simplydilsa

"It is the Mind That Makes the Body"

2012-02-26T13:03:00.000-05:00

"It is the mind that makes the body." Sojourner Truth uttered those words over a century ago. They were words of truth then and have been words of truth throughout history. I am constantly reminding myself to treat me better, but I get so busy. I allow my mind to get focused on work, on obligations, on everything other than treating my body like the treasured temple it is.

Part of my busyness includes authoring a non-fiction book called "Lather Rinse Repeat, Three Steps to Success" which is an analogy for learning, assessing, and doing based on the learning and assessing. The Lather and the Rinse is supposed to help you set goals, make good decisions, and do better because you know better. It is about bringing together knowledge and experience to give you a leg up.

Problem is, I have been so busy in the telling of stories, including my corporate job, my two romantic suspense novels, and the third novel in queue that I haven't been focusing on the practice of Lather Rinse Repeat (LRR). In my case, LRR should mean I am putting to use the knowledge I have gained to eat right and exercise daily. But, here I sit so focused on the words flowing into this blog that I am not moving. And this morning, I had my bacon, eggs, and biscuit. We don't want to go there on the downside of that breakfast. So what have I learned that I feel I can share with others in LRR? I have learned to never stop learning, and that I do know better, and that I am getting better. And, the one mantra I need to keep in mind while accomplishing all of these things is that "it is the mind that makes the body."

I will keep you posted on how well that works for me.

Dilsa Saunders Bailey is the author of the searing hot suspense series, The Sperling Chronicles.

Five Things I Remembered When I Heard of Whitney Houston’s Death

2012-02-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

1. No amount of wealth can you bring you joy and happiness. It brings less worry. You don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to take your family out to dinner. You don’t have to worry about depleting your savings account for a pair of new tires. Less worry yes, happiness no. Feelings of happiness, joy, and contentment are up to you.

2. The void can’t be filled with food, drugs, cigarettes, shopping or any other addictions. It can only be filled with a true spiritual sense and understanding of yourself, a full acceptance that you are who you are, and that YOU are the perfect YOU.

3. Love is the greatest wealth any of us can have. We should freely spend it and receive it. Love is a currency that could bail out any failing economy, if we stopped beating each other down.

4. Talent is something to be shared. Every person’s light should shine. Whitney’s light shone around the world, touching souls at their very depths. She will never be forgotten.

5. Commitment is the key to living life to the fullest. Committing to yourself a wholeness that was given to you at birth, a wholeness of spirit, of sound mind, and of good health. To hold on to life, you must remain committed.

I can only be thankful that I could get up this morning and reflect on these things, and remind myself to stay committed to living. Sometimes life is so busy we forget our commitments to ourselves and others. Today, I hope I will continue to be committed to and mindful of all the love, peace, and abundance that are already mine.

Dilsa Saunders Bailey, author of the romantic suspense series, The Sperling Chronicles.

PRESS RELEASE

2012-02-08T07:28:00.000-05:00

GOOD SHOW PUBLICATIONS announces the release of The Sperling Chronicles: Split Images by Dilsa Saunders Bailey. It’s the second novel in the series, The Sperling Chronicles, continuing the saga of the powerful Sperling family whose new patriarch is set on a path of vengeance that could destroy the delicate balance of his once stable life. Dilsa Saunders Bailey was nominated for Georgia Author of the Year - First Novel in 2010 for the first in the series, Dreams Thrown Away which has been re-released as The Sperling Chronicles: Dreams Thrown Away. The first novel introduced Kali Sperling, a young, naïve woman entrapped by a forbidden love affair that proves lethal to the men in her life.

Bailey has captured fans from all walks of life, all cultures and genders with this series that catapults the reader into a world of suspense and dark romance. Her books are loaded with so many twists and unexpected turns that the readers are afraid to put them down, the stories glued into their hands and wired into their brains. Hope you join the growing fan-base by picking up the pair and prepare for the third in series due out in late 2012, early 2013.

