Mona Rodriguez's Blog, page 4

One of my favorite quotes from FORTY YEARS IN A DAY...

He looked to the future with appreciation instead of apprehension, because “every day you’re alive is a beautiful day.”  
(page 383)


 FORTY YEARS IN A DAY

SO TRUE!

I saw this sign in a store window: "HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS."


FORTY YEARS IN A DAY | a novel

You have to love this guy...

These are 19 Life Lessons from the Dalai Lama...

The Dalai Lama is regarded as the spiritual leader of Tibet and has spent his life helping people around the world reach happiness and enlightenment. Here are a few life lessons he has to share with all of us.

1. Take into account that great LOVE and great ACHIEVEMENTS involve great risk
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson
3. Follow the Three R’s:
     - Respect for Self
     - Respect for Others
     - Responsibility for all your actions
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t give up your values
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy   it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality
15. Be gentle with the earth
16. Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.
17. Remember the best relationship is one in which your LOVE for each other exceeds your NEED for each other
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon

From:  http://www.mindopenerz.com/19-life-lessons-from-the-dalai-lama/

Another GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!

Two Autographed copies of FORTY YEARS IN A DAY!
Be sure to enter for a chance to win.
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Giveaway ends March 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Ten Things We Want for Our Children...

  1.  Health
  2.  Happiness
  3.  Inner Peace
  4.  Safety
  5.  Success
  6.  Soul Mate
  7.  Purpose
  8.  Prosperity
  9.  Faith
10. Fulfillment 
Does anyone want to add to this list?  Please send a comment.

Rags to riches...

Don't you just love a rags to riches immigration story?  It' reminds you what can  happen when you mix together hard work and a dream. Tony DelGatto  also happens to be a great guy and a relative of mine.

http://www.northjersey.com/food_dining/227623331_Tony_Del_Gatto_of_Grissini_in_Englewood_Cliffs_is_proud_of_his_rags_to_riches_stories.html?c=y&page=1

What me worry?

Why is it that sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the worry, we tend to lose sight of all the good?

Happy, Healthy New Year to all!

I don't know why, but I think every one seeks inspiration as the New Year approaches. You strive to be a better person; to do the right thing; to be healthier, happier, and more giving.
All I can say is that I'm trying...

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

14 Quotes To Inspire Your New Year’s Resolutions For 2014

Quotes New Year: 20 Inspirational Ways To Start Off 2014

All the best to everyone in 2014!

Pumpkin donuts...

I walk most weekday mornings with my friend Michele. For the past 12 years, grumpy and bleary-eyed, I leave my house at 7:20am in most weather conditions and temperatures and, more often than not, still wearing my pajamas under my clothes. I walk past a small park and the three houses to her front door, and we walk the same route every day. What is it about familiarity which lends hand to comfort? In the years of walking, we have talked about anything and everything. Aside from politics, nothing is off limits.
We both have an affinity for Dunkin Donuts coffee, and more recently, the pumpkin donut, which is a seasonal addition to their regular assortment. The subject comes up at least once during our one hour walk. For instance, one of us will say, “It’s going to be a stressful day, I think I deserve a pumpkin donut today”, or “It’s a dreary day, a pumpkin donut will cheer me up”, or “It’s a beautiful day, I think a pumpkin donut is in order.”  Well, you get the point. I even Googled the calorie count (340 for those who are interested) hoping it would deter our obsession. Once we talk about it, it seems I can’t get it out of my mind until I buy one and it satisfies my craving for a few days.
Yesterday, I bought one, forever hopeful it was not as good as I always imagine. I told myself that we put this stupid donut on a pedestal and it doesn’t deserve the energy and recognition it is given. With my lovely cup of coffee in one hand and the perfectly formed donut in the other, I take a bite, and to my dismay, it is as glorious as the visions I regularly try to delete from my mind. I smile to myself as I text Michele a picture of my donut minus the bite.
Today, Michele sent  me a text that said she was in Dunkin Donuts and now our pumpkin treat comes in munchkin form. OH NO! She told me that she resisted the temptation and left with just a coffee in hand. Her text message exuded pride and self-control…for today at least. I personally can’t promise anything. I think that tomorrow I will announce that we can  no longer speak of the pumpkin donut. A subject, as is politics, that going forward is off limits on our walks.

Collingswood Book Festival, NJ - Saturday, October 5th...

The 11th Annual Collingswood Book Festival - NJ            
Saturday, October 5, 2013,  10am—4pm

Join us on Saturday, October 5 when festival-goers will have an opportunity to stroll more than six blocks of Haddon Avenue filled with nationally recognized authors/speakers for adults and children, as well as booksellers, storytellers, poetry readings, workshops, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, and entertainment for all ages. This award-winning festival is the longest-running, largest literary event in the Delaware Valley.  All events are free!

http://www.collingswoodbookfestival.com/