Tuesday’s Truths: Things I have Found to be True in My Life

Today I am putting a personal spin on some truths that I have found to be true in my life.  I’m not going to do a list, but I’ll express how I’ve personally experienced truth in my life:

• Never say “never”:  I personally found that on several occasions when I said I’d never do something, I ended up doing it!  One eerie experience I had happened in my early twenties.  I was strolling on my college campus with a friend.  We were having a typical conversation on various things.  I mentioned that I’d never ridden in an ambulance before.  I know that’s an obscure sentence for me to remember, but it is the key to why this truth was illuminated to me that very afternoon:  On our way home, my sister and I were in a wreck and Yes, I rode in an ambulance that day!  It became taboo to say never – it was as if you were inviting trouble into your life!

 

• Do not ask, “What’s going to happen next?” or ‘What else is going to go wrong?” when you’re having bad things happen in your life.  You will always find out!  I asked that before and something else bad happened…luckily it is noted in psychological articles that we have a tendency to forget the bad and remember the good…well, I can tell you that is true and I can’t remember what happened.

 

• It is better to give than to receive.  I know that it sounds crazy, but it’s true!  I would rather give anyday than to receive presents and  recognition.  As my sister and I grew up, our parents gave us surprises that were fabulous.  Those are very precious memories to my sister and me, even now.  What I see in those memories though, was the joy that my parents had in giving.  That was their greatest gift of all!  I can tell you that the joy of giving to others is very fulfilling.

 

• “If it is meant to be, then it will happen.”  My mother told me this as I broke up with my first love.  I always listened to my mother because she always gave advice I could count on.  Oh, it hurt as true love’s first loss does, but I knew my mother wouldn’t lie to me.  I came to grips that the situation was really out of my control and I found peace in knowing that if it was meant to be, then I didn’t have to worry about making it happen.  Time was the key to healing and although I found that it wasn’t meant to be, there were plenty of other romances I got to experience!

What are your personal encounters with truth?  Let me know, I’d love to hear how truth presented itself to you!  Truth leaves you with a clean conscience!

Living and loving truth everyday,

Mickey

 

 

 

This World That is Writing – Things I am Learning

Last week, I posted only one blog.  I felt the need to tweak some of the things I am doing.  I found that people really enjoy my Tuesday Truths and Wednesday’s Wisdom posts.  When I posted my blog on Prince Friday, it got some extra attention.  I had taken the liberty to break free from the editorial calendar to share from the heart!  It was a good feeling too.

My Twitter account is growing quickly.  I’ve grown to enjoy tweeting and promoting others and their content.  It is reciprocated and thus my twitter following increases!  It just takes time.

I read an interesting post from Shannon Thompson about blogging.  She wrote:  Knowing when to change your focus and energy is going to help you keep your momentum up while also maintaining your voice. It’s always okay to try something new. In fact, I encourage it.

So my change began on Friday when I wrote about Prince, his influence on my life, appreciating his accomplishments, and remembering him through the legacy of his music.  Breaking out of my schedule allowed me to feel free.  I had been writing according to my calendar, but I give myself permission to go off schedule when there is something I want to share!

I want to stay short and sweet with my posts as I know time is fleeting and when I write, I want my audience to know that I will offer maximum value as concisely as I can!

As I see what my audience tunes in to, I will tweak accordingly!  Change can be fun and invigorating for the spirit!  What kind  of change would you like to see?  I’d love to hear from you!

Taking each day at a time,

Mickey

 

 

 

 

Farewell Prince: Celebrating His Life and Exploring My Grief

Last week I posted about my life through the years as expressed by the music of the day.  I reread the post and I couldn’t believe I left out a main staple of my play list of life – Prince!

Watching the news for the last 24 hours, I have relived memories of my young adulthood and how Prince’s music played through a large part of it.  I have very happy memories that are associated with his songs.  I’d say definitely the party, cruising, nightclub scenes since they all involved Prince’s music.

I have listened to the story behind the icon that was Prince and I can tell you that he is a guy I’d like to know more about.  Sure I knew the music, but the man that made the music is just as interesting.  In my young years, I was too busy partying like it was 1999 to know and appreciate his genius.

Last night, I saw him play the most spectacular guitar solo in a performance of George Harrison’s song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps.  I was spellbound.   Then there the ambiance of Purple Rain and his mesmerizing guitar solo – what a performer!  I learned that he could not read music, but played all kinds of musical instruments.  He would also produce his own work as well as play and sing every single instrument or part on the song.  Talk about a wow factor!  Last night I found out there was a reason why he became known as a symbol for a while.  I had no clue way back then!

