Gratitude Check

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." 

Psalm 107:1

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." 

William Arthur Ward

Gratitude Check

Is gratitude a part of your daily life? I am thankful for many things, but I don't 

always see things through positive or grateful eyes. Maybe you can relate.

For instance, do you ever:

• View the day's accomplishments through what did not get done?
• View your worth and progress according to your weaknesses only?

If you do, perhaps you'd like to join me in a gratitude exercise by: 

•  Counting our blessings.
• Treasuring moments spent with loved ones.
• Celebrating things accomplished, no matter how small.
• Celebrating strengths while recognizing and working on flaws. 
• Viewing life as a journey, where one small step forward is better than none at all.

What do you think? Can a gratitude check help us express thankfulness 

more freely, touching and inspiring others, as Mr. Ward suggests? 

Fun Giveaway News  

The Emblazon authors are celebrating "A whole year of creating lifelong readers" 

by giving away a Kindle preloaded with 50 awesome books for tweens! 

Who are the Emblazon authors? They are a group of talented and dedicated 

writers who are "Writing stories on the hearts of children." 

Enter the giveaway HERE.

I Love to Write Day

  Did you know that November 15 is 

I Love to Write Day?

It is indeed, so feel free to celebrate as you like!

Check out the history of I Love to Write Day here.

So what do you think? Do you agree with Mr. Ward? 

What are you grateful for? 

I'm taking a break until Monday, December 1. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends! 

See you soon! :)

Happy writing,
 
Karen

 Photo credit - Stock Exchange

Food for Thought - Foodie Blog Hop

I'm taking part in Holly Sinclair's Foodie Blog Hop! Holly is the author of numerous cookbooks including Afternoon Coffee and Crepes, Snack Attack, and other delicious titles.

What does food have to do with writing? 

Plenty.

For example:

1) Writers need food. From snacks to meals, food provides energy and keeps those creative juices flowing. No food = a grouchy or unproductive writer. 

2) Food offers non fiction writing ideas. Submission potential ranges from recipes to articles on regional dishes or the history of food, to essays on the connection between food and one's social life, and so on. Kids, teens, adults - food has universal reader appeal.

3) Characters eat and interact with food. Whether a brief meal on the run or as key scenes in the plot, food plays a role in fiction. A book I read recently included a character who works through her problems while kneading bread dough.

4) Food fosters fellowship and fun. What writer doesn't need an occasional break from the routine? Dining at home or out with family or friends offers refreshment, and not just the nutritional kind. Writing is a solitary business and a little interaction can help boost one's mood, worldview, and perspective.

Hop over and see Holly - she'd love to see you!

Visit the Foodie Blog Hop page

Visit Holly's blog

Holly's cookbooks

Can you think of other ways food and writing are related? Do you snack when you write? 

Happy writing, 
Karen