Sonia Marsh's Blog, page 26

Check Out Our Amazing Sponsors at “Bring Out the Gutsy in You”

Check Out Our SPONSORS

You won’t want to miss our FABULOUS event called:

“BRING OUT THE GUTSY IN YOU”

 

Thanks to my wonderful publicist Barbara Kimler, and
Elaine Cali, Vice-President of Communications Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau for your help in
contacting our
FABULOUS SPONSORS 

Check out our amazing SPONSORS who are offering some fantastic door prizes.

 

One Free Night at Hyatt Regency Resort in Huntington Beach, CA.

 

Whale Watching package – It includes whale watching for two , a video , a book and a tote bag $120 total

$50 gift certificate for a wonderful meal at Zov’s.

 

[image error]

2 tickest to see “Fallen Angels” at Laguna Playhouse

 

A free one-year membership to IBPA

A beautiful print by artist Ilona Werner-Martin called”Two Ladies in Paris” signed by the artist.
A Hair Appointment by talented hairdresser Gillian Billetter from luxury Salon Milano in Newport Beach, CA.

To find out more about our “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” event and sign up, please click in box below.

 

This event is free, and you’re invited.

Click here to reserve your seat today.

Name and e-mail required.

 

Winner of the August “My Gutsy Story®”

Terri Elders

First of all I wish to congratulate all of you for submitting your “My Gutsy Story®.” I know everyone enjoys reading them and you are all winners in my opinion.

 

1st Place went to Terri Elders who won the August, “My Gutsy Story®” contest.

Terri Elders

In 2nd Place we have Jan Marshall. Well done for your inspiring story.

Jan Marshall

Jan Marshall

In 3rd Place, we have Suellen Zima.

 

Suellen Zima

 

Suellen Zima

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®.” Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

***

You’re invited to our SPECIAL EVENT, “Bring Out the Gutsy in You.”

This event is FREE, and we have some fabulous sponsors. Check out next Monday September 15th to see all our free door prizes.

A Free Gift For Sharing “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Event

Please click on me to support my launch party on 9-26.

With 8 days left in my Pubslush campaign I hope  you’ll see that it’s not just about me, but it’s about all of us.

My goal is to offer an exciting free event for the public to attend on September 26th, and to help all 64 authors who contributed to our first My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World.

We have a keynote speaker: Marybeth Bond
A panel of exciting Gutsy authors
Free Door prizes from our sponsors: restaurants, Laguna Playhouse,  Spa, Free membership to IBPA and more.
A % of proceeds are going back to help WomanSage.org

To find out more, please check out this post.

I love turquoise, and I’m offering my favorite Brighton necklace, as an incentive to the first person who can get 5 people to contribute to my Pubslush campaign.

My free gift to you from Brighton Jewelry

I have 8 days left to reach my goal, and your 5 supporters will also get rewards, based on their level of “Gutsyness.”

Please note, you will have to e-mail me (sonia@soniamarsh.com) the names of those 5 people, so we can confirm them with Pubslush.

Here are More Fun Entries from the “One Sentence-One Photo About You” which I promised to share on my site, as they could not all fit in my Pubslush video

Jonna Ivin: I want to write and perform a one woman show.

Jonna Ivin

John DeNizio: 10 days and 77 miles later in the outback of New Mexico, with nothing but what’s on my back.

John DeNizio

I hope you help all of turn this event into a successful event on 9-26-13.

Please CLICK HERE to help support the event and receive perks in exchange.

Thanks for all your support.

 ***

Remember to Vote for your favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®.” You have 2 weeks to vote. The winner will be announced on September 12th, and gets to select a prize from our sponsors.

 

 

How To Get Your Book Into Costco

For unknown indie authors like myself, getting your book into Costco might seem impossible, but let me share my own experience, and motivate you to try this yourself.

As I tell my indie author friends, everything starts with building

a relationship

What do I mean?

