A Writer’s Christmas List

 

Writing is often a gift that comes with the dancing of words parading through our minds. Instead of enjoying counting reindeers while we sleep words are being count to fill the page for our next writing project. We are consistently determined to make personal and professional deadlines for our next book, novel, article or blog post. As Christmas is making her grand entrance writers like me, are using this time to get away from the family gatherings to find a quiet corner to write down all our thoughts.

When you wonder what really goes on in a writer’s head you will be surprised to know writer’s never sleep. We spend countless hours conceptualizing ideas in our head. We read the same sentence over and over again making sure it expresses our thoughts in the manner we want readers to receive it. If we are working on our next novel then characters start to appear in our minds, talking to us as if they were real. Some may believe we are truly insane but our minds are always creating, correcting and cultivating new material. Nevertheless, words have become the thieves that steal our rest at bedtime.

However, in spite of our sleepless patterns we need a break just like the next person and so we want things for Christmas that will cater to our creativity. Below I have manifested a list of possible Christmas items to give to the writer in your life:

Writer’s Christmas List

1. A pretty journal or inspirational journal. All writers thought form better when there journal design is impeccable.

2. Cool Pens. Every writer needs that certain pen that would set fire to their words.

3. Nice Dictionary/ Thesaurus. Not just any dictionary or thesaurus but all writers need the best dictionary or thesaurus that stops them from using the same word over and over and over and over and over again.

4. Favorite book by their favorite author. All writers or maybe the highest percentage of writers love to read a good book by their favorite author.

5. Sleep. Giving a writer a nice comfortable pillow with a matching blanket would be ideal.

6. Candles. Candles create the right ambiance to inspire the writer’s mood. I suggest lavender for relaxation.

7. Complete Silence. Some writers just want to be able to write in silence. This is a priceless gift for me.

8. Favorite Beverage. Hot Coco, tea or wine are all great beverages to get the writing juices flowing.

9. Soft Music. Classical, jazz or maybe your favorite old school tunes has the capacity to energize your mind.

10. A Great Desk Lap/Light. Those of us who have created our creative sanctuary a desk lap or light would be convenient for a midnight rendezvous with our pen and paper.


Picture Reference:
http://twtrland.com/profile/adamcroft83

I See You

“I See You”

Once in a lifetime you stumble upon movies that speak to your heart. They make an impression on your life which gives you inspiration in some form or another. There are many love stories that hit the movie screen every day but some are so transparent to the point you can actually relate to the storyline. Beyond The Lights was not just your typical love story of two people falling in love but it was a transparent love story that showed two lost people who needed to find themselves. They became each other’s hero.

I remember a time in my life where I was drowning and I needed someone to be my hero. I needed someone to save me from the life I was sinking in.  It was during the season my youngest daughter died, I needed help and no one could see me. For the last several years, I carried the pain of brokenness especially in love relationships. I built walls to protect my heart from feeling the pangs of falling in love with the wrong man.

However, spring 2014 came upon me and love blossomed with him. We crossed each other’s path unpredictably; I was not expecting him neither was he expecting me.  He told me his goal was to make me believe in love again. I was not convinced of his declaration. There was no way I was going to take him seriously at his word. I knew I was not going to put my heart on the line for love again. Yet, eight months later he proved me wrong and he made me believe in love again.

I was scared to take a risk because I feared love but there is no fear in love. He became my hero and I became his hero. I never had someone who could see my soul. I see you Kaz told Noni Jean in the movie, which is a powerful statement. True love will allow you to see right through the walls someone builds.

He saw right through me, he could see me!

 

Shifting Into A New Beginning

 

As the holidays vastly approach we find ourselves preparing for holiday cooking, holiday shopping and figuring out what we will do for the New Year. However, instead of waiting until the holidays or waiting to make a New Year’s resolution you can take the time to shift your life into a new beginning. Recently, I was faced with the fact that I needed a change so my daughter and I decided to jump on the road to Columbia, which is only an hour in a half from where I live. It was a drive that I needed  to clear my mind and shift into my new life. Sometimes in order to take a leap into new beginnings we have to stop looking backwards. When you look backwards it only stifles the growth process. 

It can be scary to decide to make a new start in your life but in the end you will feel rejuvenated . Rejuvenation creates a sense of refreshment bringing renewal to your life. No one can embrace new beginnings until they make a decision to move forward from the past. It is important in the last month of this year you begin to look forward, think of all the possibilities your life can bring by accepting a place of newness. Below are a couple tips to help you shift into a new beginning before the New Year.

Tips Into Shifting Into A New Beginning

Launch Out. Stop second guessing yourself and take a leap of faith, launch out into the deep. We often allow fear to hold us back from unfamiliarity but let the unknown be your fuel to push you forward.

Embrace Newness. Do not fight the new but embrace it because when you embrace new things then you can enlarge your life in greater ways.

Change is Good. We often fight change but change is always good. It helps us grow and evolve into a better person.

Why Wait Start Now. Do not wait until a perfect moment or time to start, life is waiting for you to live it to the fullest. The moment is now!

The moment is now shift into your new place!

 

7 Things You Need To Do Before Summer Ends

As summer slowly sips in the cracks of yesteryear there are still a couple of more weeks to enjoy the hot weather before autumn makes her star studded appearance. Although, summer comes and goes quickly you still have time to get a little more sun, enjoy the beach and make some vacation plans with your loved ones. Summer is not yet over so keep your sundresses in rotation, put on your favorite sandals and protect your skin with your favorite sunscreen. Enjoy all of what summer has to give even in the last moments. Below are five things you can do before the days get shorter and nights become longer.

