words Archives - Lori Bruton

Eat the Dessert First: Start Living Life on Your Terms

August 8, 2022 by Lori Leave a Comment

Bread Pudding Dessert @drdepot photo by Lori Bruton

I agree with this Helen Keller quote, “Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first.”

In my book, The LORI Factor: Live the Life You Were Born to Live, there is a chapter called, Lifestyle: Start Living Life on Your Terms.

Are you living life on your terms?

I know I wasn’t, until I made different decisions. As a result, I stopped letting life happen to me. I stopped allowing other people’s opinions become my reality.

I remember when somebody mentioned something my mother said. I said I hadn’t talked to my mother that day. He said I meant your mother’s voice that’s in your head. Whoa! He was right. I loved my mother, but many words she said were not the truth. A phrase I kept hearing from her was, “You can’t do that,” and “Your sister would be the one to write a book.” Hearing that repeatedly programmed me to believe it.

Note: Be careful who and what you believe, or you will be deceived.

Thankfully, I learned to tune into a higher voice of the One who taught me my voice matters and that I can do anything that I put my mind to, like writing books. Renewing my mind, changing, and upgrading my thoughts and words were the beginning of living life on my terms.

The Serenity Prayer says: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

It does take courage.

These powerful words made a big difference, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 NLT

Focus on the things you can control. You can’t control the past. Be present. Get unstuck. Instead of resisting change, embrace it.

That doesn’t mean accepting everything being dictated around you. Stand up for what’s right. Unmask yourself. Let your voice be heard.

I used to feel invisible and was taught to be quiet and not to interrupt until I got a LARGER vision of myself beyond what people told me and beyond my circumstances. It’s time to speak up and let my voice be heard because you need to hear this message of hope, encouragement, and empowerment.

By the way, it’s not a coincidence that you are reading or hearing this right now. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Paint a picture in your mind of what your best life looks like. Hold that vision, write it down, and make it plain, as it says in the living Word of God in Habakkuk 2.

Keep it before your eyes.

When you can visualize the life you desire, it puts you in the driver’s seat. Visualization is a powerful tool. What do you love? Where are you? What are you doing? Who is with you? See it, hear it, taste it, smell it, and feel it.

Engage all your senses.

Be specific. Picture your dream vacation or dream car, for example. Soon your dreams become reality. Take action. I put myself in the driver’s seat on a boat recently. I have been writing more and getting articles published. I am a travel writer and am stepping into that lifestyle.

Start where you are. Take yourself places in your mind first. Do things in your own backyard that are local.

Explore. Take a road trip.

I live in the “gorges” Finger Lakes region where there are beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and parks. Watkins Glen is a must-see place. From Canandaigua to Ithaca NY, I got to experience accommodations, adventures, relaxation, and amazing food including:

Capt. Bill’s Dinner and Sunset Sightseeing Seneca Lake Cruise

Summit to Stream where I took out an ocean kayak on Seneca Lake

Keuka Watersports at Champlin Beach in a kayak on Keuka Lake

Bed & Breakfast at Oliver Phelps was the first B&B in Canandaigua

Rogues Harbor Inn is a lovely historical B&B near Cayuga Lake

Corner Pub at Rogues Harbor Inn has great food and service at the Inn

Ciao! Was had authentic Italian food with Tuscan flair and delicious dessert

Ithaca Massage Station was a relaxing, pampering experience

NaturLuxe & Stars is where I had my first glamping adventure in style

Jerlando’s Ristorante & Pizza Co. has salads, Italian food & more

Nickel Pit’s BBQ has tender, tasty barbeque with warm service

True Love where I swooned over the schooner and talked to the Captain

Come sail away on the True Love Schooner on Seneca Lake Watkins Glen NY — Sail True Love

I made a decision. I found a way no matter what my bank account or circumstances looked like. No matter to those trying to set me up to fail or making assumptions. No more putting my life on the back burner and taking care of everyone except myself.

Commit to your goals and dreams. Create your life by design. Writing, speaking, wealth, wellness, travel, and more are possible. Get on the road, on the plane, or on the boat to wherever you desire to go.

Tiramisu dessert at Ciao! Ithaca NY — Tiramisu at Ciao!

Eat the dessert first.

Can you see the person you are meant to be? Take the Journey to Hope and Transformation (which I talk about in my first book).

Get my book, The LORI Factor: Live the Life You Were Born to Live, for more ideas on how to live life on your terms.

Tell me the actions you took. The first action was you read this blog. Thank you and congratulations. What spoke to you the most?

