Week Ahead: Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Sunshine

It's been a not-so-great week, with the loss of my sweet Darla girl dog, but I've given myself a few days to really grieve, then I'll look ahead to a better forecast for the week.

I'm optimistic about writing goals right now, as I've gotten several projects off my plate lately, and feel like anything is possible. An editing project *waving to my friend who knows who she is and how much I'm loving this work and what a good friend she is* is going really well also. More than progress made, I'm feeling like there's a "good cycle" coming up for me next. A period when I'll be productive and doors will open. Is it a hunch, unwarranted optimism or wishful thinking?

Whatever it is, I'll let you know when it pans out. In the meantime, take a second and fill out the writer's poll up in the top right corner. Maybe clarifying your goals combined with positive thinking and prayer power will net us some good results. I know I'll be remembering each of you and your WWWs (Wonderful Writing Wishes) over the coming days. Wouldn't it be awesome to hear good news all over BlogLand due to the increased efforts we put into caring, hoping and praying for each other's successes?

*clink* Raising my coffee cup to yours as we forge ahead.

Amphibious Ambitions

Every now and then, a good email forward lands in your inbox, and it makes you smile, sigh or think. This one made me do all three:

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition among themselves. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. When the race began, no one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs would reach the top. They said things like, "Oh, wayyyy too difficult!" "They'll never ever make it," and, "Not a chance they can succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing one by one, except for those, who in a fresh tempo, kept climbing higher. The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But one continued higher and higher and higher. This one wouldn't give up climbing the tower. After a big effort, he was the only one who reached the top.

Naturally, all the other tiny frogs wanted to know how he managed to do it. A fellow contestant asked how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal. As it turned out, the winner who reached the top was deaf!

The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart. Always think of the power words have. Remember, everything you hear and read will affect your actions, so always be positive. And above all, be deaf when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams.

What's your favorite piece of animal wisdom, fable, story or experience which has stayed with you?

Here's one from my personal memory book: When my youngest son (I'll call him Court Jester, or CJ for short) had just turned four and his sister and brother were in pre-K and K, I taught his class at a church nursery school. All the kids are gathered in a circle around me and I'm asking about the different sounds animals make. There was mooing, cheeping, oinking, woofing noises all through the group, then I got to CJ. "What does the froggy say, son?" I ask with pride and love shining in my eyes. CJ, with deadpan look at me, right as the school director enters the classroom, "Bud...weiser."

If you're not old enough to remember those popular commercials, this one's for you---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVcbasIb8lQ