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  • 2025 And New Beginnings….

    Hello, my dear readers, We’re here once again at the beginning of a calendar year and, for me, the beginning of new places in my journey through life. I just have to point out the irony that my last blog spoke of endings, and this one speaks of beginnings. They are back-to-back, conjoined things. I suppose a philosopher would say that endings are simply the precursor to beginnings and that all phases are one in your journey through life. Both perspectives are true, in a sense, which brings me to even more serious thoughts—best left out of my monthly conversations with you! So, moving on to the real topic here: a new year, a new beginning! Mid-December, the promised career upgrade became a reality, and I must say, I am so excited to join my new employer and become a part of their small family. It’s a sometimes chaotic, sometimes challenging, but always interesting opportunity, and I look forward to many years with my new work family. There are, of course, multiple other events happening and upcoming on my calendar for 2025, but I’m taking the month of January to simply bask in the happiness of this career opportunity and to get to know my fellow coworkers. I talked in my last couple of posts about taking several months to reflect, reconsider, and evaluate my life direction. Well, a large part of that is now behind me. I’ve experienced quite a bit of self-discovery, made some life choices based on those reflections, and feel really good about the path forward. Hallelujah! I’m so glad to see the sun again because 2024 was awfully cloudy! There’s still one big piece of the puzzle left to find—a home! I’ve only just started looking for this most important piece, but I’m confident that when the right one comes along, I’ll know it just as quickly as I knew about this career opportunity. I’ll make it a point to keep you updated each month on my search and might even share a few photos of my new workspace once it’s all set up. As for the author’s side of my life, there has been real progress with my book series—finally! The boxed set of eBooks is ready and published! I’ll include a link at the end of this post so you can check it out if you’d like to order. It won’t be much longer before the Audible version is ready too. This has been a fantastic experience, and I look forward to the day I can create a physical boxed set of all the books in the series. I really do need to spend more time writing and less time moving… LOL! All in good time, dear readers, all in good time! I think that’s enough for this month. Until next time, dear readers, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Warm regards, Natalie Boxed Set Ebooks: The Scrapbook Series eBook Box Set (Books 1-3): Women of the Ozarks - Kindle edition by Vice, Natalie R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Individual audiobooks: Memories of Tomorrow  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/memories-of-tomorrow-natalie-r-vice/1137285497 https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/memories-of-tomorrow-2 https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/memories-of-tomorrow-a-women-of-the-ozarks-prequel/848477 Crossing Yesterday https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-yesterday-natalie-r-vice/1137308764 https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/crossing-yesterday-1 https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/crossing-yesterday-women-of-the-ozarks/848475 Tomorrow's Promise https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/tomorrow-s-promise-24

