Infest others with your happiness by @NNP_W_Light

Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy, too.

Don't be down...be happy.

Happiness is infectious. Today and every day, swarm everyone with your happiness!  

Happiness will spread faster than bacteria and you will make this world a better place.

MRS N

Take time for yourself by @NNP_W_Light

It's very important to take care of yourself. Everyone's lives are so busy. Take at least an hour a day to recharge and do whatever makes you better. For grown-ups, whether it's a spa, sitting in a park with a book, or coffee, take time for yourself. ~Ana Ivanovic

Do you take care of yourself in the same manner as you take care of your family?

We all have a packed life and more times than not, we're being pulled in a million different directions. It's easy to deplete our energies. It's important to schedule some relaxing time every day. It doesn't matter what you do or how long it is, be sure to do it.

Why is it crucial to recharge?

Think of your body like a high-performance car. You can only race around at 100 mph for so long before your gas tank is empty and your parts are in need of repair.

Every evening, MR N and I snuggle on the love seat and watch television. Each night, it's a themed binge-watching affair. No devices, no staring at a computer, just the two of us relaxing and laughing. It's what both of us needs before bed to recharge our batteries for the next work day.

What do you do to relax? 

Whatever it is, be sure to incorporate it into your every day routine.

MRS N

Are you a Golden Rule follower? by @NNP_W_Light

I cannot always count on others to respect my feelings. Even if I respect theirs. Being a good person doesn’t guarantee that others will be good people, too. You only have control over yourself on how you choose to be as a person. As for the others, you can only choose to accept them or walk away. – Pytha

I saw this quote this morning and it got me thinking.  You know that I am a huge supporter of the Golden Rule.  I always try to treat others how I would like to be treated.  But there are some people who, when you are kind, ignore you or are cruel.

Have you had that happen?  

You work with someone who, no matter how nice you are to them, are just plain mean.  It can sap you of strength and make you feel low.

Think of this quote and remember that you can only control yourself.  You can show kindness and accept them for who they are or you can walk away.  Again, this is where the Golden Rule comes in.  Spreading the Light is not about getting the Light in return.  It's unconditional and does not count on the other person to reciprocate.

So, the next time a person scoffs at your kindness or your feelings, smile to yourself.  You are a beautiful person and you're spreading the Light!

MRS N

How do you measure success? @NNP_W_Light

"I'm always asked, 'What's the secret to success?' But there are no secrets. Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room." ~ Dwayne Johnson

How do you measure success?

It's the final week in June and we're halfway through the year. My thoughts turn to my resolutions/goals for 2019. I grabbed my 2019 goals list and looked over it. Some goals I have met while others are still a work in progress.

I measure success by surpassing goals I set for myself, both personally and professionally. It's not about money, prestige or even happiness. What matters is my hard work paying off and meeting a goal. Let me give you an example.

I set a goal professionally in which I wanted to gain 25 new clients by the end of the year. It's the end of June and to date, I have gained 45 new clients. I'm very proud of that accomplishment. Not only is that a huge feather in my cap, but my hard work is paying off. I'm networking and getting the word out about our author promotions business. I stay humble and so grateful to all my existing clients who helped spread the word. I'm also hungry for more. I told myself this morning, "Let's see how many more we can get in the next six months."

Don't get me wrong, the additional income is wonderful. It's helping to fund our bi-monthly trips to our local farmer's market and butcher shop. It's giving us the ability to lower our personal debt as we inch closer to retirement age. But it's not how I measure success.

So again I ask you, how do you measure success?

The path to success is paved with vision, planning, strategy, failure, replanning, and the process of it all. Take Mr. Johnson's advice and be the hardest working person in the room.

MRS N

How's your mental toughness? by @NNP_W_Light

“Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don’t so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head.” – Joe Henderson

On a scale of one to ten, how's your mental toughness? 

We were watching the Travellers Championship final round yesterday afternoon and a guy who hasn't won a tourney in ten years was three holes away from winning. His 6 stroke lead narrowed to only two. It didn't look good for him and we were sure he was going to lose. As we watched him concentrate, one of the commentators commented on his mental toughness. He went on to win and I was thrilled for him.

When your back is against the wall and it's only you and your competitors, do you embrace your mental toughness to win?

I really like the imagery this quote evokes. It's not about outrunning your competition but outlasting them. It's about playing your game and defeating your most dreaded enemy: doubt.

