Do you give generously?

We should be inspired by people... who show that human beings can be kind, brave, generous, beautiful, strong-even in the most difficult circumstances. -- Rachel Corrie

Do you give generously, not only to those you know and love, but to strangers too?

Read the above quote and ask yourself, "Am I that kind of person?"

When I first read this quote, I asked myself if that described me.  I hesitated and then admitted that sometimes I am not that person.  I strive to be generous and to give in every circumstance.  But there are other times when I turn into a small person.

Do you ever have that happen?  You are having a great day and are smiling and then life happens, and you are having the worst day ever?  

You snap at your kids, significant other, store cashier, etc.  In that instant, we are being small.

I think if we can give of ourselves no matter what is going on, we can make the world a better place.

I am making a pledge today to be a big person every day and to try to give of myself, no matter the circumstances.  Will you join me?

MRS N

When you're grateful, you unlock...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. -- Melody Beattie

Read the above quote and then ask yourself the following question:

Am I living a full life?

My answer is a resounding YES!!!

I'm living life to the fullest and relishing every aspect of it.  I love the ups and the downs, the positive and the negative, the highs and the lows, the victories and the defeats.

A friend of mine gave me the above quote and it really clarified things for me.  

If you don't relish the obstacles/trials, then you cannot experience the joys of success!

That being said, here are 5 things that I am thankful for today:

-I'm eternally grateful for all of my incredible blog followers. I'm incredibly blessed, and I hope that this blog continues to inspire you.

-I am grateful for the love of baking and being able to create yummy treats for my family and friends. 

-I'm grateful for every rejection of my stories. With every rejection, it brought me closer to understanding being an Independent author was the best way to go.

-I'm grateful for all of my friends (you know who you are) who have supported me.  Your support and encouraging words uplift me and I love you all!

-I am grateful for my collection of books.  Whenever life gets tricky, I can escape to a whole new world through the power of books.

Have you unlocked the fullness of life?  What are you thankful for today?  Be grateful for everything in your life and you will discover what life has in store for you!

MRS N

Cherish every moment/person @NNP_W_Light

Carpe Diem.

Seize the day, in Latin.

This motto has been a foundation in my life for the past 30 years. The truth is, no one knows when this will be their last day on Earth. Life is short so make the most of it.

In that same vein, I think it's even more important to cherish every moment and person. 

I've had people come and go in my life. I'm filled with gratitude for what they brought to my life and what they taught me.

Today (and every day), take a moment and let the gratitude soak into your soul. Watch a sunset. Sit out on your porch/balcony and smell the outdoors. Bask in the glow of all the good in your life. Then go inside and hug your loved ones. Share your gratitude with those in your life (even your annoying co-worker/neighbor, for they're teaching you patience).

Cherish every moment and every person in your life, because you never know when it will be the last time you see someone.

I'm so thankful for each of you. Thank you for your undying support and for being a part of my life. 

MRS N

When the winds blow, have faith and give thanks

Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength. ~ Douglas Malloch 

When strong winds swirl around you, causing you to lose your footing, what do you do? 

It's a proven fact that when trees are saplings, the stronger the winds, the stronger the tree grows. It plunges its roots further in the soil providing an impenetrable foundation. 

It's the same way with people. Those who face brutal storms early in life are more likely to bounce back quicker than those who have escaped any kind of adversity. 

So the next time the winds blow, have faith and give thanks. It's nothing more than strength training for your life. Plunge your roots deep in the soil and hang on. The sun is soon to come out. 

MRS N 

Letting go doesn't mean giving up...

Letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.

Letting go is hard, especially when it's something that you have no control of.

A friend of mine (let's call her Lori) came to me with something that was troubling her.

... "and then she just up and stopped being my friend."

"What do you mean? Did she tell you she didn't want to be friends anymore?" I asked.

"No." Lori paused. "She has new friends now and doesn't return my calls, emails and breaks engagements on short notice."

"Oh." I thought about it for a minute. "Did you ask her about it? Maybe she's going through a rough time."

