Lori Bruton

Author, Ghostwriter, Writer, Blogger, Speaker

Check the Expiration Date

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Les Brown said:  Are you holding on to a part of your life that has long expired? Each season in life comes with an expiration date, so life is about releasing and surrendering.

Give yourself permission to let go…of past regrets, failures, or mistakes; unresolved pain and disappointments; or actions that you should have, would have, or could have taken ~ but did not.

Choose to give in and surrender to your dream, your passion, and your calling. Marion White said…”In life when you don’t have enough courage and insight to know that you have outgrown a situation and it’s time to move on…life will move on you.” Let go or be dragged. It is your choice. You have GREATNESS within you!

Life has moved on me and was dragging me, because I didn’t see a way to keep pursuing my passion as the bills and debts pile up and my car got a terminal diagnosis. Not knowing how to dig out of all those holes. It looked hopeless. I felt defeated and discouraged.

As I sit here today, I ask myself if the things I’ve been doing have expired. Thinking I needed to get a temp job and work outside the home only to have stuff keep happening to sabotage it every time. I don’t belong there, but because of a cash flow challenge, I kept going back to what is familiar and listening to people telling me, “get a job”.

Remember that song by Uncle Kracker that says, “Something is wrong here; I don’t belong here.” For me, that would be in a corporate cube. There must be other options, right?

Guess what? My job is to write. God gave me the gift of words. I am a STORYTELLER and SPEAKER. It’s my time to tell my stories and use my voice to impact people, give them hope, and show them how to live their dream. The people who read my books and hear my voice in the written or spoken word will not only know my struggles and the obstacles I overcame, but their lives will transform and as they overcome too.

I am the Queen of Hope. I must not lose hope. The Good Book says, the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. The enemy doesn’t want me to live my destiny, pursue my passion, and impact lives. He doesn’t want any of us to live our purpose on purpose.

I almost fell back and got off track and paused my own dreams. No! God is the Waymaker, Miracle worker, and Promise Keeper.

Do you have a dream you gave up on, because you didn’t see a way to make it happen? No matter where you are now, it’s just where you are, not who you are, as the Oola Guys say.

Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes, another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

Let’s promise each other to pursue our dreams, impact lives, and love life. You were created to create by The Creator.

A great place to start is read what I created and let it inspire you. My book is endorsed by The Oola Guys, Dr. David Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl. (Thanks for believing in me, Oola Seeker & Oola Guru). Click here to get your copy of Hole to Whole:  Journey To Hope And Transformation

Journey on. Your Oola Path awaits. (What does that mean?) Leave a comment or message me to find out.

7 Ways to K I S S

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KISS – Keep It Simple, Sweetie

A kiss is sweet. If you want more love, give more love, especially to yourself. It sounds simple, right? To love and be loved is in our nature. Most of us desire to live a happy, fulfilling, simple life.

Living a simplified life in today’s world can be challenging. We are bombarded with information overload, distractions, cramming too much into our schedules, giving attention to digital devices that suck our time and energy.

Maybe you feel that you haven’t accomplished enough each day. Or, maybe you accomplished a lot, but you are exhausted. Is what you’re spending time doing worth it? Will it matter in the long run? If the answer is YES; keep doing it. You’re on the right track. If the answer is NO, take a moment to decide what does matter to you and your future that will leave a lasting legacy.

Maybe you’re not busy enough and each day slips by leaving you in a state of defeat and disillusionment. Could it be that you are overwhelmed? Overwhelmed just means you don’t know what to do next, which can be coupled with overthinking. What can you do to overcome this dilemma?

7 Ways to KISS:

  1. Stop pursuing perfection and pursue PEACE.

  2. Change your physical state by standing up or going outside; breathe deeply.

  3. Break down big tasks into smaller ones; set a timer. If you like variety, spend small chunks of time alternating activities.

  4. Instead of go, go, go until you collapse; take breaks and rest.

  5. On the flip side, too many breaks or long breaks may paralyze you and keep you stuck. Find the balance that works for you.

  6. Get help. Maybe you think you have to do it all alone and figure everything out by yourself. Who is willing and able to collaborate with you? The right help will empower you and them.

  7. Be present. Enjoy each “NOW” moment. Past and future thoughts can rob our present moments. Of course, treasure the past and learn from it. Pursue and plan for the future. Mostly, enjoy what you are doing this moment.

I am enjoying writing this blog for you. Let me be totally transparent. I admit I was consumed with overthinking mode. It’s important that I write words that add value and help you. I realized I wasn’t keeping it simple. How silly, right?

A complicated, bittersweet KISS may feel like this:  Knotted, Isolated, Self-Sabotage, Stuck.

Emotional Knots are tied to emotional wounds that rob your freedom and ability to grow. Staying Isolated can keep you separated from where you long to go and what you plan to achieve. Self-Sabotage conflicts with our thoughts and behaviors causing procrastination. This is a block to our success. When we are blocked, we are Stuck and cannot move forward. This type of KISS doesn’t sound enjoyable, does it?