Every day I face my inner critic and combat each blow with everything I have. I wear my mental toughness like a forcefield around me. Some days are better than others but no matter how many times I fall down, I brush myself off and keep going.

So again, I ask, how's your mental toughness?

Wrap it around you and use it to battle your opponents and your doubts. Your dreams and goals are waiting for you at the finish line. On your mark, get set, GO!

MRS N

Happy Summer Solstice by @NNP_W_Light

It is Summer, it is the solstice

the crowd is

cheering, the crowd is laughing

in detail

permanently, seriously

without thought.

-​ William Carlos Williams

Today is June 21 and it is the Summer Solstice. 

What is the Summer Solstice? 

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. (Wikipedia)

It is a holiday celebrated around the world and in almost every culture. It's also one of my favorite times of the year. 

Summer brings a joyfulness, a freeing of one's spirit to bask in the sun and the outdoors. It's a time to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and grains. It's time to dance, be free and fall in love. 

Whatever you do to celebrate summer, may it bring you unadulterated joy.

Happy Summer Solstice!

MRS N

Thank someone today! by @NNP_W_Light #gratitude

Yesterday, I was standing in line at the grocery store. There were two local firemen in uniform in front of me, talking quietly. An urge overtook me and before I knew what I was doing, I was tapping one on the shoulder. They both turned my way.

"Excuse me..." I stammered. 

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I just wanted to thank you for your service. You do such an amazing job and we're so grateful."

They exchanged a look of surprise then simply said you're welcome. 

I didn't know what else to say and neither did they so I looked away as they turned back around.

I felt good for thanking them and I think they were shocked a citizen thanked them. 

When was the last time you thanked someone for their service?

Thank your kids' teachers, coaches or babysitters.

Thank a co-worker for their help on a project or just for listening. 

Thank a friend for always being there for you.

Thank a police officer, fireman, emergency service person for keeping you safe. 

Thank a spiritual leader for their guidance.

Thank a soldier and/or veteran for their service to protect our great country.

They probably will have the same reaction the two firemen did to me. It may not seem like a big deal to you but will make someone's day.

How do you thank people for their service? What was their reaction? I'd love to know.

MRS N

Share your support for causes. . . by @NNP_W_Light

Share your support for things that matter to you. ~ N. N. Light

In the digital age, it's easier than ever to show your support to the causes which matter to you. Social media gives every single person a voice.

Are you using your voice to show support for what matters to you?

There are alot of causes I support but one of the most important is the care and feeding of those in need. Men, women and children right in my neighbourhood don't have enough to eat. They're struggling to make ends meet and often need the help of food banks/pantries to survive. Now politicians want to take away the funding to line their own pockets or in my province's case, to have beer available for sale in corner stores.

We show our support for the homeless and those in need every chance we get. We talk about the need to donate food, clothing, money and time. We share our experiences with our own food bank and how we give so that little children in our neighbourhood have food to eat. We even wrote Princess of the Light to shed light on the plight of the homeless.

We also believe in equality for all, especially when it comes to love. June is Pride month and we up our support of the lgbtq+ community. Love is love, no matter who you love. No one has the right to mock who you love or care about.

Are you giving voice to your beliefs or are you scared?

I'm not here to force you to go out into the streets and scream what matters to you. What I am saying is it's time to share your support for causes you deem important. Sure, people will dismiss you and some may ever call you names. Don't let it silence your voice. When we band together, our voices boom across the land and create change.

MRS N

When things fall apart, do this! by @NNP_W_Light

Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.

Have you ever been walking along and you suddenly come to a dead end?  You look around and think to yourself, "Wait a minute, there is supposed to be a road here."  You check your GPS and you see the road is supposed to connect with the next street over.  But it doesn't.

What do you do?  Do you go back and give up?  Do you look around for a way around?

Life happens and things don't end up like you envisioned.  When things fall apart, it's easy to just give up.  But I say there might be a reason why things are falling apart.  Sometimes they need to fall apart in order to fall into place.

My life has been a roller coaster ride in the past sixteen months.  I didn't understand at first.  Maybe it was to test my resolve.  Maybe it was to test if I was serious about living my dream.  Maybe it was to make me a better person.  No matter what the reason was, I'm sure glad it happened.

Looking back, all that I went through made me a better woman, wife, writer, friend, daughter and entrepreneur.  I understand I needed to go through it all for things to fall into place.  Sure, it was painful but then so is the road to success.

