Writing Debut

Just a short post today!

Yesterday a profile was done on my by Meg Collett on her website! I hope you all went to read it, it was a beautiful piece that she thought up and I am honored and excited to have been a part of it :)

Today she posted my fanfiction that I rewrote. I had originally written the piece back in 2008. When Meg and I were talking about my piece, I decided to rewrite it. Batman reinvented his image and so did I. I am posting the link below so you can check it out. I want to be a writer someday and gotta start somewhere. Cassandra Clare, Author of the Mortal Instruments Series, got her start writing fan fiction, so I am off to a good start.

So without further ado, I give you the link to my writing debut!

A hero's sadness by Nicol Bowen

** A Disclaimer: I do not own DC or Batman, I am simply giving my take on them **

Blessings!!

Hello All!!

My last post was kind of dark and dreary but I am on an upswing! So things should be a lot lighter from now on. I know my blog has so far been about encouraging you and letting you know you aren't alone but sometimes things aren't always sunshine and rainbows. I want this blog to be real and when i shared my weakness with you that was me being real. We have to take the good with the bad and I hope you all understood.

But i have some really big news for everyone.I am featured on the blog of Meg Collett! First though a bit of a back story!

I find authors on Twitter all the time. And I don't remember how I found Meg but I did and it was the best thing ever. She posted a tweet about how she wanted to feature author and bloggers and wanted people's thoughts. Everyone knows I have no problem giving feedback on stuff like that. So I told her that was an awesome idea and I would like to read them. Of course I am not an author so I don't see myself being posted on there. She didn't take that for an answer, which I am happy for, and we started emailing. From there a friendship formed and something awesome happened.

Now I don't want to give too much away about the piece because I want you to go read it but I am likened to my favorite superhero and it's such an honor. The link will be posted below so make sure you go check it out. Today is the profile on me, and tomorrow is the piece I wrote for it. This is my first piece of published writing in a long time, so it's a momentous occasion! So go check it out both days!!

And if you are an avid reader, check out some of the excerpts that Meg has posted for her upcoming book The Hunted One. She is an amazing writer and this book is going to be amazing. So go check out some of her own writings while you are there!! It's definitely worth your time!

Also in the works is a book blog from me, so keep your eyes peeled!!

Meg Collett's Profile On Nicol

Go check it out. This is a huge blessing for me and I want to share it with everyone!

One can only be so strong

I know that my posting has been very sporadic but that's what happens when you take five classes in one day and work as much as I do. Not too mention my social life has picked up a bit, which is a good thing. It hasn't left much time for posting in my blog but that got me thinking.

Does it really matter if I post or not?

I know who one or two of my readers are, but that's about it. I so badly want to make a difference and make my voice heard but my confidence is severely shaken. I have all these things I want to do and no time to do it. It's rather annoying. I know i am just at a low moment. We have up swings and down settings in life and I have reached a down setting.

I will get passed this and will be confident and sure again, I just can't help but share it with you my readers. Even if there are only two of you. It's alright to be down, it happens and is apart of life but we can't let it keep us down. I tend to be the person who will dwell in my pity party till someone slaps me and says "Hey get it together. You can do this." hahaha I know that seems extreme but that's something I need.

I need that with this blog. I haven't been inspired to write lately and for that I apologize. I only tend to post when I feel a topic weighing on my heart and lately my time has been so consumed by life and other stuff I haven't had time to think about it. Either that or what is on my heart is just so negative it doesn't need to be shared. When I started this blog, i had such expectations about it. I would have all these readers and do book reviews and movie reviews and all of this awesome stuff and none of it has seemed to taken off. It makes me kind of sad but maybe it's my fault. I picked a bad time to start one.

All in all readers, I am kind of in a slump. I will pull through but I ask that you don't give up on me and this blog. I know it will be great someday, but for right now it's just what it is. I don't know how to describe it. If you are the praying type, say a few for me.

Thanks for sticking with me this far!
Blessings,
Nicol

Excitment

Sorry Ladies and Gents! I have a lot going on right now. It seems like if I don't have tests to do, I have papers and if it's not papers it's some other assignment. I thought my last semester would be easy. Boy was I wrong!! Oh well, I will get through it and it will be good!!

Now you all know I love books. I love to read and hope to write a novel someday. Twitter is helping me connect with some authors and other readers and it's so much fun and really awesome. Well I have teamed up with a group called Feed My Reads. They are a group on twitter that post things for readers, for authors and everyone in between. They keep readers up to date on upcoming books and events and help authors connect with their readers. It's a really awesome group.

Anyways, they have decided to branch out to the USA. I now run the Feed My Reads Chapter in Ohio! So I will be working with people to announce upcoming book events and promoting authors in Ohio and the like. It's a great networking idea and it will be good to get the word out for other readers.

if you'd like to see what I am talking about, some links for you:

Feed My Reads
Feed My Reads USA
Feed My Reads Ohio

Go check them out if you are a reader or an author, or aspiring author. If you aren't feel free to ignore this post.

I do have some more exciting news coming up, God is blessing me yet again. You will have to wait to find out. So keep checking back!!

Blessings!!!

Honesty

Happy October!!!!

I absolutely love Fall. The leaves turn beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow. Pumpkin flavored everything comes out, and do not forget apple flavored things. It's a season of boots, I love my boots, and have a nice collection. And the weather is not too hot not too cold, so it's really just perfect. I love me some fall. If you don't get into Fall, hang out with someone who does, I am sure they can turn you onto the beauty and splendor that it is. If you don't ever get into fall, I will label you the Fall Grinch and shun you. hahahah just kidding.

So Ladies and Gents, I have been ruminating on some things, (YES BIG WORD), it's just my fancy way of saying reflecting or thinking. Back to the point, I have been thinking about Honesty. Everyone says that hokey line "Honesty is the best policy" and don't get me wrong it's somewhat true. What they don't tell you is that Honesty is rather scary and really hard. At least it is that way for me.

I hate confrontation, I hate getting in fights and I suck at being honest. It's not in my personality to fight with people and most of the time when I am mad at them, they are completely clueless. Want to know why? Ding Ding Ding, I have a hard time being honest. I am so afraid to tell someone what I think or feel because I don't want to fight or if I am honest, lose that I just clam right up. I know there are people even today who still have no idea why I am distant with them. In the past they have done something to upset me or hurt me and me being a coward was too afraid to tell them that. Even now I have a few people who have done this or that and I am too much of a chicken to just tell them how I feel. It's not like how I feel is wrong, I have talked to others who give me advice tell me I am not in the wrong, I just don't want to start a fight.

Today I took a step and told a friend what I felt about something. Now in my head I saw her freaking out and telling me all these horrible things and it ending in a fight where we don't speak. Did it happen that way? Wanna guess? It didn't. It went well because I sat down and made my feelings known, I expressed how I felt in a calm manner and it got resolved. We talked it out and now things are fine. We acted like mature adults and got through the problem and moved on. Now will every situation be this easy? Absolutely not. None of us were made the same way, we all have different thoughts and feelings and it may not always work out so well. I just got really lucky.

