Category: Motivation

Consider Charity

I support Wreaths Across America, which is an organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies each December. The mission of the charity is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Their goal is to place a wreath on every veteran’s grave, from every war, in every cemetery across the United States.

The wreath-laying ceremony across the country is held on the same day and at the same time.

Members of the public are invited to help lay the wreaths, which is normally preceded by a ceremony. During past ceremonies that I have attended, a veteran from each branch of service is chosen to lay a wreath in the veterans’ section of the cemetery.

Donations to buy the wreaths are taken all year, and I highly suggest attending a ceremony in December. It’s quite a touching event. You can find more information on their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Find a charity you have passion for. Sonja

My Mantra

Photo by Luca Upper on Unsplash

“Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable are the kind who do nothing.” by William Feather

You can make this quote your own. It really gets to the heart of any tendency for procrastination. If you talk yourself out of something, then there’s probably something you’re afraid of.

Just start! Sonja

#Giving #Charity

  • Photo on Unsplash.com
  • Photo by Robert Zunikoff on Unsplash

Whichever form of faith you follow, this is the season of giving–the season of charity. My hope is that you give and offer throughout the year.

There are those who have little need of actually ‘stuff’. Give of your time.

There are those who are in need of love. Give your love.

There are those who are in need of food. Consider giving to your local food bank.

There are those who are in need of transportation. Consider giving your time and drive them where they need to go–if you are able.

Anywhere you look, you will find someone in need. Try to determine what it is they need without asking. Most people will deny having any need, but a few minutes of your time or a plate of cookies or small token will do wonders to bring them joy.

Give of yourself. Sonja

What have you done?

Just one question for you this holiday season: what have you done to share joy and happiness?

It doesn’t have to be a monetary gift. It only needs to be time spent with you or a homemade gift made with love.

This is the time for you to spread your own brand of happiness.

Take the time to recognize someone you love. Sonja

Motivation for Inspiration

“We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Every good act is charity. A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.”
Moliere

I hope you find inspiration in at least one of these quotes. ‘Tis the season of charity and giving.

Be the person who helps people smile. Sonja

Writing for Illustrations

(c) 2019

It’s different when you write the text for a chapter book that doesn’t include pictures and writing for an illustrated book. The illustrations help the reader visualize what you’re writing about.

I didn’t have to describe the clothing in ‘The Voyage’ because the artist did such a phenomenal job with her research to show the clothing and the colors that were true to the period.

For ‘The Fairies of Carlow’ series, I took literary license to use clothing that was suggested by the Victorian period and was able to modify it as necessary for the stories.

The ‘Guinness the Therapy Dogs’ stories will be modern-day and the dress of the people he interacts with will be easily drawn. I probably won’t mention the clothing unless it directly affects the plot of the book.

And dogs don’t wear pants! Hey, that’s a good idea for a story!

The illustrations in ‘The Voyage’ also show the world occupied by John Wing as he traveled through Europe as a preacher. It helps the reader see where he stood in The Hague, Oxfordshire, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts (for his family).

Take a look at the beautiful illustrations of ‘The Voyage’. The illustrations for the first two books of the ‘Guinness the Therapy Dog’ series are being drawn by the artist right now!

I can’t wait to show you. Keep a lookout for the logo that will appear on the front cover of every ‘Guinness the Therapy Dog’ book. It’s spectacular and I will unveil it here on this website soon!

Keep writing! Keep reading! Sonja