My Best Seller's Ranking!

Happy Sunday all! 

I wanted to wait a few days to share my good news, but I'm afraid it would go away like a dream! lol....I haven't checked my Amazon page for quite some time...and lo and behold I log on tonight to check out a friend's book and I see my Best Seller's Ranking went up by let's just say a few million and then some!

My first book Thinking out Loud is now ranked #234,275 in (Paperback) Books!! (you can check it out below). I'm now sure how this works, but I would say that's a HUGE improvement from where it was.

Thank you God and thanks to all those who had a part to play!! 

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, you can purchase it by visiting (http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382) or a local bookstore near you (RIK, Charran's St. James, The Book Sauce and Metropolitan, Trinidad). 

Thanks a million and don't forget to post a review!

Peace & Love xo

THE COLD HARSH TRUTHS

Today is Sunday. The day after Saturday (as a popular local radio announcer would say :). 

It's the day after I "unveiled my book" to the world for the first time. After checking my hits, I did not get the response that I anticipated. Yet I continue... 

Yesterday was after all Saturday, people probably have other stuff going on(?) I did however receive a really lovely comment from one of my mother's friends who ended, by saying she can't wait to read my book.

Tobago 2013. Carolyn K. Correia. All rights reserved.

In chapter 5, I talk about disappointments like this a lot. 

Not for silly things like blogs and "likes" but for bigger things, like promises being broken, like people not meaning what they say and not saying what they mean...

Like a season ending and not knowing why.

I talk about losing faith in humanity...then by part 2 I describe how I was literally rescued by a stranger who risked his life to save mine. 

I share how I somehow attracted so many positive situations and people who genuinely care about me and what I do and demonstrate it repeatedly by their actions.

Last month I did a story and met someone who promised to help my mum. I thought that promise was broken when my messages to that person went unanswered last week. I really beat myself up and worked myself into a frenzy, because once again what I thought to be authentic proved to be a façade. I was wrong. 

Today I took a time-out and sat on my porch while I meditated and prayed for a short while. The sun came out, so I came back inside and lay on my couch. In less than 10 minutes, my phone buzzed and it was a text from the said person wanting to come over and visit my mother! Wow!

God works like that!

After experiencing disappointments over the past few months (and year) from a few different people without as much as an explanation, my faith is renewed by a few good deeds. 

I've learnt that there's good and bad in everyone and everything. You win some, you lose some. The ones who are true blue, will always be for you! The others are a test and lesson (in trust) along your path. 

I also offer as an explanation that perhaps, people just have their own internal (and external) struggles going on. It's more complex than that though and sometimes things remain a mystery until the time is right. Sometimes you never unravel the truth, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles and acceptance is part of moving on and healing. 

My friend Roxanne always tell me: "you have to pick your battles, some things are just not worth fighting for." I am now beginning to understand what she's been telling me all along.

For now, I wait and watch it unfold. You are not in control of everything, but you can control how you react. Each day brings a new lesson. This is what I learnt today.

Join me for more by subscribing, commenting below or dropping me a line on the contact form on your right. I would love to hear from you!

Peace & Love x

Happy Sunday!

12 Chapters of LOVE

Today is the day that I break the silence and talk about my soon-to-be published second book. I didn't want to give too much away too soon, but I've been talking about it informally for quite some time and have since starting promoting it in the media. So no better time like the present. This blog is a long one, but soo worth the read :)

MY MIDNIGHT EPIPHANY

After doing research for months; last night, destiny brought me to this VERY cool blog I started to follow, which in turn led me to an even more fabulous e-book, which lit a FIRE UNDER me and INSIDE me. Thanks Marcie...you really came through for me! (If you want to learn more about these cool subject matter experts, drop me a line on the contact form on your right!)

So there I was...up at 3 o'clock this morning, trying to figure out how to blog about my book without letting the cat out the bag! Today I was out all day doing errands and conducting an interview for a human interest story for the local paper and can you believe this thought still lingered at the back of my mind! 

