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March 27, 2016

6 Signs You’re Making the Wrong Decision

I found another post this week that made me pause, and after a little thinking knew I had to share it with you. It’s about decision making, and how we can avoid making bad decisions by looking for red flags that signal we might be heading in the wrong direction.

“From what to eat, what to wear, who to respond to first, and what to prioritize at work, each of us makes hundreds — if not thousands — of decisions each day.

How do we avoid making choices that invite regret, resentment, or erode our well-being? Though there’s no surefire way to never make a mistake, paying attention to signs we’re en route to bad decisions can help us switch course before it’s too late.”

I subscribe to Greatist for a reason: they have realistic and wonderful advice to make life better. And happier. :)

Want to know what these decision making red flags are? Read Greatist’s blog here. Like me, you may learn a thing or two that will help you down the road.

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: decision making, greatist.com, happiness, mental-health, psychology, self improvement

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Published on March 27, 2016 09:12

March 13, 2016

Love The Earth? 9 Things You Can Do to Do Right by It.

I love Earth. I love the seasons, and the blue sky, and animals and plants and trees. I love mountains and lakes and the beach. I love the smell of blooming flowers, salty sea air, and crisp wind in winter.

If you’re like me, you love those things (and more). And while we, as humans, get to enjoy so much of what this wonderful planet has to offer, do you ever stop and think about how we interact with Mother Earth on a daily basis? We have brains, which means we can either manipulate the ground beneath our feet or work with it in harmony and unison – so there’s something left for our children and children’s children to enjoy just as much as we do.

Unfortunately, a lot has gone astray. Man has corrupted the planet’s beauty in favor of buildings and manufacturing and infrastructure, not to mention done a number on its health. On a large scale, there may not be a lot we can do. But on our own we sure have a lot of power to make a difference. Here are some very easy behavior changes you can make on your own that, collectively, would have a tremendous healing effect on this Big Blue Marble.

Drink your water out of a glass instead of a plastic bottle. For years, my family bought cases of water in plastic bottles, drank the water, and then tossed the empty bottle into the recycling bin. Well, recycling is good, but nearly 90% of plastic isn’t recycled and most ends up in landfills. And it never, ever breaks down. So put a filter on your tap and drink from a glass. Traveling? Fill a hydro flask, carry, and go. FYI, the EPA’s standards for tap water are more stringent than the FDA’s standards for bottled water. So what are you waiting for?
Store food in glass (like Pyrex) instead of plastic. Those BPA-free plastic containers? In case you didn’t know, they’re filled with alternate chemicals that can be just as bad as BPA that leach into your food. And they have the same long-term effect on the planet just as plastic water bottles do (or any other plastic, for that matter). I’ve been slowly replacing my plastic storage containers with Pyrex and, I have to admit, it’s a lot more pleasant to use. No smells, no stains…just all-natural storage that’s a breeze to clean.
Wash in cold or warm water. Did you know that if all U.S. households switched from a hot-hot cycle to a warm-cold cycle that we could save the energy comparable to 100,000 barrels of oil a day? Yeah. That much. Oh, and do laundry only when you have a full load. You’ll save water, too.
Do you really need an SUV? Yes, they’re spacious, but most people don’t need an SUV for everyday driving. In fact, most people who buy them don’t even use them for off-roading or in the great outdoors. Think about this: a Honda Civic uses 3 1/2 gallons of gas and 387,500 BTUs for a 62 mile trip. A Chevy Suburban needs 7 3/4 gallons and nearly 1,000,000 BTUs to go the same distance. Need more convincing? SUVs spew out 43% more global-warming pollution and 47% more air pollution than an average car. And you’re breathing all that junk in. Ewwww.
Shower with your partner. Yes. Really. It’ll save heaps of water and, uh, maybe come with other benefits.
Greener lawns don’t need chemical fertilizers or lots of water. Water your lawn in the early morning before any moisture is lost to evaporation. Have some weeds? Spritz them with vinegar, nature’s natural way of killing off those pesky things.
Donate. Have clothing you want to get rid of? Donate it instead of throwing it away. There are others who could definitely use what you’ve discarded, which means you’ve not only clothed another individual but you’ve also saved the environment from one more thing in the landfill.
Stop paper bank statements! Go paperless and save trees. Trees have to breathe to live, just as we do. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, while we breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen. Humans are interconnected with trees, which are our mainstay of oxygen. Without trees, we can’t survive.
Use one less paper napkin. The average American uses about 2,200 napkins a year, roughly six every day. If everyone in the U.S. used one less napkin a day, more than one billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year.

