Morning Meditations (help from Louise Hay)

Do you struggle with meditating like I do? Here’s my latest tool.

So, you have a busy brain? You wake up with a drumbeat in your head thinking of all that you need to do, or you struggle to get up and feel positive about your day in any way? Have you tried meditation, they ask. Ha. My busy brain struggles to meditate and needs all the help it can get. Here’s what’s working for me lately.

Last summer, my holistic friend Kim gave me a lot of journals and self-health books. Since I love books, self-help books and journaling are both things I love to spend my time with, and being a teacher on summer break allows me exactly that! I started last year with the Soul Coaching, 28 days book with focused each week on one of the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Believe me, I had a few seriously negative things that I needed to get through last year, but I began to open my eyes more to God’s blessings all around me and to learn more about myself and my spirituality through them.

This year, I am using the Affirmation Journal by Louise Hay pictured above. It really centers my mind each morning on positive things that exist in my life and helps set up my mood for the day. Things are going quite well for me this year, but summer is a time I could be dangerously lazy and develop serious kinks in my neck from reading on the couch or sitting at the computer for countless hours, starting with breakfast even. Being my age, I at times struggle with focus as well and may have 20 tabs open at once, so starting my day with breakfast and writing in this Affirmation Journal helps me to get centered with a positive mindset. Another goal I have is to be more active and have several breaks from sitting, writing, or computer time. So, getting centered in the morning helps me all around.

Sure, I could Google positive thoughts or daily affirmations. No, never mind, I can’t. I would be distracted by the latest drama between two celebrities suing each other over their broken, toxic marriage, or even by Amazon telling me what I should buy now. I could read a Bible passage and reflect on that. No, some of those passages are quite confusing. I was raised on the Bible, and it has its purposes, but if you’ve read it, you know it’s confusing. I’ve had preachers preach that you can’t just pick and choose what passage you wish to read. Sometimes I do agree, other times, I may seek it out. At any rate, I have found this book helpful as it asks for my interpretation and reflection on each thought.

Here is an example based on the thought: “I now accept all good as normal and natural for me….”

I think this entry had a lot to do with gratitude as well, but accepting good things for exactly what they are has been a struggle for me at times, having “busy-brain.” I just want to share what has worked for me lately.

Blessings to you all for a happy week and great summer!

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Weekend Coffee Share, January Exiting

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. It is not quite 40 degrees yet here, with last night in the 30s and a wind chill in the 20s. We’ve had unusually cold weather here in Northeast Florida lately. Since I had hot coffee yesterday, I’m drinking green tea with ginger today.

If you follow my blog, you know that I don’t drink coffee everyday, and I’m a believer in health benefits of green tea. Today’s tea is Tazo green tea and does have a caffeine content, something I prefer in the morning. 🙂 What is your morning drink of choice?

With this recent cold weather, I’ve felt like being in semi-hibernation mode. Rarely is it this cold for so long in my area. My sinuses have been a pain, but I never have a fever. Being an allergy sufferer, I chalk it up to that and just add Mucinex to my routine.

My dog Bixby is in need of a haircut or trim, but I’m letting him keep his fluff through this cold weather. He is a cutie and a great companion during the cold spells. I just have to let him out to the backyard and try to walk him at least once a day.

Every morning with my dog is a little bit like Christmas. Once he’s ready to get up, I’ll say “Wanna go outside?” He responds by jumping off the bed and trotting to the back door. I let him out with the door slightly closed with a sliver of air; once done, he comes barreling through and trots back in. He always seems to leave the door open. He’s so fun to watch! He’s overdue for a dog park visit….as soon as it warms up again, hopefully in February!

January is over soon, and I’m fine with that. February is short, and then March brings Spring Break for me and milder weather at some point. Work keeps me really busy, as always, so it’ll pass quickly, I’m sure.

In January, I read two books: one was The Curse of Lochness, obviously about the Loch Ness monster, imbued with all sorts of local lore and myth. Quite interesting, but chilling. I found the book through an Amazon search of books about Bigfoot, which cross-referenced with other books of folklore and monsters, a subject of interest. The other was a novella introduction to a series called The One Chosen: the Diadodz Short Story, which I’d found in a Christmas online event for the Rave Reviews Book Club, of which I am a member.

