It Comes from Within

 

Everything comes from within. 

Our thoughts, emotions, and actions have an energetic frequency or vibration, which creates our individual and collective reality. Therefore, we must look within to change our world and our experiences. 

Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven is within.”

The Egyptian Book of the Dead, thought to have been written thousands of years before the Bible, states, “The kingdom of heaven is within you. And whosoever shall know himself shall find it.”

Everything—individual and collective—starts within us. Given this, we can consider:

- Are we carrying peace and love...or division and anger?

- Are we expecting positive outcomes...or something negative to occur?

- Are we looking for joy and fun...or for the proverbial shoe to drop?

- Do we see the world through rose-colored glasses...or through a gray, murky haze?

The answers to these and similar questions create our reality and also contribute to the whole of humanity. 

The good news—if you don’t like your current reality, you can change it. Do this by changing your thoughts, your perspectives, your expectations, your actions. It doesn’t have to be an overnight, 360, turn your life upside down kind of change. But each small step—adding more joy into your life, cultivating peace within, giving someone the benefit of the doubt, helping a person in need, finding beauty in yourself and in the world—will make a difference. 

And it will impact everyone around you. 

“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”–Scott Adams

When we find peace, love, and joy within, it has a ripple effect that spreads to others. This is the root of the expression, ‘joy is contagious.’ Your peace, joy, beauty, and other positive vibrations ripple out to the collective, benefiting all of humanity. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Be the peace you wish to see in the world.”

Imagine what the world would look like if we all had peace in our hearts and joy in our spirit. What if every single human being had a mindset of celebrating and embracing our differences and learning from one another? Of sitting around the table to work issues out with dignity and respect toward one another and peace in our hearts? 

Simply put, the world would be a better place. 

Each of us contributes to one another and to humanity as a whole more than we can imagine. 

“Every loving word and action create far-reaching ripple effects – like the waves of the ocean.” – Swami Dhyan Giten

Photo by Sean Oulashin at Unsplash.

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TRANSFORMED BY FIRE—RISING FROM THE ASHES TO FIND MYSELF by Chris Clifford: Work left me exhausted and lost. When everything I owned went up in flames, rethinking my priorities changed my life forever! 

Reader Review Excerpt: “...a true story about finding strength and purpose even in the worst situations...Chris is like the Phoenix...she rises from the literal ashes, helps heal her family from trauma, sets an example for all of us to follow, and through all of this, finds true inner peace.”

TRANSFORMED BY FIRE is an Amazon Bestseller! https://amzn.to/3RawJBR

Joy Makes Us More of Who We Are

 

Many of us live like Professional Hinkle in Frosty the Snowman… “Busy, Busy, Busy!”

We have jobs, families, volunteer work. Homes to clean, yards to cut, meals to cook. We cart our kids around to soccer practice and chaperone school field trips. We pack it all in and sometimes even manage to fit in working out and meditation—that is, if we get up before the crack of dawn.

What about relaxation…play…joy? How have our lives become so busy that we no longer have time to include these important elements?

From a young age, we’ve been taught to value actions and accomplishments over relaxing and doing things that bring us joy. We’ve learned that play is for children and that we should derive joy from our accomplishments.

Yet somewhere along my journey, I began to challenge these “truths” because I feel better when I take time each day to relax and engage in activities I enjoy.

Studies show countless benefits for doing things that make you happy, including improved heart health, enhanced mental health, reduced risk of strokes, improved immunity, increased life expectancy, and less stress in one’s life.

For some, “happy, happy, joy, joy” doesn’t come easily. It may be because we’re out of practice, we don’t make time for it, or we’ve simply forgotten what brings us joy. If the first two resonate with you, make a commitment to carve out pockets of time for joy and see the positive impact it makes on your life. If it’s the latter—you’ve forgotten what brings you joy— read on for some great tips!

7 Questions to Help Uncover What Brings You Joy

1. If you had all the time in the world, what activities would you engage in?
2. How can you find novelty in everyday life?
3. If you won the big lottery, what would you do?
4. Think about the times in your life when you’ve felt the greatest joy. What were you doing? Who were you with? How were you being?
5. When you were a child, what brought you the greatest joy?
6. What unique personal qualities do you like sharing with the world?
7. What would your life look like if you put yourself first?

Joy is a choice and a positive practice. Every day when you get up, choose to make time for joy. Commit that you’ll find and experience joy throughout your day, regardless of what’s happening in the world around you.

Having fun helps us know ourselves better. When we engage in activities that we enjoy, we enlighten ourselves and others, and make ourselves more of who we really are.

“Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence.”— Aristotle 

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with inspiring and empowering ideas to live one's best life. 

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THE PERFECT LAP, His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line?

Reader Review Excerpt: “It was a heartfelt, sweet, foster child romance that gave me all the feels! Through it, we see how people can rise above past mistakes and that is a beautiful message!”

THE PERFECT LAP is a Reader’s Favorite Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Available as eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Purchase link:  https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

 

CLOUD WHISPERS: A novel of family and forgiveness with a strong spiritual message: The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….

Reader Review Excerpt: “A beautifully woven story filled with love, loss, betrayal and renewal. It touches the heart of the reader as life unfolds for Liam and Katie. Peppered throughout the story are spiritual awakenings and life lessons which help to clarify many of the “why’s” in each of our lives. While Cloud Whispers includes passionate love stories, it also feeds your spirt and renews your soul. The gifts from this novel are unforgettable.”

CLOUD WHISPERS was awarded the IPPY Bronze medal winner for visionary fiction, Reader’s Favorite Finalist for visionary fiction, and an Official Selection in the Summer eBook Awards for New Apple Literary. CLOUD WHISPERS purchase link: https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc.

 

To sign up for my Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.

 

Photo by Simi Iluyomade on Unsplash.

Affirm & Visualize a Better Future

 

Are you ready to create a vision for a better future? Let’s envision great success and unprecedented joys in 2021!

If you’re wondering how to do this, read on!

In previous blogs, I’ve written about using affirmations and visualization to achieve your desired future, and both of these are powerful processes. But, did you know they are even more powerful when used together?

As a reminder, an affirmation is a positive statement that declares what you desire. Examples include: I appreciate my great health; I’m enjoying my beautiful beach home in the Outer Banks; and I’m gratefully celebrating the birth of my baby girl. 

Affirmations allow us to consciously choose thoughts that will deliver positive future results. These statements plant seeds and direct your subconscious mind to begin working toward achieving your goals.

Tips to make your affirmations more powerful:

• Create affirmations using the present tense (Use “I am enjoying…” and not, “I am going to enjoy…”)
• Affirm in the positive (Use, “I am enjoying great health,” not, “I don’t want to be sick.”)
• Use images to strengthen your affirmations.

Using images (visualization) is also an easy and effective process. You can use guided visualizations to identify and fully imagine what you want or simply close your eyes and think about your goals and desires in minute detail.

Research has shown that using affirmations and visualization together makes them even more powerful. There are many ways you can combine these tools.

 

You can state your affirmation and at the same time visualize it coming to life. For example, if your affirmation is “I appreciate my work promotion,” you would envision how you would feel, who you would be working with, and what kind of work you would be doing. 

Another great way to combine affirmations with visualization is by creating a vision board. When you look at your vision board, your mind naturally starts to imagine the outcomes you desire. You can use a vision board workbook or kit to aid in this process.

My favorite is the Vision Board Workbook (https://bit.ly/2JpqOdi) which provides a tutorial on how to design a vision board, tools to make it easy for you to create one, and a worksheet to identify your deepest desires, which is a critical first step of creating a vision board. There is also a “Tools of the Trade” section with page after page of phrases, affirmations, and pictures you can cut out to design your own unique vision board.

Affirmations and visualization are both powerful processes to help you achieve your goals and desires. Combined, the two processes become super-charged! So what are you waiting for? Create affirmations, visualizations, and a vision board that outlines the future of your dreams!

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

CLOUD WHISPERS: 2019 IPPY bronze winner for visionary fiction and 2018 Reader’s Favorite finalist for visionary fiction. A novel of family and forgiveness with a strong spiritual message: The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate…. https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc.

To sign up for my Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.

Recommended Reading & Tools:

 The Vision Board Workbook by Chris Clifford: https://bit.ly/2JpqOdi

 The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

 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.

Photo by Peter Fogden on Unsplash.

8 Ways to Stay Sane in a Crazy World

 

There are times when this crazy world can get the best of us. There’s COVID and unemployment, business shut-downs and shelters-in-place, political clashes and divisiveness, wars and poverty. If you need a break from it all, read on for 8 great tips on how to stay sane in a crazy world!

