January isn't for Wimps

Just felt like getting that out there. I've talked to a lot of people lately who get into a real slump after the holidays. I suppose that's only natural, but I think it's rather sad since life goes on whether we're happy about it or not. I always blame my lack of motivation and joyful living during January on the fact that I've mostly resided in the northern states where mountains, wind, rain, snow, sleet and hail abound during the winter months, and outdoor activities like skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating no longer hold any great appeal. Don't get me wrong, I love a good snowstorm, but after getting the driveway and sidewalks shoveled and watching the car exhaust turn the snowbanks a dirty brown, I'm ready for more sun. It just makes me feel good. 

So, I've spent a little time today thinking about what's actually good about the month. It's a definite change from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, which is a relief for most everyone. The nights are long so people can get extra sleep, if they're lucky. Shopping has lost most of its appeal so budgets are better maintained. There's extra time for self-reflection, if kids or grandkids aren't involved in all kinds of nighttime activities and want you there. Much of the outside work like lawn mowing and gardening has come to a halt, if one doesn't live in a warmer climate. Hot cocoa with marshmallows tastes great, especially when seated in front of a warm, inviting fire. And a leisurely bubble bath makes every trouble disappear, if only momentarily. 

Guess it's not such a bad month after all. At least I'm going to try to enjoy it more and complain less about the gloomy days and having to drive on snow-packed or ice covered roads. After all, it's my life, and I can do with it whatever I desire. 

Reawakening is here

Doing things that make a difference is what a new year is all about, but we should never let other people dictate how we feel about ourselves. Each life is unique and each journey is different. Comparisons only breed disappointment and a loss of productivity because no one else can do exactly what we can. 

To that end, I decided that the best way I could announce the publication of my latest book was to use exactly what I wrote for friends on my personal Facebook page, but add a few other thoughts of my own. These past six months have certainly been a time of hard work, learning difficult tasks and pushing myself harder and further than I've ever done before. There were days when my vision became so blurry from looking at the computer screen that I wondered if my eyes would survive, but I feel such a compulsion to finish what I started with Brylee's story. Her tale has helped me reach deep inside to where buried feelings reside and take a good look at situations I've never consciously contemplated before. 

I see parts of myself in each character, both the good and the not-so-good ones because we're all rather complex people. I hope my readers will feel safety, love, peace and a sense of real family as they read her story. We all need time away from the daily frustrations of life, and I prefer spending my downtime doing something positive and up-lifting. Writing Indecision's Flame gave me that powerful outlet. 

So here's what I wrote: Brylee’s story of love, loss, self-discovery and adventure continues in Reawakening – Indecision’s Flame – Book 5, under my pen name JS Ririe, that is now available on Amazon in both eBook and print at https://amzn.to/2BXNSdv This series has been a labor of love, and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to share what I’ve done with others. That’s why I’m holding another drawing for Valentine’s Day. Three people from my monthly newsletter

list will receive signed paperback copies of Exposed – Indecision’s Flame – Book 3. Along with that, I’m extending the offer of a free digital copy of the book that started the journey until the drawing takes place. All you have to do is join my other readers at http://eepurl.com/dCPVf to be included. I hope you will.

Welcome to 2019!

So I've been missing in action for a few weeks. The holidays seemed like the perfect time to look at something besides my computer screen, so I spent more time with family and friends, relaxing and contemplating what was most important to me. I came to the conclusion that writing New Year's Resolutions was a waste of time for me since I never follow through for more than a few weeks at time. I decided that if I focused on two areas, without writing anything down, I would make more progress and hopefully see more results. I chose connecting with my spiritual self and working on my health. I truly believe those things are interconnected, and if I make small improvements each day, I'll eventually see some positive results. What do you think? I'd like to know how you handle the beginning of each new year.

To that end, I've decided to spend some time in each post sharing with you parts of a book titled "Working Back into Life" that I started to write many years ago. Like so many other things, I never finished it, but the ideas are solid and might give you a few ideas or a moment of clarification. I began writing it during a time in my life when I was questioning just about everything. Not to belabor the issue, but I'd just had my last miscarriage - I'd had almost 20 with no live births - and had just been told that I needed a hysterectomy. Needless to say, it was a very dark time and eventually led to some life-altering decisions.

I think we've all had times like that when we're either going to give up or give in or start fighting a very difficult battle. It hasn't been smooth-sailing, and I've had more relapses into despair, loneliness and sorrow than I care to admit, but I'm still standing. I hope you are too. I love being there for others and trying to help in my own small way. Today, I gave away 4 proof copies of Indecision's Flame to people on my mailing list: Verdon, Glenna, Emily and Sarah. I hope they'll enjoy them. I learned a great deal writing the series. If you'd like to be included in more that I'm doing, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dCPYVf