Then tonight I sought the advice from my marketing guru friend (who's helping me with my book launch and business strategy). I patiently await his email, but in the meantime and in-between time, I will give it a shot on my own. (He's probably exhausted from me pestering him all week with my workshop! lol.)

THE GENESIS

photo credit - C.K. Correia  ©  2014 All rights reserved. 
Fort King George, Tobago

For those of you who don't know me or haven't been following my blog, I've written a memoir about my professional journey over the last 6 years. This book was inspired by my Dad back in 2009. 

Words can't explain how glad I am that he got a chance to hear me read the first 8 chapters when in good spirits, long before he passed away last Christmas. 

I dedicated this second book and my first (Thinking out Loud) to him, even all those years ago when I thought he would have been around forever.

WHY SHE LAUGHED...

One of my former work colleagues told me today: "But your journey has just begun! How can you write a memoir on what you haven't experienced yet!?" She laughed. I laughed, but I thought hard about this question. My response was my usual elevator pitch, which I'm sure I need to work on for other media appearances.

MY ELEVATOR PITCH

This book is about my journey about finding myself and claiming what's mine. While writing it, my sister Wendy reminded me that this is a continuous journey. Last Tuesday on the Every Woman radio programme on Ebony 104.1 FM, (you can read about this here (http://inspirationescape.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-day-i-learnt-theres-no-such-thing.html), I shared that without knowing yourself, you can't really know or love anybody else and you can't know where you're going in life and put plans in place to get there. 

The thing is, once you know who you are and what you are about, no one can come along to shake your sense of worth or deter you from your goals. Even if in the moment, you stumble a little, you will always bounce back, because you stand on solid ground. It's also important to walk away or distance yourself from those situations and people that inhibit your progress or well-being.

THE BOOK

This memoir is about my professional and personal journey of growth and self-discovery. Chapter 3 begins with me describing how badly I wanted to enter the field of Journalism over the years, then one day making my breakthrough with one article and finally becoming a published writer, then author and how this made me feel. 

I also talk about working at jobs that made me feel empty inside and how not being able to share all of my talents, dimmed my spirit. I reveal how I coped with this in daily life and how much I craved change in my routine, not only at work. 

The discoveries I had while waiting is described in detail and I show readers how I used my time wisely and also exercised patience and faith until I got where I wanted to go. The reader is taken on a journey through time as I pleaded for years for my prayers to be answered. Again it vividly shows what happened the day my miracle came. 

The book reveals chapter after chapter how I made the various transitions that literally changed my life! Part 2 of the same book reveals more aha moments, challenges, rude awakenings, near-death experiences, grief, personal discoveries, chance encounters and what led me to entrepreneurship.

I HAVE YOU TO THANK

This book is so much more personal than anything I have every published before and I have my editor, who I like to call my book coach to thank for that. When she read the first draft last December and told me what I needed to do to make it better, at first I was kicking and screaming and told her I couldn't and wouldn't share so much! (I also talk about that in Chapter 12). 

Over the 7 year period and then more recently, several edits later, I can say I am truly proud, humbled and thankful for what this book has morphed into. I have so many people to thank for that, I can't even begin to name them all, but I THANK YOU ALL publicly from the bottom of my heart and soul...you know who you are.

Most of all, I give thanks and praise to the Most High God for granting me the inspiration and this gift of expression and of course leading me to all the situations and people necessary for my transformation and discoveries. 

I can't wait to see where this journey leads.

Peace & Blessed Love xo

Please stay tuned to this space. You can follow this blog or subscribe by logging on to the right of this page. 

You can also follow me on facebook for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingoutLoudbyCarolynCorreia

The Day I Learnt There's No Such Thing As 'Dead Air'

This week I conquered my fear of LIVE radio. People do this every day, but conquering this fear was a huge deal for me. It was an hour long show and what a rush! This was much different from live TV which was ironically easier. I look terrified, but I remained calm. YAY! I'm happy that I tried and grateful for the support from my team of well wishers and advisers. You mean so much to me. 

