Guest Post: Viva Obama By Bert Lorenzo

Obama beat McCain handsomely

so those who criticize my president should let him be

and show more respect for democracy.

The people voted for change

and change they should see

but it takes time to make new policy.

June 2009 he improved the economy.

Now everywhere I go I see people spending money.

He reduced unemployment.

Now concert halls, movie houses and sport stadia

sell-out for people’s enjoyment.

Things are fine

but people continue to whine.

They say he’s a Muslim

who secretly practices Islam.

And that he cares more for the lower classes

because he wants to raise the rich’s taxes.

And that he goes too far

when he supports building a mosque near that 9/11 scar.

I say he hasn’t gone far enough.

Obamacare should give us more stuff.

Rumor has it many doctors want to retire or quit.

They say Obama’s healthcare plan’s unfit.

But he should do everything he promised during his campaign

or those who voted for him

did so in vain.

Some who voted for him now feel remorse.

They fear things will get worse.

They elected the Messiah

but now turn their backs on a pariah.

They’ve abandoned hope so easily.

It says more about them

than about my president’s ability.

Constant criticism might make my president weary.

It can be such a bore.

But the critics should remember

in a democracy people should get what they ask for.

So viva Obama!

I still have hope he won’t abandon the fight

and make all that’s wrong in America right.

Copyright Bert Lorenzo, 2010

Guest Post: Injustice and Apathy!

I am sure that in this world, specifically those well-born that are thankfully in the majority, there are more who support justice than those who support abuse and for that reason one must consider the ignorant who by no means necessarily act in bad faith.

To resolve his or her basic necessities every day, the average Cuban on the island needs a witty approach. Outside of the official ruling class, there is little possibility to survive. Only one employer and one owner exists. This employer even owns the water people drink. You may ignore this but with an entourage so evil, the island serves as a large prison.

Within this large and rigorous prison, it is the 21st century and the world still ignores the system that has possessed Cuba for 50 years as if Cuba was on another galaxy, all with the complicity of the powerful capital authorities which determine universal apathy. These forces are incapable of noting that Cuba is a place where in order for a person to survive he or she need only suffer, remain silent and obey.

Luckily there exist more thinkers than mules and someday the truth shall make itself known. And you who are ignorant shall exclaim "Is it possible that this was occurring so close to me?"

For you the thinker....written by The Cuban Wanderer, Israel.

Translated by The Fearless Blog author

The Fearless Factor by Jaqueline Wales

About Jacqueline Wales

Jacqueline Wales is known the world over as The Black Belt Millionaire. Her unique programs have helped women around the globe develop strong personal success, confident communication and clear visions of their goals. She is the author of five books including The Fearless Factor available at http://www.thefearlessfactorbook.com.

Wednesday September 9 – Unknown.
Are You Traveling The Jungle of Your Life?

“What lies behind and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Four women stroll along a paved walking path and notice a shaded, winding trail leading into a dark and mysterious jungle. A hand-painted sign at the entrance promises the adventure of a lifetime, untold treasures, and true, lasting happiness to anyone who dares set foot upon this trail and follow it through the entire jungle.

The four women discuss among themselves the wild creatures, frightening situations, and treacherous terrain awaiting any who travel that route. Three of the women, determined to change the course of their lives and fully realize their dreams, decide to enter that jungle, despite grave danger and certain difficulty.

How many women are left standing on the paved path gazing into the darkened jungle with trepidation?

Four.

You see, the three brave ones decided to enter. And that’s as far as many people take it.

Everyone has experienced good intentions. It manifests in your desire to go to the gym regularly, eat the right kinds of food, get more sleep, work less, spend more time with the children. But it’s not a real decision until you are ready to commit to some action and follow through. Taking the first baby steps towards change is essential, even if you’re scared to death.

When you take a decision, you are making a commitment to change what isn’t working. You are ready to step up to the challenge and do something different for you that will lead you toward living your best life now.

You must set goals to get where you want to go and you must take action to succeed. Remember, a goal without action is just a wish unfulfilled.

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. —Tom Landry

There are four steps towards creating and fulfilling your plan:

What Do You Want?

Think of three things you want to accomplish in the next several months. It can be personal or professional but it must be truly important to you and within your power to accomplish it.

Start With The End in Mind

Describe in detail what you need to do to succeed. Be specific. Write ‘as if’ you were already there and have achieved your desire.

