Category: Editing (Page 4 of 15)

I Can See Clearly – The Thanksgiving Thank You!

November 20, 2023 / Chiara

This is an encouragement to myself. A declaration of knowledge to the universe. I use “universe” loosely because it’s not to the universe, but to the One who created the universe, God.

This Thanksgiving and each and every day, I’m thankful for:

Discernment, learning that my circumstances are not a result of vibes and feelings, but understanding the things I can and cannot control.
Clearer vision, not so much an improved vision that I don’t need glasses, but seeing all the things around me and what’s happening in the world, and how God is showing me how he’s piecing everything together.
Compassion toward others. Kindness does matter. Our tongues have the power to make and break someone with our words. Using our words and time effectively.
Prayer time. Communication with the Lord. Getting in my secret place. Refining my relationship with Jesus. Inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in me.
My kids. Seeing them grow. Seeing them experience life, and figuring things out for themselves. Doing my best to equip them with the right tools to live righteously.
My husband. My confidant, my friend, my lover. Our lives and marriage are far from perfect, but appreciating the gift of companionship and we weave through life’s challenges.
My writings. I’m no bestselling author, but I write what I unashamedly write because of God. He and He alone will always be my audience.
Overall health. Yes, the bones ache, and the mind gets foggy, but I am grateful for every pain and migraine. Uncomfortable as it may be, I know it’s a reminder to treat my body like a temple and keep it clean.
The people who have come into my life and those who have left. Through seasons of valleys and hills, I know Jesus has meant it for His good and glory, and not my own.
My own failures throughout the year to my loved ones and strangers. I’m sorry I didn’t come through when I should have. Please forgive me.
Lastly, I’m thankful for a merciful God who always takes me and intercedes for me when I am unable.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans comes one day of the year. But being thankful should be an everyday practice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo by Wallace Chuck: https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photography-of-folded-eyeglasses-2097085/

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/roasted-turkey-on-black-ceramic-plate-5702776/

The Prayer Request versus the Prayer Process

November 13, 2023 / Chiara

Why is it that we are so focused on the prayer request but then stumble during the prayer process?

In Mathew 14: 22-33 we read about Jesus walking on water during a storm toward a boat that was carrying the disciples. One of the disciples was Peter. He asks Jesus to command him to come out of the boat to meet him. Jesus’ response was, “Yes, come.”

When we pray, often it’s an ‘ask’, such as, “Lord, please can you heal my loved one from whatever is ailing them.” Another is “God, please get me through this day without no problems, etc.” Why are we so focused on the asking? What is Jesus going to say, no? The prayer request should be a declaration, a decree; you need to have assurance that the Lord will provide and make a way for you. (Jehovah Jireh). Where’s the faith, friends? What has Jesus told us before in Mathew 7:7. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

As you continue reading you find that Peter goes over the boat and into the water. He’s doing okay walking on the sea until he notices the winds and the waves around him. Fear strikes him. Rather than keeping his attention on Jesus, he gets distracted and slips into the water, crying out to the Lord to be saved.

Hence, the faltering when our eyes are taken off Jesus during the process: the waiting, the testing, etc. Yes, it’s our human impatience that gets the best of us. If only we could endure till the end.

You know the expression that says something like this, “It’s the journey, not the destination that counts.” There’s a lot of truth to that. In this particular scripture, one of the many lessons learned (and there are several in these ten verses) is making your prayer requests focused and staying focused. Most importantly, believing in God’s timing that He will provide.

Photo by Atahan Demir: https://www.pexels.com/photo/anonymous-person-in-clear-water-7204553/

Don’t Break a Sweat

October 17, 2023 / Chiara

This morning I woke up out of a deep dream. I was playing tennis with Novak Djokovic. Yes, the world’s best tennis player right now. We were in an enclosed court with a tall black fence all around us. We weren’t playing per se, or volleying back and forth. Rather, we were serving the ball to one another. When Novak served, his balls often went over my head and got caught in the fence. My serves tended to curve to the left. For some reason, I was winning the serves.

When it was my last serve, which I didn’t know that it was going to be my last time, I approached the line. Bouncing the ball twice, I was getting ready to hit it, but instead, I let the racket swing down. Like a fake swing. From the corner of my eye, I saw Novak shift and move side-to-side. He readied back into position, and I bounced the ball again, once this time, and hit it. It curved to the left again. I was hoping it would land in the center of the box on the other side of the net, but it touched down in the upper-left-hand corner of the box, instead.

