Sherrie Miranda's Blog, page 174
November 14, 2015
Life Lessons
As Bertram says, Life is full of lessons. All we have to do is look around and there they are!
Buddha says “The lesson will be repeated until it is learned.” So, learn the lesson so you can move on to the next one! Though, in my past, I sometimes lingered for years in the same situation; often over and over, the lesson was repeated, sometimes with different people, sometimes the same.
Bot today, I declare, that ONCE IS ENOUGH! I LEARN THE LESSON & MOVE ON!
Thank you, Pat, for this reminder! ;-)
Peace,
Sherrie
Originally posted on Bertram's Blog:
Being cranky and impatient with the shenanigans of others as I currently am has a good side. At least for me. Being hyper aware of people’s shortcomings is like a having a mirror that shows me my own shortcomings, shows me what I need to work on.
The people who insist on making everything about them are reminding me the world does not revolve around a single person. We all revolve around each other, all have a place, even if it’s hard to concede another’s place, even if it’s hard to hold our own.
Those who refuse to take responsibility for their actions, including seemingly simple actions that affect others such as asking for more than is offered, are teaching me to be mindful of how everything affects everything else, and to accept the consequences of what I do.
Those who insist on always being right are teaching me that…
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November 13, 2015
I’VE BEEN THINKING
Lovely poem that really changes you upon reading it. I am a better person because I read this poem.
That is some pretty powerful stuff!
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on keithgarrettpoetry:
I thought i’d call to you and talk awhile,
I’m sitting here alone, I’ve been thinking.
What can i do to make this world a better place,
Let go of anger and sometimes terrible thoughts.
Do not waste this time that I’ve been given,
Smile and say hello to a passerby.
Lend a hand to a less fortunate soul,
Put a little trust in man, this I’ve been told.
Do not take a life, be there for a friend,
Teach a child right from wrong.
Love as much as you can, hate is not a gift in hand,
Do not steal or act in violence,
I’ve been thinking god, I just needed you to listen.
Keith Garrett
A 5 * Review of Stephen Chbowski’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
I see there is newer version with a cover pic from the movie that has thousands of reviews. Since the cover on the book I borrowed was the original cover, I wrote my review there first.
I recently read that although not nearly as many people watch the movie as read the book, the fact that the movie is made brings attention to the book. This is obviously true here because there are only a few reviews on Amazon with the original cover, yet the cover with a picture from the movie has more than 6,800 reviews. I decided to share my review in both places though, esp. since some parents may be trying to decide if this book is appropriate for their child.
Two young people (18-19) came to my writer’s group and they were in love with this book.
The person who usually keeps our group moving along decided to pick up the book to help him understand the minds of these young adults trying to make their way in the world, as well as trying to express themselves through the art of writing.
I brought the book home and immediately fell in love with it and the character, Charlie.
In my day (the 70’s), only girls or young women were called “wallflowers.” There wasn’t much talk about the inner world of males. The fact that the wallflower was Charlie, a male, made me very interested in the story. Charlie was shy and like many teens, self-conscious and probably too introspective (personally, I still have this problem). It makes me happy to know that there is a place a young person can go to realize they really aren’t all that odd.
Charlie makes the typical teen mistakes, but since he has a very small circle of friends, one mistake (being intimate with a girl when he is in love with the girl’s best friend), leads to problems with his small clique of friends.
Charlie sees a psychiatrist, which in my day, almost never happened. I am glad that this was included in the story as it helps the reader see that talking to a therapist can be helpful even when you are sure they are picking up the wrong cues and asking the wrong questions. In fact, JUST talking to almost anyone, helps us figure out the real problems and how we can deal with them.
Also, Charlie had lost a loved one, the only person who really took the time to listen and understand him. Many of us, Americans, try to forget our loved ones who are gone, but maybe that’s why Charlie’s parents put him in therapy. Perhaps they understood Charlie needed to talk about this loss. There is another loss in the story, but I was not clear whether the parents were aware of what that meant to Charlie.
Although there are parents who might not want their kids to read this book (Charlie does experiment with pot & there is that intimate, yet clumsy scene with the girl), however I believe it is the perfect book to help students write out and write THROUGH their pain.
I know I would have grown up a lot faster if I had a book like this and a group where I could talk freely! Luckily, I did have my younger sister! Who knows where I’d be without here!