Question Everything

What is your goal and why you feel you MUST achieve it?

Ask yourself the following:

What pleasure will it give me?

What will I be able to do?

What will I miss if I don’t achieve it?

How will my life be changed by this achievement?

Start Taking Action and create SMART goals.

Specific – Make your goals active. Define them to the smallest detail.

Measurable – Chart your progress by making to-do lists and deadlines

Attainable – Be realistic, but at the same time think outside the box.

Relevant - Set goals that are in line with your values, experience and passion

Time Sensitive – Set deadlines for each step of the way.

One year, three years and five years.

Create your goal plan according to these deadlines.

Dreams are just a wish until you start taking action towards making them reality.

What would it mean to you if you:

• Had a stronger more loving relationship?
• Could communicate more powerfully with the people in your life?
• Made more money?
• Built a successful career?
• Could be more productive and satisfied at work?

The Fearless Factor will show you how to turn off the fear, doubt and anxiety and turn on the confidence so you can Live Your Best Life Now.

We will schedule blogs and radio shows to participate in this tour. Jacqueline will do written or live interviews, providing excerpts from the book, writing guest posts that are applicable to the topics in Fearless Factor, we can also supply PDF copies of the book for reviews.

Who Needs to Read The Fearless Factor

• The Fearless Factor addresses issues that any age can understand although many of the people are women in the 40s – 60’s range with a wide variety of interests

• Women concerned with self-improvement but they avoid doing the needed work, but they are looking for answers.

• People who buy self help books and they may have complete libraries of books they have never read, but with the intention that they will.

• People who are in denial or avoiding how much work needs to be done

• Whether these people are making changes, they know something needs to change.

• People in the workforce, or are self-employed either successfully or not.

• Many of these people are not financially sound.

• They are married and single, but are in a kind of relationship that may or may not be working

• Women in their 50’s having major changes involving their job, family, relationship, meaning in life.

For more information about Jacqueline and The Fearless Factor, visit

http://www.thefearlessfactor.com

http://www.thefearlessfactorbook.com

http://www.youtube.com/fearlessfactor15

http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/fearless-factor-by-jacqueline-wales.html

Devotional For Mothers and Daughters

JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Over two million copies of the beloved Cup of Comfort® brand in print!

A CUP OF COMFORT^® DEVOTIONAL FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

Daily Reminders of God’s Love and Grace

Edited by James Stuart Bell and Susan Townsend

Author of Pumping Your Muse, Windwalker and Beyond the Fifth Gate, Donna Sundblad has written six devotionals which have been included in A Cup of Comfort^®Devotional for Mothers and Daughters (March 10, 2009; Adams Media) edited by James Stuart Bell and Susan Townsend. Donna's stories span a number of years, everything from the day she was ready to bring her daughter home from the hospital almost 40 years ago to a conversation she and her daughter had last year. There's also a special story about Donna and her mother.

In the short interview below Donna shares some of her stories and a little about herself.

Give me a little background on yourself and the stories you write about in this new book.

I grew up in a close-knit family and was honored to know my great-grandparents and grandparents. This story is about what I went through when it came time to move away from my family and friends for the first time. I was 38 years-old at the time. My mother's prayer for me that day is burned into my memory. It was life changing. I know it wasn't any easier for her to say goodbye to me. In some ways it might have been harder. I was leaving with her grandchildren, but she trusted me to the Lord in a way that blessed me. People will have to read the devotional to see what I mean. They can find "Stay Rooted" on page 282.

The stories I contributed to this devotional offer glimpses into moments in time when God impressed me with an illustration of his love and or faithfulness through circumstances of everyday life. I really enjoyed writing for this collection because it has eternal value. I've been so blessed and I'm honored to have the opportunity to share those blessings with others. Along with the faithfulness and love of God, my stories touch on topics like comfort, obedience, and wisdom--the way God teaches us heavenly lessons through worldly incidents. That's exactly what this book is about...tangible lessons that stick with you throughout the day along with a Scripture verse.

For me personally, the book came out the day before my daughter's birthday. It was such a perfect gift, and now I know what I'll be giving my mom and mother-in-law for Mother's Day. It doesn't get much more special than this! Just think, I'll be able to give back to my mom in a special way. She may not even remember that moment back in March 1989 when she said that prayer, but now through the Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters I hope it will bless her in the same way it blessed me 20 years ago.

