Recently a question 'Why do you want to write this story?' was asked regarding keeping one's writing on track.
Why write? The subject interests me, and I am prepared to do the research to ensure accuracy. However, it's more than just interesst but this answer will suffice for the present. For me, the concept of 'on track' is the intriguing part of the discussion.
It's not so much keeping my writing on track as utilising the opportunities that arise which will enhance the final writing project. I'll give a couple of examples. Writing my mother's story deciding whether it is more akin to the style of a novel or purely factual and I received an invitation to interview my mother for the company Boral. Mamma was their first female accountant in 1949 and the company celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016. So, to cut a long story short, my article on Mamma was published in December. Straying from writing the story - yes, but that section of her life in the story will be much richer because of the interview for Boral.
The second writing project is of transformation and chronic pain - and what writing style is satisfying to me and engaging for the reader? At a crucial time of decision making (early 2015) I was offered and accepted writing a column in a magazine writing on that very subject! A book perhaps from that??? Stay tuned...

I'll leave you with this parting thought - do you see procrastination, diversions as a hindrance or do you recognise the opportunities that these might create?

Wishing you all the best for the festive season, Christmas, Hanukkah, and the many festivals that are celebrated at this time of year. Thank you for your interest and support over 2016. Good health and happiness for 2017. Safe travelling. Blessings Suzanne

"Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds."
~Orison Swett Marden

Image: Tree growing on pavement in Hong Kong - Clément Bucco-Lechat
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Tree_growing_on_pavement_in_Hong_Kong.JPG

Listening to Marcia Wieder’s DreamSteps – The Power of Dreaming (from the Dreamsteps video series), Marcia suggests writing down one dream that’s really important to you. If time and money were not issues, if you had the support of the people around you, and – most importantly – if you truly believed in yourself, what would you do? Where would you go, what would you create, what would you change?

My dream is to: Take my books to the world.

This is not all about being a great author. Instead, by way of explanation I’ll offer an example.
In the past when I demonstrated tai chi two types of compliments would flow my way.
1. Your tai chi looks so good. (my response “thank you I am glad that you enjoyed watching” or similar).

More importantly though
2. Your tai chi made me feel so relaxed/ calm/ forget my troubles for a time etc etc. (I smile no words necessary, the person is obviously still in that lovely space)

This is my job done – allowing people to feel the possibilities for themselves. This is what my dream is for taking my books to the world.
What’s your dream?

Not sure where you’re going in life? What’s your direction? Want some ideas or a refresh? Hayhouse World Summit is a free 4 weeks of diverse interviews & movies. This is my 4th year listening and watching the Summit. I’ve connected with some great people and gone onto attending a variety of courses and being part of wonderful communities. ‪Great info starts today. To sign up for this fabulous opportunity go to https://www.hayhouseworldsummit.com/

Do you know the relevance of 12th May, and the International Day of awareness for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases?
To find out more read my latest article on PnPAuthors Promotional Magazine. You'll need to scroll to Suzanne's column/corner/wisdom.

Today, 25th April Anzac Day is special for Australians, and New Zealanders – ANZAC, Australian New Zealand Army Corps. Originally the Day was to recognise someone who fought in Gallipoli but in later years came to mean any Australian or New Zealander who fought in the First World War. In time it included any member of the armed services. These days Anzac Day encompasses involvement by men and women in all theatres of war and conflict.
 
This year is the 100th anniversary of commemoration of courage in adversity; of mateship; of over the years embracing those who were once enemies, and realising that the ordinary folk, whatever their culture, their creed, they too suffered at the hands of power.
You may know the story of Gallipoli when on 25th April 1915 slaughter took place starting on a Turkish beach followed by carnage on the cliffs above. The Turkish people were only defending what belonged to them – their land and community, but at the time they were our enemies and a senseless battle with loss of life and living ensued. So why, you ask, do we celebrate this disastrous time? Well it’s not quite like that.
 
It started in 1916 with mates gathering in private remembrance in the early hours of April 25th, the timing of that fateful landing. The 1916 street March, which then became a yearly event, was for the public to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice that had been and, was still happening with the war waging in Europe. It was only in 1927 when a group of returned men returning at dawn from an Anzac function held the night before came upon an elderly woman laying flowers at the as yet unfinished Sydney Cenotaph. Joining her in this private remembrance, the men later resolved to institute a dawn service the following year. Some 150 people gathered at the Cenotaph in 1928 for a wreath-laying and two minutes’ silence. This is generally regarded as the beginning of organised dawn services in Australia.
 
In 1972 at the height of the Vietnam War and much protest about Australian involvement a question in the media kept coming to the fore – does commemorating Anzac Day glorify war? The short answer is no. The nature of the Day is remembrance and to give thanks to brave people. The marches have changed with the passing of the older generation, and aging or infirmity of a current marcher.  Younger people march either accompanying a family member, or on behalf of deceased family – often wearing a deceased person’s medals on the right chest (left-chest is reserved for a person who earned the medals). Over more recent times, conflicts that Australians have fought in or attended as peacekeepers are starting to be recognised by the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL) and welcomed into the March. Communities who once fought against us or defended their lands and thus called our enemies marched, at first unofficially, however in the last few years they march with the official sanction of the RSL. Actions never forgotten and can’t be undone, but current generations aren’t to blame for those past actions.
 
Aboriginal Diggers served in all of Australia’s main wars since the two Boer Wars and in 2007 Aboriginal people organised a separate march in Redfern Sydney. This became the ‘Coloured Diggers’ March’ recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans’ contributions. This March is in its ninth year. Other Indigenous communities throughout the country also hold their own ceremonies.
Whether participating in the solemness of a local Dawn Service, or at Gallipoli or in France at Villers-Bretonneux, attending the colourful and informative displays of marches through cities and towns, or watching Services and marches on television and live-streamed on the internet Australians embrace the Day. In Australia Anzac Day is considered more of a national day than any other on our calendar.
 
Today at memorials throughout the country, and at Australian commemorations overseas, you will hear the 4th stanza of the poem ‘For the Fallen’ written by Laurence Binyon in the early days of World War One. Known as The Ode I leave you with those words …
 
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."