  • 2024 and The Year of Endings

    Hello, my dear readers. We’re here once again—the end of a calendar year, and for me, the beginning of the end of a place in my journey through this life. In my last blog, I told you I had been on a bit of a break. Well, for this blog, I am going to tell you about the beginning of the endings. Last month, I imparted lots of information about my many months of “life reflection and evaluation”—the stripping away of the superficial and the realization of the really important and self-satisfying choices that I have the option to make. New beginnings that I can step forward to grasp. So, logically speaking, new beginnings would also herald new endings. That’s only logical. And so it is that the month of December is not only symbolic of the year’s end but of the multiple “endings” I’ve experienced this past year. Am I sad? Sometimes. Do I lament what might have been? Only occasionally. Do I have regrets? Really, if you’ve lived life, how could you not have just a few? Overall, however, my life is a happy place. Everything must have a beginning and an end; that’s the natural order of life and everything in this life. Rear views are for perspective. Looking back is for remembering and re-evaluating, so that when you look ahead, you do so with an understanding of where you’ve been. I like to compare this to a “spring cleaning” for the soul—dusting out all the old cobwebs and clutter that keep us from seeing our surroundings clearly and with renewed purpose. I’m looking back in an attempt to understand and reflect on the path that is behind me so that I can turn around and look to the path in front of me with eagerness and wisdom. I look forward to the future that is waiting for me to take my first steps with my whole self and with an attitude of joyful and excited anticipation. I’m almost through these “endings,” and with the close of December, I’m hoping to experience the last of them. It’s an agonizing experience for me to wait for all the great and wonderful beginnings to have a chance to fill my days and weeks, but we must wait. All things happen in the right place, at the right time. Right or wrong, I’m a huge believer in the astrological signs and charts. If the 2024/2025 information is to be believed, I’m in for multiple new beginnings and challenges for the upcoming year. I’m taking the time in December to clean out the closets, sweep out the clutter, and make way for the exciting new beginnings just over the horizon. One of those just happens to be the audiobooks for The Scrapbook Series . The final steps in the process of bringing the Scrapbook Series to life in audio and eBooks are in process and should be complete before the end of the year. So, quite possibly, the books and boxed sets will be available on Audible for a Christmas download! I’m so very anxious to see them on the Audible website! As usual, I will keep you posted. Another new beginning and challenge is the opening of a new career door. I can’t share just yet, but I believe it will be a real key in bringing some of my other dreams into existence. As an author, I’ve been very slow to move on this journey to writing and publishing. As an inventor, the journey has been a bit faster. My career is somewhere in between. I like to think of each area as if it were a planet circling the sun. Each one of the planets in our solar system revolves around the sun, managing to complete that journey in various different timelines. That’s how my life moves forward—multiple projects and tasks circling my existence, being completed on different timelines. If you, like me, believe that time is not linear, that everything exists all at the same time, it’s fascinating to watch the pieces of your life come together. What seems like a linear path is really different pieces on different planes all at once. Okay, I think that’s enough for one month, and so that’s all I have to share for December. As usual, until next month, dear reader, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Natalie

  • I’ve been on a bit of a break…

    Hello everyone, and hello fall! I’ve been on a bit of a break and wasn’t able to provide a post for September and October, which means we have lots of catching up to do! So… let’s dive in. First, there’s been work. Book work. During these past couple of months, I’ve worked on turning the books into a boxed set for Audible Audiobooks and e-books. I have the individual books shown below with the corresponding ISBN numbers, and as soon as I receive the information for the boxed sets, I’ll pass that along as well. The audiobook creation has been one of my big accomplishments during the break and one that I hope encourages new readers to give the Scrapbook series a try. On a personal level, the couple of months I’ve been on a break have given me a chance to really take a hard look at how I’m spending my days; the seconds, minutes, and hours that are the “credits” I’m spending living my life. Am I spending them in a way that makes me happy? In a way that allows me to create memories that will make me smile years from now? I didn’t have a really good answer to those questions. So time to really do some “life evaluation”. For the first time in my life, I have found myself with the opportunity to choose a path for only one reason: because it makes me happy. Almost always, throughout most of my years on this planet, I’ve made choices based on economics: the need to provide for others, to accommodate others, or simply survive. Now, at this point in my life, I can choose what I do and when I do it, just because it makes me happy! What freedom! What an amazing opportunity! But, at the same time, it requires a good bit of reflection, looking inward, and peeling away of the artificial to really see the important pieces of your life and yourself. It's been a journey, but I think I’m finally there: ready to jump into the next phase of life full of hope, optimism, and expectations for tomorrow’s possibilities! Writing is only one aspect of how I spend my time; there are several other endeavors that I am currently working on, and when the time is right, I’ll announce to my readers and the world the “other” pieces of Natalie that exist, but not quite yet. For now, let’s talk about the arrival of Fall and all of her color and glory! Is everyone ready for the sight of pumpkins, falling leaves, and the smell of autumn in the air? I can definitely, positively say that yes, “I AM READY!” Ready for pumpkin lattes, spicy teas, and scents of allspice and cloves! One of my favorite seasons is almost upon us, and my spirits are definitely on the happy side of life. Crisp morning temps, cozy fires under the open night skies, and gatherings with friends make this a really memorable time of year so… If you’re reading and enjoying the blog posts, take a moment to drop me an email and let me know if you enjoy fall, and if you do, what are your favorite parts? Until next month dear reader, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Natalie

