Learn something new is what we should all do everyday. Writing makes me stay on my toes and keeps the learning process moving. Just when I think I have it all figured out I listen to something an author or editor says about writing and I realize how little I know. But to become a better writer I have to keep up my learning curve, fine tune my craft, want to get better.  I have to make the effort but it is exciting to find that one little nugget that makes a difference in my writing. 

I sent the last of “Nick’s New Heart” to my editor today. Now all that is left to do is some tweaking and the book will be on the shelf in a bookstore in June. I can hardly wait. I’m especially looking forward to holding one in my hand. It has been years of dreaming and working to get this close. In some ways I’m even afraid to talk about it for the fear that something will go wrong.    

Professional football players are seen in many different lights–as great athletes, as an over paid self-centered group, as roll models, family people, uncaring men, trouble makers.  Many times we don’t hear about the positive things they do. I experience first hand Adrian Peterson’s moment of true greatness. He is a running back for the Minnesota Vikings, won the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the PRO Bowl, but his truly great moment was when he spent time signing autographs for a group of children that had made a wish to meet him and other pro players. He took time to speak to each of the kids, graciously had his picture taken and generally give the kids the time of their lives. I knew nothing about Adrian Peterson before seeing him with the kids. I will be one of his fan’s forver.  He is one professional football player to admire not for his greatness on the field, but off.     

This time last week four of our family were in Hawaii in the sun and eighty degrees-today it is in the 40s and rainy—cold, cold, cold. It is amazing how a few days and an airplane can change your life. My sun tan is peeling and because I have on winter clothes no one even knows that I had a tan. I love rain but the freezing, sideways blowing kind is not my favorite. I am more fond of the slow pat, pat, pat of water on a tin roof. But any rain makes me want to crawl into bed with a good book.    

I thought this was so good I borrowed it from the Heart Transplant Yahoo Group.    

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful 2008! 

 1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to________  today.’

5.) Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class … but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18.) Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20.) Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

23.) Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those ’special’ scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)   

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: ‘I am thankful for __________.’ Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. 

 LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE’S A GIFT … UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day.