8 Ways to Stay Sane in a Crazy World

1. Carve Out “You” Time—Taking as little as 15 to 30 minutes a day for yourself is a game changer! Use this time to take a contemplative walk, meditate, pray, exercise…to do whatever brings you peace and joy. If possible, take this “you time” first thing in the morning to start your day in a calm, grounded, and peaceful manner.
2. Practice Gratitude—Throughout the day, focus on the positives in your life. Include everything that is going well and anything that brings you joy. Your gratitudes can be big, like a job promotion or a bucket list vacation, or as small as a warm cup of tea. Studies have shown when you’re feeling genuinely grateful, it’s impossible to at the same time experience any negative emotion (including fear!) As an added bonus, researchers have found that gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness.
3. Do Something Fun—Most of us don’t take enough time for play. Our days are filled with things we ‘have’ to do—go to work, attend a workshop, cook dinner, clean the house, help the kids with homework—the list goes on and on. Those things may be important, but taking time to disconnect and do something that makes you happy is equally important. Having fun brings joy into your life and can help carry you through stressful times.
4.  Perform a Random Act of Kindness—This is a time when many people need help. There’s opportunity for kindness in every encounter, and it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive to make a difference. Sometime a smile, a kind word, a kind deed is exactly what’s needed. You could also bake cookies for a friend in need, pick up groceries for someone who is unable to get out, and support your colleague’s new idea. Your act of kindness could make all the difference in someone’s life…and it will make you feel good to boot!
5.  Stay Positive—Yes, it’s possible, even in today’s crazy world! How do you achieve this positive mindset? By looking for the positives in every situation. Sometimes they are easy to find; other times it takes some digging. When you encounter a negative situation, turn it into a game to look for a positive. For example, if you are feeling restless from too many months spent inside, think about the positives the situation created. Have you completed home projects, accomplished more goals, and/or connected with family and friends on Zoom?
6.  Indulge in a Hobby—Research indicates hobbies are beneficial to your mental health. So indulge in a current hobby or find something new that appeals to you. Read a novel or learn how to cook an exotic food. Go hiking, biking, or kayaking. Learn to knit, bake bread, or make wine. Finding an activity you enjoy will boost your mood, increase your contentment, and lower your stress levels.
7.  Turn Off the News—There’s nothing new to hear! These days the news is an incessant repeat of fear-based information. Everyone knows the media sells based on fear, however, nothing good comes from a steady dose of distress. As the beloved Star Wars character Yoda said, “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” So turn off the TV, put down your phone, and use your newly found time to complete one or more items from this list.
8.  Make Wellness a Priority—When things get crazy, it’s easy to push wellness aside. Who has the time for yoga, cooking nutritious meals, and getting extra sleep? It’s a Catch-22 because crazy times are when you most need to prioritize wellness. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise of virtually any kind can help relieve stress. If you don’t have time to cook, try a super-food smoothie. And don’t forget about sleep. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to function effectively. Sleep impacts mood, immune function, metabolism, memory, and other vital functions. Making time for wellness will help you feel your best—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Finally, be sure to check in with yourself every morning. Ask what it is that you need to feed your soul…and make sure you listen to your inner voice!

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? Kindle: https://amzn.to/37cCw1b. 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? Kindle: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv. 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? Kindle: https://amzn.to/384lB1f . Audiobook: https://amzn.to/2OktquX.

To sign up for my Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/. I blog once a month, and I never send spam!

 

Recommended Reading:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

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

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

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.

Photo by Gian Cescon on Unsplash

30 Inspirational Things To Do Without Leaving Your Home

Many of us are staying at home these days because of a ‘stay in place’ regulation or to support social distancing. Being at home can feel stifling or it can be exciting…it all depends on your perspective! Choose a positive mindset and look for the opportunities this situation creates. Below is a list of 30 activities sure to inspire!

30 Inspirational Things To Do At Home

1. Watch the sun rise or set.
2. Create a gratitude journal.
3. Take a walk.
4. Visualize your perfect future.
5. Meditate.
6. Write in a journal.
7. Practice yoga.
8. Watch an inspirational video.
9. Check out the free resources at Calm: https://bit.ly/2WzJdbW
10. Make a vision board.
11. Make a list of 101 goals you want to achieve in your life.
12. Find your muse—write a song or short story, or paint or draw.
13. Visit a museum virtually. Try the National Gallery of Art : https://www.nga.gov/.
14. Commit to one new daily activity that will improve your life (exercise, meditation, journaling, pre-day planning, visualization, walking, etc.)
15. Listen to uplifting music.
16. Watch clouds float across the sky.
17. Think about your most important goal and write down what it would take to achieve it.
18. Gaze at the stars.
19. Put your phone down and have a real conversation with a loved one.
20. Visualize world peace.
21. Read a book or listen to an audiobook.
22. Call, text, or video chat with someone who could use a lift.
23. Sit on your front porch or look out your window and watch the world.
24. Create affirmations and read them daily.
25. Listen to an inspirational podcast.
26. Take a nap.
27. Take a bubble bath.
28. Tell someone special something you appreciate about him or her.
29. Look at yourself in the mirror and say something positive.
30. Watch the moon rise. 

