. You could replace the noun phrase with another one. Like: We walked for a month.
I still think it's confusing, and it will be for a while. But contemplate awhile, and maybe it will make more sense.
bwhahahaha
or not
Now I'm off to search out these words in my manuscript and make sure I used them correctly.
How about you? Do you struggle with the difference between "awhile" and "a while" ... or is it a piece of cake for you? ;)
A while is a noun phrase.
An adverb modifies a verb. For example: I sat awhile. ... Meaning I sat a short time. Since "awhile" is modifying the verb, you could exchange it with another adverb. Like: I sat quietly.
 |
| My awesome daughter. :) |
The noun phrase "a while" refers to a period of time. For example: We walked for a while. You could replace the noun phrase with another one. Like: We walked for a month.
 |
| Still my awesome daughter. :) |
I still think it's confusing, and it will be for a while. But contemplate awhile, and maybe it will make more sense.
bwhahahaha
or not
Now I'm off to search out these words in my manuscript and make sure I used them correctly.
How about you? Do you struggle with the difference between "awhile" and "a while" ... or is it a piece of cake for you? ;)
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Worthwhile Blog Posts
I've been blog hopping, and I thought I'd share some really great posts with you. :) Be sure to click on the link for the full article. I've included a tiny snippet below to catch your interest.
A great post about making money as a writer (self-publish or traditional or hybrid?):
"For authors deciding how to publish their work, the key question is this: Is there some set of practices that any author might adopt to improve chances of gaining readers and income from self-publishing, or are there advantages related to being a traditionally published author that might remain out of reach for the vast majority of self-published authors?"
An interesting post about the role of literary agents:
"... the agenting world has changed dramatically, a reaction to the emerging digital reading marketplace and the changing acquisition strategies of publishers are a result of ownership changes at the biggest publishing houses."
A GREAT post about query letter problems:
"... they are something that gives us pause and makes us rethink whether or not this is something we’re willing to take on, because all of these things do give us a more difficult job going into the relationship. And yes, we have said No to projects in the end because of the above reasons."
AND ... here are two great blogs that I'm excited to be a part of:
OneFour KidLit
Darkly Delicious YA
Have you found any great blogs post recently?
Share your favorite! (Please.)
A great post about making money as a writer (self-publish or traditional or hybrid?):
"For authors deciding how to publish their work, the key question is this: Is there some set of practices that any author might adopt to improve chances of gaining readers and income from self-publishing, or are there advantages related to being a traditionally published author that might remain out of reach for the vast majority of self-published authors?"
An interesting post about the role of literary agents:
"... the agenting world has changed dramatically, a reaction to the emerging digital reading marketplace and the changing acquisition strategies of publishers are a result of ownership changes at the biggest publishing houses."
A GREAT post about query letter problems:
"... they are something that gives us pause and makes us rethink whether or not this is something we’re willing to take on, because all of these things do give us a more difficult job going into the relationship. And yes, we have said No to projects in the end because of the above reasons."
AND ... here are two great blogs that I'm excited to be a part of:
OneFour KidLit
Darkly Delicious YA
Have you found any great blogs post recently?
Share your favorite! (Please.)
Monday, December 9, 2013
Look What I Found!
My book (though coverless) is on Goodreads! YAY! Click on the link and check it out, and be sure to add it to your "Want to Read" list. :)
WHO RU REALLY? (on Goodreads!)
And ... thanks!
Here's a cupcake for your effort:
WHO RU REALLY? (on Goodreads!)
And ... thanks!
Here's a cupcake for your effort:
Friday, December 6, 2013
Mental vs. Physical Illnesses
It would be so much easier to show the doctor your broken bone, have him agree that the bone is broken, and then get help to fix it than having something wrong that you can't show or explain objectively.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
IWSG: Community & Prizes!
I love the sense of community that is offered through the Insecure Writers Support Group. If you've never checked them out, do it today! Why? Because they are offering PRIZES! And who doesn't love a good prize? :)
Just click on this link for all the details: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
And while you're there, join the group!
Why? Well, to quote the site: "The kindness and words of wisdom have kept writers going when they were ready to quit. Many have discovered solutions to their problems. Friendships have been forged and critique partners established."
So what are you waiting for? Go now.
Have a fantastic week!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Book Review: SONG OF THREE ISLANDS
Songs of Three Islands: A Memoir: A Personal Tale of Motherhood and Mental Illness in an Iconic American Family by Millicent MonksMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
WOW. An excellent book. Often when I am reading a book, I'm taken out of the prose to consider how many stars I will end up giving the book (simply because I review so many books). Certain things make me pause like typographical errors, grammatical errors, repetitive information, and circular rather than linear story telling. When these specific things in SONGS OF THREE ISLANDS made me pause, I actually fought against the urge to give the book less stars ... I couldn't possibly have given this book less than five stars. Even though it took me longer to read (because sometimes life interrupts), I couldn't stop thinking about this book. I couldn't wait to return to it and find out what could possibly happen next. Maybe it's because mental illness had threaded its way through my own family lines. Maybe it's because Monks wrote with such lyrical prose. Maybe it's because I couldn't believe I was enjoying a memoir so deeply. Maybe it was all of these reasons.
I'm a deeply religious person, and I can immediately think of several people of similar religious convictions that might not appreciate the spiritual path Monk followed. However, I claim the privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of my own conscience and allow others the same privilege, letting them worship how, where, or what they may. Monks did just that. She found what worked for her, and she wrote about it in an absolutely beautiful manner. She wrote, "Life seems like a pause between two worlds ..." (page 221). I agree. I believe the same thing. Mortal life is a short time between our pre-mortal existence and our eternal existence that comes after this.
Mental illness ... why is it so hard for us to discuss? Why do we doubt the depths of it? Why do we blame the family or the individual? If the person had a broken arm, would we treat them differently than we would with a broken pathway in their brain? "Mental illness is not the patient's fault ... these disorders are tied to fundamental disruptions in these circuits [in the brain]" (research cited by Monks on page 219).
Surviving and existing with mentally ill family members is exhausting. It's an absolute miracle that Monks survived her childhood and thrived as an adult. Then to be sandwiched in between a mother and a daughter with mental illnesses, an average person would have crumbled. But the entire memoir is written with desire and hope and longing for something more.
Amidst all of this context, her memoir is sprinkled with interesting historical details and big names. She was, after all, a part of the Carnegie family.
One detail I smiled at: "Our family had been one of the first in the country to ski -- there were no lifts so we put skins on our skis and climbed up the slopes" (page 65). Since I grew up in Idaho, practically at the base of a ski hill, where everyone I knew loved the slopes, I suppose I just assumed the ski lifts had always been there. Why wouldn't they be?
Anyhow. A long review. But it was a great book that had me crying by the end. SONG OF THREE ISLANDS would make an excellent book club choice, because there are so many points to foster a great discussion. I highly recommend it.
View all my reviews
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