Category Archives: cloud nine girl

Waking Up Happy: Make Your Day Exactly The Way You Want It

My favorite way to wake up this week….

…snuggled under a big pile of blankets, a soft meow summoned me from my dreams and I cracked my eyes open. The sun snuck in gently through the wooden blinds in the bedroom. Warm light grazed my cheeks and my kitten Maverick snuggled up against my neck meowing—right before his sand paper tongue licked my face. I laughed. The babes hadn’t stirred, and I stretched my arms overhead, hands into fists blinking up at the fan. The movement was hypnotizing, until the smell of coffee snuck up my nose.

I am ready for today, I thought.

I threw the covers off my bed, grabbed the kitten, and walked at a snail’s pace to the kitchen ready for a nice steaming cup of Joe.

No, I don’t live in the mountains, nor do I live on the beach, but I do live on the outskirts of a pretty line of trees. It’s home. I’m happy. I’ll take it, and I’ve learned through the years, one way to get in a really great mood, is to wake up exactly the way you want to wake up.

Today, I’m thinking about how we can set ourselves up for happy and the little things we can do to start our days off with a bit of a smile—even through the stress and the busyness that some days feels like a heavy coat around our shoulders on a 90 degree afternoon.

I admit, I haven’t always consciously tried to make my mornings full of smiles—but I do know, now that I’m doing it, I find myself smiling and spreading a little more of that energy throughout my day. And I also believe, some days, it gives me the strength I need to switch on that positive light, and keep it burning as long as I can.

So what do I do? What did I find on my search to wake up and feel ready for my day?

It all begins the night before…

I clean up the kitchen and spray my favorite cleaner all over the counters. I set the coffee to go off the next morning at 4:30 a.m. because there is something about a cup of coffee that stirs my brain. Smells really work for me. My favorite candles, my favorite cleaner. Even a dryer sheet mixed in with the laundry shifts my mood when I’m folding the clothes.
I love to look at pinterest before I go to bed. Really pretty pictures. I dream. I sigh when I see one. I let my mind go for a moment. I’ve also found a huge joy in connecting with my facebook family and saying goodnight.
I give good night kisses and hugs to the family.
Listening. Watching those I care about light up when they know they have my full attention by stopping what I’m doing and turning to face them. It makes their day complete, which contributes to a bit of happy for me.
Some nights, I don’t give myself an option. I’ve been thinking lately, even when I screw up, tomorrow I won’t have the same challenge. Tomorrow will be a new day. And when I stare at an impossibly busy week, I know without a doubt, there will be an end to the week. This thought has gotten me through the messes, consoled me when I’ve needed it—plus, I have some really great friends and family who I talk to, and they help me let go, too.

It’s true, I’m not happy every day, but I can contribute and laugh and make myself smile and try to be that way. I want to be that way, and that thought might be part of a little morning happy, too.

What about you? What little things in your life make you smile and lift your spirits?

~Erika

Just the pretty line of trees

Posted in cloud 9, cloud nine girl, Erika Beebe, looking for happiness, waking up happy

4 Comments

My First Review, and Free Stuff Too!

Jul 15

Posted by Erika Beebe

source

And I’ve been dancing, and laughing, and smiling ever since I heard my short story Stage Fright will debut in J. Taylor Publishing’s One More Day anthology …

… and here is the review!

… a breakdown of each story inside the book, by J.A. Belfield, the author of so many lovely books from Darkness and Light, Into the Unknown, and her newest book Caged, releasing very very soon.

Her words on Goodreads, July 8, 2013:
4 of 5 stars

“Like pretty much all anthologies, this one has it super strong stories, and its not quite super strong stories. However, to varying degrees, I enjoyed them all. And whilst there is a common theme to the stories within this anthology, each of them differ, and each of them bring something different to the table.

Reviewed in the order I read them:

Dragon Flight by J. Keller Ford
Let me just preface this one by saying that, despite its title, there ain’t no dragons in there, and there ain’t no flying. However, the author DOES give us an original, unique, unexpected, intriguing, and heart-warming tale that I found myself enjoying a LOT and left me eager to see what else this antho had to offer.

A Morrow More by Danielle E. Shipley
The world built in this one was well done and interesting, and the concept an intriguing one. However, whilst the ‘dragon’ took me a little by the surprise, I found the ending to be quite predictable. This would definitely suit fans of fantasy-based worlds, though.

Dark Rose by Marissa Halvorson
Whilst an interesting premise, the story was pretty slow to begin, although it did eventually pick up a little. And whilst the ending wrapped it up for the most part, I didn’t feel the what or why of it all was explained as well as it could have been and I was left feeling a little confused.

Sleepless Beauty by Kimberly Kay
This one was a fast-paced fairy tale with a twist, some light-hearted humour, and although I foresaw the ending we’re given, I still found it fun.

Timepiece by Anna Simpson
What an imaginative piece this was. It was kind of like Groundhog Day–but not. And kind of like Back to the Future–but not. It was definitely, however, fast-paced, amusing, entertaining, frustrating, thriller-ish, and extremely sweet all rolled into one. VERY enjoyable.

The Thirteenth Day by L.S. Murphy
This story had a GREAT premise. Very original. Very well executed. With a likeable MC, who I found easy to connect with. Out of all of the stories, this one seemed the most fulfilling, but then as headliner, this story is twice as long as the others. And the outcome at the end? I won’t spoil it for you, but I had definite goosebumps at the realisation of exactly what Nixon’s actions had resulted in. Very good.

Stage Fright by Erika Beebe
This one was also enjoyable to read because the descriptions of the play happening onstage were so well executed, I could envision every step despite never having seen the portrayed musical. However at the same time, the story itself was creepy yet intriguing–but in a good and wholly speculative kind of way.

