Today I was feeling gratitude and thankful for so many riches in my life. So many times I am way too critical of myself and my efforts and I usually set my bar way high. Driving my 31 year old son to the airport this morning and on the way back time to reflect on life and where he's at as a young man and where I'm at. So grateful to be able to write songs about life and it's joys, struggles, heartaches good and bad. Hey, maybe I'm not famous (who cares) just more free to be me. How many people around you do what you do? In my case it takes a period of time to improve, get better and get where you want to be, still it's a life time of work. Would I want it to be any other way, no? If it were easy anyone and everyone would do it. It would not be so precious either. What a totally wonderful, beautiful journey and how lucky are we? Also, so thankful to BIAB for making this so much more beautiful and obtainable. How often do we stop and give ourselves a pat on the back? Just sayin!!!

Dear Donna...

Well, well, well, now...looks as though you experienced one of those ecstatically humbling, gloriously exhilarating, "My, but I'm so glad to be alive!" kind of days, eh ??? Another blessing, for sure.

I believe life is ALWAYS sweet when we share the sweetness with others, and I mean doling it out in big buckets, 'cause what you want out of life you gotta give away -- in my opinion, anyway. So...thank you for passing it around!

Truly,

LOREN

To me, THAT is what makes you successful. Truly awesome!

Yes, yes, yes and all the good peoples here on this forum. Feeling so blessed for knowing you guys and all the others here.

This is a wonderful post Belladonna, and it's a great idea to share this post here. This forum is a home away from home family/community... Thanks for posting it

I totally agree. This is the most friendly site on the entire Internet and I glad that I am a part of it. YMMV

Donna,

I would say this is the MOST important thing.

I have mentioned I am reading the best non-fiction how-to book I have ever read in my life by author and celebrity literary agent Donald Maass. It is called "The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction."

Talking about "God" in literary circles is supposed to be "forbidden" (by some people's opinions) but he goes there anyway. Instead of going on for a million pages about "you need to have a dramatic character arc" [no kidding, YAWN], he goes to heart of the matter. Here is a paraphrase of a gem:

"Make sure to take notes on all the little miracles that God works in your life every day. It may just be the kindness of your spouse. If you have ever looked at your spouse or a loved one and felt a silent moment of awe and humility you have experienced God. So keep careful notes on all those little miracles that happen to you every day. A lot of people love to read about that kind of stuff. Like millions of people. Just sayin'. Hey, how about dark, dreary, highly intelligent, gloomy, sarcastic books where evil triumphs in the end? You might sell two copies. Just sayin'."

This guy's agency sells 150 hot property books every year.

Counting your blessings and cheering people up is where it's at.

So beautifully stated, Belladonna!

Reading more of everyone's happiness posts this morning. So nice to take some deep breaths and reflect on how blessed we are. Creativity is truly one of God's gifts to mankind and may we all luxuriate in it totally.

David Snyder, I've heard you mention this book in some other posts and it's got me curious. I love books but have so little time to sit and read, just wondered if you could post a little more about what the book's about? Is it inspiration? What makes it more alluring than all the other how to write books out there? So if you would like, I would love to hear why you think it's so special.

Nice post Donna. Feeling genuine gratitude for everything in our lives, no matter what, is a sure way to experience true peace.

David thanks for reminding me of that small point... and I agree whole heartedly. I am going to start jotting everyday things down.

Thank you for such an inspiring post Donna. Attitude of gratitude - the sweet and most potent daily tonic for the soul.

Donna,

I am trying to make the great leap from writing non-fiction books to novels. I.e., story-telling, and "keep them on the edge of their seats" stuff. Not much different than songwriting. I have read maybe 12 different books on how to write a novel that people will actually buy, read, enjoy, recommend, etc. But they seemed just a little too obvious. Like "you need an exciting story and conflict." No kidding.

But THIS book (which has 75 worksheets) shows you EXACTLY HOW to get the reader by the coat, so to speak, from the first paragraph, and hold their attention throughout so they literally won't be able to move or go to the bathroom until they finish. He shows you, again, exactly HOW to do it. His main theme is that no matter your gender, or background, and no matter the story line, the reader has to say this about the main character: "This is kind of like me. I have felt that. I have lived through something like that. And I have always wanted to say that. She just said it for me and she said it better."

If you can do that, he suggests, a million people will read your book. It's fascinating, and again, meticulous the way he lays it all out. Best thing I have ever read in the how-to genre.

Wow David. The book sounds so awesome. I'm going to put it on my wishlist to read as soon as I can.

Thanks Joanne and Sundance. I want to make this more of a regular practice this year. Feeling gratitude. Also, thanks LP Man, Mario and Don for your wishes of gratitude also. A great, happy productive year to all of you.

This was such a heartfelt post! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us. It really warmed my heart.

Thanks Ember.