Those are some of my suggestions for today. Do you have any to add?

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: big blue marble, BPA, earth, fertilizer, health, hydro flask, laundry, paperless, plastic, pyrex, trees, water

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Published on March 13, 2016 11:09

February 28, 2016

Disillusioned? You’re Not Alone.

Have days when you question why you’re here? Or what the hell you’re doing?

Ever wonder if there’s something else out there for you other than the daily grind, or trying to pay bills, or working a job that sucks the life out of you?

Suffer from boredom and try to fill it with social media, constant busyness, or some other kind of entertainment that numbs you and passes the time?

And wonder why you’re still feeling unfulfilled?

You’re not alone.

There’s a growing trend (at least among the people I’ve met over the years, both online and live) who are frustrated with their life. The most common complaint I’ve been hearing is that they’re just not happy. Which is sad, really. So I started thinking about why people are feeling so disillusioned. Maybe it’s an age thing. The older (ahem) you get, the more you start looking for fulfillment beyond money, material goods, and trying to prove yourself to others (either personally or professionally).

But I also think that maybe it’s more than that.

Maybe it’s that we’re just too focused on the things that really don’t matter. Because, let’s be honest, it’s a way of life that today’s society seems to support.

I’ve met many people over the years who graduated from college and went on to get a job to “start their life”. Then, over time, they got bigger or better jobs that came with more money or more prestige or both. Then they got married or had kids or bought a house or got better cars or went on more vacations just to get away. You get the picture. And then one day, these folks sat around commiserating with friends and family over a meal or a drink, wondering why they felt so empty.

So here’s the thing. If you’re caught up in the trappings of life rather than life itself, it can become difficult to find your way out of feeling lost.

Along the way, I discovered something very important: Life Needs Purpose.

Sound simple? Well, it is. In a way. But challenging disillusionment, and the life we’ve grown accustomed to and may be afraid to abandon in the hope of resurrecting a more satisfying one, will only come with some serious soul-searching and commitment to change.

Here are some questions to think about:

If you had to write a biography about your life, what would be its main theme? Would it focus on the accomplishments of a job? Or the difference you made in other lives, either through charity or volunteer work? Would it be all the hours you put in at the office for someone else’s benefit, or the hours you spent reading to your kids, or helping plant trees in your neighborhood, or feeding meals to the less fortunate?
What were among your most memorable experiences in life? Was it a long-awaited vacation because you needed a break from the craziness of life, that was quickly forgotten once you returned? Or the mornings you set aside to watch the sun rise in silence, because doing so reminded you of just how truly precious life is and how abundantly small we are?
How do you spend your spare time? Do you constantly check your smart phone for updates on social media, the latest gossip or news or entertainment, or email from work? Or do you shut the phone off as soon as you get home and focus on friends and family and loved ones instead?
What lies are you telling yourself that keep supporting the current way you’re doing things, even though you hate it? If you’re in a job that’s making you miserable, maybe it’s time to rethink your career. If you’re in a house that’s bogging you down with huge mortgage payments, maybe it’s time to rethink the house. If you’re saving money to go away on vacation so you can revive your spirit, maybe it’s time to look into mindfulness practices (that are free!) instead.
Do you surround yourself with positive, inspirational people? And people who support you? Or are you predominantly involved with people, either personally or professionally, who are only focused on their own success and happiness, drives or ambitions?
Do you have a passion to pursue? Unless you’re independently wealthy, odds are you have to do some kind of work to put a roof over your head and food on the table. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t find your passion in life. What gives you true joy and inspiration? Writing? Cooking? Breeding dogs? Gardening? Exercise? Helping the elderly? If you have a passion, you have an outlet. The means to find purpose. So go out and do it.
Do you spend most of your time worrying about what someone else thinks about you or your actions? Or do you just try to do your best, and the right thing, every time because you realize that’s all that really matters?
Do you make excuses for your actions and choices? Because you’re too scared to change up your life? If so, that’s holding you back. Listen to that little voice inside your head (in case you haven’t noticed, it chatters at you all day), recognize the roadblocks it’s placing in front of you, accept the thoughts for what they are (thoughts, not facts), and pursue your purpose.

