I posted my "to-do-list" for my week of vacation and instead of having a crossed-off-list to share with you, I had a less-than-half completed list when last week started. I plugged through the list before and after school last week, half a dozen "to-do" items remain. There are a couple ways to respond to this. One, I could beat myself up for not getting everything done in a timely manner or two, celebrate the things I did accomplish. I happened upon this quote last week, challenging us to view our to-do-list, as an opportunities list. How would our thoughts and motivations change? How would our priority items be adjusted? It's an interesting and life-changing mind shift when you slow down and reflect on previous lists. If you follow me on Facebook then you know I've talked about how cleaning my house has been on my list since Christmas vacation and is still a work in progress. If I shift my mind to an opportunities list, then I have accomplished far more than I haven't. Is my house still in need of some TLC, yes, BUT, did I spend time with my daughter planning and preparing for her future after graduation? Yes. Did I help a friend who needed a listening ear and enjoy a much needed cup of coffee (with baskets of clean clothes stacked in the chair near us)? Yes. And guess what, my friend never mentioned the laundry because our TIME is more IMPORTANT and VALUABLE than the cleanliness of our house or the amount of clothes in need of folding. How would your attitude and prioritizing change if you
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| "I'll settle down when my 'To Do' list is smaller than my 'Been There, Done That' list." Unknown |  |
Hi there everyone! It is cold, snowy, and another storm is on its way to our beautiful area of Upstate New York. I'm thankful it is Winter Break because I speculate another snow day could have been used tomorrow, I like my snow days given back for an extended Memorial Day weekend personally. A tradition in the Buske house during a school break is the making of "THE List". For the most part, our week is relaxed and flexible, with the exception of "doctor appointment day".
But I'm an optimist so there are additional items on "Doctor Day". Don't worry, it isn't a work only week. Some of the items on the to-do-list (or chart as my family calls it) are family fun and relaxation type activities (like exercise or shopping).
I am the next generation of list writers, with yet another generation following suit with color coding and priority techniques that make me proud.
I make lists for a few reasons,in an easy-to-read format, here you go:
1) It's a proactive approach and keeps me focused
2) I begin with the end in mind. I need to "see" my day or week before me and prioritize.
3) Lists help me to put first things first
4) Lists remind me, and my family, to think win-win. When everyone knows what needs to be done, and pitches in, it makes for a happy home - my lists are color coded. Blue for hubby, pink for me, orange for Mags, and green for family event. (In case you are wondering, our calendars are color coded the same way)
5) A list keeps me organized.
Will I complete everything on my list for the week? Of course not! I have items in off colors that I add when they "pop into my head". These are my "parking lot" things to do. If you've ever worked on a committee, there are "parking lot" items - these are important but not priority items, worthy of discussion (or doing) at a later time.
I also have generic items on my list, an example is "writing" or "exercise". Depending on my mood, writing might be crossed off after writing this blog, or exercise is crossed off because I made so many trips from one room to the other after forgetting what I went to get. Sometimes I "NEED" to cross items off so I'll write down something that wasn't on the list, but something I did, just to cross it off. My biggest fan says I'm sadistic and I remind him of my Mom, then he smiles.
I think I'll always be a list creator and organizer, it works for me. Lists don't work for everyone. My husband has an amazing mind and doesn't need a written lists. He formulates lists and balances the check book in his brain, I can not even begin fathom this and find is amazing. He tolerates my lists and even appreciates his honey-do-list on his days off.
Let me share a marriage pointer, leave your husband a list of what you need done. My husband asked me to leave him a lists after admitting he doesn't know what I need done and would like to help but I'm so "fussy", he'd rather not do anything than trigger the OCD crazed wife if something isn't the way I need it to be. I know, I'm the one with the issue and an amazing husband who desires to be a good man and understands the way I'm wired. He appreciates the lists and I appreciate little things.
Note, my lists are little things, like take our the garbage or put away the dishes. Ladies, sometimes our men work so hard to provide for us, they don't recognize how priceless and precious taking out the garbage can be for their wives. Don't nag at them, just talk. Ed and I communicate and this works for us. If he wants me to do something, you know what, he leaves me a note. Without a note, I'm a lost puppy trying to find my way, this girl needs direction and focus.