The books are available in eBook and print formats at Barnes and Noble and Amazon websites. They are also available in iBook format. Stores and libraries can order directly from Ingram’s, Baker and Taylor, or contact us at info@goodshowpublications.com.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

2012-01-02T16:06:00.003-05:00

Just finished reading the third in the Millenium Series. I know I am late, but considering how often I get to read for enjoyment, I am not too late. So many of my friends still haven't picked up The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo as yet. Thus, I am writing a review to follow the reviews of the first two I have written about this trilogy, Tatoo, just mentioned, and The Girl Who Played with Fire. Question, am I still as blown away as I was with the first two? Answer, I am still hooked. Maybe I wasn't as blown away as I was with the first because I found the heroine to be so atypically captivating and so unexpected. She wasn't the normal lady gumshoe, or the super-undercover agent, she was a hacker with a serious anti-social attitude.

Stieg's last book was still worthy of its hardcover purchase, though I have to admit, getting through the background and the build-up taxed me at times. Yet, I continued to read knowing that I would get the suspense that I craved. This third in the series gave me the feeling that there was a fourth rolling around in his head before he passed, because there was one glaring question not answered about her sister. Not satisfactorily to me, anyway. But, if you are interested in political intrigue, and enjoy an ensemble of good, bad, and gray characters, this bunch of deceivers are right up your alley. The journalist who threads all of the books together with his first sensational story is a middle aged love them and leave them womanizer named Mikhael Blomkvist who spends most of his time digging up dirt on the bad guys and trying to stay alive in the process.

I recently watched the Swedish version of the The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, can't wait to see the American version to compare. Without a doubt, I am still a fan.

Dilsa Saunders Bailey

It Really Is Your Choice

2011-10-30T19:23:00.000-04:00

I heard a quote today that says it all, "it begins with you and it ends with you." In essence you make the decisions that determine your destiny, so that decision begins with you determining how its going to end for you. Your life is your choice.

With that said, I am seriously thinking about my writing career. Where do I begin to take me where I want it to end. I want a career that is self-sustaining. No more bosses, no more j-o-b-s that define me or my level of income, I want freedom. I want the freedom to constantly create using words, those beautiful things made of letters that convey meaning, evoke emotion, and take you on travels through time and space and even create reality for us all. Remember, God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. The whole world began with words, His Words. And we all began to follow suit, "Let there be cars. Let there be computers. Let there be war and peace." You get the picture.

So today, I take heart to the quote "it begins..." and I begin to fully charge ahead toward freedom to exercise God's gift of words.

Dilsa

The Help Merited a Few Choice Memories of How Far Our Country Has Come

2011-10-04T07:37:00.000-04:00

As a writer, my second love is reading. I read everything from cereal boxes to the classics. I think I just finished reading a classic. The Help was captivating, not only due to its subject matter that touched close to home, but because of its riveting portrayal of black women in the south during the most turbulent moments in American history. It was an era when I was a child confused by the images of violence, confused by the differences made to people of color, and even deeply frightened by the confusion. Yet, at the same time I was excited about the future and all its possibilities.

My mother, my grandmother, and many of the women in my family had earned meager livings serving others in their homes. Some of whom they developed life-long loving relationships with and others they lived through to tell tales of abuse, some not too unlike those told in The Help. As a southern child whose first best friend was a little white girl whom I still call friend, I lived through blows of racial discernment because of that friendship. The first time I realized there was a difference in us, other than her uncle’s terms of endearment calling us chocolate and vanilla, was when her cousins came to visit one day. While playing house, they wanted to make me the maid. Even then I knew I was going to be more than that, so I refused and went home. Over the years though having learned what to expect from some, and having grown even stronger in my own expectations, I was again asked to become a maid in a high school play. I was told there was only one role for a black female. Again, I refused. I had wanted to audition for one of the other roles, not the maid and since I wasn’t allowed to that, I didn’t see a point in playing the maid.

