With our founders having officially left the party… we are left with an empty Saturday. The Debs will be looking at different ways that we can use this time and to help us out this week is guest deb Diana Cosby.
I resolve not to . . .
When the topic of, “I resolve not to . . .” was given to me to write about for The Debutante Ball, I needed to understand the phrase in my very analytical mind. The American Heritage Dictionary defines resolve as:
re·solve (r¹-z¼lv“) v. re·solved, re·solv·ing, re·solves. –tr. 1. To make a firm decision about. 2. To cause (a person) to reach a decision. 3. To decide or express by formal vote. 4. To separate (something) into constituent parts. 5. To change or convert. 6. To find a solution to; solve. 7. To remove or dispel (doubts). 8. To bring to a usually successful conclusion.
Appreciating the various definitions, I nevertheless decided to write about resolve in relation to #7, to remove or dispel (doubts). And, as a person who believes positive thought and belief in self is critical, I will unapologetically twist the topic to, “I resolve to . . .” So, let me now begin.
I resolve to appreciate each day, the people I meet, to encourage each in their dreams to become whatever they may be. No person reaches success alone. Each step, each goal achieved, is one crafted with not only self-belief, but with belief from others.
Do you have dreams? How do you view them? Are they mythical, out of reach, or does a part of you believe they’re attainable? I firmly believe that dreams are visions of what we can become. Why doubt ourselves and our abilities? Each of us is given special gifts. They’re gifts because not everyone holds these capabilities.
Let’s look at your dream, and I mean really look at it. Write it down. Say it aloud, which puts it out in the universe. Now, what are your strengths? List them. Evaluate how each one could play a role in achieving your dream? Don’t worry that your dream is too big. One step at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. As well as your abilities, what about your friends? Your other resources? Each item you list empowers your dream, makes it seem more possible. Never doubt yourself, but persevere.
I remember when I retired from the Navy as a meteorologist/oceanographer that I’d always wanted to write. Until I retired, I’d never written. Then I booted up my computer and began. And you know what, I loved it. I was stunned by the depth to which I loved writing. I’ve always enjoyed reading and have done so since I was a teen, but it was a wild dream that I would one day actually pick up a pen and write.
But I did.
And I found my passion.
After ten years of writing, I’m honored and humbled to say that my first release, His Captive, is selling fabulously and receiving great reviews. My sincere thanks to everyone along the way who has believed in me and helped me. Also, thanks to the many readers who are indeed making my dream of a successful author come true. As I said above, no one does this alone. Now, another dream of mine is coming true, the second in the MacGruder series will be released in December 2008. Please check back to my website for details. Or better yet, join my newsletter for up to date news.
As eager as I am about the increased success with my writing career, this has allowed me to fulfill another dream, giving on a bigger level. An important factor throughout my life, whether through donation, guidance or hands-on help, has been making a positive difference in peoples lives. So, in addition to the excitement of selling my first novel, His Captive, a Scottish medieval romantic suspense, I will tithe ten percent of my royalties from each book to a charity of my choice.
The first charity I’ve chosen is The National Trust for Scotland, which acts as guardian of Scotland’s magnificent heritage of architectural, scenic and historic treasures. Without the National Trust for Scotland’s hard work in preserving Scotland’s history, much of my research for His Captive and the rest of the MacGruder series wouldn’t have been possible, and the history of a great country would be lost. I am still deciding on the charity for my second novel, but I’m narrowing the choice down. The destination of each tithing is very personal to me. The charity must touch me deeply with its work in changing people’s lives in a positive manner.
As with everything I do, I have goals. A dream goal is to be able to sell enough books to use a percentage to buy a working police dog for my local police department. That would be amazing! And if I let myself dream bigger, the tithing percentage would allow for the purchase of a new fire truck for the local fire department!!! I have a sincere and profound respect for our police and firemen. Each day they put their lives on the line to save others and to protect them from harm. As with the military, the men and women who work within their ranks as firefighters and policemen, truly are heroes. And I’ve allowed myself to dream even bigger, to be able to sponsor an entire home for Habitat for Humanity. How amazing would that be?
For me, it’s a blessing to be able to pursue my dream of writing. As I said above, as with everything in life, no one does anything alone. Along the way, many people in my life have inspired me, taken time out of their busy schedules to help and made a difference in my life. I firmly believe that what comes around goes around. Life is too short to accept to be anything than the best that you can be. I resolve to continue to help others believe in themselves. So, set goals, believe in yourself and aim for the stars as yes – dreams do come true.