My hope is to someday help young people write through their pain and learn that they are not alone. Although I have taught teens for more than 20 years, a regular classroom doesn’t really allow for this type of sharing much of the time.
Sherrie (or Sherpeace)
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
November 11, 2015
Love the Soldier, But NOT the war!
I want it to be known by ALL, that those of us who protest the war, in no way, shape or form, do we protest the soldier. Soldiers are young & vulnerable when they sign up to go & fight. They believe they are doing what is best for their country. When we protested the US supported war in El Salvador, a group of African American soldiers rooted us on & said “Thank you.” One said “We don’t want to get our asses blown off in El Salvador!”
I ask you: Soldiers give their heart & life for their country, BUT what do we give them back? Throughout history, the answer has been the same. Our governments give the soldier LESS THAN NOTHING! They are out there among the homeless in HUGE numbers. They are alone & lonely. What will you do for a soldier today?
The only thing I can think to do is to go back working for the homeless. That is where I have run into the most veterans!
wink emoticon heart emoticon wink emoticon heart emoticon
I thought I had posted this here, but it was on a Facebook page called “Born on the 4th of July.” Since we still have a few hours of Veteran’s Day here on the West Coast, I will post it now.
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
November 9, 2015
La Jolla Writer’s Conference Is Over for Another Year . . .
I have never had anything less than an excellent three days at the La Jolla Writer’s Conference (http://lajollawritersconference.com) and this year was no exception. About half the presenters were new this year which made it an excellent year to meet new authors and other’s in the biz (though I have been skipping the agents’ presentation since I self-published my novel). The faculty that come back year after year, are very kind authors, giving back to the community that helped them get where they are today.
I should mention that these authors don’t get paid to be at the conference. That is partly what makes this conference so good. They are there because they care about the Kuritz family that makes this happen year after year. And they are excited to see authors they know from the past, as well as new authors, agents and publicists. But most of all they are excited to see the writers who come to hear them talk about their craft. They seem to truly enjoy what we, attendees, have to share – the pouring out of our hearts. I have never heard any of these great authors make someone feel bad about their writing, despite the fact that some of them have published as many as 30-50 books.
The other part that makes this conference great is that the conference is limited to 200 attendees. We get to know our favorite authors. One person who is there every year is Warren Lewis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Lewis_(screenwriter)), but he is not a published author; he is a Hollywood screenwriter. His wisdom and knowledge are unmatched, but it is his wit that keeps us going back year after year. Plus, the hope of seeing Casablanca again. Unfortunately, this year, he had so much to say that we only saw the first five minutes of one of the greatest movies of all time.
Warren reminds us every year of his dad asking him at the end of one of their favorite movies “That’s it? But what happened to these people?” I agree when he says that is the best compliment that a movie can be given.
I will be buying next year’s spot in the next few days as we get a hefty discount if we buy ahead.
Peace,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
Poem by an Unknown Soldier Written During WWII
I am not religious, but I am spiritual. I also am not a fan of war and think that in these times, we choose war as a first resort, rather than a last resort.
That said, I appreciate Sarah (from Sarah’s Bookshelf) and her boyfriend’s grandfather for trying to keep these poems alive.
World War II was the last war that absolutely had to be fought. Men gave their lives; women gave their husbands and children gave their fathers. Many gave their sanity; others their sense of peace. Let it never be forgotten that WAR IS HELL!
I would also like to mention that I will soon put out a call for stories & narrative poems on the subject of the Aftermath of War. When I do, I will be looking for original stories, generally recently written, though I will consider stories that have not gotten much attention, even if they are older.
Peace to all,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Sarah's Bookshelf:
Today’s post is a little different. As Rememberance Sunday, I thought I should post something topical, something that will allow us to remember those who died, and what they fought for.
_________________________
Stay with me God, the night is dark!
The night is cold; my little spark
Of courage dims, the night is long.
Be with me God and make me strong.
_________________________
I love a game; I love a fight.
I hate the dark; I love the light.
I love my child; I love my wife.
I am no coward. I love life.
_________________________
Life with its change of mood and shade,
I want to live. I’m not afraid.
But me and mine are hard to part.
O unknown God lift up my heart.
