Author brilliantviewpoint

Great show… Oprah’s, “SuperSoul Sunday”

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Have you ever watched, “SuperSoul Sunday?” Oprah Winfrey created this show, it is meant to touch the soul, make us think about life, how we treat others, encourage us to make a difference in this world of ours.

118952A6-80E2-4B7B-BA6F-73109584A9F5This Sunday she interviewed Bryan Stevenson. He’s a public interest lawyer dedicated to helping the poor, the condemned and incarcerated. He’s especially focused on saving the lives of children who are convicted.

He’s written a book called, “Just Mercy: The Story of Justice and Redemption,” which was turned into a film (2019). It’s a true story, I can’t tell you much about it, because I haven’t read it yet, but I just requested it from the library.

 

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Every Sunday, Oprah interviews someone for about 30-40 minutes. Last Sunday (5/31/20), Shaka Senghor was her guest.

Shaka Senghor spoke to us about his life in prison (19 years), his road to redemption and how reading books and writing helped him through solitary confinement. He’s an incredible motivational speaker, very well spoken and well read. It’s hard not to feel sad and think, if his childhood had been different, his path in life would have been different.

So, if you feel a bit low and need some inspiration, visit Oprah’s SuperSoul Facebook page, I promise — you won’t be disappointed. Every Sunday a new thought provoking interview.

Puzzle time… I found a table.

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Remember, I told you, I wanted to make a puzzle, but I didn’t have a table BIG ENOUGH? For weeks now, I kept putting out to the Universe the table I wanted. I thought about the size, the cost (very little) and envisioned my puzzle on the table.

Well, a MIRACLE HAPPENED! My neighbor next door was moving, she had a small kitchen table that she was giving away. A little old, looks like something I might find in my grandmother’s house, but I LOVE IT. Perfect size.

So, I started my puzzle. Gee, it’s a big puzzle — a lot of fun.

While I was working away, I turned on this audio book, “Women of the Silk,” by Gail Tsukiyama. Really good book, so I am enriching my brain in two ways – wonderful!

WordPress Editor – Have you been using it?

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Frustration - Learning something newHave you been using the WordPress Editor? Apparently, June 1st, we all have to use it, like it or not — it seems. If you are like me, I find comfort in having my writing tools the same, i.e. same paper, same journal, same pen/markers, same WordPress…. same everything.

When this is changed and I am “forced” to learn something NEW, there is a “slow down” in my writing process. Suddenly, creativity goes out the window and angst replaces it.

Some of you might say, “I LOVE LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.”

GOOD FOR YOU!

First issue, I want to add a photo — hum, hum, hum. Can’t find where to do that? There must be a place to find/insert my photos, BUT WHERE.

First time in 5 years, no photo in my post?

Ugh… Eureka! I can switch back to Classic Editor. A temporary fix, while I learn WordPress Editor. I’m sure in a month I will say, “I LOVE IT,” but right now, it feels like one more COVID obstacle I need to surpass.

Bear with me… I need to figure this all out.

HELP – Jumping Spider ALERT

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Jumping SpidersThere is a FIRST time for everything. It’s summer, I’ve dealt with centipedes, ants and spiders… BUT NOT tiny little jumping spiders.

Last night, I saw something small and dark on the floor. I thought it was a fuzzle from my sock. When I went to pick it up, imagine my HORROR when it was a tiny spider that jumped. I yelped, as we do, when caught by surprise. Natural instinct had me going after the jumping spider, but he was so tiny and so quick – IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH HIM.

I know, bug lovers out there are routing for him to LIVE. We are supposed to live in “harmony” with bugs that come into our house.

Now, I don’t know if this picture is the “exact spider” in my house, but he looks very similar. Looking at him up close is a bit scary, which if funny, because he must be terrified of me, the giant human.

Well… last night, he WON, he escaped.

BUT this morning, HE had such NERVE. He came up on my desk. I was innocently doing my work, when he JUMPED by my coffee!  I had resigned myself into “trying” to live in harmony with him last night, since I couldn’t catch him. However, coming on to my desk was a declaration of war.

So — I went after him AGAIN, but he was TOO quick. He jumped from my desk to the window sill, which is white, so I could see him. I went to “get him,” he jumped on the floor, which is dark, impossible to see him. I did smile, very clever tactic. Got away again.

Tell me folks, have you had jumping spiders in the house? What should I  do?

Fitness: Resistance Bands

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Staying at home, I have been learning new exercise techniques. I’ve never used resistance bands, but I heard how great they were. So, I bought some, see photo on the left. I gave them a try.

I was not impressed. I put the band on my legs. First off, the band was so tight, I thought it might cut my circulation off. Once in place, I found that the band would not stay in the wide format, instead it kept scrunching up and the elastic would pinch my legs. NOW, exercising is painful as it is, without being snapped by a rubber band every 10 seconds. You can see, they do look like large rubber bands.