I am the next generation of list writers, with yet another generation following suit with color coding and priority techniques that make me proud.
I make lists for a few reasons,in an easy-to-read format, here you go:
1) It's a proactive approach and keeps me focused
2) I begin with the end in mind. I need to "see" my day or week before me and prioritize.
3) Lists help me to put first things first
4) Lists remind me, and my family, to think win-win. When everyone knows what needs to be done, and pitches in, it makes for a happy home - my lists are color coded. Blue for hubby, pink for me, orange for Mags, and green for family event. (In case you are wondering, our calendars are color coded the same way)
5) A list keeps me organized.
Will I complete everything on my list for the week? Of course not! I have items in off colors that I add when they "pop into my head". These are my "parking lot" things to do. If you've ever worked on a committee, there are "parking lot" items - these are important but not priority items, worthy of discussion (or doing) at a later time.
I also have generic items on my list, an example is "writing" or "exercise". Depending on my mood, writing might be crossed off after writing this blog, or exercise is crossed off because I made so many trips from one room to the other after forgetting what I went to get. Sometimes I "NEED" to cross items off so I'll write down something that wasn't on the list, but something I did, just to cross it off. My biggest fan says I'm sadistic and I remind him of my Mom, then he smiles.
I think I'll always be a list creator and organizer, it works for me. Lists don't work for everyone. My husband has an amazing mind and doesn't need a written lists. He formulates lists and balances the check book in his brain, I can not even begin fathom this and find is amazing. He tolerates my lists and even appreciates his honey-do-list on his days off.
Let me share a marriage pointer, leave your husband a list of what you need done. My husband asked me to leave him a lists after admitting he doesn't know what I need done and would like to help but I'm so "fussy", he'd rather not do anything than trigger the OCD crazed wife if something isn't the way I need it to be. I know, I'm the one with the issue and an amazing husband who desires to be a good man and understands the way I'm wired. He appreciates the lists and I appreciate little things.
Note, my lists are little things, like take our the garbage or put away the dishes. Ladies, sometimes our men work so hard to provide for us, they don't recognize how priceless and precious taking out the garbage can be for their wives. Don't nag at them, just talk. Ed and I communicate and this works for us. If he wants me to do something, you know what, he leaves me a note. Without a note, I'm a lost puppy trying to find my way, this girl needs direction and focus.
If you are a list person, are your reasons the same or different? Please share in a comment below to help inspire and encourage others looking for the trick that works for them.
"So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully.
Remember the ways that I have loved you,
and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways.
Everyone will know you as My followers
if you demonstrate your love to others."
John 13:34-35 VOICE
“Life is not made up of minutes,
hours, days, weeks, months,
or years,but of moments.
You must experience each one
before you can appreciate it.”
― Sarah Ban Breathnach
The First Poem I gave Ed...July 23, 1991
It remains on top of his dresser to this day...
Ed and I are polar opposites yet kindred spirits. It's a good balance.
He is a man of limited words, and well, you know me...talking, writing, and speaking are my thing.
One of the first things I noticed and fell in love with, after his amazing blue eyes, was his sense of humor. Although stresses of life try to stifle his joy and humor, he lets his inner child and goofiness come out time and again.
He melted my heart to pure mush the first time I saw him in his dress blues.
He made me laugh from my toes until my sides hurt.
He loved his nephews and nieces so much, the way he played and interacted with them showed what an amazing father he would be.
He became the rock I needed when it became impossible to trust and put my feet on the floor. He held me up, encouraged me, and told me that it might not ever be the same but I always have him...and he would be there. A promise he still keeps today.
Ed is my husband, my friend, and my confidant. Happy Valentine's Day Ed! I love you!
He is a man of limited words, and well, you know me...talking, writing, and speaking are my thing.
One of the first things I noticed and fell in love with, after his amazing blue eyes, was his sense of humor. Although stresses of life try to stifle his joy and humor, he lets his inner child and goofiness come out time and again.
He melted my heart to pure mush the first time I saw him in his dress blues.
He made me laugh from my toes until my sides hurt.
He loved his nephews and nieces so much, the way he played and interacted with them showed what an amazing father he would be.
