Tuesday, November 27, 2012


"I am a writer, a writer am I.  
Why I am, why I started, I don't know why.

It's in my blood. It will always be. 
Untouchable, inseparable, my words and me!"

Although I've written all my life, it has taken me a while to understand the true power and weight that words carry. Many people speak, write, text, or email words not realizing their power is everlasting and cannot be easily taken back. As a writer, I think I have to be even more aware of where words can lead a person They can make or break a person's willpower or ability to get along with others. A writer, in order to grow, must learn how to write things that make a person not only read what is written, but feel what is being said. I guess my everyday secret prayer is for my words to continue to positively touch the lives of others....

Monday, November 26, 2012

Many women allow themselves to remain in abusive relationships or to be treated unfairly because of low self esteem. If you are someone who needs to realize your true value, please listen to the words of this song I posted on youtube....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1c4fJtyk4&feature=channel&list=UL

Saturday, November 24, 2012

A true icon that we all learned to "wish" with in "I Dream of Jeannie" and then to hate in "Dallas". He will truly be missed....

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/entertainment/15465943/dallas-star-larry-hagman-dies-at-81-family/

Sunday, May 27, 2012

http://jesus-loves-you.org/?p=7173&utm_source=jly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=video&utm_content=hears&utm_campaign=5-25-12_2am

I'm thinking that a person shouldn't have to wait until they are this age or until insurance decides to cover it. They should be able to have surgery as soon as feasibly healthy. I'm glad this young lady gets to hear now.

Friday, May 18, 2012

May is arthritis awareness month.   http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/arthritis.html
I almost made it to the end of the April challenge. Oh, well, as Scarlett would say, there's "tomorrow" as in next year!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

S is for "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".  Yes, give me something that challenges me. Don't throw me the easy stuff. I want to know that I've done something that few people have taken the time to do.  And, I want it to be impressive. O.K. Easy is good sometimes, but anyone can do easy. It is those things that surpass the ordinary that stand out in a crowd. What makes "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" such a challenge? Is it just the spelling? Is it the fact that hardly anyone knows what it means or that there is no meaning for it? Or is the sheer power of how it sounds when pronounced correctly? We can learn a lot from this word. One, how to think and dream big. Two, how to face and conquer uncertainties and eventually overcome them. And the list could probably go on. 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

R is for resilience. Resilient is defined as "tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change " That is my watchword for the rest of the year. Go ahead and throw those situations my way. I will do just as I have in the past and bounce back. It may not be easy. I may shed some tears or lose a few winks at night but the outcome will remain the same. I know that there is a reason for all things and most things tend to work themselves out in time. No, I am not living in a fairy tale. There will continue to be some situations that will throw me for a spin as they would for anyone. However, for every problem, there is a solution. We may not agree with that solution or outcome but in the end, we realize that we cannot control everything. So, although some things do not go our way, we can fight back with the determination to move forward, not backwards.So here's to perfecting the advice to "get back up, brush yourself off, and start all over again!"
Q is for questions. I remember a motivational speaker once said that one way to get the right answers in life is to start by asking the right questions. No question is too dumb. Questions help you to clarify the facts and often to learn something new.  Questions can help you grow. No one should feel that they are above wanting to know more.  Acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong process. And it all begins by asking questions!
P is for positive. Yes, I want to stay focused on the positive. Many times, I see myself overcome by negative thoughts and pretty soon negative words follow. I then have to catch myself and say, "Stop. Don't do it!" I am also encouraged by those who continue to be positive despite the circumstances that surround them. It is very enlightening to see that there are some who can see the bright side of any situation. It is not always easy but it is possible. And knowing that when I remain positive, it can have a rippling effect on those around me. Yes, that is one of my mid-year resolutions. To let the positive thoughts overshadow the not so positive ones.

Friday, April 20, 2012

O is for overwhelming. And yes, this has been an overwhelming week for I never would have thought that I would have fallen this far behind in the A to Z challenge. But I will not be deterred.  I will make a commitment to not let the cares of life overwhelm me to the point that I am paralyzed when it comes to accomplishing my goals.  An easy promise you might say. It is a challenge in many ways but nevertheless my desire to reach for my dreams seem to somehow always push me past potential obstacles that could lead me down the wrong path. As I look around me and see so many others who seem to be overwhelmed by the cares of life, I am more determined to not become a statistic to giving in to defeat. How do I describe myself? Overwhelmed but overcoming every step of the way....

