#Trust30 Fire Up

Fire Up by Ben von Burg

“Books are the best of things, well used. What is the right use? What is the one end, which all means go to effect? They are for nothing but to inspire.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a writer, your only duty is to be original, to inspire, to put something new on paper. Don’t be reasonable – your job is to to fire up people’s imaginations, to give them permission to dream, and to lift their heads up to the incredible sight of the stars. They may forget what you wrote about – but they won’t forget how you made them feel.

It’s your turn now. Dream, be unreasonable and write what comes to you for 15 minutes.

The birds chirped happily in the trees while the kids played together in the soft emerald green grass. Their giggles brought a smile to her face. She laid back in the hammock, scribbling away a story that would surely bring more security into their lives. The words poured onto the paper as though she was merely a vessel overflowing with brilliance. The shade of the strong oaks provided a cool, comfortable sanctuary, and the sounds of merriment enhanced her own happiness. Then her youngest came over, tugging at the hammock’s ropes.

“Mommy, dinner’s ready! Dinner’s ready!” She closed her book, slipped out of the hammock, and clutched his little hand. “Then let’s go eat,” she smiled. They walked over to the patio, joining the rest of her family at the picnic table. A fragrant barbequed meal sat before them, along with a large bowl of salad and a pitcher of lemonade. They ate happily, talking about what lovely weather the day had brought. It was the end of summer, and the heat had finally given way to pleasant temperatures — perfect for dining outdoors. The now setting sun shimmered shades of pink and purple across the sparse clouds. As a cool breeze blew through the trees, they skewered marshmallows to roast over the glowing embers of the barbeque grill. She was about to take a bite of her marshmallow.

She awoke with a gasp. The stench of stale cigarette smoke burned her airways. Coughing, she floundered around for her inhaler. After puffing the life-saving medicine, she sighed discontentedly. It was only a dream.

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#FoodieFriday Chocolate Therapy Cafe

On Wednesday I visited a hidden gem I found while searching for a good tutoring location. I had been hoping for a book store or coffee shop as libraries can tend to be a bit stuffy. I found out about a little coffee shop called Chocolate Therapy Cafe, located in downtown Chickamauga, GA. This charming little shop resides among some other Main Street type shops in historic downtown Chickamauga, and the charm just keeps going when you walk in. The friendly, welcoming staff are quick to greet and serve you. I purchased a chocolate cafe au lait with amaretto syrup at the recommendation of the woman telling me about their specialties. I had a seat with my student as she prepared my coffee. Moments later, she brought me a fresh hot mug of delicious coffee, topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate syrup. The gorgeous pink mug and saucer immediately gave me feelings of homey comfort. Over the course of our two hour session, another staff member brought us glasses of ice water — and even came to refill my water when it was still more than half full. I left the cafe feeling like I’d discovered a perfect tutoring location, and I’m half unwilling to share this review because I’m terrified my new sanctuary will become a little hot spot. However, Chocolate Therapy Cafe offers too much for me to keep this to myself. If you’re in Chickamauga, drop me a note. We’ll meet up for coffee and chocolate cobbler at my new favorite coffee shop.

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#ThankfulThursday Healthy Bank Account

Today is a wonderful day. Today, my bank account is healthy once more. My hard work has manifested in the form of sweet legal tender, good for a variety of goods and services. We are well on our way to recovery. We’ve reached the halfway point of September, and I have become more adjusted to our new schedules — we all have, really. I won’t lie — it’s strenuous work. However, it’s work well worth the effort because I’m that much closer to reaching goals I’ve set for myself and for my family. Work I complete today will add another step to the bridge I’m building towards my goals. By February, I assume we will be more than able to find our very own place. The recovery I achieve today will pave the way to rebuild during October and November. We are on a journey: from recovery, we move to rebuilding, then to reverberating, and next to realigning. What comes after our realignment? Perhaps rejoicing. Onward and upward!

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#Trust30 What Would You Be

What would you be by Ryan Allis

If a year from now you weren’t in the profession you’re currently in, what would you be in your wildest dreams?

In a year from now, I’d be an English consultant — full-time. I would be tutoring students, writing essays and copy, and editing various documents for my clients. The majority of my business would be conducted on my own terms, when it would be most convenient for me and my clients. My work wouldn’t revolve around a time clock, corporate policies, or even the traditional 8AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday business hours. Libraries, coffee shops, wide-open green spaces? My “offices.” Laptop, pens, paper, cell phone, knowledge? My work tools.

I’ve love to set a goal to live my perfect job description a year from now, but I’ve also learned to temper my goals with a good, healthy dose of practicality. A certain amount of variables exist between now and September 2012, and no one can ever really guess what the variables will bring. We can only be certain that we must be open to change and obstacles. Also leave room within your plans to allow for changing circumstances because you never know what life will bring you.