Well, if you shop at your local Costco, ask to speak to the manager. Introduce yourself, and say that you’re a local author and would like to know how to do a book signing at his/her store.

One Saturday while shopping, I noticed an author selling his books. I asked him how he got into Costco and he mentioned his publisher arranged everything for him. He had a traditional publisher, and wasn’t an indie publisher like myself.

I lucked out when Jeff,  the manager, walked up to the author, and I took the opportunity to remind him that I also wanted to do a book signing. Fortunately, Jeff loves to read and support authors. I asked him for his e-mail, and he told me I had to call the headquarters in Issaquah, WA, and follow their instructions.

I called them and listened to their instructions about where to send my book, together with my press kit and it specifically said, that they do not want books published by Author House, X-Libris or I-Universe.

Fortunately, I have my own publishing company, “Gutsy Publications” which allows me to offer Costco the same discount bookstores expect from publishers. I offered them a 55% discount.

After waiting several weeks, I heard back from Costco’s, California based wholesaler, American West Books, which supplies print books on local and regional topics to Costco warehouses nationwide.

I followed their guidelines, and my son helped me with PhotoShop to design two 20″x30″ posters, which Costco printed.

Jeff was kind enough to allow me to place the posters at the front of Costco for a week before my signing, to alert shoppers.

I did all the local advertising and social media to get people to show up, and ended up selling 32 books in total.

On the day of my Costco book signing, several writer friends arrived to support me and some wanted to know how I did it.

Darlene Quinn, Sonia, Charla Spence

Assistant Manager of Costco and me.

Here is the Costco list that shows author book signings, nationwide.

I wish you all the best, and FYI, if you need help, please e-mail me your specific question and write (Free Question Consultation) in the Subject line and e-mail me at:  sonia@soniamarsh.com.

If you want help on how to become your own GIP (Gutsy Indie Publisher),  I’m offering one-on-one book marketing consulting. You can reach me at sonia@soniamarsh.com, or call (949) 309-0030.

To find out more about book marketing tips, including how to get your book into Costco, please listen to my interview with Linda Joy Myers,  President of NAMW (NAtional Association of Memoir Writers) Rountable 8-23-13 “You’ve Written a Memoir, Now How Do You Sell It?”

 ***

Click on photo I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE

Please Check Out the “BRING OUT THE GUTSY IN YOU” Event and my Pubslush Campaign.

***

Remember to Vote for your favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®.” You have 2 weeks to vote. The winner will be announced on September 12th, and gets to select a prize from our sponsors.

Publicity is the Key to Success For All of Us

Sonia Marsh speaking upside down

There comes a time when one person can’t do it alone, and a community makes things happen.

This is the time when I need your help to make the “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” event and the launch of our first: My Gutsy Story® True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World (now on Amazon)

PEOPLE MAKE THIS A SUCCESS

I have so many people to thank for helping with our  SPECIAL EVENT and BOOK LAUNCH

Marybeth Bond- flying out from San Franciso to be our keynote speaker
Linda Joy Myers (NAMW) President- flying out from San Franciso to be our panelist (Check out our interview together about the event.)
Jason Matthews, author and e-book publishing expert. (Check out the fantastic post he wrote about our 9-26-13  event.)
Marla Miller, upbeat and Gutsy moderator, author and founder of “Marketing the Muse” workshops.

HERE’S WHAT I’M DOING TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESS

I’ve rented a movie theater to make this event  special
I’ve hired a film crew so footage can be shared and used to promote everyone
I’m working with a wonderful publicist, Barbara Kimler, to make things happen
The Orange County and Anaheim Convention and Visitors Bureau will send out a media blast to 800 businesses.
Producing a DVD of the event
I’ve hired a professional photographer
I’ve been on PBS-SoCal TV to promote the event (video link)
PBS reporters, Maria Hall Brown and Ann Pulice from PBS said they would attend the event
I’ve been on local radio shows to promote our event
I’m giving back part of the Anthology proceeds to help WomanSage.org a non-profit, helping women in transition (please read Jacene’s story below)
I have a wonderful group of smiling volunteers to help make our event special

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Please watch my Pubslush video (don’t laugh at me standing on my head!)