"She is and the kicker is that I have been there for her through it all. I've been so supportive. It just hurts, you know?"

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sorry you're going through such pain. But if she doesn't want to be your friend anymore, the best thing you can do is to just let go."

I hugged my friend, Lori.

Have you had this happen? I sure have. Friends have come and gone in my life. It's painful and it sucks. My first instinct is to make things right in any relationship, even if it is not my fault. I don't like conflict and I will try anything to bring back peace.

The reality is that when a relationship is over (whether it's on your end or the other person's end), you've got to just let go and move on. It doesn't mean that you stop loving that person. It doesn't mean that you're a failure. It just means that the person is no longer in your inner circle.

Lori is starting to let go and I'm glad. After time has passed, Lori will reflect on the happy times with her friend and see the benefit of letting go.

Look deep into your heart and ask yourself this question:

Have I let go of those people who have hurt me?

Letting go doesn't mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.

MRS N

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don’t look at it and wish you had painted something different.

Are you happy?

I used to think that certain people and things defined happiness.

If only I had a dream job, then I would be happy.

If only I was married, then I would be happy.

If only I was friends with this person, then I would be happy.

If only I had my dream house, then I would be happy.

The reality is happiness comes from within. When you're content in your current circumstances and with yourself, happiness floods your life.

Every day is a fresh start to live a happy life. Make it count. You don't want to regret what you did with your day.

Today, look deep within yourself at who you are and the life you're living. Be grateful for what you have and set goals for what you want to change. Let happiness ooze out of you and you will soon be living a happy life.

MRS N

Are you cultivating a merry world?

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Are you cultivating a merry world?

The world is full of greed and those seeking wealth. More times than not, gold does not bring happiness. No, seeking happiness is a decision you must make every single day.

One of our resolutions is to be happy and to not let anything or anyone steal our joy. Over the past few weeks, I've had to release anger and annoyance in order to keep my happiness. And you know what? I've never felt better in my life.

Here's my secret: Every time I run into a circumstance which would annoy me before, I smile and push the negative thoughts in the trash bin. A snarky comment, an unexpected expense, a boss throwing more work than humanly possible, torn pants, yelling kids, broken dishes, are everyday occurrences which used to drive me round the bend but now have no power over me. I simply shrug and continue on with my day.

Take Professor Tolkien's advice and value what matters most: good food, good drink, companionship and music. 

MRS N

Don't just sit there... DO IT! @NNP_W_Light

You are never too old to move forward and make the rest of your life the very best of your life.

You're never too old to be inspired, pursue your dreams and live the very best life you can!

Every time I go for a walk, I pass two elderly women walking. One of them is very old She's in a wheelchair and looks to be close to 100 years old.  She has lost the use of her legs but her spirit is as strong as when she was in her twenties. They both smile at me and I smile back. These women inspire me to go for my walk, even when my body complains. 

You're never too old.

Is there something you want to do? Is there a dream that beats wildly in your heart?

Don't just sit there... DO IT!

Life is short and you are never too old to pursue it. You are the only person who can make the best of your life. Yes you.

Don't wait, for life will soon pass you by!

MRS N

Are you surrounded by negativity?

Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from all the negative things.

Are you surrounded by negativity?  Are your so-called friends bringing you down or reminding you of all the mistakes you've made?

Each of us deals with negative things and negative people all day long.  It's everywhere.  It's the car honking behind you as you're driving down the street.  It's the cranky bank teller who needs to take a break.  It's your boss who had a fight with his/her significant other before coming into work.

The key to uplifting yourself is to distance yourself from the negativity.  It can be as simple as showing kindness.  It can also be physically distancing yourself from the negativity.  It's hard to do but sometimes it needs to be done.  Friends come and go in your life.  It's your choice if you want to be free from the negativity.

Take a look around.  Are the people you're associated with blanketing you with negativity?  Maybe it's time to let them go.

Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from all the negative things!

MRS N

To be inspired is great but to inspire is...