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

***New Release!***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 

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!)

Recommended Reading:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/39SgKSt

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

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

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.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Will it Matter in an Hour…or a Week?

Last fall, my husband, curly-coated retriever, and I vacationed in Alabama. On the first night at our beautiful resort, I took a walk with my dog, Milkduds. We took in scenic views of the Tennessee River, layers of mountains in the distance, and trees colored in their full autumn glory. We walked for miles before circling back. Hot and tired, I was more than ready to return to our room.

The side of the large property was the closest entrance so we trekked up a hill to get there only to find a sign next to the door that indicated a key card was required for entry. No problem. I whipped out my card and swiped it. 

The light didn’t turn green.

I tried again and became frustrated when my card still didn’t work. Resigned to walk around the property to the front door, I stole a glance at Milkduds, expecting him to be frustrated, too. Instead, he gave me a sweet doggie grin and a happy swish of his tail.

Sometimes, the little things in life suck us down. But only if we let them. I decided then and there to be more like my sweet, happy dog. 

It was just one door. There were plenty of other entrances even if they required another walk. I reminded myself if this was my biggest issue of my day, I had it pretty darn good. With my new and improved perspective, I tried my key card one more time (it didn’t work), and then tugged on the door anyway. To my surprise and delight, the door opened!

There are regularly obstacles in our lives. Like the door, how many of them are self-imposed? And, like the door, how many of our obstacles are so trivial they don’t warrant our energy and attention?

I’ve gotten into the habit of asking myself whether the issue at hand will it matter in an hour, a week, or a month? If the answer is no (and usually it is), why fret? Consider alternate options or power through and move on to the more important things in your life. 

“Intelligence consists in ignoring things that are irrelevant. ”––Nassim Nicholas Taleb

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

***New Release!***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

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

Recommended Reading:

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

The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2

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

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.

Photo by BRUNO CERVERA on Unsplash

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!)

Recommended Reading:

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

The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2

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

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.

Photo by NastyaSensei from Pexels. 

Gratitude in THE PERFECT LAP: You can't be stressed when you're feeling blessed!

“You can’t be stressed when you’re feeling blessed!”

This quote is from The Perfect Lap, my recently released contemporary romance novel. In The Perfect Lap, Ella and AJ unexpectedly join forces to co-foster three children, and quickly learn they’re out of their league. They attend a New Age Parenting class, and one of the topics covered is gratitude.

Sometimes kids and adults make poor choices that lead to negative energy. How we respond makes all the difference. In The Perfect Lap, Ella, AJ, and the kids come up with a time-out word that any of them can call out. Once the word is said, they all take a few minutes of silence. During that time, they reflect on where they are mood-wise (energy-wise) and consider if that’s where they want to be. Often, after this pause, they each share a few gratitudes.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

Ella and AJ experienced positive results when practicing gratitude with the kids. Negativity disappeared, bad moods faded, and spirits were lifted. I've found the same results in my own life. Not surprising since it’s backed by science! Studies have shown when you’re feeling genuinely grateful, it’s impossible to at the same time feel angry, anxious, or any other negative emotion.

When we’re stressed, our minds and bodies are pummeled with strain. Blood flow redirects to muscles needed to fight or flee and brain functions are minimized. Physically, ongoing stress can cause a long list of health issues.

On the other hand, when we’re focused on our blessings, our minds and bodies are relaxed and we experience positive emotions like love, joy, and hope. Gratitude helps us fully experience happy moments in life, build strong relationships, improve health, and deal with hardships.

How can you bring more gratitude into your life? Let me count the ways…You can write your gratitudes in a journal, say them out loud, or recount them silently. You can share your gratitudes in a group setting like Ella and AJ did with the kids. The method doesn’t matter as much as the exercise. Practicing gratitude in any form connects you with the present moment, creates positive energy, and generates feelings of love and compassion.

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

The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38

To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/

8 Spiritual Themes in The Perfect Lap

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.

There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:

©     Non-judgment

©     Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are

©     Giving from a place of love

©     Prioritizing joy

©     Living in the now

©     The difference of one

©     Gratitude

©     No such thing as perfection

Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.

1.     Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?

2.     Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?

3.     Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.

4.     Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?

5.     Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?

6.     The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?

7.     Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?

8.     No such thing as Perfection

a.      AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?

b.      AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?

A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-lap-rgg.

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.

The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.

Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.

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