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Here is my newest creation entitled Angel Of Light! A combination of digital and fractal art!
Angels are all around us all of the time. We can feel them in our hearts and see them in our minds' eye. Sometimes we're lucky enough to see them with our natural eyes and they can be felt too with a cool, prickly sensation or a warm, loving sensation. They are only a heartbeat away! (https://fineartamerica.com/featured/angel-of-lilght-diamante-lavendar.html?newartwork=true).
Fear is like a looking glass.....
Eva Murphy loses something she'd never thought she'd lose. From that day forward her world changes and her journey begins.
Love and devastation come her way constantly and as she comes of age, her inner strength is tested over and over again.
Interview with Telly Glanville from Weeping Well:
A new audio book by Dreaming Big Publications!
Horrifying illusions. Classified government operations. Heavily guarded secrets. Cryptic rumors. Dangerous prisoners. Irresistible passion. Demonic magic.
Piers Anthony weaves this and more into Writer’s Retweet, a collection of five short stories abounding in the adventure, magic, and naughtiness that fans have come to know and love from this author.
In “Experiment,” “Discovery,” and “Mission,” painfully average Bigelow Bilge and Paula Plaintiff are thrust unwillingly into a world fraught with terrifying, victim-specific illusions. Who—or what—is the source of these horrifying encounters? Why have Bigelow and Paula been targeted?
A newspaper reporter in “Dull Street Incident” gets wind of a delicious scandal rumored to have punctuated a stale suburban street. Menacing prisoners, conniving teenage girls, and one well-kept secret leads this reporter to the story of a lifetime. But who will believe it?
In “Forbidden Fruit,” dowdy, middle-aged Edith happens upon a mysterious fruit that completely alters her life—and the life of Kent, an attractive, young neighbor. Seduced by her newfound magical abilities and rediscovered sex appeal, Edith plunges into a world filled with demons, pleasure, and unthinkable risk.
ABOUT THE NARRATOR: As a child, Harry Benjamin spent many hours lying on his bedroom floor, reading his favourite novels aloud in time to the accompanying audiobook. Now a young actor with a passion for telling stories, it is only natural that he has made the leap into audiobook narration himself, something he intends to keep doing for a long time to come! In addition to voiceovers, Harry also acts, writes and directs for theatre, and is a member of the recently formed theatre company Colossal Porpoise, who can be tracked down on Facebook and Twitter.
Where you can find Writer's Retweet:
https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Retweet-Piers-Anthony/dp/1535513314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491727480&sr=8-1&keywords=writer%27s+retweet
Just goofin' around for a change!
And if that doesn't satisfy your funny bone....
Stress has a way of making you want to laugh. I know ALLLLL about it. So....laugh on!
Have a wonderful day and try to find something humorous about it. During hard times, humor goes a long way.
"A child with a knack for solving problems helps some hungry fish and finds a treasure. Illustrated folk tale teaches the value of work and comes with ideas for businesses; money-making activities; and online resources ."
My Rating: 3 Diamonds <> <> <>
This is a cute and nicely illustrated story about earning a living. A boy goes on an adventure and learns how to earn money while he is helping a stranger. This story speaks of being creative when it comes to living life-which is always a good idea!
The illustrations are well done and the story is easy for young children to understand. This would be a good gift for a child for any occasion. Plus the book conveys useful information for children in how to be a success in life.
Where you can find The Bridge Of Golden Wood:
https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Golden-Wood-Parable-Money-ebook/dp/B01N0XCPQK
http://www.gozobooks.com/bridge-of-the-golden-wood.php
I've always loved music. Twenty years ago I wrote and sang. Now, so many years later, I find myself doing it again. In memory of my daughter who passed only three and a half months ago.
I wanted the music to make the listener feel the unreal, ethereal and disillusioning feeling of losing a child. I think I succeeded. Take a listen. I hope my daughter can hear me and know how much I miss her.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-miss-you-single/id1206898119
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/for-my-baby-radio-version-single/id1206895872
How to create "zen" on the planet? Love. We all crave love. That's why we're hurt so easily when we don't find it...or thought we had and realize it wasn't real. Love is precious. It's life changing. It's essential. Light workers harvest love. And they give it away in bunches. Wherever it's needed.
Conflicted about the role of (in)fidelity in relationships? Hurt? Angry? Confused? Need simple, sound advice?
