• Skip to main content

Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

  • Home
  • About
  • Romance Books
  • Nonfiction Books
  • Sign Up
  • Blog
  • Amazon Store

Motivation

A Fresh Start For Kindness

January 18, 2023 By Kimberly A. Cook 1 Comment

Happy New Year, my fellow earthlings. Think I was kind of waiting to see if we actually made it. So far, so good. Bumpy, but we’re coping.

My goals this year are kindness, play, writing, and decluttering.

While I have been doing the last two, I need serious retraining for play, plus I’m working on kindness by trying to do a good deed each day. If I make you smile, this post counts for today’s good deed.

One article I read a long time ago said if you changed three things in your morning routine, it would turn your world upside down. Can’t even imagine what a multiple-year worldwide tri-demic does, but we’re beginning to find out. Think we are upside down, turned inside out, and floating in space.

While the entire planet is in various stages of flux and upheaval, we can recognize we are all in recovery. And that will take as long as it takes and is individual for each person and animal. Basically, this event screwed everybody, mammals, insects, all organisms.

Kindness to ourselves and others is a powerful way to move forward.

On Dec. 8, 2013, I was standing in the customer service line at Kohl’s to pay my almost overdue credit card bill. My dad had died early that morning, and my family were on our way home from saying goodbye to him at the foster home.

Sleep-deprived, grieving, in shock, and pretty exhausted, I felt like an empty vessel. Standing in line was taking way too much energy. After I paid my bill, the clerk gave me a business card. On it said #SHOWKINDNESS. I held onto that little card as if it was a surprise daisy in winter. I still have it.

You never know how you will touch someone’s life in a positive way. And sweet sea biscuits, we need as much kindness and love as we can produce right now.

Take positive baby steps. Whatever you can handle.

Elizabeth Lyon, a favorite writing instructor, talked about one percent improvement a week at a long-ago writing conference. She said we have to “chop wood and carry water” every day to be better writers.       

That goes for kindness and love too.

In that vein, I’m adding some of my new favorite videos to enjoy. I need more play and nature in my life, and given our winter weather, these videos help a lot.

The Movie Squirrels are from Norway and their humans are working to save the forest for the animals. Let’s do this!

(It’s eight hours, so pace yourselves. I watch it on my TV. You have to see The Nut Bar!)

https://youtu.be/cIvEGjm0qGM

And let’s finish up with some positive news from the Oregon Zoo!

https://youtu.be/gwBkeiHfFds

Gear up people.

Let’s get kindness trending!

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: A Fresh Start For Kindness, animals, goals, good deeds, Happy New Year, Kimberly A. Cook, kindness, later in life romance novels, later in life romance readers, military romance author, Norway, Oregon Zoo, recovery, romance readers, squirrels, winter blues

Happy Middle Of January?

January 16, 2019 By Kimberly A. Cook 2 Comments

Double Delight rose, a top favorite.

So much for organization. Ended up in sick bay during the holidays and clawing out of it now. Many people I know did the same thing. Seems like the germs see you slowing down a bit and then jump onboard. Very bad actor germs.

But it does give one pause to take the time and reflect on the joys of good health, when you don’t have it. Then there are the people who seem to get hit with everything; including the kitchen sink, the garbage can and the dumpster down the road. Send comfort, support and hugs whenever you come across these people. They are disease warriors.

I filled my time by cleaning out my clothes closet, watching football, cleaning out Spec Ops Cat’s bathroom, watching playoff football, and spying on the construction workers across the street. One needs a hobby when recuperating.

I’ve also watched a complete ton of YouTube videos on everything from writing to marketing to cats, comedians and some things I’m still not sure why I watched. Then I played solitaire on my tablet. There are so many ways to kill time in this modern age.

But in the grand scheme of things I am doing great and so is my family. Last year was catastrophic for so many folks, that I am truly blessed with all I have. One of those lifelong dreams is indie publishing my military romance books this year. Still on track, but delayed a little. Life isn’t linear it seems.

Here’s hoping you all have made it into the New Year in good shape and are looking forward to Spring. My favorite season. To remind us all of the coming outside festivities, here are some of my backyard photo memories to perk us all up.

The bulbs will rise again!  

