I’m posting my last blog of the year without the fanfare fancy pictures. As 2014 draws to an end I am humbled. I can’t stop time and no matter how hard I try I don’t seem to have enough of it. But I’m not complaining. I’ll play the hand I’m dealt. This year was full of unexpected surprises. Some of them were good, others I’ll understand, by and by.

One of the hardest things for me to do is to exercise patience. In 2015 I’ll try harder to wait longer, listen with earnest and be still long enough to hear the spirit whisper in my ear, to provide the understand and guidance I need to live a more fulfilling life. I need to learn and truly understand that what God has for me is for me. Time can’t take it away. No person can take it away. Nothing can take it away. Just knowing that  is enough for me.

How about you, what will you do different?

This might seem like a small accomplishment for others, but for me –  I’m celebrating. Thanks to everyone who got  ‘A Single Date’ this far.

It’s been a long time since I went on a date. My husband and I have what we call date night most Thursdays, but it’s nothing like today’s dating scene.

I won’t bore you with what dating was like back when we first met, but I will say he made me feel pretty special. I’ve heard so many tales about what happens on today’s dating scene, it’s so different it’s hardly recognizable. When did men stop picking women up at the door and actually committing to taking us out? Now days there are more ‘how about we meet at’ instead of ‘I’ll pick you up at’. Did the feminist movement mean we didn’t want men to pull out their wallets and pick up the check?

Group dates are all the rage now, too. I’m sure there is an advantage to several men and women going out together. Safety in numbers and all that stuff, but at the end of the night who do you take home?

There are advantages to the new dating trend, too. Freedom. If there’s no commitment, there are no restrictions. That means on today’s dating scene everyone gets a test drive, to kick the tires and check out the merchandise before making any decisions and hopefully, before any hearts get broken.

When I think of courage often what comes to mind are super heroes, those individuals that fight the bad guys whether on the silver screen or in real life.  I think of men and women that risk their lives so that the rest of us can live safe, happy, productive lives.

But lately I’ve come to know that courage includes a lot more. In our day-to-day lives everyone musters the strength, determination and fortitude to do something. It takes courage for a baby to take their first step. Balancing on wobbly legs and placing one foot in front of the other is just as scary for a toddler as it is for a writer to show their work for the first time.  Now I understand that courage comes in many shapes, sizes and forms. Sometimes to do the smallest thing takes extraordinary amounts of courage. We summons up the power from within without ever knowing we’ve called on it. When I made the decision to eat healthy and exercise every day I took a courageous step. I believed I could make a change in my life and I set out to make that change a reality.

The same is true with my writing. Deciding to write and pursue this path with gusto has been wrought with challenges. But instead of retreating to my familiar, I stand my ground and continue to pursue this dream. Like that toddler that is driven to walk, I am determined to following this passion.

In all stages of my life to continue to grow and change and improve it takes more grit and heroism than I every imagined. Change is constant and as I continue to morph into the wonderful person I that I am, I now consider myself a super hero. Some mornings just getting out of bed is pretty daunting, but I do. And every day when something new comes hurling my way, I bob and weave like a champ.

What courageous thing have you done lately?

There are a few things I should have known before I published my first book, little stuff that other writers didn’t tell me. I haven’t seen any articles written about this stuff nor have I taken a workshop at a writer’s conference concerning this issue either. I’m sure everything that I’m learning along the way doesn’t just apply to writers.  The same things is true of artists, singers, songwriters, , seamstresses, cooks, chefs, or any other field where you put your heart into what you’re passion about.

I decided to keep a list of things I should have known and share it with everyone. Please feel free to add to the list and send me those tidbits you’ve found out along the way, too.  The more we know the better we can prepare.

The people you think will buy your book, won’t.

The people you think won’t buy your book, will.

The more you write the more you want to write.

There is never enough time to write as much as you’d like.

Just when you think you’re done editing, you’ll need to edit some more.

Unless you’re really lucky there will be at least one error in your book.

Some people will write cruel reviews, get over it.

Some people will write glowing reviews, get over it.

Even when you think you’re going to write all day, you can’t.

Schedule some time not to write, it will help your creativity

Writers make good friends.

Not all advice is good advice.

Follow your own counsel.

Don’t obsess over the sales numbers, write the next book.