THE REAL DEAL! Book #2

Hope your Wednesday was just great. I have been super busy....I just published my second book! I've waited for this day for soo long. It's been a long journey but the rewards are sweeter by the day.

I wish to thank all those people that helped with the process: my editor and designer Patricia, my beta readers Yohann and Marie-Ella and all my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me and provided the encouragement and inspiration throughout this 6-year journey. You made sure I did not give up and for this I am grateful.

Most of all my dear Dad who is no longer with me physically as I write this...you started this process and I thank you for the inspiration. I will love you forever and I know you are here with me in spirit.

I just ordered my sample copy and anxiously await before I make any more announcements!! It was A LOT of work, but the digital copy looks great and I can't wait to share with all of you.The countdown is ON!!!

I can't THANK YOU enough for joining me on my journey.

Feel free to message or email me at inspirationescape@gmail.com if you want to touch base or subscribe to my mailing list.

LOVE, luv, xo

Carolyn

Listening to the Messages

Today I met two very courageous people when I did a story in keeping with Lupus awareness month. The sun was shining and the weather was sweet and I learned so much as we danced to our own beat.

Reeanna and Sherwin I am in awe of you! You delight and inspire me! I feel like doing a

photo credit - C.K. Correia 2015
All rights reserved

song and dance in your honour! Wow!

It's a lesson that sometimes some of us cry over spilled milk way too long, when we should really be giving endless thanks and praise for our abundant blessings! 

Once we have the ability to wake up to a brand new day with life in our bodies and can look after ourselves, there's no time for weeping. 

Today also taught me that our journeys are interconnected and we have much to learn from each other. I can't wait to see how this story turns out.

I also learnt from Reeanna and my mom that I should listen to my body more. I must know my limits. I ignored the messages, that's why I was out of circulation this week for two days. 

Although I'm excited to create more wonderful things, I must know when it's time to pause and refuel. It's now signalling me to get some rest.

Tomorrow's another day full of possibilities, I can't wait to make it count!

Peace & Love

A Writer's Dream Come True

Today proves that hard work pays off and dreams do come true.

In reality my day did not start off the best. I don't usually get headaches, but for some reason

photo credit - lime.tt
Buccoo Goat and Crab Races 2013

I had a mind numbing throbbing sensation in my head for most of the day and last night. 

I thought I could be just suffering from stress and sleep deprivation or some kind of allergic reaction to something I consumed. I even missed my interview for a story this morning (the interviewee was also suffering from a migraine, so I guess everything happens for a reason).

But today was absolutely awesome for many reasons.

A couple Sundays ago, I interviewed my former work colleague and chef friend from Tobago via Skype in a series on entrepreneurship. 

The article was published in the newspaper today and the response was overwhelming. You can read it here: http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,211422.html

Before I could call her this morning she had already received a couple phone calls from persons wishing her well. 

I quickly ran out of the house to purchase my copy of the Newsday, even before having my morning tea. After finally getting my copy at the third shop I visited, I couldn't wait to tear open the newspaper.  My delight was so contagious that the shopkeeper started to smile as I opened to page 1 of the features section, while I  began to explain who it was! lol

When I returned home, I got a call from Curlyn telling me she received another phone call and email, this time from the Dean of a school in South Trinidad! He said that he was going to talk to the Food & Nutrition teacher, since every student of her class should have a copy of that article because it demonstrates that hard work pays off! Ohmy!

photo credit - Frederic Dubray © 2014. All rights reserved.

He said that next time he was in Tobago he wanted to taste her "sweet hand"! I couldn't believe my ears, I was super excited.

I got a text a little while later from Curlyn telling me that I wouldn't believe how many people were contacting her to congratulate her and invite her to cook for them, mainly in Trinidad. 

By the end of the day, a little while ago, I called her to find out how her day went and she told me that she received over 20 calls and emails from people (mostly strangers) all so happy for her and wanting to taste her food, especially her Antiguan dishes. She said one woman even told her she cried when she read the ending of the article!!! Ohhhmmmy 

My heart is bursting with gladness for my friend. This is the greatest reward a writer can receive. Although Curlyn thanked and congratulated me, I congratulated her for having such a determined spirit and a wonderful and fulfilling life. (I want to be just like her when I grow up!)

