I have third degree burns down the right
side of my face and body. I’ve been in the Operation Atlas Treatment Center for
over a month and the doctors say I’ll be released in just under a week. The
average human would take months and multiple skin graft surgeries before they’d
be healed enough to leave. Not me, I heal quickly. It’s one of the many benefits
of being a metamorph.
Sure, without the surgeries I’ll
have scars, but I don’t care about the scars. I’ll wear them with pride, like a
badge of honor.
You see, I can do something not
many others can do. I can control fire, or at least I will once I get my powers
under control. I’m still learning.
Being an Incendiary is rare, but
being an incendiary with two of the three primary powers is unheard of. That’s
why Operation Atlas is taking such good care of me. I’m one of their elite.
Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What are you recovering from right now?
What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!
Are
you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all
your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all
the tools I use in my writing process!
Write about a souvenir you have bought or received!
Let
me start by saying I don’t journal and I think this is a waste of time. I work,
a lot. Usually seven days a week and a lot of double shifts. That doesn’t leave
a whole lot of time for souvenir shopping, as I’m sure you can imagine.
Although, I do camp. I suppose that’s something. There aren’t many shops out in the woods, or any for that matter, but there are people. I meet some interesting people out in the woods. One overly nice young lady I met, April was her name, gave me a lovely gold necklace with a solitary diamond hanging from it.
I
suppose that should count as a souvenir I received, although I didn’t keep it.
It was to delicate and pretty for me to wear. I ended up giving it to my
girlfriend, Sophie. I’m not sure she fully appreciated what I went through to
get it for her. I suppose I couldn’t really tell her all the gory details,
now could I?
Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
Write about a souvenir you have bought or
received!
Are you an author looking for inspiration or even guidance? Click on the images below for some great writing tips and guides from authors who have been where you are!
Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!
Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel
It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.
Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal
Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Mindfulness can be very beneficial when dealing with loss and getting through times of grief.
Three Mindful Strategies to Help You Recover from Loss and Get You Through Times of Grief:
Quiet
Reflection – Sometimes the best way to get past loss
and deal with grief is by facing it head on. Find a quiet place to reflect on
the lost loved one, remember them as they were in your life, hold onto those
memories and allow yourself to feel the sadness and embrace it. Once you have
accepted the grief you may find it easier to move past it. That loss may never
go away, but your heart will start to heal making it a little bit easier each
and every day.
Center
yourself – When the waves of sadness and grief
fell overwhelming use slow deep breathing to get through the helplessness that
often comes with the grief. This will help you stay grounded and bring you back
to the present moment.
Practice
Mindfulness – Loss and grief are cyclical, like the
seasons. Even when we are in the middle of an extreme winter, we know that summer
will eventually come. We learn to push through those cold, sometimes
unbearable, winter days because we know there is something to look forward to
on the other end. The same is true for grief. Today, your grief may seem
unbearable, but a month from now… six months from now… a year from now… little
by little that pain will start to subside and eventually, you’ll be able to
look back on the memories of your lost loved one with joy and not sadness.
Your breath is a great tool to help train your mind to
focus your thoughts, center yourself, and push through stress, anxiety, pain,
loss, and of course grief. Whenever you start to feel your mind wander or
become overloaded use this two-step meditation to bring you back to the
present.
Step 1 – Notice your breathing. Pay attention to the sensation of the air around you; how it feels as it enters your nose then travels down into your lungs. Pay attention to the rise and fall of your chest and abdomen as the air moves in and out of your body. Don’t change the way you breathe, let the air move in and out as it normally would, just be aware of the sensations involved with the act of breathing.
Step 2 – Count your breaths. The first breath in and out is 1,
the next breath in and out is 2, continue until you reach a full ten to fifteen
breaths. As you relax, your breaths will get longer. This exercise should take
you about a minute to complete. If you’re still feeling stressed after ten to
fifteen breaths, continue the exercise until those feelings have passed.
Mindfulness Grief Journaling:
Step 1 – Take 5 minutes to write down what you’re feeling. There is no wrong way to complete this exercise so don’t worry about being judged. This is for you and you alone.
Step 2 – Take 5 minutes to write down how the person you lost makes you feel when you think of the memories you shared.
The point of this exercise it to acknowledge the grief and accept the feelings you’re having, but to also remember the good times and end on a positive note that honors your loved one.
* * * * *
Check out
my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you
never miss an episode!
I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.
I'm drunk ~ Not on alcohol or even love. I'm drunk ~ Grief pulls me under and rattles my shell. I'm drunk ~ It's not a tipsy sort of dizziness. I'm drunk ~ It's a heavy, sinking feeling sweeping over me. I'm drunk ~ Hollow... Senseless... Desperation I'm drunk ~ Vacant... Void... Agony I'm drunk ~ Plummeting... Falling... Sinking I'm drunk ~ It's the sting of your loss pulling me under! I'M DRUNK!
Dedicated to my Uncle Dan (Danny Tapaninen Feb. 19, 1955 – June 24, 2019) You will forever be in my heart!
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What are you feeling, right now?
Are you an author who
is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals?
Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my
writing process!
Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel
It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write
It’s
Thursday afternoon and usually I post my weekly Writing Wednesday post on, well…
Wednesday. Unfortunately, or maybe luckily, I was on vacation this last week
and my blog got put on the back burner. I think we all need a little me time,
but right about now, I need more work time.
I’m
trying to catch up, with everything. I have a stack of books about a mile high
that I need to get through, a list of movies about two miles long that I need
to watch and review, a number of author interview requests, blog posts to set
up, and a self-publishing course to create.
So
yeah, I need time. If you have any extra that you’d like to loan me, I’d
forever be in your debt.
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What do you need right now?
* * * * *
Would you like more
sources for daily writing prompts? Click on the links below for great writing
prompt journals I think you’ll really love!
This Self-Discovery Journal provides more than 200 thoroughly unique & enjoyable writing prompts. Skyrocket your self-esteem, develop your creativity and explore all area’s of life: Writing Prompts about your love life, Writing Prompts to better deal with social anxiety’s Writing Prompts for finding empowering strategies to deal with worries, stress and failures. And much, much more
Do you want to know yourself better? Self-discovery and self-revelation aren’t easy. With simple but provocative questions about wishes and fears, memories and beliefs, secrets and dreams, All About Me will reveal everything you ever wanted to know about yourself but never thought—or dared—to ask. Whether you fill it in or answer questions out loud, this is the perfect gift for your friends, your family, your loved one… and you.
Are you an author who
is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals?
Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my
writing process!
Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel
It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.
Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal
JUST WRITE is the Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal designed as a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your project progress, plan your writing and publishing goals, maintain your personal/business to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule and log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.
Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder
into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a
modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming
the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho’s
masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy
who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him
to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined.
Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our
hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along
life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
WRITING (★★★★): Paulo Coelho is a wonderfully talented author who’s storytelling ability draws you in and keeps you reading. His writing style is intriguing and yet simple. With that said, The Alchemist is a very fast read. It took me all of maybe five or six hours to get through.
STORY (★★★★): On the surface, The Alchemist is a
simple story of a sheep farmer who sells his sheep to set out on a journey to
follow his dream… his calling… his Personal Legend as it is called in the book.
Yet, in reality, there are
deeper messages weaved throughout the story. Lessons we are all meant to learn,
but maybe in each our own way.
Paulo Coelho is a philosopher. The
over-arching theme I believe he is trying to get across is that everyone and
all things are connected. The past, the present, and the future are all intertwined.
One could read this story and take away that
you must live in the moment… be mindful of the life here in the present because
the past and future can not be changed.
Another reader may take away that the author
is telling you to stop working to live and just start living. Follow your
dreams and give 100% of yourself to the journey to reach your Personal Legend. If
you’ve ever heard Arnold Schwarzenegger talk about his life – this is similar
to the message he tries to get across; that you must be all in – with no backup
plan.
I’m sure there are a dozen other life lessons
that one could read in the passages of The Alchemist and I would argue that
each and every one is right, for the reader that interprets them.
If you’ve read The Alchemist, I’d love to
know what lesson or message you took away from it. Comment below and tell me what
you thought of the story and what your major take away was.
I highly recommend this story for teens and
young adults. They are still trying to find themselves and figure out exactly
what they want out of life. I would argue that this story is a great source of
encouragement to never give up and always strive to achieve what you are truly passionate
about.
CHARACTERS (★★★★): I enjoyed all of the characters, for what they
were. However, the lead character, the young sheep farmer named Santiago, was written
extremely well. His backstory was laid out beautifully and I felt a connection to
him and an investment in his journey.
The
character development and connection from chapter to chapter flowed
wonderfully. It was nice, for once, to read a book where the author didn’t introduce
a thousand new characters in every chapter.
APPEARANCE (★★★): The
cover is simple and yet aged. I don’t think I would have picked this book up if
I had passed it in the book store. However, because it was given to me by
someone I trust, I ignored the cover and jumped right in.
FAVORITE
QUOTES:
“What you still need to know is this: before
a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned
along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in
addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve
moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which most people give up. It’s
the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of
thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’”
“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And
every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.”
“Don’t give in to your fears, if you do, you
won’t be able to talk to your heart.”
AUTHOR:
The Brazilian author PAULO COELHO is considered one of the most influential authors of our times. His books have sold more than 165 million copies worldwide, have been released in 170 countries and been translated into 80 languages.
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, he soon discovered his vocation for writing. He worked as a director, theater actor, songwriter and journalist. His collaboration with Brazilian composer and singer Raúl Seixas gave some of the greatest classic rock songs in Brazil. In 1986, a special meeting led him to make the pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela (in Spain). The Road to Santiago was not only a common pilgrimage but a turning point in his existence. A year later, he wrote ‘The Pilgrimage’, an autobiographical novel that is considered the beginning of his career.
In the following year, COELHO published ‘The Alchemist’. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
Brida, a young Irish girl, has long been
interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. Her
search leads her to people of great wisdom. She meets a wise man who dwells in
a forest, who teaches her to trust in the goodness of the world, and a woman
who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world. As Brida seeks her
destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her
desire to become a witch.
