Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 25

Music Mantra Monday: Rascal Flatts "Why" - Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Hope

Recently I was approached by an online psychology magazine and resource website to write an article about raising awareness for, and giving suggestions on how to help prevent, youth/teen suicide. It was one of the toughest assignments I've been given.

The subject matter is one that is very close to my heart, for many personal reasons. I have done many talks, written many articles on the subject and have personally reached out to a few young people who just needed someone to listen and try to u...

Writing Sample Saturday: Pearls of Wisdom From My Grandpa

When I was growing up, two of the people I held most dear to me were my grandparents.

My younger brother and I spent a lot of time with them when we were younger. In a way it was great because in the midst of being surrounded by chaos, they offered us a calm environment where we were loved, nurtured and could just be kids.

In a way, though, it was sad because they were more like our parents, so we didn't get that, 'fun time at Grandma and Grandpa's house' that most other kids got to enjoy. But...

Food For Thought: Pita Pizza!

Well, this would be the third time I've posted awesome pizza recipes. Next to hotdogs (ew), pizza is one of my kids' favorite fun foods. So I try my best to put a healthier twist on their fun foods that not only appeal to their taste buds, but eases my mommy-guilt of giving them 'junk food'.

So far, we've shared our original homemade pizza , which I turned to when I stopped buying the heavily processed, greasy and overly-salty frozen boxed stuff. And, let's face it. The stuff you get for take-o...

Awesome People Doing Awesome Things: Help For Working Moms

While going through some of my Bookmarked links a couple of weeks ago to get rid of old connections, or ones that don't even exist anymore, I came across a wonderful site called, " Work Your Way ".

The focus of this website is to motivate and encourage freelance writers to continue on their path to success. Freelancing can often be a frustrating and bumpy road in the beginning, especially for those who are new to the writing arena. And Mary 'gets' this.

She began her journey helping freelancers,...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Finding Happiness

We missed our Talk About It yesterday. Unfortunately, time got away from me so we'll be sure to put up a great post for that day next week.

Today, I wanted to instill some positive energy into the world today. With all the chaos surrounding each of us every day that triggers stress and anxiety, which can lead to serious health issues, we need to find that one thing that springs up to elicit happiness.

It can be anything. Your child bringing you a flower or making you something special at school...

Music Mantra Monday: Advocating For Those Who Don't/Can't For Themselves.

***WARNING: Today's song contains lyrics that are unsuitable for some readers. I know that I have younger followers so please be aware of this before you read the lyrics, or listen to the song.***

Mental/emotional struggles.

Psychological hurdles.

Living with developmental issues and special needs.

Addiction.

These are all areas that are very close to my heart, and that I have no fear in advocating for. People who struggle in these areas do not always have the proper support, information and guida...

Mama's Muse: Breaking the 'Pack Rat'

Okay, we all have a few things we've held on to throughout the years for sentimental reasons. For example, I've kept all my kids' first baby blankets, the crafts they made in earlier grades that look like their hand prints (::sniff::), and one picture from each of their grades so I can remember, and see, how they've grown and changed.

But I store all of these items in one little box in the storage room where no one has to see it and it takes up very little space.

I also have a very extensive Be...

Writing Sample Saturday - Upcoming YA Action/Fantasy Series

As you all know, I work simultaneously on several projects at once. Not always the wisest thing to do, but this way if I get stuck on one book, I have another I can turn to in order to relieve that lovely writer's block on the other book.

For today's snippet, I thought I'd share the next few paragraphs from the WIP I shared a few weeks ago. You can get a bit of background and details of the project HERE. 

I am going waaaaaay out of my comfort zone with this one. Trust me when I say, this i...

Food For Thought Friday: Foods for Vegans/Vegetarians to Boost Iron and Protein

Welcome! Well, I had a bunch of blood tests done last week to get updates on my liver, kidney and lung functioning, plus a bunch of other stuff (thank you, yet again, to the oh-so-gentle tech who bruised up my entire arm in the process....I digress).

Although I haven't gotten all the results back yet, I was relieved to know that I am not suffering any form of Hepatitis (A, B, or C), which was becoming a huge concern for my physician. However, a large concern was the fact that both my iron and...

Awesome People Doing Awesome Things ~ Meet Illustrator/Author Murray Stenton

I have a treat for you all today. As you know, there is nothing I love more than folks who use the special talents they have to reach out to others and raise awareness for people, issues or situations that we either don't think about or that we've never heard of. Author/illustrator Murray Stenton did just that.

He has a beautiful family, who were the inspiration for his children's picture book, 'My Brother'. He will explain the meaning behind this touching book, but it definitely opened my eye...