Was I scared to death the entire time? Yes. But it felt empowering. I tend to be a dweller. I may not voice how i feel, I instead keep it held in and it festers and festers until I kind of explode. Let me just tell you this now, it's not good and it never ends well. I will vent to a few people here and there but I mainly keep it to myself. This is not healthy in any way, in fact it does nothing but hurt me and not anyone else. It also makes me more bitter and again doesn't affect the other person at all. Nine times out of ten the other person had no idea there was even a problem an if they did they never said anything to me about it. So again it doesn't really harm anyone but myself.

Being honest with my friend as refreshing and hard but it made me realize that Honesty really isn't all that scary. I just have to ask the Lord for wisdom and timing. Those are the two key compents to Honesty. You have to have the right words at the right time or otherwise things may blow up in your face. So wait on the Lord and let him direct your words like he did with me!

Now if you have no problem being honest and telling it like it is, then you may need to pull back some, or put a filter on yourself. Blunt honesty is rather hurtful, I have been on the tail end of that so I know. Again it's about pausing for wisdom and knowing who you are talking to.

Be encouraged, and Be Bold when you need to be. Some day I will be able to be honest without fear. It's not going to change over night but my experience with my friend is a small stepping stone of success!

Evil Laziness!

Hello Everyone!!

I know I haven't posted lately, and yes I have said this before but life is super busy. I am at that point in the semester where all these assignments are popping up, the beginning of tests and of course a lot of reading. It's crazy and I hate that it's all due at once but that's life. It doesn't help that I have an extreme case of senioritius, and no not the old people kind. I am in the very last semester of my undergraduate degree and have zero motivation to get things done. I love sitting in some of my classes, learning different things, but I just want to sit there and learn, I don't want to do any of the assignments, It's sad I know. I want to get good grades but I just want them handed to me and don't want to work for them and that's just not right. So pray for me if you pray or send me good thoughts because I need all the help I can get. Making myself do anything right now is hard.

That may partially be due to the cold I am fighting against. I sadly fell victim to that evil cold that has swept across the state or at least the area i live in. I hate being sick and it really railroaded my work out plans. If I am honest I don't mind, again I want to get in shape and thinner but I don't want to put forth the effort. I seriously suffer from laziness disease and it sucks. I want to be more motivated but I am just not. It's a horrible feeling especially when I am not happy with the way things are. I am tired of being that person that sits around all the time, but i don't do anything to change it. Ladies and Gents this is laziness at it's prime and it's horrible. Yes being sick doesn't help but still. I can lay the blame on everything I want but I know the truth, I am the problem.

To solve this problem, I am going to try something new. I am going to make an exercise calendar to help keep me motivated. I even downloaded an app for my phone to aid me in my progress. I am going to fill this calendar with good and motivating sayings and keep my eyes on the prize. My prize is being in good shape and content with how I look and feel. This is for me, not anyone else, but me. Now on the school front, that is just gonna take me sitting down and biting the bullet. So tomorrow I am going to sit down and make myself do my homework and do it well. There is no point in doing the assignments if I am not going to do them well, at least in my train of thought. So I just have to kick my butt into gear, I am almost done and I want to finish really well and the only way to do that is to give it my all. That also applies to both fronts. If you don't push yourself you won't grow, and I want to grow.

These are some of the challenges in my life. These are the minor trials of my life, and they may seem trivial to some but they are important to me. I have spent a lot of time focusing on my big time dreams but that's not wise. I need to focus on the here and now and go on from there. Dreams are good, hang on to them but don't botch things in the present. That is my plan anyways.

Now my deep question for you: What are things that you want to change? I mean things like my example, like my laziness. Is there something about you that you know needs to change but you haven't yet? Guess what you can change it! We both can and will! I have faith in you and so does God! Together we can make it through these two times and see the change come. I am not going to set a date because that's not fair, but I know someday in the future, I won't be lazy. I will be active and won't procrastinate things. I need to grow up, I can't be a kid forever.  So think about it the next couple of days and devise ways to make those changes. We are making ourselves better people, never know when someone may need us at our very best. So get out there and get motivated. God will help you through it, all you have to do is ask him.

Good Luck and Blessings!

Simple Moments, Lasting Memories

Greetings and Salutations!!

One of my friends came to me today and told me I needed to post more. I couldn't help but laugh because it made me happy to know that people were reading this. So this particular post is dedicated to you, dear friend, who wants to read more of my crazy thoughts on things. You know who you are ;)

I am in a pretty good mood today, and I found a gif to kind of show how i feel and yes it's another Supernatural gif, but it captures me perfectly!

Yes I am doing a happy dance today for a number of reasons. One of them being I had a great time with my family today. It was just a good time of fellowship and laughs and it was very much needed. The other reason is because I took a picture today and sent it to one of my favorite authors. It was something so simple but I found it funny and sent it to her and she retweeted it. -insert fangirly squeal here- (It probably looks something like this, but with jumping and squealing)

After she retweeted it, it went viral!!! Something me, little Nicol, who lives in some obscure and unknown place posted went completely viral in the fandom. Yes it's something silly to be excited over but I was excited that it went that far. Now fans are plotting crimes to steal the sign in the picture but it was just amazing to me that something I took brought that all together. That got me thinking, well that and other things in my life.

It sounds silly but all I really want right now is to feel important to someone, to matter I guess would be a way to explain it. I know I matter to friends and my family but I just want to feel important. Like when a friends sends you a text with an inside joke or someone famous retweets your tweet. I want to feel that way and I haven't felt that way in a long time. My personality is to do that for other people, by picking out something I know you like, even if it's small, or sending a text or picture of something I know you will find amusing. I go out of my way to let people know I am thinking about them, and that they are important enough that I remembered them when I saw something. I want that too. So when it happened on Twitter with one of my favorite authors, it just made my entire week. It's simple and seems silly to some but to me it meant quite a lot.

Today is a day I will always remember, do you have moments like that? Those are moments to treasure and think back on, especially when you are feeling low. God totally gives us moments like these to look back on when we are feeling down, I believe that wholeheartedly. Now for some it may not be what I experienced but we are all unique people, with different likes. Today God totally blessed me and put the biggest smile on my face, today he found an awesome way to make me feel special and important. That is how awesome God is, he knows just how to make your day or your week in my case. So if you are feeling blue, think back on a good memory, something that just totally made your day. If that doesn't work, come find me, I am sure I can put a smile on your face.

SORRY! I totally had to put that up there because as I was writing that line that scene totally came to mind. Yes I am a die hard batman fan, I just can't help it. But if you liked the movie, I am sure you probably just smiled.

