I read Say Yes to Grace: The Facebook Page Reflections by Kirk Byron Jones, published in 2012.

The book is a collection of reflections that Dr. Jones compiled from a faithful life, as well as sharing with fans, family and friends on Facebook.

The reflections are categorized into seven categories including God, Grace, Growth, Inspiration, Relationships, Peace, and Affirmations.

They’re useful when you want to focus on a particular area.

The reflections serve to teach us, to guide us in our lives. For me, they are reminders of the lessons we learn about God and walking in faith. Dr. Jones offers biblical references for the insights he shares. They are a joyful inspiration/motivation to live a positive faithful life.

It is encouragement for living a fuller life. The imagery he uses is as uplifting as the content.

Let yourself fell heard, held, and healed by God.  Angels get a kick of splashing God’s love all over us.

His consoling message is rich and and enriching. He reminds us to take solace in God’s loving and giving presence in all situations. God’s grace is what sustains us.

No matter how deep the hurt, God’s love is Deeper.    God is loving you from the inside out and from the outside in, all the time.

This book is the perfect follow up to the book , Say Yes to Grace: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out. Where that book is the meat of how living in grace enriches our lives, this book, The Facebook Page Reflections is a collection of key points for living a fuller life in God’s continuous grace.

If you’re into reading self books, this is a really powerful book. The encouraging, empowering, reinforcing message is yours for the taking. It’s a feel good book for the person seeking to live a full life in God’s love. I remind myself that I am loved by God, this book helps me to keep that truth in the forefront of my life.

I read Spock’s World, published in 1988, by Diane Duane. It was a very slow, meandering book. Sometimes slow is good. The Vulcan chapters wended through the history of Spock’s World, providing a rich evolution of Vulcan. I read on Wikipedia that there are contradictions with subsequent Star Trek story lines. That notwithstanding, the story stands strong as entertaining food for thought.

The Vulcan history was interesting because it showed how they evolved naturally from beings before they had language. Their barbarism and continued relationship with their creator is something that kept my attention. They didn’t all have the ability but they didn’t shun or deny others who did.

Their natural inclination toward genetic manipulation, and their brutality were intriguing. I was especially intrigued by the explanation of how Vulcan’s deal with their emotions. Mastering them is much more plausible to me than erasing them. That was a total win for me.

The way the explanation was woven into the relationship of Sarak and Amanda was nicely done. I don’t remember ever hearing much about the relationship of the parents of Spock. It was important to add in this story of Spock’s world. So, I’m really glad she didn’t leave this out. The whole Vulcan history and the relationship led to the creation of Spock quite nicely and that’s important for me.

You see, Spock is my favorite character. I got the book because I wanted to read a Star Trek book from the original series (OS), that maybe had Spock in a prominent role. It did alright. McCoy was the key sleuth. And it ended with Kirk alone in the closing scene. Never minding that, it was all about Spock’s world and it was entertaining.

Now, to continue my search for good SF, I’ll be searching the web for suggestions for new Star Trek OS novels. If anyone has book ideas or where to look for titles, drop me a message.

I never thought I’d make up my mind about what e-reader I wanted. I had readers on my phone and decided I liked the idea of carrying around an assortment of books on one device.

why i’m pleased

It’s easy to learn and use. There are a few things I read up on in the convenient manuals that came preloaded. The few things I asked about were explained quickly and easily by the more-than-capable sales people who helped me.

I like the fact that I can upload my files that I want to have handy for work or whatever; upload music; change the background, from their preloaded images or my own I upload.

justification

As with any purchase like this, I have to justify the investment to myself. So here are 5 reasons it’s okay that I bought this “toy”

1. Besides the fact that I wanted it, I have many useful applications for it
2. It has useful work type potential
3. It’s been three years since I indulged my inner geek, (replacing my laptop notwithstanding – that was a real necessity)
4. I was behind in my reading and this offered a way to increase my reading time
5. It was a bit of a me first buy, but it’s been years, did I mention that?

good use immediately

I had to do some things to ensure the investment is a good one. Following are 5 things I’ve toward realizing the potential of my investment

