Perspective

Lately I have been thinking a lot about perspective and how differently we see things from time to time. But do we really truly see?
Here are a few of my favorite quotes on perspective.

Those who believe they can do something and those who believe they can't are both right.
- - Henry Ford
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Anonymous
Before criticizing a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
- Old English Proverb
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
- William James
He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
- Louisa May Alcott
Recognizing my blindness is the first step toward regaining my sight.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

So . . . How Did I Use the Best Opening Line Contest Winner?

I'm so thrilled to share with you an excerpt from my next book in the Challissian series. It includes the winning entry. The tentative title is The Light of Day.

Excerpt

I will never forget the day I died. I remember it like it was yesterday. The translating of my body from mortal to immortal had taken no more time than the blinking of an eye.

The pain I suffered at the moment of my demise had been brutal but quick, the dagger piercing my heart with one-hundred percent accuracy. Of course, being held against the wall by my murderer while he did the deed insured accuracy.

Closing my eyes, I shake my head, shuddering slightly as I attempt to push the memory away. The event is now in the past and I have no desire to remember it any longer.

Let you mind be at ease, my heart.

My husband's deep voice enters my mind as his muscular arms enfold me in his warm embrace. Staring out our bedroom window at the beautiful mountainous Challissian landscape, I lean back against him and sigh, soaking in the comfort his warm being provides. He bends and rests his chin on the crown of my head.

You are safe now. You are mine and my blood now flows through your veins. You are home, and we will never be separated again.

Turning in his arms, I reach up and pull his head down. Pressing my forehead to his, I tangle my hands in his silky blond hair. How grateful I am for that.

He closes his violet eyes and sighs as his warm mouth meets mine, and the last lingering thought of my past life fades into nothingness.

Journey of Honor

I've been slacking on my blog posting, but now that I've been able to come up for oxygen, I am finally back. I've been pondering the importance of positive thinking again and came across a few good quotes.

Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror.
Remez Sasson

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?
Dennis and Wendy Mannering

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one.
Cavett Robert

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.
Author Unknown

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.
Francesca Reigler

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.
Ken S. Keyes Jr.

Suggested Reading

I had the privilege of reading Journey of Honor: A Love Story by Jaclyn M. Hawkes. It's a tender love story about a young woman who relies on her faith after suffering a terrible act of violence and a man searching for a truth and a happiness only she can give him.

The Book
Disowned, she came to American anyway. Attacked and left pregnant by a vicious mob, she still pressed on. Finally in spite of being accused of theft by the vilest of her attackers, Giselle tries to remain as upbeat and uncomplaining as a prairie wildflower as she travels on to Zion.

Thoroughly disillusioned with the ugliness and cruelty of slavery in the South. Trace Grayson leaves his young medical career to go west, hoping to leave bigotry and hatred behind. He begins taking goods by teamster train to sell in the territories. However, this fourth time across in July 1848, he's stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, waiting for enough wagons to join the train so that they can leave.

Knowing that if they don t start west soon, they ll be caught by snow in the mountains. Trace is thrilled when the final wagon signs on. Then, when the beautiful young Dutch girl traveling with the last wagon is falsely accused of stealing and is detained, the whole trip is jeopardized. Thrown together by circumstances, Trace and Giselle team up to begin to figure out just how to make this epic journey across a continent a success.

With a deep sense of honor and an equally strong sense of humor, together they learn to deal with everything except the one trial that neither of them can overcome.
This is a journey through the refiner s fire.

This is a great book and a fast read. I was easily pulled into the story and uplifted by the way Giselle and Trace handled the trials. This a a book you will want to read again and again. Get your copy of Journey of Honor by logging onto http://www.jaclynmhawkes.com/ or Amazon.com