To summarize, God is good, my life is awesome and though I may feel low tomorrow, I have good memories to look back on. I am one blessed girl and I am just happy I can share it with you my lovely readers!!

9-11-2001 We Will Never Forget

I will always remember Sept 11, 2001. I was sitting in gym class stretching with friends, when the Principal announced over the PA system that a plane crashed in New York. At the time, being young and stupid, I thought "Plane crashed in New York, that's sad but what does it have to do with me?" I know it's rather selfish to say but I was young at the time. So when gym class was over, I walked into my next class and on the TV was the smoking Twin Towers. It was then I realized that something so much more than a plane crash had taken place. I watched the footage while other students around me cried and somehow even in that moment I knew things would never be the same. 

Here we are 12 years later and that memory is still as fresh as when it happened. A terrible act was committed that day, one that words can't really begin to describe. What's more is that brave men and women gave up their lives to protect the rest of us. So today I want to honor them for their sacrifice, without them things could have been so much worse. My prayers are with the families of those lost to this tragedy, praying strength and grace over them as they remembered their loved ones today. Even though the people who lost their lives can't see this I still think it needs to be said. Thank You! I also want to thank all the soldiers who have gone to war since, thank them for fighting and giving up their lives so that I can live and be free. Without the soldiers we truly would be lost.

Today is a day not to be taken lightly. Take a few minutes to remember that day clearly in your mind. Remember your feelings, and then say a prayer for all those that fought to save your life, the soldiers and even those on the planes themselves. I am not saying you can't laugh and have a good day, I am going to celebrate life today but I am also going to take a few moments to remember, remember what was done to protect the lives of the people of this country and the sacrifices that have been made since.

Have a Blessed Day! 

A lesson in patience

Greeting Readers!

I hope that all is well in your lives. I know my blog has been lacking excitement lately but I have been working, and going to class and studying, so I am sorry for the lack of posts. However inspiration has struck and I have somethings I want to say.

You know the saying "Good things come to those who wait"? I kind of hate that saying and this is why. Patience has never really be my strong suite. I tend to get super excited about things to come, or the plans I have for myself and don't want to wait. I want to get to it and start right then and there but that's not reality. If that was the case we would all be achieving everything lightning fast and it would kind of lose it's value.

The reason I bring this all up is because of some of the things I want to do. it's no secret that I want to be an author. I love books and I have some good ideas jumbling around in my head. Ok I think they are good ideas, but if everyone else thinks they are good has yet to be seen. Anywho, in my mind I see the writing process being super easy and just bam write a story and send it to a publisher. After reading authors' blogs and such I find that is not the case. It's so much more in depth and there is so much more to it. It kind of shows how naive I am but I am new to the whole market. Not only is the whole process in depth but it takes time. It takes patience. I have a small idea for a story, and I just want the whole thing to be handed to me on a platter. I want God to say "Here Nicol, here is the story, now write like the wind." Yes God would so say something like that to me. That's not reality. I have a lot going on and even some authors have waited years before their books were even ready to be brought before a publishing company. It's all part of a process.

In my life right now, I have a lot of things going on. Work, School, Family Commitments, Church Commitments, and that doesn't leave much time for writing.Not too mention that I am not that patient. In fact I need a heavy dose of patience.  I so desperately want to get my story out there and watch it go places but it has to be all in good time. I have to wait and let the inspiration and timing fall into place. I am a firm believer in everything happening when God meant for it to happen. Maybe now the seed of the story has been sown and as time passes it will begin to grow and when I have the time, then it will just spring right out of me. I am not going to give up on my dreams, I just have to learn to be patient and wait on God. I need to learn to enjoy life and not get so gung ho about things. Being excited is one thing, wanting to jump in, with no experience or idea what I am doing isn't so smart.

Are there things in your life you are excited about? Are you wanting to just jump right in like me? If you feel any opposition at all, or a warning in the pit of your stomach, chances are it's not that time. Good things do come to those who wait, and patience is a good virtue. Such cliche sayings but they are the truest words that have been spoken on the manner. Don't push your dream away, just relax, keep it on the back burner. When the time is right, for whatever you are dealing with, you will know. It will just click into place, everything will line up just right. I know it will for me and I know it will for you too. I even have a bible verse to back me up. 

Isaiah 40:31:Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

James 5:7-8: Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

These are two of my favorite verses. The second one especially. Yes it says the coming of the Lord but in this instance it's the coming of the things the Lord has for you in your life. For me it's the story I want to write, the one bubbling inside of me. Just like I said before, the seed has been planted, now like a patient farmer I just have to be patient and wait. I can't make it grow or pull it too early, it won't be right. If I wait on the Lord, then I know it will come in due season at the right time. So be encouraged by these verses, God has good things in store for each of us. We just have to rest in him and let them happen when they happen. 
You should know that as I was writing this, I was getting something from it too. That verse in James really encouraged me, which always makes me smile. I love it when i get revelation from things as I am writing. I know that patience isn't easy and that tomorrow I will battle with it again but my dreams are worth it. Besides I always have these awesome verses to really bolster that determination in me. 


Be blessed dear readers! And remember to hang onto those dreams, and enjoy life!

Checking In & a Quick Thought

Dearest readers!!!

Enjoy this Supernatural gif that I snagged from tumblr. I do like this show and this gif pretty much sums up how I feel. I am giving each of you my readers a hug, I've missed you all so much.

I know it feels like a dog's age since I have posted but life has been rather busy. I had no idea that taking 5 classes would be so busy. I've done it before but having them all shoved into one day makes it a bit much to deal with. It's really messed with my gym schedule, which makes me sad, because I love to work out and miss the gym. I just get so tired and worn out, getting myself to go is hard. I do manage some smaller workouts but still. Not too mention I feel like I have worked a lot this past week. New People to train and things to do but such is life.

I've been going through some things lately. I am sure I will post about them soon but I am just waiting on the proper inspiration. believe it or not my posts are inspired which is probably why they are so wordy. Regardless when the inspiration strikes I promise you will have an epic post. For right now I am just trying to wade through life and the trials I am enduring. I have to keep my eye on the prize though because it gets hard to continue to walk through the fire. It's hard and it would be so easy to give up, but I want to be that refined and pure gold, so I continue on, with the strength of God keeping me going.

I do miss you all and I am glad that you have stuck with me. I am almost to 200 views which is rather exciting. I will admit I have shared this blog with people and they shared it with friends, which makes me want to squeal like a girl. I am honored that you have taken the time to read my thoughts on things, and am sorry that this post isn't exciting, I've just got a lot going on. So thank you for reading new readers, and please continue to check back in. I do have more to say, I guarantee you that.

Be Blessed!!

In need of a change of heart

I survived my first week of classes. Woooo!!! 5 classes in one day, with no breaks is a task but I like just getting them all done. I run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 to 4:30 but I don't mind it. Two of my classes I love, because the professor rocks. She's passionate about her subject, which is Greece and Ancient Greeks and she knows her stuff. If I ever become a professor, I want to be like her. Everyone loves her and you can tell that she gets through to students. All in all my semester will be intense but I can do it, because God is with me.

