Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 126

“Encouragement” Trailer on YouTube!

Check it out! The 90-second trailer for the book “Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best” is on YouTube now! You’ll find the paperback and digital format editions everywhere quality books are sold… from Amazon to Barnes & Noble and beyond.

“Encouragement” Review Sparkles!

In her extraordinary book, Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best, author Cathy Burnham Martin exudes an enthusiasm for life unmatched in other self-help books that claim to boost your spirit and world view.

This articulate narrative examines expertly the reasons why we should surround ourselves with cheerleaders — people who either “call out from the sidelines, ‘You can do it!’” Or those that “may stand quietly in front of us and look us in the eyes, as they calmly infirm, ‘You’ve got this.’”

Burnham goes on to provide a wealth of lists, tips and inspirational quotes to bolster her assertions that anyone can attain — and keep — a winning attitude.

On the flip side, she also warns against extensive association with negative individuals whom she calls “Discouragers,” who carry with them each day an abundance of negativity which they bestow freely upon anyone who is finally getting the upper hand on things.

“Discouragers see the gloom in every room, the cloud on every silver lining, and the problem in front of every solution,” Burnham reports.

Next, she marches confidently through the book, touching briefly on such vital topics as how to deal effectively with despair by quoting a no less venerable source than the Bible: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22

And then she follows that helpful admonition by citing the profound observation of a man who truly outlasted more opportunities for despair than most of us will ever know: Nelson Mandela, who said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

Really, the book is one remarkable observation after another — many of them Burnham’s own, bubbling up from her deep well of sincere belief that every day and every hour gives us a chance to excel, and to be, as the old advertisement used to say, “All that (we) can be.”

“Sometimes the brightest lights come out of the darkest corners,” she  intones during a brief discussion on the value of not giving up.

Space limitations on this review require us to fall back on the timeworn saying that you’re just going to have to get this incredible new book and read it cover to cover in order to get the maximum impact from it.

Five-plus stars to Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best. Get it for yourself or as a special gift to anyone who has issues with self-esteem or is dealing with hard times. It might not cure their lifelong feelings of inadequacy, or be a cure-all for their current circumstances, but it could definitely provide lifesaving inspiration and a firm footstep toward a more meaningful tomorrow.

We’ll close with this inspirational advice from someone who left a legacy befitting her quiet dedication to excellence. Marie Curie, first woman to win the Nobel Prize, said, “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?  We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.  We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

This book is available for instant download or delivery as a paperback keepsake gift from Amazon today.      – Publishers Daily Reviews

Am I Encouraging?

I ask myself that question any time I catch myself wondering
why some other person does not seem more supportive or positive.  We all may wonder such things from time to
time, particularly when the naysayer lives in our inner circle of close friends
or loved ones.

That’s when I try to say, “Woah!”  Am I supportive of them?  I truly only have control over my own thoughts,
words, and actions.  It sure helps me
when I stop focusing on someone else’s negative. 

Instead, I look inward. 
I ask myself, “Am I being an Encourager or a
Discourager for them?”

Did I listen when they spoke?

Did I genuinely try to see the situation from their perspective?

Did I deliver building blocks or stumbling stones?

Did I speak words that revealed compassion and encouragement?

Did I do anything to make them feel worthy or capable?

Did I recognize their achievement, even small steps toward
their goal?

Did I leave them with strengthened resolve and boosted
self-confidence?

I try to ask myself such questions whenever I catch myself
thinking or speaking or even feeling negative toward someone.  I know. 
I know.  Sometimes that someone
may have been sucking the air out of the room, squelching my creativity,
diminishing my dreams, directly or indirectly putting me down.  They may well have been highly discouraging.

Step one for me is trying to not absorb their negativity.  I don’t want to accept pity party
invitations.

Encouragement just may be one of our most vital personal and
professional Life skills.   So, it thrills me to say that encouragement is
the theme of my newest book.

In a few days I’ll deliver details right here on its
official release AND discount introductory pricing, too!  Till then… think Encouragement!

Encouragement is Here!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939220475/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Who do you know who is feeling stifled or unheard?  Who may be needing a morale boost or a little
light on the horizon? 

We all go through times in Life with challenges and
despair.  However, this new book offers a
fast read packed with easily usable tips and tools to overcome discouragement
and build solid foundations on which to grow personal and professional success.

“Encouragement:  How to Be and Find the Best” better prepares us to weather Life’s woes with greater grace and courage.  Now we can allre-discover the natural confidence, self-esteem, and poise with which we were all born.

It’s available now in both paperback and Kindle eBook formats.  The Audiobook is coming soon!

Encouragement is Coming!

Who do you know who is feeling stifled or unheard?  Who may be needing a morale boost or a little
light on the horizon? 

We all go through times in Life with challenges and
despair.  However, this new book offers a
fast read packed with easily usable tips and tools to overcome discouragement
and build solid foundations on which to grow personal and professional success.

“Encouragement:  How to Be and
Find the Best” better prepares us to weather Life’s woes with greater
grace and courage.  Now we can all
re-discover the natural confidence, self-esteem, and poise with which we were
all born.