Pucker up, Baby. This is the kind of KISS that will make you soar and you’ll want more. Kindness, Inspiration, Smile, Spontaneity.

Kindness is warm and tender, which is a welcoming relief in this harsh, cold world. Fill your heart and soul with Inspiration and motivation so you have enough for yourself and give inspiration to others. Put a Smile on your face to brighten your countenance. It makes you feel better and blesses others. Spontaneity is freeing and removes inhibitions. Some of the best experiences are unplanned and spontaneous.




Much Love,
Lori

Allow yourself to lighten up, enjoy life, and Keep It Simple, Sweetie. As my Grandpa used to say, “Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.” Eat the cheese and embrace the sweet life. May you receive the best Hugs and KISSES.

 

Thanks for sharing this intimate, authentic time with me. Please share ways you KISS (aka Keep your life simplified.) Did I make you SMILE?

WHY I CHOSE TO WRITE A BOOK

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HOLE TO WHOLE by Lori Bruton

In my last blog, I announced that I wrote a book called HOLE TO WHOLE.  It’s been a strong desire on my heart to write a book for many years.  In fact, I believe it is my assignment.  More importantly, I choose to make a difference in many lives.

Some people write to gain status or the title of being an author.  For me, it’s not an ego trip or for a “title”.  I speak and write from my heart sincerely in truth.  May my words help you in a profound way and make a positive impact in your life.  Get comfy; there may be tears and definitely laughter.  May your heart and life be touched changed forever after.

Even though my book talks about my personal experiences, it isn’t truly about me.  What do I mean?  The purpose is to help and encourage others.  No matter how many “holes” and obstacles we encounter, anything is possible.  We can overcome and press forward.

My dad always told me everything starts with an idea; my dreams CAN come true.  I admit that I doubted.  Hearing people say, “You can’t do that.  No one will read your book.  Only rich people are successful authors.”

Know that I poured my heart and soul into every page.  I took a BIG RISK putting my story out there.  I know that I know that I had to expose my darkest secrets.  Why?  There are too many people in pain; suffering shame and guilt and feeling unworthy and discouraged. 

I chose to come to a point that I didn’t care what other people thought, their opinions, their judgments; I care more about how my story can help others.  Losing hope and giving up is no way to live; it’s just existing.

We are all born and created for a purpose; to make a difference.  It’s time to get off the couch and live.  Maybe you want to get up, but you feel you can’t.  Something is keeping you down; something you may not be aware of yet.  It’s not just about willing yourself to do it.  It’s time to dig deep and expose those roots that have kept you stuck.  Don’t let them rot and ruin your life.  Maybe you don’t even know all the stuff you’ve been stuffing.  Warning:  It will surface in some form.

Let’s take this journey together so you will come out on top.  My story may offer you solutions.  Just knowing someone else has gone through similar experiences may be helpful.  There is so much more!  It’s time to thrive and make your dreams a reality.

INVISIBLE NO MORE

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I have been silent long enough.  No more staying in the shadows.  I decided to be brave and vulnerable and share my story with you.

For most of my life I felt invisible.  So, I stayed in my shell and kept quiet.  I was taught it wasn’t okay to speak up or interrupt.  Daring to interrupt was the only way to interject since I often couldn’t get a word in edgewise.  Still, no one heard my voice.  I thought my voice didn’t matter.  Guess what?  That was a LIE!

For a long time, my desire was to write a book.  Writing is my passion.  I asked myself was it possible and how do I make it happen? 

Every voice matters and so does your voice.  I speak mostly from the written page.  Writing is a great way to gather and complete my thoughts without being interrupted, hurried, or being talked over.  Why am I telling you this?

ANNOUNCEMENT: It’s possible and my book is ready!  http://bit.ly/PreOrderBookNow

Let me share an excerpt with you from my book, Hole to Whole:

When I got home from school, Mom was often visiting with the neighbor as they sat at the kitchen table.  I stood silently by her side waiting for permission to speak.  Not being acknowledged, I began to wonder if I really was invisible.  I would then disappear into my room.

People enjoyed my quiet, gentle, caring nature.  Being a good listener and having a nice smile were compliments I received regularly.  That was nice, but I knew I needed to come out of my shell.  Like a turtle, I slowly began to develop better communication skills during my adult years.

The way I was programmed from past experiences required rewiring my thoughts and beliefs.  All I know is I didn’t want to stay that invisible girl any more.

Have you ever felt invisible or that your voice is not heard?  Have you ever wanted to write a book?  You can relate, right?  I appreciate your being here as I share my journey of how I turned the dream of writing a book into reality.  There are many twists and turns to my story; stay tuned.

http://bit.ly/PreOrderBookNow