Now to the point of this post. I am not going to lie, my attitude sucks at my job. Little things grate on me and it only developed over time. Like the way customers will talk to me, like I am stupid or beneath them, when they try to break $100 bills for $5 worth of stuff then get all over me because I can't do it. There are other little things but I am just naming a few. Needless to say that working at a gas station has been a real test of my patience, once that I have been failing epically. My temper for some reason is easily tripped and I get all defensive and angry. I even get that way with certain co-workers. Now don't get me wrong I do enjoy working with many of the people I am working with but some just get under my skin. I am not kind about it either, i am purposefully short and sometimes rude. My personality is non-confrontational, so I only go so far, because I don't want to start a fight or hurt anyone. I just get so frustrated, I have a hard time keeping my temper and attitude in check.

Now one of my co-workers, bless her heart, is a God-loving woman like myself but she's what I hope to be. She doesn't let anything bother her. She's got so much love and grace in her heart that people could be flat out rude and she just smiles it off and doesn't let it get to her. She has a true appreciation for people and knows how God and Jesus would act around these people. She challenged me one day, telling me things I already knew but need to know and I got mad. I thought she didn't understand me, how I thought. If she was at the job as long as I have, maybe she'd understand. My mom kind of has a temper and such, and I would blame it on that, genetics of all things. Deep down though, I knew she was right. And I think what bothered me most was tht I let myself get to this point, to the point where I am not patient with anyone and only kind to a few. Instead of being kind to those who are mean to me, because maybe that's all they need.

I need a change of heart. I need to adjust my thinking, and open myself up to God so he can change me. Being rude and angry toward those that irk me isn't the way. Like I said in my positive reinforcement post, maybe they need a kind word, maybe they had a bad day. I don't know and it's not necessarily my place to know. All I need to do is worry about my heart and my attitude. I need to focus on doing what I know to be right and not let myself get bogged down by other people's opinions and how everyone else responds. I know it won't happen over night but I want it to change. I don't want this dark and ugly cloud over my head all the time. I want to enjoy every aspect of life and all it has to offer. Besides it takes more muscles to frown than to smile and I don't want frown lines. hahaha. A superficial reason but the main reason is I want to be the way Jesus would be. You may not believe it but Jesus would just smile and take the rudeness, he would let it roll off his back and be kind to them anyway. I want to be like him, I want to be like my co-worker and I can be, I just have to be willing to change.

This trial won't be easy and I know it will take time, but once I get through it, I will be that much stronger. I will be that much more pure and closer to be the most valuable goal. But most of all I will be a much better person in this world, a world that needs good people, at least more of them. SO I encourage you, if you know ways you need to change, you can! there is hope!! That's the best part! You can change if you want, you don't have to stay that way, that's what excites me the most. I am going to change and I can't wait to embrace it!

Be Blessed Dearest Readers!

And so it begins...

Greetings readers!

Tomorrow is the first day of my last semester as an undergrad. I know that's kind of backwards but it is what it is. I am excited because I have kind of missed school, yes I am that nerdy. However, I am not looking forward to all the work that is about to overwhelm me. At least the subject matter of my classes is interesting and maybe in this semester I will find what I want to Master in. I have so many likes, dreams and such that I am not entirely sure what I want. God is faithful, so I know he will show me at some point.

I am anxious to get this semester over with, which is sad considering it hasn't even officially started for me yet. But I am anxious because this is the end of a chapter for me. I feel like my life will really begin once I graduate. I have been a student since kindergarten, so to be a college graduate (again) and not immediately go back is going to be weird. I will look for a job in my field and then my life will start a new chapter. Honestly I am looking forward to this next chapter, I am kind of over the last one. Now I can honestly say I have never felt that way about an actual book, just the novel that is my life. I am working on gaining more patience, but it takes time.

As far as posting goes, it will be rather slow after about two weeks. Classes tend to pick up then but I will always be thinking about my faithful readers. I am so thankful for you all. I went from like 136 views to 157 overnight it seemed and that makes me feel pretty darn special. I am glad to know that people are reading, and that I am getting what's on my heart out. It's a real blessing. So thanks for reading.

What did make me laugh recently, was finding an old journal entry. It was form some old notebook I found when I was cleaning the other day. What is truly awesome about it, is me writing to God expressing my desire to write something epic, something that touches lives. I want to be the next J.K Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Jennifer Armentrout and so on. That's always been my heart desire and seeing that old entry makes it even more so. God puts dreams and hopes into each and everyone of us and it's cool to see how some of them never change. What has God put on your heart? What have you longed to do? Look back and see if those dreams you thought were crap are still alive in your heart. You never know how they will work out. Keep the faith!

Feeling Low?

Hello faithful readers!

If I haven't thanked you yet, here it is. Thank You for faithfully reading my blog. When I started this blog I was a bit scared, scared that it would just be me writing my thoughts down and that's it. In my mind that's what a journal is for, and I do journal quite often. I just knew I had thoughts to share with the world and what better way than the internet. So that's what I did and I have been blessed by seeing all the views and the few who have commented. I know that I am reaching people, somehow, someway, even if I know you already. So thanks for reading, and I hope you are blessed just as much as I have been, which is a lot.

In life we all go through various trials. They aren't the same for everyone because everyone is unique and has their own battles they have to face. One of mine, at least lately, is feeling insignificant or invisible. I feel like I am not seen and that people just don't care. It's hard to admit because I try to look on the bright side of life but things just haven't been working out that way lately. When it comes to things of this nature, I usually see the glass half empty and I am not a fan. I will tweet someone or text someone or even IM someone and they might never respond and that says to me "i don't want to talk to you", "i am just gonna ignore you in hopes you go away" or something along that train of thought. I know it sounds crazy but it really does bother me. If you are busy let me know and I will be alright but flat out ignoring me in any social media isn't helping matters. Now sometimes people don't always see it or they may not get the message, that I can understand but i usually assume the worse.

Now all of this brings to mind a quote I heard:

"No one can make you inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

I thought about that for a minute. Yeah it's a nice feel good quote that is suppose to empower you and make you feel better but it never usually did with me. I was thinking about it in the midst of my "poor nicol" party and realized something. I was giving people the power to make me feel that way. I was letting their actions or lack their of give them power over me. I was getting angry at them for something I did. It was like a total epiphany moment. lol. I also realized something important too. I matter to God, he sees me, he loves me and he cares what I have to say. That also helped alleviate some of my pain.  When I say I gave people power to make me feel inferior or invisible, I mean this. When I tweeted that person and they didn't respond, I got upset and figured well I obviously mean nothing to them, so whatever. I got upset and i just assumed they didn't care or even want to talk to me. I gave them the power to make me feel low and not worth their time. In reality, they just missed my tweet and when they did get it, it was too late for them to respond to whatever my question was. My perception of the whole situation was way off.