I am curious about your relationship with the many women in your family…your mother, daughter and great grandmother…what qualities do you share with them and how did they bring out the best in you…

My great-grandparents owned a small farm. My great-grandmother lived through some very difficult times. Her first husband was an alcoholic who tried to kill her. She ran for her life as he chased her with a gun. He shot, she stumbled and fell as the bullet grazed her hand. He thought he had killed her and turned the gun on himself. This left her a young widow with four young children. She worked hard cleaning houses, but she needed help with the children. The siblings were separated and went to stay with different family members. My great grandmother married a polish immigrant, and reunited the family. I'm not sure my great-grandparents loved each other at the outset of that relationship, but they made it work. They were still sleeping in the same bed by the time I was in my 20s, so God blessed their efforts to do the right thing.

My grandmother and I were extremely close. I remember when she turned 40, when she started coloring her hair, when she got her false teeth, when her eyesight started to go. I spent many weekends and vacations with my grandparents. Their youngest child was only six months older than me. In fact, my mother was three months pregnant with me when she helped deliver that baby in her mother's kitchen. We saw each other every weekend as we made the trek to their house or they came to ours (along with aunts and uncles).

I moved away from my family when I was 38 years old when my husband took a job in another state. It was not an easy thing to do. I'm thankful for the strong bonds that were established because now I'm experiencing the same with my daughter and granddaughter (and grandson).

My family has handed me a legacy. You don't quit when the going gets tough, you do your part and trust God for the outcome.

• Read Chapter 1 of Pumping Your Muse
• Read Chapter 1 of Windwalker
• Read Chapter 1 of Beyond the Fifth Gate
• Read previous blog post about Donna Sundblad
  
• Read more about Donna Sundblad
• www.cupofcomfort.com

• James Stuart Bell served as editorial director at Moody Press for many years. His work includes A Cup of Comfort^® Devotional for Women and A Cup of Comfort^®for Christians. Before joining Moody Press, he was the director of religious publishing at Doubleday in New York.

• Susan B. Townsend author of A Bouquet for Mom is a writer of nonfiction and fiction and a stay-at-home mother. Her work has appeared in A Cup of Comfort^® for Mothers and Daughters and A Cup of Comfort^® for Teachers.

Short Interview with Author Ivonne Lamazares

In 2000 Houghton Mifflin published Ivonne Lamazares' first novel The Sugar Island. In addition to various published articles, she has also published her stories in Blue Mesa Review and A Century of Cuban Writers in Florida. In 2009 The Southern Review published her newest short story "Hostal Jamil."

As I continue my Featured Writers Series, Ivonne was kind enough to agree to a short interview.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

My favorite novelists are Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Saul Bellow, Toni Morrison. My favorite short story writers are Alice Munro, Flannery O'Connor, Denis Johnson, Ray Carver. These are authors that I enjoy greatly as a reader, and also they are authors that I study as a writer because I greatly admire their work and use it as a springboard and a source of inspiration for my own stories.

What are you currently reading?

I am re-reading Beloved by Toni Morrison and I'm in awe of what she was able to do in that novel. It's a heart-wrenching novel. Slavery seems such a huge subject, and yet she found a way to approach it that does it justice.

How would you define your writing style?

This is a hard question to answer. I would say that my writing style tends to be spare, more on the side of Ray Carver and Hemingway than on the side of Faulkner or other more elaborate stylists. I aspire to writing simply, clearly, and precisely, to evoke emotions that the reader can identify as true and authentic to the situation and the character being portrayed.

What 3 recommendations would you provide to an aspiring author?

My three recommendations to an aspiring writer would be

(1) write, write, write

(2) read, read, read

(3) nurture your gift, believe in it, and as Hemingway said, aspire to write "one true sentence after another." (True in the emotional/ moral sense, not necessarily the factual sense).

The Sugar Island by Ivonne Lamazares

Imagine waking up one morning and walking away from your home, your friends, your books, your clothes, your photo albums and never looking back. With empty hands and somber hearts, you board a bus, a train, a plane or a boat knowing you may never return to your homeland again. Would you? Could you? People all over the world do this everyday while I sleep comfortably in my king size bed in my air conditioned home surrounded by the ones I love. If abandoning everything you have, everything you know and everyone you love to begin anew does not define courage, then I don't know what does. Yes, it may be risky and it may even lead to death, but the people who risk so much must truly suffer great injustice and despair to be willing to lose it all to gain it all.