To be inspired is great; to inspire is incredible.

No matter where you live or what you believe in, inspiration is all around you. It may be something you read or someone you talk to. Inspiration is just waiting for you to discover it. For me, I hunt for inspiration like mushroom foragers hunt for truffles. I focus all my energy and sniff it out. Here is a top ten list of things/people that inspire me.

1- My husband, MR N, inspires me each and every day. Together, we came up with the idea for each of our books as well as our business. He inspires me to work hard every day. He empowers me to be the best I can be. He continues to inspire me each day. “Spread the Light, darling,” he whispers to me as he kisses me good-bye before he leaves for work. 

2- The Walking Man inspires me every day. Who is that? In my debut novel, Mary meets a man known in the town of Golden Lake as the Walking Man. He is a homeless man who walks. He is based on a real homeless man I discovered in my neighborhood. I don’t know much about him except that he shuns contact and walks everywhere. Even though he doesn’t talk to me, I show him kindness. He inspires me to spread the Light so I can help others just like him.

3- Twitter inspires me. I have over 10,800 followers and throughout the day, I get tons of inspiring photos, tweets or quotes. It lightens my heart, feeds my imagination and sets my mind on fire.

4- Nature inspires me. I go for a morning walk and I surround myself with nature and wildlife. It inspires me to grow beyond my fingertips and to persevere no matter the weather.

5- Past/Present authors inspire me. No matter what I am dealing with, it is helpful that scores of successful authors have dealt with it too. Publishing is a small community and my fellow authors inspire me each and every day to be bold with my writing.

6- My father inspires me. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and wish he was here with me. He passed away in 1998 and he inspires me to believe in myself. “You can do anything, angel.” I still hear his voice echo in my head.

7- My faith inspires me. I follow the Golden Rule and I do unto others as I would want them to do unto me. I don’t expect anything in return for being kind but it inspires me to be kind despite others.

8- The Naysayers inspire me. There have been people in my life that have told me that I couldn’t do something. To them, I say thank you. If not for them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The constant negative wave surges me forward to achieving my dreams.

9- Music inspires me. My personal favorites include Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Kacey Musgraves, Gov't Mule, Alanis Morissette, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, Vivaldi and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

10- Art inspires me. No matter the form it takes, I have always found inspiration in art. Instead of ink and paper, they tell a story with paint and canvas. So beautiful!

No matter what form inspiration takes, allow it to inspire you to be the best person you can be!

What inspires you?

MRS N

What's your playlist of the decade?

Music can change the world. ~ Beethoven 

I read an interesting article this morning. In it, it listed the top 200 songs of the decade (2010-2019). The author opined these songs shaped our lives of the past ten years. While I didn't agree with most of the songs, it did get me thinking.

What song or songs defined my life over the past ten years?

I thought long and hard. It's hard to sum up your life in one song. But then it came to me.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves

My favorite lyric is:

It's different now
'Cause I love the light that I've found
In you

© Kacey Musgraves, all rights reserved

I asked Mr. N what his song is and he answered right away.

Resolution Come, Revolution Go by Gov't Mule

My favorite lyric is:

Smile in the face of your enemies
They can't kill your dreams

© Gov't Mule, all rights reserved

What's your playlist of the decade? What songs define your life the past ten years?

It's to look back on life and see how far we've come.

Mrs. N

Problems are like washing machines...

Problems are like washing machines, they twist us, spin us and knock us around, but in the end we come out cleaner, brighter and better than before.

Did you wake up this morning feeling like life's problems are piling on top of you like dirty laundry?

I feel you.

That's why this quote is perfect for today.

I love the visual it puts in my mind Sure, we all have problems.  Sure, those problems can overwhelm us.  Your body and soul get kicked around with no end in sight.

But what if you looked at it from another angle?

Think of your problems like a washing machine.  It may hurt at first but the end result is a better and more improved sparkling clean you.

Hold on tight, here comes the rinse cycle.

