I have been immersed in the future apocalyptic world of my new novel. Therefore, I want to end the day with an upbeat message to readers.

We are all trying to cope every day with the ilk and despair that negative people and posts bring. If each person would just focus on one good thing that happened each day in their life, these sad people will not have a hold on us.

I recently completed reading a two-book fiction series by Emily Bleeker: When We Were Enemies and When We Chased the Light. These books were light reads about a small-town Indiana girl who became an incredible actor (Vivian Snow). She started out as a singer, working in the USO during WWII, and made it to the big screen. Although I did not agree with all her choices, I loved how she coped and what she revealed to the reader in the end. The quote headings are my interpretation:

Helping Others: “Very Rarely is judgment the correct response to a cry for help.”

Empathy and Understanding: “Perhaps we don’t have to be perfect—perhaps we only have to be better than what was given to us.”

Aging: “I’ve spent less time worrying about how I look and more time worrying about what meaning I’ll leave behind.”

Thank you, Emily, for this inspiring story and what we can take away. I resolve to be completely present in any given moment and interact with others with more meaningful dialogue. I look forward to your comments and what you are doing to help your mindset.