My point here is simple. Disillusionment carries weight, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Half the battle is acknowledging that you’re disillusioned. The other half is letting go of expectations and the things we can’t control. So yeah, disillusionment can be a good thing because it’ll spur you into action to make change. A good change. Think about what gives you real, honest to goodness joy, then pursue it. The only one holding you back is you.

Here is some wonderful advice to consider, with the close of this blog entry:

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: Buddha, disillusionment, happiness, inspiration, life, life decisions, purpose, Self Awareness, self help

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Published on February 28, 2016 10:40

February 21, 2016

15 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger

I don’t like Monday Morning Quarterbacking and I don’t believe in “hindsight is 20/20” (we all make decisions based on a particular point in time in our lives, so looking to the past and saying things could have been different if we had we known better is A Big Self-Inflicted Lie). However, there are a few things I learned along the way that I wish I knew (or paid more attention to) when I was younger.

These thoughts aren’t based on regret so much as having a better understanding of the richness of life as I see it now. Part of this thinking was brought about by some life experiences I’m experiencing now, and part of this thinking came about as the result of a sympathetic talking-to I recently had with myself. So I pulled together this list of wisdom learned along the way, hoping it’ll spark an eye-opening moment in your life the way it did in mine. No matter what your age. :)

In no particular order:

Always do the right thing. Sometimes the most important decisions are the hardest ones to make, but doing the right thing is what makes you a better person. Lying to achieve status, or placing blame on someone else for a mistake you made, or putting someone else down because it gives you a temporary ego-boost (or any other host of things that belittle someone else in your favor) weakens the soul and harms humanity. As Maya Angelou once said, “Right may not be expedient; it may not be profitable but it will satisfy your soul.”
No matter what you do, people will have an opinion. And those opinions don’t really matter. I read somewhere that 1/3 of people will like you, 1/3 won’t, and 1/3 won’t care either way. So what’s the point in battling with what others think of you, or acquiescing to what someone else thinks of you? At the end of the day, the only person you have to answer to is yourself and if you give too much merit to those other opinions, you will diminish your self-worth.
Life is more than your job, and you are more than your job. Jobs pay bills. Period. If you’re lucky enough to have a job that is also your passion, then the two can be easily integrated. But many of us typically give too much value to our job at the expense of family or friends or even our health and sanity. And the system, unfortunately, is built upon grading how well you do your job and then providing you with a little more money to show thanks. It’s a hollow value system. Again, based on someone else’s opinion of you.
Be creative. Finding your path in life may mean not taking the routine, or typical road. So just because the masses are getting married, or buying a house, or getting a 9-5 job doesn’t mean you have to. Life is meant to be explored, and on your terms. And if there’s something out there you really want to see or learn about, creativity will help you find a way to do it.
There’s something bigger than all of us out there, so open yourself to possibilities. As the years have passed, I’ve been awed by the way things always have a way of working out. This doesn’t mean that life isn’t without challenges or difficulties, but once you let go of expectations and open yourself to what life has to offer without judgment or wants or desires, extraordinary things happen. We can’t control everything. In fact, we can only control our reaction to how we perceive life. And if we surrender to it, living life becomes a heck of a lot easier. So rather than battling what you think life should give you, or how you expect things should turn out, release the expectations, sit back, and see what happens. Odds are, the experience will be much more peaceful and richer for it.
Exercise. Regularly. You don’t have to pump iron or be a gym rat to keep your body healthy. You only need to move, every day. Walk the neighborhood. Take the stairs. Park further away from a store. Get up from the television during commercials and stroll all the rooms in your house. Better yet, turn off the television and head to the beach for a swim or the park for a game of frisbee. The body was designed to move, and ignoring that basic need makes the body sick.
Be mindful. Today’s pace is frantic and frenetic, and it’s getting worse as time passes. It’s filled with devices to help us work longer hours and stay connected 24/7 — but at a very big cost. People are more stressed now than ever before, mostly because we don’t take the time to be mindful. So put aside the television, the smart phone, and the laptop or tablet. Close your eyes and listen to your thoughts. Go outside and appreciate the blue sky. Focus on the conversation you’re having with your spouse or friend. Think about where that strawberry you’re eating was picked, and who farmed it for you before it ended up in your mouth. Savor its sweetness and small seeds that crunch as you bite into them. Life’s simplest moments are often the most profound.