MRS N

Do this one thing every day... @NNP_W_Light

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. ~ Og Mandino

Want to change your life?

Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight.

How will this change your life?

Think about it. If you knew someone was living their last day today, you'd treat them with kindness and love. You'd let go of misunderstandings and offer forgiveness. You'd do anything in your power to make their last day on Earth the best it can be.

Now, take all those feelings and incorporate it into your everyday interaction with others. Infuse others with love, kindness and understanding. Let go of the small irks and forgive when necessary. 

"But MRS N, my co-worker drives me nuts. How can I be nice to her? She's never nice to me."

This mentality only works if you do it without any thought of your feelings and actions being reciprocated. I get you have trying people who love nothing more than to push your buttons but do you think that gives you freedom to behave the same way? No. Be the better person and share a kind word or three. It's not about the other person but about you.

I challenge you to treat everyone you meet today with kindness. Try it for 24 hours. I guarantee you'll see the difference in your own perspective and life. 

MRS N 

Are you waiting for the right time to pursue your dreams?

“Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” —George Herbert

Are you waiting for the right time to pursue your dreams?

The time is now.

I spent most of my twenties telling myself I wasn't ready to be a full-time writer. I needed to pay off my student loans, save money, take more classes, etc. The truth is I was frightened to take the leap. When the opportunity came along, I had a choice: take it or keep shuffling my feet with more excuses.

We have all the tools we need to get started on our dreams. We only need to strap on our tool belt and get to work.

Stop making excuses by saying, "it's not the right time" or "I'm not ready yet". Those are just excuses brought about by fear. There isn't a "right" time when you're on the road to success. So strap on your toolbelt and get to work!

MRS N 

Words have the power to hurt or heal

Your words have the power to hurt or to heal. Choose to be an encourager; the world already has plenty of discouragers.

Words have the power to hurt or to heal.  <--- This is a true statement.

Question: Do your words hurt or help others?

I'm a writer so I always strive to have my words heal.  I never want my words to hurt another.

Read the quote above and choose right now to be an encourager.

The world is overflowing with discouragers.  We need more kindness, more compassion, more Light, more encouragers.

Be an encourager and use your words to heal.

MRS N

When crabbiness hits you... @NNP_W_Light

Look out everybody! I’m gonna to be crabby for the rest of the day!!! – Lucy from Peanuts cartoon

Ever had one of those days when the world is ganging up on you and you want to scream like Lucy?

Hey, I have those days too. I would much rather be by myself or put a sign up letting everyone know that I am going to be crabby.

It's the end of September and there are so many things going on.  Don't get me wrong, I love being busy. But every once in awhile, stress tips the scales and it comes pouring out.

What do you do when that happens?

For me, the best thing I can do is to talk about it (or write).  Get it out of your body and you will start to feel better!  Let someone help you carry the load and infuse some much-needed Light into your soul.

You will be refreshed and will be ready to take on anything.

It's either that or yell at people like Lucy.

MRS N

Let's talk work ethic... by @NNP_W_Light

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”― John Wooden

How's your work ethic? Is it the same or different when people are watching?

Yesterday, I watched as an asphalt crew patched the parking lot of the building where I live. Mid-morning, five of the six men went on a coffee run. The remaining man was tasked with filling the holes with gravel then raking it flat.

He picked up the rake, turned his head left then right before setting it down. He picked up the shovel, looked all around then set it down. He shifted his feet then pulled out his phone to text someone or scroll. He didn't bother to do any actual work, just made it seem like he was working.

A thought struck me as I watched him. Work ethic.

I'm what's known as an independent worker. I prefer to work alone. Once given a task, I work away until the job is finished. I take pride in my ability to complete something by only being told once.

My work ethic I learned from my maternal grandfather. He worked hard his whole life. He was the first to share the above quote with me. This is what he told me again and again:

"It doesn't matter whether the whole world is watching or no one. Do your best and you'll be rewarded." 