This enthralling novel incorporates themes that
fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure. It is a tale of love,
passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller.
A Magical Tale
About Forgiving Our Past and Believing in Our Future
The
enchanting true story of The Valkyries begins in Rio de Janeiro when author
Paulo Coelho gives his mysterious master the only manuscript for his book The
Alchemist. Haunted by a devastating curse; Coelho confesses to have seen my
dreams fall apart just when I seemed about to achieve them. In response he
gives Coelho a daunting task: He must find and speak with his guardian angel. The
curse can be broken; he replies; if you complete the task.
Rarely does
adolescent love reach its full potential, but what happens when two young
lovers reunite after eleven years? Time has transformed Pilar into a strong and
independent woman, while her devoted childhood friend has grown into a handsome
and charismatic spiritual leader. She has learned well how to bury her feelings
. . . and he has turned to religion as a refuge from his raging inner
conflicts.
Now
they are together once again, embarking on a journey fraught with difficulties,
as long-buried demons of blame and resentment resurface after more than a
decade. But in a small village in the French Pyrenees, by the waters of the
River Piedra, a most special relationship will be reexamined in the dazzling
light of some of life’s biggest questions.
In the ninth
century b.c., the Phoenician princess Jezebel orders the execution of all the
prophets who refuse to worship the pagan god Baal. Commanded by an angel of God
to flee Israel, Elijah seeks safety in the land of Zarephath, where he
unexpectedly finds true love with a young widow. But this newfound rapture is
to be cut short, and Elijah sees all of his hopes and dreams irrevocably erased
as he is swept into a whirlwind of events that threatens his very existence.
Written
with the same masterful prose and clarity of vision that made The Alchemist an international
phenomenon, The Fifth Mountain
is a quietly moving account of a man touched by the hand of God who must
triumph over his frustrations in a soul-shattering trial of faith.
Warrior of the Light: A Manual is an inspirational companion to The Alchemist, an international bestseller
that has beguiled millions of readers around the world. Every short passage
invites us to live out our dreams, to embrace the uncertainty of life, and to
rise to our own unique destiny. In his inimitable style, Paulo Coelho helps
bring out the Warrior of the Light within each of us. He also shows readers how
to embark upon the way of the Warrior: the one who appreciates the miracle of
being alive, the one who accepts failure, and the one whose quest leads him to
become the person he wants to be.
Paulo
Coelho is one of the most beloved storytellers of our time. Now, in the
long-awaited companion to his first novel, Coelho presents a collection of
philosophical stories that will delight and guide seekers everywhere.
Eleven Minutes is
the story of Maria, a young girl from a Brazilian village, whose first innocent
brushes with love leave her heartbroken. At a tender age, she becomes convinced
that she will never find true love, instead believing that “love is a
terrible thing that will make you suffer. . . .” A chance meeting in Rio
takes her to Geneva, where she dreams of finding fame and fortune. Maria’s
despairing view of love is put to the test when she meets a handsome young
painter. In this odyssey of self-discovery, Maria has to choose between
pursuing a path of darkness – sexual pleasure for its own sake – or risking
everything to find her own “inner light” and the possibility of
sacred sex, sex in the context of love.
The
narrator of The Zahir is a bestselling novelist
who lives in Paris and enjoys all the privileges money and celebrity bring. His
wife of ten years, Esther, is a war correspondent who has disappeared along with
a friend, Mikhail, who may or may not be her lover.
Was
Esther kidnapped, murdered, or did she simply escape a marriage that left her
unfulfilled? The narrator doesn’t have any answers, but he has plenty of
questions of his own. Then one day Mikhail finds the narrator and promises to
reunite him with his wife. In his attempt to recapture a lost love, the
narrator discovers something unexpected about himself.
In his most personal novel to date,
internationally bestselling author Paulo Coelho returns with a remarkable
journey of self-discovery. Like the main character in his much-beloved The Alchemist,
Paulo is facing a grave crisis of faith. As he seeks a path of spiritual
renewal and growth, his only real option is to begin again—to travel, to
experiment, to reconnect with people and the landscapes around him.
Setting off to Africa, and then to Europe and Asia
via the Trans-Siberian railroad, he initiates a journey to revitalize his
energy and passion. Even so, he never expects to meet Hilal. A gifted young
violinist, she is the woman Paulo loved five hundred years before—and the woman
he betrayed in an act of cowardice so far-reaching that it prevents him from
finding real happiness in this life. Together they will initiate a mystical
voyage through time and space, traveling a path that teaches love, forgiveness,
and the courage to overcome life’s inevitable challenges. Beautiful and
inspiring, Aleph invites us to consider the meaning of our own
personal journeys.
I want to
change. I need to change. I’m gradually losing touch with myself.
Adultery, the provocative new novel by Paulo Coelho,
best-selling author of The
Alchemist and Eleven Minutes, explores the question of what it means to live life fully
and happily, finding the balance between life’s routine and the desire for
something new.
Nina Soden 