Peace Love Joy: happy

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

A Positive Life Philosophy

In my contemporary romance, Restart In Bristol, Skye shares her positive perspective on life. When I created Skye’s character, her outlook grew out of her bubbly personality and non-judgmental approach. Skye’s philosophy is to be happy and to surround herself with happy people. To practice non-judgment and to help others, and in doing so, she attracts similar joy and support in her own life.

Skye’s philosophy aligns with the Law of Attraction which is built on the belief that the universe and everything in it is vibratory. If you put out positive energy, you’ll attract positivity in your life. If your thoughts and actions are negative, you will attract similar negative energy in return.

I love how Skye’s philosophy is both simplistic and complex. It’s simple in what one needs to do, yet more complex when applying it in day-to-day life. It can be a challenge to stay positive when things aren’t going your way. When this happens in my life, I go “back to the basics.” I focus on my breathing, on being mindful (like reminding myself I’m well in that moment,) and on finding things to be grateful for, even if it's something small like a warm cup of tea. These actions give me a lift and help me make my way back to happy.

What are your thoughts on Skye’s perspective? Add a comment below to share your views...and read on for an excerpt from RESTART IN BRISTOL.

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Excerpt from RESTART IN BRISTOL:

He chuckled. “It would be nice if life was always that simple.”

Skye turned toward him. “I think it is.”

When he raised a brow, she shared her philosophy. “I think you get what you contribute. I try to help others, and in turn when I need help, it shows up.” She flapped her palm between them. “Case in point.”

His eyes lit with understanding, pleasing her.

“I like being happy, so I surround myself with happy people.” She batted her eyes. “Or I figure out how to make the people around me happy.”

Rob didn’t take the bait. Instead, he gave her a look of disbelief. “You must have setbacks and disappointments.”

“Of course. Everyone does.” She took his hand. “When I do, no matter how hard the situation may seem in that moment, I try to remember it happened for a reason and that the universe will take care of me.” She traced hearts on the top of his hand. “And I remind myself that maybe something even better is in store for me.”

He gave her another look, and this time she couldn’t decipher it.

“It works,” she said, her voice full of confidence. “My last hardship is the reason why I moved here.” She put her palms on his chest and slowly kneaded his rock-hard muscles. “I think here is a pretty good place to be.”

“I can’t argue with that.” He cupped his large palms around her face. “You’re one special lady.”

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This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.

Restart in Bristol, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—He’s a hot mess. She wants stability. Will these childhood sweethearts risk another pass at love? https://amzn.to/37cCw1b. Now available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/3hgKZpF.

The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv. Also available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/2WAsOnp

Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Contemporary Romance Bronze winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX. Also available in audiobook: https://adbl.co/2VArr7c

To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/. I blog once a month, and I don’t send spam—ever!

Recommended Reading:

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k

10 Secrets for Success & Inner Peace by Wayne Dyer: https://amzn.to/2QQReH5

Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Pass on Perfection & Live a Happier Life

Aiming for perfection makes perfect sense for doctors performing surgery, engineers designing an airplane, and anyone working in life and death situations. For most of us, our day-to-day work doesn’t include those implications.

We strive for success in our respective pursuits but seeking perfection isn’t the best approach. Psychology Today calls perfectionism “a trait that makes life an endless report card on accomplishments or looks” and “a fast and enduring track to unhappiness.”

Perfectionists fear making a mistake might cause others to think poorly of them, get them fired, or any other plethora of negative outcomes. This obsession with perfection creates an unachievable standard and a toxic focus on failures.

Experts have found that perfectionists are made not born. It starts at an early age, and unfortunately, demand is on the rise. Parents are increasingly insisting on perfectionism from their children and seeking status from their kid’s performance.

In The Perfect Lap. Ella’s parents expect Ella to be perfect. Ella puts undue pressure on herself in an ongoing attempt to meet their expectations. That is, until she learns another way. Below is an excerpt from The Perfect Lap where AJ shares his views on perfectionism with Ella and the kids they are fostering:

“My granddad taught me there’s no such thing as a perfect lap. He always said that I should give every race my best attempt, and the rest of it would find a way.” AJ shifted his gaze between the kids and Ella, who looked every bit as enthralled as the kids. That pleased him because his granddad’s wisdom was for her as much as it was for the kids. In some ways, it was even more important for Ella.

“So, you won even though you didn’t have a perfect season?” Madison asked.

“Darlin’,” he drawled, making Madison blush, “last season was so far from perfect you can’t even imagine. I lost my ride in April—”

“Huh?” Zach scratched his head.

AJ chuckled. “I got fired from my race team.”

The kids were obviously shocked by his admission. Zach’s eyes popped, Madison sucked in a sharp breath, and Kayla’s mouth dropped open. Ella also looked surprised. Knowing Ella, she had thoroughly researched him and knew his history. Her surprise was likely associated with his admission of imperfection. But he wanted the kids and Ella to learn what he had learned—you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to be persistent.

“Yep, I got fired. I sat out for two races before Davey asked me to join Team Johnson.” He smiled at the attentiveness he had from Madison, Kayla, Zach, and Ella. “Throughout the season, I led a lot of laps and I sucked in a lot of laps, too.”

The girls giggled.

“I did what my granddad taught me—I tried my best each and every lap. Sometimes I won. Sometimes I didn’t, but I still accumulated a lot of points. Other times, despite my best efforts, I didn’t do well at all.” He slid his gaze between the kids and Ella. “When that happened, I told myself it was okay, that I’d do better the next time.” He leaned in toward Zach. “You know what? I always did.”

Let’s take a pointer from AJ and not buy into the pressure from society, our family, friends, and even ourselves. As Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.

Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX

The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc

To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)