Saturday Seven (Feb 23, 2019)

Happy Saturday, What have you been up to this week? I had a long to-do list and I got off course a few times but overall it is all good! Here is a run down of highlights for the week. I hope you find then useful in your life! My goal as a person and a writer is to always Pay-It-Forward so please let me know how I can help you. YES YOU!
Enjoy your Weekend & this post! Amazing things to come!
~Amy

•  What am I Reading? –  This week I could not put down Gavin by Russell, a crime thriller for the ages! Love, Love, love it! Also took some time to read a terrific blog post on Social Media Marketing by Jenn Hanson-dePaula at Mixtus Media - My Secret to Creating Successful Social Media Posts. Very interesting and insightful, you can follow Jenn on Twitter @mixtusmedia

•  What am I Listening to? – Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. If you are a writer or any kind of artist, I HIGHLY recommend this book. It is inspiring in its look at the source and life of creative thinking and living a creative life. This will be the third time I’ve listened to it on Audible and I just drink it in! Read my review on my blog for more details.
•  What Quote am I pondering? ~ You don't have to do the picture, you don’t have to do the autograph, but it's important to take that moment to make a human connection. ~ Cindy Crawford (Happy Birthday, Cindy!)
•  What am I Researching? – I am always attempting to better myself not only as a writer but as a person. Researching and reading up on the latest, greatest and sometimes the past. As a writer aka business owner, I have been researching how success works and who are the leaders. One of the people I have found very helpful is Tim Ferriss (@tferriss. He gave me the idea for a Saturday Seven from his Five Bullet Friday Emails (thank you, Tim!)
• Yummy Meal of the week – This week we were working on a tight budget so no Taco Bell! Instead, I fixed an amazing Zucchini Lasagna using the zucchini as the lasagna noodles! It was super delish! Check out the recipe here. 
• What did I Learn this week? –  BIG lesson for me this week, on allowing myself to feed into a sudden feeling of being overwhelmed. I am a Mother of four, and a full-time corporate employee along with a writer. I am writing a blog post on how to juggle and how momentum is awesome and terrifying at the same moment.  I am learning it is okay to take a step back, take a breath, regroup and start again instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden over not being in complete control.  I can do this. I am doing this. I will achieve my goals.
• What am I Watching? – New on Netflix is The Umbrella Academy, the show is very interesting and beyond entertaining. It reminds me of a cross between The Watchmen and High School Musical. Corny and comical at times it also has a deeper message that is subtle in its context.  I’ve also read a bunch on the graphic-novel creator, Gerard Way who was the lead vocalist and co-founder of the rock band My Chemical Romance until 2013.

 Have any thoughts on my week’s activity or want to make a recommendation? Drop me a line, or a tweet. One lucky commenter will win a free Romine book of their choice! Never want to miss a blog post or a Saturday Seven? Join my mailing list and I will be happy to send it straight to your inbox!

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Review - Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

"Inspired, Intuitive and a Gift to Any Reader with a Creative Soul"

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work,  embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.

Review

As an author, and overall creative person I found myself struggling to focus my creative flow amidst some personal chaos. I was flailing creatively and looking for something inspiring for not only my creativity but my life, I needed direction.

I didn’t read Eat, Pray Love but I know of the book. This is the first book by Elizabeth Gilbert I have read.

From the very beginning I was pulled in by Gilbert's natural creative voice. Gilbert is funny, blunt and insightful in her explanation of her creative process. The personal stories she infuses into the book are heartfelt and real anyone with a creative spirit could and will connect with the words of this book.  While it is a book about living  creative life it is supportive by a very descriptive memoir giving the reader insight into who this writer is and how she fell into success. 

Gilbert is undeniably dedicated to her craft. She shares her love, her frustrations and her path with a witty banter you will love. 

My favorite theme in Big Magic is her explanation about inspiration and ideas, how they are living breathing wisps of fate wandering around looking for a home. Someone creative will connect with these wisps and almost audition. If the idea and you get along you will live, grow and bring the idea to life.  It sounds a little kooky but I find it to be amazingly accurate. 

The book is an enjoyable and uplifting read and I find myself referring back to Big Magic in my times of crisis, and self doubt. I have sincere thanks to Gilbert for writing such an enlightening and inspiring book!

Get Big Magic Now, I have the book as well as the audio book. It is a great one to listen to while walking in the park or even on a treadmill. 

BUY IT NOW! Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

 
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Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!