I struggle with this a lot. I always feel like the one screaming at the top of her lungs in a room full of people and no one notices. But that's all my perception. I am sure there are quite a few people who would notice. I do matter, I am visible and what I say does matter to people. Now convincing myself of that is another challenge but I want you dear reader to know you matter. People don't always show it because we are who we are. I admit I am selfish, and so are other people. Sometimes we don't realize how we effect others with the way we deal with things. My first instinct is to pull away and it caused some major rifts between me and people, which is part of why i feel unimportant and like I don't matter. But I do. Only I have the power to mend those bridges, to fix the rifts I've caused. it's not gonna be easy and honestly my pride got in my way. But I am laying that aside to fix those things in my life that need fixed.

I will feel low at times, it sucks but it happens. But I am slowly healing, I am learning how to think properly. I am letting my mind be renewed and thinking the way God intended me to think. He wants me, you, everyone to know we are special in his eyes that we aren't inferior, we matter and he sees us. I need to start seeing that. However I will go through periods were it's just easier to give into the negative then stay positive, but I just have to collect myself and keep moving forward.

So don't feel low reader. You matter! I see you...well metaphorically!! And I hope this made sense because my thoughts are kind of jumbled today!! But yes, we matter, and we have no reason to feel low! There are good things all around us, we just have to want to see them!

Of Movies and Dreams

It's a wonderful night for me, my dear readers!

I just got back from seeing Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. I loved it! I won't review it fully just yet, that's what Mondays are for. But I really do recommend seeing it. However, I am worried for the film. It opened today and when I went to the movie theater, I expected to see a huge crowd but there wasn't. I think there was a grand total of 12 people in the theater when Myself and My Mom were there. Now granted it was a wednesday night, middle of the week, people had work the next day but still. I am really worried for everyone on the film and Cassandra Clare. I too am an aspiring writer and would love to see what I write hit the screen and I am just concerned. The reviews aren't good so far and it's just got me all nerves. I know it's silly but I know how I would be if I were in that position. However the movie was worth seeing, even if you haven't read the book before.

Watching this movie however stirred a desire in me that I've had for a long time. I am aspiring writer, I haven't written anything exciting but I came to a conclusion today. I am going to write short stories when I get  the ideas. It's a start and someday they may turn into something so much more. I have a dream to one day write a book and touch the lives of others. My dream goes much farther than that because I want to see it on the big screen. I want my words to come to life. I know it seems far fetched but I just can't help it, it's in me. I've always been an avid reader and a movie person and it would just be neat to see those two things come together. I also want to teach history too. I am just a woman of many dreams. I know that God made me this way and blessed me with this imagination, and I am going to seek him to cultivate the ideas. I am just so inspired.

I said all of this to encourage you, to follow your dreams. And to go see the Mortal Instruments because I so badly want them to do well. But your dreams are not far fetched, nothing is out of reach or impossible. You've just got to believe and wait for proper timing. So be encouraged, and I hope you have a blessed day!!

Book Review Tuesday!

Greetings Readers!

I am super excited, I have 100 page views in just a week. I am so excited that I've had people reading my blog!! I cannot believe it's been a week since I have started this thing up and it's been a pretty awesome week. I am very glad with the way the blog has been going and I am hoping for many more weeks of deep thoughts, good reviews and other stuff like that. 

Now onto this week's book review. Today's book, in honor of the movie coming out, is City of Bones By Cassandra Clare. Now this book too is part of a series and I would love to review them all but I am going to do this book separately. Only because the movie adaption is coming out tomorrow and I am super excited!!

Again my mother recommended this series to me. My mother knows me and my taste in books quite well and half of the books I've read I have found through my mother. This series is another gem that my awesome mother helped me fine. Now I have a thing for stories of fallen angels or Nephilim, I love the concept and the various explanations and uses for them in society that Author's take. Now I have read a lot of books about Nephilim but Cassandra Clare's take is absolutely wonderful, and I think it's one of my favorites. She creates a world within our own that really opens the eyes. In the story she explains the unexplainable and no one would realize the differences. 

We meet Clarissa Fray, a young high school student who leads a pretty normal life. However one night when she and her friend are out a club, living their normal lives she sees something that completely rocks her world. What she witness will literally change the course of her life and unlock things inside of her that she had no idea was there. Everything that she thought she knew will be challenged and see will see the world in a different light. It's definitely a wild ride. It's a story of one girl's journey to discover who she is and the people who help her on that journey. It's also the story of a shadowhunter who closed himself off, and threw himself into his world. It's the story of a nerdy guy who suddenly becomes something more. Various characters are brought together and their stories intertwine and take you on the journey of a lifetime. Forget what you thought you know...because you could be very wrong.

The characters are really the best part because they aren't just your run of the mill characters. They have so much depth and their back stories and lives are so intricate. When you read it you may think you have a character pegged, but as you continue to delve into the story you realize just how wrong you were. There are twists and turns and exciting plot points and action scenes. There is seriously never a dull moment in this story. You are on the edge of your sheet wondering what's going to happen next. I am sure you all know by now that I don't like to give away spoilers, so if you haven't read the book, go read it. This story will definitely capture your imagination and suck you right in. Many times people read the synopsis and cast assumptions about characters, and plots but that is not the case with this book series.

The coolest part of all this is, I asked Cassandra Clare what her inspiration was and she totally responded and here is that she said:

"The idea for the Mortal Instruments came to me one afternoon in the East Village. I was with a good friend of mine, who was taking me to see the tattoo shop where she used to work. She wanted to show me that her footprints were on the ceiling in black paint — in fact the footprints of everyone who’d worked there were on the ceiling, crisscrossing each other and making patterns. To me it looked like some fabulous supernatural battle had been fought there by beings who’d left their footprints behind. I started thinking about a magical battle in a New York tattoo shop and the idea of a secret society of demon-hunters whose magic was based on an elaborate system of tattooed runes just sprang into my mind. When I sat down to sketch out the book, I wanted to write something that would combine elements of traditional high fantasy — an epic battle between good and evil, terrible monsters, brave heroes, enchanted swords — and recast it through a modern, urban lens. So you have the Shadowhunters, who are these very classic warriors following their millennia-old traditions, but in these urban, modern spaces: skyscrapers, warehouses, abandoned hotels, rock concerts. In fairy tales, it was the dark and mysterious forest outside the town that held the magic and danger. I wanted to create a world where the city has become the forest — where these urban spaces hold their own enchantments, danger, mysteries and strange beauty. It’s just that only the Shadowhunters can see them as they really are."

