How to stay POSITIVE! #mondaymotivation and #giveaway

How do you feel today?

A counselor once told me that there are 4 basic emotions: Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear. All of the rest of our emotions are basically just varying degrees or combinations of these four roots (think about it...) The downside of this is that Happiness seems to be the only positive - like Inside Out (which had 5, but it would've worked with 4) Fortunately, Happiness is also the goal for most people. I guess that's why life seems to be an uphill battle, but happy times are worth it, right?

Well, in keeping with my intent to send positive vibes, I came up with a list, (you know I love lists) a list of ways to lift your mood, which in the process will lift the spirits of those around you as well. Being positive is just as contagious as being negative.

1. smile - The easiest, yet most powerful thing you can do.
2. avoid negative - It's hard to stay positive when surrounded by negative. Walk away if you can, or change friends if necessary. 
3. take life less seriously - There is a time for seriousness, the rest is up to you. Will it matter in ten years? Will it matter tomorrow?
4. laugh at yourself - Gotta start somewhere. Don't waste time, energy, and emotion on getting embarrassed, that's a you only emotion. Others react the same whether you like it or not.
5. sing - Who can sing when they're sad or mad? I dare you to try!
6. get off the internet - I always sneak this in, even though it's a wonderful tool, we have become addicted and desensitized. And even the funny stuff is usually sarcastic or laughing at others' misfortunes. I wonder how I will preach this lesson to my grandchildren... maybe in a haunted hologram so they will listen. (light bulb - story idea!!) Take a break from it!
7. help others - The ultimate way to lift others and yourself
8. find the positive - In a dire situation, this is a difficult task. Challenge yourself!
9. don't go it alone - You are not the only one who has gone through a tough time. We are here for each other, let others in to help
10. pray - The last resort for some that should be the first. The cool breeze on a sunny day, and shelter in a storm.

I ask again - How do you feel today?

And what are you gonna do about it?

And now, here's some news...

I'm surprise highlighting Lexa Cain this week!

She and her publisher are hosting a super fun giveaway! You can win a BLOODWALKER card deck! I love this swag idea! Way to go girl!





Lexa also promotes others by listing free stuff and giveaways weekly in Foxy's Freebies - a wonderful supporter is she!!

Lastly...
A NOTE OF THANKS:
I took a chance with my prayer this past weekend - and I really appreciate all the positive feedback. Thank you! I hope it spreads!

I also appreciate all the support and retweets and shoutouts about my ebook sales the last couple of weeks - Thanks Heaps and Bushels!! Broken Branch Falls and especially Pop Travel soared to the tops of Amazon's Free charts. Gotta love those sub-categories!

I'd also like to thank those who volunteered to help me with reading, reviewing, reveals and releases coming up. Once I devise a new and improved plan of attack for my latest release of CRADLE ROCK, I'll recruit more with a form. It's time to reach more readers than just my supportive writer friends! Take my hand and join me in the bold adventure of marketing!!

And I'm still celebrating my books' bdays by giving away signed copies and swag! Whoever wins has their choice of signed book or swag! And it goes through the end of the month.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a PoSiTiVeLY PeRKY week!

We need an #uplift

I do NOT get political on my blog. No controversy, no taking sides, no blame. It's just too negative.

With that said, there is a dense cloud of sadness smothering America from recent events. Its trickle-down effect is stinging every one of us. Farther and farther down we are spiraling. And many of us feel helpless and frustrated and don't know how to fix it.

The best way little old me can help, from my small, insignificant corner of the world, is to send prayers and positive vibes. So that is what I am doing today...

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please comfort those who have lost.

Please bring reason to those who seek revenge.

Don't let them twist Your Words, saying "An eye for an eye," when that Old Law was done away;

Let them know Your New Law to be better than those who do evil -

"Turn the other cheek" "Love your enemies" "Pray for them" (Luke 6:27-38)

Please give US the strength to love and light up the world with good works,

To extinguish the hate and darkness in downtrodden hearts.

Only Your Love can save us.

Please help us carry on, even when we don't understand why these things happen.

I have faith that things will soon be better.

Help me forgive others so You might forgive me when I stumble.

Thank you for your blessings.

Especially the perfect example of Jesus.

In His Name, Amen.

Thanks for letting me share this with you.

I hope and pray things don't get worse before they get better - but we writers know that happens sometimes... Now go hug someone and spread some joy!

See a Need, Fill a Need

One of my favorite movie lines...Robots, Ewan McGregor, and productivity have been on my mind lately. Though summer just officially started on June 20, my summer is half over! I have so much I still need to accomplish. Here's my summer homework list:

• WIP - DISPOSAL, I finished the first draft, but I really want to finish 2 rounds of edits and send to CPs (I could also use one beta reader - if you're interested, let me know)
• Finish 2 short stories for future submissions - I have a thousand ideas and started stories, but most of my time is dedicated to the WIP... really hard to choose one or two to work on! (One is about robot teachers!)
• Start rough draft of WHEN THE WIND BLOWS (3rd Broken Branch Falls)
• Coordinate Cradle Rock release blog/review tour - I already have a couple of review volunteers but could use a couple more, let me know if you're up for it or if you'd like to help with the cover reveal in Sept!
• Finish reading 3 books - this is supposed to be summer vacation after all.

I've chipped away at my list, but it's funny how things come up that we magically make time for, especially if they're fun. Like for me, it's scrapbooks. I was able to visit my grandma and I wanted to bring her a gift. My dad told me what she likes best is photos - so I made her a small scrapbook.

Then my sister reminded me our parents are celebrating their 50th anniversary this month! Egadz! Well they don't like making a big deal out of things, not even huge milestones like this, so again, I took the time to make them a scrapbook (memories seem to be the most valued treasure as we get older) But the hardest scrapbook/slide show project I am about to embark on is for my first born son who will be a senior this year. I'm going to have to go to Costco and stock up on tissues, I fear.

1st Wed each month

Which all brings me to this month's IWSG post. We all have so much to do these days. But when other things come up, it's okay to get sidetracked and take care of them - whether out of necessity or just to take a well-deserved time-out for yourself. As long as we go back to work! And our work will be better for it.

Thinking about this recently, I was inspired to write a poem...

In Need

A gray cloud...needs to cry
A thorny branch...needs pruning
A scratchy throat...needs silence
A wilted flower...needs a talk

A smudged mirror...needs cleansing
A lone straggler...needs direction
A bad grade...needs focus
A charged firework...needs a spark

A red light...needs patience
A sore head...needs peace
A big winner...needs humility
A sad soul...needs a hug

Thanks always to Alex J. Cavanaugh for getting us together each month and to his helpful co-hosts!

Goings on...


My first book, POP TRAVEL is three-years-old this month! And in honor of its Book Bday, it's FREE! But only JULY 6 & 7. I will also GIVEAWAY one signed copy of each of my novels so far to celebrate OR a bracelet if you already have the book! (See below, starts at midnight 7/4)


The Summer Edition of my quarterly Newsletter is out - can't believe another 3 months has flown by! Stop over for tidbits and teasers if you have time.


Well, THE THING THAT TURNED ME anthology needs more time to be perfected - we're shooting for August 5. Look for the authors' awesome promos for their stories, links on our Facebook page.

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