How are you living? And I don't mean that from a scientific standpoint.
It seems to me life is so short, shorter the older you get. So are we living to our full potential? I mean, really living? Today I have a free story for you that may get you thinking in that vein.
So here's the question: How are you living? In such a way where you perpetuate good feelings and the most important things in life? Or is there something you'd like to change?
As we enter the holiday season, I hope we take time to evaluate. My goal today is to make you insecure--enough to look around and decide if you're fulfilling your potential--whether through writing or everyday living. Can we do more?
And now for the FUN stuff.
Mark Koopmans shared with us a REVIVAL, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a signed paperback.
Mark's Game:
1. Growing up in Dublin, Mark (13) was often bored. One day he saw an old mattress that someone had dumped over the side of the bridge. (The old “canal” below was now a filled-in grassy trail.) Mark thought about it for a few minutes, then he climbed over the edge of the cement bridge, and jumped about twenty feet onto what was (soon discovered to be) a very thin mattress. (No bones were broken in the making of this paragraph, but someone had to drive Mark home!)
2. Mark once worked as a manager for Planet Hollywood and would control the video clips shown on the many screens dotted around the restaurant. On this very busy day, (we’re talking 1998) he decided to show an (unedited) scene from Braveheart. Walking around the floor, he enjoyed watching people watching the clip—until he realized the scene included a series of swear words that sounded like “truck”… and they were about to go out live on the expensive, loud speaker system. (Luckily, Mark made it back to the A/V room and hit delete… just in time!)
3. Mark once kind of, er, bumped into (and woke up) Mohammad Ali, who was taking a nap while on a visit to a Cheesecake Factory Express in Chicago (now closed). Mark only hoped The Champ would forgive him and agree to take a picture with him—and he did!)
Sophie needs to find a way to balance the chaotic route she has been forced to walk down... a son she cannot control - diagnosed with Aspergers and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), coinciding with the onset of raging hormones; a daughter she has to ensure gets attention so she doesn't feel left out; and an ex-husband who comes and goes as he pleases.
At the same time, Sophie struggles to hold down her job as an interiors writer for a magazine. Her rambling house is in desperate need of upkeep - her garden is full of overgrowing plants; there's no end of laundry, cleaning and cooking and there's not nearly enough money.
Only wine, chocolate and good friends keep Sophie from tipping over the edge. That, and the mysterious voice of her cyber love. Could he be the saviour she's been waiting for? Or has he been in front of her the whole time?
Told from the perspective of a mother who has to battle through life on a daily basis - fighting hard to keep her son in school, dealing with her marriage breaking up, giving her daughter her attention, maintaining her job and exploring her future love life.
Sophie's Throughway is a heartwarming read, written to inspire empathy and compassion within the reader, as well as increasing understanding for a condition that does not have enough public recognition.
I've read and reviewed this one, and it was a ride. See what I had to say on Goodreads.
Ready to meet the author?
Jules Smith - Local author - Nottingham
Whilst I have had many freelance roles in this field writing for tabloids, magazines and businesses, my preferred style is of a whimsical nature. I like to observe people, life and situations and find the humour within. I enjoy reaching into the deeper emotions of readers and making them feel. I write in a storytelling fashion that enables me to engage with the reader and paint a visual picture that they can relate to, or empathise with.
My personality test described me as a spontaneous idealist and I have to agree. I am at my best and liveliest when playing with new, creative ideas. I'm a great believer in freedom to express without restraints and being passionate about your work. If what you do doesn't bring you joy then you shouldn't be doing it; you'll never do it well.
As a pure bred English gal, my favourite cheese is Cheddar. It is delicious on digestive biscuits, toast and melted into soup. It is the most versatile cheese on the planet. However, I visit France a lot and have a penchant for an array of fine cheeses (just not so much the smell of some of them).
It seems to me life is so short, shorter the older you get. So are we living to our full potential? I mean, really living? Today I have a free story for you that may get you thinking in that vein.
Read the rest HERE.
So here's the question: How are you living? In such a way where you perpetuate good feelings and the most important things in life? Or is there something you'd like to change?
As we enter the holiday season, I hope we take time to evaluate. My goal today is to make you insecure--enough to look around and decide if you're fulfilling your potential--whether through writing or everyday living. Can we do more?
And now for the FUN stuff.
