Selection and keywords

Preparing to write a book requires planning of key words for advertising, chapters, outline.  Choosing the right key words is paramount to getting the message across to the reading public clearly. 

We are what we choose to be.  We are what we choose to do.

Ben Franklin, my hero

Since the writings of Ben Franklin are a cornerstone of the material I hope to bring together for a book, I will often quote him on this blog as a collection of important points and as a reminder of his contributions to the character of our country.  Ben inspired many to give time and effort to public service.   He followed the Puritan teachings of Cotton Mather and he recognized God and Jesus, not in a Baptist, Methodist or other denominational way, but in the spirit of the new American, worshipping God as the divine power, Jesus as the Savior and one of a new generation literate enough to read and discern history on his own. 

For much of the world, prior to this time, literacy was not widespread so the organized church taught and directed rituals and forms of worship rather than individuals seeking Jesus through Bible study themselves.

Franklin was in addition to being a printer and a writer, the instigator of lending libraries in America.  He is indeed my hero.

Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of thirteen virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his thirteen virtues as:

1. "Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
2. "Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
3. "Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
4. "Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
5. "Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
6. "Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
7. "Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
8. "Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
9. "Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
10. "Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
11. "Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
12. "Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
13. "Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

Planning ahead

Planning for writing, planning the work day, planning a trip  all require the focus on the goal or end result desired.  Time to make some outlines - road maps for each activity.  Steps today include registration for Philadelphia SLA housing, writing on the blog and emailing folks helping with planning the trip. 
Writing on this blog is also one of the ways I focus on reminding myself of the mission - research, tell and write about Ben and the other founding fathers and Our Father who art in Heaven.  God Bless America again, please!

God lights the path...

Thought for the Day: “God lights the path we walk. Sometimes we can see far ahead but other times we have only enough light to see where we are at the moment. These are the times that we need to take our next step completely with our faith in Him knowing that, although we might stumble, He will not let us fall. ~Elmer Laydon~~Thanking God for His "Sonshine" and for this special promise!
  This quote on the Facebook page of a good Christian friend of mine, reminds me of why I originally named my storytelling business - Miss Pockets Book Light Productions - to focus on shining God's light in the programs I do.  There are plenty of scary storytellers,  pundits and people who get humor from humiliating others, my stories and my writing are to be focused on the uplifting.  Lord, please help me walk that cheerful path, and lead me back if I should stray!
  I believe in the triumph over good and evil.  I believe evil exits in the world and we must fight evil in any way that God has armed us...and his book gives all manner of ways to fight evil. 
       And, I also believe that leading and teaching and storytelling should be uplifting and leading in a positive direction, not tearing others down for a laugh or seeing if you can shock someone.  Good stories shine a bright light on good news that people can use.

Working on writing work

Working on work reminds me of a children's book we added to the HCMPL collection back in the early 70's.  I can eat an elephant - one bite at a time. 

Book writing is like that - one step at a time.  In among all the other things I do, I just need to set goal  of a step a week and then step it up and raise the goal,  once I hit rhythm and I can move this project along.

I am making my 3 miles on the bike most days, and more than every other day.  This will be one more good habit to get going.  Good habits bring comfort.

Time to write the big one

Sunday School lesson yesterday, 1776 DVD and a long drive in the car got me thinking about long term goals and doing something important for God and my country.   Talked to my best friend Mary Lou Wurth tonight about writing the book I always wanted to write.  I guess every librarian has a goal to be in the card catalog sometime, even if now it is only software on the world wide web.  Wrote the purpose on two pages of Word document tonight.  Talked 6 min and then 3 min into the recorder on the iPhone.  Now I am publishing intent on the web.  Writing is like dieting, with friends to encourage and a public commitment you are much more likely to follow through to the end.

Personal positives

This year I have added Library Up as a blog for professional focus on work in the library.  The focus will also be on the positive - but through the work of the library.
 This blog will focus on doing all the good you can all the time you can and at least one good deed every day!
I firmly believe we can all change the world - for the better, by just doing better ourselves a little bit every day.  The ripple in the pond effect that makes smiles contagious, will spread the joy and the light, like a candle in a dark room, will brighten the night for a long distance.
Turn your light on!