Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "time"

Did you have a favourite bedtime book or series that you loved when you were little?

When I was little my mother bought me the entire Looney Tunes series. Every night I would make her read me at least 2-4 books, and when the series was complete; again she would start. Those nights are some of my fondest memories growing up laying in bed as my mother read to me. When my father read to me he would do the voices for each character, and that really made bedtime stories come alive for me.

Many of us have fond memories of our parents telling bedtime stories. Children love stories and they usually look forward to bedtime stories every day. You can share quality time with your child if you make bedtime stories a part of your daily life.

Have an Adventurous day!

www.lorenzothebear.com
facebook.com/lorenzothebear (Like Me!)
https://twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://www.amazon.com/Carmela-Dutra/e...

I want to personally thank everyone who listened to me read my book on the air today. Thank you for all of your support! If it were not for all of you I would not be here. Thank you ever so much truly means a lot to me!

I want to give a big thank you to JD Holiday! She is the founder of It's Story Time on Red River Radio. A Blog Talk Radio station. JD is the one who invited me to appear on her show, big thanks to her!

For anyone who missed it, and would like to hear read The adventures of Lorenz the Bar Encounter at Jellyfish Cove, you can visit http://goo.gl/zieGBz


Again thank you to everyone!

Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!

Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series

www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com

As this year comes to a close we look back at all it has given us, taken from us, and promised us. As with everything life, all things must some to an end and start anew. As one season slips away fading into memory, a new one is brought to life. A cycle of unending wonder, one of hopes and dreams.

As we thing of the seasons, we think of the imagery they pass. Spring, a time Joy and Love. Summer, a time of Searches and Reflection. Autumn brings with it Bounty and Changes. And winter, can often be times of Hope and Despair. Each season represents a different stage in our life, in our growth, in our love. We each have our favorite season, a reason beyond measure. For me that season is winter.

Without one season we cannot truly appreciate another. I think Ward Elliot Hour said it best “The color of springtime is in the flower. The color of winter is in the imagination.”



Winter has a subtle beauty to it, one covered in snow, and silence. It is a beauty that is meek and yet complex all in one. The way it smells after the first rain, how snow delicately falls, gently coating the evergreens. The way each snowflake kisses your face. Or the way fire crackles and spats before spluttering into life, then dances and flitters about.

Winter is a season unequaled by any other. The most opposite of all seasons, yet to me one the most beautiful of all. Can one truly describe winter any more than one can describe the feel of sand under your barefoot? Can one explain the beauty of waking up to find a yard of freshly fallen snow? No more than one can explain the way a rose smells as it blooms to life.

As things fade away into memories, new ones are born. Time spent with family and friends, exchanging love and sharing stories. As winter goes on it will soon fade into spring, bringing with it some of the hidden beauty winter has. As the cycle goes on we think and ponder, about the New Year and blessings it will bring.

Oh if I could trap a little bit of winter in bottle, to always hold the magic that is winter.



Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!

Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series

www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. George Lucas brought us one of the best cinematic experiences of all times! If you haven’t watched Star Wars (and yes believe it, or not there are still some out there who have not watched this gift from the heavens) then today’s blog may not be the one for you. For those of you who have not watched Star Wars (my heart broke just thinking that there are ones who have still yet to watch…) be warned there will be spoilers! To all of my fellow Jedi’s, Sith Lords and Scruffy Nerf Herders, this is a blog for you!

The Star Wars Saga is one of the most, if not the most iconic movies of all times! It’s quoted around the world, even having its own month dedicated to it! May the 4th be with you! May the 4th kicks off a season of celebration, particularly since the month of May has always been important to Star Wars fans. The six live-action movies of the Star Wars saga debuted in May (starting with the original Star Wars on May 25, 1977). The month of May includes George Lucas’ birthday (May 14, 1944), and has been the traditional start date of the popular Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World Resort.



Now I ask you what other movie even comes close to this. Star Wars transcends gender. To me, it’s a story of hope. A story that shows that good will overcome evil. With as much fun as it is to watch over, and over again. It even holds valuable lessons, if you look for them.

*SPOILER ALERT!*

“Do or do not… there is no try.” – Yoda



Oh the depth and wisdom that is Yoda. We could sit all day and recount his lines and find wisdom in all that he says. What I love about this quote is it reminds us to believe in ourselves, and own abilities. He was telling Luke to commit to his course and act decisively, also to have confidence. “I’ll try” implies “I don’t think this will work”.

By eliminating the word try, you make up your mind to either do something or not. You will either ignore the task completely or do whatever is necessary to complete the task. It implies that you will have the necessary perseverance in the face of any obstacles that may emerge.

“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.” Obi-Wan Kenobi



One of my favorite lines is when Obi- Wan Kenobi tells us that our truth depends on our point of view. Reminding us to not be so concrete in our views. What is truth for you, may not be truth for the next person. What we “cling to” may not be what others would cling to. We cannot be so dogmatic in our views that insist others feel the same way.

Take a water for example. You look at it and say “This is something to drink” No argument there. Now if you were to ask someone else what water is they might say “Water is home for fish.” Both statements are true, both statements are a different kind of truth. Both statements varied depending on one’s point of view.

“Uuuuuuuuur Ahhhhrrrrrr Uhrrrr Ahhhhrrrrrr Aaaarhg….” – Chewbacca



Need I say more??