My daughter was visiting. She said, “Hey Mama, I didn’t realize you were using resistance bands.”

I said, “Well, I am not anymore, those bands are way too painful.”

This is when she enlightened and told me I needed better resistance bands. I couldn’t imagine how they could get any better, but I put my trust in her.

WOW – was she right! She showed me her 4KOR resistance bands, pictured on the right and had me try them out. What a difference.

The 4KOR band is wider and made of a soft elastic type material. It’s still snug enough to offer resistance, but didn’t pinch the skin. Now, when I did a squat and walked to the left and to the right, I focused on the pain of the workout, not the pinching of my skin.

Hallelujah!

Having the “right” workout equipment is critical!

Writing inspiration during a THUNDERSTORM

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Thunderstorm - ManI awoke to a thunderstorm and the crackling sound of lightening. What is it about this “roar” that makes a writer jump out of bed, quickly find his/her journal, head to the window and start furiously writing?

The lightening thrilled and scared him. He was on the mountain top. He should be taking cover. Instead, he stood tall in “defiance” to God!” The thunder howling, the rain pounding down on his face, he didn’t care.

Arms raised to the sky, he was saying, “Go ahead God, strike me if you dare.”

Where did this strength and courage come from. Why did he think he could TEST God like this? Was he INSANE? He was ANGRY, God had let him down. He was alone, he was READY TO FIGHT and TODAY… God would not win!

If he made it out of this alive, his enemies beware, he was coming after them!

The thunder has died down, I’m waiting for the next round, so I can create ANOTHER amazing scene for my book.

What inspires YOU to write?

SCBWI – Crystal Kite Award – I voted!

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Are you a member of SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)?

If yes, did you receive a message to VOTE for the Crystal Kite Award (#SCBWI20CK).

May 13 – LAST DAY TO VOTE!

What is the Crystal Kite Award?

The Crystal Kite Award is a peer-given award sponsored by SCBWI to recognize great books from regional divisions around the world.

View the 2019 Crystal Kite Award winners here.

GOOD LUCK to all the authors entered. So many wonderful children’s books!

 

Mother’s Day – Quarantine, there is still time…

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00AF6AC0-2226-4DC8-A929-6FB0706AD71CYikes — Have you all remembered it is Mother’s Day this weekend?

Armed with my mask on, I headed to the grocery store HOPING to find something  small and cute. I came out victorious.

I smiled at the card, it’s vintage, but then my Mom is 80 years old. Those are the phones we used back then. Now that we are in quarantine, all we do is talk on the phone. It’s PERFECT!

So, no time to waste. Got to wrap this up and get it in the mail.

If you ALMOST FORGOT, this is your quick reminder.

LADIES — Happy Mother’s Day!

Quarantine – Search for your inner Ninja

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If you are in quarantine, are you focusing on your inner Ninja?

What does that mean? It means, you are not letting quarantine get you down. You have dreams/goals that have been dormant due to life, work, family, no time. While you have “thought” about your dreams, you did not focus on them.

It’s the start of May, a new month, a new day, a new week.

I had a lovely inspirational post written for you. I was about to post it, but WordPress DECIDED it was not worthy of your viewing! When I went to “preview” the post, ALL of my “good writing,” which I had written, reviewed, rewritten — WAS GONE!

As a writer, you can imagine my disappointment. I had worked on this post, crafting the words JUST RIGHT!

ONLY the first two paragraphs remained. I am FURIOUS, but at the same time, I think it is a message from the Universe that while I work on my children’s book, I BETTER remember to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE my work!

So, you are getting the “short version” of my inner Ninja message!

Now, go to it! Accomplish BIG THINGS this week… I plan to!

Walking -> Meditation -> Listen to Podcasts by “Meditative Story”

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Walking_Meditative PodcastsThis weekend I was looking for some new podcasts to put on my Ipod for walking. I came across this great one called, “Meditative Story.” We go through phases in our walking career. Yes, times when it is nice to be out in nature and hear the birds chirping. Then other times, when we need to be entertained. Walking 3-5 miles gets a bit boring (my opinion) and why not enrich our lives.

So, I was thrilled to find these podcasts. Each week they have a person who shares “their story” with us. For example, I listened to Jule Hall share his story of being in prison and how it felt to be locked in his cell, the sounds he would hear, going outside, finding he felt safe in the chapel, he learned to meditate.

While he was telling his story there was meditative music playing in the background. The Host, Rohan (lives in Scotland), has an interesting voice and periodically interjects a comment here or there with the meditative music playing in the background. It’s very soothing to listen to.

Also, we just happen to be in quarantine, so this particular podcast I could relate to. I’m looking forward to walking now, so I can hear the next story…

Give it a try!

If you know of some good Podcasts, please share.