That's because we've hopped through Monday and Tuesday and it's only a hop, skip, and a jump until the weekend. Quite honestly, I've never understood the the need to hurry pass certain days. Aren't they ALL special and wonderful? Just to wake up every morning is an honor. One of my favorite quotes expresses this idea, far better than I can it says, "When you arise in the morning think about what a precious privilege it is to be alive to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." I don't know about you, but I want to enjoy every one of my days...not just theweekend ones. Good morning and enjoy your Wednesday. It's a special one because you're here!
Humans call Wednesday "Hump Day" but we frogs choose to call it Hop Day.
That's because we've hopped through Monday and Tuesday and it's only a hop, skip, and a jump until the weekend. Quite honestly, I've never understood the the need to hurry pass certain days. Aren't they ALL special and wonderful? Just to wake up every morning is an honor. One of my favorite quotes expresses this idea, far better than I can it says, "When you arise in the morning think about what a precious privilege it is to be alive to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." I don't know about you, but I want to enjoy every one of my days...not just theweekend ones. Good morning and enjoy your Wednesday. It's a special one because you're here!
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Early this morning, before I'd even had my first cup of swamp juice, I had a visitor to the ol' lily pad. My dear friend, I. M. Compassion, was stopping by for a short visit. I don't get to see him as often as I'd like, we're both busy frogs, so I certainly didn't mind that he dropped by before the sun was up. I.M. had something on his mind. He's pretty easy to read so I asked him if I could help. He reminded me that next Monday is International Day of Peace. It seems that my friend is worried that people won't remember this very special day. He has asked for my help in getting the message out and, of course, I agreed. I am dedicating today's blog to that end.
International Day of Peace isn't as fun as Christmas, as glamorous as New Year's Eve, or as romantic as Valentine's day but I think it is far more important than all those days put together. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace, to co-inside with it's opening session, with the hope of bringing awareness to the importance of peace in our world. In 2001, it was set aside as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire across the globe. "Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples." ~ United Nations This year, the theme is "Partnership for Peace - Dignity for All." It is hoped that humans, across all segments of the world's population, will put aside their differences and work towards a lasting peace for all. No matter what activity you choose to do that day, do it in the name of peace. It will add to the earth's "good karma" which, in turn, will help to push our planet towards a nicer, safer, saner place for all sentient beings. So mark your calendars and remember to do something next Monday to honor the cause of International Day of Peace. This message is so important that I am asking you to pass along this blog...or write something of your own. Let's get the word out and make International Day of Peace 2015 the biggest and best day of the year! is to decide your're not going to stay where you are, That's a wonderful quote from John Pierpont Morgan. It perfectly describes, I think, what Monday's represent to me; another opportunity to move forward towards by dreams and goals. After a wonderful weekend spent with my Grandma Gorf in Lily Pad, I'm back home and eager to work on a new project that she suggested might help me to promote my books. She's a wise ol' frog and I learn lots when I visit her. Monday's are always a good day to think about where you want to go...not just for the day, or week, ahead...but long-term. In order to better attain your hopes and dreams, one must begin at the beginning, then take the next logical step. Ask yourself these questions every Monday: What are my aspirations/hopes/goals? Where do I see myself now and where do I want to be? What's the first, most logical step I need to do to get there? (hint: It probably will be something small and tangible...like research) We don't start hopping, or walking; we first begin with baby steps. So use your Mondays to take the next logical step in achieving your dreams. Sooner or later, you will get there, And you can be sure of that. My Grandma Gorf is never wrong....
As an author who happens to be a frog, I have certain obstacles when it comes to promoting my books. Those obstacles, or impediments, can be called a glass ceiling. Glass ceilings are usually a term that is used when referencing the challenges that women and minorities face in the workplace. As a frog, and certainly as a frog author, I guess I can count myself among the minority groups. But I've never met a challenge that I didn't want to face head-on. Yes, it would be MUCH easier if those challenges weren't there but if everything went smoothly all the time, how we grow and learn to extend ourselves? This might not be true for everyone, in every situation but, for me, I try to appreciate and, dare I say, be grateful for my obstacles. Without them, I might become complacent. And that's never good, in any aspect of life or business. I am truly grateful whenever I sell a book and I truly enjoy giving other authors encouragement. I don't see them as my competition, but as co-travelers who are trying to navigate the same, scary road of self-publishing that I am. It's nice to know we don't walk..or hop..alone. And as for the glass frog, I'm not sure I would want to have my innards exposed; if you saw my insides, you might be surprised! I wish you all a weekend filled with joy and happiness!
When I first decided to write a book with My Little Python, I gotta admit...it was WAY out of my comfort zone. Let's face it, frogs and snakes aren't usually thought of in the same sentence, but this was my big chance to overcome one of my biggest fears; snakes. And so I began to do some research and, with the help of my very good friends at My Little Python, I learned a lot more about snakes and even came to like and respect them! As critters, frogs and snakes are both facing BIG challenges. This book was my way of helping the snakes be less misunderstood. All the proceeds from this book, go to ASP, a group that helps snakes. It was a win-win situation for everybody; I got over my fear of snakes, the Pythons helped their friends at ASP, and ASP, in turn, is using the money from the book to further snake education. And it all started with me...deciding to take a leap out of my comfort zone. What awesome things can you do, if you decide to take that one small, but very important step into the unknown?
