by Iona Morrison | Nov 16, 2016
Here it is again November with Thanksgiving a week away and Christmas not far behind.
I’m always surprised at the wonder a day can bring if I watch it unfold with gratitude. An unexpected event, a kindness shared, or new person who opens their heart to me. It still has the power to amaze me after all these years. Anne Lamott puts it this way. “Gratitude tugs on our sleeves and says, “Wake up!” Look around at the kindness that surrounds us, the love we are being shown, the hope that now makes sense. Emily Dickinson wrote that “hope inspires the good to reveal itself,” and we can be taken aback by a sense of amazement at how much someone has shared with us, or even sacrificed, for us, for cranky, secretive, mealy-mouthed you, and me.
I think gratitude is one of our most attractive and wonderful emotions. It’s the shaking of our head in quiet wonder at how much good is entwined in the ups and downs of our life. It surprises us with revelation of how enriched our life is because of someone’s love, simple acts of kindness, or help. The magic of gratitude is it connects us back to the life we were meant to live awakened and aware.
I like the feel of waking up and looking around me, to see in one moment the beauty of life that I rarely see. I like being hit in my heart with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. I could feel it the other day at a memorial service of a young man. He died suddenly and way too young, but he had lived fully. He had touched so many others in his short life. I was grateful to have met him and for him being my son’s friend. Gratitude came in a sigh of relief when my husband was told he was cancer free and doing well. The glorious feeling of being grateful arises when I look at my sons and grandchildren. Oh, I will be thankful this year as I have in years past on the day we set apart to say thanks, but truthfully, I love it when gratitude sneaks up on me a grabs me by my heart and says wake up!
Happy Thanksgiving!
by Iona Morrison | Sep 25, 2016
The first cool days of fall are such a welcome relief from the heat of summer. With the leaves changing into their glorious autumn colors I have to say this is my favorite season of the year. It always feels as if it is the start of a new year to me, instead of in January. I guess it’s because summer changes the routine of life a little and the familiar returns in the fall. It’s time for me to take a deep breath and do a little bragging about some totally awesome kids.
My youngest granddaughter received an award for a special project she did. Fiona, a third grader, decided that she wanted to support a clean water project in Kenya. She gave a presentation at an adult Sunday school on the challenges people can face in accessing clean water and how that can impact the ability of girls to attend school. Fiona’s original goal was to earn $10, which would have raised enough money for one clean water kit – but through her presentation and by selling her drawings over social media and at an outdoor stand, she raised enough to buy a whole well. This well supports 159 students and their teachers in Kenya in having access to clean, safe drinking water in their school. Fiona said, “My two favorite parts were drawing the pictures and hearing how many people I gave clean water. When I heard how many people I helped, I felt proud of what I did. She was given The Young Humanitarian Award from a woman from the nation of Kenya. We are so proud of her.
From soccer games, acts of kindness, and rounds of birthdays it has been a summer filled with grandkids and all their special accomplishments. Artwork, a first round of paintball,Tae Kwon Do, track, and a story translated into French are among a few of this summer’s highlights. My oldest grandson is taking a creative writing class which makes this author grandmother happy. A story he wrote last year took second place in the school writing contest. Besides bringing laughter, and energy to anything they do they are great dreamers. One wants to design video games, one is learning Japanese and wants to go to Japan and another has dreams of going to Paris. Add to the mix they are kind and caring to those in need and you can see why I think bragging is okay once in a while.
by Iona Morrison | Aug 11, 2016
Blurb: Jessie is enjoying an evening run, grateful her life is finally back to normal. Starting the incline toward home, a sudden terror grips her. Someone is watching her. She picks up her pace, but he’s hot on her heels—and he means to kill her. She narrowly manages to elude her pursuer and reach the safety of her house. The first one she calls for help is the man she has grown to love, Matt Parker.
Matt already has his hands full dealing with a notorious hitman who’s in the area and a thug who followed a visitor to Blue Cove. Now Jessie is in danger, and Matt will do anything to keep her safe. He can’t lose her now.
When Matt becomes the target, it’s Jessie’s turn to help. She has a few surprises in store as a few ghostly friends come to her aid.
by Iona Morrison | Jun 16, 2016
The future belongs to those
who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
~Eleanor Roosevelt~
I like this statement by Eleanor Roosevelt. I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer. Reading a book it was easy for me to imagine a different ending. I was the kid sitting in class that was always daydreaming.One of those dreams was to have a book published. I just received my third published book and the thrill is still there may I say. The release date for The Game Changer is June 29 and I have another one coming close on its heels. I’ve enjoyed this phase of my life it has been quite a journey.
Here is a small collection of some of my thoughts. I’m placing them here for me. I write so many little things daily and quickly forget them so this is my therapy for the week.
Life may not let me change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust the sails
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When you learn you can trust someone unexpected and joyous things can happen
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When life hands you a tough hill to climb it’s best not to look down until you reach the top. From the top you can see how far you’ve come not how far you have to go. It can be a dizzy delight…
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May you hear the whispers of your heart and keep looking up.
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Actions do speak louder than words.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou~
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Often life surprises us, and sometimes we surprise ourselves.
We have been land locked for too long. It’s time to see the ocean again. This is the year. What’s not to love about a few days at the beach. Except for sand in your shorts, which isn’t that bad when you consider the view. Dreaming…. Enjoy a lovely week
by Iona Morrison | May 30, 2016
I have been thinking for several weeks now, I need a road trip. I’m in search of a town that looks like the one in my books. It is visually clear in my mind; an ocean front community, with some great little shops, and wonderful views of the ocean. I want to spend a few days there getting a feel for the area, and their way of life. Call it a therapy session, research, or vacation, I can hear it calling my name.
Life has a way of trapping us in routine and the mundane. Don’t get me wrong routine can be good, there’s a certain comfort in it. But, an open road, and a little time away is equally satisfying. The past several years has taken me on a transformational journey. Not an easy time, by any stretch of the imagination, but it helped me reinvent myself after a major career shift.
I started writing Novels, which in itself has been therapy. I have characters living, breathing, and telling their story in my head. They have added another dimension to who I am and I love them for it. From the cars that they drive, to the way they interact, I enjoying watching them come to life. I can’t always change the things happening around me, but in their world and on paper I can.
The third book in the Blue Cove Mystery Series will be out on June 29. The Game Changer starts in Blue Cove, travels to Palm Springs, and then back again. I’m ready for my road trip. The only question I have is, do I take Matt’s truck, Jessie’s car, or maybe the dream express?