I’ve also been re-reading Wuthering Heights since December. It’s a classic that always stuck with me for the characterization of Heathcliff and Catherine. There is so much exposition, that I cannot read too much of it at once, so it’ll take a while, but I’ll continue. In the meantime, I’ve started an espionage story that hopefully is fast-paced. I’ll tell you more later!

My Netflix habit is quite active, what with the semi-hibernation mode I seem to be in. My son and I enjoy watching Blacklist; James Spader is a dynamic actor! Mom and I like to watch Grey’s Anatomy, and Seinfield is a lifelong love of mine that will keep perpetuating itself! I am almost done with the whole series that I started shortly after it became available on Netflix.

That’s my life for now. I hope you all are well, and please keep warm! I’m pleased to see we do have some sunshine today, at least. We haven’t had much of that for about a week. Good day!

Weekend Coffee Share, Of Fire and Water

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. After a matcha green tea, I am taking my time this morning. Why? Because I can. 🙂

It is Fire Week in the Soul Coaching book, which involves stepping out of the usual routines. It being summer, I get to step out of my work routine anyway! One new addition to the routine is walking 5 miles on Tuesday evenings with a Meetup group, traipsing through neighborhoods I don’t normally frequent and seeing wonderful new sites. I do know one person in the group, but taking these walks is a new thing for me, and I love it!

Strange angle, but I had to catch that awesome sunset too!

There has also been plenty of time to rest, take my time, and live in the moment. If that is the water part of my life, it is a slow-moving, lazy river. I love those, and they certainly represent living in the moment. It is such an important thing to do, isn’t it? Of course, we may not be able to do it all the time. Still, living with uncertainty with all of the shake-ups and changes in my life recently has made living in the moment necessary at times. I have to maintain the balance.

Bixby does the dance of ‘living in the moment ‘ so well!

In honor of Fire week, I wrote a post with a poem all about fire and what the flame means in regards to moving forward. You may view it here: https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2021/06/23/respecting-the-flame-poetry/

Perhaps I will blog more on my journey through the Soul Coaching book, if the spirit moves me. It has become a welcome routine every morning with a long, drawn-out breakfast. When it is done, I’ll be changing up my routines again. I actually worked on writing the Ellie book this week. There will be more of that to follow!

Have a great weekend, everyone, and thanks for stopping by for my coffee share!

Weekend Coffee Share, Old Souls and Thunderstorms

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share,  hosted by Natalie the Explorer. Summer break is here, and in NE Florida, we don’t have to wait for Summer Solstice; there is plenty of sunshine already!

We have had a few strong thunderstorms. After work Monday, I came home and started some laundry. The skies got dark, and thunder started rolling. The anxiety my dog gets sometimes is very real. He paced, getting very nervous. I lay on my bed reading on my phone, and he jumped up so as not to be alone. Then hopped back down to pace again, panting as if he’d just run a mile.

I tried giving him a calming chew, sensing his heart must be racing like mad, but he wouldn’t take it. A few more turns of that dance, and I finally got him to take a calming chew as I held him in my arms. Poor guy, his anxiety seems to be worse as he ages. I went to my bed and he got up there and laid across me, so I couldn’t do much. He’d scratch at my arms, not very comfortable.

I decided I’d get off my phone and just hold him; after all, I was worried about him. It took a while, but his heart rate slowed, and he nestled into the crook of my arm. Finally, we both napped. My poor little anxious furbaby. I figure he had a rough time all alone with storms in his life as a stray dog. He’s now ten years old, and we’ve had him for 6 years, but it seems his fear and trauma from the past life are not easily forgotten.

Calm after the storm

The workday Monday consisted of finishing packing up my classroom. Yes, I finally was ready to move forward to summer. Of course, I have some travel plans for July and beach time in June. I’ll also be looking out for my mom when she gets her cataract surgery next week. Tuesday, I got some repairs on my car and started another summer goal, which is reading a book that involves 28 days of soul-searching. It also has ideas for journaling, so I started all that when I got back from the auto-shop.

