MONA IN THE 6IXX BLOG

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You can’t spend the Rest of your Life on a Fence you have to Get-off at some Point

**A SMAL PART OF SCARBOROUGH’S CENTURY OLD HISTORIC FENCES**

Welcome again to my Blog and thank you again for sharing your time with me. On one of my many walks around the 6IXX; I often encounter unique people, places and things along the way and they become a part of my story. Hence, this old fencing in my community; which must be from the few collection of old historic farm houses and properties that still dot our neighborhood. This old fence to me represented: family, friends, ownership, wealth, poverty, history, heritage, time, people, community, environment, friend-enemies, agriculture, legacy, work/labour, evolution, border, limit, barrier etc. And after all that I could think of that it represented; the most important one that personally adversely affected me is…the indecision of sitting on a fence.

Life is all about Fences

You may not realize it; but we make decisions to not sit on the Fence of life every day of our lives. I want to roll over in bed one more time, but I have to get up and…or get to. I don’t want to do this or do that; are all decisions to put off making decisions. My biggest indecisions have always been around living out my dreams or my personal desires that puts my needs first. It is easier for me to help someone live out their dreams, than to give myself permission to put me and mine first. That is my biggest fence and as a self-publishing author, and self-employed entrepreneur; I explicitly understand the guilt “Self” in anything sounds to most people. With comment like “You don’t have a job?” Some just say “So you don’t work” no matter what you tell them or what they see. Because they don’t see any value in what you do; it can’t be work and shi, I meant shoot, you’re enjoying yourself too. How dare you? When they hate their jobs, bosses and most of their colleagues; just remember misery loves company.

Make a Leap of Faith Whatever it is! Taking a leap of faith is always frightening, trust me; I have frightened my-self a number of times. I am sure a few people along the way have privately and some publically certified me crazy, but not dangerous. Like the time I took the bus to New York City, took public transit, visited the company owner and came back within twenty-four hours with products or decided to raise my our children on my own or leave Celestica to start my own business or leave business partner to start own business or write two books and launch then. All these were “Acts of Faith” and sometimes; that faith ran paper thin and even fail in moments of deep doubt, stress and disappointments. Fences help me to get up every-time I fall down, every-time I stumble, every-time I fail, every-time I question myself, every-time I have a doubt.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I LEARNED

The fence in this picture reminded me that even though it was old, weathered, battered, beaten and worn. It stood strong, erect, majestic and elegant in a timely kind of way being more than one hundred years old; it still had a lot to teach me about patience, commitment and steadfast silent fortitude. The Fence, like you and I have chosen to become a part of history or to make it. Love what you do with passion.

Thank you for sharing a small part of your day with me; I hope you enjoy these posts. Please leave a comment, tell a friend and or share a story. Have a great weekend and stay safe. And remember do something spontaneous and unexpected.

NO ONE SAYS LIFE IS GOOD OR PERFECT ALL THE TIME

Welcome to my BLOG and thank you for joining me; it has been one hundred and forty-four days since my last post. I started this Blog as an opportunity to share my experiences, thoughts, my writings, personal and others journey and to explore my evolution. However, I failed over the past one hundred and forty-four days. I could not find the words or inspiration to share, when I was going through my own personal crisis. I was in a spiral and how could I inspire anyone or say anything inspirational when I was not feeling inspired. I had to hit rock bottom, fight back and hit rock bottom again a few more times. I was feeling like a Yo-yo in a skilled master’s hand, while riding on the back of a surfer.

I realized, I had to go through all the feelings; the hurts, disappointments and pain in order to let it go. Also it brought up things that I had buried decades ago and decided to just move on without acknowledging the feelings or hurt. My mind constantly reminded me of all the things I was trying to forget and thought I had forgotten. It was a battle royal that had me completely off the rail; as I tried to resolve unresolved trauma. The same advice I got and the talk I gave to myself; I share with you today. Allow yourself time to cry, be angry, hurt, upset and come to terms and workout how to deal with all that YOU are feeling; while maintaining YOUR mental health. Face them, talk about them and your feelings, forgive, focus, recharge and get back to doing what you love. Exercise, rest, eat right, pamper yourself and give yourself some “I LOVE YOU” talks.

