Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Quote of the Day -- " There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving,  And that's your own self. So you have to begin there, not outside, not on other people. That comes afterward,  When you've worked on your own corner. " ~ Aldous Huxley -- Chatter --  Dave and I have been working like little chipmunks in the office, getting all kinds of activities, projects and publications ready for the New Year. Less than one week away from making some major announcements about the changes and opportunities we have been working on for the beginning of '11. As you may already be aware the first editions of Trash Talk and Towards Understanding are going out of print and we have arranged to have them released in 2nd editions for 2011. So far, 3 of our books have been revised and made available as e-books... but this is just the start of things. Check out the site for the changes as they are happening: www.brummet.ca In between th...

-- Quote of the Day --   " The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us .”   ~ Voltaire -- Lillian's Referral Corner -- Check out these wonderful non-profit organizations via the sites listed below. If you can, perhaps you would like to send them a message of support - perhaps you might be able to share their information with your friends on social networking sites. Their work is definitely important, and we appreciate what they do. Vasavy Mahila Mandali (VMM) established forty years ago with Gandhian ideology as a not for profit secular voluntary organization is working in the rural as well as urban areas of Andhra Pradesh. VMM works with a vision to promote comprehensive social, economic and political development for women, children and youth in vulnerable situations, there by empowering communities in A.P to improve their quality of life, and build a better civil society in India. www.vasavya.com   On...

-- Quote of the Day -- "There can be no real freedom without the freedom to fail." ~ unknown -- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Changing Perceptions is our topic of the day - with guest  Barbara Joye : “ I have always been a coach whether in my position in business or as a friend and mentor, so becoming a belief coach was an easy transition ”, she says. Barbara continues to be a prolific writer, publishing articles in online magazines and a blog: Shifting with the Shift Guru . As well as hosting 2 radio show programs, she also facilitates workshops, seminars, and private sessions - assisting others to challenge their perspectives or beliefs, and in so doing, live the life they deserve. Her book, The Creation Formula is now available.    Join us for the live episode (& drop in the live chat room) at 10 - 11 AM (Pacific) today... or access the archive at your convenience via the hyper-linked show title above... or via the links on the si...

 -- Quote of the Day -- “ It is just so frustrating to sit back watch the news every night and think – ‘there are some really awful things going on out there’. But I can’t really do anything about it - you know, I still have to drive a car! And so it is difficult to just sit there and watch. And I was so happy to be able to go out there even just for a day and make a difference. …No matter how challenging or aggravating the day had been you always feel like it was worth it in the end because it was for such a good cause. …There are so many [volunteer] opportunities, even if you are not able to leave your house. …There are several great websites that serve as databases – where charities can put up posts on volunteer job posts .”  ~ Megan Hill Check out the archived discussion where this quote originated via the hyper-linked show title here: Service is Power . or look to the side bars for more recently aired Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show episodes -- Brumm...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Envy eats nothing but its own heart. "  ~ unknown - - Brummets In the Media --  We are proud to announce that one of Lillian's articles has been released through the Taking the Mystery Out blog, managed by Linda Faulkner... This article on time management for writers offers tips that will you save time and reduce frustration in the office. Check it out via this link: Time Management for Writers Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blogs, and more at: www.brummet.ca   * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or purchasing a book - each book sold raises funds for charity as well!

Dave and I wish all of our readers a warm, relaxing and fulfilling holiday season :) -- Quote of the Day --  “ There have been some interesting studies of the act of giving… and how it is tremendously healthy for the giver, as well as the recipient. …Volunteering is sometimes more personal than just writing a check, however both are good for the soul. …you get more out of life by giving than you ever could by receiving – giving in a meaningful way to organizations you believe in is a great way to really feel and see what it is you are getting involved in. …It gets people out and builds communities. These days with the ability to connect to the world can cause a separation from the community - so volunteering is a way to balance a person’s life. …It is you that has to do it; each of us have to make the time to get involved in the community. ”  Land Conservancy of BC – Bill Turner – Oct 19   Check out this interesting interview with the director of the Lan...