Novak returned the serve, and the ball flew out of bounds over my head, falling behind me. As I turned around to retrieve the ball, a woman with a ponytail and dressed in white tennis apparel approached me. She was all smiles. The court suddenly brightened, and she congratulated me on winning. I wasn’t shocked or surprised, but I thanked her anyway. It was then I noticed a couple of people folding a dark gray canopy off of the net. It’s one of those canopies or coverings on a patio set, at least that’s what it looked like to me. I realized the challenges of my serves and Novak’s serves were a result of that canopy hovering over the net.

Novak Djokovic ran up to me and congratulated me as well, and then he hugged me. My last thought in his embrace was … “I didn’t break a sweat.”

As I think of this dream and what I can glean from it, is that I had the assurance of winning, thus, not breaking a sweat or fretting about it. I felt peace. Novak is a good representation of the world, hitting back at me, and making me run for the ball all over the court. And the canopy can represent God’s hand in everything. He removes the darkness, He removes the pains, He removes our sorrows, etc.

So today, rest assured that whatever you do, God’s got this. Our job is to show up and serve, using our gifts for His glory. So, don’t break a sweat.

Until next time. Be well. Be safe. Be happy.

Indie Bookselling: It’s a Real Thing!

September 28, 2023 / Chiara

In a world where books are readily available online, one sometimes has to ask, do readers buy books at library events?

I’ll start by saying bookselling as an independent author is a real thing. I remember reading years ago the author of the book, The Shack, by William P. Young, selling his books out of the trunk of his car. That story inspired me, as I always carry books in my car too because you never know when someone needs a good read.

As for the answer to the above question, I say yes. There are those who do come to library author events. It’s tough competition, a ton of genres out there. But many don’t know what goes into preparing for a bookselling gig. Let me enlighten you.

Whether your indie published or traditionally published, you are still the number one marketer of your products (books). You are responsible for business cards, bookmarkers, posters, and any other marketing paraphernalia. I hear t-shirts with the book covers are gaining ground.

Usually, the library or hosting venue provides tables. Most authors bring their own tablecloths. It just looks better on the table. Don’t forget the communication promoting the event, months before, weeks before, the same week, etc. Some authors even do a “live” video, or they post pictures. All this takes time.

Most readers who buy these books have an advantage. It’s autographed, and you can meet the writer behind the book. At least for me, it’s a cool thing. For others, not so much. As my teenage daughter says, most readers don’t like to interact with the authors, they just want the book! Hmm… maybe true. Also, most writers will discount the books at an event. That’s a plus too. For the authors, it’s a chance to mingle with other writers, learn their process, check out how they present their products, and learn about prospective readers’ literary interests.

When I prepare for an author event, I make sure all my materials are presentable, I have options for payment, like the Square, have candy or mints for the table, and a good suitcase to lug all my contents.

I’m often asked, is it worth it to do these events when you know you may not sell anything? My answer is always yes. If you don’t know and try, how will you learn? Writing and bookselling is a BUSINESS.

Most writers have full-time jobs. I’ve heard people comment. “Oh, what a wonderful hobby you have to write.” Some choose it as a hobby, but I can tell you, for others it is a job. If you’re with a publishing house or small press, you have a contract, and the writer needs to fulfill the obligation of writing another book or several books in a series, etc. So, yes, bookselling is a thing.

Please support local authors, go to their events, repost their blogs, read their books, review them, and share their writings. Word of mouth is still a thing too!

Photo Credits:

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-brown-crew-neck-t-shirt-and-blue-denim-jeans-holding-black-and-white-book-4865737/

Poplar Creek Public Library (Author Event)

Resting in His Presence instead of Running on Empty

September 7, 2023 / Chiara

As I got in the car this morning I realized I was running really low on gas. So I drove to the gas station. It was a cool morning, and I could feel the autumn season coming around. The leaves have also been changing colors.

While filling my tank, I yawned. I yawned again, and then again. My mind was worn down. A short, fit, older gentleman in a tan jogging suit trotted by and said, “Looks like you can use some rest.”

I nodded and replied, “Yes sir. Yes sir indeed.”

At that distracted moment, I was feeling overwhelmed going over the never-ending to-do lists and tasks to be completed. They circled my thoughts like a swarm of blackbirds. I was just as empty as my gas tank, while my backseat was crammed with burdens, obligations, follow-ups, consultations, and on and on…

After fueling up, I went on my way. I drove through miles and miles of construction and traffic, which were everywhere, and I even caught every single red light. Argh… I hate that. My car felt sluggish, unable to move the heavy load occupying my back seat, or maybe I couldn’t get my foot to press harder on the pedal. Either way, I was running empty because I’d been trying to solve and haul everyone else’s burdens along with my own.