 

This is the Peace rose. Another of my backyard favorites. The color of the sun.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: blessings, flowers, good health, Happy Middle Of January?, health, Kimberly A. Cook, motivation, New Year, Spring flowers, Warrior Tales, Writing

Summertime Crazies?

May 31, 2018 By Kimberly A. Cook 2 Comments

IMG_5070
Face sleeping. When you know it’s a long holiday weekend.

by Kimberly A. Cook

Its been a weird week. Since I’m not watching the news, can’t blame it on that. Mother Nature is acting up all over the place, but it seems odder, like dragons are waiting in the wings. Or I need more chocolate. Or both.

Saturday morning decided to wander over to the Farmer’s Market to get some asparagus. On my way down the sidewalk an apparition appeared at the market driveway. An adult-sized chicken was playing the violin. Doing a rather nice job of it too.

Of course, the one time I didn’t have a camera on me. We’ll see if he/she shows up Saturday.  I’ll be poultry paparazzi. Maybe it was the holiday weekend nutties.

Did bag the asparagus and bonus strawberries, their first appearance. Go fruit!

Decided to work like a maniac on the house and yard on Saturday and Sunday, not sure why. Then went out for lunch with family on Memorial Day. Filled up on pasta and bread sticks and that shot the rest of the day. Carb overload.

Tuesday I ventured out for an appointment and to run errands. In quick succession this is what happened; someone cancelled my appointment – not me – so they worked me in. Driving to the store some brat threw mud or something at my car and a shopping cart had attacked Subie when I came out of the store. I drove home and my driveway was blocked by the roofer’s trucks.

All minor things, but I was pretty sure I needed to hide under the bed. Went into my home office and found Spec Ops Cat sleeping on his face. Obviously, the cat had the best idea all along.

I did watch the Las Vegas Golden Knights kick butt on Monday night at the Stanley Cup playoffs, so all ended well. We will not talk about last night’s game. Ate way too many “Goobers” trying to help the team score.  They look like pucks! Kinda. (Dollar Tree store. One dollar a box.)

All of this is probably a way to admit I’m procrastinating working on my big tech project; moving and consolidating the web site and blog and redesigning it all. I’ve even been writing to avoid doing it.

If the blog suddenly goes missing, don’t blame me; it’s the dragons.

To quote the plaque on my desk;

“I have flying monkeys and I’m not afraid to use them!”

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: author, cat, cats, feline, holiday weekend, Kimberly A Cook, lazy summer days, procrastination, summer, summer crazies, Warrior Tales, weather, writer

Celebrate Personal Victories?

January 30, 2018 By Kimberly A. Cook 4 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook

Last week I finished a huge project. Mega big. Finished cleaning out my Dad’s basement workshop. This may sound like a small deal, but it was a humongo challenge. Been working on it for ten years. Off and on. Pretty on the past eight months.

IMG_0362
One small part of my Dad’s workshop bench. Before.

 

So spent part of last week celebrating my accomplishment. Did wild and crazy things like a jammie day,  a massage, bought clearance beads and actually read a fiction book. There was also dark chocolate involved; I stocked up on six bags just to be sure I don’t run out this next month – Valentine’s Day!

I don’t think we celebrate our victories enough. We’re so used to rushing on to meet the next goal, project or to do list item, we don’t revel in the moment.  Celebrate all your achievements. What may seem like tiny victories mount up to big accomplishments.

It also recharges your battery. Which is why I could spend three hours on Sunday cleaning and rearranging the garage so I can get Subie’s car doors open. Parts of Dad’s shop ended up in my garage. Living room. Office. Exercise room. To be sorted later.

IMG_3256
Workbench after. All built by Dad.  Quite the amazing man.

 

Time to celebrate with more chocolate. Plus I’m making big party plans to really commemorate this event by getting Subie detailed inside and out, replenishing my stock of no-stink BenGay and visiting the chiropractor.

After any mission, one must check equipment and do maintenance. Words to the wise.

I recruited help when I needed it too. It takes a platoon to accomplish most goals. Life is logistics.

One of the biggest hurdles was making sure tools and hardware went to non-profit organizations; Habitat for Humanity Restore and Tools 4 Troops got a lot. I know they will be used and help out families and veterans. Dad would like that too.