Do yoga. Flexibility and focus. Strength and stamina. These are just a few of the amazing benefits regular practice provides. But yoga isn’t just for those thin, uber-healthy people you see on magazine covers. In fact, most people who do yoga regularly don’t even look like that. So you don’t have to tie yourself up into knots to obtain the benefits, which include minimizing pain symptoms, protecting your spine, boosting immunity, and establishing a better, more accepting, relationship with your body. It will also center you spiritually and emotionally. So simple, yet so very powerful.
Eat food, not edible food products. Just because something is sold on a supermarket shelf doesn’t mean it’s food. Sure, it’s edible, but it’s not the real thing. The food industry has food engineers whose job is to figure out what other products a company can sell so the company can make more money. This doesn’t promote optimal or even good health, and there are direct connections between eating edible food products and disease. All those products that tout nutritional benefits such as “low sugar” or “low fat” or “high fiber” are only doing so to make you think it’s healthy. Eat food provided by Mother Nature and avoid what’s been produced in a lab. Your body will thank you for it.
Money isn’t everything. In fact, it offers very little value except to provide the few basics we need to live. Do you really need a bigger house with bigger debt? Do you really need to lease a new car when you can buy a three-year old model and have immediate equity? Do you really need to take a vacation — or two or three — every year at the expense of your future savings? What about that expensive handbag you want because “everyone else has one”, or that fancy new smart phone that has even more bells and whistles? Society is too focused on material things that make many of us fall into the Keeping Up With The Joneses trap. Which is why I constantly remind my son: “If you always live beneath your means, you will always have money.”
You don’t have to (gasp!) go to college. You don’t need to go away to college to experience life away from home if it comes with the cost of long-term debt. You also don’t have to go to college right after high school if you’re not ready for it. Just because most people do it doesn’t mean you have to. College can be a tool to help you achieve the next phase in your life — if that’s the phase you want to pursue. But if it isn’t, recognize that there are many other options open for you to explore.
Beauty is all around you. It’s in a heartfelt hug from a child or dear friend or partner. It’s in the sound of birds chirping in the morning. The smell of blossoming flowers in Spring. The feel of warm sand beneath your feet as you walk the shoreline. The lingering awe you feel long after you finish a great book. A smile. A song. A snowflake.
You’re going to make mistakes. This is normal, and this is what it means to be human. If you’re in a job that doesn’t allow for mistakes and condemns you when you make one, find another job. By the same token, if you’re in a relationship with a partner that constantly harps on everything you do wrong, find another partner. But most importantly, forgive yourself when you make a mistake. Learn from it, and move on.
Silence really is golden. There is no need to constantly keep busy. In fact, quieting the mind, especially through meditation, can help you appreciate the silence we all crave. Man may be a social creature, but man also needs to find strength and recharge from within. And quieting the mind — listening to its incessant chatter and then releasing that chatter with compassion and non-judgement — brings forth relaxation, focus, and emotional and mental flexibility.
Your body is perfect the way it is. :)

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: exercise, healthy habits, life decisions, maya angelou, meditation, mindfulness, mistakes, Self Awareness, self help, yoga

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Published on February 21, 2016 06:07

February 7, 2016

Worries: Why They’re Not Worth Stressing Over

Like you, I worry. But I’m getting better, slowly, at letting go so I worry less.

Why?

Because, like you, I can’t control many of the things I worry about. And, I’ve discovered, those things we worry about usually don’t turn out as badly as we fear.

This past week, I found a great post that talks about…

“8 common worries

that plague far too many of us

that deserve to be debunked.”

Thanks to greatist.com for the terrific advice, meant to help us find some inner peace and happiness. In their words,

“Our fear of consequences

is always worse

than the consequences themselves.”

You can find the blog post here.

Go ahead. You deserve some peace of mind and a reality-check when it comes to worry. :)

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: greatist.com, happiness, inner peace, Self Awareness, self help, worry

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Published on February 07, 2016 07:10

January 31, 2016

Mysteries of the Universe: Wowed by the “Wow! Signal”

I’m intrigued by OOParts (Out of Place Artifacts) and unusual findings that may (or may not) point to the premise that we’re not alone in this universe. I’m not talking teeny-tiny organisms that swim in water or primitive life forms suspended in air or gaseous mixtures, hot or cold.