As it was, I ran late getting to the auto-shop appointment, and my hair was still wet. No big deal, though. The Soul-Coaching book encourages accepting ourselves as we are, and there’s a lot about de-cluttering.

Tuesday night, I joined a walking group that meets weekly. We went 5 miles through some lovely, historic neighborhoods. I really enjoyed that, though my legs were screaming afterward. I think I’ll try it again. 🙂

Never mind that I took a one hour walk on the beach with a friend the next day. I did enjoy the sunshine and the company. She and I talked so much! If I keep it up, it’s shaping up to be a healthy summer ! Here’s a random shot from the hip:

Don’t ask me whose legs these are….

I actually don’t know whose legs those are, but I had to post it because it’s quite funny when a camera develops a mind of its own!

Still trying to get inspired to write more of Ellie’s story, a time travel adventure with an awesome femme-fatale. I got her into a rough spot and have to really think about the bridge for their to the end. I already have the end in mind:) I’m sure to return to her this summer, but I think I’ll try to outline everything. I am a mix of planner and pantser when it comes to writing books. Nothing wrong with that!

So, that’s my life as of late in a nutshell. I’m rolling with the punches/changes. No sweat! Haha… I hope you all have a great weekend.

Weekend Coffee Share, Grateful for Each Day

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at Eclectic Ali. Pull up a chair and grab your favorite beverage! My ‘coffee shop’ has a cute pup wandering around, and in the background, music plays by the band, LIVE, particularly, my favorite song lyrics:

Don’t try to find an answer

when the the truth’s already here

don’t let your heart be wounded

Show no mercy to your fear.

****

Quite appropro, as I had to meet my traffic anxiety face-to-face this holiday season.

Scenes from my Thanksgiving: I proudly drive two hours straight through Georgia and then (respectfully) require my boyfriend, Kenny to drive I-95 in S. Carolina. At a rest stop in Santee, my bro grills hot dogs and we have chips too, before he ushers my mom up to Raleigh, N.C. I gratefully ride home with Kenny having avoided an 8 hour trip alone with my mom and my traffic anxiety. (If I needed a break, her driving would also cause me great anxiety). You see, I could have gone up to N.C. with my mom, but, you can infer why I preferred not to, and my brother and his wife don’t get much time visiting alone with Mom. By the way, what is up with I-95 in South Carolina? Everybody seems to take that route north during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it is just TWO AGONIZING lanes. That scene is just not for me, and let’s suffice it to say, I am honoring and setting my own limits….

Thursday, I effectively teach Kenny’s 83-year-old dad how to take a picture with my cell phone! His smile was wonderful! Carb-laden food is consumed and I laze around. I let my son drive me later on and I get scared half to death because of his involuntary tics…which also add to my anxiety and I don’t know how he can white-knuckle it and tell me “It’s nothing.” He won’t get checked out. I sometimes fear it is a lingering result of his head injury from 2017. It is in his hands, also in God’s hands, I suppose. I pray it is not as awful as it appears to me. Friday, I avoid shopping malls and do nothing but dog play, yoga, and laundry.

On the note of anxiety, I am starting to re-read the book, Finding Serenity in the Age of Anxiety. It speaks of Toxic anxiety (so prominent in our world today), Natural anxiety (think of wildlife, ready to fight or self-protect), and Sacred anxiety (involving fear of death or that our time is running out to fulfill our purpose). It is brilliant, faith-based and Science- based, so all-around perfect in my book, and I highly recommend it if you are trying to achieve/ maintain balance or calm in your life.

I am not writing much as far as progress on a novel, but I already decided this next one will take some time, and I will give it time to marinate. However, I seem to churn out poetry now and then and a short story or two. Here is a recent poem I posted on my blog about ‘knowing thyself’ and honoring yourself during the start of a hectic holiday season. Check it out here: https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2020/11/26/slow-down-and-grow/

Thank you for stepping into my world and catching up for coffee today. I hope you all have a great week!

