How do I Handle Criticism?

I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have been subscribing to this site. Not long ago there were 884 subscribers. Today there are 1,330! That is almost 500 new subscribers. We are growing fast.

Why is this happening?  I try to share news about my book here, but I also share words of encouragement, and hope. It is the last part that is drawing in so many people. This is because many people in this hotel called earth, are suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, and the many other usual suspects.

I am excited so many of you are joining me here. I want to keep the tremendous effort going. You can keep it going by subscribing today if you haven’t already. Just click on the icon right after the title on this page to do that.

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A quick update on my writing. My first book has received a national award from the Reader’s Favorite  Awards. It is an honor to be so fortunate to achieve this award.

My second book, Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days, is about half way through. My co-author Dennis Booth and I from New South Wales, Australia, are working hard to try to get this out for fall of this year.

I have even started a new book with a working title of, Signs of Hope: For the Military. I really have a feel for this one. I am a veteran, and so is one of my sons, who is a career soldier. I am writing this book because I am heart broken about the many suicides that occur in the military. It is much higher in percentage than the private sector. I want to reach out to the military, and show them hope.

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How Can I Face Criticism?

We make judgments all the time. People make judgments about you and me all the time.

I would guess all of you have faced criticism sometime in your life. I certainly have. It isn’t pleasant to go through. When someone criticizes you it causes you to have self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression.

I have some thoughts on criticism:

  • Criticism always seems to come when you least need it.
  • Criticism always comes when we least deserve it.
  • Criticism always comes from people who are least qualified to give it.
  • Criticism frequently comes in a form that is least helpful to us. (Gossip)

We need to know that:

  • With every achievement there is a price.
  • With every goal there is an opponent.
  • Some people put others down to make themselves look better.

Don’t let those negative people away you. Dr Suess was turned down 28 times before he got his first book published, and yet his books are national best sellers every year now.

Reach for that goal you have had forever and achieve it. Keep trudging down the narrow path to success. There are many rewards waiting there for you.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!

 

 

Do You face More Than Your Share of Ailments?

We have had a big increase in subscribers lately! We just passed 1,100 subscribers! That number jumped from 800 just since January. Time for a celebration! Time for new goals. We would love to make it to 1,500 subscribers by the end of this new year. Please help us to continue to grow in 2014 by subscribing. You can do this by clicking on the icon right after the title.

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Exciting news! We have a new book on the way that I am writing with Dennis Booth, from New South Wales, Australia. It will be called, “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days.” (Working Title.) It is a compiling of posts that Dennis and I have been doing on my blog at: www.dailysignsofhope.com. There are 0ver 57,000 followers on that site, and it is because so many people are seeking hope and it is provided there.

*Update: 4-4-14. 

We have a big delay in writing our book right now. Dennis and I have been going through some physical ailments. I have had to have a defibrillator placed in my chest, and I am struggling with a viral infection. Dennis had surgery last Wednesday on his hip and will down for a while. So the writing process has been slowed a great deal. 

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I have had quite a ride since I last posted here. I have received some awards for my book, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World:

  • I have received six new 5 stars awards for my book. Check them out on Amazon.
  • I received a national award from the Reader’s Favorite Awards.
  • I was a runner-up in the MARsocial Author of the Year Awards. (This is like American Idol, except it is for authors.)

All this can be done by anyone of you. It is just doing the hard work of promotion, and persistence. (Like….go to the top of this page and click on bookstore to find out about the book that is receiving so many awards.)

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I mentioned above about having some health issues. I seem to have new ones every time I post here. I have had a bad couple of months.

I started feeling exhausted all the time, about two months ago. My cardiologist was seeing me and I told him it was getting worse. he tested my pacemaker and it seemed to be working fine. I continued to feel too tired to even get up each day.

Finally the doctor did a scan of the heart and he had to inform me that my heart was only working at 30% capacity. he felt there need to be something done right away to correct that.

He decided that I need to have a defibrillator placed in my chest. It would function in a manner that would surpass the pacemaker, and would provide a shock treatment if the heart stopped.

I had it put in and the energy went up quickly. I thought we had finally found what I need to enjoy life, and live it on my terms.
Then two weeks later I felt pain going down my left arm. I made an appointment with my cardiologist and he discovered that I had a hematoma forming in the surgery area of my chest. He said it wasn’t life threatening, and It would be OK in a couple of weeks.

I went home and the next day I cam down with a viral infection, and I am just getting over that.

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I have found that when I start feeling sorry for myself, I go into depression, and battling the usual demons of anxiety, fear, self-doubt, etc.

I give all my pain and agony over to God, and I am able to withstand all the storms and trials that come my way. Is it that simplistic? Yes, it is. God is a very loving God. He cares. He is always there for you. If you ask Him for help he will be there walking with you.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above ll…never, ever, give up!

 

 

The Suicide Rate in the Military is Appalling

We have had a big increase in subscribers lately! We just passed 777 subscribers! Time for a celebration!  Now we have a new year. Time for new goals. We would love to make it to 1,500 subscribers by the end of this new year. Please help us to continue to grow in 2014 by subscribing. You can do this by clicking on the icon right after the title.

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Exciting news! We have a new book on the way that I am writing with Dennis Booth, from New South Wales, Australia. It will be called, “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days.” (Working Title.) It is a compiling of posts that Dennis and I have been doing on my blog at: www.dailysignsofhope.com. There are 0ver 54,000 followers on that site, and it is because so many people are seeking hope and it is provided there.

*Update: 1-1-14. I have have over one half of my share of the book done. We still don’t have a publishing date yet, but stay tuned to see what is happening. I will try to have an update often. 

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I am finding more time to write on this site lately. It could be because God is telling me I need to spend ore time with you here.

This Site will have two functions:

  • Share with you what the latest news is on my writing, and new books that are coming out.
  • Write words of hope at the end of each of my post that you can cling to help you through those cloudy and stormy days.

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I haven’t had much time to write the last two weeks because of the holidays. I did spend time reflecting over the year 2013.

It wasn’t a year that some would want to remember. I had a couple surgeries; an ablation on my heart, and a cardio version on my heart, and nothing seems to be helping right now. I see my cardiologist this Friday and we will come up with a new route to take.

I know…other than that how is your day?

My day is wonderful. I have such a supportive group of family and friends to help me through this storm.

I have slightly altered my plans for writing this year. I am still planning to finish my new book “Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days.” I am writing this book with my good friend Dennis Booth in New South Wales, Australia. We are working hard on it , and it will come out some time this year.

Where I am changing my path will be for the next book after this one. I was going to write a book for seniors called, “Signs of Hope for Seniors: The Alligators that Chase Us.” I am still going to write that book, but God has opened my heart and mind to reaching out to the millions of military soldiers, and veterans of this world.

The suicide rate in the military and the after life of the military is appalling. The rate is much higher than any other “Cooperation,” in the world.

I have been in the trenches. I am a veteran. I know about the loneliness. I know about the fear. I know about facing the unknown. I have sat on top of an isolated hill in Korea, alone wondering what the noises were I was hearing; wondering if someone was there to take my life from me.

This book could a very  important book for millions of people affected by the military.

I will update you on its progress, after my second book is published.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!