  • The Infinity Month…

    The eighth month of the year has arrived, and I always see the infinity symbol when you talk about “8,” so I’ve nicknamed August the “infinity month.” For me, the infinity month is a month of powerful possibilities. Opportunities that are “life-altering” are usually associated with this month for me, and true to form, this one is no different. I’ve finished the edits for the Scrapbook Series audiobooks and will soon release them on all the available audiobook platforms, Audible included. One more special thing will be the release of a boxed set of the Prequal: Memories of Tomorrow, Book 1—Tomorrow’s Promise, and Book 2—Crossing Yesterday. I’m so very excited about these audio releases! As soon as I have the ISBN for the boxed set, I’ll include it in my monthly blog article as well. Ok, moving on to the next topic of discussion: my relocation to Tuscaloosa from Arkansas. This has been a pretty tough move for more reasons than one, but I’m about to get my nest made. I laugh as I write that phrase “nest made”. My mom used to know a lady that moved every few years, and my mom would invariably refer to her moves as “re-feathering her nest”. Mom used to say, “She just can’t stay in one place very long without moving about and committing to a re-feathering”. I think those words marked me for life. I looked back and calculated (to the best of my feeble memory) my many moves throughout my life – I stand now at 26. That’s a LOT of moves…even more than my sister, who is retired from the military. There is so much irony and comedy in that realization, and it will be a topic for another article, another month. For this article, let’s return to the adventurous and magical month of August. I got married for the first time in August. My first grandchild arrived in August. I released my first book in August. And this year, there are some really magical things in the pipeline that I cannot reveal to my readers just yet, but soon, dear reader, very soon. For now, let’s just concentrate on the “infinity” of August. The infinity symbol often represents harmony and balance, renewal, the male and female duality, the universe's eternity, or the circle of life. Those are some powerful elements for one small symbol. And I can with much certainty say that’s exactly where I find myself this month: during a period of renewal, harmony, and balance in my life. My time is Arkansas was briefer than I originally thought it would be, but it was exactly what destiny determined it would be. I’m looking so forward to building a community of friends, family, and life in Tuscaloosa. I’ve never been one to give myself over to sadness or sorrow for very long, and this time in my life is no different; I will feel those emotions for a period of time, and then I cannot help but look up and see the sun, feel its warmth on my face, and look forward to the coming day, metaphorically and literally. That’s where I find myself today, looking at the sun and looking forward to the coming day. Join me, readers, in looking forward to tomorrow with hope, happiness, and a book in hand! Until next month dear reader, stay safe, happy and well read! Natalie

  • Just July…

    When you talk about July, everyone in the South immediately envisions waves of heat, insufferable humidity, and the 4th of July celebrations that take place in every small town across America. This July is proving to be the epitome of the prior descriptive sentence in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. And here I am, working on about 5 too many projects at one time (as usual) and wondering how I’m going to meet several of my self-imposed deadlines. My current schedule proves once again it is true that we create our own misery. The bright spot in the month and the misery, is my continued work on the audio books for The Scrapbook Series. I’ve wanted for quite some time to create the audio book versions of The Scrapbook Series books, but honestly the expense for having them narrated was cost prohibitive for an Indie author such as myself. Then along comes Artificial Intelligence. The Indie author’s saving grace. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the edits, and so far, I’m very pleased with the results. These books utilize Artificial Intelligence to narrate; and although there are a few kinks to be worked through, I must say I’m very pleased with the end products. In last month’s post, I shared the information you’ll need to download the audio book version of the series, and I will do so again this month, until I’m sure that all readers can find the information they need to get the books. I’ll also publish next month the formats and locations beyond Amazon that will carry the audio version. The thing I am most pleased about: the voice for the book’s narration. The AI narrator is an older, female voice but the clarity and intonations are great! I think as we continue to work with and develop the skills if the AI assistants at our disposal, we’ll have a great addition to the workforce for many white-collar workers and jobs. I’m in the camp that AI won’t replace us, but enhance our abilities, and in the process make us a more efficient and effective workforce. Today, as I write this month’s blog post, I’m spending my 4 th of July holiday catching up on all the things I’ve had to set aside for the last few days and weeks in order to setup a new office, edit audio books and generally start over once again. Ah, but with each life change and event, I gather more material for more books! I know it’s just July, and there are still many more months left in this year, but I already feel as though I’m behind the gun to get all accomplished that I want to for 2024. It’s been a year of real chaos and change; one I never saw coming, almost like some of Jo and Gina’s life lessons. Well, they say adversity builds character, so there is that to count as a blessing for 2024. Until next month dear reader, stay safe, happy and well read! Natalie

  • June: Half the story is written….