He became the rock I needed when it became impossible to trust and put my feet on the floor. He held me up, encouraged me, and told me that it might not ever be the same but I always have him...and he would be there. A promise he still keeps today.
Ed is my husband, my friend, and my confidant. Happy Valentine's Day Ed! I love you!
Who would you like to say Happy Valentine's Day to today?
Why is he or she your one and only Valentine?
Last December my friend, Diane Estrella, contacted me about reviewing a book written by Heather Blanton. Heather had a few books to choose from but I couldn't decide and at the time, my mind-set and schedule didn't allow the time necessary.
Fast forward to January, Diane contacted me again to share an opportunity to guest blog for Heather. Since life seemed to be into a new normal, I accepted. I'll admit I was nervous at first because I never viewed myself as a Lady in Defiance.
Thank you Diane and Heather for seeing an aspect of me I didn't realize, and for the chance to meet new readers and introduce Heather to my readers.
Please click her to hop over the Heather Blanton's "Ladies in Defiance" website to read my guest blog on her page and learn more about her fabulous books. To learn more about Heather, read below and visit her author page. It's a cold winter night so why not spend it meeting Heather?
Fast forward to January, Diane contacted me again to share an opportunity to guest blog for Heather. Since life seemed to be into a new normal, I accepted. I'll admit I was nervous at first because I never viewed myself as a Lady in Defiance.
Thank you Diane and Heather for seeing an aspect of me I didn't realize, and for the chance to meet new readers and introduce Heather to my readers.
Please click her to hop over the Heather Blanton's "Ladies in Defiance" website to read my guest blog on her page and learn more about her fabulous books. To learn more about Heather, read below and visit her author page. It's a cold winter night so why not spend it meeting Heather?
Heather writes, "I love Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets me write about strong, pioneer women and men who struggle to find God and then live out their faith in real ways. Romance is always a strong element in my stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God, and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. My stories aren't preachy or cheesy, but I hope they are inspirational, heart-warming, realistic, illuminating, and glorifying to God. Like good old fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense.
I am a huge researcher, as well, and you will find hints of historical romances inspired by true stories in my novels!
I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. My most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to my daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! I love exploring out West, especially ghost towns and museums. I've walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in my hand.
"I believe Christian fiction should be messy and gritty, because the human condition is ... and God loves us anyway." -- Heather Blanton
I am a huge researcher, as well, and you will find hints of historical romances inspired by true stories in my novels!
I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. My most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to my daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! I love exploring out West, especially ghost towns and museums. I've walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in my hand.
"I believe Christian fiction should be messy and gritty, because the human condition is ... and God loves us anyway." -- Heather Blanton
To Learn More About Heather and her books, or to follow her on Twitter:
To read my guest psst on Heather's blog: click here
To Visit Heather's Website "Ladies in Defiance": http://ladiesindefiance.com/
To Follow Heather Blanton on Facebook: Author Heather Blanton
To Follow Heather Blanton on Twitter: @heatherfblanton
About Heather's books: http://ladiesindefiance.com/my-novels/
To Visit Heather's Website "Ladies in Defiance": http://ladiesindefiance.com/
To Follow Heather Blanton on Facebook: Author Heather Blanton
To Follow Heather Blanton on Twitter: @heatherfblanton
About Heather's books: http://ladiesindefiance.com/my-novels/
Please visit Heather Blanton's blog to read today's full blog -
I'm posting there today. Thank you again Heather
for the invite to share with your readers
and considering me a Lady in Defiance.
My answer is a big ol' yes, especially since working on a blog is my "anything" to avoid finishing preparing an information packet for a project. I enjoy the subject matter and look forward to synergizing with my peers and planning an event. YET...I can't "get my head in the game" to focus.
I've checked Facebook a few times, my email, and even played a game or three of Soda Crush as I drink my coffee. What is a girl to do? I need to know...am I alone in this conundrum? I don't think so, hence the reason I'm putting it out there for a blog discussion.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, forty days before Easter, and a time when some "give up" something. This can be a food, bad habit, or thing. Others use this time to take up a new habit. Then there are those of us who focus on both, eliminating something pulling our attention away from God while adding something to help us reconnect or be a better man or woman.