The Help stirred up a lot of memories as I read it, the earth shattering images of the Birmingham church that was bombed, destroying the lives of four innocent children was one. Another was the images that gave us all hope, the massive swell of people marching on Washington for equal rights. Kathryn Stockett deserves all the accolades she is receiving as the pictures she painted were alive as well as the strength exuded by those maids who had had enough, a statement of that era when African Americans and people of all colors were saying, “Enough.”

Dilsa Saunders Bailey, author of Dreams Thrown Away

Update on Good Show Publications October Releases

2011-09-16T07:31:00.001-04:00

The original version of Dreams Thrown Away is running out of time and out of print within the next 30 days. Its alter ego, The Sperling Chronicles Part I: Dreams Thrown Away will soon be available along with its sequel, The Sperling Chronicles Part II: Split Images. Order the original now at http://www.dilsasaundersbailey.com/ for that last chance autographed copy of the mother of all things Sperling.

Mama Sperling (Dreams Thrown Away, the original) will be featured at one more book signing: Nubian Book Store in Southlake Mall, Morrow, GA on September 23, 2011 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There will be reading of an excerpt from Dreams and Split Images on A Live Reading Webinar on Sunday night at 8:00 PM by the author, Dilsa Saunders Bailey. This event will be posted on the Dreams Thrown Away Facebook page. It’s up close and personal event with several authors who will be sitting before webcams to share the whole live reading experience. Keep your ears open and for an excerpt from Split Images on the Bernice Feagins Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio at 1:00 PM on September 22. Catch more news on these releases, if you can, on one of Atlanta Clark University’s television shows to get a sneak peek at the new cover for Dreams and the cover for Split Images.

Kali and Ashton are fighting to get back out of the box with another Sperling family adventure. Pre-order your copy of Split Images and be one of the first to receive an autographed copy. Pre-orders will be available at http://www.dilsasaundersbailey.com/ and Good Show Publications. Both books will also be available in any eBook format your heart desires, Kindle, iBook, epub, and more.

SELF-PUBLISHING TIPS 108 - Ten Questions to Ask a POD Self-Publisher (SP) Publisher

2011-06-23T08:42:00.001-04:00

There is a book in each and every one of us. Not everyone though takes the plunge to see that book in print. Some do by pursuing the traditional route, others pursue independent publishing, and others pursue self-publishing through a self-publisher. If you stopped to read this article, you may or may not already know the difference. If you don’t, think of it in these terms. Traditional publishing involves a contract with a big, medium, or small publishing house. They do all the work with varying levels of marketing based on contract and book sales. An independent publisher (the author) takes responsibility for writing the book, getting the book printed, distributed, and marketed. A Print-On-Demand (POD) self-publisher or any vanity self-publishing house offers a variety of packages that you can purchase. They will print, distribute, and market the book at various levels for you. The SP’s will also offer a variety of additional products and services. These self-publishing houses offer packages that are extremely attractive. They make it so much easier for everyone who has that desire to birth that book contributing to the over 764,000 books that were self-published in 2009. If you are considering the POD self-publishing route, put these questions on your list of things to ask:

How much will they charge you to purchase your own book? Note: The production cost of the book is usually based upon page number and size.
How much will you receive (royalty) if the book is purchased on their website or through a retailer? Note: This will be based on the retail price and could include a specific discount for retailers.
Will they continue to charge you at the same price regardless of the number of copies you order? Note: The greater the number of books you order, the lower the price should be. Ask about the discount levels.
How much will you receive for the sale of your e-book through their website or through a retailer?
Is there a base price for pricing your e-book? Note: You may have $.99 in mind and they may $9.99.
Will your e-book be released in a variety of formats? Note not using technical dots: Kindle, Nook, Sony, any e-reader accessibility.
Can you use your own ISBN or is it mandatory that you use theirs? Note: The ISBN belongs to the company, not you. If you have your own imprint, or want to move your book in the future, consider your own ISBN that you own.
If you want to add your book to Inside Cover for either Amazon or Barnes and Noble, do you have to utilize their service or can you do it yourself? Note: You could do it for free.
What entails a custom cover? Note: It may not include front and back. Back may be an additional charge.
Is there an additional charge to insert images? Note: Some may charge by the photo.