    Stories are generally divided into chapters, and chapters are then further divided into sections or paragraphs. And when you look at a work in reverse, it becomes much easier to see how all those small sentences, paragraphs and sections become chapters, and chapters become a complete book. Our lives are lived in much the same fashion. Each section of minutes becomes an hour, hours become days, days become months… and so on. In a somewhat clearer statement, here’s what I’m saying: Our lives are created and lived, moment by moment, until all at once, you realize half your story is written. Does it read like a romance, true crime, or something totally out of this world? (Interject some laughter here). I hope it’s a little bit of all those possibilities, rolled into making you a very unique story and person. In a somewhat similar vein, the months of the year, naturally bring us full circle, until one more trip around the sun is complete and we’ve added another chapter to our Book of Life. Since June is the midpoint for the yearly trip around the sun, it’s a great opportunity to look back on the first half and ponder where it went, how did we spend our days, and just what can we see that we’ve added to our unique story. Hindsight is such an important part of our lives. If you’ve read any of my books, you’ve been exposed to just how much importance I place on “hindsight”. Here’s the excerpt from my back-of- book for Memories of Tomorrow: Everyone says that hindsight is 20/20. If that’s true, how much of that image in the rear view affects who we are today, or what we will become tomorrow? Every step we take, every move we make, every bond we make (or break)… all those jumbled moments become the snapped-together puzzle pieces of our lives. A patchwork of experiences, people, and places we file away in our memories that make us who we are. The make our life what it is. In these last few months, mine has been a whirlwind of change. Ups and downs, curves and clips, more unexpected than expected. There has been laughter, smiles and tears, and lots of emotional rollercoasters. But here I am, still standing at the midpoint. Still standing hallway through this tumultuous trip around the sun of 2024. Sometime over the next months and maybe year, I will be in a better frame of mind to share the latest chaotic chapter of my life, but not just yet. What I can share, and can’t wait to share, is some great book news! Today I received the wonderful news that my books are now going to be available as audio books! I’ve waited for so many months for this to happen and I’m excited beyond belief! I’m listing the books, the ISBN numbers, and copies of the covers below and if you’d like to give them a try, you should be able to find them on Amazon, Audible, and any other main stream audio book distribution site. Until next month, dear reader, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Natalie

  • May’s Temps, Turns, and Turbulence….

    If you’ve never experienced tremendous change in your life (be it on a personal or a professional level), then you’ve missed a great opportunity for growth and improvement. Anytime you step outside of your comfort zone and try something new, learn something new, or just make a significant change in your daily life, you’re opening a new door – be it good or bad – it’s new and causes a strain (sometimes a ripping) of the fabric of your life, and as a general rule, you’re adding a few scraps to the fabric as you go. How you choose to move forward or react to those changes and opportunities is entirely up to you, and will define some aspects of your adult character. And if you haven’t already guessed, this has been the situation for the last few weeks of my life and will most likely be continued over the next several months. I must admit, I have mixed feelings about these changes. One day, I look forward to the change, the next, I will admit, I feel nothing but trepidation. My rational mind tells me this is completely normal. My emotional self has a different viewpoint. Just like the changing tides that pull and push the ocean waves, our emotions pull us in multiple directions, depending upon the mood of the day. The logical mind is a more disciplined entity and refuses to be swayed on a whim. It takes real facts to move logic. Right now, I feel more like the month of May in the spring season: temperaments and heated moments that rise and fall on a whim, twists, and turns of emotion that resemble a ribbon of asphalt on a winding mountain road, and turbulence that assaults my logical mind daily with blasts of constantly changing emotions. Pretty close to the weather that accompanies the changing of the season during the month of May. I suppose it’s a blessing that we are endowed with both logic and emotion. Each has a role to play during the course of changes and decision-making. It’s just sometimes hard to distinguish between at what point one should follow and one should rule. And as I approach my sixties, I’m still not sure of the correct answer to that dilemma. So it would seem that at this moment in my life, at this particular juncture, I will again repeat: As with all dreary, unhappy, difficult moments of storm and rain, the flowers are coming – as we emerge from the darkness, we can see the sun beginning to shine brightly. The rebirth is upon us! New life is born of strife, and we can smile again! Welcome May and the flowers she brings! I’m still working on the big news – it won’t be announced this month – but let’s cross our fingers for June. After all, that will be my birthday month – it will be time for some great, big, wonderful news! Until next month, dear reader, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Natalie

