Stuff I love

Ok, here’s a crazy project I’ve been threatening to undertake for some time now. I was reading another blog which spoke about the need to appreciate the little things in life, and I have to agree.  Stop and smell the roses?  Yes indeed, and here’s how I plan to do it.  I will list 100 things I love, one at a time, each getting it’s own blog post.  I fully expect this to take a year or more, but I know this can, and should be done.

I’ll confess I have been inspired here by Judy Clement Wall and her year of loving fearlessly.  Check out her blog: http://zebrasounds.net/  I am sure it will inspire you too.

Ok, without further ado, here we go.  I should start with my beautiful partner, who has not only taught me how to life authentically, but who has loved me unconditionally for many years.  She has picked me up when I’ve fallen, cheered me on as I strove to better myself, and generally made my life a wonderful experience by sharing space with me.  It has been nearly sixteen years now, and I am still fascinated by the scope of her intellect and interests.  However, she is well above the numbers, and deserving of a list all her own, so she will not appear on this list of stuff I love. This one is about stuff, not people.

So, here comes the list, in no particular order at all. 

Dog Walk Meditation

Hi folks, a few days ago I spoke of knitting as meditative, and it surely is.  However, there are also other way to set your self free of the ravages of daily stress.  Another of my favorites is dog walking. Here’s how it works, yes, this was my start to the day, as it is most days.

First you pull on your dog walking togs.  Sounds easy enough, except when all four canine supervisors begin to micro manage the process at the same time.  Stress,  right off the bat.  By the time the boots are on and you have attached the leashes, they’re ready go.  Out the door and down the street at a brisk march to burn off last night’s ice cream and their enthusiasm. 

The march gets you breathing deeply and rhythmically, the endorphins kick in and you feel wonderful.  Soon you arrive at a dirt road leading to an expanse of open fields and forest.  You unclip the leashes and they’re off and frolicking.  You can march easily now, no one pulling you this way and that. The sun is warm on your back, the air filled with the sweet scent of wild grass and trees, and the gentle breeze off the water cools your face.  You set you mind free, focusing only on the sensations your environment provides, reveling in the oneness with the living earth, and feeding your soul from the sheer joy your canine companions take in accompanying you through this wonderland.

At length you reach the end of the path and it is time to clip the leashes back on.  They are all panting now, tired and ready for the long march home.  There is no pulling on the leash now, they just trot along beside you, enjoying your company.  You keep a steady pace, matching your breathing to the rhythm of your boots on the pavement, lost in the magic of it all.

You reach home, unclip and hang up the leashes, give the dogs fresh water and a biscuit, then settle in with your coffee and computer.  Meditation is finished, you are refreshed and ready for a Monday morning.

Have a great day, Prudence

Another great review

Once again I am both thrilled and humbled that a reader has enjoy my writing enough to express it in a review of my book, Incoming.  Here is the review.

“Up to this point I had not read any of your scifi/fantasy novels. I am very impressed with how you can write in two separate genres and be great in both of them. This book showed a lot of your knowledge and experiences throughout your life in regards to the UFO/alien phenomenon. It is obvious that you have spent a lot of time pondering the possibilities of what might be outside of our little world. I really enjoyed the light banter and friendship between the characters while still creating a very serious event that was not out of balance with the story. The story is told exceptionally well. I hope others who read this story will see the depth of knowledge that was used to write this novel.

Thank you very much for another excellent story!

Justin”

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/64595

Knitting as Meditation

I recently read a blog post where the writer suggested meditation as a way of getting re-balanced and refreshing the mind.  I had to agree, writers can get so focused on the project before them, deadlines, rewrites, edits, etc. that we sometimes get a little out of wack.  Things don’t make sense, or worse, we’re not making sense.  I think frazzled is a good word to describe the condition.  Meditation truly does help.

I have used traditional forms of meditation in the past, to great effect.  I always feel refreshed and renewed after a good session of stilling the mind, but there are other ways.  Many things can be meditative.  Runners, for example, often speak of the runner’s high, a rush of endorphins that gives them an almost out of body experience.  I have experienced this, both by running and cycling.  I also find that a long hike in the woods with the dogs can have a similar effect and is easier on my old body.

A Game of Tag

There’s a game of tag going around the blogging community.  The way it works is this, first you get tagged by another blogger, that makes you “it”.  You list ten random facts about yourself, then tag four others.  It then becomes their turn.