I have also heard about his party/concerts at his home/studio in Paisley Park.  I sure wish I’d lived in his town!  The locals they have interviewed spoke about them with such a personal fondness that I was envious to have not been a part of such an experience.

Prince was a kind person who helped others.  He was a private person and everyone respected that.  He knew loss and heartache.  He had no pretense about him.  Behind the star was a very relatable genius who was down to earth.  I am sure that is why everyone loved him all the more.

I heard he was writing his memoir.  I hope to read it someday.  I am sure that I’ll be all the better for it.

It is bittersweet to lose our icons (or anyone we care about) sooner that we would expect.  We want to reverse time and make it not be true.  We want to savor the times that we had with them and relive those days in our minds, hoping that if we think about it hard enough we will somehow travel back in time and just stay there.

His music will carry us through.  We will remember and although we won’t bring him back, let’s listen to his music and transport ourselves and celebrate the life experience we enjoyed with this fine musician called Prince!

Partying like it’s 1999 in my little red “Mustang” (Corvette),

Mickey

 

 

 

Negligence and HIM

A mole becomes a tumour which turns cancerous; A bridge collapses, hundreds die, one political party calls the other treacherous. A finger bleeds while chopping vegetables and blood soaks the tissu…

Source: Negligence and HIM

Mentors Making A Difference

This is a repost from an earlier Thursday post for you.  Mentors are so helpful in advancing your writing career!  Enjoy.  See you on Monday.

On my journey in this world that is writing, I have made it a point to share with you, my fellow writers, the resources that have encouraged me and made me work smarter. This week I wanted to share two of my “go to” resources:  Carol Tice and Linda Formichelli.

Carol Tice and Linda Formichelli have been two very helpful and informative resources on my journey as a writer. You see, lots of research goes into building your skills that will give your writing value and in turn, build an audience.  These ladies both are committed to sharing the knowledge and encouragement aspiring writers need.  I have found that I keep their blogs and websites saved so that I can refer to them regularly as I progress in the writing craft.

Carol’s site “Make A Living Writing” gives valuable advice on pitching;  sites that pay for articles by type.  For instance: essays, lifestyle and general interest, tech, and writing  too!  Her advice on content mills keeps me grounded on developing my skill and going for quality.  I appreciate that!   Carol offers many free things in addition to reasonably priced access to resources in the Freelance Writer’s Den.  This week I purchased “How to Be a Well-Paid Freelance Blogger” and reserved my copy of “Small Blog, Big Income.”  I also will get access to the live call around launch day for this new promotion.  Carol will be available to answer Q&A’s on blog-monetizing questions.  I am sure this will be a valuable session!

Linda’s book “The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Your Freelance Writing” is a go-to-book that you will find useful as your career develops.  She is noted for “The Renegade Writer” blog which was voted as one of the Top 10 blogs for Writers by the website “Write to Done.”    It was also awarded by Writers Digest as one of the 101 Best websites for Writers.  Linda suggests making your blog one that is consistent and offers valuable content.   She features her most popular posts on a daily basis so you should go check it out.  You can learn a lot from Linda!

Wednesday’s Wisdom – Time for Reflection

My reflection for today is the truth:  Music is what feeling sound like.

Before Grooveshark was shut down, I had found it to be the perfect site that I could catalog my life’s music with.  I miss my folders!  Each day I could go to the site and according to what part of the past I wanted to visit, I could pick and play!

There was the high school years, cruising songs, my romance folder was the place I could go to reminisce with my feelings that associated to one of various boyfriends.  Sometimes I’d just arrange my folders to play chronologically by boyfriend and it would encompass most folders!  I’d happily listen to my life’s songs by whatever nostalgic trip I wished to take each day.

Freshman year of high school could be songs from the Eagles, Queen, SuperTramp, Dan Fogleberg. Sophomore Year and First Love would be songs from the Beatles, John Lennon, The Climax Blues Band, REO Speedwagon, Kenny Loggins. Junior and Senior Years would be Huey Lewis and the News, Rick Springfield, Journey, U2, and Styx.  I remember keeping the top 10’s in my diaries (yes, I still have those!)

Jumping into the College Years, the Night Club years, and beyond:  Dexies Midnight Runner, Go West, David Bowie, Glenn Frey,  Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Thompson Twins, Culture Club, Scritti Politti, Aha, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Poison, Guns & Roses, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Night Ranger, and Bryan Adams, Toto, 38 Special,  and Extreme.

My tragic romance collection English Dan and John Ford Coley, Ozzy Osborne, Lita Ford, Vanessa Williams, Seal, Sheryl Crow.  This is a true remembrance of my shortest, but happiest relationship with Mike, whom I dated for only six months before he died tragically.  It is a true testimony to quality of time vs. quantity of time.