Are you going through a rough time right now?  Does the pain seem almost unbearable? 

Instead of focusing on the pain, focus on the goal or dream.  Grab a hold of determination and never let go!  I promise the pain will be worth it.  You will be victorious.

MRS N

Happiness is not found on GPS by @NNP_W_Light

"Happiness is not found on a GPS monitor but by being content with where you are at this moment." - N. N. Light

Are you searching for happiness? Do you yearn for it, like one might crave coffee or chocolate?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Brace yourself, for this secret will blow your mind.

Happiness is found not by reaching a destination but by being content with where you are at this moment.

Let me give you an example.

Growing up, I thought if I had money, I'd be happy. See, I was a poor kid and refused to stay poor. I looked to my grandfather and saw a self-made man. He left the family farm, was the first in his family to get a university degree, was a teacher for three decades before starting his own business. I knew it was possible and knew with money, my life would be perfect and I'd be happy.

The result? I wasted years trying to attain wealth and missed out on the joys of life. It wasn't until I switched my outlook that happiness surrounded me.

When you're content with where you are at this moment, happiness floods your heart. Even if you're in the middle of attaining your long-term goals and on your way to bigger and better things, give thanks for all you have and keep on the path to success. 

Stop searching for the coordinates for happiness... it's within you. All you have to do is embrace it.

MRS N

"Hero without a cape" quotes by @NNP_W_Light

This Sunday is Father's Day. My dad has passed away and this holiday is normally a dark day for me. But this year, I'm feeling my dad's spirit surround me every single day. It's almost like he's with me all the time which is great. He's my hero without a cape. He loved and protected me when everyone else fell away. I'm my father's daughter and legacy.

We wanted to be the first to wish all the dads and granddads a very Happy Father's Day. 

Enjoy these quotes and don't forget to thank your dad.

Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad, and that's why I call you dad, because you are so special to me. You taught me the game and you taught me how to play it right. ~ Wade Boggs


My father used to say that it's never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, 'You never know what you can accomplish until you try.' ~ Michael Jordan

My dad was my best friend and greatest role model. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. ~ Tiger Woods

When it comes to Father's Day, I will remember my dad for both being there to nurture me and also for the times he gave me on my own to cultivate my own interests and to nurture my own spirit. ~ Jennifer Grant

One of the greatest gifts my father gave me - unintentionally - was witnessing the courage with which he bore adversity. We had a bit of a rollercoaster life with some really challenging financial periods. He was always unshaken, completely tranquil, the same ebullient, laughing, jovial man. ~ Ben Okri

My dad has given me the best gift anyone has ever given me. He gave me wings to fly. ~ Adria Arjona

"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way." — Unknown

MRS N

Leave judgement for the courts by @NNP_W_Light

Check your judgmental self at the door. ~ N. N. Light

Everywhere I turn, it seems, judgmental people attack. It may not necessarily be me who's the victim but it angers me just the same. I want to point to them and scream, "Stop! Just stop!"

No one, and I mean not a single person, has the right to pass judgement on another person. We are all equal in this world. We're human beings and while we each have our own set of insecurities, it does not give us the right to judge another. 

Think before you speak, tweet, post or type. Ask yourself this: would this help uplift or tear down? Would "insert someone you admire or have great respect for" approve what I'm about to say or will they be ashamed?

Instead of judging others, whether in person or online, step back and take a few breaths. Try to see the good and if you can't, close your mouth. 

This blog is, and will forever be, a judgment-free zone. 😊

MRS N

Let your Light shine in the dark by @NNP_W_Light

“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring


When your life is plunged into darkness, do you let your Light shine or do you cower in the dark?


One of my all-time favorite books is The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. In it, the path Frodo must take is filled with uncertainty and he's unsure what to do. Without warning, he's surrounded by darkness. But he has a secret weapon, a light to shine bright in the murky depths. 


We're a lot like Frodo. Without warning, the floor beneath our feet drops out and we're sitting in the dark, not able to see three feet in front of our face. What to do, what to do? 


Each of us has a light that will combat the darkness. Some may call it faith while others call it hope. I call it Light. It has the ability to guide us through the dark even if we can't see where we're going. Hold tight to the Light and when needed, let it surround you while lighting the path you need to walk. 


