Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Today was a great day!

I finalized the plans for the first book signing of Little Girl Lost! You’ve all been so very patient with my getting to the point of setting that up. And I thank you. Now for the information many have been waiting to hear. My first book signing will be on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 12:30-2:30 PM. It will take place at Borders Bookstore, located at 5055 Plaza Lane, Montclair, CA 91763. Copies of Little Girl Lost will be available for sale from in the store. I will be signing copies sold there and ones that folks bring in. If this signing goes well, there will be more at other Borders Bookstores here in California and throughout the United States. So, please, spread the word and stop by.

In addition, the second book in the Little Girl Lost Trilogy—Dark Awakenings—officially began its final leg to publication today! My best guess is that it will be available this summer—2010. As soon as a release month is known, I’ll announce it here. Copies of Dark Awakenings will be available wherever you can purchase Little Girl Lost. In addition, more locations from which to purchase electronic versions of both books will be available by then, and I’ll post that information as it becomes available.

And…since great things tend to happen in threes, I’ll add that my youngest son, who begins high school in the fall, went in for his callback interview with the co-editors of the high school’s yearbook! The co-editors were impressed with his writing and computer abilities, not to mention his aptitude to articulate. This has been a long process for my son, and is something he not only wants but also is quite qualified to handle, having worked for my E-zine as a contributing writer for over a year now. Keep your fingers crossed….

Yes, today was a great day for at least a couple of the writers in the Hanna family!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

On my run today, I thought of another bothersome trait that many have. In fact, such a large percentage possesses this nasty little trait that companies, corporations and municipalities have had to rewrite their policies as a means to shield themselves. Of what do I speak? Those who feel entitled to sue others for their own lack of paying attention or keeping themselves safe.

I thought of this as I was running along a winding sidewalk that had been turned into a veritable rollercoaster by tree roots, which had lifted the slabs to extreme levels, creating uneven sections that would be easy to trip over if a person weren’t paying attention. And that right there is the crux of my gripe. Since when did it become okay and even acceptable for people to not pay attention, get hurt and then reap financial gain as a result?

Now I’m not suggesting that roads should be allowed to turn into treacherous off-roading experiences from lack of being maintained, or that sidewalks should never be fixed or that warning labels shouldn’t be clearly visible. But a little common sense on the part of individuals is called for.

Let’s take, for example, the infamous case of the woman who spilled scalding coffee on herself from her McDonalds cup. True, it was a damn shame that she got hurt, but…what the hell was she thinking placing the cup containing scalding hot liquid between her legs as she drove? Had she never experienced a pothole? Had to suddenly brake? Her putting herself at risk is what caused her to get burned, not the fact that there wasn’t a disclaimer printed on the lid of her coffee.

And what about individuals who are so busy texting, talking on their phones or conversing with others that they don’t bother to watch where they’re walking? Is it really too much to expect a person to pay attention to where they’re placing their feet. I mean really, when I was a kid, I learned early on that if I wasn’t attentive to where I was going, I could trip. As a result, I learned to avoid getting hurt by paying attention. I didn’t rush out and sue the entity I thought could financially benefit me the most. That thought never would have occurred to me—too embarrassed by my own lack of attentiveness.

So what changed? When did being embarrassed by one’s stupidity get replaced with the sense of entitlement that others should be held accountable for one’s actions? I don’t get it.

Our country has become so obsessed with those wanting to turn a fast buck by suing that soon we’ll all be walking around in bubble wrap in order to “keep us safe.” I, for one, hope I never see the day when people aren’t held accountable for their actions. When the courts turn lack of common sense and taking care of one’s self into something that should be viewed solely as a means to profit financially. That will be the time when people stop learning. Yes, I’m one of those, the few who firmly believe that people need to learn from the consequences of their actions instead of rushing out to sue others.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I’ve always been a firm believer in karma. Suppose that’s why I try to be careful about how I handle myself and treat others. Of course, there are times when I fall short of my own standards. That makes me try harder the next time.

With this being the guidelines by which I function, I find myself frustrated, on a regular basis, by those who have the poorest behavior. Those who feel entitled to treat others as if they’re beneath them. Or worse, feel others should be treated like crap, just because the urge strikes them.

What’s up with that?

And as if this doesn’t get me frustrated enough, the thing that really puts me over the edge is when those same individuals are coddled, and those around them enable their bad behavior.

That really irks me!

I hold myself to a high standard of treating others with respect and handling myself with dignity and grace, fully accepting of the consequences when I fall short of my mark. I view this as accountability. And I hope that others are willing to get in my face and let me know if I’ve stepped over lines so I can make amends.

When I see those who act poorly towards others have little or no regard to how their actions are affecting others, I shake my head. Though I do get frustrated and sometimes angry at their behavior, I know it’s not in my control to do anything about it. Moreover, I realize that those people will reap what they sow. The consequences of their actions may be swift or they may take years and years to materialize.

Sooner or later, however, karma always has a way of catching up with a person. Well, that is unless others interfere. And by that, I mean those who feel the need to enable individuals with bad behavior. Far from helping the situation and person in question, enabling only serves to complicate matters and prolong the inevitable—karma exacting its will.

I firmly believe that those who behave with little or no self-control should be allowed to fall on their faces. That they should have to suffer the consequences of their actions. If that process is derailed, then the person will never have the opportunity to see the errors of their ways and learn to behave more favorably. And in the end, isn’t that best, to have people grow and learn from their actions?

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Over the past couple of days, I’ve blogged about what qualities go into making a long-term relationship work and what constitutes a family. It seems only fitting that today is Mother’s Day. What could evoke more memories of long-term relationships and of family that thinking of mothers.

Today’s blog will be brief. It’s not my place to tell you how, when or even if you should celebrate mothers on this day. Instead, I ask that you give some thought to relationships and family. Consider who’s played a significant role in your life. Facilitated you evolving into the person you are.

That individual may be your mother, or someone just as significant—perhaps even more so. And if you’re a mother or about to become one yourself, now’s the time to consider what lasting impression you want to leave on those around you. Those in your charge. Those who look to you daily for guidance, compassion and tolerance.

Today’s not just about celebrating mothers, but about reflecting on one’s self. It’s a time to assess where you’ve come from, how you handle yourself and what impact you have and would like to leave on those who look up to you.

Happy Mother’s Day and happy thinking. : )