I’m talking advanced life, kinda like us.

You can say that such speculation is the thing that drives science fiction. But you can also argue that we’re not even a speck of sand in a big-ass universe (unless there are multiverses, and then we’re not even a speck of a speck of a speck…of a speck of a speck of a speck…), so how could we be alone? How could we, without knowing what else is out there, possibly determine we’re the only advanced civilization living on a very livable planet?

It’s these questions that drive me to write what I write, and research what I research. And recently I discovered something really cool. Maybe you’ve heard of it, but this particular discovery was new to me. It’s called the Wow! Signal.

copyright -- The Ohio State University Radio Observatory and the North American AstroPhysical Observatory (NAAPO)

According to Wikipedia, the Wow! Signal is the name given to a strong narrowband radio signal detected by Jerry Ehman in 1977, while he was working on a SETI project. The signal didn’t bear the distinctive features of something that originated on Earth and appeared to originate from the constellation Sagittarius. The signal lasted a little more than a minute, and no one’s been able to detect another signal since.

And the speculation began.

Source Unknown

Scientists, and even Ehman himself, went on to verbalize some doubt that the signal was of intelligent extraterrestrial origin. Making such a declaration can be career-threatening and it means taking a mighty leap forward into a theory that humans question, but that no one’s been able to prove.

But then, as these brainiac guys thought more about the facts, they admitted that if the signal had originated on Earth, we probably would have seen it picked up in other locations around the globe.

That didn’t happen.

It could also have been the result of a reflected radio wave off our own space junk.

Maybe.

We just don’t know.

Then, for the hell of it, the Arecibo Observatory sent a signal from Earth in 2012, 35 years after the discovery of the Wow! Signal. It contained 10,000 tweets, messages, and photos aimed at the area where the Wow! Signal originated. To make sure another intelligent life form knew our message was intentional, and meant to be received and “read”, they attached a repeating sequence. Because, as they knew from the Wow! Signal, a one-time message would never prove the existence of other life forms.

But multiple, repetitious ones would.

Will anyone, or anything, answer?

Good question. And I, for one, am hopeful to be around to find out.

What about you? Do you think we’ll ever find out if there’s other intelligent life out there? Or are we really, truly alone?

Because if we are, that’s an awful waste of big-ass space to be populated only by us.

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: alien life, aliens, Arecibo Observatory, humans, Jerry Ehman, multiverse, OOParts, Sagittarius, science fiction, universe, Wow Signal

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Published on January 31, 2016 08:25

January 24, 2016

Bosses vs. Leaders — there IS a difference

There’s a BIG difference between bosses and leaders, and that difference became apparent to me while I was watching the Star Trek movies, of all things.

When I was home recuperating from bronchitis, I spent a lot of time watching and re-watching Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness — the remakes with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. After a while, something unusual happened (and it didn’t take long). I realized just how inspiring, and unique, Captain Christopher Pike was as a Starfleet Captain. Of course, you don’t have to be a Starfleet Captain to be a leader; however, good leadership definitely stands out among the crowd. You know it when you see it. When that realization struck, I started thinking about the differences between bosses and leaders, and why there are so many of the former and so very few (even rare?) of the latter.

Often the word “leader” is used interchangeably with “boss”, even though both concepts are vastly different. At work, you may hear the phrase “leadership team” or “leadership” when, in fact, people are really referring to “bosses”. And that can lead to perception and expectation troubles from staff. Why? Well, here are some of my thoughts on that…

A boss manages a team to get things done. They can also be a good or bad leader.

A leader empowers people and motivates them. They work hard on behalf of their people. A leader is never a bad boss.

A boss can be loved or hated. That’s because they’re focused on proving something to their own boss, or their own worth, or getting the job done.

Leaders are always loved and respected. That’s because they’re focused on inspiring everyone toward a common goal, and through a process that engages the team.

Bosses don’t always hire people that are better than them. They’re often insecure about their own position to do that. They can also undermine an employees’ advancement for the very same reasons.

Leaders hire the best talent possible, because they know a great team makes everyone, together, look better. And leaders have no self-doubts about developing the talent that works for them.