Frodo used his light and succeeded in his mission. You have the same ability inside you. Stop cowering and start shining! 


MRS N

Life is too short to worry by @NNP_W_Light

Life is too short to worry about stuff! I know people say this all the time but I speak from experience. When I was in college, I worried about everything.

Would I ace this test?

What will I have for lunch?

Will I have to study at the library while my roommate has sex with her guy of the week?

Does the cute guy in my Humanities class like me or is he just being nice?

Did all this worrying help me? No. All it did was stress me out and I was a mess. It wasn't until I stopped worrying and started living that my outlook changed.

Are you worrying about life?

Listen, stop worrying and start living. I tell this to my friends all the time. Life is too short... you gotta enjoy every moment.

Imagine what your life would look like if you didn't have to worry about what the world thought. Think about the life you dream about and go for it! I never thought in a million years that I would be a published author and book promoter, married to the man of my dreams and living the life I always wanted. Sure, there were many (and I mean like a zillion) detours along the way. I messed up and took a wrong turn. But instead of worrying, I brushed myself off and found my way back to the path.

Are you on a detour? Don't worry about it and take this advice:

Life is too short to worry about stupid things. Have fun. Fall in love. Regret nothing, and don't let people bring you down.

MRS N

Inject fun into your life by @NNP_W_Light #fun

When was the last time you let your hair down and had some good old-fashioned fun?

After a long, long week MR N and I knew it was time to have some fun over the weekend. We did some food prep and then opened the bar. We poured some cocktails and sat out on our solarium with our feet up. We read, talked, laughed and gave each other toasts. We watched some good concerts on pvr and ate incredible food. It was exactly what we needed to release the stress of the week.

Inject fun into your life. It doesn't matter what it is or who you're with. What matters is that you have fun.

What activities do you do in the name of fun? 

MRS N 

Share your talents by @NNP_W_Light #art

The greatest thing in the world we can do is to share our gifts. When we give of ourselves and our talents, we make an impact on people's lives. 

This week it was announced Bob Ross will finally get his own art exhibit, 24 years after his death. For those of you who don't know who Bob Ross is, check him out on Youtube. His painting show was one of the most popular shows on PBS and he was a talented artist.

Instead of pursuing the art exhibit route, Bob Ross chose to use his gifts to teach others. He brought art to the masses in an approachable way. He influenced millions of people around the world.

When I read this, I grinned. Bob Ross spent his life teaching others and now he's getting the praise from the art community. What an inspiration!

What can we learn from Bob Ross?

When you share your gifts, you have the potential to make the most impact. Giving of your time, energy and passion is a worthwhile endeavor.

What will your legacy be? 

MRS N

Remembering D-Day by @NNP_W_Light #dday

David Teacher, No. 71 Royal Air Force Beach Unit, on D-Day: 

“Jerry started to shell the beach at about 9am. Suddenly, all hell let loose.

“The beach was under fire from shells, mortars and machine guns, we dived for cover.

“The sea was covered in blood and vomit and flies began to arrive by the thousands, which created another nightmare.

“We continued all night and the following day without a break. Slowly, slowly we overcame all the nightmares….There was no lack of humour.

“A soldier coming ashore asked, ‘Is this a private beach? I was promised a private beach. If not I am not staying.’ And we heard, ‘My mother told me not to travel by air, she thought it was much safer by sea.’

“An army officer came ashore and instead of getting his men off the beach quickly, he stopped to consult his map. I approached him, ‘Sir, off this beach, now!’ ‘And who are you?’ he asked. ‘Sorry, no time for introductions.’”

On this day seventy-five years ago, hundreds of thousands of brave men committed to stop Hitler and freeing Europe from an evil regime. While none of my family members fought in World War Two, my heart is full of gratitude for those that did, many whom gave up their lives. I am free because of them.

Today, take a moment out of your busy Thursday to give thanks to those brave men and their families. For without them, none of us would be here. 

Soldiers answered the call
Smite down the enemy
No matter the cost
Freedom and peace the reward.

Let us remember the old adage: Learn from history or we will be bound to repeat it. 

MRS N

Do you love your flaws? by @NNP_W_Light

I like flaws and am most comfortable around those who have them. I, myself, am made up entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.

Do you love your flaws or do you do whatever it takes to hide them?