My first book, Dreams Thrown Away, was published through a POD self-publisher in August 2009. It was one of the most exciting days in my life when the finished copy arrived. Whether you choose to go traditional, independent, or self-publish to experience that same excitement, be well armed with the right questions to make it an even happier experience.

SELF-PUBLISHING TIPS 107 - Discounting with Lightning Source

2011-06-03T21:14:00.002-04:00

What is Lightning Source? Lightning Source is a print-on-demand company that also offers traditional printing services. It’s best known for its print-on-demand services with an affiliation with one of the largest distributors in the country, Ingram. Lightning Source provides a fast efficient way of printing your books to order for you or your distributor. If you are planning to self-publish, starting an independent publishing company, or seeking other printing options for a medium or large publishing company, you have probably already researched a variety of printers. Lightning Source offers a printing solution for everyone, and that includes an option to set your discount. During my research I came across a post by Pete Masterson, an established self-publishing expert. I have asked his permission to share his insight on how to appropriately discount your book with Lightning Source. As a new independent publisher, I found it very informative. I hope you will, too.

Re: [Self-Publishing] variable discounts for POD books

You've answered your own question. LSI allows you to specify a single trade
discount that then applies to all who purchase books from LSI/Ingram. Indeed,
this corresponds with the FTC requirement that "like buyers be given like
prices"... while there are ways to categorize booksellers in ways that allow
"price discrimination" physical vs. online is not considered a reasonable point
upon which to base that discrimination.

The choice of a 55% discount with full return for credit privilege is necessary
for books that are likely to have significant (or any) demand from physical
bookstores. Of course, most physical bookstores do not order POD books in any
volume most of the time.

The strategy of setting a 20% wholesale discount through LSI assumes that the
book will not be sold through physical bookstores. Since online/electronic
booksellers do not stock inventory (ordering from LSI when they receive an
order) they can accept the short discount without difficulty. Do not expect to
see any significant retail discounts offered on books carrying the 20% wholesale
terms. (It is also not necessary to allow returns.)

So, the choice of the wholesale discount is really a matter of considering your
overall marketing strategy and choosing where you might wish to be selling your
books.

You have to ask (yourself), Will the book be attractive to a physical bookstore?
If so, what do I need to do to encourage booksellers to order the book? If you
find that retail bookstore sales are not sufficiently attractive, then you might
consider using the 20% wholesale discount, no return, approach.

Then there is the matter of the book price. If you plan to sell with a 55%
discount, (returns allowed), you may wish to set the list price a little higher,
since that will gain you more revenue -- and the online booksellers will surely
discount the retail price somewhat. (For example, my book has a $29.95 list
price ... but Amazon usually sells it at $19.97 ... a 34% discount from list
price.) It is distributed as an offset press printed book through a distributor.
Regardless of the retail price, I receive $13.48 per copy at the standard 55%
wholesale discount (regardless of what the retail vendor charges).

If I had set my book up as a 20% wholesale discount title, then I might have set
the list price at $19.95 ... then I'd receive $15.96 per copy (less print cost)
through LSI/Ingram. Amazon (and other online sellers) would be unlikely to
discount the book ... but the sales price would still be about the same.

So, it's not just a matter of picking between 55% and 20% ... you have to
analyze your complete marketing plan and consider who you're selling to and how
you're going to reach that audience. There is no single correct answer and every
choice has trade offs to consider.

For example, at the $13.48 per copy I currently receive, my unit cost of printed
books costs $3.48, so my gross margin is about $10 per copy with the 55%
wholesale discount model. However, due to the large size of my book, the LSI
print cost would be $7.06 per copy, so even though I receive $15.96 per copy
with the $19.95 price and 20% discount through LSI, I'm left with a gross margin
of only $8.90 per copy. (So I'd need to analyze my other distribution costs to
determine if I'd come out ahead with LSI/20% distribution vs. printing with a
"standard" 55% distribution model.