7 Things You Need To Do Before Summer Ends

1. Go to the beach one more time. As the temperature starts to drop down a little this is the perfect time to pack a cooler, take your favorite magazine and watch the waves.

2. Plan a road trip. Although, in the southern states kids have already started to go back to school you can still take advantage of the long weekend holidays such as Labor Day to take a road trip.

3. Wear your favorite summer dress. It is not cold yet so why are you bringing out the sweater. Put your fall clothes away and wear your cute summer dress. If you live down south summer never truly ends so keep your summer clothes in rotation.

4. Read your favorite book. You still can find some quiet moments to slip away and read your favorite book.

5. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Before the days get shorter and nights get longer enjoy the sunrise and be grateful to see the sunset.

6. Do some summer cleaning. So many people spring clean but I believe it is essential to clean out the old every season in order to make room for the new.

7. Summer shopping. As summer comes to an end on September 22^nd (the 1^st day of Fall) find time to catch all the last minute deals of the summer as you prepare your wardrobe for next year.

After you have completed these seven things you truly will be prepared to embrace your Fall season.  

Reference: Picture reference: http://thecareco.com/as-summer-comes-to-an-end/

Catching Up!

Hello All,

I know it has been quite awhile since there has been a blog post on The Inspirational Corner however, I am back and been busy redefining my life’s happiness. In the past months I have been traveling from Detroit to Canada to London to Paris. I even got a chance to go to Florida for a week. Life has been pretty busy but in spite of the busyness I decided to dedicate the month of August as my month of reflection, detoxing, meditation and soul connecting. The last couple of months have been profound for me through my travel adventures as well as trials I had to endure. No matter what life throws at you be willing to move forward, be bold, be brave and be calm. I have learned to trust God no matter what I go through at this point in my life. He is in control anyway all I can do is what I am required to do in the end. As summer begins to slowly turn towards fall be sure to make your last days of summer count. I plan to relax, rejuvenate and most of all spend valuable time with the ones I love before school starts for my daughter. The summer is not over so smile, laugh and get plenty of sun!

Also below I am sharing some pictures of my adventures from this summer….Enjoy!

 

 



Dreams Are Meant To Be Lived Out Loud!

Dreams can sometimes be dreams if we never dare to make them an oblique reality. We can talk about what we desire to do but if there is never an action then it becomes words filled with hot air. I often believe people I truly scared to live life fearlessly because what they dream might really come true. I realized for myself the act of thinking bigger and dreaming bigger is motivated by putting action forth and making the dream patterns in my mental thoughts a tangible reality. 

Dreams are only tangible when you can actually see the manifestation of you working hard to make them visible. I can honestly say I am a dreamer and dream to produce many things in my life but last year I wanted to take more time to invest in my dreams. In 2013, I was struck with the reality of realizing how much I do not invest in my gift of writing. I decided to spend time researching writing workshops to take my writing to another dimension. While I spent time researching an “aha” moment hit me, I always wanted to write, live and move to Paris so I needed to attend a writing workshop in Paris. I was excited, motivated and inspired to live my dream to write in Paris. 

I have such a love affair with Paris, I am truly in love with the city of lights. As I began my research I stumbled across different websites but one website intrigued me, Paris Café Writing. Paris Café Writing is a week long workshop conducted by Patricia Tennison. Mrs. Tennison is a renown author, college professor and  writer of the Chicago Tribune. I called Patricia to ask a couple of questions about the workshop after the phone call I decided  to put both of my passions together; my love for writing and my love for Paris. I was going to spend a week in Paris to write.

I am excited about the progression of my decision to move forward with pursuing my dream. This summer I will be attending one of her summer workshops during the week of my 35th birthday to write, to muse and to immerse myself in Paris. Paris has been a long life dream for me and now with courage I am pursuing my heart’s desire. In life we often get stuck because we allow fear to hold us back. 

Fear held me captive for several years after my two year old daughter died. Today marks seven years since she left this Earth but the joy in this story is that it changed me to become an authentic woman. I have experienced many things in my life but learning to live life without limits has been my defining moment. So, as I venture off to Paris this summer I challenge you to not only think big or dream big but to make your dreams a reality. Dreams are meant be lived out loud so what are you waiting for….

Photo Credit: Leonid Afremov, painter http://leonidafremov.deviantart.com/art/PARIS-OF-MY-DREAMS-LEONID-AFREMOV-286887332

New York, The City That Never Sleeps!

 

 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

The city lights glared in my eyes distracting me from all the amusing things that caught my attention. I was in the city, the city that never sleeps how amazing this was to be a part of the fast pace city life. I felt at home in the “Empire State” and felt alive for the first time in a long time. I knew in my heart I belonged in the city. There is always something magical, energetic when it comes to living in a city like New York. New York has an indescribable vibe that cannot be explained but only can be understood by those that visit the Big Apple. The subways are filled with people speaking in coded languages from Japanese, French and English. Unknown musicians play boldly to get that once in a lifetime shot where their audiences become people who enter and exit the subway. New York has an energy that is contagious and spreads inspiration to a writer that is in search of her next muse. New York has become my perfect muse, I deem it as my American Paris where the Empire State Building resurrect itself high in the sky like the Eiffel Tower. New York was truly a great adventure for me and my daughter.  It is truly a place in my memory bank that I can never forget. I plan to visit the city again, very soon. It was a great experience to spend New Year’s Eve week in the “city that never sleeps”!