Welcome to the Just Romance Me Earth Day Blog Hop!
I’m still swimming in joy from the events of this week. My first novel, Queen of Jastain released Monday and I’ve been dancing ever since. If you like Epic Fantasy I hope you’ll pick it up on AMAZON.
I’m giving away two prizes today — A crocheted hat and a sword charm necklace. The necklace is honor of my recently published story and is a miniture replica of Avant’s sword. The crocheted hat…well that’s something different, right?When I think about the Earth, I wonder what in the world little ole me can do to help.
What do you do? What can you give?
Many years ago at a Zig Ziglar motivational seminar, a group of us were asked to write our own obituaries to be read in front of the whole conference. The object of the exercise was to get us thinking about the mark our lives would make and how we wanted to change the world around us.
I remember sitting there with a blank page not really knowing what to write. Everyone at the table around me was scribbling something and I was just sitting there. Staring. My palms began to sweat and my heart began to pound. My throat constricted and my eyes enviously flitted from one person to the next. All my peers, my friends, would have something to say, and I would look like an utter dork. Anger built in my chest that these “motivational” people would put me in such an embarrassing situation. I even considered walking out. That’s how stressed I was.
Then one of the leaders came and sat by me. She smiled and said, “You have to let you imagination go. Don’t think of limitations. What would you do if anything were possible?”
Let my imagination go? Now that was something I could do and I wrote the most outlandish, unattainable obituary I could think of. Donald Trump would be envious. Even Oprah couldn’t compare. It flowed and was well phrased, because even back then, when I didn’t know what my gift was, it was still working in me.
In my obituary, Fictional Me established dozens of charities which had completely abolished world hunger and illiteracy.
Our small group leader, a lady by the name of Lauren Clark, gathered our pages and read them aloud. When she came to mine, she stopped and gasped, “Kary. This is amazing! This is amazing.”
She read the obituary with a genuine reverence and everyone turned to look at me. I was thinking, oh great, I’ve done it now. But they had wonder in their eyes. People I’d known for years congratulated me on the obituary and Oohed and Ahhed over how amazing it was.
I left the seminar that day wondering what in the heck had happened. Those people had actually believed I could accomplish something so outrageous. Lauren Clark, a woman I respected and admired like few others, thought I could do what I wrote. She came up to me years later and told me she remembered that obituary and it still inspired her.
To this day I’m amazed that she could have so much confidence in me and I’m inspired by her belief, because she made me realize that dreams without limitations are powerful and possible. Maybe I won’t accomplish all the things in that obituary. Maybe I will, but if I don’t, it won’t be because it isn’t possible. Anything is possible if you believe.
Incidentally, Lauren’s own obituary was about being a missionary that traveled the world helping those lost and in need. Today, you can find pictures of her travels and the work she’s doing one her website: Lauren Clark Ministries
For a chance to win leave a comment and tell me — What are your dreams without limitations? If you had to write your own obituary today what would you want it to say?
Comment by 11:59:59 PM Eastern time on April 22, 2013 for your chance to win. One (1) winner will be selected randomly using a Random.org. Winner will be contacted by the blog owner bywithin 10 days of contest end. Only one entry per ISP address. The contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. Not valid for overseas. No purchase necessary to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Void where prohibited..
Well, Kary…I’ve never been asked this! I suppose it would go something like this: Rosanna Leo was a woman who lived and loved to the fullest of her ability. She wrote naughty books, and tried to get off as many people as possible. The End.
LOL Happy hopping!
If I had to write my own obituary today what would I want it to say, hmm…
Beckey was a loving mother of four daughters who shared her passion of literary and reading with others. She was a compassionate and helpful woman who was there to lend a helpful hand where it was need (and somehow knew what was need and when.) She always had a sarcastic remark for most anything that could be almost always find a way to make you laugh even when you were having a bad day.
I just wrote what some already say about me …
Thanks for being a part of the hop.
BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom
I think I would want my obit to say something like Carin W wife, mom, friend. Made the world around her a better place.
Thanks Carin
mawmom at gmail dot com
My obituary.