The official release date is February 1st in both
paperback and Kindle eBook formats.  More
information comes soon!

Crazy for Cranberries

‘Tis the season for the
crazy, crunchy little fruit that will pucker your sucker.  The historic cranberry is now used in an
endless array of yummy dishes.  If you
like to make your own cranberry sauce to accompany a Thanksgiving turkey,
consider this Super Simple gem.  I call
it “What a Pear Cranberry Sauce.”

What a Pear Cranberry Sauce

1 orange

½ c sugar

1 star anise (or ¾
tsp anise seeds)

1 (3”) cinnamon
stick

½ c raw honey

2-3 pears, peeled
& cored, cut in ½” cubes

4 c fresh or frozen
cranberries (16 oz)

Grate zest from the
orange to make 1 tablespoon.  Squeeze the
juice into a measuring cup, adding water or cranberry juice, if needed, to make
½ cup.  In med saucepan over high heat,
stir oj, grated zest, sugar, anise & cinnamon stick, until sugar is
dissolved, 1-2 min.  Stir in honey &
pears; bring to boil.  Then reduce heat
to med and stir occasionally till edges of pears are barely tender, just 1-2
min.  Stir in cranberries.  Cook, stirring occasionally, till cranberries
start to pop & pears are tender, 5-6 min. 
Let cool.  Pour into serving
bowl.  Serve cool or cold.  Makes up to 4 cups.

KISS
Tip:  Make this up to 3 in advance.  Cover and store in refrigerator.

I love cranberries at any season of the year, so much so that I wrote an entire cookbook dedicated to this historic little fruit.  Check out “Cranberry Cooking” by  Cathy Burnham Martin for more than 130 Keep It Super Simple recipes using cranberries… from beverages, sauces, side dishes and snacks to desserts, entrees, appetizers, and soups!  Try the following appetizer that is both marvelously easy and jaw-droppingly delicious! The cranberry-crab combination surprised me and became a go-to favorite.

Cranberry Crab Tarts

8 oz cream cheese (plain or with chives), softened

1 can crab meat, drained

2-3 green onions (green portions), thinly sliced

45 mini phyllo tart shells

1 can whole berry cranberry sauce

Combine cheese, crab and onions; push into one corner of a large
plastic food storage bag.  Snip off the
tip of the bag’s corner to create a pastry bag. 
Squeeze the bag to push some crab combo into each tart shell.  Spoon some cranberry on top.  Bake 10 min at 350°F and serve hot.

KISS Tips:  You
can make the crab cheese combo ahead and store in the refrigerator until
needed.  You can even fill the tarts up
to 2 hours ahead of time without losing their crispiness.  Keep this Super Simple by purchasing pre-made
phyllo tarts.  I find them in boxes of 15
in the frozen dessert section of the supermarket.  To add some zestiness to the flavor, add a
couple tablespoons of prepared horseradish to the crab-cheese mixture. 

Of Grief & Glory

As we approach an Election Day, could we all try to remember
our sanity and decency?  If our preferred
candidates win, try to accept victory with humility and grace.  If our preferred candidates lose, try to
accept defeat with courage and compassion. 

We can expect and accept victors’ cheers and losers’
jeers.  That’s all fine.  I do not accept the ranting and rioting of
losers, especially under the guise of peaceful protest.  That is just plain embarrassing. 

We must do better.  If
you are an American citizen, cast your vote at the ballot box.  Encourage others to do the same.

If mainstream politicians win, so be it.  If political outsiders and newcomers prevail,
so be it.  Black, white, male, female,
conservative, liberal, whatever!  Vote
for good people.  Vote for those you
believe will make our country strong. 
Perfect.  I hope that those who
cast their votes differently also believe they are voting for good people, not
just party politics. 

Regardless of election outcomes, I hope we all will try to
spare others the sarcasm and cynicism and arrogance of feigned superiority.  None of us is so special that we have all the
right answers. 

If our preferred candidates win, may we gloat not with
self-satisfaction.  If our candidates
lose, may we cling not to denial and anger.  
     

May we remember, we all want a strong nation, a booming
economy, a safe place to live.  We may
not all recognize multiple “right” ways to achieve similar goals.

Whenever we lose, we must remember that we are not
alone.  Millions of others lost
also.  We all must go through a process
of grief and great sadness. 

Whenever we win, we must remember that we will not always
win.  We can breathe a momentary sigh of
relief, and count our blessings, but we should appreciate that many of our dear
friends and family members may be sad, heartbroken, and not celebrating.

In each election comes grief and glory.  Sometimes we’re the bug, and sometimes we’re
the windshield.  Disrespecting people we
believe are disrespectful is counterproductive, at best.

Florida Book Signing

Saturday, November 10, 2018

11am – 4pm

I am pleased to announce that I was selected to have my books featured at the upcoming Author Book Fair at the Collier County South Regional Library on 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway in Naples, Florida.  I’ll be with some 3 dozen authors, so there will surely be some great books and fellow authors!

If you are in Southwest Florida at the time, we’d love to see you!