Ok, I was tagged by the awesome Shea MacLeod, (no relation, but I sure wouldn’t mind if there was.)  Yes, I’m stalling.  Ok, here goes, ten random facts about yours truly.

The Art of Creating a Better Life

Ok, so, here's how we do it.

Step one. Accept that life as you know it is of your own creation. Accept that by thought, word, and deed you have laid each stone, and built your own house, until you have arrived at the place you now find yourself in.

I know how hard this can be, (having been there myself), but I will explain. If you believe that the life you now have is the will of God, then you are helpless to do anything about it. You must wait patiently for Him to change it for you.

If, on the other hand, you accept that you have shaped this life all by yourself, then it follows that you can take it completely apart and rebuild it in a more pleasing fashion. Having gained a lot of experience in life building by this time, you can now proceed to create one that you would like a lot better.

Humbled

Sometimes life hands you a humble sandwich.  I had one last evening, and it tasted great.  Here’s how it happened.

I belong to a small writer’s group.  As the member who has published the most work, I was feeling a bit smug.  It was my turn to be the speaker, and my topic was “How to self publish on the internet.”  I had worked on my presentation, had made up handouts; I felt prepared.  All went well and I was extremely pleased with the results. 

After the presentation, as the conversation was in full swing, one young woman offered some of her work to read.  K (my partner) has a beautiful reading voice.  As her rich contralto filled the room with this woman’s wordcraft, a creation myth, we all sat spellbound.  The author is a gifted graphic artist, but this was amazing.  She paints with words.  As K read we were all transported to a more beautiful place.  There was reverent silence for moments when she stopped reading.

I swear I will do all in my power to convince that young author to publish something. That is a talent that should be shared with the world.  I am both amazed and humbled, yet I feel blessed to have been there for that reading.

As I have said many times before, I am not so much a writer as I am a storyteller.  At least my hat will fit again. 

Live long and prosper, dear friends.  May your days be blessed, Prudence

Another five stars.

I had been working my butt off for days, both physically and on the computer.  It was starting to wear me down a bit, and I was looking for a pick me up. I got one.  My pace hasn't slowed, nor will it in the forseeable future, but I'm now convinced it is all worth the work.  I awoke to find the following review of one of my books.  It made my day.

"The Ghost Piper was one of my favorite stories so far. I felt very happy and optimistic after finishing this novel. Learning the art of storytelling is certainly an accomplishment, but telling a story that truly inspires people to better themselves is a rare gift indeed. Thank you very much for the time and effort you put into this novel!"

Justin
Justin gave me a generous five stars.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77042

 I hope you enjoy it as much as Justin.

Give up all hope of a better past.

I was in the line up at the grocery store the other day, and as usual, was eavesdropping on the others around me.  A writer is always looking for good material.  That day, however, I was saddened to hear a woman reliving past transgressions against her as though they were fresh wounds.

Yes my friends, I know all too well; I have a few scars of my own. Having said that, no matter how hard it may be, you must forgive, and give up all hope of a better past. This is very powerful and will set you free.

Give up all hope of a better past. By now this should be a no-brainer, but I have included it anyway. If you truly want to gain mastery over your life, and to have that happy abundant everafter we all dream of, then you must do this.

Remember, if you focus your thoughts on the past, and the bad or unhappy things that happened there, you will be doomed to re-live them forever. Release them and let them go. Here is an exercise that I began many years ago, and still practice from time to time.

The Oath of Release:

“I (your name), do hereby give up all hope of a better past. The things that have happened there shall remain there; I take the lessons learned from those experiences, and turn my focus forward to the present and future. I forgive anyone and everyone who has ever harmed me in any way, (no matter how deep or painful the hurt), and I ask forgiveness for any and all harm I may have caused (deliberately or otherwise). I will now seek ways to lead a more loving and fulfilling life.”

Try it folks, it feels good; it will set you free.

Bless, Prudence

Five star review.

The following is a recent review of my book, Deliberate Love. 

"Thank you for such a wonderfully written book! I have sent the demo to some family in hopes that they will learn some of the pearls of wisdom scattered throughout your novels and find true happiness with another person. I have to confess, I am hooked on your stories. I've read most of them now and they have really brightened up my life. You have a wonderful upbeat and positive overtone to your stories that leaves a person feeling happy and full of a desire to love everyone. Thanks again!"