Diana Cosby currently lives in Virginia, with her oldest son two-thirds the way through Marine Corps boot camp, and her daughter planning to attend college in the summer of 2008. After her husband, a U.S. Navy meteorologist/oceanographer and Iraq veteran, retires from the Navy in the summer of 2008, they will move to Texas with their youngest son who wants to be a meteorologist, where they will build their final home.
His Captive is on sale now, with the second book in the MacGruder series, yet to be titled, due out in December 2008. To learn more about Diana or to sign-up for her newsletter, go to her website at www.dianacosby.com.
Greetings from a RomVet sister!
I’m always serious about my resolutions, and almost always keep them. Now and then I find I’ve made one that is beyond my ability, but overall, I’m careful to pick ones that I can measure, that are within my personal abilities to manage (not dependent on another’s actions), and reasonable. Sadly, that leaves out bringing about world peace. >_<
This year, one of mine is to take advantage of opportunities to blog on topics that have inspired me. Hence, here I am.
Hey, Diana,
I hadn’t even caught up enough from the holidays to make any resolutions for this year. But I enjoyed your blog and feel inspired to make some. First one, finish creating order on top of my desk! Next, send out a proposal or two. 🙂 Third, finish the next book!
Loved HIS CAPTIVE!
*Hugs*
Kayelle Allen said:
January 5th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Greetings from a RomVet sister!
~Hey, Kayelle, thanks for stopping by. And if anyone is interested in who the RomVets are, please stop by our site. We have some amazing and inspiring writers on our loop!
http://www.romvets.com/
I’m always serious about my resolutions, and almost always keep them. Now and then I find I’ve made one that is beyond my ability, but overall, I’m careful to pick ones that I can measure, that are within my personal abilities to manage (not dependent on another’s actions), and reasonable. Sadly, that leaves out bringing about world peace. >_< This year, one of mine is to take advantage of opportunities to blog on topics that have inspired me. Hence, here I am.
~Way to go. It’s all about focus, personal belief and perseverence. I wish you a fabulous 2008! Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Jeanmarie Hamilton said:
January 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I hadn’t even caught up enough from the holidays to make any resolutions for this year. But I enjoyed your blog and feel inspired to make some. First one, finish creating order on top of my desk!
~You’re welcome to come over and work on mine once you’re done. 🙂
Next, send out a proposal or two. Third, finish the next book!
~Wonderful goals.
Loved HIS CAPTIVE!
~Thank you so much! Alexander and Nichola’s story was so much fun to write. I’m finishing up final edits on his brother, Duncan’s story at the moment. If you’re interested it’ll be out in December. No title as yet, but once I have it, I’ll post it on my website and in my newsletter. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Hey, Diana,
Great blog. You’re such a generous person. I love the tithing idea. Um, if you ever want to tithe to an individual… Just kidding!
Cindy
Cindy Procter-King said:
January 5th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Great blog. You’re such a generous person. I love the tithing idea. Um, if you ever want to tithe to an individual… Just kidding!
~LOL, Cindy. Thank you so much for stopping by. Yes, making a positive difference in life is essential to me. I firmly believe that each of us can make so many positive difference in each others lives.
If you don’t know Cindy, she writes fabulous humor, something I doubt I’ll ever do. Please take a moment to check out her website:
http://www.cindyprocter-king.com/
~Thanks again, Cindy for dropping by. Enjoy your weekend. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Thanks so much for coming by- it’s always nice to have such a gracious guest at the dance.
Eileen said:
January 5th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Thanks so much for coming by- it’s always nice to have such a gracious guest at the dance.
Eileen, my thanks is to you and everyone at The Debutante Ball for having me. It’s my pleasure to hang out with such a fantastic group. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Eileen, my thanks is to you and everyone at The Debutante Ball for having me. It’s my pleasure to hang out with such a fantastic group. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Thanks for writing such an inspiring piece, Diana! I love big dreams and you have some very worthy ones. I have no doubt you’ll acheive them. I look forward to reading your book!
Deb Danielle
Diana! As always, your sincere support of others shines in this wonderfully inspiring post! HIS CAPTIVE was an incredible book, and deserves all the awards I feel sure it will win. Debs, you are all terrific, and I thank you for having such fun guests!
Light,
Nancy
Hey there. Another RomVet stopping by to say hello.
