Today’s
#MindfulnessMonday Tip: Did you know that a
great way to increase your own personal joy and happiness is to increase the
joy and happiness of others?
Use visualization to help make a habit of doing
at least one act of kindness each and every day!
Step 1: FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING – Settle into a comfortable position, either sitting or laying down. Focus on your breathing and allow your body to rest, but don’t fall asleep.
Step 2: REFLECTION – Reflect on the people in your life that you will be seeing today, or tomorrow if you’re doing this exercise in the evening. Is there something you could do to help them, make them a little happier, or take some of their stress away?
Step 3: VISUALIZATION – Visualize yourself doing an act of kindness for that person. What would that act of kindness be?
Step 4: EXPLORE YOUR FEELINGS – How does the idea of doing this act of kindness make you feel? Explore these feelings.
Step 5: ACT OF KINDNESS – As soon as possible, do this act of kindness for this friend, family member, co-worker. If you are to busy to do it right away, make sure you write the idea down and plan to do it sooner rather than later.
Utilizing the steps above, focus on your breathing and
then, once relaxed think of the people in your life. Who do you know that might
need a little help, something to make them smile, or just a call to say hello
and brighten their day? Once you have someone in mind decide what you can do,
right now, to help increase their joy.
2. Mindfulness Joy Journaling:
I want you
to write a list of the people in your life that you think could use a little
help or a boost in joy. These can be your friends, family, or even co-workers.
Once you’ve
created your list, write down one or two things you can do for each person
within the next two weeks. This could be as simple as a call, a hug, sending a letter
or a card, or meeting up for coffee.
Then all
you have to do is find time over the next couple weeks to complete each of the
tasks on your list.
* * * * *
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.
As an avid reader of fiction (and an author who one day hopes to make the list) I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE checking out the New York Times Best Seller list. So, here it is… The independently ranked top 10 Fiction selections for JULY 2019!
If you’ve read any of the TOP 10 selections and recommend them, please comment below and let me know. If you see something you like and plan to pick up a copy, you can do so by clicking on the title or the (BUY IT HERE) button.
#1 Summer of ’69
by Elin Hilderbrand
The Levin family undergoes dramatic events with a son in Vietnam, a daughter in protests and dark secrets hiding beneath the surface.
What modern technological device takes up most of your time?
My
life is essentially ruled by one device, the metabolic piezoelectric sensor
version 5.3. It’s a small device I wear on my chest to detect the changes in vibration
levels throughout my body. It connects to my nervous system, through a series
of wires attached at the ends with sticky nodes, and transmits data directly to
a central computer at the corporate offices of Operation Atlas. There, a team
of medical professionals monitor my health and another team monitors my every
move.
I haven’t always worked for Operation Atlas; I used to be free. It wasn’t until some of the younger metamorphs were discovered that the company was developed and the hunt began. It’s my job, if I want to survive, to locate others like me… others with powers that the organization deems useful. Not all metamorphs are high priority but those that are, like the oracles, the psychokinetic, and the incendiaries they assign to me.
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 modern technological device takes up most of your time?
* * * * *
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
Sections in this comprehensive planner include, but are not limited to: * Future Log * Year at a Glance * Books to Read * Writing Playlist * Social Sharing * Monthly Goals * Daily/Monthly Word Count Tracker * To-Do Lists * Shopping Lists * Notes Pages, Etc.
bright rainbow colored watercolor paints isolated on white paper
Today’s
#MindfulnessMonday Tip: Regaining focus and concentration
can help reduce stress and overload while increasing joy in your life.
In today’s society where everyone is practically
ruled by our devices, multi-tasking has turned into a major stress inducer for
most people. Mindfulness can help to strengthen your ability to stay focused on
one task at a time, allowing you to be more efficient and effective than
multi-tasking ever could.
So the real question is how to pull ourselves away
from our smart phones and gain a deeper focus and concentration on the really
important things in life.
Three things you can do to help regain focus and concentration:
Try
meditation – Just by learning a simple, one-minute,
breathing exercise you can start to take control of your wondering mind.
Whenever you start to feel your focus drifting away, take 60 seconds (just one
minute) to pull that focus back to where you need it to be with a quick
breathing exercise.
Practice
simplicity – By reducing the clutter in your life,
you will also reduce the distractions. Try donating or recycling unneeded
possessions, adding your phone number and address to Do Not Call and Do Not
Mail lists, stop checking those social media accounts that are no longer
providing you joy and happiness.
Focus on
the people around you – Don’t allow distractions to pull you
away from conversations with loved ones. One way to do this is putting your
phone away whenever eating, or better yet put them on the table when eating
out, whoever picks up their phone first gets to pay the bill.
Your breath is a great took to help train your mind to focus
your thoughts and increase concentration. 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 and ten to fifteen relaxed
breaths should take you close to a minute.
Mindfulness Journaling Prompt: How did the 60-Second Breathing Meditation make you feel? Did your mind wander during your breathing? If so, what were you thinking about? How many times did it wander? Were you easily able to return your focus to your breathing once you realized your mind had wandered?