Anyone living in South Florida knows an immigrant or is one himself. People come to America from all over the world, Haiti, Venezuela, Columbia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Cuba or Jamaica just to name a few. We leave behind our mothers, fathers, cousins, or childhood friends in search of freedom and opportunities too many in this country take for granted, for they have never experienced what is all too common outside the great walls of this nation.

In Ivonne Lamazares' novel The Sugar Island Tanya and her mother, the main characters in the story, typify the dissatisfaction and the sometimes destructive desperation that emptiness breeds. As the story progresses, I am forced to understand the complex nature of the decisions these two women make as they struggle to find their place under the sun. Instead of judging the characters, I find myself accepting or perhaps excusing their decisions and their choices. While Tanya fights to retain what little she has, her mother embarks on a never ending pursuit for something better, something different, something more. Hope is the only thing neither one allows herself to lose as she navigates through life. I cannot help but admire their strength and determination to survive and prosper in the most difficult of places or the most difficult of circumstances. Against the odds and even against each other, they fight to regain themselves.

Like a tug of war they pull and soften and pull and soften without ever letting go no mater how exhausted, bruised or disappointed and betrayed they may feel. In the chaos of their lives, they find solace in each other and in themselves, for though they may be very different, they are still the seeds of the same tree.

I must confess that I still remain somewhat foreign to their plight, the plight of the immigrant, for I was too young when I left my birthplace to remember what I lost, what I left behind and what I should have missed. Although our own personal stories may vary, the underlying story remains the same for all of us. We share a yearning for our own special place in the world, a place where we can be true to ourselves without masks and without chains that bind us and restrict our breath. We search unrelentingly for a place where the sun always lives.


Read an excerpt from The Sugar Island in the National Endowment for the Arts.
More about The Sugar Island

Hostal Jamil by Ivonne Lamazares

On March 12th, in honor of Women's History Month, Miami Dade College hosted novelist Ivonne Lamazares who left her homeland of Cuba in 1962 at the age of thirteen.

In 2000 Houghton Mifflin published her first novel The Sugar Island. In addition to various published articles, she has also published her stories in Blue Mesa Review and A Century of Cuban Writers in Florida.

After a brief introduction by Josett Peat, chairperson of the English Department at the north campus, Dr. Lamazares provided the audience with a little history and background to introduce her newest short story "Hostal Jamil" published in The Southern Review for 2009.

Although I have known Ivonne for many years, I am always overwhelmed by her calmness, poise and overall presence when she stands before an audience. Her love of words and the creative process quickly surfaces as she begins to read the words. Many who have read her work acknowledge her creative writing abilities but those who know her better also recognize her exemplary abilities as teacher, for she often touches or transforms some one's life in some way.

On this particular evening, she shared with the audience the story of a girl and her grandmother who flee Cuba and arrive in Spain just days after the death of Francisco Franco whose Fascist regime ruled Spain for 36 years. As she began to read the short story, the room grew very quiet and all eyes fixed on the woman standing at the podium under the spotlight. Her voice soft and steady yet clear and overpowering at times began to utter the words that in turn painted pictures in my mind. As the time went by I found myself entangled in the story watching from across the street or hiding in a corner of the room as the scenes unfolded.

An immigrant myself, I quickly understood many of the underlying themes of the story, and at times felt the knot in my throat as I struggled not to cry when I remembered my own grandmother who had sacrificed so much of herself for me and my brother. This story could have been my story or the story of any young immigrant girl arriving in a foreign land where all is strange and different and nothing seems like home. Even when home is a horrible place, it is still home.

When she read the last words of the story "tomorrow we wake up free" and looked up at the audience, my heart and mind which had traveled across the ocean, had now returned to American soil once again. Stories like this one remind me that our words do more than entertain, persuade or inform; our words also serve to remember and honor those we never wish to forget.

Ivonne's achievements serve as inspiration to all women who dream and wish for great things in their life. She has surely left a positive and lasting impression on me.

I urge you to obtain a copy of The Southern Review 2009 and read "Hostal Jamil." You can also read an excerpt from Ivonne Lamazares' novel The Sugar Island in the National Endowment for the Arts.