1. bought books for learning some work applications, bookkeeping and Quicken
2. uploaded a huge PDF packet that I need for work which I had been carrying around in my backpack up to that point
3. managed to read the 1st Leonid McGill book finally so I could read the second one which I bought so Walter Mosley could sign it for me at his book-signing
4. read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before it left the theater, before I went to see it, (sometimes I just have to do that)
5. searched for and found new authors and books that are free

bonus: +2 not-necessarily-good things

1. it’s much easier to read in the wee hours of the morning when I can’t sleep, since there’s no need to turn on lights
2. it gave me a reason to buy some simple new purses to fit my NOOK in

It’s been a pleasure to have my NOOK Color since December. I don’t remember why I hesitated. I still love going to the bookstore. I’m not less inclined to buy a book if it’s not in electronic version. It may have been the initial investment. But that passed away quickly. It’s all flowers and sunshine around the purchase and uses at this point. Only thing I look at now is that it’s $30 cheaper than when I bought it. And even that doesn’t hurt, since technologically speaking, it’s the natural order of things.

I was in a random restaurant and asked about WiFi. Server said they had it but she thought I’d need a password—which she didn’t have. Standing in line, I turned on my NOOK and connected. It didn’t occur to me to not try after she told me about the password. That is rarely necessary in a public place.

bridging the technology divide

After I downloaded what I wanted, got my food and sat down with my mom, I went back to the counter. I told her I got on, didn’t need a password. She said, “Really?” I said, “Yeah, unless it’s not your signal I’m using,” and watched her expression briefly as she tried to parse the exchange, before I returned to my seat.

what perplexed me

It wasn’t that she didn’t know. The problem I have is that she is a young person who had no clear knowledge of what her place of employment offered the customers. Soon as I walked in and saw the coffee shop tables in one area, I had an idea. And that’s why I asked.

My next contemplations were about finding a way to insure that employees knew what they had to offer clients. What they could take advantage of at their places of employment. These little things are selling points — no small matter in the business world. If it were my business, I would want my people to know about my free WiFi, just like they know the drinks and how to prepare the food and run the cash register.

it’s just good business

It’s not the first time I’ve encountered such apathy from this restaurant, different location albeit. I hope it’s not an anomaly of the chain, only a small few locations. In business you never want to overlook the easy selling points. If I invest in anything for my customers, I want workers to know about it when someone asks about it.

Don’t you want to maximize the benefit from your offerings to your clients? Would you put up signs? Or, just make sure that your first line employees had accurate, detailed answers for the easy questions?

You ever have times when you’re really hot to write something? You run to the page and write feverishly til you covered every thought that brought you to the page and a few that arrived after you got going. All this only to find that the passion has dissipated.

second guessing and affirming my ideas

You may not know what I’m talking about, but it happens to me from time to time. It’s not about journaling. It’s about the impact of the words I’ve written. I start wondering, Will anyone be interested? Be able to relate? Will anyone care or be entertained?

I remind myself that there may be someone, some one person who would really like to know what my take is. Someone who will greatly benefit from putting up my ideas alongside his. And on some really good days, he or she may tell me how I was wrong or right about something.

just do it

Ultimately, I have to just do it if I ever want to click the PUBLISH button. So, I suck it up and revise and edit my writing. When I’m satisfied I’ve presented my ideas as fully as I want to, I just let it go. It’s been a while since I clicked the PUBLISH button here. And, I have all these snippets of ideas running around in my head. So the time has come for me to trust that I am talking to somebody out there when I say and show, JUST DO IT.

Letting my ideas flow is the whole reason behind keeping a journal, paper or electronic. Blogging is the perfect place to write just in case someone wants or needs to hear what I have to say. In sharing here, and on my other sites, I invite you to share your thoughts. Write to me and tell me what’s your take.

why do it? 5 reasons

1. It’s good to get things off my chest as writing can be a great contemplative release
2. It might help someone if I offer a perspective they’d not considered
3. It might make me a new friend bonding over common ground or beneficial disagreement
4. It might make me a new enemy – not a great thing just good to know
5. It’s important to click that PUBLISH button when I have a chance

I’m curious! Do you doubt your ideas? How do you get passed the voice that tells you maybe you shouldn’t do a thing? What’s your incentive for pressing on?