Malachi, Ruse Master Earns a Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Review!

I’m really excited about the feedback Malachi, Ruse Master has earned from Reader’s Favorite! From the review:

“Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Malachi, Ruse Master is a work of fiction written for young adults by author Pamela Schloesser Canepa. This action-packed novel is a spinoff from the Detours in Time series… but can also be read as a standalone.

…As a flawed character from the off, our central figure is developed with a great deal of emotional realism and sensitivity, which makes him all the more endearing when you see both his triumphs and troubles. This novel is exceedingly well-plotted to put him to the test in all sorts of different ways, and the anti-hero meeting this hero-quest style action in unconventional ways is sure to be really exciting for the intended YA reading audience. I also thought the dialogue was really snappy, entertaining, and true to form in terms of characterization. Overall, I would highly recommend Malachi, Ruse Master whether you have started the rest of the series or not: an action-packed and uniquely developed read.”

Readers’ Favorite LLC
Media Relations

 

The first paperback copies of my latest book have arrived. As you can tell, I feel like a kid in a candy store…not because I am gathering riches and fame, but because I have made a life long dream come true, to know that feeling of holding my own book in my hands, to be a published author!

Want to know more or get your own copy of Malachi, Ruse Master? Click here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086VYJYZX

Malachi, Ruse Master now available for pre-order! #IARTG

Cover by Jonas M. Steger

The next installment in the award-winning Detours in Time series is now available for pre-order! Malachi, Ruse Master explores the mysterious character of Malachi, a young actor from Undercurrents in Time who caught readers’ attention as he assisted Milt in his endeavor to learn about an enemy he’d never met yet. Why does Malachi do what he does? One thing is for sure, he definitely can pull a fast one….

Pre-order the Kindle version now for just .99 and get it delivered to you Kindle on 4/23!  Malachi, Ruse Master:   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086VYJYZX 

Have you read Undercurrents in Time yet? Find it on Amazon.  In the Kindle version, it will be just .99 through the end of this month!

Tabitha longs for a getaway, even a short one, but that getaway puts her on a collision course with danger.
Milt is busy trying to prevent a horrible future disaster at the hands of an enemy he has not yet met. While concerned, Milt doesn’t even suspect Tabitha’s plans, the very plans that will have her facing Milt’s nemesis.
Tabitha risks it all on a brief escape. How will she handle the unforeseen dangers she faces and make her way back home? How far will Tabitha and Milt go to prevent tragedy? Undercurrents in Time: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCCQS3N

 

 

 

Weekend Coffee Share, A New Year

 

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Antoinette Truglio Martin.  2020 is here, and I am not looking back!  That is, unless Facebook memories remind me of a nugget of wisdom that is still pertinent today.  For example:

Thanks to Facebook Memories, I can now go back to:

More nuggets of wisdom from “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero:
-“The thoughts you dwell on are those you feed and they will define your reality.”
-On no longer worrying about what others think of you: “You have no control over people’s reactions to your decisions anyway.”
-“Do things that make you lose yourself so much so that you don’t realize the long hours you’ve spent on them.” YES. I. WANT more of this because it means reading, writing, and drinking wine…or getting lost on a nature walk with my son and Bixby, which is dreadfully overdue.
-“You’d never be perfectly ready for something, so just start anyway.” I think I’m doing alright there.
– “Think, why not, instead of why.”
Disclaimer- This book was recommended by my yoga instructor, which I highly appreciate!

 

This past decade tested me; it was a challenge. I think I can say I rose to that challenge. So, instead of completing the phrase with my initial response (This past decade was… a train wreck), I will tell you that this past decade made me stronger and by no means did it do me in.

I will tell you how I learned who the people are that will stand by me through thick and thin. I will tell you how I learned to keep reaching for my dreams even when I felt emotionally wiped out, and that doing so replenished my spirit. Let me tell of how I never gave up, even if I needed a three day nap. I could have done things better, but hey, I did what I could with the hand that was dealt me.