Sonia Marsh speaking upside down

Please contribute to the PUBSLUSH Campaign to help support the event, and OFFER YOU REWARDS in exchange.
Please share this post with your family and friends, as well as on social media.

This is what WomanSage does to help women like Jacene

After surviving cancer 3 times, her 32 yr marriage ending in divorce, and moving to Orange County to take care of her aging parents Jacene faced financial, emotional and personal losses. She used the TM experience to investigate other potential career avenues identified by her career coach. With her renewed vigor, passion and a plan, Jacene chose to continue her work with children in the school district and expand her tutoring service. She is currently an educator at Newport Mesa Unified School District.

***

HOW DID I GET MY BOOK INTO COSTCO?

Come back Thursday, September 5th, to read more.

***

Remember to Vote for your favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®.” You have 2 weeks to vote. The winner will be announced on September 12th, and gets to select a prize from our sponsors.

Vote for Your Favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®”

The voting starts right now for your favorite August 2013 “My Gutsy Story®.” You have 2 weeks to vote. The winner will be announced on September 12th, and gets to select a prize from our sponsors.

Vote on Sidebar. Only ONE vote each

Poll is below the “Bring Out the Gutsy in You,” event information.

This month we have 3 stories to vote for. Janet Givens just wanted to share her Peace Corps experience but prefers not participate in the contest.

Janet Givens

Our second moving story of the month was from Suellen Zima. 

She wrote an honest account about the guilt of “abandoning” your family as well as being true to yourself.

Suellen Zima

Terri Elders wrote about her career as a psychiatric social worker taking care of abused and neglected children.

Terri Elders

Jan Marshall wrote an inspiring story about how humor helped her heal as well as using it to help others heal.

Jan Marshall

 

Be Inspired to ‘Bring Out the Gutsy in You’

Click here for Special Event News

Are you ready to take the next gutsy step in your life? I’m hosting an event in Orange County on Sept. 26 that will inspire you to act on that dream you’ve been holding inside.

This event is free, and you’re invited.

Click here to reserve your seat today.

Name and e-mail required.

 

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get  published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

I am writing posts next month about how to get into Costco, local TV and more. Please stop by on Mondays and Thursdays to learn more.

“My Gutsy Story®”Jan Marshall

Touched by an Angel in an Inappropriate Place

IN THE BEGINNING, they claimed they never promised us a rose garden. Never said there wasn’t one, so I assumed I’d wake up and bees would be a buzzin’.

Then someone up there, said, “Hey lady, wanna learn some great lessons?” Before I could answer, like everyone else in some manner, I endured grief, disappointments, illness including cancer and, more recently, brain surgery, plus some bad fish.

Fortunately, I have a congenital condition known as Opticockyitis, named after the doctor who diagnosed it in a cocker spaniel. It’s an affliction causing me to observe most situations a bit off center. Can’t help myself. It is like being born with a Whoopee cushion in my head. Whenever I was dealt a major blow in life, and after I finished crying, moaning, and complaining, my ability to observe the moment with this unusual perspective saved my life, according to my physicians.

But I have a confession to make. After first being touched by an angel in an inappropriate place, I was shocked. “Not me, not cancer.” I had mammograms every year, ate well, jogged, practiced yoga, laughed and made love frequently (sometimes at the same time — talk about multi-tasking or ADD) so, of course, I had to be immune.

As a motivational seminar leader, teaching about the connection between mind and body, stressing humor was an important element. In my workshops I taught that increasing the laughter in one’s life is essential to one’s wellbeing. I was a newspaper humor columnist and an author of funny survival books. I was founder of the International Humor & Healing Institute and a Certified Master Clinical Hypnotherapist. How could this have happened?