In my AA (Administrative Assistant) job, I have to keep the books. We use QuickBooks to record financial business. At home, I use Quicken.

learning new software

I am working on learning the ins and outs of Quicken, (my graduation from spreadsheets), and now I have to work on learning QuickBooks too. At work they’re planning a training session for us to learn more about QuickBooks. At home, I’m on my own, which is fine.

Usually I click around to learn new software, it’s part of the fun for me. But, I’m in a bit of a hurry now. I need the key information, not extra stuff right now.

I bought 2 books for bookkeeping and Quicken. In reviewing the Quicken book, I found I’m going to have to sift through a lot of ‘related’ material. There’s a lot of aside information that is too far afield to be called theory. Along with getting what I need, a manual for the application, this book seems to try to incorporate bookkeeping and accounting training. And, it is infused throughout the book. So, I expect big fun trying to get around/through all that.

writing the book review

Once I’ve read through enough, (I just got the Quicken book today), I’ll make my determination on whether or not I’ll recommend the book. I was actually surprised by how much extra stuff was in the book. What I was looking for was a dedicated software book. Interestingly this book is the closest I’ve come and it doesn’t cover my particular version of the software.

Once I’m done scanning/using the book, I may write a detailed review of what I got out of the book. I see that I’ll have to sift through the distracting stuff. But it looks like the book will show me some things I haven’t figured out yet. It may turn out that the book is perfect the way it is…I’ll let you know.

Are you learning anything new? Do you take a class or buy a book first thing? Or is structured learning your last resort?

I’ve had 2 jobs for the past 3 1/2 months. It’s been really interesting and fulfilling and hectic. Rewarding and testing.

For far too long, I was under- and unemployed. When I moved back to my hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana, all I wanted to do was work. I searched, applied, asked, and talked to people. Before I knew it, I had almost 3 jobs. I got the first one, an afternoon job that was for 2 hours, 4 days a week (no Mondays) working with Second Graders.

Six weeks later I got the second job, it was in the day time: 6 hours Monday through Thursday, 3 hours Fridays. I was so grateful until I decided to do them both and was considering a 3rd job which fell through, thankfully.

The two I got fit together but then they really didn’t. Both were demanding and a pleasure. But there were times when they clashed. If things ran over in my day job, then I would likely be late or close to it for my afternoon job. You see, there was only a 30 minute window between the 2 jobs which allowed for travel time. A surprise event would eat that travel time quickly and leave me no room to do any preliminary things.

Once or twice it even made me a few minutes late. I couldn’t have that for myself. And my boss and the children (it was an after-school tutoring program) deserved better.

looking at all sides

I tried to tough it out. All I wanted was to work to make up for all the time I didn’t work. Here’s the thing though. I am tough. And dedicated. Once I understood that it wasn’t about me alone, but what was best for all involved, the choice came clear.

I didn’t want to be forced to run out of my day job leaving unexpected things for the next day, in order to be on time for my evening job. And, as I said, I didn’t want to have to run late or be absent for the evening job because of my day job (Administrative Assistant).

I opted to stay with the day job that was closer to full time, provided me with autonomy (once I learn all the nuances), and made no demands on my time or finances outside of the job. Teaching is not that kind of animal, even in only the after-school sessions.

how i chose

I took the selfish route. I wanted to be on time every evening for the afternoon program but it wasn’t a guarantee that I could. I wanted to be free once I got home, to do other things I was interested in, like my volunteer work for my church, book studies, website development, learning software applications. That was difficult to do with the demands I placed on myself for classroom preparations.

My choice was to pick the one that I could focus on with minimal hesitation. This was the formula because both are rewarding and autonomous positions. I didn’t want to give up either, but since I had to, I opted for the free evenings and relative quiet of working in an office setting.

I’m sure I made the right decision for myself at this juncture in my life. I have no problem with working 2 jobs. But I firmly believe that my second job should be online and from home, to minimize the wear and tear on me.

So, did I make the right choice? When did you last give up on something in the name of self-preservation? Did it bear out that you made the right choice?

