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Gratitude through courage...

11/23/2017

14 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
Thanksgiving is a time of family and feast, of laughter and dreams. We pause from the craziness of life to appreciate the ordinary as extraordinary. Today I join the many in offering my thanks for all the surprises of life, and to share with you one special reason for my gratitude.

Since Spring, author John W. Howell and I have worked together on a thriller which bridges the celestial and earthly lives of the two principal characters. John and I have never met, but we found common ground through the Rave Review Book Club and cyberspace.
 
Over the last several months, our writing has been interrupted by medical emergencies, family tragedies, and Hurricane Harvey (John lives on the coast of Texas). Even so, we have finished our book in record time and now are editing it for the Beta Readers.

One of the themes of The Contract is gratitude, hard-earned through courage. When I saw the BBC clip below, I could only bow with respect. Elements of this woman’s courage echo throughout our co-authored book. We may not choose the obstacles before us, but we surely choose our response and therein lies the possibility of greatness.

Happy Thanksgiving, may it surprise you with a multitude of blessings!   
14 Comments
D.L. Finn
11/23/2017 09:41:43

What a beautifully inspiring video and reminder of the human spirit. I am eagerly looking forward to the book you and John co authored! Sounds amazing. Happy Thanksgiving!

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/23/2017 09:56:47

Thank you, D.L. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Reply
Laura Libricz link
11/24/2017 02:07:53

Yes, I am really looking forward to the new book by you and John! Thanks for sharing this, Gwen, and have a great weekend!

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 07:02:23

Thank you so much, Laura. Have a great weekend!

Reply
Karen Ingall link
11/24/2017 06:52:58

I recently did a presentation on H.O.P.E. and part of it is that hope requires courage and confidence. The young lady in the video certainly exemplifies how baldness affects women especially, and yet how she was able to rise above it. Her crown represents HOPE without a doubt.
I am very excited about your upcoming book you co-authored with John. You two must meet in person!!

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 07:07:09

Thank you, Karen. I agree with you, her crown represents hope. Life gives us multiple opportunities for courage, doesn't it. One challenge after another moves us forward. ♥

Reply
Jan Sikes link
11/24/2017 07:11:16

Oh my, Gwen. The video brought tears to my eyes. So many people are fighting such huge battles. May we NEVER complain about the small hurdles we face! I anxiously await the new Howell/Plano book! I know it will be special blending the two energies of such passionate writers. I pray many blessings upon you both.

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 12:37:50

Thank you, Jan. Like you, the video brought me to tears. Blessings!

Reply
John Howell link
11/24/2017 08:13:27

Beautiful post, Gwen. I think when any one is faced with adversity, the best course is to each down deep and raise the spirit of courage that resides in us all. This video would help anyone who is in despair. I makes one realize that to accept despair is the short route to failure. Thank you for the lovely post and the lesson in courage.

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 12:39:40

Thank you, John. You are the poster boy for courage, inspiring all of us.

Reply
Davy D link
11/24/2017 09:52:45

Thank you for sharing such an inspirational and moving video Gwen. Congratulations to you and John and hope you have much happiness and success with your collaboration. I look forward to reading it.

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 12:42:11

Thank you, Davy. The collaboration is a new adventure which is proving to be a blessing. (And, hopefully a good read as well!)

Reply
John Fioravanti
11/24/2017 10:27:02

This is a beautiful post and I'm very excited for both you and John as you get that co-authored book ready for publication. I'm sure it will be a winner! I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving celebrations.

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/24/2017 12:44:50

Thank you, John. One step at a time and we're almost ready for readers. It's been a wonderful adventure.

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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