The author can relate. She's been on both sides of the fence and addresses infidelity prevention in real terms. This is a much-needed book for those with a desire to know, and those in the throes of desire re: (in)fidelity in a committed relationship. An honest, easy, concise read that gets to the crux of the matter, with bits of humor thrown in for good measure. It offers up plenty of points to ponder; along with valuable information, statistics, commentary, personal stories (including the author's own) and surveys for examination.
Guidelines are given to preserve integrity and respect before falling victim to the harmful backlash of infidelity--and it's a big one. The purpose is to promote awareness, education, personal accountability, and growth. Bottom line: cheating is defeating. Right? This is your call to action, no matter which side of the fence you find yourself. Get healthy, get happy, get reading. This is where the change-up begins!
Interview with Elda:
Twenty years ago I wrote and created music. The time has come to start again! What do I write? Easy listening/rock/pop. Sometimes a bit alternative. A combo. I like to mix things up. These two new singles are available on itunes at the present moment. They will also be available on google music, amazon music and more in the upcoming weeks. I'll keep the links updated.
For My Baby and I Miss You were written for my daughter who recently passed. Her death blindsided me. I wasn't expecting it...it was devastating. So as a way to deal with the pain, I've begun writing music again. I've also written numerous poems and posts about my beloved Celby on Niume. Feel free to check it out if you feel so inclined.
Thank you to those who have supported me over the years. Your friendship means a lot. It helps me stay upbeat in this difficult world.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/for-my-baby-radio-version-single/id1206895872
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-miss-you-single/id1206898119
Do you love photos? Here is a place where you can find photos of all types.
Located on Fine Art America, delve into these landscapes, animal pictures, portraits and more. Sure to please every taste!
Visit here: photographs for sale
You won't be sorry you did!
Thank you for joining me here for more inspiration, previews and offers!
https://forms.aweber.com/form/36/786188436.htm
Read new insights, see free offers and previews of upcoming books and classes!
Whether this concept is an old one to you...or a new one...it's still worth mentioning. I know I need reminders about this frequently myself! Here is a message about money...the material possession which makes our society go 'round! (Whether we'd like to admit it or not!)
Be frugal. Be wise. Life requires wisdom in order to succeed.
Dreams are important-they're necessary-but so is living in the moment according to the means at your disposal. If you get caught up in believing for your wishes to come true in Now, you'll find yourself in debt. Take one day at a time with your heart believing for tomorrow. Slowly build your efforts. It's a lifestyle just like everything else.
If you're patient, your efforts will pay off! And you won't have to pay "big time" for that to happen!
Now determines the future. Now is the "seat" of tomorrow. Don't project what happened yesterday into tomorrow. You'll create more of the same in "what is to come".
If you want to start fresh, make Now the best you can and see that best going forward into tomorrow. That is the most productive way to correct past mistakes, one moment at a time. And if you slip up or get off track, don't worry or fear. Just realign yourself in a successful Now and the future will be much brighter and better.
Remember: life is a journey and we are all works in progress!
Be the best you can be;
It's all you can do;
Put yourself in ,
Another one's shoes.
Re step your reasons,
Your where and your why;
Only then will you begin to
Grow wings and fly;
Pain is a process,
Letdown a game,
For inside each one of us,
We're all made the same.
Once we embrace this,
And dance through our trials,
Life will have meaning,
We'll endure it with smiles.
Heartbreak is a part of
This challenge and course,
If we clear all our hurdles,
We'll break every curse.
So next time a crisis,
Of loss and grief hit,
Don't believe the illusion,
Increase love's true grit.
Dedicated to my daughter Kelby. May we live by her example of love and light.
The pain is so deep-
Every time I have a memory,
Every time I hear a song you loved,
Every perfect picture waiting to be taken,
Causes bitter tears of grief to awaken
My broken heart again.
Everywhere I go- Everyone I meet, people who I talk to, Remind me of you and your beauty; I miss your caring heart, your giving aura of love; You were so much more than the average person Could have ever hoped to be.
My soulmate- We dreamed together, had grand plans, We laughed about silly things, Fought about even sillier things, Then hugged and reconciled, Knowing our love was one quite rare.
My daughter, my baby- My best friend; I raised you to be loving, understanding, A light in the darkness. How could God snuff out Someone so incredibly beautiful at such a tender age?
How could He allow it- When your presence changed lives And your perspective made everything better? Your glow could be felt by everyone who knew you; You made things make sense, you brought life into situations; You were a constant help to those in need.
I miss you, Celby. I always will- Until God has me take my last breath on this earth, Nothing will ever be the same again. The beauty you left behind is agonizing, The purpose you gave us torturous Because you were ripped from us without even so much
As an explanation.