What does Lent have to do with avoiding a task? I don't know, maybe nothing, but on the other hand, what if I gave up procrastination for Lent and focused on only thinking and speaking positive and encouraging thoughts and words? Hmm...would this solve my avoidance in completing a task? Probably not, since it's worked for me the past forty years, BUT...it might minimize the frustration of having to get things done or taking on more than I have time to complete. Then again, they might not be related at all but you just avoided something on your to-do-list to read this crazy and disorganized blog. So we are equally guilty, aren't we?
I've checked Facebook a few times, my email, and even played a game or three of Soda Crush as I drink my coffee. What is a girl to do? I need to know...am I alone in this conundrum? I don't think so, hence the reason I'm putting it out there for a blog discussion.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, forty days before Easter, and a time when some "give up" something. This can be a food, bad habit, or thing. Others use this time to take up a new habit. Then there are those of us who focus on both, eliminating something pulling our attention away from God while adding something to help us reconnect or be a better man or woman.
What does Lent have to do with avoiding a task? I don't know, maybe nothing, but on the other hand, what if I gave up procrastination for Lent and focused on only thinking and speaking positive and encouraging thoughts and words? Hmm...would this solve my avoidance in completing a task? Probably not, since it's worked for me the past forty years, BUT...it might minimize the frustration of having to get things done or taking on more than I have time to complete. Then again, they might not be related at all but you just avoided something on your to-do-list to read this crazy and disorganized blog. So we are equally guilty, aren't we?
If you have mastered the art of completing one task before moving on to the next, will you share your strategies and success below in a comment?
Better yet, do you have a story of how "multi-tasking"
did NOT work out to well for you?
Like when I start to fill the sink to do dishes in the morning, leave the kitchen to let the dog in and forget the water is running and I end up "cleaning" the kitchen since there is hot and soapy water everywhere.
Yesterday was a Superintendent's Conference day in my district. Instead of taking advantage of my professional development I put on my "Mom" hat for the day. I try to schedule appointments so our daughter doesn't have to miss school, miss learning, and then spend three days making up work for the one day missed.
Two cities and two doctors brought good reports from the doctors along with quality mother-daughter time. With over four hours in the car, there was ample time to talk and reconnect. It was good for both of us.
Last summer we visited Kentucky. My daughter found a clothing store she loved and wished it was closer. Monday night she received an email from this store, "Rainbow", with sales. This motivated her to look for the nearest one. Guess what? Rochester had a store in The Mall at Greece Ridge, only minutes from Golasano's. How exciting, we had to check it out.
We had a wonderful time and didn't even walk through half the mall. As we made our way through with eyes like children in a candy store, we saw this beautiful, two-story carousel. I had to ride it, it cost me a frozen yogurt to get Mags on it, but it was worth it. She ended up having fun too and she took a few pics and even a video while we enjoyed a few minutes going in circles. My horse never caught up with hers but we had fun pretending to be in a scene from Mary Poppins.
Life can run you down at times but it is important to remember to smile and have fun. As I searched God's Word for a verse to represent our mother-daughter day, I found this one in Ezekiel. At face value, it is a beautiful and powerful verse but when you read the entire chapter, you'll learn God spoke these words to the city of Sodom. In the case of Sodom, it was not a healthy and positive relationship. God warned them if they didn't stop sinning, He would destroy them.
In life, as a Mom, do you want to encourage and lift up your daughter? Do you want people to quote "Like mother, like daughter" in the tone of God to Sodom or one of health and well-being? I know my answer. Yesterday's doctor appointments, conversations, and carousel ride will be a memory I treasure and I hope my daughter does too. Hopefully her mall and ride memories won't be following doctor appointments like ours usually are, yet if she someone is to tell her "you are like you Mom", I pray she views this as a compliment. I know being her Mom is my favorite job and joy. May she be an even better Mom than me one day.
Two cities and two doctors brought good reports from the doctors along with quality mother-daughter time. With over four hours in the car, there was ample time to talk and reconnect. It was good for both of us.