Monday, April 16, 2012

N is for "now."  The time is now. Why do you continually put things off for tomorrow. Tomorrow should be left open for new opportunities.  If I could improve on one thing, I would choose the ability to avoid procrastination.  You may not accomplish everything that you set out to do.  However you should be able to take the steps needed to move you to the next level.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

M is for......? Who would have thought that I would have begun getting "stumped" this early in the A to Z challenge.  Let's see, music, no. Magic, no. Mystery, no. I know! M is for "Make it Happen." How much time do you have left on earth?  Does it really matter if you live each day to the fullest?  We often procrastinate, waiting for the "right" time and the right time never seems to show up.  I often tell others, don't wait for good fortune to fall in your lap. Instead, make it happen!  Life is a constant battle of the wills. So the question becomes, "Will you do this or will you do that?"  I can't promise you that determination will get you everything you want but it will get you more than you will ever have without it. So do it for yourself, your family, and all those others who are waiting to be inspired by you.  The world is exploding with people who are waiting to say, "If she can do it, so can I."  

Thursday, April 12, 2012

L is for lyrics. As a songwriter, that is one of my specialties. I love writing lyrics that make people feel, think, and believe!  I often struggle over a piece of music for days or even weeks to find the right words to bring the song together.  It means nothing for me to continuously change a phrase or line until I feel that "ah ha" moment.  Many people are fascinated with singers. I, on the other hand, am always fascinated with the writer of those lyrics. I often question, what a person must have been going through or feeling when they wrote the words. I also question how many people will eventually be touched by a phrase that they love because it explains exactly how they felt but were unable to find the words of their own.  One of the lines from a song tBarry Manilow, "I write the songs that make the whole world sing... I am music and I write the songs!!!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

K is for keys!  In the field that I work in, mental health, I am surrounded by locked doors. However, I am not overwhelmed by this fact because I have the key to get through most of the doors that I want to get through. And, in life, I am comforted by this same revelation. That is the fact that the sky is the limit to me as long as I have the "key" to open up the door to more and more opportunities. I know these "keys" are in my possession and I plan to use them to my advantage. Unlike so many who act as though they are bound by their insecurities, I am freed by the knowledge that I carry the secret tool that will take me to heights unimaginable!,,,,

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

J is for jump. Jump into it!  Jump into success. Jump into those habits that will get you there. If all else fails continue to move in the direction that takes you closer to your goals. Jumping means taking chances. Remember the first time you jumped into 12 feet of water after just learning how to swim? Many times when you jump, it's hit or miss. But that's the excitement of life. Taking chances without having all the answers. And believing when there's no real proof in sight. What if everyone was afraid to jump? Would we have all of the wonderful inventions and privileges we enjoy today? Just think. Someone has got to be brave enough to take the plunge. Why not you? Just do it!!!!!

Monday, April 9, 2012

I is for ignorance. Usually I would try to stick with positive words on this a to z challenge. However, sometimes the negative words can have more of an impact than the positive ones.  I think the definition of this word is sometimes misinterpreted and those who are truly ignorant are never said to be so and some who are called ignorant are not ignorant at all.   Even God was concerned and knew the consequences of ignorance when he stated in Hosea 4:6, "My people perish for a lack of wisdom". So, who am I not to agree with the seriousness of this matter? And why do I even dwell on a word with such negative connotations?  Because, with ignorance comes the burden of fear, hatred, and violence. When we don't strive to understand something or someone different than ourselves, we often turn to tactics that we later regret but can't easily undo. Where am I heading with this? LET GO OF IGNORANCE!  Open your mind to the fact that you still have a long way to go in life and a lot to learn about others and those things around you. Things are not always what they seem. No matter how much education you have, you will never know or understand everything. So open your mind to listening to others and experiencing new things. Stop being judgmental and allow yourself to walk in another person's shoes.  If you really open your mind to what someone else is going through, you'd really be surprised. Of course the world will never be totally rid of ignorance, but we all can go a long way in keeping it in its place!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

H is for healing. When you are a writer, many times you may feel confused about what to do with this gift if it is not as lucrative as you thought it was going to be.  However, there are a select few who realize that there is a greater return than money for spreading words of inspiration. Greeting cards have become such an inspiration because of their ability to help a person to heal. As writers, we should never quit in our quest to write until one more soul is touched, one less heart is broken, and one more mind is challenged.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

G is for go!  That's right. Don't ever stop when it comes to following your dreams. Continually move forward. Even if at the moment you seem to be moving slowly. Just remember, "Don't quit!"  Too many people continuously sit at the stoplight as if it is still on red. But at some point, we must heed the green light that tells us it's okay to start moving again. There are so many things that place a stop sign in front of your dreams. It's okay if you must periodically stop and assess if that is the direction that you need to be headed in. It is okay to stop and see if you are following the right instructions to get to your destination. It's okay to slow down and enjoy the journey and socialize with those who you meet along your path. It's okay to stop long enough to refuel for the journey ahead. But once you do these things, pick yourself up and move forward again. You heard me. Go, go, go!