The Bible tells us we are to help carry one another’s burdens as written in Galatians 6:2 and Philippians 2: 3-4. There are misinterpretations and debates over those scriptures, and I’m doing additional research to discern the differences (a good discussion for another time).

The Bible also tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2 to run our own race. We aren’t meant to run someone else’s race but our own. We have to lug our own cross, not someone else’s. I recognized that I have been neglecting my spiritual time in the secret place where I can get in the presence of the Lord and be refreshed and lifted up. We all need this.

Jesus even said, Come all who are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Mathew 11:28)

He also affirmed that busyness and checklists don’t matter. Rather, taking the time to lay everything at His feet. A good example of that is the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary chose to sit with Jesus, while Martha fussed with petty duties. (Luke 10:38-42).

With the driver-side window down while I drove, I felt a fresh wind come across my face. My responsibilities won’t diminish, but I know now my load is shared with my Savior. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

So, go into your secret place and pray. Get into God’s Word. May it comfort your mind from the worldly chaos, while not letting your tank run empty.

In the end, we have to finish the race that God has set before us. (2 Timothy 4:7).

I hope this encourages you as it did for me.

God bless…

The Mushroom Conundrum

July 28, 2023 / Chiara

You ever wonder about wild mushrooms or how they grow and thrive anywhere? I’ve seen them in yards, our lawn, on tree barks, sides of the road off of busy highways, under fences, you name it.

I personally find them pesty and downright nasty-looking. Wild mushrooms are oddly shaped and often have a peculiar shade of color. I’m not talking about edible mushrooms, such as Portobello Mushrooms, Shiitake Mushrooms, and plenty of others, either.

In my curiosity, I decided to research how wild mushrooms grow. First, though we need to ask, what is a mushroom? According to Microsoft Bing’s definition,

A mushroom is a fungal growth that typically takes the form of a domed cap on a stalk, with gills on the underside of the cap.

Mushrooms grow from spores (not seeds) that are so tiny you can’t see individual spores with the naked eye. In the wild, mushrooms grow on both soil and other substrates like wood. No soil is necessary for growing them. Instead, they’ll grow on substances such as sawdust, grain, straw, or wood chips for nourishment. It’s also because mushrooms do not contain chlorophyll, therefore they cannot produce their own food using the process of photosynthesis. Mushrooms use the substratum that they grow on or have a symbiotic relationship with, in order to create the nutrients that they require. Isn’t that crazy how mushrooms have that capability?

Mushrooms can also grow in damp, dark places, and in wet, humid climates. Mushrooms are very sturdy, and I’ve seen them affixed firmly onto things.

My daughter took the above photo for me because I was fascinated by this particular mushroom and how it grew near a rock. Yes, there was soil and woodchips around it, but it awed me to see its strength and durability considering its surroundings.

The wheels in my brain began to turn as I stared at this mushroom. We live in a world where there is a fix for everything. Take this pill for this, drink this concoction for that, do this particular thing and all your anxiety and pains will go away. It goes on and on.

The culture also tells us to rely on our feelings, thus taking offense to everything. We avoid getting grounded in our faith, we avoid discussing our spiritual desires. The Bible tells us that if we don’t have a solid foundation, we are like the wind, tossed to and fro, and can be seduced by evil doctrine very easily. (Ephesians 4:14, Ecclesiastes 1:14)

We’re expected to keep up with the latest fashions, music, bestseller lists, and technology. But nowhere are we encouraged to speak Truths to one another.

I have a better appreciation of wild mushrooms now. They are brave fungi! No matter what’s around them, they attach themselves to something grounded and their roots flourish because of their strength on the inside.

We should all focus on cultivating our inner selves more so than our outer selves because…

When you have a solid foundation, you grow, (Ephesians 3:17)
When your roots are in rich soil, you grow, (Mathew 7:24-25)
When you are grounded in your faith and integrity, you grow. (Psalm 26:1-12, Mathew 13:23)

How are you growing?

Resources

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/how-to-grow-mushrooms/#:~:text=Mushrooms%20grow%20from%20spores%20%28not%20seeds%29%20that%20are,sawdust%2C%20grain%2C%20straw%2C%20or%20wood%20chips%20for%20nourishment

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-do-mushrooms-grow.html

https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/how-do-i-grow-mushroomshttps://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+do+wild+mushrooms+grow&view=detail&mid=65CB62B977D9F897D34C65CB62B977D9F897D34C&FORM=VIRE

Dear Younger Me

May 25, 2023 / Chiara

I’ve spent a good amount of my life doubting my decisions and often living in a hesitancy to failure. Now that I’m older, have much gray hair that I color every seven weeks, and have experienced things, I wish I had had someone tell it to me straight and be truthful. It is why I’ve taken a moment to accumulate nuggets of wisdom to pass along to my children, as if I was talking to my younger self because if tomorrow never comes, then I know I have spoken my truth today.