_________________________
You stilled the waters at Dunkirk
You saved Your servants, all Your work
Is wonderful. Dear God; you strode
Before us down that dreadful…
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Monday Funnies with MAXINE
It’s 6 pm, CA (that’s California, not Canada) time. At least, it is still Monday. I need to figure out how to get a separate message from Chris, the Reading Ape’s blog, late Sunday night, since Sunday night is Monday morning in Great Britain.
I got back yesterday evening from the La Jolla Writer’s Conference and hope to write something up about that before I go to bed tonight!
Peace,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog:
November 6, 2015
Midnight Lies
I thought I’d reblog one more poem by Opinionated Man before I head out to the La Jolla Writer’s Conference!
It’s should be a different kind of conference this year now that I have published my first novel. Also there are many new authors this year that I haven’t met before, nor been in their workshop.
And my dear friend, Brooke, is once again letting me stay in her hotel room. The conference would be at least double the price if I paid for a room.
How lucky we are sometime, huh?
Peace,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on HarsH ReaLiTy:
You sing a song of promises across a plain of satin sheet. Gusts of luring ideas melted into hidden suggestions come splashing against my face. There is no sudden awakening, your sweet lips have always given birth to both charm and harm. But how I love them still.
They say a kiss can tell a tale, but the simple sight of you creates fantasies within me. I yearn for an ending without a page, but midnight lies give me hope that there is yet to come. Your fingers tease a sweet sensation, as they stroll along my spine.
Only a hug though, as innocent a touch as touching can be.
Midnight Lies to cover the lies of the day.
What a game we play.
-OM
November 5, 2015
Losing Weight vs. Losing Keys
Lydia,
I actually paid a hypnotherapist to tell me the same thing, so at least you didn’t lose money (which I do hope to find!) while learning this phenomenon. I mostly use the word “weight reduction” now.
I also changed a few words to Rickie Byers Beckwith’s “I Release & I Let Go.”
It goes like this:
I release and I let go
Of this weight I(‘ve) been holding on to
And it’s already going as I sing.
No more trouble
No more strife
With my Faith I see the light
And I’m free in the spirit
Yes, I’m only here for God!
Most of the song has Rickie’s words. And she is an amazing Singer/Songwriter as well as a Choir Director.
Her husband, Reverend Michael Beckwith, runs the Agape International Spiritual Center http://agapelive.com, a place where I learned I COULD be Spiritual and not religious. I healed a lot in my time attending Agape. Now I continue healing, mostly on my own, but I do occasionally get guidance from others.
The one thing I learned from all my years in LA is that words are powerful so say the ones that will give you what you want.
I’m still working on the weight reduction, though I am getting stronger, gaining muscle and losing fat.
I just need to continue in that direction! ;-)
Peace,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda's historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
P.S. It took a lot of visualization and affirmations to get to where I finished and published my debut novel, but if you knew how far I've come, you would be pretty amazed! ;-)
Originally posted on Being Lydia:
The other day I was talking to someone about what’s been happening in my life and mentioned that I have been, among other things, losing some weight. She was quick to remind me that this isn’t a positive statement.
If you lose your keys, your first instinct is to go looking for them. So, in the same vein, if you lose weight you imply that you will find it again. So, I have decided that just as I have avoided weighing myself every week so I don’t set myself up for failure every week, I will not be searching for those lost pounds.
I started searching for another term that would fit without having another meaning.
If I were to drop the weight I could catch it again
Shedding pounds just makes way for new ones to “grow in”
Taking the weight off means there is room to put some…
View original 171 more words
Cinderella Sweet
Beautiful poem and stunning photograph! Thank you for being, Opinionated Man! ;-)
Peace,
Sherrie
P.S. So glad I found something wonderful to share as I missed some chances earlier this week due to being too busy!
Originally posted on HarsH ReaLiTy:
Weep not for me my Cinderella sweet.
As you blink away tears of me.
Lying nightly about what we were.
As your body still implores.
Divorcing our past, you wear a mask.
Permanent smile that does not last.
Holding a hand that is not there.
As you feel my fingers through your hair.
Do not shed another tear.
Or give in to growing fear.
We will meet again one day.
If our dreams on stars do pay.
Look to the door each night.
Hope upon hope for my sight.
-OM
