Just a few thoughts, such as weather

Hi Everyone!

How are you doing lately in this changing world? I’m not even going to mention the social and political upheaval, how about the climate?

Here in Canada, we had an abnormally dry spring which opened the way for fires that quickly got out of hand. Even here in Nova Scotia, starting in late May, there was a record loss due to forest fires. Canadians in several provinces were battling forest fires, and many people had to evacuate their homes – some losing everything. So tragic.

Now it is rain. So much rain. Not every day, but it sometimes seems like it. We went from too dry to too wet, so you can imagine what that is like for growers. Hot, humid, thunderstorms, rain; this is summer 2023.

On another note … I am still plodding along with building a website for my paintings. I’m sure it is simple for some, but not for me. I’d hoped to have it ready by now. If I don’t give up in exasperation I will let you know when you can visit it – if you are interested or curious.

Last topic: I found a couple of things that I enjoyed and thought you might, too.

DON’T LET ANYONE WHO HASN’T BEEN IN YOUR SHOES TELL YOU HOW TO TIE YOUR LACES.

And this African proverb for the writers among us …

UNTIL THE LION LEARNS TO WRITE, EVERY STORY WILL GLORIFY THE HUNTER.

What has the weather been like for you?

and, Can you relate to either of the above quotes?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

Plugging along, and quotes for readers and writers

I should have been twins.

If I were twins I could divide between myself all the things I want less to do so that it takes half the time to do them. Then all I want to do and have the most interest and desire for can be enjoyed … giving me a better chance to feel accomplished in completing things – or getting better at them.

Or maybe not.

If I were twins I would most likely take on twice as much, get hopelessly overwhelmed with no recovery possible, and continue to not have enough of me to go around.

So, I am plugging along. Not getting nearly as much accomplished as I want to. Being way too tired too much of the time. And behind as usual. Almost hopelessly behind with little chance of catching up. That’s me, plugging along.

The good news is, I found some quotes to share with you today.

For the writers:

I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later i can build castles. – shannon hale

I like that quote. 🙂

Now this one for readers:

ordinary people have big tvs. extraordinary people have big libraries. – Robin Sharma

I think I would have a fairly decent-sized library if I could shelve all of my books in one room. I’m aiming for a big library. One day I hope to be that organized. 🙂

And a final one for today:

Dinosaurs didn’t read. Now they’re extinct.

Keep reading, folks! 🙂

Anything you want to say about anything today? What book(s) are you reading – or writing – now? 🙂

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂 ♥

Looking for encouraging quotes; and here’s one by Kevin Hart

I like reading quotes that inspire me to think in a more positive way.

Comedian Kevin Hart sees life as a collection of chapters that each person gets to write for himself or herself. As a writer, I like that. Here is what he said in an interview:

“Not only do you get to choose how you interpret each chapter, but your interpretation writes the next chapter. So why not choose the interpretation that serves your life the best?”

That’s a good point; and why not? It’s a matter of choice each and every day. Unfortunately for me I don’t always choose the high road. I sometimes let negative views, opinions and feelings determine my own. I can get discouraged by the voices in my own head – my own self-doubt and destructive lack of confidence. Do you ever do that? Fortunately, I’m not as hard on myself in that way as I used to be.

As I said, I like inspirational quotes. Today I need your help. I am asking you for quotes that mean a lot to you, the ones that have inspired you and helped you see things in a more positive light, the ones that had a meaningful impact on your life or that inspired you in a life-changing way.

Any comment on what Kevin Hart said?

What quotes have helped you along your way? Please share them in a comment, or you can go to my About Me/Contact Page and privately send it to me if you are shy. I will add a few of them to my Quotes for Writers page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! ♥ 🙂

Do you worry? Here are some helpful quotes

I used to be the world’s best/worst worrier. It is true that if I hadn’t something to worry about I would worry that I had nothing to worry about because that must mean there’s something to worry about that I was overlooking.

Follow me?

That changed the day I turned my life over to God. Really.

Now I’m not out today to preach to you or at you, but I’m telling you the truth. I’m not saying I never worry anymore, but it takes more effort to worry now. He brought inner peace into my life. He is, after all, the Prince of Peace.

I found some good quotes that have something to do with worry, and give good food for thought on how to let it go.

Wayne Dyer (1940) self-help author, speaker
“The more I give myself permission to live in the moment and enjoy it without feeling guilty . . . the better I feel about the quality of my work.”