In the end, this is NOT a simple question and you need to do some thorough
analysis of your total costs per book, etc. to determine the "best" approach for
_your_ particular book.

Pete Masterson

Author of Book Design and Production: A Guide for Authors and Publishers

Visit Aeonix.com for helpful articles about self publishing.

Print-on-Demand Book Publishing: A New Approach To Printing And Marketing Books For Publishers And Self-Publishing Authors

Book Publishing DIY : The Do It Yourself Guide to Print-on-Demand Self-Publishing (Second Edition)

POD for Profit: More on the NEW Business of Self Publishing, or How to Publish Your Books With Online Book Marketing and Print on Demand by Lightning Source

SELF-PUBLISHING TIPS 106 – 10 Things to Know About Marketing

2011-05-23T20:08:00.000-04:00

Two years ago this summer, I released my first novel with the half expectation that people were just going to buy it. Why? “Because just like in the Field of Dreams, if I built it they would come.” How hard are you laughing right now? I learned very quickly that there is another component to wanting to write a book. That component, you also want to sell a book. And, here is the common sense theme that didn’t sink in quite so fast, the only people that will buy your book are the people who have 1) heard of it, 2) found the cover interesting enough to stop if it’s on a book shelf, and 3) found the description intriguing enough to open a few pages then walk out the store with it, or order it online.

After selling copies to all my friends and family, I began the journey of learning how to market my book. Here are a few things I learned and a few things you should know before following the same path.

1. Marketing is an investment and the return on investment (ROI) may take years.

2. It is better to market to a specific demographic who may be interested in your book than to spread efforts too thin.

3. Marketing should never cease. Try to maintain a marketing pace, as well interim hard pushes.

4. It is easier to market more than one book. So write another one.

5. When you have more than one book to sell, you are likelier to sell more books.

6. Choose your book fairs wisely before reserving your table.

7. Book fairs cost: book inventory, table, electricity, hotel accommodations, travel accommodations, props for the table, book marks, and most importantly, your time.

8. Networking at book fairs, writers associations, and conferences is an important marketing tool, you get to learn, sell, and commiserate.

9. Marketing a product on radio or television is easy only if you are prepared. Make sure you know what you are going to say, control the information you release about your book. You want people to still want to buy it and read it. They won’t if you have already given away all the details.

10. Social networking or an online presence works, but only if you work it.

I have had so much fun since I released Dreams Thrown Away. I am looking forward to its re-release this summer along with its sequel, Split Images. I am still planning to self-publish again. But, this time armed with more polish and more knowledge. If you would like to add to this list, I would love to hear from you.

The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource, Revised Edition

Little Green Book of Getting Your Way: How to Speak, Write, Present, Persuade, Influence, and Sell Your Point of View to Others

Self-Publishing Tips 105 - Ten Great Websites for Self-Publishers

2011-05-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

Have you always wanted to write a book and don't know where to start? Have written a book, published it, and not sure of what to do next? We write for someone to read it, right? No one will read it, if they don't know about it or if it never gets published. Here are some resources to help you land safely in the self-publishing world. These websites will help you get started, help you market your book, and help you to enjoy the life of a writer.

http://www.spannet.org/ (Small Publishing Association of North America-SPAN)
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ (Resource for Freelance Writers)
http://www.queryshark.blogspot.com/ (Agent Janet Reid Blogs about Querying)
http://www.writersdigest.com/ (Education, Tools, and Tips for the Writer)
http://www.writersmarket.com/ (Education, Tools, and Tips for the Writer)
http://www.booktour.com/ (Marketing Tools and Contacts)
http://www.ibpa-online.org/ (Independent Book Publishers Association)
http://www.bookbuzzr.com/ (BookBuzzr-Free Online Anti-Obscurity Technologies for Authors)
http://www.copyright.gov/ (US Copyright Office)
http://www.pred-ed.com/ (Preditors and Editors)

Book Review - The Girl Who Played with Fire

2011-05-13T17:57:00.002-04:00

The Girl Who Played with Fire

by Stieg Larsson

The second installment of this series was absolutely captivating. I can't wait to start reading the third and final book. After that, I am going to happily hunker down and watch the movies.