“Never tell me the odds.” — Han Solo



Don’t let tough odds hold you back, all that will accomplish is keeping you from experiencing something that could have been amazing. Remember, even if an asteroid field is hurling towards you and your odds of success are 3,720 to 1!

“Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder.” — Princess Leia to Han Solo

This one might have been more for fun, it still works through! Don’t judge based on appearances, they are often times misleading. Don’t discount that scruffy-looking kid he might turn out to be a hero!

While the idea of May the 4th did not start with Lucasfilm, the film company that created Star Wars has fully embraced the spirit of fandom that makes the day so special. With the exciting launch of a new trilogy of movies beginning with Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming in the near future, this day to celebrate the saga and its amazing fans is certain to become even bigger each year.

Star Wars means so many different things to so many people. So I ask, what does Star Wars mean to you? I would love to hear your comments!





www.lorenzothebear.com

Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/carmy4077
www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear

Like me on Facebook! www.faceboo.com/lorenzothebear

http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/

The Fourth of July has several meanings to different people. For some, it is just another day off of work; a government holiday. Some people think it is a time to celebrate family and come together for BBQ dinners and lemonade refreshments. Others celebrate the America that we know today with all the freedoms that were declared back in 1776.

The 4th of July is iconic Americana. Red, white and blue, the colors that scream I’m proud to be an American! Not much compares to this holiday to bring the whole family together for some summer fun. It’s what kicks off summer to get the grills going, and water balloons throwing. But once it’s over, then what?

After visiting family in the middle of June, having family stay with us during the end of June and then seeing other family the Friday before the 4th of July, it hit me; why is it mostly holidays, or special events that bring us together? Summer was officially here on the 21st of June, why do most wait until the 4th?



Yes the holidays are the perfect time for everyone to come together as a family clan, the reasons vary but for most it’s because we are all (usually all) off from work, kids are out of school (mostly all), and it’s the perfect outdoor weather. Why confine ourselves to the 4th of July, and then Labor Day. If we follow that patter the next time we see our loved ones will be November, if we’re lucky! Don’t get me wrong, I love the time off from work, spending time relaxing in the backyard with family as much as the next person, and who doesn’t enjoy watching fireworks? It’s literally fire in the sky!

We’ve just always been the type to put more emphasis on family time away from the holidays, than to try and combine both together. Maybe more so now due to the fact that my husband and I are expecting our first child in January. Or perhaps it’s due to the fact that I haven’t been able to see my close family as much as I would like to lately. Or it’s a combination of both!

All I know is I am more determined than ever to make sure that family is priority! Not waiting for holidays, or special occasions to visit and catch up. Especially if we are within close proximity to each other. Cousins are our first friends, they are always there when we need them, and when we don’t want them. But we love them even more for it and will never change that for anything!



So this is my summertime goal, what about you?

Be Humble they say. It’s a tricky thing to do – if you think you’ve managed it, then perhaps you’re being too arrogant about your humility. I can’t claim to be the humblest person ever, though I try to avoid boasting about my huge array of incredible talents, such as my awesome Hula hooping skills, my ability to recall completely useless facts at the drop of a hat. Or there’s my uncanny ability to laugh exactly like Donald Duck! Alrighty, I’m going to stop there.

Joking aside, the past several weeks have actually been a very humbling experience. As I try to work my way back into the normal routine of life and juggling the new throes of motherhood, I’ve had to admit that I can’t cope with taking it all on at once – that I do need to take things slowly. For someone who’s spent years throwing herself into things, and not needing much help from others to accomplish things has been quite the struggle.

Even though I’ve always been one to readily say asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness but rather sign of strength, this is entirely different when you’re the one on the other end. When you are the one who is having to ask for assistance when you are not accustomed to doing so. When you realize that you need help accomplish a task that once could be done in 15-30 minutes now takes you all day, if you’re lucky.

Why is this a struggle? Is it pride? Not wanting to bother someone else? Refusal to accept that things are different, and you don’t have the same 24 hours in a day that the next person has? Perhaps it’s all of the above, or none of them at all. Sadly, the reality is the society that we live in today has a way of making individuals feel as though they are weak if they express humility. Whether it is being humble about their own limitations, or humble in their accomplishments, you’re weak. Whereas pride is the sought after thing.

There is nothing wrong with being prideful, when it’s over the right things. Just as with everything modesty is key, everything has its own place and time. You can be prideful and still humble at the same time, you can strike the perfect balance.

Being humble about my own limitations has always been a struggle for me. I’ve always been the type who wants to handle and tackle everything myself, and finish it once it’s started. That’s just not always realistic, especially now. I recognize that I do need help accomplishing things that never were a challenge for me before. There just is not enough hours in the day for me to tackle everything on my own, while still maintaining my own sanity.



It takes humility on an individuals part to recognize this. To recognize their own limitations whether those limitations are physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual we all have limitations. I can attest firsthand in saying that it is never easy to ask for help, even when there is a legitimate reason to do so. However, doing so shows strength, whereas refusal can be more of a weakness.

These are just my thoughts on the day. Today is the humble day, what does this mean to you? How can you live this day?

For me, continuing to recognize my own limitations. It is not a weakness, instead I view it as a sign of strength. It allows me more enjoyment in life, and peace of mind. Asking for help allows me to have more time to spend with my baby son, I have more quality time with my husband, for work, and for myself. So for me, instead of focusing on humility and pride aspect, I’m going to focus on humility in the sense of recognizing my own strengths and weaknesses; every day of the year, not just one.