PUBLISHED!

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for myself to publish my story...this was the year I would become a published author.  Well, I'm happy and proud to say that not only did I become a published author, I became an international best selling author, and #1 Best Seller in the US.  I am proud of the 105 other women co-authors - from all over the world - who collected their own inspirational stories and the work of Carla Wynn Hall and Laurie K. Grant to pull it all together into this beautiful anthology called Chocolate and Diamonds for the Woman's Soul.  The Kindle version released on September 13th (no Kindle required - I don't own one, but I have the app on every device I own so I can read wherever I am :)), and we're still sitting as #1 best seller in the US, and almost there in Canada.  The paperback will be released on October 4th.  I know some people are holding out for the paperback - me too.  But I couldn't wait to read this collection!  As much as I love holding a book in my hand, I also love the convenience of being able to read a book on my phone.  So, I have both, and almost always purchase both the Kindle and hard copy, especially when supporting my fellow author friends (of course, I want the hard copy with their personal message to me - it's a great way to connect!).

Chocolate & Diamonds for the Woman's Soul is a collaboration of stories from 104 writers who have released their legacy. Hot Pink Publishing hosts compilation programs for women who wish to tell their story. Our "Diamonds" shine brightly through every page. Unwrap the stories as you allow them to take you into the lives of women who have truly made an impact on the world through their stories. 

From stories of becoming instantly blind at the age of 23, to living life with a disabling condition, there is something in this book for everyone. 

SHE is a Diamond 
SHE has walked through the fire of adversity. 
SHE is a survivor or Domestic Violence. 
SHE is a cancer thriver. 
SHE released guilt, held for a lifetime. 
SHE wrote her story. 
SHE shines bright. 
SHE is a DIAMOND. 

Chocolate and Diamonds for the Woman's Soul contains "Timeless Treasures" to warm the heart and soothe the soul. Get it on Amazon! Get it for yourself, or as a gift...you'll love it, and we'll love you for supporting us! 

With my story, "Remembering Me and Breaking Free", my hope is that you will be inspired to have the courage to remember who you are and be free to be your true self, no matter what!  It's the story of how I came to remember who I truly was, and my yearning to be free to be me and to be loved as ME.  It's not the whole story (there's a ton more I have to say about it - that's coming; I'm currently working on the whole story, my journey of awakening, and hope to have it ready to publish in 2016).  In the meantime - FEED YOUR SOUL WITH SOME CHOCOLATE AND DIAMONDS!  Happy reading XOX

Linda J. Spencer
www.LindaJSpencer.com
https://www.facebook.com/LindaJSpencerWriter

What Inspires You? For me, it's Dragonflies and Fall...

Don't you just love fall?  With the smell of fallen leaves, the bright colors of red, orange and yellow littering the forest floors tantalizing your senses?  Getting the chance to harvest apples and pumpkins for yummy pies?  Mmmm...this is my favorite time of year...it's also when we have an influx of dragonflies visiting Ridgeview.  These little jewels fly around our heads and rest on a bush, ledge or even the walkway.  It's no wonder I chose the dragonfly as the symbol for Ridgeview and for Ridgeview Designs - they're so present here.  They've inspired me both in life and in writing - as can be seen in this month's issue of Sibyl Magazine, where you'll find my poem "Dragonfly" on page 27, along with photo credits for my sweetie pie, Steve Di Monte (Change Your Life Photography) for taking the cover shot of this issue - of a very beautiful model who has inspired me as a single mom and friend...my cousin, Patti.

This month's issue would have been my last, had it not been for Sibyl deciding to add a special issue for December, for which I will be submitting my final poem for Sibyl Magazine.  I am grateful to my Sibyl audience of the last three years for their readership and support, and I look forward to having future issues come in my in-box every month thereafter (especially when I get to see my sweetheart's work on the cover!).

Besides Nature and Dragonflies, the beauty of the changing seasons inspire me greatly - in writing, in photography, in decorating and creating new jewelry.  I look forward to seeing where this season's inspiration takes me (besides Italy, where I am right now, for the next two weeks, gathering all kinds of inspiration!).  I wonder, what inspires you?

Dragonfly

(©Linda J. Spencer)

Here, on the grounds of Ridgeview

The dragonfly hovers close to me

And finds his seat upon a post.

This jewel-red, warrior of water and sky,

Watching, curious, tilting his head

Breaking down the illusion of control

Seeing the truth that is – 

There is no control – only flow.

It is here that he plays the light

Through his translucent wings – 

Wings of flight – power to fly forward,

To carry him high in every direction he goes

Mastering the life in flight – 

Freedom!

Strength, courage,

Change, transcendence,

Perseverance, completion.