I did some good things in the past decade and need to not forget that.  I gained a lot of confidence in writing and self-publishing, and I will move forward with that.  I’m still learning how best to thrive instead of just survive, by being open to learning and change. So, instead of saying “Thank God that train wreck is over,” I want to say how grateful I am for every lesson I learned, even the ones I learned the hard way, and I’m still eager to learn more.  This is the mindset I plan to embrace for this year.

 

So, instead of pointing out the bags under my eyes or telling me I should smile more, just go ahead and tell me a joke.  Evidently, a genuine smile or laugh does wonders for a face that rarely sleeps.  Instead of dwelling on the past I am so glad to bid farewell, I plan to dwell on my plans for tomorrow and whatever joy I can find today.

Namaste and Happy New Year!

-Pamela

Weekend Coffee Share. #maythe4th Be with you!

Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at eclecticali.wordpress.com

This week was hectic with state testing, and it is not over, but at least the tests for my subject area are done!  So, I plan to have a little more fun with teaching in the next few weeks, giving them a fun project and having them do some creative writing.  Those brains can still grow a few more synapses before the year’s over!  My excitement for the coming of summer is partly based on having more time to write.  I also have three books I just bought and have started on one of them.  Guess what?  Stephen King is coming out with a new book that I am considering, but I also am putting a book on my list from a past professor of mine, Michael Wiley, who writes local mystery taking place in Jacksonville, Florida.  You can never have too many books, right? 😉  That, and, the next season of Stranger Things drops in July!  Let the binge watching ensue…  I have a week before my second screening test regarding my health, but I am feeling better about it right now, maybe because I am just living!  There were two school parties for students yesterday and the energy just rubbed off on me (though I really zonked out last night). 🙂  I’m also planning something awesome for my mom, my son, and me on Mother’s Day and I’m sure to share it afterward.  Stay tuned…

By the way, today is May the 4th, so May the 4th be with you!  My son and I have been a Star Wars family since he was younger!  In fact, it is likely the reason I have seen all of the Star Wars movies, including Solo!   I believe his dad was the first to take him to a Star Wars movie and that he was too young at that point, yet he wanted to see the next two when they came out.  He also seems to have an imagination like mine, so the other- worlds- and- times concept seemed to really appeal to him.  However, the third prequel installment, where Anikin becomes Vader, was disturbing and sad.  I had to explain a lot to him.  He was about nine, and it’s debatable if he was too young at that point.  Yet, he still wanted to see the three original movies after that, so we bought the DVD set, one of which included bonus content, and the 100- times- watching habit ensued.  When he liked a movie, he would watch it countless times.  I will say, the first trilogy was not as violent or disturbing, so I’m glad to own it.

This brings me to the debate I have seen online elsewhere.  Is it better to watch the original Star Wars Trilogy or the prequels first?  Personally, I say it’s best to watch the original trilogy, not knowing of the relationship between the two main characters which leads to the star-crossed lovers angle.  To hate Darth Vader and then later discover how he actually is Luke’s father and that he wasn’t always so evil, to see what may have caused it, was appealing to me.  I am sure some have opinions that would differ.  🙂

I’m also a huge fan of Carrie Fisher and have read some of her memoirs, so I love this new shirt that I ordered from outofprint.com.  It also benefits library associations.

My dog does not really get all the excitement, but isn’t he cute as Yoda?  Here’s a secret:  that outfit does not fit him anymore, and I think he’s glad.

I am proud to say that I love Star Wars and all you can learn from it about good and evil.  Yoda is the best character!  My son and I bonded over this series, and perhaps it would have been different if I had a daughter instead, but that is not what happened.  I am thrilled to be the mom of a son who is now a young man!

  Age 11.

 Age 13.

In fact, I need to get him a Star Wars shirt and see if he would wear it.  That is questionable, but it may be worth trying!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoying a coffee share.  I hope your weekend and the upcoming week are both splendid for you!

