Author Archives

Norma L. Brumbaugh

Inspirational Writer, Author, and Speaker

PO Box 6432, Chico, CA 95927
nlbrumbaugh@gmail.com

Keep a smile in your heart.

UNLEASH THE WRITER WITHIN: The Essential Writers’ Companion by Cecil Murphey (TKA DISTRIBUTION, 2015)

FOR WRITERS ONLY

DEAR CECIL MURPHEY:  YOU ROCK IT!  I’m a struggling writer intent on shaping my writing to conform to industry standards. I have learned a lot in the process. That part’s all good. This endeavor to write it right, though, has created an ever-growing angst in me.  Along the way in my effort to be well-written I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in rewriting, editing, and altering my manuscripts.  It’s cost me my enthusiasm. I’ve lost some of my inner sparkle, freedom to express, heart speak, lively outlook, and below-the-surface passion of my writer within. I noticed the creep and wondered what was wrong with me and why freshness had left my writing. Dullness set in. Inner conflict developed. I doubted self. Unleash The Writer Within brings clarity to the underlying issues. Now I have insights. I can see what’s gone wrong, what’s been lost, and what I need to do to get my writer within out of this rut. Your insightful instruction along with giving me permission to be me allows me to sing my own tune. Fear is part my problem. I’ve been afraid on many fronts. My inner critic thrives, alive and well. More often than not it tells me to get out of the heat and to stop trying so hard. For too long I have remained stuck without any way out.  This voice of mine is sensitive to the fear of being misunderstood by my target audience. I’ve been too intimidated to speak with boldness on areas dearest to me. I’ve not been sure if I could take the heat or defend my statements properly. I so identify with your book’s subject matter. You help me see the big picture. Thank you for this generous and enlightening gift.  By allowing yourself to be stretched, vulnerable, and honest with your story, you empower other writers to unleash their own authentic voices. I appreciate how you drill down until key elements expose the essence of credibility for the author community. Thank you for writing Unleash The Writer Within. You offer a great service to writers, and you offer hope to me in my own writing journey. Grateful,  Norma L. Brumbaugh

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IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

PAY ATTENTION TO THE LITTLE THINGS

RECENT OCCURRENCES OF ‘LITTLE THINGS’

Every little thing no matter how small is a chance to make a difference in the world. The other day I was walking back to my car from the Post Office. I turned the corner toward where my car was parked in the parking lot. Someone was by my car.

There an elderly woman stands facing my car. She is removing dry leaves from around and under the windshield wiper blades. She doesn’t see me as she completes the task. It’s the little things. I speak to her as I approach. She seems embarrassed to be caught in the act. I smile, put her at ease, and we share a laugh together.

A couple of days later I get a text from a friend who reads this blog. Her text says, “I just read your blog for the 2nd time this a.m. I was feeling down yesterday. … Your blog encouraged me today. I can make it. God is with me! I need to trust Him more! He does have a plan for me. So thankful for how He uses you in my life.” It’s the little things. My blog post encouraged her, then she encouraged me back. This year I’ve been tempted to stop writing because of discouragement and then I hear how God still uses what I write.

My daughter walks in the front door. It’s late. I’m in another room. “I’m home,” she calls out in a cheerful voice, her routine greeting. I appreciate it. It’s the little things. It settles something in me to hear her say she’s home. I’m pleased that she chooses to make her voice happy even after putting in a long day of work. I thanked her for that nice touch a couple of weeks ago. She said she does it on purpose so I know it’s her and not someone else. That’s a kindness.

I walk the hall at the retirement home to my dad’s room and knock on his door. I wait a minute. “Come on in, Norma,” He says with a smile upon opening the door. My father is always gracious. It is pleasant to be welcomed with a smile (and sometimes, a hug). I return the smile. It’s the little things. He’s happy to see me, and I’m happy to see him.

“You take my room (has a queen bed), I’ll take the spare room (has a cot with a sleeping bag),” my bachelor son says to me. I’m at his house for a week-long visit. He goes to work at 6:30 a.m. to work a ten hour shift. I try to convince him that I can take the spare room. But he’s not having it. “I can’t do that, Mom. It wouldn’t be right.” It’s the little things. His insistence makes me feel special. He wants me to have a good night’s sleep and to be treated well. That pleases me.

“You can sit here,” Dad’s tablemate says to me, “I’ll be leaving as soon as my food comes.” A staff member brings the food in a stack of boxes. The gentleman stands up, offers me his chair, and encourages Dad and me to have a nice lunch. Residents have assigned seating in the dining room. I am grateful we won’t have to find other seating. I appreciate his kind gesture. It’s the Little things.

Little things come in all shapes and sizes. An offer of a ride to an event, being treated to a meal, an unexpected gift, help with a chore, an offer of assistance with a troubling issue, helping someone at the grocery store. Kindness in action through thoughtful deeds and caring words make the world a little better off.

The weight of living can wear our spirits down. We need the kindnesses to prop our spirits up. Many mood lifters are found in the little things people do for us and we do for them. By the way, people are lonely. Phone calls count. Simple cards, gifts, and the occasional visit say others matter to you. Pay it forward.

We all can be that person. It’s all in how we look at life. We can look for the little things. We ought to be thankful for them. We can make the doing of little things part of our daily good habits. We can find ways to help people by recognizing opportunities when they present themselves. If you ask me, I think being thoughtful in word and deed is part of loving others. Of course, that’s a good thing. Even when it’s taking a leaf off a windshield.

It’s the little things.

LEAVE A COMMENT:  Share your stories. We’d love to hear them.

Photo Credit: Kai Oberhauser, Unsplash

—- IN ADDITION —-

You may enjoy reading my post about the Paradise Camp Fire on its 1 year anniversary. From my Meridian Woman Blog.

Remembering the Paradise Camp Fire