So, as you can see, I pretty much enjoyed all of these tales at some level, but if I had to draw my favourite, it’s a toughie, because right now, I’m struggling to call it between The Thirteenth Day, Timepiece, and Dragon Flight–so how about we call it a three-way tie. :D”

And now for the opportunity to win some great swag!

L.S. Murphy is the highlighted author in One More Day. She is also hosting a giveaway of lots of wonderful items you can win. So if time permits, please stop by her page, at the following link, and sign up for some great swag.

Have a lovely day everyone! Hugs!

Posted in cloud nine girl, Erika Beebe, One More day

5 Comments

Five Thoughts on Why We Should Study The Clouds

Jul 12

Posted by Erika Beebe

Do you see my butterfly?

Growing up, I always studied the sky. Clouds, stars, the tops of the trees, I loved to lie back, let the wind rush over my skin and slip through my hair, taking in a moment, letting my mind go, and drifting with whatever came into my sight. Life happens and we grow. We take on more responsibility. I forgot about the relaxation and the joy in many of these simple natural moments, trapped in the endless cycle of rushing, and thinking, and getting tasks done.

I’ve recently discovered the wonders of studying the clouds again, and I’m learning the art, remembering what I loved about it so much growing up—I’m teaching my kids to love it, too.

So I’m sharing what I’m learning. I compiled a list of why Cloud Watching is so good for the soul and how to begin it, and some of my thoughts came from the following web post, at cloudman:

1. Visual Distraction/Relaxation.
First, learning to quiet the mind is a difficult task. If I close my eyes longer than 10 seconds, I can’t hang on to a clean slate in my mind for long. Busyness slips in. Tasks slip in. But with the clouds, the sky, and the air all around you, it’s easier to let go, and to remind yourself as those thoughts try to wiggle back in, I don’t want to think about them now. I want a moment just for me.

2. Cost.

It’s a free way to relax and gain some balance. Breathing deeply is not something that comes easy when you’re stressed. In fact, it’s one of my first indications I’m feeling more stress than I should. As I stare at the clouds, I concentrate and take longer deeper breaths. I feel the rise of my chest and I try to count 5 seconds as I inhale. I visualize the air rushing to the tips of toes and I make sure to press my shoulders away from my ears. If you’re a visual learner and an experiencer like me, the world around you is a perfect place to keep your mind in check. Then you can get your body back in check and approach your stress with a calmer and more refreshed perspective.

3. Anecdote to Boredom.

Give your mind a new problem to solve. What do you see? When was the last time you saw an animal like that, or an object, and maybe you can backtrack to a great memory—one that makes you laugh or smile on the inside.

4. Science and Earth.

I’m pulling this one directly from the article a read.

“Planet Earth is unique because of the presence of water substance, and the fact that the 93,000,000 miles distance from the sun allows water to exist in all three of its states (gaseous, liquid, and solid). Simultaneously! Astronauts who made the trips to the moon were profoundly impressed by the beauty of the white/blue/green orb hanging against the blackness of space — the home they had left behind and to which they hoped to return.”

5. Clouds are a Moving Painting.

If you like art, watch the clouds. They constantly create a canvas of shape, natural beauty, and color. The lighting will never be the same again in that exact second, the next day, or any time down the road you think you might try to study the sky.

If you decide to try and watch the clouds, let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear what you saw and how you felt.

Hugs!

Erika

How about my sweet elephant?

Posted in appreciating beauty around you, cloud 9 girl, cloud nine girl, cloud watching, Erika Beebe, nature

Why We Have To Begin Again

Jul 8

Posted by Erika Beebe

source

Was there ever a moment in your life when you didn’t know something, you thought you could figure it out, so you tried and flopped, and felt so incredibly embarrassed you didn’t know what to do next?

This is a common feeling I have inside of me. Always wanting to figure out a problem on my own, thinking I can do it, stressing about it, and trying when all I had to do was ask.

It is kind of funny, because as I watch my kids, I see my daughter at three going through some of the same feelings. I give her a task, like putting on her shoes, or picking up her toys, and she runs off eager to do it, “all by myself.” Minutes later, I check in on her and I find her sitting on the floor, without her shoes, or her toys, looking up at me with big green eyes and a trembly lip. “Mommy, will you help me, please?” She asks.

Embarrassment. Pride. Afraid to ask that one simple question.

This past week, I flopped in the process of submitting my comments back to the publisher. So caught up in the content, and the grammar, and how to make the words perfect on the page, I didn’t focus on the method. I made my notes in the comments thinking it was the more respectful manner of submitting return edits, instead of directly editing my piece in track changes. Sigh. I tried. I honestly gave it my best effort in the moment and then I received the note back saying, I hadn’t done my edits correctly, and I felt terrible.

I took several longs breaths and I did what my mom always tells me to do when I make a mistake. Shake it off. Get back in the game and do it as quickly and respectfully as you possibly can. Next thing to always remember, feel good about yourself when it’s done. You learned something. You recognized a learning moment and you had and have, the opportunity to change.

So I responded to the initial email and I made my changes within 24 hours; but this time, I asked questions. I felt nervous and fluttery inside with the thought of not knowing what I desperately wished I’d known on my own, and it was difficult to hit the send button on the email, but I did. Within the hour, she got back with me and was so sweet and thorough, I felt like a fool for fearing the question in the first place.

I’m much wiser now, knowing I need to read everything out-loud to process, and above all things, ask questions.

Dreamcatching never gets easier no matter where you are in the process. You still have to continue to play ball. You still have to fine tune your craft and network, and relate to people, and above all things, be grateful for the time people spend teaching you.

So thank you to you, for taking time to explore this journey with me, and I hope you have a really lovely week.

Hugs!