 How cool is this? As an aspiring author myself I thought all of this was amazing. Of course she gets massive brownie points for responding to me. I feel so special when an Author takes the time to answer my question. Regardless how cool is that she blended a biblical concept with the new age. These bad ass warriors who look the same as you and me, these shadowhunters who fight to protect us and we don't even know it. I think it's an excellent concept and a really neat story and definitely worth a read. I know I didn't regret it and found myself immersed into a world much like my own.  

If you have not read City of Bones, I highly recommend you read it before you go see the movie. There is only so much a movie can convey so make sure to read the book and then see the movie. I promise you this book series won't disappoint you. 

Missing Out

Salve Readers (That's Latin for Greetings, Hello, Salutations that kind of thing, I am being nerdy),

I hope everyone is having an awesome weekend. My weekend has been a wild ride that is for sure. Work always gets me all worked up but God is teaching me patience, so I will take the lesson. It's not an easy one to learn because I have a bit of a temper but it's one I need. So I endure this trail, because I will come out that much stronger.

Today was my church's anniversary picnic. 19 years! My church has been around for 19 wonderful years and I am happy to be with them for 12 of those years. I do love my church, it's a great group of people with the best Pastors at the helm. Pardon my squee moment, I just really do love my church and it's hard to contain at times. Anyways, every August we have a picnic to celebrate another year, and it's full of fun, tasty food and fellowship. Lately, I have been kind of a hermit, so I hated going. I have had the opinion as of late that I don't matter, I am insignificant to these people, and honestly, was so hurt by some I just closed myself off. It was easier than putting myself back out there and getting hurt all over again. I don't deal well with pain and I didn't want anymore. In my selfish mind, I had been hurt enough and if anyone was missing me, or wanted to talk to me, they could seek me out. That is seriously not the right train of thought.

I am not going to lie, I kind of have a woe is me attitude toward things. When I get hurt or offended I tend to retreat and close myself off. I don't want to put myself back out there because I don't want to get hurt. What person in their right mind wants to get hurt on purpose? I don't think anyone truly does. The worst part is I closed myself off because of hurts and the person who hurt me probably doesn't even know they did it. So I just cut them out of my life and they have no idea why, which is probably why they didn't ever seek me out. I took the totally wrong approach to the whole thing. I am sure you are wondering how I stumbled onto this, and I will explain.

At the picnic today, I had a good talk with friends I've known since i started at the church. Those girls and I have been through thick and thin together. However as of late I had cut myself off because I just didn't feel important to them, and various other reasons. I figured why bother? They don't want anything to do with me obviously? What kicked me out of this funk was hearing about their lives. Things that I had missed out on, opportunity for laughter and talks and just getting to know these two awesome women. Yes we have had our differences and we all have a lot of personality and different views but that's what makes our friendships so fun. We each bring something different to the table and it makes for a fun and exciting time. Like I said because of hurts and offenses I just shut them out and as I sat there and listened to them talk, I felt so sad. I also felt rather stupid because I let myself get to that point. Yes there will be hard times in friendships, if everything was easy it wouldn't be fun or anything special, but I believe every friendship is special in it's own way. The hits kept on coming when I was talking to my best guy friend, we've been friends for 12 long years and our friendship survived a lot, even long distance. This guy is a dear dear friend, and hard to take at times (he does know I love him anyway) but again I let myself close him out. I learned about his life and felt so embarrassed and like the world's worst friend for not keeping up. I was severely slacking as a friend. So it's no surprise that I felt like I had no friends lately....I was shutting them all out. ME, not them, ME.

For the longest time I was bemoaning my lack of friends and here the answer was staring me right in the face. I was the problem. We get hurt in life, whether it's intentional or not, it happens. When that happens we have two choices, we either face the hurt head on and deal with it, or we let it fester and make us bitter thus cutting people off and only hurting ourselves more. I am totally guilty of the second one. It was to the point where I would get upset when they didn't seek me out. I wanted people to make an effort to see me. In my mind i figured if I was important to them they would seek me out. Again this is the wrong way to think about things. If my friends didn't know that I was hurt by them and I suddenly cut them out, why would they come seek me out? They probably wouldn't thinking I want to be left alone or I may have hurt them in the process.

Dear readers, It's time for us, me included, to stop hiding from the world. I have friends who need me, and they may not know it but they do and I need them. I like to think of this imagery: Swords. If they don't get used they are useless, but in order to make them sharp and a worthy weapon of a knight they need to be sharpened. To be the best version of myself, God gave me friends to help sharpen me. Yes we may bicker and fit but we sharpen each other. We challenge each other and through those challenges we learn and we grow. Whether we want to admit it or not we need each other. I don't know about you but I am tired of being lonely, even though God is always with me, I also want to be the best possible version of myself. I want to be in the lives of those awesome friends of mine. I know you have friends that you think that way about. We all have hurts but the true challenge is forgiving and moving on. Don't let it hold you back. You have something to offer to any friendship you encounter, so go sharpen those other swords =) Yes that sounds cheesy and kind of weird but I am sure you get it.

God never intended for us to walk this earth alone. He made friendships to help us grow, and deal with the various trials of life. You were not meant to go through these trials by fire alone, and I for one don't want to. I know I have thrown a lot for you to think about. It was definitely a mind bender for me and I am honestly thankful for the revelation. Now my task is getting together with these friends and reforming those friendships. I need my friends. So think about a friendship that is lacking, and if you don't, then you are doing awesome. But if you do, reflect on it and see what you can do to open yourself up. You will get hurt again but you will overcome it, just like I will.

Blessings!!,
Nicol

Just a Short Post

Greetings Readers!

I know it's been a few days but Fridays and Saturdays are usually my busy days because I usually work 8 to 9 hour shifts, so I come home exhausted. But I wanted to let you know I am still in the land of the living. I kicked my own butt at the gym this week and it's definitely taken it's toll. I am an avid gym rat, I love working out and I like being sore, sick I know. But I am gonna rest up this weekend and be ready to go by Monday, for my first ever Movie Monday Post!! My mom and I have a tradition of seeing movies every other monday and being the movie person that I am, I love to recommend and share my thoughts on movies, so check back Monday evening for my Movie Review and Recommendation.

Today's short thought: Don't be afraid to be who you are. You were uniquely made and the world isn't nearly as bright without you being true to yourself. God made each of us in a specific way, and we need to engage in that. I know that I haven't always been true to myself, wanting others to like me or just fit in but I realized one day that I don't need people's approval. God made me the way he did, he made me the person I am., and I want to be that person. Sure I'm a little goofy and don't tend to think like much of society but that's just me. So be you today! Rock your awesome self!

Blessings,
Nicol

The Power of A Song

Hello Dearest and Faithful Readers!

How did everyone do in the Positive Re-enforcement Challenge?? I know I did alright, but I failed. I was more mindful of my thoughts because I didn't want to let any of you down but I did fail. Work definitely made it hard, especially when certain co-workers get under my skin. Guess what though! Failure is ok, what matters is that we are more mindful of what we are thinking and saying to others. We are mindful of our actions and words and that's a major step in the right direction! That is a success to me even if we didn't exactly succeed the entire day. Small Victories are the important victories! Besides each day is a new day and that means it's another chance to take another small victory so don't give up!