No one in my family had cancer. I did not fit any statistics: oh yeah, except the part about early detection. My trusted radiologist made a major error: He hadn’t noticed the cancer during the last few mammograms in the fourteen years he was my doctor. OOPS!

The situation became worse with every decision. Before the cancer and lousy chemotherapy, I was a healthy lady. Cancer can make you sick; not the illness itself, but the treatment. Years ago, though not now, receiving chemotherapy was like dropping a bomb to catch a fly; killing the insect, but affecting so much more.

I believe in fifty years we will think that placing toxins in our bodies is barbaric.

People will say, “You’re kidding. Do you mean in the twentieth century when people had a severe illness, they removed the part with the problem and then they pumped your body full of crap? EEEW!’

When told I needed a biopsy I asked if it mattered if I waited a couple of weeks. I had a scheduled speaking engagement in Washington, DC, plus a meeting with Patch Adams, that remarkable physician who uses humor in dealing with his patients and dreamed of building a free hospital.

We shared information. I told him about my plan for placing humor/healing rooms in hospitals to start, then corporations and schools.

I had designed rooms to promote healing by inducing positive emotions in a hospital setting in addition to other medical therapies. It was intended to prevent burnout among staff and as a pleasant waiting section for visitors. By placing specific areas with healing colors, soothing sound, ergonomically designed furniture and humor from every medium, enlightened physicians could write a prescription for the patient to spend time in the Humor Room just as they would prescribe any other physical therapy.

The first place was to be the “Steve Allen Humor Room.” Steve had become a dear friend and supporter after he appeared on my television show, and I was a frequent guest on his syndicated WNEW radio program. He was a kind, brilliant and funny man.

Jan Marshall & Steve Allen

The doctor said it would be OK to take my trip if I agreed not to wait more than those two weeks. I took healing tapes to play in my hotel room as well as books and soothing meditations. I knew I’d be OK. I have always believed in the power of prayer and the kindness of strangers. “Not so fast,” Grandma used to say, “Man plans. God laughs hysterically.

It was cancer. It had spread to lymph nodes.

I had chemotherapy and, much later, brain tumor surgery. When my hair grew back an inch, just for fun my caregiver dyed it blonde for two days.

I looked like rocker Eminem, cursed, and grabbed my crotch a lot. I let it grow back auburn.

I was no longer recognizable to myself. I cried in the shower every day. After the screams and unending tears, a new plan was necessary: to do what always helped me before, which was to get out of me and assist others.

I had done that when Steve Allen died suddenly and my grief was so enormous that I gave up dreams of installing Humor Rooms.

Whenever I am in a funk, what often helps me (besides music or funny films) is helping someone else out of his or her distress.

So I presented university programs regarding the benefits of humor in business, which were voted the best for three years in a row, and I shared healing techniques with doctors, nurses, and technicians at clinics, hospitals and major corporations.

But the two actions that proved most helpful to me were: 1) forming “Jan’s Army” and awarding badges of heroism to other survivors And 2) keeping notes and seeking out the humor in daily hassles, such as dealing with new technology, internet dating, and more; then turning them into newspaper columns and books, the most recent: “Dancin’, Schmancin’ with the Scars: Finding the Humor No Matter What! *Dancin’ is code for anything pleasurable.

It is dedicated to veterans, cancer and brain tumor survivors and regular people simply dealing with “stuff.” Most important, it includes tips and techniques for living joyfully, even when going through a rough patch.

I’m still “dancin’ ” as are all you gutsy people, even though your very own scars may not be visible. Cheers to you!

Click on cover to go to Amazon

Jan Marshall Bio: The cheeky very seasoned Humorologist, Jan Marshall, is author of satirical survival books; her most recent, “DANCIN, SCHMANCIN with the SCARS: Finding the Humor No Matter What!” available through Amazon and on ebook devices.  Newspaper columnist and media humorist, Jan hosted her own television series and is a national speaker and consultant.