  • Dogwoods, Dogma and Deliverance….

    April has arrived and an early Easter has come and gone. It seems though, someone forgot to tell the Dogwoods to bloom early. Isn’t this just a perfect example of life in the modern world? Ahh, the beautiful dogwoods that herald the arrival of a new season, a new beginning. They are in bloom everywhere here in my little part of the Ozarks; in fact, my area is blanketed with white sketchy splotches of color. Lots and lots of splotches! Dogwoods often invoke thoughts of the resurrection, the meaning of Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and the heralding of our salvation through the death and rebirth of Christ, (yes, I am of the Baptist persuasion) and the dogma of the Christian faith. If ever there were an instance of a logo bringing about positive thoughts, the dogwood was the perfect “logo” for the Christian observance of Christ’s death and rebirth. An occasion that could just as easily have evoked dark thoughts is now infused with the beauty of the blooming dogwood and we all delight in not only the sight before us, but the knowledge that because of the death and rebirth of Christ we have the opportunity to experience salvation! On the pagan front, you recognize the spring equinox, the movement from a hibernating time to the resurgence of Mother Earth’s life’s blood flowing through all of nature. If ever there were the perfect example of deliverance from the dark, cold, starkness of winter the dogwood is that representation of the light at the end of the tunnel – the beginning of all things new and delightful. White, bright beauty against the barren starkness of the winter canvas. So in all ways positive, the simple, yet exquisite Dogwood manages to bring together the Christian and the pagan in a unified, happy, lovely moment. So it would seem that at this moment in my life, at this particular juncture, I take comfort in the Dogwood’s message of hope and coming life. As with all dreary, unhappy, difficult moments of storm and rain, the flowers are coming – as we emerge from the darkness, we can see the sun beginning to shine brightly. The rebirth is upon us! New life is born of the strife and we can smile again! As I prepare to bring this post to a close, I’m going to make note that the title should have been a clue as to the complexity of this post – but if not, I’m sure you have picked up on the tone, and irony, at this point. I’m at a difficult juncture in life right now – nothing I care to elaborate on just yet, but I’m really feeling the mood of the title I chose – Dogwoods, Dogma and Deliverance – and I’m actively seeking the deliverance aspect! In addition to my internal struggles and twisted discussion, I initially thought I would have some big news for this blog, but that’s been delayed a few weeks. So, I’m going to end once again, with “stay tuned” – I HOPEFULLY will have some big news to announce in the May blog! On another note, can you believe my next post will be for the month of MAY? Where is our year disappearing to?? Until next month, dear reader, stay safe, happy, and well-read! Natalie

  • The Winds of Change are Beginning to Blow….