I must tell you that I have not chosen songs from terrible romances!  Ha! (Luckily that’d be only one!)

I sure do miss Grooveshark!  Maybe I’ll find another site to build my life stories with music.  It takes me back in time and makes me glad I was there to experience the music with my life adventures.

Have you made a life list of your favorite songs?  Go ahead and do it!  I call it Mental Time Travelling!

Making the most of everyday!

 

Mickey

 

 

 

 

Tuesdays Truths – Things I Have Found to Be True in My Life

!!

Happy Tuesday!  Here are the five truths for today:

1. Music is what feelings sound like.
2. It feels good to be lost in the right direction.
3. To hear God’s voice, you must turn down the world’s volume.
4. God is not an option.  He is a necessity.
5. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8.

Which truth have you found to be true in your life?  Let me know!  Leave a reply!

Making the most of everyday,

Mickey

Writers Digest Writing Conference, Philadelphia April 9 `

Saturday I attended the Writer’s Digest Workshop in Philadelphia.  It was my first conference and I thought it was simple, straightforward, and worth my time.

Chuck Sambuchino was the main speaker.  There were over ten writing agents who had scheduled pitches with many of those in attendance.  As it was my first conference, I chose not to pitch.  I met many new friends and exchanged business cards.  It was a great time to network.

There was an hour devoted to “Writers’ Got Talent.” 1st pages of manuscripts were turned in and read anonymously to the audience and the agents who critiqued the writings.  It was a good experience to hear what the agents liked. Mine wasn’t read, but Chuck read at a pace to get as many read and critiqued as possible.

Books were available for purchase and I bought several.  I learned that a blog is very good to build a platform.  It should grow at about 8% per month.  A blog can be started well in advance of writing and publishing.  The reason for this is that traditional publishing takes upto 2 years!

For the writer just starting out, this is a perfect conference that will provide many good tips.  It also provides chances to meet fellow writers with whom relationships can be built over time.  The sharing that comes with networking is priceless.  There are other workshops coming up.  Visit the Writer’s Digest Website to find out if it is being held at a location within driving distance.  It’s well worth the $129!

Spotlight on Blogher Conference 2016

Today’s spotlight will be on this year’s Blogher Conference in LA, August 4-6, 2016.  After starting my Blogs, late last year, I read about the annual conference sponsored by Blogher.  It sounding so encouraging and I began to check on how I could benefit should I decide to attend.

I found a fabulous way to attend for free (except my flight and hotel room costs) I asked to be considered to volunteer!  Luckily I have enough flight miles to pay for the flight so my expenditure will be for the hotel room.

What is going on at the conference?  Here are five examples that I’ll be taking part in:

Publishing & Writing | Behind the Curtain on Blog to Book, from the Publisher POV

Tech & Tools | Discoverability: SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Business, Writing, and Geek Labs give attendees hands-on access to tools and tips to improve your blogging, writing and social media skills.

Publishing & Writing | Snackable Content: eBooks, Printables, Short-form in all its forms: Mining Your Content for Product Opportunities

You might ask, “How did you just get to be a volunteer?”  Well, the Blogher team put out a call for any interested individuals who wanted to be a volunteer to let them know via email what qualifications and fields of expertise they could offer as a volunteer.   I let them know that I was a people person and that I previously owned a wedding planning business.  I also told them I was comfortable coordinating events and handling crowds.   About a week later I got the response that I could attend.  Who knew?!

Put yourself out there when there’s a call for help.  It can be a win-win situation!

I’ll keep you posted on my travel plans as they progress.

My blog on Blogher is WriteWhatMatters@blogspot.com.

Making the most of everyday,

Mickey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday’s Wisdom: A Time to Reflect

First of all, I want my readers to know that I am having trouble getting the comment forms to appear on my Tuesday Truth’s.  Yesterday I thought I had placed a poll and the ability for you to leave your vote.  I must have done something incorrectly!  I apologize and will succeed in making these things available to you!

What shall the reflection of the day be?  You never know what someone is going through.  A few nice words can help a person a lot more than you think.

Many people hide behind masks of sadness, despair, depression, and loneliness and that’s just naming a few!  There’s heartache, health problems, and financial issues too.  You may know the person or you may not.  Take a moment to give a few nice words to someone you encounter.  Think about it.  You might open the door for someone and just look at them and smile.  You might come upon someone who looks nice in particular color.  Let them know.   You might be the one they hold the door for  so say a hearty, “Thank you so very much, I appreciate your kindness!”  Be on the look out you never know how much your words may mean to someone on a day they really need to hear!