Danielle Younge-Ullman said:
January 5th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for writing such an inspiring piece, Diana! I love big dreams and you have some very worthy ones. I have no doubt you’ll acheive them.
~My thanks, Danielle for believing in me. I’m going to give it my best shot. 🙂
I look forward to reading your book!
~Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy Alexander and Nichola’s story. At the moment, I’m polishing Alexander’s brother, Duncan’s story, which will be released in December. I have the cover copy for Duncan’s book, and it’s fabulous! Once the cover is finished, I’ll be posting it on my website and including the information in my newsletter. I hope you take a peek. 🙂 Very nice meeting you, and I hope you have a fabulous 08. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Nancy Haddock said:
January 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Diana! As always, your sincere support of others shines in this wonderfully inspiring post!
~*Blush* Thanks, Nancy, but the credit goes to my amazing friends, like you, who me. If you haven’t checked out Nancy’s site, here’s the url:
http://www.nancyhaddock.com/
HIS CAPTIVE was an incredible book, and deserves all the awards I feel sure it will win.
~Okay, if you’re trying to embarass me, you’ve succeeded. Sincerely, I’m thrilled you enjoyed Alexander and Nichola’s story. They were such a fun pair to write. As far as the awards, I’m entering contests, so we’ll see how that pans out. 🙂 Regardless, I love what I’m doing and thank God daily that he’s blessed me with a muse.
Debs, you are all terrific, and I thank you for having such fun guests!
~I second that.
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Dawn Jackson said:
January 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hey there. Another RomVet stopping by to say hello.
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a fabulous holiday. We spent a couple of days in Vermont. Now that I’ve had my snow quota for the year, I’m ready to write. 🙂 Enjoy the weekend. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Aloha Diana! Thanks for joining us today & loved your post–of. Outré I already knew what a king & generous person you are but wow am solo impressed with your generosity~~what a great idea! Will work on that myself!
Ps–that should read “of course” but I’m typing from my phone so typos galore!
jenny gardiner said:
January 5th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Aloha Diana! Thanks for joining us today & loved your post–of. Of course I already knew what a king & generous person you are but wow am solo impressed with your generosity~~what a great idea! Will work on that myself!
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for posting, and, for inviting me on The Debutante Ball! It’s my pleasure to be here. As for the charities, each time I donate, I assure you, it’s my pleasure. If I can offer hope, belief in self to another person, that in itself is the greatest gift. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that your 08 rocks! Happy New Year!!!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Hi Diana!
Stopping by to let you know how much I am enjoying your newest book, His Captive. As a history buff, I also appreciate the amount of research you put into writing the story. Looking forward to your next book!
Sandi
Sandra Hughes said:
January 5th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Stopping by to let you know how much I am enjoying your newest book, His Captive.
~I appreciate you dropping by, Sandi! I’m glad you’re enjoying His Captive.
As a history buff, I also appreciate the amount of research you put into writing the story.
~Thank you, for me the research is a blast, and a great procrastination tool. *G* Seriously, I often find bits of history that are so fascinating, I use them in another book.
Looking forward to your next book!
~Thanks, Sandi, I hope you enjoy Duncan’s story that comes out in December! Enjoy your weekend. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
Hi Diana,
What a wonderful post!! Thanks so much for being our guest today! Good luck with HIS CAPTIVE — sounds fantastic, I can’t wait to pick it up!
Lisa
Lisa Daily said:
January 5th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Hi Diana,
What a wonderful post!! Thanks so much for being our guest today! Good luck with HIS CAPTIVE — sounds fantastic, I can’t wait to pick it up!
~Lisa, thank you and everyone for having me on The Debutante Ball. It was my sincere pleasure. I hope you enjoy reading Alexander and Nichola’s story. I look forward to writing about the entire family. Happy New Year!
Diana
http://www.dianacosby.com
I want to thank Debs Danielle, Eileen, Gail, Jenny, Jess and Lisa for inviting me on The Debutante Ball blog. It was my pleasure.
If you’re interested in keeping up with the MacGruder brothers, please go to my website and sign up for my newsletter. http://www.dianacosby.com
Duncan’s book, title TBA, the second in the MacGruder series, will be released in December. In the next month or so, I will be posting back cover copy on my website as well as the title picture. I can’t wait.
I wish you all a fabulous 2008! Happy New Year!!!
Diana Cosby
http://www.dianacosby.com