The book can be found here:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71350



Taking Conscious Control of Your Life

Taking conscious control of your life.

Now then, let’s have a bit of fun with this one. Far too many people just cruise through life, reacting to whatever comes along.  I want you to become proactive, taking control of your life experience.
Here is an exercise in becoming proactive, making conscious decisions. All too often people just move through the day, responding in an habitual manner to whatever comes at them. Every move we make, every thing we do is a decision made and acted upon.

The key here is to make those decisions deliberately.  For the next number of days make as many decisions as possible deliberately. You know, take a different route to work each day, wear different coloured socks, use your left hand (or right) to eat with, walk through every door sideways, etc. You get the idea.

What is the point of this, really? Making conscious decisions for yourself is a major step in taking control of your life. You choose what to do, when, and how, it shall be done. This exercise is just to get you accustomed to making your own choices.

What if people laugh at you, or disapprove of your actions? What is this all about really, gaining mastery of, and improving your own life, or gaining the approval of everyone else? Answering that question will tell you more about yourself than you might suspect.

Once you begin to make decisions consciously, you will begin to see your world a bit differently.  The people around you may be a bit resistant at first, but soon they will begin to look to you for advice and guidance, after all, you are a person who isn’t afraid to make decisions and act upon them.  These are the traits of a leader, but this is a discussion for another day.  Right now we’re working on taking back control of our lives, and, as a side effect, gaining a new respect from those around us.

Ok, get up two minutes early tomorrow, wear purple socks with Kelly green trousers, and have a great day.

Bright blessings, Prudence

The Shadow

The Shadow.

Today I will speak of the shadow, the dark side of our personality. We all have one, that piece of us that thrives on righteous anger, indignation, jealousy, outrage; that part that nurses our hurts and cries out for justice, revenge. Many schools of thought, religions, and spiritual paths try to suppress, deny, or obliterate this part of the psyche. This may be a noble pursuit, but I believe it to be counter productive.
Don’t misunderstand me, I do not suggest that you give in to your shadow self and let it have control. That path leads to darkness, and a most unhappy life. No, but I do not suggest ignoring this side of us either. The shadow has much to offer, for it’s main focus is to see us survive and prosper. However, we must never let the shadow gain full control. That is like allowing children to play with loaded guns, nothing good ever comes of it.
So, what to do then? I suggest listening to the counsel the shadow has to offer, thank it for its concern and input, then, thinking like a master, move forward. Send gentle loving thoughts into the dark places of your mind when they try to intrude, then make your decisions from there. Let’s go back to the traffic jam and take a look at this…
You are in slow moving traffic when suddenly a car darts in front of you, causing you to brake sharply and nearly causing the driver behind you to crash into you. “That bastard,” shouts the shadow, “get him.” You have a great urge to hit the gas and go after the villain. The master resists the urge. “Thank you shadow, you are correct, that driver is a danger to everybody. So, what is the best course? No shadow, we cannot go shoot him, but thank you for the suggestion. No, we have a phone, we shall pull over and report him, after all, he may or may not be drunk, he may be ill, or he may have mixed his medications; he must surely need help.”
Ok, I know, but truly the shadow must be embraced or it will seek to escape, and it will escape in ways that could damage or endanger your life. A man who suppresses his shadow suddenly goes mad with jealousy. His wife has gone out for coffee with a man she has just met at a cooking class. Our hero seethes with rage, imagining all sorts of vile trysts etc. As she returns home, he suddenly explodes, no longer able to hold the shadow in check, and the fight is on.
Now, the master thanks the shadow for its input. He suggests that when the wife returns home, they ask her about her adventure. She arrives home, all excited, wanting to share the conversation she has had with her new friend. She suggests that her husband come along next time as she believes the two men have much in common.
Yes, yes, I know, the shadow is not always wrong. That is why I want you to listen to your shadow side, acknowledge its counsel, perhaps even act on it if the situation warrants it. Think of the shadow like a pitbull dog. If you chain it up and ignore it, the animal will become savage and aggressive, eventually breaking loose and causing all sorts of damage. On the other hand, if you spend time with the dog, train it, love it, blend it into your family, you still have a big dangerous animal, but one that you can influence, one that will respond to your commands. It will still protect you and your family, but it will allow you to choose how best it can do this.
All food for thought, dear friends, all food for thought. May your day be bless with much joy and laughter, Prudence

Focused Thought

Focused thought.