Dear Younger Me,

I know I can’t go back in time. But if I could have sent you a message, a note, spoken to you in a dream, I’d tell you these words:

Practice makes progress, not perfect because when you practice something long enough, you are really making progress. Perfection is not a mass finality, but rather an individualized, personal goal.
Gentle words, gentle play.Thru calmness, comes clarity.The best conversations are with myself.Don’t put words in the air that don’t belong there.Pain always follows the wanting.Get in front of the problem.

Fight the problem, not the people.
There are simple answers to difficult questions.
Turn your fear into a friend, not a foe.The decisions you make today affect you five years from now.Limit distractions. Stay on course.Don’t live for anything; stand for something.If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll truly fall for everything.Friends are people of passage. Find your people.You can only grow where you plant good seeds.

Grow where you are planted. And if you get replanted over and over again, dig your roots, and keep growing.
Don’t be a troublemaker, be a truth seeker.I’m temporarily closed…. forever. (Love the oxymoron)
I need God to pour into me so I can push out the overflow to others.Some questions have no answers.Love is love, but love is better when you love in truth.Love is love when it is done in truth.It’s how you overcome; not how you succumb.You either die suffering or suffer in dying!Test everything. Discern all.Everything good that comes out of me is from God, Everything bad in me, is from me.Lord, direct me to move out of the way, so You can make a way.Some people don’t want to make peace with you, rather they want a piece of you.Forgiveness is really for you to let go.The hardest people to love and pray for are the ones who persecute you.Rather than scold or talk badly about a person, pray blessings over them.You can’t control the passing on of generational curses, but you can stop them from being activated in your family.Wisdom, revelation and knowledge of Him, Jesus Christ is far better than all the education of the world.Be friendly with everyone, doesn’t mean you have to be what they are.It’s okay to feel that you don’t belong. It means you are growing in maturity. Put away your childish behavior and grow up.Not everyone is going to like you.Don’t stress about fitting in when God made you to stand out. Be separate from the culture.You’ll always going to have people jealous of you.Your biggest enemies are usually the ones closest to you.Family is blood. You can’t change that. But toxic blood often resides within the family. Get it out! Cast it out of your life!
If you don’t love in truth, it isn’t love.Stop appeasing those who keep using you.If someone doesn’t like you, no matter what you do, it won’t change their dislike of you. It’s because they’re threatened by you.Friends and family don’t always want you to succeed.No one friend can be your everything. Have many different friends with different interests.

Dream.

Be a risk-taker, not a regret-maker.

Pay someone’s bill.

Dress up for no reason and go to the grocery store.

Wear lipstick just to go for a walk.

Rather than watch a movie, turn on the television and watch cartoons.

Dance in front of your mirror.

Sing!

Work. It will teach you responsibility.

Learn to manage your money.

Go out to dinner alone every once in a while.

Love yourself.

Love God and love people.

Read. Read everything.

Get into God’s Word. Really read the Bible. IT IS a blueprint for living this earthly life.

Fretting and worrying all the time is really overrated.

Really watch a sunrise and a sunset.

Sleeping enough does help.

And it’s true. Never grocery shop when you’re hungry.

Never make big decisions when you’ve been drinking, are tired, or hungry.

Be true to yourself because no one is going to do it for you.

To be continued…

NOTE: This blog post was inspired by the song, “Dear Younger Me” by MercyMe. Check out the video here.

Motherhood – God’s Chosen Profession (Courtesy of Relatable-Voice Magazine)

May 4, 2023 / Chiara

I’m delighted to share that for this month of May, I had an article showcased in Relatable-Voice Magazine in celebration of Mother’s Day. It’s a FREE magazine filled with inspiring and creative artists who are living out their passion and dreams. This particular issue focuses on Motherhood.

Download the magazine at https://www.relatable-media.com/online-store/The-Relatable-Voice-Magazine-Issue-9-May-2023-p550939787

See page 19 for my article “Motherhood – God’s Chosen Profession.”

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy!