A comfort zone is a beautifulplace but nothing ever grows there! There have been lots of studies done recently about the effects of happiness on the way we see the world around us; the proverbial rose-colored glasses. Even something as simple as receiving a piece a candy (or in my case, a yummy fly) from someone, can make us feel better and increase our creativity. This random and unexpected small "gift" makes a huge difference. Imagine what something larger like, say, offering a stanger a kind word or compliment can do for them! I use this technique on myself when I write. No, I don't give myself candy, or a fly, but I do give myself words of encouragement when I sit down to write; something like, "You're very clever, Irwin, and I know you'll write something amazing today!" Sounds silly, but it works. How much better to be kind to ourselves than to be harsh and critical. This little excercise gets me in a happier, more productive mood and I have a far a easier time creating good stuff! Try this little experiement today. Give little tokens (candy, a smile, a kind word) to everyone you meet today. Watch how they immediately become happier. It'll make their day...and yours. It costs little or nothing and can have a HUGE impact on those around us. Here's to more HAPPINESS!
A wise frog once said, "Let's choose to see what we have in common." Really, I think we have more in common than than we have differences. This is true for writers, too. Every writer has a story to tell or something to teach. We are all looking for a way to express our creativity; to reach out to our mostly-unseen audience and try to make a connection. When you're an entertainer, and you're doing a show on stage, it's easy to connect with your fans. They're right there! You can immediately tell if they like what you're you're doing or not. Writers don't have that luxury. From the time we come up with a book or story idea until the finished project is available for sale, it can be as long as a year...or more. Unless your a JK Rowling, there aren't adoring fans waiting to greet you wherever you go. As writers, we just put our faith and trust in the belief that others will like what what we've done. And then we sit and wait to see if our hardwork pays off. Which brings me full-circle to today's message; isn't that what everybody does? We do our best, we put it out there, and hope that the world sees and appreciates us (and our creativity) for who we are. Each and every one of us truly has the Right Stuff..we're born with it and all we need to do is put it out there!
The Labor Day weekend is, once again, upon us. Where has the summer gone....
Someone once said, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Writing, for me, is truly a labor of love. It's what I was born to do. I don't consider it work. Creativity, which is a natural part of each of us, needs and outlet. I have two left flippers and can't dance. I croak really well but I only sing one song. I don't cook (I catch bugs) I don't draw, or paint, or sculpt. But I can write...and that's no easy task for a frog! But thinking up a book idea, then putting pen to paper, is how I release my personal creativity. What's your? It can be simple or complex but I bet there's something that you are really good at. Since each person, and frog, is unique, so is your talent. And if you don't let your little light shine, you deprive the world of your special gift. No one will ever be exactly like you or have your exact gift. Wouldn't it be a shame to hide it? So, even though I technically work at my craft, it feels more pleasurable than the often-times "dirty" word known as work. That being said, I will still enjoy my day off this Labor Day. I hope you'll have a good one, too! See you all back here on Tuesday, "Don't miss the donut by looking through the hole." Hmmm. now as a frog, I'm not much of a donut-eater, but I do understand what this simple saying means; Look at the big picture. Tunnel vision, another way of saying this, means to only see what's directly in front of you...never looking side-to-side, or up and down. I don't have this problem, at least not physically. My eyes are capable of seeing in all directions but do I always look at everything? No. But I should. especially as a writer. Authors tend to focus on the end result...the climax of the book or story he's writing. When that happens, writers tend to lose track of the small details and minor characters (ie, the donut) that makes his book fun to read. The big picture, in story telling, includes weaving all these seemingly small details together into a complete and finished product. Think about books you've loved. What would they be without the exciting twists and turns, lavish details that make you feel a part of the tale, and all the fascinating/loveable/dispicable minor characters that inhabit the main character's world? You'd be left without much of a story. The same thing can be said for living life. Don't just focus on the present problem/issue/task. Think about how this is playing out in the bigger picture of your life. It kind of helps to put things in proper perspective. So go ahead and take a bite out of the donut that is your life, and enjoy a few of the sprinkles that make it fun and, well, tasty!
My friend, The Dharma Frog, recently said,"Think like a frog of action, act like a frog of thought." When The Dharma Frog gives me advive, I listen...I've found that he is never wrong. I tried to apply his wisdom to my writing and, of course, his message fit perfectly. I think of a new storyline but before I put it down on paper, I need to think about it first. Does it make sense? Is there a logical conclusion? Does the message actually convey what I want to say? to get the answers, it's wise to make an outline. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but just the story/plot/message is some order that will make sense to the reader; a beginning, middle, and end. If you can't do that, the story isn't worth telling. So, I'm thinking about an action, but before I "act" on it, I think about about it and make sure it's right. This same logic can be applied to talking. How many times have you said something, then immediately (or soon thereafter) regretted having said it? We've all experienced that many times. The message, then, is this: think before you write. Think before you speak. And definitely think before you act on any impulse that you may later regret! Once again, The Dharma Frog's message rings true. |
AuthorLand of Lily Pad's first published author. I enjoy writing fun and educational books for kids. My blog is for you parents; the kiddos might like some of them, too. As always, everything I write is family-friendly, so don't hesitate to share my messages with everyone. I hope you find them helpful and maybe even inspirational. Cheers! Archives
November 2019
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