Mark Koopmans shared with us a REVIVAL, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a signed paperback.
Mark's Game:
1. Growing up in Dublin, Mark (13) was often bored. One day he saw an old mattress that someone had dumped over the side of the bridge. (The old “canal” below was now a filled-in grassy trail.) Mark thought about it for a few minutes, then he climbed over the edge of the cement bridge, and jumped about twenty feet onto what was (soon discovered to be) a very thin mattress. (No bones were broken in the making of this paragraph, but someone had to drive Mark home!)
2. Mark once worked as a manager for Planet Hollywood and would control the video clips shown on the many screens dotted around the restaurant. On this very busy day, (we’re talking 1998) he decided to show an (unedited) scene from Braveheart. Walking around the floor, he enjoyed watching people watching the clip—until he realized the scene included a series of swear words that sounded like “truck”… and they were about to go out live on the expensive, loud speaker system. (Luckily, Mark made it back to the A/V room and hit delete… just in time!)
3. Mark once kind of, er, bumped into (and woke up) Mohammad Ali, who was taking a nap while on a visit to a Cheesecake Factory Express in Chicago (now closed). Mark only hoped The Champ would forgive him and agree to take a picture with him—and he did!)
The lie: #2… the scene is correct, but Mark completely FAILED to get back in time, and all he could hear for a few moments was “F*ck this and F*ck that” ringing around the restaurant! (Luckily… none of the guests ever complained. He would have been in deep doo doo :).
Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
And now for this week's feature...
At the same time, Sophie struggles to hold down her job as an interiors writer for a magazine. Her rambling house is in desperate need of upkeep - her garden is full of overgrowing plants; there's no end of laundry, cleaning and cooking and there's not nearly enough money.
Only wine, chocolate and good friends keep Sophie from tipping over the edge. That, and the mysterious voice of her cyber love. Could he be the saviour she's been waiting for? Or has he been in front of her the whole time?
Told from the perspective of a mother who has to battle through life on a daily basis - fighting hard to keep her son in school, dealing with her marriage breaking up, giving her daughter her attention, maintaining her job and exploring her future love life.
Sophie's Throughway is a heartwarming read, written to inspire empathy and compassion within the reader, as well as increasing understanding for a condition that does not have enough public recognition.
I've read and reviewed this one, and it was a ride. See what I had to say on Goodreads.
Ready to meet the author?
My personality test described me as a spontaneous idealist and I have to agree. I am at my best and liveliest when playing with new, creative ideas. I'm a great believer in freedom to express without restraints and being passionate about your work. If what you do doesn't bring you joy then you shouldn't be doing it; you'll never do it well.
As a pure bred English gal, my favourite cheese is Cheddar. It is delicious on digestive biscuits, toast and melted into soup. It is the most versatile cheese on the planet. However, I visit France a lot and have a penchant for an array of fine cheeses (just not so much the smell of some of them).
Jules gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win a signed paperback of SOPHIE'S THROUGHWAY. (Open Internationally.)
You have until Tuesday, December at 8 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on December 9.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. I have broken my nose 5 times.
2. I once shaved my head for charity.
3. I once met Duane Eddy (famous American guitarist) and asked him who he was. He said, “Duane Eddy,” and I said, “And what do you do?”
2. I once shaved my head for charity.
3. I once met Duane Eddy (famous American guitarist) and asked him who he was. He said, “Duane Eddy,” and I said, “And what do you do?”
So sleuths, which is the lie? Have anything about life you want to change? Have you met Jules? Read any of her fabulous works?
I hope I'm perpetuating good.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say the second one is the lie.
Excellent question, Crystal. The days grow shorter, it seems, as we get older. My goal is to savor life, love much, and walk in the purpose I was created for. Thanks so much for the reminder. I needed it today! :)
ReplyDeleteI try to live on purpose, do some good, but I'm needing to reevaluate and make some changes to do better, be better.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, my IWSG post is kind of about this same topic. I've been doing a lot of re-evaluating and realize I need to make changes.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at Sophie as I wouldn't know who Duane Eddy is either. I've heard the name before but it wouldn't have meant anything to me LOL.
Anyway I will guess #2 as the lie.
I'm going with #1 for the lie. :)
ReplyDeleteKoshi is so cute! ^_^
I've spend almost too much time evaluating things sometimes. Lol!
