Positive Energy

I don't know if any one has ever watched the Indie Film, "What the Bleep do we Know" mostly psychology nerds saw this movie a few years back. I actually dragged my two best friends to see it with me for my second time in the theatre back then, but I don't think they enjoyed it quite like I did. Oh, well. I would still recommend it to this day. There is a point to bringing up this movie about quantum physics. It had everything to do with the fact that we are made up of energy. The whole world is in a constant state of energy, physical and psychological in fact.

God uses us in awesome and crazy ways. I have been keenly aware of this lately, not only in my own life, but in the stories I hear other people tell. Yesterday, I had a direct confirmation as I watched an acquaintance of mine truly change from the time we met a few months ago to now, as if the light bulb went off. God wants us to realize that everything we do and say can have a profound effect on another person.

Positive Energy. Are you giving off positive, proactive energy, or negative, self-consuming energy? Both of our energies have the capability to be transfered into another person's world almost instantly at times. Positive energy creates more life, better vibes, and constant change, while negative energy not only effects you but everyone you give it to. Yes, sometimes our "bad moods" suck the life out of the people we come in contact with. I'm not saying we shouldn't have bad days, but just think about it. Do you want to be a giver or a consumer?

God gives us the talents, personalities, experiences of our lives, not only for our own benefit, but ultimately for the benefits of others. Every time something happens to us, what if we thought to ourselves, "What can I do with this to effect others?" Instead of, "Finally I have gotten what I want, or why does this always happen to me?"

I just had to get out these thoughts that were bouncing around in my head. I know I have fallen into the consumer roll more times than one. Actually 2001 to 2003 was probably an all consumer time for me. That's all for now. Everyone have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

Celebrate

As some of you may have noticed I have changed my blog's background to a wonderful bright shade of green to celebrate and welcome the arrival of Iggy the Iguana in print! I have been so busy over the past week shipping out pre-orders and turning my author cap around to a marketing and promotional hard hat! First I would like to announce that Iggy is on Amazon.com. The direct link is: http://www.amazon.com/Iggy-Iguana-Melissa-Marie-Williams/dp/098180540X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219600498&sr=8-2. If anyone would like to greatly help me out and post a review to the Amazon site after you read your Iggy book, that would help get this little lizard out into the world!

I am going to do a little mood check in and say that I am a little stressed, going a million miles an hour, but so overjoyed! I feel like I am a walking smiley face. Everyone's excitement about Iggy has been enough to keep my energy at extreme levels. I would like to thank everyone for passing their energy into my present world! Yesterday I was running, celebrating in my head again, and I realized how big I really want to aim! Everyone keeps telling me Oprah, and I think, yeah right! But I started thinking why not, so I am setting a goal. I should probably take a moment to thank my parents for giving me such an extreme goal setting attitude. If you can see it happen, it can. At least that is what visionaries believe. I'll take out time for a good book recommendation ... if you are a visionary, The Artist's Way is a must read!

So let the work begin! I thought I was busy while publishing this little guy, but I think I am about to enter into a whirlwind of excitement! I can't wait!

The Present

How often do we try to implement our own plan instead of being patient and asking God to do His work? I know I fall a victim to this on a more often than not basis. I am just about finished with my book by Kelly Minter, NO Other Gods, and I have been taking bits and pieces away from each chapter. I was just about to the point where I wanted to just freakin finish the book, so I could get onto the next one I ordered. Breaking Free, by Beth Moore, to be specific. Then it hit me on page 173 ... I have been on my own track in many areas of my life lately, and I realized this while reading a book about idolization. Interesting how you can get something when you least expect it. I guess that is how life will continue to be.

Basically it is all about staying present. The present moment is all about God, really. The second we step out of the present moment, we are relying on ourselves to much ... and then of course worry, impatience, doubt ... they all set in. This reminds me of something my director said in our last meeting. Very often as Christians we have this desire to feel balanced; we look forward to the day when we will have it all figured out; one day it will all be so easy. Actually that desire is very normal. It is the connective force that we posses that keeps us wanting God. We want more, because we will never be satisfied with life on earth, and that is totally okay. It is what renews our faith for Heaven and for what is to come.

I just love when different realizations all come together in the same morning. If we wait and listen for God's guidance, His will will be done.

Shifts

I have finally made it to the beginning of my career ping pong game. By that I am talking about my two separate lives as an author and counselor. I have officially been hired on to the staff of the Samaritan Counseling Center, which I could not be happier about. I have obviously taken a slow transition into work, as many of you know, in order to finish the publication process. God has really allowed me the perfect time frame to get everything accomplished that needed to be done this summer. I am really looking forward to surrounding myself with a staff of strong women and men of faith. It is so refreshing to be around people who understand the importance of a weekly Bible study to help us come together and relate to our lives as Christian counselors. I thank God that He has placed me in this group of people.

Last week was my first meeting and one of the women talked about Jacob's story in the Bible and how he had to withstand the hardships of a hurtful past, handicaps, and ultimately ... baggage. Many lessons can be learned through Jacob's story, as we all have had to trust God and be patient with the current situations we must go through. Ultimately there is always a lesson to be learned from these harder times, and the lessons are not only to be used for our own understanding but to relate to others with shared experiences. God has put us on this earth to build relationships. Relationships with Him, ourselves, family, friends, our spouse, strangers, elders, sinners, children, and I think you get it. The world is all about relationships.

HE'S HERE!!!!!

Yes, by "HE" I mean the one and only IGGY! I just received my very first copy of the Iggy the Iguana book today in the mail. When I say I am over joyed, I mean it almost seemed like seeing a baby for the first time. I was so scared to open the package at first in fear that something may have not turned out right! Would the coloring be all wrong, would the paper be too thin, would words be messed up??? But I am happy to announce, He is PERFECT!!!!! All I could have ever imagined! I can not believe I am holding my first book in my hands! Hard work, support, help, encouragement, time, patience, humility ... all of these things went into this creation. Gosh no telling what having a baby and holding it for the first time is like to mothers out there! :O)

A million emotions completely flooded over me ... I just didn't know what to do with myself! I have to say the experience is so surreal, it is almost too hard to explain! I am so glad that I did this with my own team instead of relying on a random publishing company to do it. The Iggy story is something that I have wanted to write ever since I was nine years old. It has literally been alive in me for almost twenty years. To see an imaginary fantasy molded into a book by the work of my talented and gifted team is so extraordinary to me. I have to thank all of those wonderful people for coming together and making this happen!!!!!

Deep Breathe

So it is official! Iggy is being sent to the printer as I type this. I had my last meeting and look at the cover and interior this morning. When I say, I feel like I am about to throw up, I am very serious. This is the weirdest feeling I have had in a long time. Weirder than finishing my thesis... actually it is like a combination of running a 3 year marathon and writing a thesis and now having to turn it in, so jumping off a cliff and not looking back. I looked over the file one last time, my eyes started to tear up, and I just couldn't believe that it was time to go.

Hold on, I am parched and need to take a swig of water.

About five minutes ago I got off the phone with my interior formatter, who happens to be a close family friend. I told her to send it off and then I said, "I am so shaky right now, Sharon, I feel like I am going to throw up." Luckily, she is my best friend's mom, so she understood. I am soooo lucky to have close relationships with everyone who have been a part of the Iggy project. I just can't thank them enough for being so great!

So, I expect to have my first book in my hand as a proof copy by Tuesday. Can you believe it?!? So soon. I can only imagine what that is going to feel like. It feels so good to have worked so hard on something ... I just can't wait to see it!