I AM the Method,
I AM the Key,
I AM the Answer,
Please reference Me.
I AM the Creator, I AM the King, I am the Light, In whom creation sings.
When you're in doubt, You know you will fall; Cry out to Me, The Intention of all.
I AM your Redeemer, Of first and of last, I AM the Gatekeeper, Of all time that does pass.
The idea of fearlessness invokes all sorts of thoughts from people. Mighty warriors, rebels, living a ruthless life, not allowing people to dictate how you live. Yes, these things may be aspects of being fearless but I think there's more to it. Here are some ways in which I believe it means to be fearless: Live your life despite your fears. Let's face it. We're all afraid at some point in time. No matter how old we are, what we've been through or who we are, we still feel fear at least once in a while. The difference between a fearful and "fearless" person is the ability to continue to live and do what you want despite feeling afraid. Being able to step out into the world and continue on regardless of fearful emotions (in my opinion) makes you fearless.
Realize there is a greater purpose and unity to everything. Quantum physics has proven that: everything we see is made of things we cannot see (atoms and molecules) and that a force (light) is holding them together. All forms of matter are made from solidified light! And pretty much everyone knows that God is light and the creator of life. Albert Einstein discovered that time and space were relative, not absolute. He was quoted as saying, " "For us physicists, the distinction between past, present and future is only an illusion." (Beliefnet: How Quantum Physics Proves God's Existence). So, it has been scientifically proven that there is a greater force holding everything together that creates the reality we are perceiving. Pretty awesome, huh?
To know you can always start over and make changes. Nothing is set in stone except our wrongful mindsets. We all have the ability to start over. Perfect case in point: me. At the age of two, I began to be molested by family members. It went on until the age of twelve. I clung to the belief that I was a "black sheep". A "blight" on the planet of life. Until I realized that I had to change my thought processes or my life would never change. Once I began to be more positive, my life started getting a little better. It's never too late to start over!
To know you are an eternal being. This life is not all there is. Though many would like to believe that as truth, it's not true. Again, Quantum Physics steps up to explain. Dr. Robert Lanza developed the theory of biocentrism. Biocentrism states that life and biology are central to our consciousness (being, reality and the cosmos). He developed the double-slit test where he has proven that light and matter display characteristics of both waves and particles, depending on the observer's perception and consciousness. Why is this important? Because he has found that "reality is a process that requires our consciousness." (Beliefnet: How Quantum Physics Proves God's Existence). Dr. Eben Alexander supports this theory, being a survivor of a near death experience during which he was clinically brain dead from meningitis, making it scientifically impossible for the brain to generate any neurologic activity and brain function. 'My journey deep into coma, outside this lowly physical realm and into the loftiest dwelling place of the almighty Creator, revealed the indescribably immense chasm between our human knowledge and the awe-inspiring realm of God." He goes on to state, "The brain itself does not produce consciousness. That it is, instead, a kind of reducing valve or filter, shifting the larger, nonphysical consciousness that we possess in the nonphysical worlds down into a more limited capacity for the duration of our mortal lives." (Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey Into the Afterlife, 2012).
To embrace love and beauty in life despite the darkness that comes with it. This world is a learning ground for us all. And learning involves pain. Tragedy and trauma are some of the best ways to instill new values and understanding in our mindsets, particularly if we happen to be stubborn people. Knowing that we are here to learn and grow, we must also accept the pain the learning and growing brings. Unfortunately, that's just the way the proverbial cookie crumbles when it comes to life on planet earth.
To understand that everything has an opposite and to be willing to accept that fact. It takes guts to admit you're going to die. It takes guts to admit that bad things happen. It takes even more guts and willpower to be willing to delve through it. What could be more fearless? Light always eventually becomes darkness. Love many times turns to hate or visa versa. Lies, truth; life, death. Polar opposites. But always elements in life no matter who you are or where you come from. It's just a fact of being human.
To understand that love is the ultimate energy that heals. Researchers have shown that by shifting our emotions, we are changing the electromagnetic field radiated by our hearts. When we are feeling love, our heart beats out a very loving message. (Collective Evolution: Science Proves That Human Consciousness And Our Material World Are Intertwined). So...depending on how willing we are to give love and receive love, we will reap the benefits of that state of being not only within ourselves but also with those near and far from us. We also have the ability to affect the physical world with our love energy!