Employees are often afraid of bosses. They’re afraid of how a boss will react to a mistake. Or what the boss will think of an out-of-the-box, creative idea. Or to speak their mind. All of which undermines progress, and development, and the genuine concept of working together.

But employees will always respect a leader. Because a leader focuses on what the individual is capable of rather than mis-steps taken along the way. They know their talent is human and that the only way to learn, the only way to grow and become better as an employee, is to recognize mistakes have been or will be made, that they’re never made on purpose. Learning and encouragement always develop better employees.

Bosses deliver hard messages with facts. “It is what it is; just deal with it.” Dialogue like that shuts the door and doesn’t offer open conversation.

Leaders deliver hard messages with compassion. “Let’s talk about how this change will impact you.” This kind of conversation invites discussion, and often ends up with inspiration.

Bosses deliver rhetoric. And sometimes their messages don’t line up. One day they’re saying one thing, and the next they’re saying something else. And that never encourages loyalty or trust among staff. That’s probably because they’re too busy managing their own position rather than focusing on development.

Leaders tell the truth, even when they don’t have all the answers. This shows employees that they’re human, that they don’t know everything, and that they’re willing to be open about it. Lack of knowledge isn’t a shortfall; instead, it’s the means to find out the answers together.

I found this pic on Zig Ziglar’s site that pretty much sums it all up:

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: bosses, Christopher Pike, leaders, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness

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Published on January 24, 2016 11:17

January 17, 2016

Review of The Promise, by Robert Crais

I’m going to start this review by stating that I am a HUGE Robert Crais fan. From story to setting, from character to conflict, for me he’s the epitome of a storyteller. When you pick up any of his books, you’re immediately pulled in within the very first few pages (often paragraphs) and you instantly know you’re in very capable storytelling hands — and that you’re going to be in for one helluva ride.

As a writer, I know what it’s like to stare at a blank page. I understand very well what it’s like to create something out of nothing. To have a kernel of an idea, a simmering image of a story or a person or a theme, that — with love and hope and a lot of tears and sweat and blood — will spark into a full-fledged, full-length novel that will grab readers and leave them desperate for more when they reach The End.

I also know how very, very hard this is to do. And that you can’t always hit one out of the park.

So…yeah. Let’s talk about The Promise.

When I grow up, I want to be Robert Crais. Okay, my version of him, but you get what I mean. And I still feel that way after reading The Promise, but I gotta admit that for the first time ever, since I started reading Crais, I feel like I’ve discovered Oz hiding behind the curtain.

The Promise is a typical Crais–Elvis Cole–Joe Pike book. Sort of. Typical in its crime setting and mystery. Typical in its page-turning suspense. Typical in how it depicts its characters in very real terms, including his newest character Maggie, a K-9 German shepherd. In this book, Elvis is tasked with finding a grief-stricken mother, which sounds simple enough but, as we all know, simple things always become bigger things when Crais writes them. What starts as a look-see by Elvis Cole into a very ordinary house becomes a deadly search for a killer and fugitive, as well as a peek into the dark side of terrorism — but with a kick-ass twist.

However, something fell a bit short in this book. Maybe it was my mindset at the time when I read it, or maybe it was something else, but the feel and tone of The Promise was…I dunno…off. If I remember correctly, the original publication date on this novel was pushed back by months, which got me thinking of possible reasons why. But without the facts, I can only speculate why that occurred. I can only say that Crais had reached impeccably high standards over the years and this time that standard didn’t surface as I’d expected. Though focused and with a strong through line, The Promise had lots of characters along with lots of movement and sidebars that, at times, became challenging to follow as a reader. Elvis wasn’t his usual fun and occasionally snarky self, and Pike barely had any page time to speak of. My sense was that perhaps Crais was testing the waters with Maggie and her K-9 handler Scott James, which is okay. But still, the grab-you, roller-coaster ride I was expecting wasn’t there. The personality, the richness in storytelling, the thing that makes Crais Crais, wasn’t there.

Am I saying The Promise is a bad book? Not at all. In fact, a bad book for Crais (if you can even call it that) is still a pretty damned good book compared to a lot of other published novels. But given my reading history with Crais, and the exacting and uber-high standards he’s set, and the almost superhuman-like qualities he offers in his storytelling, this one pales in comparison. It felt like a stepping stone, maybe to a new series or a new cast of characters. Different, and not what I’d expected.