The most important tool I had to go back to is my thoughts of the FUTURE and that LIFE IS GOOD no matter what the challenges today. LIFE IS GOOD and as long as I was alive, I had an opportunity to make GOOD on and of life. Sure it was not going to be easy or always pleasant, life is like that and it may even send you in a spiral at some point in the future. Thankfully you will have some experience and tools to tackle them. Most of all love, be in love and be gentle with yourself and do something special for you. Thank you for sharing a small part of your day with me; I hope you enjoy these posts. Leave a comment, tell a friend and share a story. Have a great day or weekend and stay safe. And remember do something spontaneous and unexpected.

I started out by putting myself in a Box

Welcome again to my Blog and thank you for sharing your time with me. On my many walks in the 6IXX always brings curious on-lookers. Very few will enquire once they see my book/s is the focus of my attention. Sometimes, someone will stop, ask and we exchange a short conversation with me giving them my card. I had posted over thirty posts within the above box before my son said “Mom, you should post the pictures without the box. I can’t do anything special or extra with them.” Well, he didn’t need to tell me twice; the pictures were posted with little cropping, no filters and it became easier to add new pictures and engage. It has been a grind, I am finally seeing the growth creeping up, reaching new people leading to more sales.

My Box had to go, not only in my posts but also in every aspect of my new writing career and me. I lacked the confidence and experience as a new self-published author to navigate this new endeavor; faced a learning curve that would be costly with no agent or professional guidance. I still have no agent, promoter or marketing team; however my most important ammunition in my toolbox is my friend, mentor and advisor Olive Rose Steele (Author of Cry Tough, After all this time, Still and And when we Pray). Olive’s tireless support and guidance helped me become a better writer, marketer, promoter and have control over all that I put out in public. This is your number one priority is to find someone like that to hold you accountable, on track and sane.

Being outside the Box gave me a better Look at my world and beyond

**INTERNATIONAL NEWS STAND CEDARBRAE MALL**

After almost eighteen months after I launched The Chronicle and Turning Point, on Paperback and now Kindle Edition. I am finally seeing my ranking change. With Best Sellers Rank: #997,299 in Books, #4,110 in Black & African American Women’s Fiction, #12,158 in Domestic Life in Women’s Fiction, #18,888 in Family Life (Books) and or the Customer Reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings; one of which was my own; snuck in before I read all the rules. good news right…

It did not garner that enthusiast warm and fuzzy feeling and it did not matter that my ranking had moved up over four million places. What I saw was all my extra work, input, marketing, promotions, talking, learning, sweating, sleepless nights and postings on multiply platforms etc., had not increased my bottom-line. And all my financial sources were drying up quicker than the waters in the Great Lakes and beyond.

I could not see the forest from the trees and had counted all my chickens before they hatched; the house was built with wood from the forest and extra eggs were hatched, scrambled and or sold. I had put myself in this Box of expectations that gave me no room for surprises or disappointments, other than what I wanted and saw. Well, life always has its own surprises waiting for us; especially when we have created our perfect little plans, universe and Box.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I HAVE LEARNED

This International News sign seemed so appropriate to post my new venture; I wanted to broadcast it to the world, I have arrived with a bang and not a whimper. I landed somewhere in-between and was just happy to finally have my work out there. This journey has forced me to be patient, agile and persistent. I have learned to be fluid, focus, creative, consistent, persistent bold, resourceful, skillful and have the ability to change direction and thinking when needed quickly. Most of all, I found out that I am stronger than I think, more capable than I gave myself credit and able to make life-changing decisions without consent or permission. I learned even is-spite of all my doubts, inadequacies, shortcomings, challenges and non-existent budget; I am doing it. I am doing it and getting better every day at making the impact that will eventually change my destiny.

I had to take my Box and smash it; dare to dream even bigger and live it live, no matter what happens or come’s what may. With all the challenges of these past few years and all the mental, emotional and psychological upheaval that we have all experienced and survived together. Just remember no matter what life brings your way; keep the faith, because the more life messes with your good intended plans the greater the victory and rewards. so go live your dreams now and never look back! Thank you for sharing a small part of you day with me; I hope you enjoy these posts. Please leave a comment, tell a friend or share a story. Have a great day or weekend and stay safe. And remember to do something spontaneous and unexpected.

Your Time for Self is One of the Foods that Feeds the Soul Body and Mind

Welcome again to my Blog and thank you again for sharing your time with me. On one of my many walks around the 6IXX; I often encounter unique people, places and things along the way and they become a part of my story. Hence, the picture of this sign at a local business in Cedarbrae Mall and their juices and protein drinks and how it reminded me of my visit with my brother in Atlanta, Georgia. When I visited, I was surprised by the copious amounts of protein shakes father and son drank and how little home-cooked meals they ate each week. And if you know anything about Atlanta, Georgia or the United States in general; you know there are a plethora of restaurants and fast-foods everywhere. The first day I arrived, I went shopping; not because they didn’t have food in the house but because; I had four children and a particular way of eating. So I started to cook. My brother ate like it was Christmas in July; it was a feast and treats for him, his family and mine. We bonded over our first meal together after discovering we were sibling years earlier.