I have certain clients who aren't on Twitter. When they sign up for a promotion, it comes with five tweets. I could be like the paving worker and not do it. The client would never know. But here's the kicker: I would. My work ethic prevents me from doing something halfway. It's all the way or not at all.

When you're tasked with a job, work hard as if the world is watching. Develop your work ethic so it becomes a part of you. Take my grandfather's advice and do your best. 

MRS N

A new habit: thanking others @NNP_W_Light

Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it. -- Ralph Marston

Thank you: Two words that are simple and yet evoke such positive emotion.

We live in a busy world.  We never seem to have enough time to do all that we have to do.

Your life wouldn't be your life without the people who are a part of it.  

Have you thanked them recently for being who they are?  

Have you thanked your loved ones for loving you?  

Have you thanked your boss for your job and the ability to put food on your table and a roof over your head?

Saying "thank you" is a simple way to show gratitude.

I urge you to take a look around you today and to say, "thank you" to at least five people in your life.

Who did you thank?

MRS N

Pain is your friend so... (@NNP_W_Light)

Positive thinking is a valuable tool that can help you overcome obstacles, deal with pain, and reach new goals. ~ Amy Morin

Do you view pain and suffering as your friend or foe?

A week ago, I hurt my rib muscles. I went into the doctor because the pain became unbearable. He diagnosed I had a grade 3 inter coastal rib strain. The healing time is 7 weeks to 3 months. Oh great.

Yesterday, I woke up in immense pain. The spasm in my rib cage on both front and back on the right side was nonstop. It hurt to move, breathe, work, stand, sit. Nothing helped.

I needed to do the dishes. There was no getting around it. Even in teeth-jarring pain, I had to do it. There wasn't anyone else who could do it. MR N was at work in a meeting. I couldn't ask him to come home just to do the dishes. So, I gritted my teeth and breathed through the pain.

Ladies, imagine trying to do dishes while being in the middle of labor. Every step, bend, twist, was pure agony. I was breathing hard and sweating like crazy. It took all my strength but I did it. I did the dishes.

Later, as I was telling MR N what happened, I felt good about myself. The old me would quit, the pain too much. The new me pushed through the pain to get it accomplished.

Pain is your friend.

No matter what you're going through, push through the pain and suffering. You'll see how much strength you have and how brave you are. Pain helps you become the warrior you're meant to be.

You can do it!

MRS N

What defines you? by @NNP_W_Light

Your wealth or status doesn’t make you. Your kindness and character does. – Venkat Desireddy

What defines you?

Your career?

Your family?

Your wealth?

Your home?

Your car?

Your friends?

For many people, wealth and status defines who they are. It's all about making a lot of money and getting into the "right" neighborhoods. Society is obsessed with wealth and status.

I learned a valuable lesson when I was a freshman in college. I came from a divorced family and money was always tight. I got a scholarship to one of the best colleges in Minnesota and I was surrounded by people who didn't have to worry about money. I was judgmental at first because they had what I wanted.

Then I met Angela (name has bee changed to protect the innocent). She and I had a lot in common. We both loved reading books and listening to music. She was what I called a "free spirit" and we became fast friends.

One weekend, her mother and father came to visit the dorm. I was introduced to them as her best friend. Her mother disliked me immediately. I wasn't from the "right" home and later Angela told me her mother forbade her from speaking to me again.

Did her mother's warning work?

No! We stayed friends for a long time, over 10 years.

When I asked Angela why she didn't listen to her mother she replied:

"I'm not them, I'm not defined by money and status. I make up my own mind whether someone is worth being friends with."

I've learned two things from this life lesson:

1- Never judge others. You never know what they are going through and at the end of the day, they are just like you. Sure, they may have more/less money than you or live in a different neighborhood but they bleed and hurt just like you.

2- Wealth and status doesn't have to define who you are. Your character and kindness illustrates to the world who you are.

Again, I ask, what defines you? What makes you special and unique?

Angela, wherever you are, thank you for not listening to your mother! Your friendship got me through a lot of bad times and vice versa. I'm so grateful our paths crossed when they did.

MRS N