To wRiters, tRavelers, and Runners #walkeRs out there in Lady Leaf Land ...

To wRiters, tRavelers, and Runners #walkeRs out there in Lady Leaf Land ...

A safe-sorta-sunny harbor day in Ventura, CA 2018

I'm loving my time at Leaf's Lake House,

but a touch of cabin fever was beginning to settle in.

Not to complain but ...

so much rain ... too cold.

Then just in time, it's time for

The Carolina Christian Writers Conference!

Two days hanging with

fellow writers, friends,

gifted speakers, editors, and authors

left me inspired to continue my writing journey.

Mostly.

I admit there were moments I caught myself thinking, 

What are you doing here?

What makes you think you can write?

You still have SO much to learn.

All the negatives that haunt the writer

loom around every corner,

waiting to tear you down,

shred any confidence you may have

in your writing skills.

So I wait for those profound words

that will drive me to keep typing on,

forging me ahead to finish 

that article, that blog, THE BOOK.

The words come from the guest speaker.

She softly says,

Reclaim your time, your activities.

Shed distractions.

Be still in your calling, your purpose, your anchor.

Choose rest.

Create and honor a sacred place of prayer, meditation, and rest.

Ahh.

Such kind words.  Wise words.

So much better than all the worrying and negative thoughts

that invade our minds each time we receive yet another

Rejection letter.

On Lady Leaf's Loft wall as a reminder to ... Type! Type!! Type!!!

The last moments of the conference

gave me a very positive meeting with a
major representative from a trad-publishing company

regarding my manuscript, Lady on the Run.

Another Ahh.

There is light at the end of the writing tunnel.
I am called of God to write.

It all shall come to pass in God's timing, not mine.
I'm again inspired to write on!

Your angel is running with you!
Drawing from my original '70s Lady on the Run manuscript

In the meantime,

What Now?

This RED (Retired-Extremely-Daring) lady continues to
venture to the gym, walking with the international Run 4 God group,
and head out my door for the invigorating power walks.

Living healthy is keeping our bodies moving---at our own pace.
And to plan the next tRavel tRip to ....

I wish you oceans of wRiting, Running #walking, and tRavel blessings!

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us--at our own pace!

Hebrews 12:1

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

Remember to drop by to read my latest blog on website:

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

Simplify means Slower

Simplify means SloweR

Just another day in paradise ... in our backyard

I'm finding that when I slow down a bit,

I actually get more done.

I spend time in the morning

sipping my coffee, talking to God,

and making my mental to-do plan.

Through the years I've learned to be flexible.

Why?

Because I know that somewhere between

morning coffee and bedtime

God will invite me to step into His story.

I've learned that His story is always better than mine.

Morning coffee at Hemingway's Restaurant at

Bass Pro Headquarters in Springfield, MO

Don't get me wrong ... this RED (Retired-Extremely-Daring) hasn't always been all that flexible.

I like things my way.

Who doesn't?

But after a few minutes, I give in to God.

I sigh.  He smiles.

And we walk together hand in hand,

fulfilling another success story.

I know I'm a simple person,

and I'm simply okay with that.

I am who I am.

In my travels, whenever I compare myself to someone else who has

accomplished great and mighty things in their lives,

I become gloomy and self-critical ...  you know what I'm talkin' about

because you often feel the same.

My advise.  Don't compare.

Run the race that is set before you

Run--or walk--at your own pace.

The results?  Happy feet!

Happy heart!

Happy life!

I'm simply happy with my family, daughter Jacquie and son Shawn here in the south.
(my recent 73rd birthday celebration)

Author Hallee Bridgeman invited me for an interview on her blog.

You can read all about this RED on 

www.halleebridgeman.com/interview-with-sharon-leaf-and-a-giveaway/

Until next time

I wish you oceans of simple blessings!

www.halleebridgeman.com/interview-with-sharon-leaf-and-a-giveaway/

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's "What Now?" series

"What Now?"

Our backyaRd at sunset

Happy New YeaR!

I don't make new year Resolutions

but I have ideas of what I want to achieve.

If you don't believe me,

check out my December 2015 blog.

My woRd for 2019 is

"SIMPLIFY"

As you know, Rob and I recently downsized from our home

to a cozy condo on Lake Murray

that forced me into the SIMPLIFY mode.

Now that we've been at the Lazy Leaf Lake House for almost two months,

guess what?

I'm still SIMPLIFYING.

I'm blogging a "What Now?" series for a great website

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

This website is packed with useful information for people of ALL ages
but focuses on those who are retiRED and who are thinking about retiRing.
PouR a cup of FolgeRs and read some of my personal and helpful simplify tips.

This beautiful plate was a gift from my longtime friend Shirley L. many years ago.
I'm SO glad I didn't donate or toss it.

Until next time,
I wish you tidy drawers, clean closets and oceans of New Years blessings!

He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29

www.sharonleaf.com

www.retirementandgoodliving.com