I can only blame Crais for this, and in a well-deserved way. It’s only because he is that damned good, that A+, that this novel gets dinged. Because of that, I’m willing to give him a pass — and maybe even re-read The Promise again in the future to see if my opinion changes.

In the meantime, I wouldn’t bypass reading The Promise. If it’s on your TBR pile, go for it. However, I wouldn’t make it my first Crais stop. Read the others novels in his series, preferably in order if you can. If you haven’t done so yet, you’re seriously missing out. If you have, I’d love to compare notes on The Promise. There’s a reason Crais is my writing idol, and still is. Only now, I’ve discovered what’s behind that curtain. And — gasp! — Crais really is human after all. :)

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Filed under: Stories Behind The Stories Tagged: book reviews, Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, Robert Crais, The Promise, writing, writing fiction

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Published on January 17, 2016 10:33

January 10, 2016

Four Apps That Will Shape My Personal Goals in 2016

I’m not really a fan of New Year’s resolutions because I think they’re limiting and carry the connotation that you’re denying yourself something in order to achieve something else. Instead, I prefer to think of the year ahead in terms of themes. And, for me this year, I’m looking at 2016 as a time of mindfulness, acceptance, and personal peace — along with lots and lots of writing.

In my mindfulness mindset, I recognize my desire to focus more attention on the simple things in life and less on consumeristic behavior. In the process, I’ve discovered four smart phone apps that I’ve integrated into my daily life that guide me toward and through my personal themes. I thought I’d share them with you. If you haven’t seen these apps before, check them out. They’re real life-changers — and they only take a few minutes a day to use (well, except for the exercise app; that schedule is all dependent upon you). :)

HAPPIFY. In the website’s words, Happify teaches anyone how to enjoy a richer, fuller life. You answer some questions about where your head and heart are at, at a particular moment or for a particular reason, and then the app suggests skills to help you change the way you see the world in a more positive way. Maybe you need to overcome stress. Or get rid of negative thoughts. Or maybe you’re stuck in a rut when it comes to the way you look at personal relationships that are holding you back from a richer interaction with your partner, or family or friend. Whatever is on your mind or in your heart, Happify gives you the tools you need to transform your life through mindfulness and motivation. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it carries a big personal impact. Want to read more? Visit the website here.

RUNTASTIC. I fell off the exercise wagon during the last four months of 2015. And I have to say that doing so had a major, and negative, impact on me. Not only did I lose flexibility and strength, I lost the mood boost that comes with exercise-induced endorphin highs. The thing about Runtastic is that you can use it to monitor any exercise you do. Running, walking, treadmill, yoga, hiking, stationary bike…you name it, this app will tell you how much activity you’ve done, how many calories you’ve burned, and how you’re doing against your goals. I’m a premium member, and even get reminders about exercise and lots of cheerleading during my workouts, as well as kudos during the week that show just how much activity I’ve completed. It’s a great way to get inspired to exercise, and to continue reaching for your personal exercise goals. And no, you don’t have to be a jock to use it or even a FitBit. All you need is the desire to move. Runtastic will do the rest for you. Want to know more? Visit Runtastic here.

UNIQUE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS. I live and breathe this app. In fact, it’s the first thing I do just before I get on the train when I commute to work, or just after I get out of bed and start my day. Here’s what it is: “Unique Daily Affirmations is a creative tool that helps you succeed in your endeavors, bring you out from under the clouds, and make positive changes in your life. Through uplifting statements and quotes, you’ll believe in yourself with these one-a-day affirmations. Let these positive declarations become truth in your subconscious mind as you think about it throughout the day.” This little app has made some profound changes in my life. Just by pressing the button and reading the daily affirmation, and then re-reading it and making it part of my soul, has turned my mind and heart around in some very big ways. You definitely want to check this one out.

MINDFULNESS DAILY. This app helps you focus on what it really means to be mindful. About anything. Like the other apps, it’s meant to be used regularly and for just a few minutes a day. And through that regular use, you can build a mindfulness daily routine morning, noon, and night that’s easily integrated into your life. I’ve just started using this app about a week ago, and totally love it. So easy to use, and so good for you! Visit Mindfulness Daily here.

So how about you? Do you have any great mindful, positive, life-changing apps to share? I’d love to know.

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