I am glad I got to know her and see the person inside. We met at a Career Fair in March 2013 shortly after moving to Tobago and became instant friends (like so many of my other Tobago peeps :) As my Dad's aunt would say (or so I was told growing up!) "God blessed the day I found you!" :-)

I always visit her when I'm on the island and she even came to the launch of my workshop last year when I moved back home. Every word in that article is authentic and I live vicariously through her life, each time I read it. I feel connected to her in spirit and she feels like family. 

I love you with all my heart Curlyn John and I wish you the very best life has to offer!

Until next time...

Peace & Love xo

Down For Maintenance

Today was my rest day from the book stuff. I realized I am pushing my body too hard. It's now crying out for sleep and rest. lol. After going to bed at 4 am, I got a few hours sleep and was off to the gym to test myself. 

After a full afternoon of errands, I realized I have no more to give mentally or physically.  I collapsed on my couch during the news after having the best cup of Colombian decaf freeze dried coffee. Woke up in the middle of The Voice and realized I did not miss a thing!

Yet I am here. It's what keeps me going. Much like oxygen. I need to write to exist. It is my reason for being.

I will rest, rejuvenate and recharge my batteries. I am doing an interview for another feature story tomorrow, so I have to be up early. 

For now, I pack it up and lay it down! Literally.

Until next time. 

Stay tuned.

Ciao~

Yesterday Is Gone, But Not Forgotten

Technology never ceases to amaze me. Within the past few days I've discovered so much, like how to share pdf files on social media without converting the file... 

I've learnt how my first book, Thinking out Loud sky-rocketed from 7,186,481th place (yes that's MILLION!) to 119, 950th place on the Amazon Best Sellers ranking in literally ONE day with minimal effort, NO additional reviews or WITHOUT spending a dime! 

I'm humbled and forever grateful! Let the blessings FLOW! (If any authors out there want to know how, please feel free to send me a message via the contact form on your right!) 

Tonight I continue my storytelling about my second book. I promise to keep it short! 

photo credit - Canoe Bay, Tobago
C. K.Correia 2013. All rights reserved

In my last blog, I spoke about my discovery of the COLD HARSH TRUTHS (still discovering) along this journey called life and how I learnt to cope with it. 

That's something I will never fully understand, but must accept in order to move forward positively and heal my heart and soul.

Although this memoir began in 2009, a lot of my book is about what I learnt on the sister-isle of Tobago when I worked there for a year and how it assisted my growth. 

I describe the feeling of liberation living totally on my own, waking up to cool fresh air, the sweet song (yes I said song!) of birds and being surrounded by beautiful eco-tourism and all the fruits and vegetables you can think of right in my own backyard. I also relived memories of my landlords and neighbours who made me feel like I never left home.

It was the perfect writer's paradise, yet I was out quite a lot and mostly wrote in the wee morning hours (like I do now). (That's me at the beach with my brother, the wind was pretty strong and I was having a bad hair day).

I talk about weekends of making (and figuring out how to make) roasted breadfruit, five finger (tropical fruit) sangria, barbadine (another divine island fruit) punch, fish broth and oil down (yummy local dishes) with friends, co-workers and strangers alike. I describe how those feelings awakened my spirit and renewed my peace that I craved for so long. The experience also strengthened my faith and made me a more resilient person. 

Most of all, I talk about the wonderful people I connected with almost instantly and how most of those friendships have endured to this day...2 years later. The events I attended gave me a greater appreciation for the culture of our twin-island republic and my sense of adventure was at full throttle as I learnt the new land and discovered new things.

Professionally, the experiences I had and the people I met both at work and in my personal life provided the impetus and courage to chart my destiny and hone my talents to rediscover my deeper purpose which led me to entrepreneurship (that I postponed for so long). 

My friends back home always remarked that I was having too much fun! And upon returning home they cannot get over how much I've grown :) My experience was that amazing...although fraught with minor, sporadic challenges, they pale in comparison to the overall journey.

The relationship with some of these friends also became deeper as they came to visit and we kept in touch via technology though waters separated us. Last night I turned on my wifi on the old BlackBerry and stumbled upon some old bbm chats that somehow survived! I was transported thru time to those days and months of bliss! 

