Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hard To Get, Or Is It?


Writing this particular blog happened, because I was listening to a video made by John Wooden, who I believe was a basketball coach at UCLA.  He made me start thinking about success in writing.  I do have to tell you I am not a sports fan at all.  Up until I watched this video, I had no idea who John Wooden was.  I have placed the video on the blog so you may listen to it also. (As you can see when you get to the end of this blog, it didn't work)
I liked his definition of success: “Having peace of mind after doing the best you can do.”  He also said a person must have faith and patience in whatever they do in order for it to be a success.  I can agree with that sentiment, but you also have to have the works to go with it.  As a writer, I can have the faith a patience that I am going to write a book.  Unless God steps in and creates a miracle (which I don’t see happening) and the book suddenly appears.  I am going to have to start working at it, to get the book written.
As far as success, that is something each one of us will have to determine for ourselves.  My girlfriend asked me last week, when would I consider my book to be successful?  I had a tough time answering that question.  I told her, I did not know because I hadn’t gotten there yet.  I think I will recognize it when it happens.  On the other hand, I was a success at writing my book, and at getting it published.  Do I think the book is a success? No, because it hasn’t sold a million copies, and yes, because I have received so many positive reviews on “The Tower”.   Maybe the question should be, when will you consider the book to be successful?  Am I really the judge of that answer, or is the reading public?
On eHow.com, I ran across ways to measure success and I want to share it with you.

Things You’ll Need:

  • You are the Master of your own success
  • You can measure success by failure being overpowered with something good
  • You must measure by accomplishments and not failures
1.  Start by setting goals
2.  Understand your strengths and weaknesses
3.  Make preparation for the challenges of your success, and reassure yourself that you can be a success.
Tips & Warnings
  • Be positive
  • Be aggressive
  • Be productive
  • Be an achiever
  • Be aware of those hindering blocks
  • Be aware of the interests that pertain to you and your measure of success
  • Be aware to avoid negative actions
  • Be aware that time will bring on change
I would like to know what success means to you.  Since we have determine it for ourselves, there must be guidelines in your head on what you want.  I think it is a tough subject.  That’s my two-cents for today.






Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mail Order Brides

I am reading a wonderful book call Hearts West by Chris Enss.  It is true stories of Mail Oder Brides on the Frontier.  It is facinating reading about how woman overcame their shyness, and became the women of the frontier.
Giving up everything they had known to venture to a place they've not been, in order to meet a man who is unknown to them.  They may have had a few words sent to them by letter, or it could have been as simple as a man came to town, posted an ad to single women to attend a meeting.  The meeting would then explain how the west needed woman to help settle it, and make it more genteel.  Not to mention the fact that men outnumbered woman by at least six to one.
These woman traveled by ship, by wagon train to get to thier destination.  Think of what kind of hardships they had to endure to get to "their man".  It is hard to think what they might have endured in the early to mid 1800's.
I am sure some of them stayed happily married while others were abused or abondoned.  Doesn't sound much different than today, does it?
Personal ads were used by woman to find a mate also.  The book shows an advertisment place by Dorothy Scaraggs, Marysville, Califorinia newspaper, April 1849.
                                                             A Husband Wanted
By a Lady who can wash, cook, scour, sew, milk, spin, weave, hoe, (can't plow), cut wood, make fires, feed the pigs, raise the chickens, rock the cradle,saw a plank, drive nailes, ect, (gold-rocker, I thank you sir),   These are few solid branches, now for the ornamental.  "Long time ago" she went as far as snytax, read Murray's Geography and through rules in Pike's Grammor.  Could find six states on the Atlas.  Could read, and you can see she can write, Can--no, could paint roses, butterfiles, ships, ect. great many things to numerous to be name bare.  Oh, I bear you aks, could she scold? No, she can't you, you ____  _____good-for nothing!
Now for her terms.  Her age is none of your business.  She is neither handsome nor a fright, yet an old man need not apply, nor any who have not a little more education than she has, and a great deal more guid, for there must be $20,000 settled on her before she will bind herself to perform all the above.
We still have mail order brides today.  Think about how many woman go on line and find compatable mates.  We haven't changed much in some areas over the past couple of hundred years.  I find it rather surprising.  As the saying goes, "What goes around, comes around".
Would you be a mail order spouse?  Let's discuss it.