To know that there is balance in life. Good has a way of balancing out the bad in some way, shape or form. This also holds true of our consciousness. Even through the death of a close loved one, if we can gather the courage to see the tragedy from a viewpoint of love, we can find good in the bad. For example, I've buried two children now. And trust me, I didn't want to see the good in it at all. But there was good in it. My first child taught me to believe in God and the spirit realm. She showed me its reality. My second child has taught me to live in love and to be grateful for this life and my experiences because they're making me a better person. Plus, she's shown me that even though we pass from this reality, we graduate to a new one. We never truly die. I realize there may be naysayers out there, but I believe completely in what I write about and the spirit realm (paranormal) is one of my biggest topics. That being said, I believe in balance. And I even believe in good outweighing the bad...if you allow it. (All comes full circle to your state of consciousness).
I hope this post has helped you to create some new hopes and reasons for enlightened future possibilities. May you be blessed and live in blessings!
I saw her in the casket, lying peacefully, wearing the animal print dress she had wanted so badly four years before. We had walked around the store and she followed me, crying, wailing uncharacteristically, for me to buy her the dress. "Why are you acting like this?" I was irritated. I was so irritated, in fact, that I felt like flinging her across the aisles.
"I want this dress!" she wailed.
"You never act this way. You're a good kid. Calm. Peaceful. The total opposite of your sister. But now? You're acting like a monster! I already have $400.00 worth of clothes in this cart for you both. I can't afford any more. These prices are outrageous! This is why I buy everything at Goodwill!" I stared at her, beyond frustrated.
She insisted on getting the dress. Of course, I caved.
My younger daughter was the peaceful one of my two kids. She was the easygoing one. The one who gave loving advice and huge bear hugs. The one who told everyone that everything would be okay.
Now I was staring at her lifeless body, her cold, hard shell lying in a casket lined with pink satin fabric-her favorite color. The body of my beloved child adorned with the animal print dress she had pined over in the store four years ago.
*****************************************************************************
We were standing in my younger daughter’s room a few days before. My older daughter held the animal print dress. “We have to put it on her, mom,” my older daughter insisted through tears and whimpering. “You know how much she loved it. It’s what she would have wanted.”
“I know. Do you remember how she freaked out about that dress when I bought it?” I wiped my eyes, wanting to join my younger daughter in her casket.
"Yes."
We both broke down. It was inconceivable that she had been yanked from us. Our best friend, our confidant, our love.
We carefully picked out jewelry to match.
"She'll be beautiful," my older daughter said. "Just like she'd want to be."
********************************************************************************
How will I live without you, Bubby Girl? I can't do this.
I went to her, kneeling in front of the casket. I put my hands over hers, placing one of my best rings on her fingers.
You were with me when I picked this out. My promise ring to God. Now it's yours.
I stared at her face. That beautiful, angelic face with the pouting lower lip. Her hair had recently been dyed red. It looked good on her, falling in soft curls around her cheeks and over her shoulders.
I want to be with you.
I had been through this before. I knew all about God and spirits, angels and heaven. I just didn't want to acknowledge the pain. It was then that I heard her voice.
"I'm not in that casket mom. I'm still with you."
I felt the familiar salty tears fall from my eyes, down my cheeks and into my mouth as I wept.
I know. I just miss you. So much. Every second of every day.
I stared at her, laying my head on the chest of her icy cold body. I smelled formaldehyde.
"That's not me anymore, mom. Remember. Now I can always be with you."
In immense pain, I ran my fingers through her hair, hating the smell and the coldness of her body.
You're right. It's not you anymore. But I still love you and I always will. You'll always be my baby.
I stayed with her a while more as the funeral director closed the doors to the people watching behind me.
I love you, Bubby Girl. Stay with me forever. Help me to keep writing and show me how to take pictures like you did.
"I will, Mommy. I promise."
Never stop calling me Mommy. I love how you call me that.
"I won't, Mommy. Try to be happy. Because I'm happy now."
I ran my hands over her fingers, those beautiful curved fingers that I used to hold in mine. I got up and told the funeral director he could shut the casket. As he did, I knew that my time with my baby wasn't over. It was just beginning.
Brokenness. What does it mean? To be sad, to fall apart, to mourn, to be unsure of why you're here? In my opinion, yes and no. People think they are broken when horrible things happen. People also think they're broken when they have the perspective that they've lost in life. My perspective is a little different.
Growing up, I thought I was the definition of broken, which by the way, is "reduced to fragments; ruptured, torn, fractured, out of working order." (Dictionary.com). When I was two, the abuse began. It continued until I was twelve. I aged thinking that I was "the black sheep", "the family scapegoat." Then, in my early twenties, I lost my first living child ten hours after she was born. At that point, I was decimated. But now I realize I still wasn't broken.