Last summer we visited Kentucky. My daughter found a clothing store she loved and wished it was closer. Monday night she received an email from this store, "Rainbow", with sales. This motivated her to look for the nearest one. Guess what? Rochester had a store in The Mall at Greece Ridge, only minutes from Golasano's. How exciting, we had to check it out.
We had a wonderful time and didn't even walk through half the mall. As we made our way through with eyes like children in a candy store, we saw this beautiful, two-story carousel. I had to ride it, it cost me a frozen yogurt to get Mags on it, but it was worth it. She ended up having fun too and she took a few pics and even a video while we enjoyed a few minutes going in circles. My horse never caught up with hers but we had fun pretending to be in a scene from Mary Poppins.
Life can run you down at times but it is important to remember to smile and have fun. As I searched God's Word for a verse to represent our mother-daughter day, I found this one in Ezekiel. At face value, it is a beautiful and powerful verse but when you read the entire chapter, you'll learn God spoke these words to the city of Sodom. In the case of Sodom, it was not a healthy and positive relationship. God warned them if they didn't stop sinning, He would destroy them.
In life, as a Mom, do you want to encourage and lift up your daughter? Do you want people to quote "Like mother, like daughter" in the tone of God to Sodom or one of health and well-being? I know my answer. Yesterday's doctor appointments, conversations, and carousel ride will be a memory I treasure and I hope my daughter does too. Hopefully her mall and ride memories won't be following doctor appointments like ours usually are, yet if she someone is to tell her "you are like you Mom", I pray she views this as a compliment. I know being her Mom is my favorite job and joy. May she be an even better Mom than me one day.
"Everyone who likes to quote proverbs will certainly be quoting this proverb about you:
“Like mother, like daughter.”
Ezekiel 16:44
Focus on the positives and ask for forgiveness when necessary.
This will be the most powerful lesson you'll teach your daughter!
Trauma is a word we all fear. It is also something we all suffer. The death of a parent is traumatic. So is the loss of a job. Even stubbing your toe really hard can be a traumatic event. What many don’t know is that our brains don’t differentiate between small traumas and big ones. It treats them all the same. Over the years, as we get bumped and bruised, we store traumatic experiences and use them to create a worldview that renders us doubting and afraid.
After my father died, I couldn’t let anyone besides me drive. Since he died before I got my license, I didn’t connect the dots for several years. I was sure if I weren’t driving, there would be another accident and my world would shatter again.
When, as a teenager, a man took advantage of me, I did what most do. I put the incident behind me and, after awhile, didn’t think of it again. What I didn’t know was how that experience shaped me. The world was no longer safe. I no longer had worth. He stole something that night that I didn’t even miss until years later when another experience triggered a flashback of that event.
We talk about loss of innocence, mourn it, and work hard to preserve it in our children. For me, loss of innocence is having a traumatic experience that slants one’s worldview, makes one fear the unknown, and doubt the sincerity of others.
Like spilled ink, trauma invades us, coloring our convictions and eroding our trust. We think we recover. The toe heals. The heart heals. We go on, find a new job, new love, and new hope, but the ink stain never quite fades. It dirties every experience until we find a way to purge it completely. This is hard to do alone.
For years, I thought my creative expression and faith would eventually obliterate that stain. It helped some, but not enough. I didn’t know that my marriage was sullied by trauma. I didn’t know how it affected my children. As they entered adulthood, I discovered I’d passed on some of my fear and pain.
Identifying the long-term affects of trauma is difficult. Here are some tips:
1. Do you worry often about bad things happening?
For example, if your spouse is late and hasn’t called, do you worry they’ve been in an accident?
2. Do you suffer from unexpected anxiety? Is your anxiety proportionate to the event that’s creating it?
For example, you’re to meet with your boss about the monthly sales report. You know you’ve done a good job, but your palms are sweating, your mouth is dry, and you’re having a hard time breathing.
3. Do you find it hard to trust people, even when you know you should?
For example, do you worry about your spouse cheating or someone stealing your work?
4. Is your temper out of control? Do you overreact to small things and then feel guilty about it?
5. Do you always need to be in control?
These are just a few tips for recognizing symptoms of trauma related stress. If these sound like you, there is help available. Look for therapists who specialize in trauma. There are several different kinds of trauma therapy. Brainspotting worked really well for me because it's non-invasive and there's no intrusive talk therapy, but it’s not for everyone. You may also want to read about trauma and how it affects your brain. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is the best I’ve read. Brene Brown also has some great books on shame. Trauma and shame are intertwined and I’ve found her books really helpful.
