Creative

On Building A Better Human

Be a Better Human Being © denissimonov stock.adobe.com

Welcome to 2020. It’s a new decade bursting with opportunities. Show of hands. How many of us actually thought we’d make it this far? Many of the older SCI/FI stories didn’t paint a rosy picture of our chances. Other, more hopeful authors imagined we would advance to levels humanity has not achieved as of yet. I admire their faith and would love to walk in the world they’d envisioned for us.

Don’t get discouraged. We still have time to grow! Let’s get started.

Building a Better Human (Inside Ourselves)

Human Beings are complex creatures with aspects of the Dark and Light inside our hearts. It is our capacity to monitor our intent and choose appropriate action that provides us with the opportunity of enlightened growth. But where to start? Here are a few basic suggestions to target for 2020:

Be Kind– Don’t strive for Sainthood. Kindness means thinking of other creatures who walk the world with us. Do the little acts of giving and thoughtfulness without expecting personal gain

Be Trustworthy– Be a fortress of integrity and honesty to your friends. Keep hurtful gossip from your lips

Be Forgiving– Don’t forget that others are walking life’s path without a handbook just like you. Be patient with their frailties and understanding of their falls

Be Loving– Perhaps the greatest gift humanity as to offer the world is our capacity to love

We can do it, fellow travelers! Let’s help each other grow.

Be Positive. Be Happy. Be Well.

 

Get Your Holiday Hygge On

#christmas2019

Hygge Christmas © almaje – stock.adobe.com

Hygge (Noun)

“A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)”

 

Folks who live in the frozen North experience cold Winters. The days and nights can be long and unbearably gloomy. December’s holiday glow helps, but the chill can still spoil our mood. When Winter’s chill gets me down, I look to the Danish for examples of beating the gloom.

Our Danish friends have the Hygge lifestyle. They embrace Winter with fun outdoor activities and take indoor comfort to a whole new level. Here are some tips from the Danish to make your Christmas brighter:

Four Ways to Achieve Hygge This Christmas

Christmas goodies © mizina – stock.adobe.com

Be Warm: Light a fire in the fireplace. Have plenty of pretty candles around the room

Be Fuzzy: Put your fuzzy “couch socks” on and wrap up in a warm blanket

Be Festive: Enjoy eggnog, spiced tea, mulled wine and other favorite seasonal treats

Be Light: Read a good book or enjoy a favorite holiday movie. Play board games with friends. Do an activity that will lighten your mood

Be Positive. Be Happy. Be Well.

 

Bah Humbug! Who Scrooged It Better?

Christmas Performances © BillionPhotos.com – Stock.adobe.com

If you asked me to list my favorite stories, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens would be in my top two. We have a wonderful tradition at our house. On many a December night, I’ll curl up under a blanket and listen to the classic tale on audiobook performed by two of the world’s best actors – Patrick Stewart and Tim Curry.

A Christmas Carol narrated by Patrick Stewart (Simon and Schuster – 2006)– I love this performance. It’s Patrick Stewart, Shakespearean actor, Captain Picard, Charles Xavier…the list goes on. He actually played Scrooge in a film version (1999). Did I mention Captain Picard reading Dickens?

A Christmas Carol narrated by Tim Curry (Audible – 2010)– Tim Curry is one of my all-time favorite actors. Stage performer extraordinaire and star of two of my favorite quirky movies: Rocky Horror Picture Show and Clue. His unique voice is beyond cool. Listening to his spin on Scrooge is awesome.

So, who Scrooged it Better? Patrick Stewart or Tim Curry? Who do you think makes a better Ebenezer Scrooge? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

P.S. – Am I missing an outstanding narrator you believe gives these two performers a run for their money? Let me know!

Be Positive. Be Happy. Be Well.

My Top Three Classic Movies to Get You into The Holiday Mood

Christmas Tree © Africa Studio – Stock.adobe.com

Pine and cinnamon fill the house. Sweet flavors of peppermint tingle your tongue. A wonderful sensation of excited anticipation warms the soul. It’s Christmas time. I typically look forward to Holiday Bliss the moment Jack Frost nips at my nose, but I wasn’t feeling it this year. My new book came out in October. I picked up another client for my business. Rush, rush, rush. That special Christmas feeling couldn’t penetrate my busy mind. I needed inspiration!

If reality is too real, I turn to a magical world where anything can happen. The inhabitants inspire excitement, fear, sadness, and joy. Don’t worry though. Most of the endings are happy. Am I hinting at BOOKS, you may ask. Well. Yes. BUT that’s the entrance next door. For a quick infusion of Holiday Cheer, I enter the cinematic universe.

My Top Three Classic Holiday Movies

Christmas Spirit – © gustavofrazao – Stock.adobe.com

The Polar Express (2004) – Tom Hanks at his best in this classic Christmas story about a boy who

journeys to the North Pole trying to find proof Santa is real.

A Christmas Carol – Any of them, but my favorite is the Disney version with Jim Carrey (2009) – Dickens’ wonderful tale of three spirits who visit a selfish old curmudgeon to save his soul. This story of transformation will inspire joy.

White Christmas (1954) – How can you beat the music and costumes in this Hollywood spectacular?! Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen at their best. Watch this and you’ll be tapping your toes in no time.

What do you do to get into the Christmas spirit? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Be Positive. Be Happy. Be Well.

Top Five Reasons Indie Authors Have to Be Grateful

Thanksgiving, Give ThanksThe Publishing Industry is a harsh place to build your dreams – especially if you’re an Independent Author. Writing the book is a lonely business. Pouring over all those red marks of grammar death from the editor is painful. Marketing the book once published is a nerve-wracking affair. Ask any Indie Author, and they will tell you all the heartaches are worth it. Why? We are creating our art.

In this season of thanksgiving, I wanted to reflect and remind Creatives about the good things.

Top Five Things Indie Authors Are Grateful for This Season

  1. Technology: Thank you, Internet! Technology has revolutionized the way we read with ebook and audio formats
  2. Book Distributors: Amazon, Ingram, Smashwords, and others have made it possible for more authors to publish their own work to a global audience
  3. Independent Bookstores: No offense to big book chains like Barnes and Noble, but I want to give a special shout out to my local indie bookstores. They love supporting local authors. These wonderful folks host book signings and other author events to connect local authors with the community
  4. Goodreads and other book sites: These sites offer opportunities for authors to connect virtually with their readers. And for readers to connect with other readers
  5. READERS: We are grateful to all those readers who support Indie Authors by buying and reading our books, leaving reviews and spreading the word

May your celebrations be full of food, fun, and family. Happy Thanksgiving