Twenty six years later, I just buried my second daughter. I have learned what broken really means. It means your will, your perspective on life, has been crushed into powder. You have no will left. What it means is that all old mindsets have been destroyed and you are forced to create new ones. Broken is BROKEN in every sense of the word. You don't know who you are anymore, everything that you held as truth is no longer ringing true and you have no preconceived notions to fall back on. You're in uncharted territory. You're a babe in a very new, large, scary woods. You are truly BROKEN.
Brokenness is a state of renewal. It is the most raw, deeply pained position in existence on this planet. It is the existence of nothingness. But nothingness is a place ripe with potential.
When new recruits join the military, they are put through tremendous pressure. The concept behind it is "breaking the will to form a warrior." And, to be honest, the brokenness I've been feeling is precisely that..and then some. There is no way out but UP. You can't fall further, you can't go deeper. You can only climb up. And the climb can be exceedingly painful...one tiny step at a time. Brokenness is a state where you can't focus on being broken because you're so far down that if you only think of your brokenness, you WILL quit. No doubt about it. You are forced to look up, to turn to the light and to rebuild yourself one moment at a time. You must relearn, you must form new truths, you must fight to survive by staying positive and reminding yourself that your ego has been destroyed. An example of the positive side of brokenness? You are grateful your ego has been destroyed so that you can build a new you from the inside out. Literally. If you focus at all on how hard it is, you're guaranteed to fail...and fail big time. Why is it a good thing your ego has been destroyed? Because your ego is a lie. It's not who you really are. And that's the beginning of a whole new life.
I'm sure many of you can relate to what I'm saying. I have finally reached my brokenness. If you have too, you're not alone. In your own strange sense of newness of life, embrace it. It will lead you to ultimate heights if you let it. After all, it is our deepest desire to prosper. Brokenness forces us to do it. And do it big.
People have strong, emotion-filled memories associated with the holidays, especially with the food we eat at those special times. It’s why I make sweet potato casserole every Thanksgiving—it’s my mom’s recipe, and making it reminds me of her. Every time I add a full cup of sugar instead of three-quarters of a cup I laugh inwardly as I imagine her cringing at how much delicious sugar goes into the dish. I am sure (I hope, anyway) that you have similar fond memories of holiday food.
For the first Thanksgiving that my husband and I spent together (before we got married), we went to visit my family on the East Coast. For weeks leading up to our trip, I regaled him with stories of my family and different holidays we’d spent together. I think my nostalgia started to make him miss his own family, because a few days before we left he suggested we eat dinner at a Country Buffet, like his family used to do when he was a kid. As buffets go, it wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good either. I couldn’t wait to get home and eat my grandma’s food. Later that night, my husband starting having stomach cramps. He spent the night on the couch in my living room. When I came back upstairs in the morning to check on him, he was in the bathroom. He had full-blown food poisoning, and it was kicking his butt. I helped clean up the mess (from both ends, people. It was BAD). He recovered enough by the time we had to fly out, so we went on our trip. My dad’s family picked us up in Baltimore and took us to my aunt’s house in Pennsylvania. By the time we got there, my stomach was starting to gurgle… I spent the next two days on the toilet at my aunt’s house, while my sister laughed her head off at me every time she walked down the hall and heard me spewing into the commode. My poor husband spent those days making small talk with my family, who he’d just met, and force-feeding me Gatorade. It was a terrible trip, but I have fond memories of it because that was the week I realized I wanted to marry my husband. Because I could clean up his bodily fluids (and he mine) without being repulsed, it was clear to me that we truly cared about each other. We’ve had nine Thanksgivings since then, and every time we sit down to eat we share a grin and remind each other how thankful we are that we can actually eat the meal that year—and that we’re thankful that we’re eating it together.
**********
Kara Reynolds is a stay-at-home mom of three who likes to spend her nearly-non-existent free time writing novels. Her weaknesses include James T. Kirk, lightsabers, and anything TARDIS-blue. She writes contemporary and light speculative YA novels. She is clearly a gigantic nerd, and if she could go back in time, she would tell her teenage self to embrace her inner geekiness. While Kara lives in Wyoming, she is not of Wyoming. But it's growing on her.
Kara blogs about writing every week at Operation Awesome (http://operationawesome6.blogspot.com). You can follow her on Twitter @reynoldstribe.
Donate this year to the Edmonton Food Bank:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/giftmas-blog-tour-supports-the-edmonton-food-bank/