Where you focus your thoughts will dictate your experience of reality. Please ponder this for a few moments and let that sink in, it is vitally important. Here is a small example of what I mean:

A man has a huge fight with his wife before leaving for work. In his anger he drives too fast and gets a ticket. At work he is still seething and cannot seem to concentrate; his work suffers, he snarls at his co-workers, they snarl back, and everyone gets to have a bad day. Worse yet, his boss is displeased with his work and chews him out. This poor soul is not having a lot of fun, his life isn’t working for him, and we’ve all been there before. Focus on the negative and it shall be provided.

Now, here’s what thinking like a master can do for you. Our hero stops at the car and asks himself a question, “This day is going to hell in a hurry; how can I turn this around and enjoy the day?” He turns back to the house where he apologizes to his wife and takes full responsibility for the fight. (Regardless of who started it, or who was right or wrong.) He promises to make it up to her that evening, then drives carefully to work, aware that his adrenalin is high and he needs to keep himself in check.
Once he arrives safely at work he turns to his co-worker and asks her for suggestions, explaining how his day got started. She laughs and says she will help but he is buying the coffee. Now he has an ally instead of an enemy.
With a plan in motion to smooth out the home front, our hero turns his focus to his work. Now he asks, “Today got off to a rough start, but it is looking better all the time; I want to keep the improvements going. How can I improve the quality of the work I do today and enjoy the process?” At the end of the day the boss praises his work; he has his co-worker’s list of ways to fix his relationship, and is on his way to the florist.
He arrives home just as his wife gets home from work; she has a six pack of his favourite brand and an action movie with her. She has had time to cool off as well, and accepts her role in the dispute. He gives her the flowers, tells her where he’s taking her for dinner, and they enter the house arm in arm; happy ending and nobody had to have a bad day.
Ok, so this was a best case scenario, but you can win a lot more often than not, if you think like a master.

Here’s a real example, a story told to me by a Reiki student of mine. Bob (not his real name) was a classic type A personality, especially behind the wheel of a car. One day, after a near miss in traffic, he called and we talked. He called again a few days later; Bob was laughing. An angry man had cut him off in traffic, shaking his finger out the window as he did so. Instead of chasing him down and having a brawl, as was his custom, Bob just waved at the man and called out, “Thanks for not hitting me.” This time, only the angry driver was having a bad day. Bob was well pleased with himself and had a wonderful day.

These little stories will help us to understand the simple reality of the motto.  Where you focus your thoughts will dictate your experience of reality.

Live joyfully my brothers and sisters; laugh lots, love much, Pru

                       A scene of peace to help you refocus.

Think like a life master!

Think like a master? How do we do that? Here’s how. Something unusual has happened? Disaster or blessing? Is it worth exploring? Do not judge it, examine it first. Remain calm, keep the emotion out of it, and examine the situation. Here are a couple of stories to help you understand.

One day, as the people gathered in the market square as was their custom each day, something unusual happened. A cart overturned, blocking the narrow street which most people used to access the square. Worse yet, the horse was still trapped in the traces and was kicking at everyone who tried to get near, thus preventing people from clearing the street. The harder they tried, and the more frustrated they got, the more the horse fought them. This went on for some time, and everyone was very upset as they could not get to the market square.

Suddenly there was a shout from the back of the crowd. “Look, it’s the old master from the hills, he will know what to do.” Everyone stopped shouting and rushed to the old man as he slowly approached.

Book Review: Kissed by Darkness

                 Book Review:  Kissed by Darkness



One of the most recent books I have read, and by far the most entertaining, is Kissed by Darkness by Shea MacLeod. (no relation.) (honest!)

To begin, Shea’s style is intense and active.  It reminds me of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer series. Kissed by Darkness hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until the end.

Morgan Bailey is a street wise detective who takes on the cases nobody else wants or dares to take. A girl with lightning reflexes and superior instincts, Morgan is, none the less, all too human.  Danger haunts her, exhaustion plagues her, and the supernatural is ever close at hand.

Flexing the Brain Muscle

The human brain is like any other muscle in the body.  Use it and it will grow stronger.  Here’s a trick I learned long ago to get the brain flexing and helping to improve the quality of life.  Practicing this will work pure magic for anyone. Stick with it for a few weeks and marvel at the results.