The International Humor & Healing Institute which she founded in 1986, included among other board members, Norman Cousins, Dr. Bernie Siegel, John Cleese and Steve Allen. Jan is a Certified Master Clinical Hypnotherapist.  “Jan’s Army” distributed badges to heroes enduring the battle of cancer. Please visit Jan’s website.

Please visit Jan’s website

Twitter:  @JanMarshmellow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanMarshallAuthor

Link to purchase Jan’s Book on Amazon.

Jan Marshall and Phyllis Diller Award

SONIA MARSH SAYS: Jan, you are one “Gutsy” lady to have overcome obstacles in your life, through humor and helping others. I think you offer a different perspective and admire what you do when you find yourself in a “funk, to do what always helped me before, which was to get out of me and assist others.”

Please mark your calendar for the “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Event on 9-26, where we launch our First “My Gutsy Story®”Anthology Book. During September we shall focus on the event and other posts and October 7th, we shall post Joe Weddington’s inspiring story.

 

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get  published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here.

Janet Givens is our first “My Gutsy Story®” for the month of August, Suellen Zima is second and Terri Elders is our third author of the month.

VOTING for your favorite August “My Gutsy Story®”, starts this Thursday, August 29th, and ends on September 11th. The winner will be announced on September 12th.

 

A Gutsy Pubslush Campaign

 

Click on Photo to see my Pubslush Campaign

Asking for help is not easy, especially for someone like me who believes that I should be able to do everything myself.

I admit,  I cannot do it all alone, and so I’m asking you for your support.

By support I mean:

Anything you can to support and spread my Pubslush campaign to the world

I made a short video with 8 super “Gutsy” people which explains the campaign, and the rewards are listed on my Pubslush page.

The link is : www.GutsyLiving.Pubslush.com

I admit this is the first event I’ve put together and I want to do it RIGHT.

You see, I feel a great deal of responsibility towards my fellow authors (64 of them) who have contributed their “My Gutsy Story®” to the launch of our first: My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World

In order to make the our September 26th, “Bring Out the Gutsy in You” Anthology launch a huge success:

I need your help in spreading the news, and supporting the event, and there are “Gutsy” rewards based on your help.

We have a professional film company to film our panel of “Gutsy People” and wish to share the video after the event.
We have a famous keynote speaker, Marybeth Bond, the Gutsy Traveler.
A professional photographer will take photos of people attending our event and those will be shared.
We are renting a movie the Regency South Coast Village Movie theater.
We have refreshments and a no host bar.
We are donating part of proceeds to WomanSage, a non-profit that helps women in transition, and I feel this is a great cause to support.

If you have any questions, please contact me at sonia@soniamarsh. com

I was interviewed by Maria Hall Brown on local PBS SoCal TV “Real Orange” yesterday and mentioned the event. It shall air tonight on PBS SoCal around 5:20-5:25 pm PDT. Please check out your local channels listing.

[image error]

Maria Hall Brown PBS SoCal- “Real Orange” and Sonia after my interview.

Here are more photos from the studio yesterday. So much fun.

***

 I’m at Costco in Irvine, hope to see you on August 24th, from 11 am-2 pm (MAP) 

Book signing of my memoir: Freeways to Flip-Flops.

115 Technology Drive,

Irvine, CA 92618

Do you know someone “Gutsy” in your community?

We need your help. Please nominate a “Gutsy” person in one of the following locations.

Orange County
San Diego
Los Angeles

Send us the name, and a 200 word max. e-mail about why this person is “Gutsy.”
E-mail us at: gutsyanthology@gmail.com

 ***

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get  published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here.

Janet Givens is our first “My Gutsy Story®” for the month of August, Suellen Zima is second and Terri Elders is our third author of the month.

 

 

 

“My Gutsy Story®” Terri Elders

 

A Happy Heart

“So what do you do?”

In the ‘70s when strangers at parties asked this, I could have fudged…just say I worked for the county, and leave it at that. Instead I’d provide a flat-out conversation-stopper.