So, why am so excited about this book? Here's why. The female character is unpredictable and extremely deliberate in every aspect of her life. I can ony describe as a woman who viciously pursues justice and has every right to do so. I loved the twists, the connections, and how the theatre of characters were elaborately pieced together by Lisabeth's own cape crusader, the journalist that wormed his way into her heart in the first installment (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo).

You have to read it. Lisabeth Salander is a classic and unforgettable character. Michael Blomkvist isn't too bad himself. You can get lost in this novel with Lisabeth and Michael as the story of an unthinkable crime against your own develops one page at time.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Reviewed by Dilsa Saunders Bailey, author of Dreams Thrown Away, a romantic suspense novel and the first in the series of The Sperling Chronicles.

Quote of the Day - May 11, 2011

2011-05-11T07:24:00.000-04:00

"Music is the pleasure the human mind experiences from counting without being aware that is is counting."

Gottfried Liebniz

Leibniz Philosophical Writings

Leibniz: An Intellectual Biography

Discourse on Metaphysics, Correspondence with Arnauld and Monadology

Quote of the Day - May 9, 2011

2011-05-09T07:26:00.000-04:00

"RIGHT where you are is where you need to be. Don't fight it! Don't run away from it! Stand firm! Take a deep breath. And another, And another. Stop beating up on yourself. Don't blame anyone else. Breathe. Now ask yourself: Why is this in my world? What do I need to see? To know myself through this situation. Breathe again. Now ask God..."

Iyanla Vanzant

Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through

One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days and 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth

Living Through the Meantime : Learning to Break the Patterns of the Past and Begin the Healing Process

Quote of the Day - May 5, 2011

2011-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Knowing that one's plans are sound, based upon experience or observation, encourages persistence; "guessing" instead of "knowing" destroys persistence."

Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill's Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement

The Law of Success: The Master Wealth-Builder's Complete and Original Lesson Plan forAchieving Your Dreams

Think and Grow Rich

SELF-PUBLISHING TIPS 104

2011-05-02T21:10:00.002-04:00

10 Starter Items Needed to Self-Publish

1.	Professional Editor for Your Content
2.	Graphics for Your Book Cover
3.	Professional Layout for Your Book
4.	Riveting Description of Your Book
5.	ISBN and Bar Code
6.	Copyright
7.	Pre-Assigned Control Number (PCN) for the Library of Congress Database
8.	Price
9.	Printer
10.	Distributor

Apple iPad (first generation) MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi)

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology

Kindle: Amazon's Original Wireless Reading Device (1st generation)

The Lost Years of Kali - Diary of August 26, 1978

2011-05-01T14:53:00.003-04:00

August 26, 1978

Dear Diary,

Oh, My God! I’m scared. What am I supposed to do? If I make a fuss, he will kick me out with only the things I came with, which is nothing. I didn’t even own the panties I wore in here. Billy’s wife took it all back, but she didn’t bother to bring me my clothes back that I was wearing when Billy picked me up. God help me. I’m scared.

Daddy, why did you do what you did? Why did you leave me alone like that? I’m scared!!!

Kalina Denise Harris

Follow Kali's Diaries on her own Facebook Page - Dreams Thrown Away!!! Read the book today on KINDLE or e-book format.

There Are No Rules - How to Get Reviews for Self-Published Books

2011-04-29T16:34:00.000-04:00

There Are No Rules - How to Get Reviews for Self-Published Books

Dreams Thrown Away - Mini Excerpt

2011-04-29T11:30:00.001-04:00

Kalina sat up and watched him walk out the door. She didn't want to move. She was tired from all the walking and exhausted from the flood of emotions that had started raging inside her. Her mind said he was a married man -- an older man, and she shouldn't even let him touch her. But, her body was saying, "touch me again."