The books and therapy helped me to realize the trauma wasn’t my fault and to restore a worldview that’s positive and trusting. I’m not waiting for the world to shatter again. Instead, I’m planning a future I could previously never entertain.
After my father died, I couldn’t let anyone besides me drive. Since he died before I got my license, I didn’t connect the dots for several years. I was sure if I weren’t driving, there would be another accident and my world would shatter again.
When, as a teenager, a man took advantage of me, I did what most do. I put the incident behind me and, after awhile, didn’t think of it again. What I didn’t know was how that experience shaped me. The world was no longer safe. I no longer had worth. He stole something that night that I didn’t even miss until years later when another experience triggered a flashback of that event.
We talk about loss of innocence, mourn it, and work hard to preserve it in our children. For me, loss of innocence is having a traumatic experience that slants one’s worldview, makes one fear the unknown, and doubt the sincerity of others.
Like spilled ink, trauma invades us, coloring our convictions and eroding our trust. We think we recover. The toe heals. The heart heals. We go on, find a new job, new love, and new hope, but the ink stain never quite fades. It dirties every experience until we find a way to purge it completely. This is hard to do alone.
For years, I thought my creative expression and faith would eventually obliterate that stain. It helped some, but not enough. I didn’t know that my marriage was sullied by trauma. I didn’t know how it affected my children. As they entered adulthood, I discovered I’d passed on some of my fear and pain.
Identifying the long-term affects of trauma is difficult. Here are some tips:
1. Do you worry often about bad things happening?
For example, if your spouse is late and hasn’t called, do you worry they’ve been in an accident?
2. Do you suffer from unexpected anxiety? Is your anxiety proportionate to the event that’s creating it?
For example, you’re to meet with your boss about the monthly sales report. You know you’ve done a good job, but your palms are sweating, your mouth is dry, and you’re having a hard time breathing.
3. Do you find it hard to trust people, even when you know you should?
For example, do you worry about your spouse cheating or someone stealing your work?
4. Is your temper out of control? Do you overreact to small things and then feel guilty about it?
5. Do you always need to be in control?
These are just a few tips for recognizing symptoms of trauma related stress. If these sound like you, there is help available. Look for therapists who specialize in trauma. There are several different kinds of trauma therapy. Brainspotting worked really well for me because it's non-invasive and there's no intrusive talk therapy, but it’s not for everyone. You may also want to read about trauma and how it affects your brain. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is the best I’ve read. Brene Brown also has some great books on shame. Trauma and shame are intertwined and I’ve found her books really helpful.
The books and therapy helped me to realize the trauma wasn’t my fault and to restore a worldview that’s positive and trusting. I’m not waiting for the world to shatter again. Instead, I’m planning a future I could previously never entertain.
To About her book, "The Romance Diet":
Brave, raw, and unflinchingly honest, this book is a weight loss journey, a love story, a heart beating loudly on the page. Every day we battle against something--injustice, our spouses, our weight. Seldom do we acknowledge the real wars we wage. Repressing feelings and silencing our voices, we suffer under the surface, attributing emotional distress and unwanted pounds to the inescapable effects of hormones or age.
But weight gain, anxiety, and marital difficulties aren't always so easy to explain.
In her poignant and touching memoir, Allison doesn't offer recipes, exercise tips, or advice. Instead, she shows us how to stand up, express what we want, and develop empathy for ourselves and the people we love. In doing so, she provides invaluable insight for those seeking to lose weight, save a marriage, or make a significant life change.
Includes a Readers Guide.
To purchase this or her other books: Click here or on the book cover above.
About the Destiny:
Destiny Allison was a professional and award-winning sculptor. Her work is collected by individuals, civic entities, and corporations worldwide. When an injury required her to re-envision her life, Allison did what she always does. She applied her explosive creativity and dog-with-a-bone tenacity to new endeavors.
In 2011 she was named Santa Fe Business Woman of the Year. Her community building efforts and innovative business model transformed a bankrupt shopping center into a thriving community and commercial center.
