The Third Advent Candle

I just lit the Third Advent Candle with an intention of Joy.

It felt important to light the three candles with an intention, and not just light the candles out of habit.

So often we perform a ritual or a tradition and make it a routine.  I wish for this Season to be different.  To really pause and reflect on my intention while I do things.  Like when I put the match to the candle and the flame started to flicker, I did it with a conscious thought of Joy.  Actually, what I did was to open up my heart to Joy.

To let all the cracks in my heart fill up with Joy.  Joy can seep through the cracks of a heart that has lived.  A heart that has known sorrow, deceit and defeat can easily let the Joy just seep through the cracks. I wish to fill my cracks with authentic Joy.  Joy that stays.

The Joy for all that I have in my life.  Not all my things, but again, the people in my life is my Joy.  To consciously choose Joy takes a conscious mind.  My mind needs to tell my heart to open up, and then my heart will feel the magic that my mind perceives.  It is so easy to complain about this and that, but with an open heart it becomes more difficult.

An open heart will automatically fill your heart with Joy, and you will pass that Joy on to the people around you.

So I lit the Third Advent Candle with you in my heart.  You that are in my life.  You that are my Joy.

Interview at The Book Convention 2014

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI-tMlHBru4[/embed] My first live interview as a writer went like this ...

Please click on "Read more", and you can see/hear the whole interview.

It is in Swedish so I apologize to all my English readers.  Hopefully there will be an interview in English soon, as a translation of my book is in the works.

For this interview, it wasn't really any time to prepare. I received the questions a few minutes before taping, and I glanced at them before putting them away.  I felt that there was no right or wrong answer, and I decided that it was better to just go with my gut instinct on how to answer.  I didn't want it to be rehearsed.  All I wanted was to somehow convey that my writing comes from my heart. Every word is always felt, before I think it.  Like Hemingway said: "Write your first draft with your heart, and the second one with your mind".  That is how I tried to do this interview, except I only went with my heart and never had a chance to change any answers with my mind.

I cannot regret how I answered, as the answers were true to me at that very moment.  I am pretty sure that I could use a class in media training, but for now you get what you see. You get to listen to me with nerves and all.  But mostly you get to hear the real me and what writing this book meant to me.  The book is a celebration of my love for my Grandmother.  That is something you don't rehears for.  It is just there, with or without cameras. Always.

Book Event - SWEA Los Angeles

Tomorrow evening I will be discussing my book, "Två själar - samma tanke", hosted by SWEA (Swedish Women Educational Association) - Los Angeles.  I will talk about how the book came about, read two chapters, answer questions, and sign books.  It will be a cozy intimate evening where I think we will share our stories, as I think my story is also yours.

The evening will be held in Swedish, and I cannot wait to share the English version with all of you English-speaking friends and followers.  It is in the making ...

I am excited for tomorrow evening with a grateful heart, and cannot wait to share stories with you!

A warm welcome!

Book Harvest

 

The days at the Book Convention in Gothenburg, Sweden, was filled with experiences that I am still taking in.  It was four days of working hard to promote my own book, meeting other writers, going to seminars, and talking with publishers.  All along being surrounded by supportive family and friends.  I could not have made these days as successful and fun, if it wasn't for my amazing support team!  I bow in gratitude for you!

Most days didn't end at the Convention Center, they ended hours later somewhere where the networking continued.  So the only thing lacking during these days were sleep.  That was a small prize to pay for all that I received!

My heart is filled with memories of inspiring meetings, interesting people, and also a lot of fun moments!

I could of course not be at the Book Convention without buying books, that was truly impossible.  I found my favorite publisher, among with some of my favorite authors.  I had to buy another suitcase to bring back all these wonderful books.  Instead of harvesting pumpkins as the season is called for, I will dive into my Harvest of Books.  One book at a time, with a heart filled with gratitude.  Printed literature is still alive!

My love affair with books continues ...

Dream Big

We received our bracelets just in time for the Book Convention, and I wear mine 24/7!   It says "Dream Big" (Våga Stort) in Swedish, and it's a beautiful reminder to always dare to dream big.  Thank you to the amazing Jeweler, @atom_47, for making these special bracelets for me and the best support team around! It was a dream come true for me to participate at the Book Convention with my book, and to be able to share the experience with people who always believed in me.

Continue to fight for your dreams, and never give up!  Surround yourself with supportive and loving people.  I promise you, that it makes all the difference.

This one dream came true for me, and it was literary through fear, sweat and tears.  It didn't stop me, it made me even more determined.  Now I'll continue working towards other dreams, and so can you.

Dream Big!

With all your heart!