Mindfulness journaling can be very private.
However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share your experiences
with this short 60-Second Breathing Mediation.
* * * * *
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.
Ben Is Back follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. Ben’s wary mother Holly Burns (Julia Roberts) welcomes her beloved son’s return, but soon learns he is still very much in harm’s way. During the 24 hours that may change their lives forever, Holly must do everything in her power to avoid the family’s downfall.
AWARDS:
Lucas Hedges won the award for Best Performance by an Actor 23 and Under at the Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society Awards. I’m actually surprised this movie didn’t bring in more awards.
MY 2 CENTS:
Writing: ★★★★★ Let me start by admitting that I’ve never suffered with Addiction or known anyone who has, not really. Watching this film, I was moved. The truth in the scenes and the raw openness of the dialogue draws you in rips your heart out. Writer Peter Hedges, who also happened to direct this film, does a wonderful job of telling Lucas’ story. I think the message was powerful and devastating. He doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, deceit, and manipulation involved in an addict’s life.
Cinematography: ★★★ There was nothing special or different about the cinematography in this film. It wasn’t great… it wasn’t terrible… it just was.
Story: ★★★★ I recently watched ‘Beautiful Boy’ with Steve Carell… another movie about a son who is an addict, only this time it focuses on a father-son relationship. If I had to compare the two movies, I’d say ‘Beautiful Boy’ was more realistic. With that said, I’ve read a number of reviews for ‘Ben Is Back’ stating that the story is unrealistic, the events would never happen, and that Julia’s character would never do the things she does in the film. As a mother, I will say, there is very little I wouldn’t do to help my children.
Acting: ★★★★★ Really, there are only two performances
that need to be discussed; Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges because they carried
this film. Without them, there wouldn’t be a story.
I’ve always loved Julia Roberts, she gives
everything to every roll she takes and with this one… she is raw, exposed,
desperate, and unconditionally loving. She gave an outstanding performance and,
as a mother, left me in tears.
Lucas Hedges really impressed me with his
performance. Sure, he is the director’s son and it probably got him the roll,
but I think he held his own. I am not at all surprised that he won an award for
this performance. In this brief 24-hour glimpse into his life we are both swept
away by his playful nature with his younger siblings and blindsided by the devastating
admissions into his past. Hedges does a beautiful job portraying not only the
victim but the instigator.
MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“You
don’t know what you’re doing. I’m not worth it. If you really knew me, you’d be
done with me.” ~ Ben Burns
I
think the reason I love this quote so much is because it shows just how much someone
can fail to see their own self-worth. Ben is convinced he is no good, can do
nothing right, and will always fail. But when he says this, he is talking to
the one person in the world who will never be able to see him that way, his
mother.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
View
the Official Trailers Here!
Interview
with Julia Roberts on Good Morning America
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.
Today’s
#MindfulnessMonday Tip: Remember to take time
to enjoy life and those around you. So often we find ourselves working tooth
and nail so that SOMEDAY we might enjoy our retirement. Make sure you’re taking
time to enjoy life today… not just hoping to do it SOMEDAY in the future.
Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video where I talk about stress; what it is, signs of stress, what to do when you start feeling stressed, and how to protect yourself from stress! You can check out the video by clicking HERE!
This is a partner activity. It can be done with a spouse,
a friend, even your children. All you have to do is have a conversation that
doesn’t have anything to do with work, school, stress, or anything else that
has been bogging you down. For five to ten minutes, I want you to talk about
only the things you notice around you. This is best done while taking a walk,
sitting in a park, or even over coffee at an outdoor café.
If you’re having trouble starting the conversation or you
find yourselves getting sucked into typical meaningless small-talk, try playing
a game of eye-spy to get your started. You might just find the conversation
takes on a life of its own, allowing you some time away from the daily
stressors that tend to fill our minds throughout the day.
Don’t be afraid to let this conversation continue as long
as is comfortable.
Mindfulness Journaling Prompt:
After completing the Observation Communication Exercise, take a few minutes to write down as many observations you made throughout the conversation. How many drew your attention back to work/school/stress related topics and how many were completely unrelated to any stressors in your daily life.
Keep this list and try this exercise when you are further along in your mindfulness practices and see if you do better.
Check out
my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you
never miss an episode!
A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
Stress and pain are nearly unavoidable in our daily lives; they are part of the human condition. This stress can often leave us feeling irritable, tense, overwhelmed, and burned-out. The key to maintaining balance is responding to stress not with frustration and self-criticism, but with mindful, nonjudgmental awareness of our bodies and minds. Impossible? Actually, it’s easier than it seems.
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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.
Named One of
Riffle’s Ten Best Haunted House Books of All Time
Built at the turn of the
twentieth century by one of the richest and most powerful men in the world
tucked away in the pristine Pocono Mountains, Summer Place, a retreat for the
rich and famous, seems the very essence of charm and beauty, “a scene borrowed
from a wondrous fairytale of gingerbread houses, bright forests, and glowing,
sunny meadows.”
But behind the yellow and
white trimmed exterior lurks an evil, waiting to devour the unwary…
Seven years ago, Professor
Gabriel Kennedy’s investigation into paranormal activity at Summer Place ended
in tragedy, and destroyed his career. Now, Kelly Delaphoy, the ambitious
producer of a top-rated ghost-hunting television series, is determined to make
Summer Place the centerpiece of an epic live broadcast on Halloween night. To
ensure success, she needs help from the one man who has come face-to-face with
the evil that dwells in Summer Place, a man still haunted by the ghosts of his
own failure. Disgraced and alienated from the academic community, Kennedy wants
nothing to do with the event. But Summer Place has other plans…
As
Summer Place grows stronger, Kennedy, along with the paranormal ghost hunting
team, The Supernaturals, sets out to confront…and if possible, destroy…the
evil presence dwelling there.
WRITING (★★★★):Although a bit slow and repetitive at times, I feel like David Golemon is one of the best haunted house storytellers I’ve read in a long time. I was on the edge of my seat most of the time and even when the story slowed down, at no point was I ready to give up on it. He is descriptive and captivating and makes you feel what his characters are feeling. This is not the book to read at night in a large, dark house by yourself.
STORY (★★★★):I liked how Golemon brought the modern twist of reality television into his traditional haunted house story. It did get a bit repetitive, the same haunting events happened over and over throughout the book… the doors pushing in, loud banging noises, a misty black entity, and the animals in the woods surrounding the house going a bit mad. However, I still loved this story.
When
I picked up the book, recommended by a friend, I was expecting to enter a haunted
house and be scared. I wasn’t scared, nor did I enter the house never to leave.
The story takes you to a number of locations before you’re even allowed inside
the house with ‘The Supernaturals’ a group of ghost hunters that have gathered
to not only seek out, but to kill, the entity haunting Summer Place.
CHARACTERS (★★★★★): I’m a huge fan of books where the characters have powers. That can mean vampires, shifters, or witches. It can also mean, as in this book the power to dream walk, possession, and to feel or sense the spirits and ghosts among us.
I loved
each of the characters that, by the end of the book, were known as The Supernaturals;
Professor Kennedy, John Lonetree, Jennifer Tilden, Leonard Sickles, George
Cordero, Julie Reilly, Harris Dalton, Jason Sanborn, Kelly Delaphoy, and Detective
Damian Jackson.
APPEARANCE (★★★★★): The cover is beautiful. The house looks creepy and the wispy tendrils of light floating around it are ominous. This book was given to my by a friend, but had I seen it on the shelf at the bookstore, I would have picked it up.
QUESTION: My only question is this, why has this book not been turned into a movie yet?
FAVORITE QUOTE: “Now tell me I don’t know how to throw a Halloween party.” ~ Professor Gabriel Kennedy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David L. Golemon was born and raised in Chino, California. He come from a family steeped in military history, from the Civil War through to Vietnam. He raised three children, Shaune, Brandon and Katie Anne. After spending many years in Loveland, Colorado, he now makes his home on Long Island, New York.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
Also by David L. Golemon:
In the Still of the Night: The Supernaturals II
Set in the world of The Supernaturals, one of Riffle’s Ten Best Haunted House Books of All Time, In the Still of the Night, a supernatural thriller from New York Times bestselling author of The Event Group series David L. Golemon, will make your Halloween extra spooky this year.
In the summer of 1947, an unidentified object crashed in Roswell, New Mexico. There were no survivors. Now it’s happened again. But this time, two creatures have emerged from the wreckage alive . . .
230 B.C. – The first sovereign emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, has consolidated his ultimate power with battles against the last of the dissenting tribes of China. With one last province to take, he knows he will be pitted against the one man he fears–his mysterious half-brother, Li Zhang, leader of a peaceful province to the north. The new Emperor’s goal was to murder Li Zhang for the secrets he has kept from the world that would give Qin Shi Huang the power to strike beyond the borders of ancient China. The power over earth, water, fire, and air. After a fierce battle by the Great Wall of China, Li Zhang used the powers of Air Bending to escape with his many villages into the expansive and brutal Gobi Desert. There, Li Zhang and his nation will vanish from the histories of not only the First Emperor, but of China itself.
The Mountain: An Event Group Thriller
In 1863 a meeting takes place between legendary war leaders–a secret alliance that will never show up in any American history books. A clandestine arrangement has been struck for a single chance to heal a war-torn nation. The mission is to bring the greatest prize in the world back to American soil-remnants of pre-history’s greatest ship and most startling mystery. The prize may lie on a mountain top inside the fierce Ottoman Empire, yet the men who seek it are only days away from trying to kill one another.
Rumors of the seemingly magical victory that allowed the Exodus of Israelites from Egypt have resonated through the archaeological world for decades. Now evidence has been discovered that points to a new explanation of how the ancient Hebrews destroyed the unstoppable army of Pharaoh with a tribe of warriors who disappeared a generation later, after the destruction of the City of Jericho, taking with them the most valued treasures of a people without a homeland.
Nina Soden 