I won’t really feel my decision until after the holidays, when everything is back in full swing — and I get to go home at 3:00 p.m. It will be a bit before I really feel the absence of 2nd Graders asking questions, working studiously and trying to have their way. I may need to visit them.

It’s been a long time since I let myself off the hook so early for NaNoWriMo. But this year, at the last minute, I made up my mind to let it go before I even got started.

It’s not that it’s not fun. I still enjoy challenging myself. This year, though, is a little different because I know that I don’t have the time to put into it. And I have no interest in hurting myself to make it happen.

1. I have a lot to learn on my day job. I will allow that to distract me at home, in the form of reviewing my day’s activities.
2. There is new software I want to master on my afternoon job also. I only give myself the month of December to start and master it for proficient use in January.
3. Planning for the children (afternoon gig) is a time-consuming pleasure.
4. Extra jobs will take my free time so that I can get ahead with the software purchases I need to make in the near future.
5. My volunteer obligations take up a lot of time and that is fine for now, as I get them in order.
6. Family and friends are in the front of my thoughts right now; there are things I want to do for and with them and that is a juggling act.
7. The new story will keep until I get to it. In the meantime, I am making notes as things hit me.
8. I have two stories that I want to finish (didn’t get to them) and they are fresh and clear in my head — except for the endings.
9. While I’m not writing a poem a day, I will be posting more of what I’ve written because that’s where my heart beats.
10. For the first time, I am perfectly content to not try to push for this — maybe next year

These are the things I gave myself to as I tried to decide whether or not to participate in NaNoWriMo. I read my journal and saw that I was focused on everything but my outline for the story, even though I did throw one together. And, although I wrote it last, I think the biggest thing to seal my decision is the fact that I am content in my spirit with the choice I have made.

I call this a list of excuses because they’re not enough to keep me from participating in NaNo this year. If I wanted to push myself to at least try, I could. I could add to my sleepless evenings and jam-packed weekends, put off friends and family, missing events. I could curb the volunteering. And this is my time of self-indulgent behavior.

It’s been a long time since I felt relaxed enough to spend my time writing on my personal projects. I’m reading for me with minimal distraction, as testing for my 2nd grade class is done. Grades are recorded. So for a little while, my weekends and evenings are part my own.

I say part my own because there will be times (like today) when I will spend a few hours on organizing work for the students, visiting the library, recording last grades. And, my church and family responsibilities have a portion of my time. The balance is my free time, to spend wildly if I choose.

My Big Plans. There is my short story I’m writing which I’m working to finish; a non-fiction book a friend wrote that I’ll finish reading tonight; and more to read in my book study book (Kingdom without Borders) that I will be reading from, shortly.

organization skills put to the test

Monday I start my second job, my day job. It will take up the bulk of my days leaving me only travel time to get to my afternoon job. I’m compelled to be very organized, certainly more than I have been lately. It will be a welcome challenge, as I look forward to applying my skills to getting everything done.

Things seem to be well in hand for work with the children. But the work of fun is another story. For a few months now I’ve been writing successfully using yWriter software. I’ve managed to nearly finish two stories — they’ll likely be done the end of this month. Reading is manageable in bursts most often. But I set aside time daily now to read a little. So, it’s all coming together.

nanowrimo – am i in or no?

Even with my fine organizational skills, the cool software, and a story idea in the wings, I’m not sure it will be enough to get through NaNoWriMo. I’ve tried a few times, but never seem to get through before I let the rest of my life take over. Prior to November, I get all excited and pumped up with anticipation only to fizzle out in the middle (or even earlier).

This year, I likely won’t commit until the last week of October. And that’s really okay since I’m fleshing out a story plot in a grid (I read about that practice somewhere and I like it). Once the plot written and saved, I can use it whenever — next month or next year.

If I participate in NaNoWriMo this November, I’ll likely keep my progress updated at Shari’s Telling Stories. You can visit me there, to see my progress – or lack of. Either way, I’ll be reading around the web to see all the writer camaraderie.

Are you writing a novel this year for NaNoWriMo? Do you know about National Novel Writing Month? Find out about the project here, http://www.nanowrimo.org/, then decide if you want to put your writing acumen to the challenge of 50K words in 30 days.