He turns his head toward me

Tossing a smile with his eyes, nodding

He sees the dreams that play in my head

Observing, never judging

I reach out to graze his wing,

Hoping to capture the essence of his plight

Smiling, communing

He nods to me, and once again takes flight.

This Body

How many of you have truly taken a look at your body - its curves, its lines, its story - without judgement, but full of appreciation for all of it?  Now, a couple of years ago, I would have had difficulty doing this without judging what I saw in the mirror.  What a difference removing judgement (not only with looking at my body, but with SO many things in my life)!!!  It took forty years, but I have finally come to appreciate all of it...filled with gratitude for my body - my divine vessel in which I am afforded the opportunity to experience THIS life on Earth - I wrote this poem, in tribute.

Photo by Change Your Life Photography

This Body – My Divine Vessel
(© Linda J. Spencer, 2013)

This body carried my children for nine months
And brought them into this world with love.
The scars are witness to the beauty of the birth,
And they are beautiful.
This body has carried me my whole life with ease and grace.
Its lines and creases are testament to this life.
This body moves with grace and feels the flow of life
It lets me know when to take a break,
And when it’s ready to run full out –
And I have learned to hear what it has to say.
This body allows me to dance among the trees,
In the light of the setting sun,
And under the starry full moon night.
This body receives the light and love that feeds my soul.
Its curves reflect that love,
And reflect its light back out to the world.
This body is a divine vessel which embodies my soul
And it is perfect, just as it is.


A couple of months ago, as part of a "homework" assignment (I use the term "homework" loosely, as it was more of an experience than homework) for a program I was taking, I was to look, or rather observe, myself in the mirror for 20 minutes - naked - without judgement.   This experience, along with reading about the experiences of others in the group and seeing myself in some amazing photos by Change Your Life Photography, inspired me to write this particular poem, which I am proud to say that you can find in the Oct/Nov 2013 issue of Sibella Poetry Magazine (click on the magazine cover artwork to enter the most recent issue).  Big thanks to Jennifer Hough of the Wide Awakening Team and the Innate Abilities Group for the inspiration :)

Words from a Photograph

I’ve experienced so much expansiveness in the last while and although not doing so much writing, there’s been a creative flow of a different kind.  A couple of months ago, I started doing a program which has opened not only my eyes, but all of my senses and my very being to a vastness of pure potential which I find absolutely amazingly fascinating.  With those experiences of the last few months, coupled with a recent opportunity to be the subject of a couple of photo shoots, I found myself falling in love with the images I saw, and more deeply in love with my own camera.  Those experiences have inspired me to be more attentive and present to what I see, and capture as much as I can with the lens - capturing the essence of what I see in nature – the greatest inspiration for my poetic verses. 

This week I chaired my Wordsmiths writing group meeting.  Inspired by the photos I had taken the week before at my parents’ farm, I decided we’d do an exercise that entailed writing the story that is happening outside the photo frame.  It’s one thing to see a photograph or a painting and write its story, but it’s something else to write what happening outside of that image.  The result – 8 wonderfully creative stories churned up in a 20 minute writing session.  Some of them will be developed into greater works of prose and poetry, I’m sure, and I look forward to my fellow wordsmiths to share their creations at a later date. 

I mentioned this writing exercise to my photographer later that night while discussing a shoot.  Inspired by a photograph that he took of me (probably my most favourite shot of them all).  It’s such a good piece that I asked his permission to share it here.  Thanks to Steve Di Monte of Change Your Life Photography for sharing.

 So, next time you're out and about, why not grab your camera and capture what you see.  Search the images to inspire you and dream up what’s happening around them…it’s a really fun exercise, and if nothing else will put a smile on your face as you reminisce through the photographs.  Happy writing :) :) :)

Sun-Sets and Sun-Rises

I've been sitting on this one for a while now, but upon reflecting on the glorious sunsets of the summer sun, I thought it's time to share...

Gazing in awe of the summer solstice sunset as it filled me with warmth and light.

Sun-Sets and Sun-Rises

(©Linda Spencer, 2013)

The sun rose and life began

With fluttering hearts

Many, many moons ago.

Life grew with vows of love

And tears of joy

As children’s laughter filled the rooms.

But life changes as it grows

And some resist its pull.

And now, as the sun sets on this day,

I know the sun will rise tomorrow

And in new light, I awaken.

Waking to a spring sunrise with a walk on the ridge.

And a bit of news with the sun rising on a new day:  I've been selected to write for Sibella Poetry Magazine (www.sibellapoetry.com) for a third year.  YEAH!  Thank you to all my followers and supporters for allowing me the chance to share my poetic verse <3 Mwah!