Let’s celebrate each step together. Let me know how I can help. Choose life and live life to the fullest.

Writer VA Ready to Serve

September 28, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

Hi, I am Lori, Author, Speaker, Copywriter, and founder of The LORI Factor. I help people who feel stuck, hopeless, and unsure of their purpose get unstuck and transform and discover the life they were born to live so that they come alive in a new way and are excited to wake up every day with a deeper love and passion.

Who are you looking for? Is it me? I am a WRITER. In fact, I am a WRITER VA. VA stands for Virtual Assistant. I write content including blogs, articles, and social media. Key points from a blog can be turned into social media graphics for posting. A service I offer is repurposing audios and videos by transcribing them and creating new content, such as workbooks, eBooks, blogs, and more.

If you want value and expertise, let’s talk. However, if you are looking for an entry level VA and you require tests, proof, and hoops to jump through, I am not the one. You are reading the proof right here, right now. Business owners willing to invest in quality are welcome. If that’s you, I would be happy to serve you.

A huge project that I poured my heart and soul into is launching between November and December of this year 2021. It’s my second book, The LORI Factor: Live the Life You were Born to Live.

My messages and stories have and will impact many lives. A couple hashtags I like to use are #lorisstories and #lorisstoriesbythewater. By the water is my happy place, which reminds me of my favorite kind of writing, Travel Writing. I am published in magazines, which you can check out on my portfolio page.

Words, written and spoken, are my passion. That is why I came out of my shell and became a speaker. Mentored by the Legendary Les Brown in the Power Voice program, Les also helped me develop The LORI Factor. I am thankful that Les wrote the Foreword for my book. Anyone looking for a speaker, feel free to contact me and check out my speaker page. It’s time for my voice to be heard and add value to many audiences.

Editors and Business Owners looking for a copywriter, feel free to reach out to me. I continue to hone my skills and have taken many courses from AWAI (American Writers and Artists Institute). I have written for other authors, speakers, and coaches.

Now you know what I offer and if anything fits your needs, connect with me. Here is to your success. Have a fabulous day!

Lori Bruton

WRITERS ARE READERS

February 15, 2019 by Lori 1 Comment

Some people like amusement parks. As for me, a library is like an amusement park. Surrounded by a maze of books full of stories of fact, fiction, and more is a fun ride. It’s like diving into a sea and being submerged into different worlds full of adventure.

At one time, I worked in a library. Shelving books was my favorite task, because I discovered new books. The ones I signed out were treasures to uncover. I remember the day a book fell from the shelf right at my feet. The author got my attention; she knew what I liked. It was that day I got the pleasure of perusing the writings of Helen Steiner Rice.

Reading poems is enjoyable, but writing poems is more so. When my sons were in school, I wrote a personalized poem for each of their teachers at the end of the year. The best part was going into the classrooms and reading the poems aloud. I then presented the framed poem to each teacher as a gift. Seeing how the words I wrote touched their hearts was a gift to me. Every teacher said no one had ever given them anything like that before. It was unique. I didn’t realize the impact my poems had on their lives. They told me my poems are proudly hanging on their walls at home even today. Recently, a friend of mine asked me to write a poem for her family member. Again, it was a unique, personalized gift written with carefully woven words that spoke to her. It gave me joy to know that gift brought happy tears to her family member.

I’ve heard you can tell what people like by noticing things in their homes. In every room of my home you will see books, lots of books. I read them and write them. My son asked if I ever read one book at a time from start to finish. I do finish, but am usually into more than one book at a time. For me, it all fits perfectly. It still makes me laugh when I remember my son asking, “Mom, are you reading the dictionary again?” In addition to books, notebooks, journals, and pens are abundant in my home since I am writing every day.

When it’s warm and sunny, I even take a book and notebook to read and write in my kayak. I paddle out to my favorite spot on the creek and float while I soak in the sun. There I commune with nature reading and writing more words that fill my soul and give me inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, I will leave you with a poem by Helen Steiner Rice from her book, Someone Cares:

Help Yourself to Happiness

Everybody, everywhere

Seeks happiness, it’s true

But finding it and keeping it

Seems difficult to do,

Difficult because we think

That happiness is found

Only in the places where

Wealth and fame abound.

And so we go on searching

In palaces of pleasure,

Seeking recognition

And monetary treasure,

Unaware that happiness

Is just a state of mind

Within the reach of everyone

Who takes time to be kind,

For in making others happy

We will be happy too,

For the happiness you give away

Returns to shine on you.
“

WHY I CHOSE TO WRITE A BOOK

February 8, 2019 by Lori 111 Comments

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.