“I’m the psychiatric social worker for MacLaren Hall’s nursery,” I’d answer. “That’s where neglected and abused kids await court disposition. I do play therapy with the toddlers, and try to get help for their abusing parents.”

I’d smile and wait. People usually inched away, as if I’d confided that I ran pigeon drop scams on senior citizens. Or that I might be contagious.

During the ensuing silence, I’d watch eyes glaze and jaws drop.

“Oh,” they’d sputter, “I couldn’t do that.” They’d nod and sidle off in search of someone with a more socially redeeming occupation.

Burnout rates soar in my profession. Social workers, like police, rarely get thanked. Instead, they’re criticized by the very people they strive to aid, and vilified by the press and the general public for not doing enough.

I didn’t expect accolades, parades, or even sympathetic ears from strangers at parties. Nobody wants to hear about babies who’ve been abandoned in garbage bins or children who’d been tortured. I understood that, so I didn’t tell horror stories.

If anybody stuck around long enough, I could relate sunny tales. Many addicted parents I’d counseled successfully completed rehab, found jobs, and visited their children who were in foster care. I could mention the four-year-old voluntary mute who spoke again as we manipulated finger puppets.

In earlier days, my husband, Bob, a policeman, listened patiently when I vented. With an equally stress-filled job, he empathized. Over the years, though, he’d sought relief in vodka, eventually spiraling downwards into alcoholism. He’d been in several out-patient programs, and on and off the wagon, but nothing took. I’d occasionally think of divorce, but I’d shove that troubling notion aside. He needs me, I’d convince myself.

Not long before I started at MacLaren, Bob entered an in-patient program. This one worked. With a commitment to sobriety, he no longer was around to give me emotional support. He spent every free minute in Twelve Step meetings and hospital aftercare programs.

I needed to find support elsewhere. I recognized that some of my colleagues already suffered from compassion fatigue, burnout, and depression. Some coped by eating compulsively or relying on tranquillizers. I wanted to continue with my job, but certainly didn’t want to pack on unneeded pounds, float through my days like a zombie, or eventually be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

I started to frequent an art gallery that published a magazine. I wrote articles for it, and made friends who were artists, photographers and poets. I enrolled in an aerobic dance class, and lost myself in choreographed routines, pretending to be a Broadway chorine.

Despite these distractions, my marriage continued to unravel. One day, toweling off after a particularly invigorating aerobics session, I noticed my heartbeat seemed to stutter. By the time I got dressed, it beat normally again. I forgot about it until one day at work when I broke out in a cold sweat. The stutter had returned.

I saw my doctor, who gave me an electrocardiogram test.

“You’re experiencing premature ventricular contractions, commonly called PVCs,” she explained. “It’s not dangerous yet, but it could be. What’s going on in your life?”

“My husband and I may be headed for divorce,” I confessed. “I worry about that, and about the children I work with. I try to take care of myself. I go to aerobics three times a week, but drink a lot of coffee.”

“Caffeine, too much exercise, a high stress job, plus anxiety over your marriage, all could be contributing factors,” she said. “The sooner you make decisions, the better you’ll be. Not knowing one way or another how a marriage or a job will work out adds to your stress. Rid yourself of uncertainty. Don’t be afraid to take the first step.”

Bob resented my new activities, preferring that I devote my free time to accompanying him to recovery meetings. Delighted with his progress, I still didn’t want my life to revolve around his sobriety, as it had around his drinking. I wanted to write and dance.

That issue resolved itself after Bob confessed he’d fallen in love with one of his outpatient counselors. We agreed to separate.

I continued working at MacLaren through one administrative upheaval after another. I’d think about leaving for a job with more regular hours, one that wouldn’t require me to work on Sundays. But I’d remember the children. They need me, I reasoned.

Then one afternoon, after I learned that my play therapy room would be converted into an additional dormitory, I felt my heart skip a beat again.