Today I want to discuss the power of a song. I have always been the person who wished my life as like a movie, like a movie in having a soundtrack. I will actually be in the midst of a moment and pick my own song for the moment and it never ceases to make me smile. There is one song that has connected with me, I like to think of it as my Anthem. It's Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, and because I am that awesome, I am posting the video so you can take a listen before you read the rest of my post =)

When I first heard this song I was hooked, and the funny part is this song has yet to get old. Usually you hear a song and after about the millionth time you hear it, you are swear if you hear the song again you will break something. Not this song. Every time this song plays, I get a smile on my face. I love this song and when I say it's my Anthem, it really is my song.

To me this song is about Awakening. The way I see it, life is like a book. Each portion is a chapter, and they all come to an end. I am coming to the end of one chapter of my life and I am greeting it with anticipation. I am discovering more of who I am, and learning new things about life and myself. This song is how I feel about myself. That I am waking up, that deep in my bones I know who I am, and I am about to burst forth into the next chapter of life. The song is called Radioactive, but to me when something is radioactive, it's contagious, it gets on you and consumes you and then gets on everything you come in contact with. I am excited about life, and what is ahead. I am excited about what God has for me, and I want to be radioactive with that. I want it to affect those around me and I want to see them that excited about life and their dreams. Yes the song kind of has a post-apocalyptic vibe to it, but I love that kind of stuff. That fact aside this song is my jam, it's my anthem. I am radioactive, I can feel something deep inside my bones that is waiting to come out. It's my love of life, my love for God, my love for writing, my love for history, my love for my friends. All those things that make me well me. I am sure when Imagine Dragons wrote this they didn't know people would get such meaning out of it but I know I did.

Is there a song that speaks to you this way? A song that just seems to sum up who you are right in this moment? Would that song be the soundtrack to moments in your life? I read on tumblr that someone's favorite song can tell you more about them than they can. I hope that hearing this song, tells you that I am a young woman who is excited about life, a woman who wants to make a difference, a woman with high and lofty dreams, a woman who isn't perfect but human, a woman who just wants to be radioactive. If it doesn't then at least you got to listen to an awesome song!

Blessings!

-Nicol 

Book Review Tuesday!!!

Another post! I know it seems like I have no life but I went to work I promise. Seeing as I have some peace and quiet, I have decided to start a tradition on my blog. Book Review Tuesdays! Why Tuesdays might you ask? Well new books that are being released get released on Tuesdays, so I figure why not honor the day by gushing over some of my favorite books. Now I have read a ton of books in my life, so some of them may be slightly older but I love to read and I love to help get the word out about my favorite author's and the stories they worked hard on. So let the first ever Book Review Tuesday begin!!

In honor of my new blog, thanks to the inspiration of characters from Jennifer Armentrout's Lux series, and the fourth installment in said series coming out, I am going to review this series. Now I can't just review one of the books at a time because they are a package deal. Once you read one, you will have to get the next one and the one after that. I am against spoilers so you won't get any from me. I will tell you what I feel you need to know and let you discover the wonder of the series like I did. But first a short little story of how I stumbled across said series.

**Wayne's world flash back sequence Here**

My mom is an avid reader and I was finishing another book series when she suggest Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout. She did warn me first though, there were aliens in the book. I am not a sci-fi person by any means so I was like, I will pass. Some time passed and I was desperate for something to read, I was bored and TV wasn't doing it for me. So i decided to bit the bullet and read the book and thus a friendship was formed.

Obsidian is the first in the Lux Series where we met Katy Swartz, your average teenager, who moved to a po-dunk town in West Virginia. This lucky lady happens to live next to the hottest fictional character ever Daemon Black, who is your not so average guy. He's hotter than hades and every time I think of him my face flushes but man oh man. In my mind, he's like my ideal guy, for real. If I could have a fictional character as a boyfriend, I would take Daemon Black all the way, and that's saying something because I have read a lot of books. I don't want to give too much of the plot away but let's just say these two and their chemistry is off the charts and will have you laughing, and getting all irritated and a bunch of other emotions. They had been cheering and yelling and all kinds of crazy things. They are just so epic. But what I really love about these characters is how down to earth they are. Hahaha Pun intended. Jennifer Armentrout writes in the way these characters think. The thoughts are real, and I found myself reading and thinking the exact same thing as Katy, which is probably why I am so attached to these books. I find Katy and I are very much alike and she was after all the reason I started this blog, well she was the inspiration anyway.

I know I am probably making no sense but I can't help it. These books are just so epic and awesome. I am doing a re-read of them and haven't really been able to put them down. I stay up till all hours of the morning reading and then wake up earlier than I want but it's soooooooo worth it. Now I know you read that these are about aliens, but before it turns you away, let me just say this. Take your notions about little green men and probing (lol) and toss them away. Daemon Black is not your average alien. So don't judge based on that fact alone. These aliens are unlike anything you've ever encountered before and you will find yourself wanting more and more of them. Trust me.

The other two in the series are Onyx and Opal with Origins coming out the 27th of August. There is also a prequel story, that I recommend you read called Shadows. It really helps pull all the pieces together. I read Obsidian, then Shadows and then the other two and it really cleared a lot up for me. I recommend reading it before Opal, but I won't tell you why. You will just have to read and find out.

In all seriousness guys, I truly recommend this series. It's got action, adventure, romance, and some of the greatest dialogue I've ever read. The plot is compelling and definitely keeps you on your toes and the writing is so down to earth and modern that it just pulls you right in. When i read these books, I am not in some crappy town, I am with Katy and Daemon, I am experiencing their lives and going through what they are going through. To me it's like a movie playing in my head and everything around me fades away. Ironically, OBsidian is being made into a movie. All the more reason to read these books, it means you will be apart of the fandom before the movie comes out. You will be able to school those newbies!!! Yes to me that means a lot, I always got into things too late but not this time.

So here is another challenge for you my dear readers. Go rent/buy/find a copy of Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout and read it. I would so give copies out if I had any but alas they are on my kindle. Anyways, go out and read it, I double, no triple dog dare you to do it. I promise you won't be disappointed, my mother, yes I said that, my mother loved these books. They are for all ages and tastes and I know you will love them as much as I do. Besides don't you want to know more about the girl who inspired this blog? The girl who helped motivate me to write down my thoughts and feelings. Heck, she inspired me to start reviewing my favorite books. Jennifer Armentrout's hard work and awesome characters helped me a lot in this arena and I think she deserves your time and a chance to experience what I experienced.

Get up off the chair and head out and find a copy of Obsidian right now! Go read it! Once you finish Obsidian, read Onyx and then Opal and on August 27th we can celebrate the release of Origin together! Happy Reading!!