Friday, April 6, 2012

F is for fun!  They say you have only one life to live, so live it!  Many times we are busy handling emergencies and worries in our daily schedule. Or we're out there trying to accomplish the next goal. I often have to remind myself that the journey towards goals is part of the goal. Therefore we should put as much excitement towards working toward our desires as we do in accomplishing them. Don't wait until you lose those pounds to celebrate. Reward yourself for eating that salad instead of a greasy alternative entree or for taking those stairs instead of the elevator.  Tony Robbins was one of the motivational speakers that hooked me to the fact that almost anything can be made fun if you turn it into a game or challenge.  So there you have it. No one else can do it for you. So go out and brighten the world up with some happy activity.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

E is for Easter!  In the upcoming holiday season, many wishes go out to all who join in the celebration of the Risen Savior. Many will celebrate this time with Easter egg hunts and other festivities. Still others have celebrated since last Sunday and will continue on until Easter Sunday with church services.  As I look at the spiritual meaning behind Easter, I am reminded of the hope we are to share with others who know that resurrection represents life again! So many are suffering spiritual deaths in their own personal ways as they face daily trials. Although these things will be, we must fight to keep our spirits alive and moving forward!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

D is for Dare. Dare to believe. Dare to be the best you can be. So many whose potential could be unlimited are held back by old beliefs that there are limitations to what they can achieve because of past failures and negative comments. I am now refusing to believe that I can be anything less than an achiever who can leave the world a better place because of my existence. This has meant challenging myself to do what I normally would not do in order to bring out the most potential within myself. Hopefully my daring personality will cause others to do the same and dare to put their best foot forward while reaching for their most inner desires. Dare to believe. You never know. You may grow to like it!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

C is for caring.  When I was in nursing school "a few years ago", (smile), I remember the nursing students receiving t-shirts with the phrase, "Ask me if I care."  Even though today I may tease my friends or coworkers about not being a caring person when it comes to them, they know differently. I would not be who I am if I did not posses a caring personality. Often this "giving" characteristic has almost been my downfall for I have cared so much for others, I have often found myself putting the need of others above my own. Many of you can probably relate. How do you then explain when you see so many things happening around you that show just how little some people care about others.  Caring is not something that you can instill in others. Unfortunately it is not something valued by everyone. However, I challenge anyone to add a little caring in their daily routine and see how your inner perception about yourself and life in general takes a complete turn.  One place that I often work at and visit is the particular nursing home that my mom lives in. I often see people who are often left alone to survive on their own until their demise.  Some patients cry out for a visit or for someone to step in and ease their pain. It is sometimes very difficult to walk away knowing you can get away from it all but they can't. O.K, it is true that caring can be very time-consuming and often offers very little to no pay. It is not glamorous. But I would not give up CARING about others for ANYTHING!

Monday, April 2, 2012

B is for Believe.  It is so easy to quit believing in yourself and your abilities to make the most of your potential. When there is so many things out there competing for our attention and the attention of others, we are often side tracked into thinking that our pursuit is useless and that success is miles away.  I remember a famous story line in the TV show, "Touched by An Angel".  In it, Ms. Della Reese had asked some people to join her in praying for rain during a a terrible drought. When they all met to go into making their requests, Ms. Reese noticed that no one else who had come to pray for the rain had brought an umbrella.  When asked about it, Ms. Reese simply stated that she apparently was the only one who really believe that the drought would end after their requests were made!  So my challenge to others and myself is to make more of an effort to act in accordance to actin!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Action

As I enter my first year of the A to Z challenge, I am compelled to write the first thing that comes to mind. As the letter for today is "A", my first thought was "April", recognizing the many things that happen in this month. But then I thought of something more motivating to me. The word I came up with is "action". As I think of life and how easy it is to give up and quit reaching for your dreams, I thought to myself, the secret is movement toward your goals. I see many talk about their dreams but few work toward it. . So many good ideas going astray. So much talent going unused. All I can do is shout out to others as well as to my self. ACT! Act on your goals. Act on what needs to be done from day to day. And if life becomes so difficult that you feel you can't make the next few steps, then TAKE ONE STEP for one step is better than none.Visualizing and planning are important but all the knowledge building and planning in the world mean nothing if it is not backed by movement toward the goal.  Act not just for yourself but rather act so that others who see you will be motivated to act toward their own goals. You will be surprised at how far a little movement can go a long way in making a big change for the better!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

National Nutrition Month

“Check Your Nutrition IQ”

March is National Nutrition Month. See if you are ready to “Get Your Plate in
Shape” by taking this nutrition quiz.