Table Coverings: To Plastic or Mat? That is the Question

April 18, 2023 / Chiara

Dictionary.com defines a Table as:

A table is a piece of furniture used to place items on top, but mostly, to eat on. Yes, there are worktables, desk tables, etc., but in this instance, we are talking specifically about kitchen tables. Tables get dirty. Most modern homes don’t put any coverings on tables except for special occasions or holidays. See the following article on tablecloths.

Not in my home. I grew up in an Italian household with tablecloths on kitchen tables. Every time we sat down to eat, we had to pull out the old tablecloth. Did I say… EVERY SINGLE TIME! Once we were finished eating, we had to gather the cloth and go outside and shake the crumbs out in the yard, or at the end of the driveway. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Are you getting the visual on this? Just checking.

So, when my girls were younger, I put a tablecloth on our kitchen table because they were messy, and it prevented them from nicking and damaging the table. We’ve always bought a good, wooden table for our kitchen. We’ve gone through four in the last twenty-three years. Not bad, but still.

Anyhow, we’ve had our current table for about three years. And the girls are in their teens now, so I decided to try mats. I went to the at Home store, and I bought these really nice mats. I wanted to be modern, and my girls liked them, so we tried them. Folks, it didn’t last a month. Crumbs got on the table and the mats. I was shaking out the mats, over the sink this time, and wiping down the table. This had become a double-duty job, not to mention, we vacuum around the table after eating too. Yes, I’m a stickler for cleanliness. I don’t like crumbs on the floor either, plus we have an exotic bird, and he throws his seeds on the floor. So, I’m constantly vacuuming too. The floor is always crumb-and-seed-free.

With all this extra work, I didn’t like this ‘mat thing’ very much. I went back to what I know from my childhood, the tablecloth. This time, I added a clear plastic covering OVER the tablecloth, also my childhood experience—yes, I’m dating myself.

Ahh… Shiny, and clean, I can see any dirt marks or anything sticky. With a wet piece of paper towel, I’m able to wipe it down, and instantly, the plastic is clean again. The best part, I can admire my Italian tablecloth under the clear plastic and not worry it gets stained. Woo-hoo, win, win!

My daughters, on the other hand, shook their heads in disappointment. I wasn’t cool anymore. They later told me, not only was this outdated, but this made me look old, very old. I laughed it off. They weren’t serious, were they? Hmm… shrug, I think I’m pretty cool! Aren’t I?

Here’s the thing, folks. I love the expression, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I also like the idea of a smooth-looking table covering. It looks 80ish, okay, maybe 70ish… but it WORKS.

Tell me what you all do with your kitchen tables. To cover or not to cover? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

A Jonah Spring

March 13, 2023 / Chiara

When I was a child attending catechism classes, now called Faith Formation, at my Catholic church, one of my favorite Bible stories was of Jonah and the Whale from the Book of Jonah. The Bible story of Jonah tells of a Hebrew prophet, hence Jonah, who is sent by God to warn the city of Nineveh of its wickedness and impending destruction. Instead of heeding his calling, Jonah flees by purchasing a ticket on a boat headed to Tarshish, which is the opposite direction of Nineveh. He is later thrown overboard and swallowed by a large sea creature and prays to God for mercy. Once released, Jonah obeys God’s command and preaches to the people of Nineveh, who repented and turned from their wicked ways, thus rescuing them from God’s wrath.

I’ve been in what I’m calling a “Jonah Spring”. I’m trying to cleanse my life of toxicity and harmful circumstances. We all know the ending of Jonah’s experience, but I was recently rereading the Book of Jonah, and certain verses struck a personal chord. You see, a lot has been going on in my family life, and inherited, overwhelming responsibilities which I prefer not to get into. In my reading, I learned something about myself through the scriptures (it’s amazing that way), that I believe might help others too.

Jonah Thrown into the Sea

Jonah1:10-16

¹⁰Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. ¹¹Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous.

¹²And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.”

¹³Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. ¹⁴Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” ¹⁵So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. ¹⁶Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.

Jonah knew he was the problem and caused God’s wrath, but the men on the boat didn’t want to throw him over at first—they felt guilty. So, they kept rowing, and the storm still raged on. Finally, when they cried out to the Lord and threw Jonah into the ocean, did the sea calm.

I realized through these scripture words, that if you want to change, you have to throw out “your Jonah”. That is, whatever is holding you back. Whatever has had a stronghold on you. If that Jonah has caused strife, disconnect, and pain, then it’s time to remove it from your life. And this is what I’m working on, being a better me, obeying the plans God has for me, and facing those awful situations head-on and casting them out into the abyss.

May you forge ahead in love, peace, and joy this Spring Season. Face those fears and get right!

Jonah Thrown into the Sea

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