About The Sugar Island

Virtual Book Tour: Author Maureen Mulvaney

Author and speaker Maureen G. Mulvaney's latest book The Women's Millionaire Club outlines her secrets for building a successful home-based business. Mulvaney surveyed 21 women millionaires who achieved success in their home-based businesses, and in her new book, she shares her discoveries with readers. In essence, Mulvaney sets out to discover why some women make lots of money while others can't.

During the 1980 recession, Mulvaney found herself divorced, without a job, home or money. One would think this would have been a terrible moment to start a new venture, yet this former special education teacher gave up teaching and launched a speaking career. Not long after, her thriving home-based business catered to such well known companies such as AT&T, MCI and Best Western. In addition, she also wrote Any Kid Can Be a Superstar and co-authored Mission Impossible and Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul.

Geared specifically for women, Mulvaney's educational website The Women's Millionaire Club provides strategies to building successful businesses at home.

In a recent interview on ABC's KNXV TV in Phoenix, Arizona, Mulvaney tells the audience that her research indicates that self development proves critical. Using what works and discarding what doesn't work serves as a key ingredient to achieving success. When asked by the host to provide suggestions for entrepreneurs, Mulvaney advises people not to participate in the recession and "rise above it" by taking control of their life and their future. (see taped interview)



Maureen Mulvaney's mission is "to help women become millionaires by creating an abundance conscious community to support each other through education, empowerment and energy."

The *Women's Millionaire Club*, by Maureen G Mulvaney, is being offered beginning on March 17th, 2009 at 12:01 am. We invite you to go to this page - http://mgmsuperstar.com/wjtc/exclusive.html - to access the order page and then go back to this page to access the bonus page. On the Exclusive Private invite page, enter your order confirmation code. That will allow you to gain entry to the FREE Pot o' Gold Bonus Items.

Read How to Become a Natural Networker? by Maureen Mulvaney

Joan Cartwright: Jazz Singer , Composer and Author

In honor of African-American History Month, my class and I attended Women in Jazz a lively jazz performance and lecture by Diva Joan Cartwright. Born in Queens, New York, Diva JC as she prefers to be called received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a Master's of Communication from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

During Ms. Cartwright's visit to Miami Dade College, she performed many popular jazz tunes, discussed the history of jazz and blues and outlined the many contributions of performers like Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters and Alberta Hunter just to name a few.

With 30 years in the music industry and after having toured 5 continents and 15 countries, she has also published several books. One of her books Amazing Musicwomen focuses on the lives of women who changed the face of the music world. Some of her other books include Songs for My Children and So You Want To be a Singer?

More information on Joan Cartwright
Women in Jazz South Florida

Confessions from a Crazed Crafter by Patti Cox-Charles

The cover of Patti Cox-Charles' book Confessions from a Crazed Crafter provides a wonderful sneak peak into her crafting world. Patti refers to herself as a "crazed crafter," and I must admit her commitment and dedication clearly show in her work, her blog and in her writing. However, I choose not to call her a crazed crafter but a fearless one, for her life has truly been an adventure. While snow covers her yard and nearby streets, PIGS and UFOs inhabit her home. It may be very cold outside her Wisconsin home, but inside all is cozy and comfy, including the cats.

Her words flow with a sincere warmth and delightful sense of humor. Not only is Patti a talented crafter and writer, she is also well versed in songwriting. And you will have to read her book to understand just what I mean.

In addition to helpful tips and colorful photographs, she describes her love of needle work, card making, knitting and many others. Yet, she admits pine needle basketry remains her greatest passion.

So much of Patti's personality seeps through the pages of her book. Her decision to honor and recognize some of the very special people in her life clearly reflect her generosity and thoughtfulness. She acknowledges her sister as well as other notable crafters, but most importantly she recognizes the valuable contributions of her mother, who has always served as a driving force in her life. Her respect and admiration for her mother echoes throughout the book. Many of us may have felt this gratitude and appreciation, but few of us have put it into words, decorated it with pictures and had the glossy pages bound.

I find it admirable and refreshing that Patti chose to generously include the works of other crafters in her book. In fact, her gesture reminds me of a painting outside the main building at my campus. Every time I see it I am reminded that on our way up we should always bring others along.

We should all be so blessed to live
our entire lives
doing what we love most
whatever that may be.


Peacoxcreations on Etsy
Peacox Creations
Confessions of a Crazed Crafter