Nikki Rosen's Blog, page 20

Thankful Thursday

"Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything is covers." Kahlil Gibran 
We got our first dusting of snow. The white crystals covering trees, hills, houses, roads, even street poles and garbage cans looks so pretty. 

It reminds me of what Goes does when He touches someone....one touch of the power of His gentleness and even the hardest heart softens. Grateful this week for.....

-My sight.....to be able to see the beauty all around me. -Seasons - each one has it's own beauty, even winter. There's something about winter that makes me feel like it's a time to work on letting go of old stuff, and getting ready to make room for the new. 
-Sun - it's brilliant. Even with the frigid temps, it makes me feel warm and light and free.  -Twisted Innocence is out. Done. Finished. It's been an incredible journey, emotionally and spiritually charged, finding the people in the story and mostly coming to know the truth. 
-And mostly....the touch of His gentleness on my life. It's changed me...made a huge difference. It gives me this incredible peace and hope and happy inside. I wake up every morning feeling like I could scale a mountain and reach for any dream. It's the best thing ever. 

Challenges

"You want me to do something? Tell me I can't." Maya Angelou

It's weird how when someone says, you can't, something in me says, just watch. 

The best challenges for me, are the ones when people say, it won't work, you can't do it. It's what happened with writing, Twisted Innocence. I was told I'd never find the woman who was central to the story nor would I ever write the true story. I'm grateful for....

-finding that woman. The two of us now share a special bond 
-finding the boy who saved her and hearing the real truth of what happened. 
-connecting with the community where it took place and developing a love for the people living there.
-Done! Finished Twisted Innocence. It's now at the printers.
-And mostly...for His grace that knew I'd stay the course.....and while I did....He opened door after door after door. Faith was pivotal in finding the key players and writing this true story. Faith  - it didn't always look like things would come together, but they did. Twisted Innocence, a story that taught me when you seek truth.....it always reveals itself. 

Happy Thursday, Guys.....
 

Thankful Thursday

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron
To me....being the heroine means  standing up....standing tall.....and listening to the voice inside my heart that tells me I can do anything.....be anything......try for what I want....even if a thousand people say, uh uh, won't work, can't, impossible. 

It's what my oldest and I talked about the other night. Next year she's heading to university and is confused about what she wants to do, which program to apply to. 

Listen to your heart, I told her, not the world. Don't go after the money. Go after your passion. By the time we went to bed, we were both giddy, laughing, animated, and her relieved. She told me I'm her hero. The funny thing is.....she's mine. Grateful for.....

-It's done! Finally finished....Twisted Innocence, the book I've worked on for over a year. Just going over it one more time to make sure it shines and then early Dec....it'll be out.Yeah!!!!! Posted the book trailer here.
-Took my youngest to get braces. We spent the morning together....just the two of us....talking, laughing....bonding even tighter. I love that kid and feel privileged to be her mom. 
-A warm home, enough food and plenty of creature comforts.
-Opportunities to try stuff.....
-And mostly for His amazing love which gives me courage.....makes me brave....helps me reach for my best. 

                       Happy Thursday, Guys!!!

Thankful Thursday

"I feel so fortunate. I want to tell other people, `Don`t give up. Miracles do happen." Elizabeth Smart

Stuff happens......good stuff.....also bad. But no matter what.....giving up is never an option. This week grateful for;

-My 3rd book,Twisted Innocence soon to be released. Can't believe I'm almost near the end of this thing. It's been more than a year and the journey to write this has been wild.....and at first discouraging......but then huge miracles one after another started happening. It's been a wild quest for truth and I learned along the way.....truth always trumps lies. I am still in awe!!!!!
-The whole week has been meetups with writer friends. Their slant on things always inspires me. I love being with creative people. 
-family....they just make life so much better.....their presence...their support....that they know me...what makes me tick....and that they love me just as I am.
-best buds.....some people step into my life and are there forever. Sometimes life gets busy and we don't see each other for a bit..... then BOOM, we're together as before again.
-Community......I love where I live....I love the people in my neighbourhood....I've met so many kind people who are involved in reaching out and making a difference for others. 
-Mostly.....that we all have a purpose for being.....Someone once told me everybody needs two things to live happy. We all need to know we're loved and we all need to know we have purpose. He gives me both. 

Happy Thursday, Guys. I love that you're all part of my world too. 

Thankful Thursday

“What I want is so simple I almost can't say it: elementary kindness.” Barbara Kingsolver,

It think it's what everyone wants....the lady at the grocery store, the man walking in the park, the teen holed up in his room....

Everyone wants to feel the touch of kindness. Sometimes it's hard to know it....Sometimes people act edgy, resistant....even offended.....but kindness is the thing that eventually always gets through and makes things right. This week grateful for.....

-the woman who graciously allowed me to take photos of her backyard. Her smiles and kindness made my day!
-friends who offered to be an extra set of eyes on my manuscript.
-the people everyday who smile and take time to chat.
-my computer....I had to use microfiche yesterday. Made me really grateful for my computer. Microfiche are awkward and totally ancient. Computers are fast and easy. One hit...Babam! Whatever I need is right there at my fingertips.  
-mostly....the kindness He shows me everyday in big ways and small.....the best....a blueheron flying right past me or something happening before I have much time to think that I even want it. Tangible signs He really cares. 

Happy Thursday, Guys. 

Thankful Thursday - Hope

"God put the message in my heart. I shape it with words. Everyone has a reason for being. My reason is a messenger."  Mattie Stepanek

I want to be a messenger of hope. It's the only thing I know to give. Hope is what kept me holding on when everything in me screamed, 'let go.' Hope that came from a stranger's smile or a gentle touch or encouraging word. Hope that showed me a better way.....a softer one.

