Celebrate Good Times, Come On

Just a pretty flower from this summer's garden

One of my writing friends congratulated me on my book and author rankings today, which was really nice. Then she stumped me by saying "Hope you had a little celebration!" Because, see, I'm really bad at celebrating, and I think that's probably a bad way to be. That made me start doing my favorite thing - researching!

The first article I read promised to tell me "Why It's Important to Celebrate. A lot." Turns out they don't touch on celebrations so much as gratitude, but I see where they're going. And this is a great summary of why an attitude of gratitude is a key to a great life:

Daily gratitude writings resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Even better, those in the “gratitude” group experienced less depression and stress, were more likely to help others, exercised more consistently and made greater progress toward achieving personal goals. Dr. Emmons’ research also shows that those who celebrate their lives by practicing gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system and have stronger social relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude. “To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great,” he says, “It just means we are aware of our blessings.”

"Why It's Important to Celebrate. A lot." on Life Reimagined

But are an attitude of gratitude and celebration connected more clearly? According CoreU Coaching, they are.

Look where celebration falls [in the Authentic Cycle of Probability] – right after gratitude and just before completion. That’s an extremely powerful stage of the cycle that should not be overlooked.

Five Good Reasons to Celebrate More Often on CoreU Coaching

In that article he reminds us that "Celebration is emotional nourishment." That sounds good to me. It sounds snuggly and yummy and all sorts of other positive things. Now I want me some celebration. If you're thinking you'd like to take time to celebrate a little but don't have any ideas (that's quite often a problem of mine), check out: "50 Simple Ways to Celebrate" on Daring to Live Fully.

Now, these concepts aren't exactly new to me. I knew about the Attitude of Gratitude. And heck, for years I've owned the book "Ice Cream for Breakfast: If You Follow All the Rules You Miss Half the Fun." Quite often I'm even the life of the party... but I probably planned the party. Honestly, I'd rather plan a party than attend one. But the thing that it feels like I need (other than reminders, obviously) is to know how I should celebrate.

Dr. Alice Chan is there for me and reminds me that I should do whatever is meaningful to me. Her example of this is great because so many of us (including herself) would never choose the reward - a full day of uninterrupted exercise. She also has one of my favorite quotes on this topic. "Celebration signals to your subconscious – and your inner critic – that you are thankful for the progress you are making toward your dream." That's a lovely way to look at it. Check out "Importance of Celebration" by Dr. Alice Chan.

So what does Dr. Chan's advice tell me? I JUST CELEBRATED BY IGNORING EVERYTHING ELSE FOR 30 MINUTES AND RESEARCHING CELEBRATION. I really do love research. My husband gave me the nickname Soogle.

Meanwhile, that author who triggered this pontification? USA Today Bestseller Julie Johnstone, the same one who encouraged me to apply to BookBub again (the ad responsible for said surge in book and author rankings). I'm very grateful to have Julie in my life. She can be your BFF (Book Friend Forever) if you go visit her over at her website http://juliejohnstoneauthor.com/ where you can check out her Romantic Regency Romps.

Gone, Baby, Gone

You may have noticed that I called a social media blackout while working on my shipping, but then I realized "I have the blogger app on my phone. Blogging isn't really social media." The lies we tell ourselves. Have you ever declared a social media blackout? Why? How did it work out?

I'm basically Gracie Hart...

There are quite a few scenes in Miss Congeniality (2000) that I've always related to, but this one has become nearer and dearer to my heart since I've gotten involved in the romance publishing business.

Dear Peter Dinklage,

You were the main draw for me in starting to watch Game of Thrones. I first noticed you on the short-lived television show Threshold, and always keep an eye out for things you are in. I had only ever read the first book in Martin's series and Tyrion was, for lack of a better term, one of the most likeable characters. I had hopes. You, of course, exceeded them. That's part of why I'll watch pretty much anything you do.

Now I've gotta hope you're going to be in something else soon. See, I'm finally giving up on Game of Thrones and the only thing I'll regret is not seeing you. That's why I'm writing this letter. If the ratings drop, I want you to know that I didn't stop watching because they killed my favorite character. I stopped watching because everything around you became so dismal and abusive that I couldn't stand it. If we use the analogy of quitting Game of Thrones being like escaping an abusive husband, that means you're the child I left behind. I feel bad. I feel guilty. I just have to hope he treats you better than he ever treated me.

Meanwhile, you seem to have some new things already lined up, according to IMDB. We look forward to seeing you in them. Just... don't tell dad I called. I can't stand that m'fer.

Hugs and kisses,
:) Sue

Wake That Force Up

Sure, I said we were over-analyzing The Force Awakens. But, ya know, it's kinda the thing to do.

Han: I went back to the only thing I was ever good at.
Leia: No. What you're good at is leading people. Doing the right thing (small smile) even when you don't want to.
H (cocky shrug): I was trying to impress a girl.*
L (sad smile): She was impressed. 

First, this honors the relationship between Leia and Han which WE HAVE ALL BEEN SHIPPING MOST OF OUR LIVES. Taking away their happily ever after got to a lot of us. Second, this connects some of Kylo Ren/Ben's behavior that seems strange - unless you realize he rather instinctively wants TO IMPRESS A GIRL. Some of the stuff he does only makes sense if you think he's kinda crushing on Rey. Recognizing how that makes him like his dad would be a nice tie-in. Further, when Rey proves she doesn't need or want him it kinda turns him on more. JUST LIKE HIS DAD.