Monday 12 October 2015

Mayhem, Milestones, and Practicing Gratitude…

This has been one hell of a tough year so far. It started in February when my then-publisher decided to close their doors, leaving many authors either scrambling to find a new publisher or deciding to try the self-publishing route. I was lucky. I immediately hooked up with Mirror World Publishing whom I met at the Windsor-Essex Book Expo in November 2014, and signed two contracts with them. It was truly a serendipity experience. And I am so grateful.

Both my books were polished and re-released world-wide within six months. My first book, The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis was re-launched in June, and Legend of the Timekeepers in August. I went from a stressful situation to relief, and yes, worked hard with my new publisher to get the books back on the shelves. It was a fresh start. A clean slate. And I am so grateful.

Then, I got the reminder that life’s too short, too precious to waste.  This past July, my youngest brother succumbed to cancer. He was only 49, and was diagnosed with a double-wammy of a rare muscle disease and cancer of an unknown primary about 1 ½ years ago. You can never predict something like that is going to happen. Ever. But we know it can—and does. Who knows when life can change for us or those around us? So be grateful for your health. If life’s not what you want, go out and find a new one. If life’s great, live it to the fullest and be thankful every day for all that you’ve been fortunate to do and have. Whatever stage of life you’re in find a way to enjoy it and to maximize your circumstances. I know I’m moving forward with my life. And I am so grateful.

This past August, my hubby and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary—a milestone in this day and age. We booked a cruise to the Western Caribbean in November to mark this momentous occasion and to get a little R&R. It’s a first for us who always seem to put our needs and wants on the backburner of life. So we decided that it’s our time to enjoy what we’ve worked so hard for during the last thirty years together. And I am so grateful.

As I write this post, the combine harvester is reaping the soybeans in the field behind our home. It was a tough year, even for those soybeans with the relentless spring rains, and unpredictable elements. A reminder perhaps, that each year brings different challenges, and new life experiences. I urge you to find what gives you fulfillment, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. Appreciate the little things and laugh at yourself. Find the courage to change, to rebound, to persist, to pursue, to seek, to speak out, to trust in others, and to cut away the relationships that cause you pain or do not bear fruit. I have. And I am so grateful.


How has your year been so far? What have you been grateful for? Would love to read your comments! Thank you for investing your time in reading my blog! I am so grateful. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

25 comments:

  1. Beautiful post, Sharon. Glad you and DH are finally taking time for you. You and he justly deserve that. So are the Timekeepers going to do a story about the Titanic?

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    1. Thank you, Sloane. Yes, hubby and I are really looking forward to some R&R and our first cruise! I think the Titanic thing has been done too many times! LOL! Cheers!

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    2. What a lovely, inspiring post. Like you, I lost my publisher but Decadent Press picked up TIME WILL TELL and it's being edited. I have hopes they'll publish my other books, too, especially the two sequels to that one.
      I had a car wreck without injuries and a fall at a theater resulting in a broken shoulder and the same arm also had a break. Not driving for four weeks was difficult but I was lucky enough to have family help. It was good to be able to get to work. I can also count my blessings because I'm right handed and it was my left arm. You're right, we need to celebrate and enjoy life, not complain about what's wrong, but appreciate what's right.

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    3. Thanks for sharing what you've been through this year so far, Mary! Congrats on getting your book(s) back on the shelf, and I'm so sorry to read about your accidents. Like you said, it could have been much worse. Look for the blessings! Cheers!

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  2. Enjoy the cruise. It'll be a hoot and you guys have earned it. Glad your books are back out there.

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    1. Thanks, Elliot! I sooo feel I've earned our trip. Best wishes on getting your books back on the shelf. Cheers!

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  3. Enjoy the cruise. It'll be a hoot and you guys have earned it. Glad your books are back out there.

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    1. Thank you, Teri! It's easier to go at it when all your troubles are behind you! LOL! Cheers!

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving, Northern neighbor. What a year! Dreadful snow, lost a greenhouse,and a publisher. I'm back up with two self-published. I'm without computer skills so I'm slow, but proceeding. I have one new publisher and my mystery series continues. Life goes on. Made many friends from our old publisher so that's all right. <s Thanks for sharing.
    Emma J. Lane

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    1. So glad I'm one of your friends, Emma! Yeah, the snow was crazy too! I find I'm slow getting the next installment of my time travel series out, but I had to go with the flow this year! Hugs and best wishes self-pubing!

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving. It has been a crazy year for us too but am so thankful for the changes that have helped me grow as a person. Moving to Spain was more of a challenge than I thought but we are here and loving it. Enjoy your cruise, we have done that one and it was amazing. We are off on a Mediterranean cruise in a couple of days. I am thankful we´ve met here in blogland!

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    1. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving in Spain, Darlene! Have fun on your cruise too - we'll compare notes when we get back! LOL!

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  7. Change is the only constant, isn't it? I've seen a lot myself this year, but trying to just put my head down and plow through ;-)

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    1. That's one way to do it, Alan! And yes, change is truly the only constant. I guess it's how we deal with it. Cheers!

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  8. Beautiful post, Sharon. Sorry again about your brother. As I mentioned before, I lost my younger brother, too, and that was 24 years ago. I still think of him every day. So glad you're treating yourself to a cruise. Every year of marriage is a triumph, and 30 years is an accomplishment to be celebrated. I"m still working on "everything happens for a reason." I know it to be true, but sometimes I wonder how long I have to wait to find out why. Congratulations on your publishing success!
    Jan

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    1. Thank you for your kind words and condolences, Jan! I've been using 'This too shall pass' quite a lot this year! LOL! I appreciate your support and am grateful for your friendship through our former publisher. Cheers and stay strong!

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  9. I'm so sorry about your brother. We have some recent reminders of how short life can be. Congrats on the anniversary.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. I appreciate your kind words and support. Cheers!

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  10. A lovely post, Sharon. I'm inspired to tell everybody how much they mean to me. I call these episodes 'burst of love' when I'm overcome by gratitude for a person or people in my life. Thanks for inspiring it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I'm going on a short 3 day cruise to Mexico in November, too. My high school gal pals & I have all hit the big 5 zero this year, so we're celebrating! Congrats to you and your husband. Job well done. <3

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    1. Yes, 'burst of love' is a good name for it, Kai. Thank you for your kind wishes and sharing your milestone! Wishing you an early happy birthday on the high seas! Cheers!

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  11. Hello Sharon. So pleased to see the books out there on the shelves again, where they should be. Congratulations on turning things around after the close of Musa. I completely understand your sentiment, as I have also signed contracts this year for two of my books. I at least know a bit more of the process this time. Like they say - when one door closes another opens. I hope you have a lovely cruise, you deserve it.
    It has been a tough time for you this year with the loss of your brother and my heart goes out to you.
    Take care and enjoy celebrating your anniversary on the high seas.

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    1. Hey, Susan! Happy to hear you've got your books back on the shelf! And I totally agree that when one door closes, another one opens. Thank you for your kind words and condolences. I really appreciate it. I'll raise a glass to you and the Wenches for sure! Salute!

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  12. Powerful post, Sharon. You really have been through a lot this year. Sympathies on the loss of your brother.

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    1. Thank you, Helen and Lorri, it has been a tough one, but there's been some grand happenings too! Appreciate your input and condolences. Hugs!

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