 

 

 

My Top Five Sci-fi Books that were Made into Movies. #scifi

Welcome, friends and fellow bloggers!  I’ve signed up to be part of an event in May called CyCon, which features writers from all sorts of genres and has lots of fun events.  I’ve set up an author booth on the OWS CYcon site if you’d like to check it out:  https://owscycon.ourwriteside.com/forums/topic/author-pamela-schloesser-canepa/

At any rate, one of the events is the sharing of our Top 5’s in our genre on a blog hop.  I was excited to do this one!  These are in order from my fifth favorite to my top favorite.  Read on for my top five:

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

People from all over the world receive a shared vision and think they are going crazy, while the government is obviously hiding secrets.  What is not intriguing about this story?  I was likely a young child and very impressionable when I first saw this movie.  I can’t ascertain whether I took in the movie or the book first, though it could have been either.  I don’t recall it being very violent, but it was very shrouded in mystery and conspiracy (the coer up kind).  Later, I realized the whole collective consciousness theme running through it.  I found that very appealing. What sci-fi fan has not seen this movie?  The book was just as awesome; its details even more dense than those in the movie.

1984 by George Orwell

This movie came out when I was a young teen and probably not allowed to go see it.  However, I do recall a date in 1984 when someone had predicted the world would end.  Guess what?  It didn’t.  But I digress…  I read the actual book when I was 18, and it stuck with me.  The proletariate enslaved by the upper class, human emotions being discouraged, Big Brother always watching.  This is an excellent dystopian novel!  I don’t know very many people who have seen the movie though.  I ought to rent it someday.

The Time Traveler’s Wife

I never saw the movie.  The previews made it look like a chick-flick/soap opera romance with a slight sci-fi taste.  No thanks.   I read the book; it was earth shattering.  There was violence, a flawed hero, much time tripping, a man protective of our main character’s innocence, and the need to suspend all disbelief wrapped up in themes of coming of age and fate.  There was also an ending that was a big letdown if you were just looking for romance in the story.  It was about much more than that.  It was about how much you would do for the one you truly love.  My feminist taste hated that she was always waiting for him to show up on his own time schedule, but who makes the schedule?  The male lead had no control over where and when he would leap.  Yet, they were always drawn to each other, an element that has appeared in many other stories and movies.  What could ever compare?  How could a movie live up to that?  And I even like Eric Bana.  This one remains a tale I am glad to keep in book form without seeing someone else’s take on the screen.  It was touching in a heartbreaking way, not romantic, and I loved it.

Divergent

I loved the book series and its devotion to family and where that fits with one’s identity.  The details of having a personality that is strong in many areas was very appealing, as well as a government conspiracy enacted on a large group of people who were basically one huge social experiment.  Confronting your fears and finding out who you truly are were themes woven through this story.  All of that seemed similar in the movie, except, the movie also had Theo James.  😉

Bladerunner

This all brings us to number one!  Bladerunner.  I saw this movie in 1985.  It too, had a flawed main character who is in the dark about his identity.  It was pretty violent, but very memorable.  The images were amazing.  The deeper meaning, are we bound to do right by the things we create?  Much like Dr. Frankenstein, do we treat our creation as a lesser being? At what point would a man-made human require human rights?  I am very intrigued by the possibilities implied here, and the idea was even more evolved in Bladerunner 2.  Believing I wasn’t a true sci-fi fan if I hadn’t read the book, I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep about four years ago.  It was great to see the differences between the movie and the book, but I am glad I have now devoured both.  The movie seems to give more of the androids’ perspectives, as the storyline will have you feeling empathy for the villian even as he is trying to kill the protagonist; it’s just survival.  I’d have to say this one is my favorite of all, and it certainly affected my early books in the Made for Me series as well as helping me imagine my vision of the future in the Detours in Time series.  (What does a hover car look like as it lifts off the ground?)

OWS CyCon officially runs May 17-19 with the CyCon website and Facebook events acting as the hub for all of our events. Sign up for our newsletter or RSVP to the event to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the bookish goodness we have to offer. Plus, you can read more about our participating Sci Fi authors and their Top 5 favorites in Sci-Fi before CyCon starts. Visit the blog hop page any time leading up to CyCon for the latest posts and your chance to enter our MEGA giveaway (open May 10).