1. Which food is the best non-citrus source of Vitamin C?
A. bell pepper B. potato
C. tomato D. plum

2. How much weight can you safely lose in one week?
A. 4-5 pounds B. 2-3 pounds
C 1-2 pounds D. None of the above

3. What is considered a healthy total cholesterol level for an adult?
A. 200-239 mg/dL B. 70-175 mg/dL
C at least 240 mg/dL D. 120-199 mg/dL

4. Which food is the highest in absorbable iron content ?
A. beets B. fortified cereal
C. roast beef D. spinach

5. True or False: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
T. F.

6. What is the new recommended daily intake of sodium for the average American adult?
A. 2300 mg B. 3 grams
C. 6 grams D. 400 mg

7. How many servings of fruits and vegetables do we need each day?
A. 2-3 servings B. 5-9 servings
C. 4-6 servings D. None of the above

8. Which food is the best source of whole grains?
A. popcorn B. corn flakes
C. white rice D. red velvet cake

9. What does Vitamin D do for your body?
A. Reduces inflammation B. Aids with bone health
C. Modulated immune function D. All of the above

10. How much fluid does the average adult need daily?
A. 1 ml per calorie consumed B. 6-8 glasses
C 10-12 cups D. 2 cc/calorie consumed


Key:
1. A 2. C 3. D 4. C 5. F 6. A 7. B 8. A 9. D 10. A

Friday, March 2, 2012

Sometimes, national news stories bring our attention to important things we are not always aware of. Check out the following articles about how a disease similar to lupus is affecting a famous personality.

http://news.yahoo.com/nick-cannon-battling-lupus-type-autoimmune-disease-feel-160017058.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus/

Friday, February 17, 2012

I saw a television show one day that showed a man having a vision telling us that feelings of insecurity and inferiority were our biggest blocks to total success. I have been working on feeling confident in all decisions that I make in all things that I do. I am also making the decision to think positively about myself and assume others feel the same way. It does not take long for negative feelings to overwhelm us, depress us, and dampen our desire to continue forward with everyday activities. And our feelings, whether negative or positive, effect our surroundings in such profound ways that they eventually affect our destinies in ways we will never know.  On my job, I see how my emotions are reflected back to me by my co-workers and patients and become more convinced each day that I will determine my circumstances' outcomes by my attitude!  What about you? What are you doing to move past your everyday insecurities?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Sitting here with mom missing some of our times together when she was up and going and was able to hold decent conversations with me. My greatest lesson at this time is making the most of each moment in order to not look back with bundles of regret.  I'm trying to use the past to learn more and use the future to be more motivated.  I look forward to continually growing in wisdom and compassion.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

I had promised to interview someone for my blog soon. He was a person with small resources but big hopes and dreams. I was going to feature him under a site entitled "Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things".  I had been so busy, I kept putting off the interview even though he kept calling to remind me to do it. Then he unexpectedly died a few days ago. What a bummer! Now, I'll never know what he wanted to say in his interview. My lesson for life on this is to always be careful about what you are too busy to do... I will try to find some records of his works and maybe some pictures from his family or friends and still honor him with a posthumous article. What's your thoughts?


Saturday, January 7, 2012

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid , aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be
in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Dear Blogging friends, just something I pulled up from somewhere in archives. Thought was a little interesting. You are welcome to share it with others....
New Year


A new year approaches
It is a time for new beginnings
A time to start all over
To find yourself again
And somewhere along the way
Find all those loved ones that you left behind.

And make up for some of the things that you said and did.
To forgive someone even if your only reason to do so
Is because God forgives you daily.

To make a promise to kick a habit that is controlling your life in a negative way.
To promise to be good to yourself because you are a gift to yourself from God.

To make an extra effort to show someone you really care, before it is too late and they are no longer there.
To thank God for everything He has given and taught you the past year and will teach you in the future.

To begin your search for happiness, realizing that happiness means contentment.
And contentment means doing things that make you feel good about living.

In other words, things that make you say that it’s okay to explore another year.



Denise Sutton
www.mywordsandme.com

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Insecure writer's fear:
One of my fears as a writer is finding a niche that fits me. Often, when I go to a book signing with multiple authors, I am usually the only non-fiction author and readers seem to be drawn to the excitement of a plot. I know that non-fiction is said to do well but I guess that will come in due time. The thing with non-fiction books is that there are so many out, you usually have to be well known to sell a large number. One of the things that I do have going for me is creativity and I see some will be needed for my last two projects. Wish me the best! Another fear that I have is that the time needed to promote will take me away from my first love of writing if I am not careful.  HOWEVER, I am challenged to let the words I write motivate me and thus I am in it to win and will take advantage of every possible opportunity, whether large or small, that comes my way.



So excited about being on Bookem's blog right now! I look forward to participating in February....

http://www.bookemnc.blogspot.com/

http://www.bookemnc.org/