Thanks to Natacha and JD for making this easy and allowing me to share with your listeners on your Every Woman programme on Ebony 104.1 FM. Here I spoke about my books and upcoming workshop (Charting Your Destiny) and also "How to Live Your Best Life." Now I know there's no such thing as 'dead air' I can relax a bit!

It was such an empowering experience and even I didn't know I had the courage to say so much on air. lol. I replayed it over and over in my head while on the treadmill that afternoon and still couldn't believe it. I was proud of myself, but wondered what others thought. I got mixed reviews...some overwhelming, some neutral but I took all the feedback in stride on my journey to growth and discovery. 

I couldn't help but share what a (male) client said to me yesterday to make my day and cast away my doubts:

© C.K. Correia 2015 All rights reserved.

"I was offsite working with a company in a noisy factory with lots of distractions....however I managed to sneak in my headphones for my phone and got to listen to your show from the start.

You were REALLY good, you sounded professional and you made really good points...A couple of things to be aware of would be a repeated 'crutch phrase' ...but overall you did a great job. 

I was smiling during the talk, you have a good radio voice as well. You really had me thinking, with the 'know thy self' thing and some challenges that I'm going through now. 

Anyway good job Carolyn, keep it up! I am heading to the gym, to be all I can be!"

Aww...this is what it's all about. I'm glad I am able to make a difference.

Thanks to Judy and others for suggesting the idea of my own show long before I even considered this. It actually sounds do-able at this point now that I have conquered my fears.

Gracias. Merci. Grazie!

Peace & Love x

You can follow my journey on facebook for more: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingoutLoudbyCarolynCorreia

My First Radio Interiew

I am working on releasing my grip on my need to control my destiny and just relaxing in the moment and allowing it to happen. Don't get me wrong...if you want something you have to go after it...because well, you'd pretty much be left behind. 

If you don't succeed at first, don't ever give up...continue at it...your breakthrough could take months or even years, but once you're persistent you WILL succeed. Take it from me, I know. And do you know what? The reward is sweeter with time. Don't be nervous and force it, just prepare and pray and you'd be just fine.

I am talking about what I've learnt along my journey tomorrow on LIVE radio! Join me (Tuesday 12th May, 2015) between 11 AM and Noon on Ebony 104.1 FM as I chat with Natacha Jones and JD on their "Every Woman" programme. Learn how you can "Chart Your Destiny" and sooo much more! 

Not in Trinidad? You can stream live at: Ebony 104.1 FM LIVE via the link below: http://v5.player.abacast.com/v5.1/player/index.php?uid=6624

Feel free to contact me after the programme and share your thoughts.

Peace & Love! xo

What's the Worst That Can Happen?

I am unable to put into words my feelings on the past week. It was an especially difficult time, but I was able to overcome my feelings. Depression is something real. I am not sure if I was depressed or just tired. I did not know it, but my friend at the gym pointed it out to me. 

One of the sources of my pain was my feelings over my Dad who passed away in December who would have been 80 years young on Thursday had he lived. I think it affected me subconsciously in my waking moments. I thought about him sporadically all week, but did not stay long enough to allow the feelings to permeate my being. Today being Mother's Day, I was suddenly able to empathize with all of my friends who have lost their moms and dads over the years. You never know what someone else is going through until you come face to face with it yourself.

People who know me, know that I like things to happen right away. I like immediacy. Even my old co-workers liked to tease me about it when I was employed full time. Even my new friends have come to know this about me. It's not something I'm proud of...I know I need to work on my patience and tolerance. So as my impending workshop and book launch draws closer, I feel myself getting anxious and tense because things are not happening in my timing. There are so many variables out of my control!