In the age of the "selfie", more and more people are becoming obsessed with their looks. I read an article talking about Insta-Glam. Followers of Instagram are glamming up and using filters to look perfect. This makes me sad and it got me thinking about flaws.

When I was in my teen years, I was obsessed with looking good. I struggled with my weight and did whatever I could to hide it. I wore attractive clothing and switched to contact lenses. Did it make me happy?

Honestly, no. I still didn't feel beautiful because every time I looked in the mirror, I saw flaws. It wasn't until I started loving myself (flaws and all) that I felt beautiful.

"I like flaws and am most comfortable around those who have them. I, myself, am made up entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."

Love your flaws for they are a part of you and they are what makes you beautiful. 

Just like there are no two snowflakes that are the same pattern, we are all unique and equally beautiful.

Let's start a new fad: love ourselves and those around us. Be proud of your flaws. I am!

MRS N

Replace negative thoughts by @NNP_W_Light

Are your thoughts negative or positive?

I know it's a hard question to answer but trust me, it's an important one. Your outlook on life, with its ups and downs, dictates what kind of life you live. If you approach every obstacle with negativity, then guess what? It will probably turn out that way. If your thoughts are positive, then the results will most likely be positive.

How is this possible?

The power of positive thinking is one of the greatest tools anyone can possess. It can mean the difference between success and failure. Your thoughts are powerful so make them count. 

When we launched N. N. Light's Book Heaven, I was in a low place. Everything I had worked on since 2015 was gone in a blink of an eye. I had a choice: stay negative or use the power of my thoughts in a positive way. I chose the latter and guess what? It's a success and I owe it all to my positivity.

Life can get pretty bad. You can reside in the pit of despair, not knowing how to get out. If you allow your negative thoughts to rule, you will stay in that pit of misery. But if you lift yourself up with positive thoughts and actions, you will float to the top and leap out of the darkness into the light.

Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones and you'll have positive results.

MRS N

Find joy in unexpected places by @NNP_W_Light #joy

Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home... it's your responsibility to love it, or change it. ~ Chuck Palahniuk

I love this quote. It perfectly describes my perspective today: finding joy in unexpected places.

With the success of our website, N. N. Light's Book Heaven, our inspirational thoughts have taken a back seat. This didn't sit well with either of us and we talked it out over the weekend. See, we've been posting inspirational thoughts over the past five years and it's our way of connecting with people all over the world. Our matra on life is to spread the Light. But we can't do that unless we have a corner of the internet in which to share our thoughts. So, we created this blog.

How do I feel today?

Joyful.

Why?

Joy is bursting from my pores because not only is our business a success, I still get to inspire others through words. My positivity seeps through the darkness to places and to people who need the Light. Whether it's a quote, a sentence or a virtual hug, I'm blessed to be writing my inspirational thoughts once again. 

I never expected to feel this good about writing again. But that's the great thing about joy; you never know when it will appear.

My advice: be on the lookout for what brings you joy. It can come in ways you never imagined.

MRS N

Get out from under stress @NNP_W_Light

One of my life lessons… when it comes down to it, it is not the years or the days that we ultimately remember. It is the moments. It is the special time shared with people who add value to our lives. It is our dreams and accomplishments fulfilled. It is the laughter and the tears. It is our alone time to reflect and appreciate what we have, and the simple pleasures that make living great. It is the journey. Amidst today’s deadlines and commitments, I’m going to take special care to cherish the moments that make life great. – Lisa Desatik

What is one of your life lessons? What is the one thing you have learned in your life that you wish you could pass on to future generations?

This thought has been on my mind for the past two days:

If I could teach one thing to future generations of the human race, what would it be?

The first thing that popped into my mind was to live a simple life.

What do I mean?

I mean to cut out what is causing you stress and anxiety and to cherish each moment. What matters in life is not money, houses, cars, prestige or influence. Life is about the simple things: happiness, kindness, charity and contentment.

Our lives are overflowing with places to be and commitments. No one seems to be able to relax anymore. It's go, go, go. Even on vacation or days off, the schedule is filled with stuff to do. Even our kids are scheduled down to the last minute.

How can you get out from under the stress and pressure?

Commit to yourself and to your loved ones to cut back and relish in the moment. Yesterday I talked about how important it is to breathe. Today, it's important to savor every moment. Each moment is precious and once over, you cannot get it back.

Amidst today's deadlines and commitments, I'm going to take special care to cherish the moments that make life great.