Got mega or mini victories to celebrate?

Party on!

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: accomplishments, celebrate, celebrations, clutter, downsizing, goals, Habitat for Humanity, house clean out, Kimberly A Cook, logistics, organized, recycle, rewards, small victories, Tools4Troops, Warrior Tales

Happy Wolf Moon Transition

January 2, 2018 By Kimberly A. Cook 2 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook

The 2018 brand new clean slate is here. It’s like putting on a new dress for the first time, all expectations and perfect fit. To top off the start of the new year, we had a full Wolf Moon last night and we get another one the end of this month, an official Blue Moon. A two-fer!

IMG_2990
Last night’s super Wolf Moon from my backyard. Since moons have transitions too, think Mother Nature is trying to tell us something with the moon, the seasons and our lives – we’re all related! 

The daylight is getting longer by a whopping seven minutes and I couldn’t be happier. Dreams of Fairy Rock Garden plans and lawn swing lazy days are just around the corner. Even for Pennsylvania. The daffodils will rise again. The crocuses are peaking their pointy heads out right now. At least in Oregon.

Resolutions are not my thing, I make goals. So when I transferred to my 2018 calendar I laughed when I noticed my 2017 goals would be my 2018 goals too. Not sure if that is efficient or unrealistic. Big goals? Get healthy, write and play. Then I have four smaller goals for the three big goals.

I worked on the smaller goals in 2017, but did not complete any. No matter what plans we make, life happens. So recycling 2017 goals is not a bad thing; it keeps me moving forward.

Reading the book “Transitions – Making Sense of Life’s Changes (Second Edition)” by William Bridges right now, recommended by a friend. Really enjoying it. Bridges talks about the three phases of transition:

  1. “an ending, followed by
  2. “a period of confusion and distress, leading to
  3. “a new beginning, for those who had come that far.”

I’ve always found that phase two confusion and distress period annoying. I liken it to that time right before I make a big decision; it feels like I’ve thrown chum into shark infested waters and I can’t figure out what to do while swimming with the frenzied sharks – very stressful.

Two questions Bridges asks at the end of Chapter Four really have me thinking.

  1. “What is it time to let go of in my own life right now?”
  2. “What is standing backstage, in the wings of my life, waiting to make an entrance?”

Great questions right? This book has been out for years and you can find it in the library, but I like to have my own reference copy. Pink highlighter is a way of life for me and they frown on that in library books.

So looking ahead to 2018, how will you answer questions one and two above? I like them because while we may not have figured out where we’re going, we can consider what to shed and what might be sitting next to us as options.

So when we feel like we’re floating around with feeding sharks, it’s nice to know other folks are out their bobbing along with us. Nobody has this all figured out.

Life evolves, whether we choose the transition or not. So, here’s to a great 2018 for all of us. Transitions Ho!

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: 2018, calendar, goals, Kimberly A Cook, life, New Year, seasons, Transitions, Warrior Tales, William Bridges, Wolf Moon, yearly goals

We Work In Heels!

December 19, 2017 By Kimberly A. Cook 5 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook

This week is the final push for the holidays. We can do this. Between moving my Mom,  cleaning out her house and running Spec Ops Cat into the vet three times last week, I’m a little festively frazzled. Spec Ops Cat is doing well now. I could use a bucket of spiked eggnog myself. And one of his B12 shots. And a dump truck load of Christmas cookies.

So when times get challenging, I like videos. One of my favorite dance numbers is this one from “Top Hat.” Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, backwards, in heels, in a long dress with FEATHERS! Notice how she has to kick the dress up to keep from killing herself. Us women rock. The dance number really picks up about the two-minute mark, so hang in there.

For a holiday bonus, I’ve added the just released trailer for “Oceans 8.” All women. With and without heels. Can’t wait to see this. Happy Holiday rush week!

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Motivation Tagged With: dance, Ginger Rogers, holiday rush, holiday stress, holidays, Kimberly A Cook, movies, Oceans 8, Top Hat, Warrior Tales, woman, woman power, women

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 1997-2019 Kimberly A. Cook All Rights Reserved WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d