I revelled in those moments and tucked away the memories until I need them again! Call me nostalgic, but I'm a sucker for that sorta thing. Despite this tough exterior, I am really a hopeless romantic (in a non-romantic writer way) lol

Today's lesson: Time is golden! Cherish it. Soak it in. LIVE FULLY IN THE MOMENT, because when it's gone, it cannot be recaptured #ThinkingOutLoud

Until next episode,

Peace & Love xo

Stay tuned to this space...

What Will Matter Most When Your Best Years Are Behind You

First published on Elite Daily. Read it here: 

http://elitedaily.com/life/when-best-years-behind-you/1021577/

I often ask myself what I value most in life.

What truly makes me happy? What am I most proud of?

I thought about this for quite some time and I will answer in three parts:

Our Most Valuable Possessions

We live in a materialistic world, and sometimes it’s hard to stay focused on what truly matters. It’s human nature to want to live comfortable lives with our needs satisfied. But contrary to popular belief, I don’t think possessions make you happiest.

photo credit -
 Hartwig HKD "Generations" via flickr

When you work hard, it’s good to reward yourself with the things that make your life a little easier, like living in a nice home in a “safe” neighborhood, or a comfortable car to get around.

The risk of losing yourself comes when you get caught up in trying to keep up with the Joneses for the sake of outdoing and impressing those around you.

Truly genuine people would not care where you live or what car you drive. They would love you for you, even if you were flat broke, homeless or ill.

They would stand by your side even if you disagree from time to time.

Most of all, they’d support your dreams even if you had doubts. So, I would say I value genuine connections with those whom I share an unconditional love.

These are the people you want around for the next few decades when looks and possessions have all faded.

I also value my talents, abilities and strength to persevere and accomplish my dreams, since this is a big part of my life and who I am. It’s what fuels my spirit and keeps me afloat in a crazy and sometimes unkind world.

It’s what I would want to remember at the end of my life, to know my time spent here had meaning and helped others accomplish their own dreams or improve their lives in some way.

The Key To Happiness

When you are able to identify your talents and gifts, the sky is the limit for creation.

Everyone is born with it, but it is up to us to listen to the signs and discover what we were placed on this earth to do.

It takes courage, nurturing and determination. I am happy to be alive and have the ability to tell my story through words. I like to witness what I have created and see the reaction from others who tell me they can identify, or that my work has helped them in some way. It’s a natural high.

Sometimes people (even those close to you) may try to deter you from your vision and almost brainwash you into thinking that it’s not worthwhile.

It’s important to stay true to yourself and believe. Nothing is worse than having a gift and living your whole life without expressing it and sharing it with others.

When you let it die inside of you, part of yourself also dies, as you withhold your purpose on this earth.

Nurturing the relationships and identifying the ones that are genuine are an important part of your journey to happiness.

This can make or break you, since negativity and insincerity can be toxic to your progress and health.

The relationship you have with yourself is also of utmost importance in order to discover the people and things that matter most and to find peace within to transcend your limitations and heal your past.

Pride: What’s In A word?

I’ve thought about this one a lot. What is my proudest moment? Was it the publication of my first book and the completion of the second one?

Was it the time when Elite Daily published one of my articles within 24 hours?

Was it having the courage to become an entrepreneur? Or, was it the moment when my dad told me he would be proud of me no matter what?

I think that was it. That was when I realized it does not matter what you do, but how others respond to you. Once you do things for the right reasons, to make a difference in other lives, the rest will come. You are not doing it for yourself.

Once you get carried away with your ego, you miss the point of doing it in the first place. The feel-good sensation and reward comes from the benefit derived from the “doing.”

It doesn’t come from the fame, fortune, glitz, glamour or wealth. It’s normal for us to enjoy these things in moderation; after all, we are human. But, it should not be our driving force and reason for being.

So, to answer the question: What am I most proud of? The answer is simple: I am proud of my growth and desire for change and what’s behind the metamorphosis.

Most of all, my unending faith is what keeps me going.

It is my belief that if I continue to live in this way, I will have no regrets when I am at the end of my life.

You can find more updates on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingoutLoudbyCarolynCorreia

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

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