It was a grueling marathon twenty-six hour journey from Toronto to Atlanta on four buses and just as many hours coming back and was an wonderful and unforgettable once in a lifetime family trip; I will never take again by bus. Yet, I met some great people and a gentleman name Kevin who had been traveling twenty-six hours already and had another fifteen to go once we had reached our destination. He did that every three or four months to visit family over the past ten years and loved it; slept sitting up. The contracting beauty and sadness of the country was complimentarily contracted by the various range of people I saw along the way. It was ‘Time Well Spent’ I digress; oh, yes the topic was our time.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I LEARNED

Give Time and Commitment Boundaries to Yourself and Others – Learning how to manage my time and how much to give away has always been a challenge; in the past family, children, friends and community came first. I had to take back control of my time and life if I wanted to finally take care of me and I can assure you it has cost me on some very personal levels. It is a work in progress.

Over the past two pus years, I have lost over 50 pounds (thanks Marlin Herbs), completed Mona’s Secret Diaries Book One & Two available in paperback and Kindle eBooks, working on Book Three and a new novel after the Mona’s series completion visit https://amazon.com/author/agelliott. I learned how to set-up, use various social media more affectively; launching Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, Google Drive, About Me and my Amazon Authors Page and more promotional platforms. I learned how to create my own website, blog, professional promotional materials and soon videos. I have launched my Mona in the 6IXX Blog at https://authoragelliott.ca and will launch my author novels website in a few months and so much more.

What I have learned is priceless in terms of time, knowledge and money; most importantly I know now and can Self-Help Myself (a double thanks Author Olive Rose Steele). I took back my time and started putting me first, loving me first, choosing me first, helping me first; a first for me. I am still discovering this other whole new amazing me. And you will too; if you are willing to gift yourself your time to discover YOU!

Thank you for sharing a small part of your day with me; I hope you enjoy these posts. Leave a comment, tell and friend and or share a story. Have a great weekend and stay safe. And remember do something spontaneous and unexpected.

Taking a Swing at Life is worth the Leap

Welcome back to my Blog, thank you again for sharing your time with me. On one of my many walks around the 6IXX; I often encounter unique people, places and things along the way and they become a part of my story. Hence, this Swing in Lusted Park, where I often used to go over these many years to play with my children, watch an outdoor movie, firecrackers, walks, have picnics, watch the birds and squirrels, hang out or have a quiet moment and swing. I remember enjoying this simply activity for hours. Even as a child, I wanted to go higher and higher; until the swing buckled.

My stomach used to drop, my heart raced and I would jumped out at its highest point in a fearless leap. Today, the leap scared the doo-doo out of me and sent my heart racing like a cardiac arrest was a sure thing. My leaps now, so low my nine-year old grandson easily out leaping me and where did that fearless lion heart go? The one that would leap without looking or was ready to meet or make destiny wherever and whenever it showed up. What happened to adventures with no destination, maps or map quest or google map?

Life happened and requires all adults for the most part to be responsible participants in life. Now, life required plans to be made and some kind of road map to get to your destination or goal. We get caught up in the “Plan” to get that education, job, savings, house, family and finally retirement freedom before we die. Heavens forbid if you have none or just some of these; then you will be forever listed in the “Plan on failing if you fail to plan” category of life. When plans fail as they sometimes will and do; it’s an opportunity to start anew or rework the plan.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I LEARNED

No matter how many plans or road maps we make for our life or others; life, time and circumstances can change all that in a blink of an eye and completely devastate everything and everyone. And if your perfect plan of a life has given you everything you have ever wanted and ask of it. Watch out! A life without struggle, pain, disappointment, hurt, laughter, tears, peace, fighting, trauma and drama, chaos; is a life less lived and will falter under the slightest strain of anyone of these. Like the tire, rubber, wood, plastic, metal, rope knot swings of my childhood and youth. I had to adapt to each new swing and plan how I could possibly enjoy it. Some worked and others didn’t last for long; like the tire swing and how long could anyone really stay on that before they got sick. At some point you have to walk off or jump off your swing and continue on your destination. You’ll be fine once your head stop spinning.