    Ah… the uneasiness of February is beginning to wane, and once again, I feel somewhat normal as we blast into the month of March. I don’t remember all the verses of the old wives' tale, but there’s something about “in like a lion and out like a lamb” that applies to the roar of the March winds and the change they bring to the weather and, quite often, my mood. This year is proving to be no different. I feel the shift. I feel the change. And quite frankly, I’m truly ready for whatever may be blowing my way. I’ve been working on a new project, nothing at all related to my writing, and I’m ready for spring to bring a change to the work environment. Good, bad, or otherwise. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Time will be telling us soon which way this path will lead me. Of course, the optimist in me always looks for good changes while seldom contemplating the negative. Sometimes, that’s a curse as well as a blessing. The jury is still out on this one, but the day of reckoning is slowly approaching. We shall see…. But, back to the writing and the very reason for this blog. I’ve been quite stymied in the writing department for a couple of years now. Sometimes writers and authors go through a dry spell. Mine has lasted longer than most, but I think I sense a change within myself…maybe the spellbound writer who has for almost a decade been enamored with Jo and Gina is about to make another appearance. I can only stay the course on this ride of life and see where the winds blow me next. That’s the most consistent thing about me: the inconsistency. Stability has never been my strong suit; the need for change and changing scenery is often disguised as “adaptability” (which many value as a welcome attribute), but after looking closely for at least the last two decades, I’ve realized that it’s more of a fault than an attribute. I’ve also discovered after watching myself for so many years, that it’s not likely to change any time soon. I’ve learned to embrace the woman of change and roll with the flow, always looking for the silver lining in each situation. Perhaps the sunny outlook and the optimistic attitude are the most lasting pieces of the writer, woman, and entrepreneur that I am. Well, as I read back over this month’s blog, I can see one recurring theme and in my almost 6 decades of life, I instantly recognize that spring is coming soon…the restlessness within me is pinging around like a ricocheting bullet in a metal room. Ideas, feelings, and visions are bouncing around everywhere! I’m going to bring this spring-fever-influenced blog to a close, and wish you all a wonderfully loud, roaring March! Stay tuned for the next blog – I have some big news coming in April! Natalie

  • An Unusual and Uneasy February….

    A normal February would mean we were surrounded by cold winds, even colder temps, and for the last few years, quite a bit of snow. But not this February. No, this February you would think we’re living in Florida, or southern Texas. Balmy temps, light breezes, and quite a bit of sunshine. This all comes together to create quite the confusing and uneasy feeling. This is not so normal. At all. But, as with most everything that’s ever been a part of my life and daily existence, I’m adapting. There’s always a way to move forward; it may not always be the most joyous forward movement, but it’s moving forward nonetheless. My mood today is best described as that of a grizzly bear awakening from hibernation – sour, hungry and with a short temper. That thought brings up another question: what do the bears do when it’s more like summer than winter in February? Does their instinct to come out override the fact that they have only been in hibernation a couple of months at most? That “bears” investigating (pun intended). But, back to our original topic: Uneasiness and confusion. I’m not a real big fan of those emotions and states of being. Especially as a writer; I need consistency and clear focus. Unfortunately, for this month, in this year, I’m finding it’s anything but consistent and clear. Retirement is fairly new, and some of the emotions are unexpected. I’m not working on my book series right now, choosing instead to finish the house and develop a new consumer product and that makes me sad, but there are only so many hours in the day. So, all things considered, I’m stuck right smack dab in the middle of uneasiness and confusion, and it looks like this whole year may be following that same theme. Woe is me. Or not. Maybe. Maybe not. I need to share some joy and follow up with a more positive statement: I’m normally a “glass half full” kind of gal, so these feelings really clash with my usual disposition, and I will apologize to my reader at this point: this is usually not what you get from me. But, for today, in this moment, it’s all I’ve got. Sorry. I really do apologize for the doom and gloom feelings of today. And I’m certainly not going to leave you on that sour note. So, let me take a moment and look for something sunny and cheerful. Ah, I have it: SNAP! SNAP is The World’s First Fully Customizable Snackboard, and my current ray of sunshine and obsession. I’ve devoted almost a year now to the development of this product and am looking so forward to seeing my invention on the shelves at Walmart or the pages of my very own Shopify store. Or better yet, on Amazon! My faith is strong, and my hopes are high and that’s the most positive thought I can share with you today. Keep the faith, stay strong, hopefully real winter will arrive and come the warmth of summer I can share with you the first production run of SNAP! Natalie

  • A New Opportunity Has Arrived….