It’s easy to inspire me! Mostly because I’m always open to having my socks knocked off me. Television, shows and commercials; movies with great story lines. The Internet that puts so much at my fingertips—literally.

1. people pursuing passions

I’m connected with two networks related to writing and arts. It is really inspiring to see writers pursuing their passions. I read liner notes in albums for the gems they sometimes hold about the album artist. One of my Nina Simone albums had her story in it. I was as sad to lose that as I was about some of the books I lost in the wake of post Katrina and Rita clean-up.

2. the brilliance of children

It’s not about how smart they may be. What moves me is the luminous shimmer the new people exude. It’s the glow of promise, hope for our future, and the endless possibilities of how we might get there.

3. possibility

I wonder how it is some of us never lose the inner child, or manage to find a measure of it. However it happens, I’m grateful that it’s possible.

I could almost weep for the life I might have known had I kept hold of the child in me; or found her sooner. I won’t cry though. I have more of her in me than I once thought. Instead, I take joy even at this advanced hour. After all, it really is all good— Besides, I’m not dead yet.

inspirations all around

4. dancing

When I watch people dance, it makes me happy, excited. It’s a pleasure to watch dancer’s move in ways that I could never. I would love to dance, but I haven’t the aptitude (really haven’t the aptitude), and I haven’t the body with a bad hip. I am humbled by the works that dancers do. Gregory Hines and Savion Glover can make my heart race. I never had the opportunity to see Gregory Hines dance live. And I’m sure if I had, there would have been tears. I believe that because the liturgical dancers at my church can move me that much.

5. photography

Composition can be poetic. I have lost myself in a great cloud scene or the soulful eyes of an elderly man helped to deposit his first ballot after Apartheid. A beautiful flower or a solitary bird in his solitude. Images can open my mind to more than what is before me. They are my conduits to alternate interpretations the image itself and life all around me. Being open to, and a practitioner of silliness, facilitates this laudable transcending ability.

6. music

I love to listen to great rhythms, beats that get make my heart pound, melodies that open my mind. Jazz is in my library. Some of my favorites I return to repeatedly include Lyle Mays, Fictionary; Joe Sample, Ashes to Ashes; Spyro Gyra, Love and Other Obsessions; and Hubert Laws, My Time will Come; and Ellis Marsallis, Whistle Stop are a few that keep me and serve to transport me.

7. writing

During work writing, my focus is on the message and the best way to get it across to the client’s audience. Even when I’m totally engaged, there are times errant creative ideas will come to me. If it’s timely I may even be able to spare a moment to capture an idea on paper or recorder to have it for later use.

8. poetry

It amazes me what people are able to create in poetic expression. The canvas is paper, the inks the colors of experiences, the deft poet paints the picture of what happens to, around, through him. There is room in his writing for me and my experiences and what I bring to the table. I’m inspired by the ability of a poet to tell a poignant story of a thing he knows, and how I am opened to so much more just by reading it.

9. generosity of others

There is so much I can’t do for myself sometimes. It frustrates me when self-reliance is simply not an option. I’m learning to give in to help from others. It’s humbling and empowering and amazing to be able to receive help and understand that it is not diminishing me but just a hand.

There’s something to be said for the grand gestures of kindness and humanity around the world, the ones that make the news and 60 Minutes. But the kindness of a friend to a friend is as large if it is unknown to many.

10. nature, trees

I love trees. I can’t name them I’m sorry to say, but I have a profound respect for the majesty of trees. Big and small, many or just one. I can get caught up just watching a tree, tracing the grooves and cracks with my eyes and hands; leaning against a tree, feeling it’s solidness support my back. I could go on, but you get the picture.

This list is by no means exhaustive since I spend a lot of time enjoying the little things in life. Many things inspire me. I was the child that would be caught staring out the window in school; the one who could lie on the ground for long periods of time, to watch ants go about their business. Today play is still important to me, as well as spending time with trees, even though I don’t have as much time for them. These things inspire me to do more, some days even just to continue.

What inspires you in your life? Remember that inspiration is everywhere; you can receive it from all sources, as long as you remain open to it.