Quote of the Day - April 28, 2011

2011-04-28T18:27:00.000-04:00

Sow a thought, and you reap an act.

Sow an act, and you reap a habit.

Sow a habit, and you reap character.

Sow character, and you reap destiny!

Dr. Robert Schuller

Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!

Dr. Robert Schuller's Classic Messages From The Crystal Cathedral (30th Anniversary Special Edition)

The Power of Positive Thinking

Quote of the Day - April 27, 2011

2011-04-27T07:27:00.000-04:00

"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living

The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings

How to See Yourself As You Really Are

Quote of the Day - April 25, 2011

2011-04-25T22:23:00.000-04:00

"I wanted to make a statement, not in any grand or boastful way, but to let people know what God can do when you believe..."

Tyler Perry

Madea's Big Happy Family: The Play

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? (Widescreen Edition)

For Colored Girls

Quote of the Day - April 24, 2011

2011-04-24T19:00:00.000-04:00

"Let us be grateful to people who makes us happy, they are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

Marcel Proust

In Search of Lost Time: Proust 6-pack (Proust Complete)

Marcel Proust: A Life (Penguin Lives)

Famous Authors: Marcel Proust

New information gives you a new perspective

2011-04-19T21:10:00.001-04:00

Remember the anxiety you used to feel when you were starting a new class or a new grade in school. You knew at the end of the last school year or the last semester, you would be leaving that which had become familiar behind. Or, perhaps it was time for the ultimate…graduation, and life as you knew it was sure to change. There are many situations like this that I could describe, the ending of one familiar experience to be replaced with the unknown. But, isn’t it wonderful how the unknown becomes the known, giving you a new learning experience as well as a new perspective?

Let’s look at the new perspective for a minute from the learning aspect. Dictionary.com defines learning as: knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application or the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill or the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience. Did you notice two of the definitions referenced ‘acquired knowledge’ and the last reference a ‘modification of behavior’? Why? The objective of learning something new, even if it is triggered by instinctive behavior, is to modify your behavior. And, why does the modification of behavior take place? Because, what you have learned grants you the ability to look at your world from a different perspective, good or bad or indifferent, but differently.

In the lathering process, you want to acquire knowledge that will modify the type of decisions you make in life. For example, when you were younger and thinner and moving all the time you could buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies, consume the whole box, and not suffer any consequences. Perhaps, as you grew older, you noticed the pounds beginning to stay with you no matter what, except the no matter was an improper diet. You began to pay attention, acquired knowledge about the affects of poor or healthy eating habits. You learned how that very tasty box of cookies could possibly add two or three pounds to your ever increasing thighs.

If you are lathering properly though, you will use the acquired knowledge to motivate a change in your behavior. You will now make the decision to eat a few cookies at a time over an expanded period of time, and not the whole box in one sitting. You will look at that colorful and delicious box of cookies from a new perspective. You will deem those cookies as a means to satisfy your sweet taste little by little, without overindulging and reducing the likelihood of those cookies adding even a centimeter to the diameter of those thighs.

What were the Lather Rinse Repeat practices in this article?

Lather – you learned you could change your outcome (the size of your thighs)

Rinse – you assessed what you learned (the effects of poor diet versus a healthy diet)

Repeat – you made the right choice (smaller portions of the cookies make your thighs happy)

Dilsa Saunders Bailey is in the process of writing the non-fiction book, Lather Rinse Repeat. If you would like to learn more about the concept, contact her for your next speaking engagement. Or, blog with her here at simplydilsa.

Don’t forget to pick up her novel, Dreams Thrown Away. The romantic suspense novel that tracks a couple whose drive to reach their dreams drives them to make all the wrong decisions leaving all sorts of havoc behind including sex, lies, and murder.

Lather Rinse Repeat - Graduate

2011-04-18T21:42:00.000-04:00

Life is awesome. There are always lessons to learn. Some of them hard, very few are easy. The important thing is to actually grow and not to repeat them over and over. You have to graduate one day. I'm ready for graduation!!!!

Dilsa Saunders Bailey