    Well, 2023 has come and gone. All the presents of the festive holiday season were feverishly ripped open with bows and paper cast aside, replaced by the glee of discovering what was hiding inside. What did I get? What did I receive? My most fevered wish must surely be hiding in there….. Alas, the magic and expectations of the holidays rarely live up to the reality of the actual event, package, or gift. It must be something to do with this time of year. From Thanksgiving to New Year, we just set ourselves up for some measure of inadequacy or disappointment or both. The unrealistic expectations of the season versus the cold dash and clash of reality is nowhere more evident than with our New Year’s resolutions. We start the new year with such grand intentions; such concrete goals and objectives…only to discover within a few short weeks (or couple of months at most) that the expectation and the reality are miles apart. We’re just simply not the most dedicated or disciplined creatures when it comes to making big changes that are designed to improve our lives and our health. We’re just not. En masse or as individuals, we most often take the path of least resistance, not the path less traveled. And from this realization, one thing becomes certain: We are designed to be daily creatures of habit, with only intermittent sparks of drastic change; not the other way around. I read once that “people do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures” (that’s a quote courtesy of F.M. Alexander), and I have found this to be a fairly accurate and true assessment of we humans. We choose our habits, our habits choose our friends and our activities, and the rest is a pretty easy picture to paint. So with the arrival of a new year, we have the opportunity to create some new habits (maybe not big, big changes – just a few small tweaks of old habits would be a great place to start) that might eventually lead to other new opportunities friends and habits that will eventually change and improve our life. But, so often, we’re totally consumed with the everyday; Consumed with the mundane, the habitual behaviors, that we fail to see the miraculous and life-changing opportunities that are flying past us each and every day. I liken opportunities to the colorful fireflies you see in the dusk of the day. There are hundreds of flickering lightning bugs flying around in the shadows of dusk – just waiting to find the right host for the night. It is the same with opportunities – there are hundreds of opportunities flying right past you each and every day – you just need to look up from the grindstone to see and catch them as they fly past. So as the new year begins, and the opportunities of a new year begin to fly past you, take some advice from someone who’s seen the fireflies: Look up, look around, watch for the quick glow – I can promise they are there! Have a wonderful start to 2024, catch your own firefly and we’ll talk soon! Natalie

  • And Then There Were None….

    How did December arrive so quickly? Each and every year, I seem to ask myself this same question. It’s as if I look around, and most of my year feels as if it’s been stolen – just whisked away on a wish and a whim! Of course, that’s not reality; each day drifted by in the hurried moments of errands, chores, and to-do lists. Even as I write this article, I have a notepad with my “Christmas To Do” sitting right beside me. I believed (truly in total error) that once I retired, I would have so much extra time on my hands… time to soak in the beauty of the day whilst I contemplated my next chapter of the Scrapbook Series or hiked along the many beautiful trails found in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark chain. And although I do take part in those things, I find so many more of my days are consumed with lists to be complete… lists of household responsibilities, doctors appointments, posting, and record keeping; as you can see, it simply goes on and on. The time thief invents ways to whisk away my time, and he’s getting better and better at accomplishing his mission. And then there were none. No months left in the year. No more, “next month I’ll get to that” for this year. The days are spent, and Father Time is ready to roll the calendar. I suppose this realization each year provides two necessary things for me: The first is that it is concrete proof we should appreciate every day and find a way to be thankful for all our many blessings, big and small. The second is the opportunity to look back over my year, acknowledge and revel in my triumphs while deepening my resolve on the items I didn’t accomplish. December, and the beginning of the winter season, is a perfect time for introspection and review. As the living world around us withdraws to rest, hibernate, and prepare for the coming spring and rebirth, so should we. It is a time to look inside ourselves to take whatever steps are necessary to prepare for a new year, a new season, and new beginnings. Some of us need time to reflect and lick our wounds. Some of us need time to revel in our victories. And for some of us (in fact most of us) it’s a little bit of both. So, as December of 2023 comes upon us, I wish for all my readers to have a wonderfully joyful and fulfilling Christmas Holiday season, but I also wish for you to have time to reflect, appreciate, be grateful, and prepare for the birth of a new year and new opportunities! Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!

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