 -- Quote of the Day -- “ You may little suspect the fullness of someone’s character just from reviewing your memories. Your fathers character, say, goes on unfolding and you go on learning about him, from him. He returns to mind in flashbacks and reveries. As you age, and you become more like him, he often feels nearer. A glimpse in the mirror, a dish in the restaurant, a joke in an old movie and traits of his light up never having been noticed before. Under scrutiny, the images reveal more and more …teaching still. " ~ James Hillman Today's quote was chosen for all of our readers today who are experience memories, and loss, during the holiday season. Loved ones are especially missed during these holidays... even if we never celebrated the season with them. It is the frame of mind this holiday season puts us in, I think. We just feel closer to, and want to connect with people we are close to. Both my mother's birthday and the anniversary of her suicide is here - ...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ The great lesson . . . is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that it is to be found in one’s daily life, in one’s neighbors, friends, and family, in one’s backyard .”     Abraham Maslow  -- First Day of Winter -- Today is the official first day of winter - just when rain is predicted for the xmas season! -lol- Well, I suppose this means there will be lots of snow... in the mountains. Having dogs, when it rains they also get wet - and muddy - and bring that into our house, increasing the work load. However, they are both really patient and will stay by the door to get toweled dry and have their feet wiped off... most of the time! I'd like to encourage our readers to download any of the nearly 400 archived interviews and educational discussions from the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show in preparation for the 2011 season. Many of our listeners tell us they enjoy downloading the shows to their listening device of choice...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are ." ~ Chinese Proverb -- Updates & Announcements -- * We will be slowing down a little bit for the holiday season and to mid-January as well, in that I won't be hosting the radio show as frequently and there will be a few less other things going on. This is due to the holiday season - of course - but also due to the many changes we have planned for January 2011.  * We now have a new widget for our blog readers... by entering your email address in the green widget (look to the upper left sidebar on this blog), you will receive the bi-weekly newsletter - Brummet's Muse - and a copy of an e-book (12 page) titled: Jump Start 4 Writers . You will also be given the opportunity to sign up for writing or environmental tips and articles.   * Raise funds for your favorite charity, community group event (i.e. a seniors gardening group), or support your own services - Become...

-- Quote of the Day -- " The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself ." ~ Mark Caine -- Alternative Energy -- Wind power definitely holds promise as one of the leading alternative energies being employed across the globe. There have been all kinds of innovations from learning how high they should be, what color they need to be, and how fast the blades turn - in order to have a safe co-existence with flying creatures and the voracious human need for land. Just recently I learned of a wind turbine that can fold as much as 90 degrees - preventing damage from strong winds, such as typhoons. A few weeks ago I had a discussion with an inventor on our radio show who was saying that this kind of damage, depending on the area, might be prevented with redesigning the shape of the blade, and having it automatically turn sideways, rather than facing a strong wind.  -- Did You Know?? -- Did you kno...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ When we are calm, we can be clear – Sometimes there are dangers, but we have to be calm to decide what to do. …We all have expectations – how we think something will turn out; often there is a huge difference between our expectations and what is really going on. …Be really in the present moment, embrace the present moment – don’t fight it and hate it because it isn’t looking like what you expected. …So, we are not reacting to what is actually happening, we are reacting to what we imagine might happen. …Even when we are facing a difficult prognosis, just stay in the moment, stay with what is happening right now, in the room… and you can handle it. …We don’t know how anything is going to work out – so it is very wise to stay in the moment. …This world is endlessly fascinating and beautiful and the more you are able to not fear it, the more your life is filled with possibility .”  Today's quote was derived from the Fearless Living interview with Brend...

-- Quote of the Day --  "Those who are lifting the world upward and onward  Are those who encourage more than criticize."   ~ Elizabeth Harrison      -- Chatter -- Whew! The day is already well on the way and I feel like I am dragging along behind the ticking of the clock. ...Well, at least I'm not throwing a tantrum - yet. :) I kid, of course, and actually feel blessed that there is so much to do. So many other writers continue to struggle to build a strong networking team, to develop a strong contact list, to have outlets like a radio show and a blog to manage - and so, I am blessed. Today finds me under a mountain of emails, and January show outlines to develop. I was hoping to get back to the last of the first edits of the second book in the Trash Talk series - but that will have to wait for another day or two. I'll be all too happy to hand that project over to Dave for the final proofreading and formatting stages. This project is due to be pu...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you, But by what you bring to life; Not so much by what happens to you, But what happens to you through the way Your mind looks at what happens ." ~ Lewis Dunnington -- Brummet's & the Media -- Media and print producer Linda Leon, is  also the host of the Book That Author talk radio show devoted to authors, editors and other book professionals in the writing industry. Lillian is excited to be invited to participate in this radio program today as their featured guest. Check out the Marketing Experts interview via the hyper-links here in this post. * The show airs live at 9:30 (pacific) and will be archived as well for those who cannot make the live broadcast. -- Conscious Discussions Radio --  Conscious Discussions Radio airs live today at a slightly different time, due to the interview scheduled this morning... Today's discussion on the World of Writing will talk a...

