About This Blog

Welcome!

Dancing on Mars ( published by All Things That Matter Press)—is available for Nook at Barnes and Noble online and at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audio. To check out reviews or order your own version: http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Mars-Lucinda-Shirley/product-reviews/0985006617/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


One reader says, "Dancing on Mars is a genre-bender, mixing interview, memoir and original poems. It's a feast, not an appetizer!"

Here's how author Cassie Premo Steele describes it: "They say 'the truth shall set you free,' and here it is: a truth-telling memoir about growing up in the small-town, segregated South—politics, sex and religion; relationship, marriage and motherhood; loss, healing, feminism and enlightenment; and the bare beauty of a life by the water's edge. . . ."

There are also some fascinating insights from other women on the subject of living married and single lifestyles— and a sprinkling of original poems to amplify relevant prose.

One reviewer says, "This is EveryWoman's book—every age, every experience. You will laugh, cry and learn through this fascinating, honest and courageous journey to one woman's truth, but you won't put it down." A few wise men have enjoyed it and learned more about women.

You'll find a book trailer here and photos from the hometown in Dancing on Mars. I'll be posting comments and sharing book reviews, writing about themes presented in the book, and sometimes commenting on the events of the day. Humor will be in the mix; it's a high-value aspect of my life.

Please click "follow" to receive new posts from this blog. Also, you can click the Facebook "like" icon if you like what you read. And there's an option to "recommend on Google." Promotional possibilities abound. Would you kindly visit my Facebook author page and "like" it? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucinda-Shirley-author-Dancing-on-Mars/189083217857282.

Writers need readers almost as much as we need oxygen, so major thanks for being here. I'll be happy to hear from you!

Lucinda

Monday, July 30, 2012

Starting Over

Indeed.  This is one of the themes in Dancing on Mars.   (Image from Connect With Angels)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

From Rumi

"If light is in your heart, you will find your way home."  ~  Rumi from Ganesha's Place on FB

This reminds me of "Hundreds of Ways to Kneel" from Dancing on Mars, the segment about the ever-evolving spiritual journey.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Holding Patterns

I've come to recognize certain periods of inertia as times that deserve my trust.  They've earned it.  Now I understand that these "holding patterns" have a purpose:  to hold me in a place of inaction where I feel stuck and unable to break free.  At the onset of these periods, I'm usually clueless about what I will be breaking free of; I won't know that until later, when the next phase of life unfolds.  There's nothing I can do to accelerate the process.  Spiritual temper tantrums are useless, so now  I count on finding enough patience and trust to get me by.  Patience, trust, and - not least -  compassion for myself.  The Universe/Creator/God/Higher Power holds the ultimate wisdom, and I'll be moving in some new direction in good time.  At the right time, that is.



                                     (From Facebook.  Sorry, no source.)
                                           
             
There's no need to attempt" fixing" myself— or anyone else who appears to be contributing to what feels like my endless stagnation.  I understand that I'm not depressed or lazy.   I'm just on the brink of experiencing new aspects of self and new ways of being in the world.  For me, these times have become a natural prelude to change.

A "holding pattern" has been my reality this steamy summer; it will be interesting to see what it brings.   Meanwhile,  I intend to love myself through the waiting.  Not always easy, but a worthy goal.  I'll keep you posted.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Help Wanted

From Oriah Mountain Dreamer via Facebook

Musings Early on a Monday Morning

"i'm not telling you it's going to be easy, i'm telling you it's going to be worth it." - from busybeingfabulous.typepad.com via Pinterest.

So let's consider launching this work week with that thought, knowing that whatever comes our way will be "worth it."  Provided we're aware and able to learn from "it."

 Today I'm feeling especially grateful for friends and other loved ones.  Somehow whatever else is going on, when I can get myself back to a place of  gratitude, all is well.  All is well despite "whatever else" is going on.   Have a meaning-full day, Friends.

(Thanks to my exquisite friend Lyn for posting this smile material on Facebook.)

 

Friday, July 20, 2012

A Small Distraction to End a Sad Day

I closed the curtain on this hellish day after a spark of distraction came by way of a new review at Amazon.  Sometimes one good thing, small or life-changing, can shift my emotional state of being into a higher gear.   I'm grateful for that, even when the infusion of light is temporary.

 Surely few humans have remained untouched by the tragic shootings in Aurora earlier today; like me, many are probably experiencing grief on a number of levels—for starters, horror that something like this could happen in a suburban movie theater here in our Country.  (A movie theater always has been a refuge for me, sitting in the comfort of darkness clutching my popcorn like a life raft.)  And there's been deep sadness for the victims and their loved ones— even some sadness for the shooter who must be a deeply disturbed and tormented human, and certainly I feel great sadness for his loved ones.

 For me, another layer of compelling grief surrounds a knowing:  In my heart of hearts I feel certain this horrifying event isn't likely to turn any "right to carry"members of Congress into new gun-control advocates.  Not with the powerful NRA lobby calling the shots.  Forgive me.  I can do better than that.  I should say holding the re-election money bags.  I'll try to let go of the political rant festering in my solar plexus for now and move on to my welcomed trivial, but bright, distraction.

About an hour ago I visited the Amazon Dancing on Mars page to lift a few quotes from reviews— which, by the way, have been holding steady at 23 for a good while.  My heart became lighter at  the sight of the number 24, lighter still after reading the new post.  I greatly appreciate, and am humbled by, all the reviews.   I posted the one from today (by BulaB) under "Reviews" along with a few others and some excerpts from reviews and articles.

The generous spirits of readers have certainly lifted my spirits today.  There's still a lot of healing left to do all around though; I'm sending thoughts of love and comfort to everyone touched by the Aurora shootings— and wishing us all a peaceful and restorative weekend.

                                                                          * * *



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Enlightenment!

This has answered so many questions I explored in Dancing on Mars.  Simple, yet—profound.  Seriously, don't you love it!?


from Sherryl Frauenglass:  A Woman's True Voice via Mary Stevenson on Facebook.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Embrace Life!


Embrace life - it is either pleasuring you, giving you opportunities or teaching you.
     This is a message worth remembering daily!

Photo shared on Facebook via Ganesha's Place -   July 17, 2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

When Pigs Read

Arnold Ziffle and the Bliss Bringer found a good vacation read.   Staged?  Of course not—just one of Arnold's pig-headed ideas!


http://www.amazon.com

Saturday, July 7, 2012

DANCING ON MARS front cover






If I've posted a picture of the book cover, I can't find it now!  Definitely should be on the book blog, don't you think?  The cover art is a photo of a painting of mine, and the cover design was created by All Things That Matter Press.  As I was writing it, I had no idea what a cover for my book might look like.  It's amazing how we usually have everything we need, right?  Sometimes it's just a matter of being open to what it is and where it is.    I had this painting long before I began working on the book.  I'm learning that things have a way of working out when I don't attempt to "push the river" but just allow the energy to flow.  Great how that works and even greater when I can remember to trust what I can't see and let go!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Independence Day Inspiration

To all of you who know you can:

She turned her can'ts into cans
and her dreams into plans. 
                  ~  unknown 

    * * *

 Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do!
                    ~ etsy.com