Hi Crystal - definitely food for thought ... and I am insecure in that market - I need to make sure I leave this world in a better place by having done good for others.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with #3 ... cheers Hilary
I pray I'm doing good, and showing my family how to be good by example. But some days I feel like I'm failing miserably!!
ReplyDeleteI pick lie #1
Each day is a gift. All we can do is the best we can.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Diane
IWSG #85
The holidays can be a tough time of evaluation for me. I took a step a few months ago to contact my dad who is stuck in depression and is no longer the same person I knew. Even though he no longer can have a conversation with me about things other than himself, and makes no effort to know me or my family, he's still my dad, and if he was gone one day suddenly, I wanted to know I'd done my part. I know he loves me even if he won't get help. Thanks for provoking thought on this--I want to live my life with meaning.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm doing okay. My super power, on a good day, is being positive no matter what. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
I did this evaluation recently and decided that I DIDN'T like how I was living. I didn't like how much I was ignoring and neglecting my family so that I could write. I've decided to take a step back for now and see what happens. In the end, my kids are only little a short while, I don't want to miss all those fun moments with them.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Julie! I'll guess the lie is #1.
I'm slowly making my life the way I've always wanted it to be--there's still things I need to change and work on, though. I guess that's the purpose of life though, to keep growing and changing.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say #1 is the lie!
The thing I want to change most about my life is living it without so much anxiety, and to look more at things that are going right and less at things that aren't going the way I want them.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I have been thinking about this question myself lately, especially since I am feeling like I am stuck in a job I no longer like and feeling like I can't make the changes... however; I know I can... I just have to decide to do it... It's a great question we all should think about because time really does slip by quickly xox
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story very much. Thanks. I've gone through quite a few changes in my life lately, and one more will be coming in January. Good changes for the most part. Makes me excited for 2016.
ReplyDeleteI do think a lot of this- especially in my profession as a nurse. That was well written. The book recommendation sounds interesting too- I'll have to put it on my to-read list!
ReplyDeleteThis time of year does offer time to reflect.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping number 1 is a lie. Ouch!
I'm going to say number one is the lie?
ReplyDeleteThe only way our lives have meaning is if we change our world in some positive way, whether the act be large or small. Am I insecure? Could I do more? Sure, but in the larger scheme of things, that’s just motivation/inspiration to do more.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
Don't know if this is a good thing or bad, but I have been an idealistic and positive person all my life. I have always rallied and saw the good with the bad. This year I have lost a lot of the resilience that help me do that, and I am not sure what to do about it,
ReplyDeleteI need to change that just not sure how for all I know about positive thought and laws of attraction and affirmation to yourself---none of it is helping as much as it use to help. I think its in part, because I have lost a huge part of my identity this year, the way I relate to the world around me due to job lost, roommate desertion in a dire time, and small fix income left., Thank God for that from an early retirement, just not enough to live on, always planned to continue to work.
I have been lucky though, I have a good friend who is allowing me to rent a room in her house and I have my own bathroom. I am making my bills I already had before job loss, and my friends make sure I eat. They are even taking me on vacation with them.
I have much to be grateful for yet I can not get past myself. So yes there is a lot I want and need to change and re-evaluate for 2016, not just my writing. The biggest though is my attitude and discovering who am I now? I want my writing to be part of that, but I struggle to write in this crisis out of fear of everything. I have a lot to change and has changed.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I will guess number one is the lie.
ReplyDeleteI just instigated a change that I have been trying to make happen for a couple of years. So I'm in a good place for that right now!
Her nose is too pretty to have been broken 5 times. Lie!
ReplyDeleteYep, #1 is the lie, too pretty. I'm so in love with life even though it's not perfect, but my Savior is:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cover! I'll guess #1 as the lie.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! One of the things that keeps me writing is the reminder of how short life is and what sort of heritage do I want to leave for my descendants. It's all too easy to forget and jog along every now and then though, so thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteLove that cover! I'm guessing #1 is the lie. A little insecurity can be good. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and story, Crystal. If I'm honest, I don't live the life I would like to. My aunt passed away a few weeks ago and I kept asking myself, what if I die tomorrow? Had I lived the life I wanted to? My answer was no then too. Definitely time for a change. Thank you for this great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm saying #1 is a lie... five times is a lot and Jules's nose looks perfect :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your lightening read and I had goosebumps at the end when Lillian felt/heard the memory... well done, you :)
Re: life, phewww, I've made some major, major changes and am looking forward to putting 2015 behind me... but one thing is, at least for me, no regrets.