-- Christmas Wrapping Paper Woes -- A great way to reuse wrapping paper and paperboard boxes is to create beautiful, and reusable, gift bags and gift boxes.  The term paperboard boxes refers to cereal, cracker or pasta boxes and the like. For the suggested gift-box project you can also use shoe boxes or any similar box with a lid. Alternatively you can build your own boxes simply by taking a larger box, undue all the folds and lay it flat on the working surface.  Simply design the box according to the dimensions that you require – all you need is a little know-how, a ruler, pencil and a sharp craft knife or scissors and some glue. Be sure to allow the glue to cure, once the box is constructed, before going on to the next step. To make seasonal gift-bags , wrap a paperboard box as you would a gift, except you need to leave the top open. Fold the top inch or two of the wrapping paper over the edge of the top of the box, and glue in place. Punch two holes at the top of t...

 -- Quote of the day -- " To effectively communicate, we must realize that  we are all different in the way we perceive the world  and use this understanding as a guide  to our communication with others ."   ~ Anthony Robbins   -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Our Guest today:  Dr. Sophia Yin is a veterinarian, applied animal behaviorist, speaker and author of numerous scholarly articles and books about pets and their training. I found it quite interesting that among her numerous educational achievements, Sophia also studied vocal communication in dogs and worked on behavior modification in horses, giraffes, ostriches and chickens. Her work today involves making house-calls for behavior consulting, teaches dog training and kitty kindergarten classes, works at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists (www.SFVS.net), writes for several veterinary and popular magazines and facilitates workshops on animal behavior and low stress handlin...

-- World of Writing Interview # 35 --  Joining us today on the Brummet's Conscious Blog is our featured guest of  the day: Teresa Morrow. She is an Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ™ ( http://www.wemagazineforwomen ),contributes a weekly post on   Successful Blog titled, " Social Media Book List " and is a monthly blogger for BookBuzzr ( http://www.bookbuzzr.com ). She combines her three passions:  writing, reading and networking in her business, Key Business Partners , LLC.  She manages online promotional campaigns for authors to ease the stress of  doing it all by themselves.  Teresa is passionate about her work as she helps bring her clients unique message to the world.  She is available for 20 minute free consultation. Find Teresa @ Key Business Partners  www.keybusinesspartners.com Q: Did you take any writing classes? A: No, I didn't take any writing classes, however, I have joined some writing groups which helps ...

-- Quote of the Day -- "This one moment – NOW – is the only thing you can never escape from, the one constant factor in your life. No matter what happens, no matter how much your life changes, one thing is certain; it’s always NOW. Since there is no escape from NOW, why not welcome it, become friendly with it?” ~ Eckhart Tolle -- Food Production -- I'd like to start off today's post with some thoughts on food production. While at the grocery store I had a heck of a time finding a brand that was produced in our province, BC – and once I found the 3 brands, I chose the jumbo size due to the kind of baking I was intending on doing. Anyway, upon bringing it home I realized that the packing, the egg carton itself, was produced in Washington, USA – while the eggs were farmed in BC. Interesting… Well inside the packaging it stated that recycling polystyrene cartons is possible – we can mail them to  Dolco Packaging  1029 S. Columbia Street  Wanatchee, WA  9...

 -- Quote of the Day -- “Don’t cry because it’s over,  Smile because it happened."  ~ Dr. Seuss -- For the Bereaved -- A shout out to Skye Wentworth who sent a query our way for today's featured guest on this blog. For many of us, the holidays can be bitter-sweet with memories of those we've lost. I am honored to present to you this article by Elissa Al-Chokhachy , which may help us all through some difficult emotions at this time of year. Elissa (MA, RN, CHPN, FT) is a certified hospice nurse with Merrimack Valley Hospice in Massachusetts and the author of Miraculous Moments: True Stories Affirming That Life Goes On. Find today's guest at: http://miraculousmoments.com   Holiday Hope and Miracles: A Time of Remembrance
 By Elissa Al-Chokhachy Winter holidays are filled with joy and celebration.  During this time, millions of  people reverently pay homage to the miracles in their faith traditions and  heritage.  Others celebra...