Lacresha Hayes's Page

Everyone has their Christmas Eve routines. Normally, they include last minute gift-giving. Unfortunately and fortunately due to health issues, I'm not doing the gift-giving this year so I have more time to rest and try to recoup. However, I do have my own routine that will happen today before I rest.

First, I have to prepare Christmas dinner because I have no intentions of doing anything tomorrow. For dinner, we will have ham, chicken and dressing, BBQ baked beans, sweet potato pies, lasagna, and two of my famous cakes. After all the cooking, I'm going to take my meds and zonk out for the night.

So, what is your routine? Some of you won't even have time to answer this question you're so busy. Don't forget to love those you're with because days are only days without the people you love. And it doesn't matter having them with you if you don't absolutely appreciate and love on them every chance you get. Take it from a chronically ill person. I thank God for every second that my son nags me now. At least he's with me and I'm with him.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Blog P3 is back in full swing, and I'm back to blogging my little old heart out. Anyway, before illness so rudely interrupted my life, I had a little thing going where I talked about the important people in my life, most of them online friends.

I'm not sure if any of you ever heard of Joyce Scarbrough, but she's one of those talented writers whose work makes mine look still quite amateur in comparison. She recently released another book entitled Symmetry and I promise you all, this one is one of her best works yet. So, if you're not busy, I suggest you pop on over to Amazon.com and pick up a copy of her latest book since I'll be talking to her about it here on Blog P3 very soon. That way you don't have to play catch up........ Still here? Get over to Amazon already!

I know that things are difficult with our up and down economic conditions. Some have lost their homes, vehicles and other possessions. It's easy to say that all those things can be replaced, but honestly no one wants to hear that when they are losing everything they have worked so hard to have.

Still, as I sat up in my hospital bed just the other day, I began to reflect back. In all those hours of thinking, not once did I think of a single piece of material possessions I have. Instead, I found myself thinking of hugs, laughter, love, friendship, companionship, times when I've been proud of myself and times when I've been ashamed of myself. In short, I thought of life and realized that what I own is a very small portion of life. The fullness of life has nothing to do with money, which is why two poor people can still have a good marriage.

I found myself praying and asking God for another chance to reorder my life, prioritizing it according to those things which are eternal first. Everything else pales in comparision. Life isn't about flashy accomplishments, as much as it is about learning. In fact, at the end of life all that seems to really matter is who we've loved and who has loved us back!

While some people say giving away books can ruin your bottomline, but keeping them stored can do the same so over the next few weeks, whether for the rest of this year, I'll be giving away those copies of my books that are currently clogging up my closet.

My way of rewarding my faithful readers and followers is to make sure everyone who has continued to follow my blog throughout my extended absences due to severe health issues get a free copy of my books. I believe faithfulness and loyalty should be rewarded!

So, get back to leaving comments, people. I want to get this blog back popping again!

It can seem like a daunting task to write, do that well, then market to publishers or other media outlet just to end up having to market it again to readers. For some time now, I've been caught in that trap, feeling like it's a never-ending circle. But my son said a few words to shock me back to reality.

I originally began writing because I love it and to make a difference. My intentions were never to get rich on book sales. I lost my focus somewhere along the way. It affected the quality of my work too because I began writing what would sell versus writing what was true to my heart. As writers, we must remain true to ourselves or the quality of our work will show it. I recently found my voice again. I hope to never lose it anymore!

Today, I find myself re-thinking this blog... pretty, prosperous and powerful. I see where I slipped away from my original theme. But I have an idea to get this popping off around here again. Stay tuned and we're going to find some encouragement together!

Most people wear multiple hats. Sometimes, we find ourselves fulfilling so many roles that we have role confusion at the worst possible time. Am I supposed to be mother, wife or friend right now? This is personal but it crosses with my professional life, so which hat should I wear? Ever asked yourself either of those questions?

I work as an author, publisher, grant writer, business consultant, wife, mother, friend, abuse advocate, speaker and student. Role confusion happens, but I've learned that I'm not just one of those people. I'm all of those people and they all compose this single entity called Lacresha. While I've worked tirelessly to keep them all separated, I realized that was a mistake. I can section myself off and there's no reason to try. That was my solution. What's yours?

This week is book marketing week for me. I want to finish September out with a bang. I'll be back soon with more posts to make you think.

Everyday brings more bad news about a failing economy and major companies threatened by bankruptcy. In the beginning, I tried to keep up with it all. I found myself worrying like most people today, but then I realized one day that I'm not missing any meals. I'm not in danger of being homeless. I'm not naked or without any necessity. While my disposable income is zilch, that's nothing to complain about or become fearful of. Luckily, I managed not to rack up an astronomical amount of debt so that I don't have a whole lot to fear.

Secondly, I love the job I have. As a writer, I can make as much money as I desire to make within reason. I'm going to have slower days, but because I've established myself as a professional in several fields, which took time and perseverance, I'm not in jeopardy of being without a job. I thank God for those things.

I encourage everyone to manage your surroundings. When we're afraid of anything, we give it power over us. If we fear a failing economy, we can't think or adequately plan to endure a time as tough as this. Be grateful for what you have. Focus on the good and the good will multiply. That's always worked for me and I know it will work for you.