In 2012 she published her first book, Shaping Destiny: A quest for meaning in art and life. The book won best independent non-fiction/memoir in the 2013 Global Book Awards.
Since then, she has published two novels and opened a general store. Allison believes that one’s life is one’s greatest work of art. Hence, she flows freely between mediums. Unafraid to make mistakes and always passionate, she lives in Santa Fe, NM.
Website: wwww.destinyallisonbooks.com
Facebook: Destiny Allison Books
Twitter: @SFSculptor
Destiny Allison was a professional and award-winning sculptor. Her work is collected by individuals, civic entities, and corporations worldwide. When an injury required her to re-envision her life, Allison did what she always does. She applied her explosive creativity and dog-with-a-bone tenacity to new endeavors.
In 2011 she was named Santa Fe Business Woman of the Year. Her community building efforts and innovative business model transformed a bankrupt shopping center into a thriving community and commercial center.
In 2012 she published her first book, Shaping Destiny: A quest for meaning in art and life. The book won best independent non-fiction/memoir in the 2013 Global Book Awards.
Since then, she has published two novels and opened a general store. Allison believes that one’s life is one’s greatest work of art. Hence, she flows freely between mediums. Unafraid to make mistakes and always passionate, she lives in Santa Fe, NM.
Website: wwww.destinyallisonbooks.com
Facebook: Destiny Allison Books
Twitter: @SFSculptor
Thank you for guest blogging Destiny...
a helpful and interesting look at the effects of trauma!
“How creating and instructing an interval energy zone Spinning class,
is on a much smaller scale, comparable to the writing, editing,
and release of a novel into print."
By Jennifer-Lynn Keniston
Years ago, I won an essay contest for free admission to a Spinning conference (WSSC). I took a creative approach and entitled my entry “To be or not to be at the WSSC.” And years later, it seems appropriate for me to point this essay out for this blog.
Obviously, I used Shakespeare and took other literary analogies to heart when writing it, yet, eerily the entire process of creating, editing, and instructing an interval energy zone Spin ride, is on a smaller scale, like writing, editing, and releasing a novel into print. It isn’t far stretched.
With both, there is a targeted audience. In a Spinning class I often have younger and older adults, consisting of male and female participants. When writing a book, I zero in on a niche such as the Christian reader.
When writing a novel, I do not start with an outline. I simply begin to write a story all out of order and then work to bring it all together. It is actually the same when I work on creating a new Spinning ride profile. First, I download music and lots of it. Then, I quickly recall the beat and chorus of a song and identify it as being a potential climb, endurance, jumps, or speed work song. It is only then that I start to move songs over and create a playlist as I determine which one of the five energy zone profile rides I am creating. Finally, I work to bring a sort of order to the playlist and complete the ride.
For this blog, it is an interval ride I’m creating and sharing with my class. The flywheel moves constantly for the hour long ride, and I’m hoping to keep the interest of riders as they climb to reach peeks, come down from hill descents, add resistance and take it off, hit flat areas of endurance, mixed in with jumps, and bursts of speed work to challenge the rider’s anaerobic threshold. Some riders even bring heartrate monitors and these beep and alert the rider to push harder or pull back a bit.
The commitment for a Spinning ride is only an hour, but many riders return week after week, to experience the thrill of each new energy zone ride I’m instructing. Just as an avid reader will stay committed to finish a story pushing through the unexpected twists and turns and escape for four or five hours with the characters I’ve created. I can only hope many are eagerly awaiting the release of my next novel. Publication, brings on a higher scale, a similar satisfaction earned from delivering a successful Spinning ride and hopefully positive reviews come pouring in. As a Spinning ride comes to an end, I ask my riders as they stand next to the bikes, to “breathe in the positive energy and release the negative.”
Obviously, I used Shakespeare and took other literary analogies to heart when writing it, yet, eerily the entire process of creating, editing, and instructing an interval energy zone Spin ride, is on a smaller scale, like writing, editing, and releasing a novel into print. It isn’t far stretched.
With both, there is a targeted audience. In a Spinning class I often have younger and older adults, consisting of male and female participants. When writing a book, I zero in on a niche such as the Christian reader.