-Nicol

Positive Re-Enforcement

Good Morning All!!

Popping into for a quick deep thought before I head to work. I will post a short disclaimer. I am a christian. I go to an awesome church and many of you have noticed the verse upon which I named my blog. So yes God will be in my posts but I warn you now, I am not one of those christians. The ones who judge you and shove things down your throat. God is love and that's what I am trying to be, love. So no worries and continue reading because todays thought applies to life in general!

Recently my church went on a fast of sorts, for 40 days we were to not complain or be negative. I will be the first to admit i failed miserably at this. I am usually the glass half full kind of girl but it just seemed like the world knew what was going on and was throwing everything at me so I would fail. At least that's how it seemed. I did attempt the fast, because when I failed I got right back up and continued on. Yes I beat myself up a bit. I tend to have this conscience that just won't let things go like that. I want to do things right, I wanted to succeed but beating myself up wasn't the way to do it. Yes it was harder than anything I had done, especially in a world that's really negative. I am sure we can all admit that the world has become a place of negativity and complaints. I fit into that as well, I am far from perfect. In fact one of the reasons I am posting this now is because of my negative attitude and the constant complaints coming out of my mouth.

I don't want to be negative, I truly don't. I enjoy being happy. I like to laugh and I really do like to compliment people. I know that seems strange but I know that sometimes all someone needs is something positive said about them. Something as simple as "that shirt looks good on you" or "I really like the way you did your hair." The simplest things can make a person's day and that's what I want to do, I want to give someone a reason to smile. I believe that is what God wants all of us to do, whether we believe in him or not. He wants us to lift each other up, not bring each other down. Now when someone says something negative or mean to you, at least for me, it's seriously difficult to muster anything nice to say at all. My first reaction is to say the first awful thing that comes to mind but I don't. Mainly because it happens at work, and I don't want to get in trouble. For those of you who don't know, I work at a gas station, I deal with all kinds of people on a daily basis, the bad and the good. Though at times it seems more bad than good, so i am constantly having to restrain myself from being mean. I feel really bad for thinking it later but I just have an aggressive personality, and a bit of a temper and when it gets triggered, I can't help but stew. Yes I don't spew my thoughts, I stew, i dwell, i don't always say what I am thinking but sometimes thinking is bad enough.

However the other day my youth pastor said something to me that really got me thinking. When we fail, we tend to let the guilt overcome us, and we want to give up. We failed, so why even bother trying again. (This has happened to me but usually when it comes to dieting. lol. but that's a different post for a different day). She told me that for every complaint i make, I need to say something positive. SO instead of feeling guilty for messing up, I just turn it around and say something positive. SO if I complained 3 times about a particular customer. I need to think of 3 positive things about that customer or anything else. I absolutely love this idea and lately it's been helpful. Like I mentioned before my attitude has been terrible and I have complained a lot, but yesterday I put this little seed of advice into action and it did brighten my attitude. Now applying it where I work will be a different story but I am making it my goal to try.

I went through this whole thing to say this. We need to lift each other up. We need to show kindness to one another. We truly do. I have seen what positive re-enforcement can do to a person and there is no better feeling than knowing you made someone's day, that you helped them in some way. So I have a challenge for you my readers!! Don't we just love challenges??? Today I want you to go about your day, and when you catch yourself complaining about whatever, stop, pause and then try and think of something positive. I know I will be trying with any particular customer that comes through my line. Now here is the kicker, if you fail...that's totally ok. We are human and we will fail but that isn't a bad thing. It just means that you are one step closer to success. When you fail, it means you attempted to do something, which means you attempted to stop yourself from being negative! That's a wonderful thing!!! You took a small step toward a more positive outlook and that is something to be proud of!! So go out and try it, don't complain, don't see the glass half empty, be mindful of your thoughts and words. Go be positive and help someone's day. You reap what you sow, it's true. But don't be that positive re-enforcement for the benefits that you will get. Do it for the other person, because you never know what they are going through!

If you do take up my challenge, drop me a comment and let me know how you did. Remember failure isn't necessarily a bad thing. Good luck with the challenge, I know I will need it and be blessed! God will help you out ;) I know he will!

In the Beginning...

Greetings Readers!

I have for a long time been debating starting a blog. One of the main factors for not posting one was fear. I was worried about what people thought of what I wrote, or if I would offend anyone with my thoughts and feelings. And quite honestly I was afraid no one would care. I have trampled down that fear and decided to give this a go. I've got things on this heart of mine that I want to share with people.

Now I won't lie part of my motivation in creating a blog was thanks in part to a book series I am reading. The Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout. Now some find it silly that a book can have that kind of impact but I don't think it does. One of the characters has a blog and I found myself envious. I spend massive amounts of time on the computer and internet, why not channel some of that into something productive and good. 

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Now for a shameless plug: I highly and I mean highly recommend the Lux Series, the first book is called Obsidian and I promise you won't regret it. It will pull you into and you won't want to leave. Trust me. I wouldn't lead anyone astray. There are two others in the series with the fourth installment coming out August 27th. So finish reading this post and then head to Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble, or the local library and read it! I love supporting my favorite authors, so you may see some more shameless plugs from here on out. So this post's shameless plug goes out to Jennifer Armentrout. Also if you like the Lux series, I recommend the Covenant series. I am not gonna lie but that series seriously cultivated my love of Greek Mythology and culture and who doesn't love a good greek myth? So go ahead, I dare you to pick up these books. And if you don't like them, I will eat my words!
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Back to our regularly scheduled posting. This is my new blog. I plan on updating as often as I can. I just want to share what's on my heart with the world. I am going to shove my fear away and post what i feel like when it hits me. I hope that you enjoy what I write and that you get something from it and if you don't, you will probably get a good book recommendation. I read a lot and I can't help but share good books with people. I may end up like Jennifer Armentrout's character, whom I find very relatable. 

So here it is, the beginning. In the beginning there was a young woman with things on her heart and no where to put them. Being inspired by an incredible book, and facing her fear she began her blog and let the words flow freely. You may be wondering why I chose the title i did and I will tell you why. One of my favorite verses in the bible: 1 Peter 1:7 - "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ"  We all go through trials in life and though in the midst of them we may feel like we are on fire or dying we aren't. We are being refined, we are being molded and shaped into the most pure and precious gold. Gold that is more valuable than anything else imaginable, and it makes us that just much stronger and all the more precious. I love this verse and it has always hit home with me. Much like anyone else I am going through various trials and one day I will be pure and refined and the finest gold ever. It sounds silly but it's what I believe and feel is true for everyone.

So dearest readers, I appreciate your time, and know this opening is kind of lame but hey it's a start! So thanks for reading and keep checking back. Comments are appreciated but if they are negative, just don't bother. I will not respond to them. These are my thoughts and feelings and I am not forcing them on you. Now that the warning is out there and done, happy reading and be blessed!

- Nicol