Every single day, there are rules I practice. If I don’t practice these rules, I deflate. Not totally, but enough to motivate me to stick to them. Here they are:

– I write daily. Even if it’s one paragraph. Because one paragraph can turn into one hundred words, or a thousand or more. Soon a story may be happily born. This daily practice nurtures a sense of accomplishment. Even a small dose of daily accomplishment does wonders for the soul.

– I make it a practice to donate any personal item that doesn’t elicit a sense of contentment in me, be it a tee-shirt, a book, a piece of furniture. Surrounding myself with things that make me happy is a must. Plus, it gives me the chance to pass on my former joy to someone else, which may give them joy, which in turn gives me newfound joy. What a wonderful possibility!

– A great sage once said, “There is no more liberating action than sincerely to give people kindness in return for unkindness.” ~ Paramahansa Yogananda.
I’ve tried this on many occasions. I don’t know how it made the other person(s) feel, but it gave me an instant lift. Isn’t there enough unkindness floating around in the world? We may never
realize the impact of our own good actions, but isn’t it worth taking the chance? Most importantly, it helps the doer let go of any negative emotions lingering from the unkind experience.

– Practice gratitude. Whether I’m outside of my house walking or in my room, writing or cooking or cleaning or anything at all, I often pause to note my blessings.
I was in Costco last week, waiting for a representative to check on an item for me. While waiting, I looked around and felt gratitude well up in my heart. Grateful for being there at that time, for having the opportunity to buy items I needed, for all the pleasant people around me and on and on and on. Before I knew it, my feet weren’t touching the ground.

These are just a few of the rules, but they play a monumental role in my inner peace and well being.

This year, especially toward the end, provided me with plenty of awe-inspiring moments and memories. When I’m awestruck, my heart is lifted up at least ten stories high. Sometimes, I’m lifted so high I feel like I can touch the clouds with my fingertips. Here’s a small sampling:

– In October, my mother and I were driving to one of my book events along a stretch of oceanside that we’ve passed many times, but that never looked the way it did that cloudy morning. As streaks of sunlight shown through, soft, glistening waves were threaded in silver and gold. I didn’t take a photo (my hands were on the steering wheel, thankfully) and Mom was busy drinking in the majestic scenery. This lovely photo comes close:
But in our stretch of sparkling sea, jagged gray rocks matching the silvery waves had replaced the sand. Breathtaking. I still feel ripples of awe when I revisit the picture in my mind’s eye.

– I am perpetually in awe of the affectionate and playful love between my canines, and the pure love they show to us humans as well. That love is so palpable that I feel it pouring through me by just being in their company.
Chico is nine-years young and Willow is four. Willow is nimble-pawed and races with the ease and stamina of a Kentucky Derby thoroughbred. Chico lumbers around at tortoise speed. Occasionally, he’ll pick up his paws and cantor about twenty feet before reverting to his relaxed ambling. Yet, patient Willow will not eat her food until Chico arrives, so they can chow down together.

– I don’t take book writing for granted. Ever. It’s a miracle every time. When I take a breath and remind myself that seven of my books have been published, I’m in awe. How did that happen? I’m so grateful that there’s always some help from above. Otherwise, I’d still be writing and rewriting my first book, ten years later.

So many wonderful awe moments fill our lives. May we never be without them.

Recently, I read a quote that resonated with me: Harmony manifests itself as a natural goodness.

I love reading fiction where everyone is nice to each other, thoughtful, respectful and understanding. Patient and kind. And when a mistake is made, they apologize and do their best to make amends. In the towns where these characters live, most everyone is on their best behavior. Sure, there are a few outliers, but they’re outnumbered 10-1. Is there conflict? Of course there is, but through persistence, teamwork, and tenacity, conflict is overcome. Or accepted. Moving on from unpleasantries is the norm.

Does this sound kind of sappy? If so, I really like sappy. I enjoy books like the Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere, an author I discovered after watching a Hallmark movie based on one of her books. The movie was wonderfully uplifting, but left me wanting more.

I read The Christmas Town in less than a day! That doesn’t happen too often for me as I spend most of my time on my own writing, and make time to read in between. It can take me a while to finish a book. Then I discovered this story was part of a series. You can guess what happened after that. My mother is now hooked on the series, as well.

I find inspiring, feel-good, happy-ending books a must these days when kind words seem to be hiding under rocks. Boulders even. I’d rather spend time on a story that gives me a lift over one that drags me down.

In my mystery series, heroine Corrie Locke has evolved from an immature young woman used to doing things her way, without any help or much consideration for others, to a more thoughtful, somewhat responsible heroine who takes others into consideration before taking action. As the series progresses, she becomes a better version of her earlier, bratty persona. Bickering with her mom, her friends, and sidekicks has toned down as she’s learned to listen to what they have to say. Maybe my main character didn’t start out by being nice, thoughtful and respectful, but she is getting there.