Sheri, wife and mother. She worked tireless to cure Type 1 Diabetes and worked hard to stop premature births. At the time of her death she was successful, and passed on her love of reading and science to her son and her many grandkids.
smurfettev AT gmail DOT com
Wow! What a good question. Something to definitely think about…but not now. Hehehe
I am honestly not sure. I would have to do some thinking on that one!
mygirls01(at)yahoo.com
I think I would like mine to say: Renee, Momma to everyone she knows; tried to make her world a nicer place for those she loved; gave of herself to as many kids as she could and loved them all.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Awesome story, Kary! Hmm.. as for dreams without limitations and the obituary? I suppose, dream-wise that is, I’m pretty simple. I just want to live comfortably without having to live paycheck to paycheck and take care of my mom since she’s worked hard all her life. Seems like a simple enough dream to me. 🙂 Now the obituary.. “You were a strange one, but you rocked.” I guess I would pretty happy with that. 🙂
Ok…I just don’t know if I want to go there just yet…I still have too much I want to accomplish before I can think of that. But I am so very excited to have met you and I am looking forward to reading your books!! Thanks!
brandypm (at) optonline (dot) net
My dreams stem from what has been happening in my life for the last seven years. We have governmental programs that help the elderly and disabled with medical needs such as medicines, medical supplies, and doctor visits. But I have found that while that removes a great amount of pressure, it’s the daily needs for the elderly and disabled that either can’t be met or are very hard to meet because of financial means.
What I dream of doing is creating an organization that provides everyday needs like personal care products, incontinence products, OTC meds and things like that for free.
Maybe my dream will come true.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
travel around the world
enjoyed life
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
What an interesting angle to look at things. Makes a person think! LOL I would like mine to say something along the lines of- loving mother, strong, and was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of traveling and becoming a writer. 🙂
Wow that’s a great story. I had a teacher in high school who inspired me to write. I think her last note to me said she fully expected to see my name on the NY Times Bestsellers list. I’m nowhere near there but that note is the reason why I wrote my first novel. =) And each next one since.
I think my obit would be simple: “Here lies Alianne. She lived a full life and made the world a little brighter for those around her. She died happy and without regrets.”
Congratulations on your first book release! May there be many more to come.
She was a quiet soul with a unique sense of humor, a great love a fuzzy critters, and experienced other lives through the pages of books. She was generous and thoughtful to her family and will be sorely missed. She leaves behind her fortune to her wonderful mother and vast number of furry children (pets).
The life of Belinda was unique, challenging and fun. She enjoyed, traveling to any place that caught her interest and was well travelled. Belinda loved creating jewelry designed especially for the individual. She was known world wide for her unique and fascinating creations. She and her company were in great demand.
Belinda was also an avid reader and spent time traveling to the many places depicted in the books she loved to read.
After all was said and done she lived her life as she believed…love what you know is best for you and what makes you happy… be true to your heart. This quality could be seen in every aspect of her life.
Thanks for the opportunity to share a bit of my thoughts.
Belinda G
belgre AT comcast DOT net
Wow–quite a question, Kary!
I guess I’d like to be remembered as someone who loved deeply, worked hard for those passions, and left a legacy in smart, compassionate children who are off doing the same.
f dot chen at comcast dot net
My obit read Wonderful mother, wife and hard worker. What I wish it would read is Wonderful mother, wife and friend. Through all she succeeded.
leanne109{at}hotmail]dot{com}
Wow.This is hard! LOL. Its like one of those look in the mirror and compliment yourself kind of exercise. LOL
I honestly wouldn’t know what to write. I’ve already figured I’d be cremated and dumped in the ocean somewhere since I don’t have any kids to grieve over me. Sorry, I feel like I’m a spoilsport or something. LOL
I would want it to say that I was a kindhearted person who made people laugh. That I helped everyone who ever asked me for assistance without judgement.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Joder
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I would want it to say that I was a happy, loved person, that put a smile on others faces, helped those in need, encouraged others. Also, that I shared my love of books with all 🙂
June
manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com
My daughter once had to describe her parents using the phrase “My father is made up of ….” She declared that “My mother is made up of books and book marks” It made me smile and think that that would be a great lead into my obituary. I would like to know that my love of literature made and impact on my daughter.
Wow, I didn’t expect that question today. Here goes:
Saw a few interesting places, and learned to make all of them home.
Happy Earth Day!
Never thought about that…
I would hope mine would Read
Jeanette(Jeannie)was a strong woman loving mother and proud marine wife. She was a great accountant and business woman who spent her spare time with those she loved and supporting Veterans Organizations that were dear to her heart. She had a talent in producing beautiful handcrafted jewelry and always had time for others that needed a helping hand. She loved music, dancing around like a fool, was a renowned bookworm, who was a little crazy but that just made her a well rounded person.
j.m.platt83@gmail.com
Hmm. What a question. Im not really sure! :/ I would want something fun and upbeat. I wouldnt want anyone to cry. Im not sure what i would say tho. Thanks!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com