When writing a novel, I do not start with an outline. I simply begin to write a story all out of order and then work to bring it all together. It is actually the same when I work on creating a new Spinning ride profile. First, I download music and lots of it. Then, I quickly recall the beat and chorus of a song and identify it as being a potential climb, endurance, jumps, or speed work song. It is only then that I start to move songs over and create a playlist as I determine which one of the five energy zone profile rides I am creating. Finally, I work to bring a sort of order to the playlist and complete the ride.
For this blog, it is an interval ride I’m creating and sharing with my class. The flywheel moves constantly for the hour long ride, and I’m hoping to keep the interest of riders as they climb to reach peeks, come down from hill descents, add resistance and take it off, hit flat areas of endurance, mixed in with jumps, and bursts of speed work to challenge the rider’s anaerobic threshold. Some riders even bring heartrate monitors and these beep and alert the rider to push harder or pull back a bit.
The commitment for a Spinning ride is only an hour, but many riders return week after week, to experience the thrill of each new energy zone ride I’m instructing. Just as an avid reader will stay committed to finish a story pushing through the unexpected twists and turns and escape for four or five hours with the characters I’ve created. I can only hope many are eagerly awaiting the release of my next novel. Publication, brings on a higher scale, a similar satisfaction earned from delivering a successful Spinning ride and hopefully positive reviews come pouring in. As a Spinning ride comes to an end, I ask my riders as they stand next to the bikes, to “breathe in the positive energy and release the negative.”
Meet Jennifer:
Raised in Hanson, Massachusetts, the author earned a Master of Arts degree in English, from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a concentration in writing and a minor in philosophy, from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire.
Jennifer-Lynn currently works as a project manager for a company that provides cloud software products for call centers at small, medium, and enterprise companies.
In April 2014, she started her own business, Ansel Resume Resolution Services LLC, writing resumes and cover letters. She now lives and writes in Concord, New Hampshire, and enjoys teaching Spinning classes in her free time.
Website: http://www.jenniferkeniston.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjenniferkeniston/
Twitter: @jenkeniston
Raised in Hanson, Massachusetts, the author earned a Master of Arts degree in English, from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a concentration in writing and a minor in philosophy, from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire.
Jennifer-Lynn currently works as a project manager for a company that provides cloud software products for call centers at small, medium, and enterprise companies.
In April 2014, she started her own business, Ansel Resume Resolution Services LLC, writing resumes and cover letters. She now lives and writes in Concord, New Hampshire, and enjoys teaching Spinning classes in her free time.
Website: http://www.jenniferkeniston.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjenniferkeniston/
Twitter: @jenkeniston
About Jennifer-Lynn's book, Afta-U:
Sometimes decisions made in an instant can echo throughout a lifetime.
In the pages of her new novel, Afta-U, Author Jennifer-Lynn Keniston, takes us into the heart of Jean Cartwright Rhodes, a woman who is struggling to come to grips with the heartbreaking and senseless death of her childhood best friend, Hope.
Twenty-nine years after the fact, Jean fights for her very sanity as she confronts the dark web of relationships and intrigue that appear to have been set in motion by a split-second decision she made in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Afta-U is an adult mystery/suspense novel for ages 17 and older. The book is complex and sometimes dark, and filled with Christian messages.
Purchase Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Afta-U-Jennifer-Lynn-Keniston/dp/1680284274/
Sometimes decisions made in an instant can echo throughout a lifetime.
In the pages of her new novel, Afta-U, Author Jennifer-Lynn Keniston, takes us into the heart of Jean Cartwright Rhodes, a woman who is struggling to come to grips with the heartbreaking and senseless death of her childhood best friend, Hope.
Twenty-nine years after the fact, Jean fights for her very sanity as she confronts the dark web of relationships and intrigue that appear to have been set in motion by a split-second decision she made in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Afta-U is an adult mystery/suspense novel for ages 17 and older. The book is complex and sometimes dark, and filled with Christian messages.
Purchase Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Afta-U-Jennifer-Lynn-Keniston/dp/1680284274/
Thank you Jennifer-Lynn for guest blogging today!
I hope you, my readers, will visit her website and check out her book...
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