François Fenelon (1652-1715) French archbishop, theologian, writer
“You really don’t even own the present moment, for even this belongs to God.”
“Above all, live in the present moment and God will give you all the grace you need.”

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie Ten Boom

“How can a person deal with anxiety? You might try what one fellow did. He worried so much that he decided to hire someone to do his worrying for him. He found a man who agreed to be his hired worrier for a salary of $200,000 per year. After the man accepted the job, his first question to his boss was, “Where are you going to get $200,000 per year?” To which the man responded, “That’s your worry.”
― Max Lucado

“Drag your thoughts away
from your troubles…
by the ears, by the heels,
or any other way you can manage it.”
― Mark Twain

“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.”
―Dan Zadra

Wow! Good stuff, huh? What I’ve found since our car accident a week ago is that anxiety can take over when you’re not paying attention. You can feed it or accept God’s peace. I prefer His peace.

Do you battle worry? How do you let it go?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

45 life lessons as written by a 90-year-old

When I began using email many years ago there were so many “forwards” being sent around. I still receive the occasional article in one of my email accounts. What I’m sharing with you today is one of those.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. Regina said, “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written.”

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don’t worry, God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

What is your mantra? Do you have any to share that are not mentioned?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

a Question, ReFoReMo, and a Quiz: what is your dragon personality?

It seems as if you, my readers, like the quotes I’ve posted each day of February. My question to you is: would you like to read a quote here every few days through March? or also whenever I find some good ones? I’d find some to do with reading and writing, and likely occasions and seasons. Please let me know so I can get that set up.

As you know, I am involved in 12×12 in 2016. It is proving to be amazing, encouraging, and a little stressful with all that’s going on around me – but I am not giving up. It already is helping me see how to be better at writing picture books. I’m now part of a six-person critique group through 12×12, and we’re conducting our sharing and critiquing via email.

To add to the fun, another challenge I’ve taken on is ReFoReMo – Reading For Research Month, created by Carrie Charlie Brown. A lot of 12×12 members are taking part in it because it complements 12×12 so well. It runs during the month of March, but the reading and research can be for as long as you need it to be for you. Today I contacted my local library and gave them the list of over 100 books I am to read and study to improve my own picture book writing. It’s going to be a busy month! If you are interested in taking that challenge you have until March 1 to sign up, so hurry! 🙂

Topic change: I like dragons.

My grandson is reading a series called Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland. In fact, he recently finished book 8, the newest in the series, which is a fantastic accomplishment for a reluctant reader, and he’s now reading another series by this author. He likes the Wings of Fire books so much he wanted me to read them because he knows I like dragons. He lent me book one and sometimes would ask me if I was to the part yet where … ? 🙂 I finally was able to finish book one last month and had really enjoyed it, although it was written for the younger set. 🙂 Now he’s brought me book two to read, but because I’m involved in 12×12 in 2016 I might not get into that book for quite a while. I’ll have to try, though.

Now for a quiz you might enjoy. What is your dragon personality?

It seems I am a Japanese dragon. Here’s what it says: You are a Japanese dragon. Also called “Ryu,” Japanese dragons are well known for granting wishes to humans. They are wingless creatures who are often associated with water and weather. Like the Ryu you are very generous and will do everything in your power to assure that your loved ones are happy. You are adept at picking out just the right gift for every occasion and recipient. Your happy place likely involves a beach, and you love bold colors and lively music.

Which dragon personality are you?

Do you want me to post quotes here daily? every few days?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

Quotes about change

In this post I am sharing a few quotes about change, since this is my year of change. 🙂 Perhaps they will speak to you or remind you of another quote that has been meaningful to you.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. – Maya Angelou

Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change. – Unknown

All you change is yourself, but sometimes that changes everything! – Gary W. Goldstein

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. – Jim Rohn

The above quotes are inspiring and encouraging. One thing I want to add is that what I’ve found in my own life is that my efforts to change myself usually end up as a source of discouragement and disappointment, which I think is what often happens to many people who make new year’s resolutions. However, if I let the Lord change me it becomes a reality. A heart change is a real change. It may seem as if I have changed myself when it is the Lord changing me. I like that.

Do you have any inspiring quotes to share about change?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

PS: Please remember to pass on the word about my 2nd giveaway of 2016 offered in my January 21 post; draw February 10. Watch my countdown calendar!