Now that I've left the safety net of employment, I am now becoming aware of the highs and lows of entrepreneurship which is still very new to me. My friends who are veterans to this are "motivating the motivator" and they laugh as I hyperventilate with the details. We all agree however that it's no easy task, especially the nature of my business. It may look glamorous at times on the outside, but no one really knows what happens behind the scenes.

My thought for today, is that no matter what's happening in our lives, there's always another side of things....it can always be worse. There's always someone going through more. A few of my friends are battling with so many serious life-changing things which they have no control over. But things always have a way of working out, once you condition your mind to positive thinking. I told my mother about a month ago: When faced with a challenging decision, ask yourself: what is the worst that can happen? If you are able to answer this and deal with the worse case scenario, then you have your answer. Go full speed ahead. There's nothing much to lose. In some cases just your pride or ego. I need to take my own advice!

As I prepare for presentations and new partnerships in the upcoming weeks and months, I embrace the unknown and get ready for the challenges that lay ahead. I will try to exercise patience and ask for guidance as I step into unknown territory and face my destiny. Only time will tell where this story ends. In the meantime, I will try to muster the strength and faith needed to persevere to the end and to the other side of my definition of success.

Have a fabulous week and Remember to Make it Count!

Peace & Love xo

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms around the world, especially my Mom. Best wishes to all mother's-to-be and those that play the role of mother:

She…

Knows what we’re thinking without us having to utter a word

Serves multiple roles – mom, sister, best friend, boss

Can’t stay upset for longer than 24 hours

Offers the best advice although you may not want to admit it at the time

Has the fortitude and willpower representing generations of strong women

Has made endless sacrifices and would give away her last possession for her family

Embodies truth, honour and discipline

Makes the best meals, fudge and fruitcake to cure any human condition

Allow you to make your own decisions even after she has offered her pearls of wisdom

Mom we love and thank you heart emoticon heart emoticon heart emoticon

EXCERPT FROM THINKING OUT LOUD (great gift available on Amazon and a bookstore near you!).

Happy 80th Birthday!

Happy 80th Birthday papa. 

Today you would have been 80 years young. 

I remember your 79th like just yesterday and I kinda knew...

It's been months and I still see you in my dreams. 

In between states of consciousness, I still hear your voice...see your smile..hear your laugh and I know you are watching down on me with love and reassurance. 

I will never forget the sacrifices you made for us. 

You were my advisor and counsellor when I needed a listening ear...personal chef when I was too tired to cook...my driver when I was too tired to drive. 

I am sorry for all those times I was impatient with you....yet you loved me still. 

I would always remember your humility, patience and unending love. 

You have taught me lessons to last a lifetime. 

I will keep our memories together in a safe place as I return to them for comfort throughout my life. 

There will be NO ONE else like you. 

Thank you for encouraging me to write books. 

Thank you for teaching me to pray and have faith. 

Thank you for being you. 

THANK YOU. 

I will LOVE you forever. 

May God grant you peace and lead you to the eternal life and light of His glorious kingdom. Till me meet again XOXO

© 2013 Carolyn K. Correia All rights reserved

Don't Worry, Be Happy

"Don't stress dear. Things will work out. They almost, always do" she said to me.

And just like that they did. My prayers were answered. Things were falling into place nicely, but why do I still feel stressed?

"Faith moves mountains."

"Have some faith. Dampened soul is understandable, but keep steadfast in positivity," he said.

It worked.

Life is filled with peaks and valleys and it's the mindset that keeps us afloat during the valleys. In the grand scheme of things, there's nothing to worry about when you have life in your body and love in your hearts. There can be worse things.

The best is yet to come.

Hold onto faith.

So many things are working in the background.

Hold onto faith.

It will all work out. 

Stay tuned to this space for details.

Tomorrow would have been my Dad's 80th birthday. I know he wouldn't want me to worry. I know he is smiling looking down on me with guidance and reassurance. Last month I dreamt him every day for a week. That last dream signals to me that he is happy where he is and that makes my heart glad. 

I can't almost here him saying: "Don't worry, be happy."

Peace & Love