Several of my titles and cookbooks will be available… including both books in “The Bimbo Has Brains” series, “A Dangerous Book for Dogs… How to Train Your Human,” “Healthy Thinking Habits… Seven Attitude Skills Simplified,” and many more.  Half a dozen different titles in my array of cookbooks will also be featured, from the 3-part “Dockside Dining” series to “Champagne! Facts, Fizz, Food, and Fun.”

We’ll also be raffling off a free copy of my latest, full-color cookbook, “Lobacious Lobster…  Decadently Super Simple Recipes.”

Feel Yourself Truly Living

Sometimes Life is gleeful. 
Other times?  Not so much.  However, I believe there is nothing wrong
with feeling, even through the difficult times. 
Someone lovingly pointed out to me recently that our blessings can even
overwhelm grief.  That is not to say that
sadness can be obliterated, but it surely can be overshadowed.

Life is rather like a rollercoaster, filled with highs and
lows, from times that move slowly to those that zoom and scream along,
seemingly out of control.  And it is a
very short ride, although most of us have a tendency at times to live as if we
have countless years.

Whatever “it” is for us, we fare better when we stop putting
it off as if we have all the time in the world. 
We don’t.

As I espouse in “The Bimbo Has MORE Brains… Surviving Political Correctness,” we can enjoy the feeling of living far more when we learn to live without regret.  Too often things are said or left unsaid.  We may have expressed harsh bitterness or relentless intolerance.  We may have treated someone harshly.  We may have been unfair.

Our quiet regrets pile up in some corner of our mind.  We never come clean.  We never sincerely apologize.  My Dad always set a great example in this
area.  Poppy always shared and said it
all.  Thus, when he passed, no one needed
to feel the ache of words left unsaid. 
Harsh words were never the last ones spoken.  Loving words were never left unsaid.  Forgiveness seemed an almost automatic
outpouring of love. 

This is so important, because all too often, we don’t get
another chance.  The person or people we
may have hurt are gone.  We do not have
as much time as we may have thought.

That said, I do not believe the souls of the departed hold
any ill will.  Only we living beasts
harbor regrets and ill will.

I couldn’t help but wonder what I might wish to say to
people left behind if I was suddenly gone tomorrow.  I’d thought about that a lot… Perhaps because
we’d suffered some difficult personal losses. 
For that same second “Bimbo” book I wrote and shared my thoughts and
words.  Literally, I include my list of
things that, as the departed soul, I would like to say to friends and loved
ones left behind.

Give it a try.  I
found it fascinating to see how easily we forgive those who’ve hurt us or
caused pain and hardship for people we love. 
I loved feeling how happy it made me to recognize the hope and
encouragement I relished giving to others.

While Life brings us laughter and love, it also brings
heartbreak and tears.  Sad times make us
better able to flourish and appreciate happy times.  Feeling the whole spectrum makes us stronger
and more compassionate people.  Though I
often say that living on this place called Earth is not for sissies, it is also
an amazing ride.

Let your heart flow. 
Relish and cherish.  Believe and
forgive.  Learn and teach.  Fall down and get back up.  Through it all, feel yourself truly living.

What Kind of Man?

What kind of man spends his entire life serving others?  Being kind and generous, true and
loving?  What kind of man is hardworking,
resourceful, and an ahead-of-his-time thinker? 
Steadfast and persistent?  With
the patience of Job?  What kind of man
assigns himself the “on-call” work duties for every Thanksgiving and Christmas
so his team can be with their families?  What
kind of man exudes tirelessness, delightful humor, and vivid imagination to
fill his children’s lives with glee and exceptional experiences, while
encouraging them to strive to be their very best?  What kind of man is loyal to his high school
sweetheart and best friend for more than 70 years?  And near the end merely wishes for more time
together?  What kind of man walks the
walk as a superbly encouraging and supportive father, uncle, and
grandfather?  Active in his church and
community and neighborhood?  Both a great
listener and a terrific teacher, leading by example?

It’s the kind of man we all dream about as a partner,
father, friend or relative.  He
listens.  He is humble and humorous.  He is kind. 
He is strong.  It’s the very
special kind of man I have been privileged to call Poppy. 

My Dad, Robert Burnham, survived two previous cancers, only
to be diagnosed this past winter with pancreatic cancer.  His successful surgery this spring, inspired
great hope, but infections have been challenging, and he has endured 2 returns
to the hospital.  This past week was the
toughest.  All seemed well as he enjoyed
dinner in the dining room on Tuesday, but Wednesday, he was back to the
hospital.  Pneumonia had settled in his
lungs.  By Friday night at 9pm, they
moved my Poppy into hospice.  He passed
peacefully in his sleep Saturday afternoon at 1:30.  There’s one more angel in heaven.

That’s the kind of man my dear Poppy was.  An angel on earth.  His spirit will always live with all of us
who knew him.  Prayers please for my Mom,
for at age 88, though healthy physically, she has now lost the love of her
life. 

God speed, my dearest Poppy. 

Robert Bishop
Burnham, November 2, 1931 – October 6, 2018