The arrhythmia was back, but this time I knew what to do. Not burned out yet, but I scented smoke. Even though I’d invested 15 years in county employment, a future retirement pension wouldn’t keep my heart healthy today.

I updated my resume, sent out applications and within months landed a new job in the private sector with an HMO. Not perfect, but a change. And my happier heart calmed down permanently.

It’s been over 25 years now since I’ve experienced any arrhythmia. It’s not as if I’ve lead a stress-free life. I’ve worked overseas with Peace Corps and held other demanding jobs. I remarried and saw my second husband through a long series of illnesses and eventual hospice care.

I do the routine things: keep caffeine to a minimum, exercise reasonably, and get enough sleep.

But my real secret is that I don’t remain immersed in uncertainty. I don’t allow myself to feel trapped by the perceived needs of others. I seek a way to take that first step. After all, I need my heart to live. I owe myself good health.

Now when people ask me what I do, I have a favorite response. It raises eyebrows.

“I keep a happy heart,” I say.

TERRI ELDERS, LCSW, lives near Colville, WA, with two dogs and three cats. A lifelong writer and editor, Terri’s stories have appeared in dozens of periodicals and anthologies, including multiple editions of Not Your Mother’s Book, Dream of Things, Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Cup of Comfort, Patchwork Path, Thin Threads, Tending Your Inner Garden and God Makes Lemonade. She is the in-house copy editor for Publishing Syndicate, and co-creator of its anthology, Not Your Mother’s Book: On Travel. She blogs at http://atouchoftarragon.blogspot.com/.

Please visit Terri’s blog.

Please (like) Terri Elders on Facebook

Click on book to view on Amazon

 SONIA MARSH SAYS: Your strength and determination to keep yourself “in balance” despite your demanding job and the pressures in your marriage, are admirable. I am a curious person and would love to have asked you more about your profession, had we met during a social occasion. I was touched by your statement, “Social workers, like police, rarely get thanked.”  So I’d like to thank you for all your years of helping neglected and abused children.

An Exciting Pubslush Campaign and Video

I’m starting a Pubslush campaign for the launch Event on September 26th of our first:

My Gutsy Story® Anthology: Real Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure from Around the World.

Click on book to see video

There are many exciting rewards. Please WATCH the VIDEO I made with 8 Gutsy people in it.

Linda Hoenigsberg,
Annabel Candy
Madeline Sharples
David Haldane
Rebecca Hall
Sara Wallace
Penelope James
Mary Gottschalk

I am grateful for any level of support and please make sure you share the link (http://GutsyLiving.pubslush.com) with all your friends, followers and more. ENJOY!

 

Winner of the July 2013 “My Gutsy Story®” Contest

Sharon Leaf

I am thrilled to announce Sharon Leaf as the  winner of the July 2013,  “My Gutsy Story®” Anthology series.

Sharon Leaf

Congratulations Sharon for a wonderful story of courage and faith, and not letting fear rule you.

In a very close 2nd place is, Patti Hall.

Patti Hall

Patti wrote an inspiring story about how her personal tragedy brought her passion for writing back into her life.

Patti Hall

In 3rd place, we have another amazing story by Destiny Allison.

Destiny Allison

Destiny is the perfect example of a “Gutsy” woman who was able to turn her love for sculpting into a profitable business as a single mother to support her family.

Destiny Allison

In 4th place,  Liz Burgess, shares her story of “letting go” and how we need to find the courage to do this.

Liz Burgess

In 5th place we have the amazing story by Donald Dempsey  about a father’s love for his son and how he would change his life after having years of abuse by his own mother.

Donald Dempsey and his son

 

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get  published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

Our August stories have started with Janet Givens  and Sue Ellen Zima sharing their “My Gutsy Story®.” Next Monday, Terri Elders will share her story.

***

Come back next Thursday for some exciting news about a new PUBSLUSH campaign and VIDEO for our September 26th, “My Gutsy Story®” event.