We are only here once, and it's not a dress rehearsal, so I *have* to make sure that each day counts:)
PS: I watched Braveheart last week - and of course, laughed when "my scene" came on :)
Thank you for a provocative post.
ReplyDeleteThe hard part is to answer the questions: What does it mean for me personally to live to my fullest potential? And, can I "perpetuate good feelings" without setting myself up to sacrifice my own goals and needs?
In response to the first, I've found that doing LESS is more important (and I speak only for me) than doing MORE. Doing less, I can go more deeply into an activity, such as writing a book.
My second question may sound odd, but for me and many other women I know, we're often so focused on the good feelings of others than our own...the possible trap is one of artistic martyrdom, where we're being cheerleaders for other authors but not for ourselves. Sometimes when we take time for ourselves, others grouse about it because we're not at their beck and call.
I strongly agree that each of us must try to live life to the fullest...but to first and foremost define what that means for us. Someone else's definition may not fit ours.
You give us some very important things to contemplate. I have been thinking of things like this year and now as I go through so many big life changes. It is important to think about our potential and goals in life.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mark on his book!
Congratulations to Mark on his book.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...something to think about.
I think all of us have things we'd like to change. This year was a changing year for me and next year hope there will be even more good changes. :)
ReplyDeleteI try to improve something every day. Maybe physically, maybe mentally, but I look for one small step to take. It's all about perspective. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful story, Crystal. It resonated with me. My mom went through something similar after my dad died, although it wasn't a plant. It was art. Before his death, she never painted a picture in her life. Afterwards, a friend took her to an art class to get her away from her grief. And it worked. She started painting, first beautiful pictures, flowers and abstracts, very colorful, and then she graduated to hand-painting silk scarves. Still does it 2 decades later. She is 83. I have several of her scarves in my wardrobe, and people are asking where I got those.
ReplyDeleteYour story made me cry. I thought of helping my sister through all that when her husband passed. I thought about going through that with my family earlier this year for my baby brother. Then I had to do it again for my little Nini, make hard choices and decisions. They're moments that pierce my heart, but I'd never trade the moments I had with those precious souls. My sister and her daughters still struggle, but we all get by and we move on. I'm not sure the grief ever stops, but there are longer periods of feeling more at peace.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking lately about changes in my own life. I remember how precious those still with me are.
Touching story, Crystal. Way too often, we don't take time to smell the roses, the look with appreciation at those around us. Some family health issues have made me take a much closer look at my life this year - and at the things that are really important. Great post! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Crystal, for weaving your own writing into this post. I guess it reminds me to love more, constantly. That would be what I would change.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope she didn't really break her nose five times.
ReplyDeleteWhat? I can't be a hermit? haha life is what you make it, but the crap can pile up and bog it down a bit.
ReplyDeleteGreat question: How are you living your life? I'm not sure. Too fast probably. Too worried, definitely. Thanks for the thought-provoking story--definitely forces one to be introspective.
ReplyDeleteAm I living life to its fullest potential? Probably not. But maybe my answer is based on the pressure I put on myself to always do more.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this lately. I want to focus more on the present next year, rather than thinking about the future all the time and getting so wrapped up in goals that I forget to live. But it's tricky when everything involves planning ahead, and I have a tendency to overthink!
ReplyDeleteStill working on the whole "living" thing. I'll get it right one of these days.
ReplyDeleteLie, I'm going to guess #1.
I think 2 is the lie.
ReplyDeleteI'm always evaluating and reevaluating my life. I like to push myself to do more, turn weaknesses into strengths, improve in many areas, and also enjoy more leisure time.
The lie is #1.
ReplyDeleteMostly, I need to stop trying to do too many things at once.
ReplyDeleteI think # 1 is the lie.
Hmm, going for #2 as the lie :)
ReplyDeleteI worry about Christopher. I stare at him and ask him if he's okay 100 times a day. *sigh* I cannot stop. I want to. But I can't. That is holding me up from actually enjoying our days together. :( So. No. Not living life to its full potential.