Hope...it's what I want to give. I'm thankful this week for.....

-Now at the point of editing my soon to be released book, A Twisted Innocence.It's been a wild journey to write this story and I'm thrilled it is near completion.
-Inspirational stories....love reading books that show the resilience of the human spirit. Reading these stories always pushes me to live strong and walk kind.
-Putting together a companion book to go with In the Eye of Deception. People have asked me for one and I've dragged my heels but it's now slowly coming together.
-Countdown to university....my oldest was nominated by her school for a scholarship. Thrilled that someone sees in her what I see...that she's an amazing girl....more than just smarts....she's got the kindness too. 
-Nature.....it's where I'm always reminded of hope in powerful ways....the best ways...His ways.  And it's in the woods, down at the lake or up in the hills that I am reminded every time that everything is as it should be....He's there....and everything will turn out okay.

Thankful Thursday

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt

I used to walk around feeling I had no right to touch life....no right to use things...things meant to bring pleasure....things meant for enjoyment. I moved around the world feeling like an intruder.  

Now....I wake up happy.....excited.....glad to be alive.....and anticipating some new, fun adventure the day holds.  Even simple things excite - going down to the lake...spotting a new kind of bird.....or laughing with the people I love. Touching life - feeling it's warmth - living life as it's meant....everyday, magic. I'm grateful for....


1. A Twist of Innocence: The True Story, is almost done. It still amazes me that I've connected with the woman in my story. It's a constant reminder....He's got plans and I get to be part of it. 
2. Sold more deception books and had people contact me that the book has given them hope. It still amazes me when that happens. I'm grateful for each person my story has given hope to. 
3. The woman in the empowerment group I'm running....they amaze me with their courage to break free and I get to be a small part of their healing journey.  
4. Fall - can't say it enough. I love love love this time of year. Love the crunch of leaves under my feet....love the brilliant colours.....love the cool breeze blowing in my hair and love the sense that changes are in the air heralding new exciting adventures.
5. But mostly, I'm grateful for how He's changed me. He's open my heart to love....the real tangible thing - the kind of love that makes me feel like I can fly. And it's not just me giving love. It's more than that....it's letting others love me. 



                                  Happy Thursday, Guys.

Thankful Thursday

"It is true that those we meet can change us, sometimes so profoundly that we are not the same afterwards." Yann Martel

Sometimes when I'm fighting something hard.....I think of certain people that happened into my world.....people who made a difference.....who taught me I was worth something and showed me with their own lives.....life's possibilities.  

Other people stepped into my world to remind me to play.....to have fun.....to live life as it's meant to be lived. That's been the hardest lesson to learn....but also the best. 

This week I'm thankful for.......

-My kids who have taught me to laugh...to play....to forgive....and to love unconditionally.
-Mr. W. - Whenever I attempt something huge....his words echo inside me....'inch by inch it's a cinch. I can do anything inch by inch. 
-P.....I met her in the hospital....a Polish lady who didn't look very brave. But she rescued children during the holocaust. She taught me to live brave.....and always stay true to myself. 
-C....met her when I talked at the prison. They said she was quite disturbed....but she asked if she could read me some of her poems. They were powerful.....and amazingly full of hope. She reminded me everyone has a gift.....and to never judge. 
-And mostly that He stepped into my world and turned everything right side up. He taught me love in action. Love that goes the extra mile. Love that never gives up. Love that makes a difference. 

And one more.....I'm grateful for all of you who share your life.....and impact mine here on cyberspace. Thanks for being you, Guys. Happy Thursday

 

Thankful Thursday

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you until it seems that you cannot hold on for a minute longer..... never give up then....for that is just the time and place the tide will turn." Harriet Beecher Stowe.

I've been in places I never thought I'd make it out of.....scary ones.....uncomfortable....painful.  They seemed so hopeless....But then something happened and BAM! Everything worked out amazing.

I've learned somehow things do turn around......they always turn good, I just need to wait them out and trust. Grateful this week for:

-Faith...it's the thing that keeps me holding on when everything inside is screaming 'there's no point.'
-Faith...it's the thing that pumps me with hope
-Faith...it gives incredible peace no matter what
-Faith...it's a light in the dark.
-Faith...it's what He gave me when He reached so far down and pulled me out of the darkest place ever. I want to give back.....and shine His Light for someone else so they know...giving up is never an option.

Happy Thursday, Guys. It's gonna be a great one!!!!

Grateful for....

Thankful Thursday

"You love me real or not real? Real!" Suzanne Collins

Hung out with friends a lot this week.....and talked.....the real stuff. 

I used to live masked....hiding the real me. But something I discovered about  love  - it pushes us out of our hiding place.....and gives courage to show up just as we are.

Grateful for:  

-Creative people.....met up with a couple of writer friends. The time flew and the bonding between us deepened.
-sisters - I got only one. We were separated for the longest time but we managed to find our way back to each other and have become incredibly close.
-best friends...R's been in my life forever. She's gone through all life's downs and ups with me. She knows pretty much everything about me and I her.....awesome friendship
-old friends - he found me on google. Now we chat everyday. He's a writer and one heck of a crazy guy....very cool to have him back in my world.
-Mostly the One who showed me the incredible love and gave me the courage to be real. He taught me love demands nothing....it waits....it goes the extra mile....and it accepts just because. 

Happy Thursday, Guys.