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#MindfulMonday What Matters Now

Seth Godin has posed this question before: what matters now? And truly, we do need to stop to ask ourselves this question. Right now. Sit down. Grab some paper and a writing utensil (I’m particularly fond of colored pens). What matters now? Here, I’ll go first…

My family’s financial wellbeing — and our overall wellbeing, of course — matters now. I’ve taken measures to do my part to recover from our financial disaster and begin rebuilding our lives. Right now, I must have focus, discipline, patience, strength, and stamina. This didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t magically change overnight, either. Right now, writing from the heart matters. While I’d certainly adore earning a living through my writing, right now I have to focus my efforts on other ways to earn income. Right now, I require a creative outlet for myself — to express myself, to write what needs to be written, to share what my heart wants you to read. Writing for money will come later when I’m fully prepared to undertake that effort. I privately journal my thoughts, feelings, frustrations, and daily interactions each night, a sort of mental defragmenting. Our hard drives run so much better after being defragmented, so you can imagine how much smoother thought processes run after mentally “defragmenting.”

I matter now. My part time job requires physical exertion, and it is my responsibility to all parties involved to take care of myself. I deserve that hour break to eat a good meal and read quality literature. (Did you know Hemingway and I both adore[d] polydactal cats?) Right now, at this very moment, what matters is that I pause between sentences and thoughts to pet the purring 6 year old kitten in my lap — because she’s still my kitten, over six years after this poor thing survived Hurricane Katrina. What matters now is that I’m alive and capable of changing things. I’m fully able to write my own story, to follow my dreams.

What matters now?

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Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago today, I was waking up — late for precalculus, I believe. My room mate told me I had a phone call. It was Brian. He told me what happened as I climbed down from the top bunk and saw the TV screen. What am I looking at? I thought as I stared blankly at the smoke billowing from Ground Zero. And then it hit me. I stood silently, taking in the gravity of the situation. I told Brian I’d call him back as soon as I got a hold of my relatives up north. You see, I was safe and sound in Gainesville, Florida. One of my uncles lives 5 blocks away from what is now Ground Zero. Terror filled my heart. I could not believe how evil a person — more than one person — could be. Surely I must have had some idea because I learned about World War II, among other things. Surely I could have understood that some people had sinister goals. However, I was but a naive 17-year-old girl.

On this day ten years ago, four jets were hijacked by suicide attackers, stealing the lives of almost 3000 innocent people. Normal people like you and me, going about their business, unsuspecting of their fate. Children — the most innocent victims involved — lost their lives because some adults had political agenda to attend to. Sweet children with hopes, dreams, and bright futures, all snuffed out well before their times. Friends. Family. Mothers. Fathers. Husbands. Wives. So many people, gone for something senseless.

We may feel a sense of closure as the mastermind behind these attacks was found and killed, but his death won’t bring these people back. The survivors have also been scarred for life, and only therapy can truly help them overcome the tragedy that befell our country ten years ago. On this day, let us all stop to honor the souls of the victims. Let us hold our loved ones near to our hearts. Reach out and make sure they know you care for them. We usually don’t get much warning when we will lose someone. Please hug someone you love and tell them you love them. This New Yorker who has found her way through a few states will most certainly take time to honor those who lost their lives, those who helped save more from such a fate, and those who serve to protect us on a daily basis.

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#Trust30 My Personal Message

Your Personal Message by Eric Handler

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?

Educational success should not be limited to those with wealth. We need to make undergraduate degrees more attainable and less burdensome than they currently are for lower and lower-middle class students. We also need to ensure that each student gets the one-on-one attention that they deserve. We are all individuals with different needs and styles of learning, and we deserve a chance to succeed. Bachelor’s degrees are no longer optional in our society — they are a requirement to achieve financial security. This is exactly why I have decided to become a tutor who offers sliding scale rates. I know from experience and observation that we need to make educational opportunities more affordable to everyone. Only when we uplift poor students with educational success can we begin to break the cycle of poverty.

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And today is an extra special day: Nicki of Suddenly Single Journey is getting married! Please join me in congratulating her and her new mister on their wedding and wishing them many years of happiness together. I hope the beautiful landscape and the company make your special day even sweeter.

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#FoodieFriday Chocolate Cookie Bars

Two weeks ago, I shared chocolate chip cookie bars. This week, I decided to experiment with chocolate cookie dough. I was hoping to simulate brownies, without all the extra eggs and fat typical brownie recipes call for. I adore box mix brownies (Dear Ghiradelli, I will gladly hawk your products on my blog in exchange for money and/ or freebies!), but I feel like such a cheater when I cut open that pouch of dry ingredients. I want to create something from scratch. So, I took to the kitchen.

To make basic chocolate cookie bars, you need:
1/2 cup butter, melted (one stick)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (aka NOT dutch process)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the melted butter and sugar together, then beat in the eggs. Add the vanilla and whisk. Add your dry ingredients, stirring until combined well. Add any mix-ins you’d like — or don’t. I didn’t. Spread the dough in a greased 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, depending on your own fudgy preferences.

They’re not a substitute for brownies, but they’re make fabulous cookie bars.

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#ThankfulThursday Scheduled Posts

Believe it or not, this post was written a week and half before it was published. Because I’m unsure of my schedule during the next two weeks, I’ve taken the opportunity to harness my creativity and write two weeks worth of posts. The ability to write several posts and schedule them to be published at a later date allows me to take advantage of my thoughts and ideas and provide content without physically needing to push a button. In fact, I don’t even need to Tweet my posts in order to solicit readers — I’ve got a widget for that. Scheduling posts has also allowed me the freedom to publish content when I’m not physical present or capable of writing said content. While I’m away accomplishing tasks for my supervisors, I’m reassured that I’ve got material waiting to be read and shared.

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