ReplyDeleteYour story brought tears to my eyes. You write well.
I have to say for the most part I'm pretty content with my life right now. What a beautiful cover! And I'm always intrigued by books with characters with autism. I'm guessing #1 for the lie.
ReplyDeleteA thought provoking post, Crystal. I loved your short story. Thanks for the post. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI'm too busy taking care of everybody and doing 15 loads of laundry a week and working night shifts to support the family (and squeezing a little time in to take care of myself) to do any real living. Maybe once my nest is empty...
ReplyDeleteThought provoking post, Crystal. When it comes to the "am I living my best life?" question, I remember the maxim "God doesn't call us to be successful, but to be faithful." That isn't the easiest either! Actually putting in the good day's work, being truly present to loved ones--all the little acts of being faithful (in the sense of trustworthy as well as full of belief) are the stuff of a good life of deep character. Doing more often results when we try to be more our true selves, faithfully plugging away at the small things that tend to grow into bigger things.
ReplyDeletewe can always do more... from a personal standpoint but also from a global standpoint as a nation and as a a people.... look at all the horrible news of the past few days :-( thanks for the reminder to look outside my own little box!
ReplyDeleteI try to live in a way that means I won't regret missing out on life once I get to the end of it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good time to evaluate how we are living. The new year can bring the opportunity to bring positive changes where we need it.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope number 1 isn't true. It would stink to break one's nose five times!
I'm sure most of us aren't living up to our full potential.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is #1. I really hope she's not broken her nose that many times.
The lie is #1.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me pause and take stock.
Your story is very evocative and this post definitely made me take stock of my life. I'm feeling pretty good about things these days, so that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI definitely work too much - have to figure out how to change that and stay more focused in the New Year. You're right - it does go by too fast. Thanks for the inspiration, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteI'd say #1 is the lie - she's broken her nose, but not five times.
The book sounds amazing, and anyone who loves cheddar is fine by me.
Too funny! I was going to guess #1!!
ReplyDeleteAs for Jules, I'd huess... #2!
ReplyDeleteThank you Crystal :) Obviously I'm going to say that none of them are lies because I'm whiter than white and don't tell any.
ReplyDeleteJust read "Pet Plant." So sweet!
ReplyDeleteI guess number one is the lie.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping number 1 is the lie. Otherwise- ouch!
ReplyDeleteI do try to live my life in a way that perpetuates good thoughts. :)
~Jess
Can we do more? Maybe. Depends on available time/resources. We can only try. That's the main thing. We give it our best shot.
ReplyDeleteThe lie? No#3.
I'll pop in to read your story sometime next week... (too busy at the moment...)
I'm pretty sure all of us can do more. I'm also pretty sure that many of us would be happier doing less, taking time to relax, and enjoying the simple things. Congrats to Mark on his new release and to Elephant's Child for winning a copy!
ReplyDeleteI lost my father and then my best friend last year and now our son has cancer. I have this new attitude that only people and time matter. It is so true the older we get the faster time flies.
ReplyDeleteAh, Koshi the plant. That was a very cute story. I'd like to think I'm living my life to its fullest potential, but I also know there are moments I want to just curl up and do nothing. It's a nice way to recharge. Nothing wrong with that... so long as that's not ALL you do.
ReplyDeleteHow am I living? I'd like to think I'm still trying to do the best I can. But it never feels like enough, for myself or others. Gah. >_<
ReplyDeleteIntense question. I try to live fearlessly and passionately, but don't always succeed. Jules' book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Mark! As to the ticking away of time, I hear that loud and clear.
ReplyDeletepowerful post - trying my best every day! Jules' cover is gorgeous! and the story sounds inspirational.
ReplyDeletemy guess is #2 - shaving your head is scary! if she did, she's a brave soul (and I wouldn't be surprised if she did, that's why i picked it as the contradictory lie... i'm a little crazy with my logic!)
happy holidays Crystal!
I hope #3 is true. I'm going with #1 as the lie. Crystal, first you choked me up, then you made me think. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm going with number 1 being fake. If you did break your nose 3 times, well that sucks!
ReplyDeleteI am not here for the giveaway, but to tell you that I loved the Pet Plant story. I help to take care of my mother in law and a disabled brother in law and I love plants. Well written and well done. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete