5 Reasons Why We Should Support Indie Authors

            Indie Authors, do they ring a bell? First of all, they are INDEPENDENT authors, not the TRADITIONAL ones who are under the contract of one publishing house.

            I’ve come across from the internet a lot of reasons why people should support indie authors. I, for one, agree with them because I believe in the following rationales.

1)    Freedom.

Indie authors are real and free people who are creatively unstoppable. They are brilliant in their silence and solitude. They are FREE souls, mindful of the heavy word, “freedom”. They love to share their thoughts freely. No one controls them. No inhibitions. No restrictions.

2)    Variety.

Indie authors write varied stories. They publish great books that most probably you’ve never heard of. It’s for you to find out their books at your local or online stores, to read, to learn and share with other readers. I’m sure you’ll discover amazing minds!

3)    Diversity.

Buying and promoting indie authors’ books are your big contribution to diversity. In this manner, you build and generate diversity. There is a considerable and cultural “mosaic” in literature. Indie authors write manifold facts or fictions that contain many different elements. They are incredibly at par with other traditional authors. Well, their chosen genres are also products of the "genius" in them.

4)    Economy.

When you buy the books written by indie authors, you support the economy of your beloved country. You help not only the indie authors but also small businesses in the locality. In other words, it is a noble and dignified actuation to patronize first your very own “talents” and be proud of them. In this way, you will feel truly “local”.  It’s a paramount feeling that you belong to your community. You establish a special “bond and connection” with them.

5)    Generosity.

Supporting the local indie authors makes you remarkably generous. Having a big heart, generosity sets you apart from others. You spell a difference by giving. You create the high spirit of “abundance and prosperity” up and around the universe where there is a law of attraction. It returns to you. Extending your help makes the indie authors stand out as well. And to note- oftentimes the proceeds of their book sales go to foundations and charities. Some of their works are for free just to promote and spread their advocacy. Hundredfold blessing comes back and recompenses the giver in multiple and in immense forms.

            Indie authors wish to get a fair share of attention, appreciation and sincere commendation for their published books, too. Hang in there! A simple LIKE from you or a short comment is appreciated, will you?

-Author Lucy Lombos

Easy Household Chores for Kids

I am a mom of 3 wonderful sweethopes. I taught my children to do easy household chores when they were still young. In those early years of motherhood, I was so certain that they would benefit from doing the house assignments. 

The BENEFITS:

1. They will feel they belong to the family.

2. They will learn necessary life skills.

3. They will learn the values of responsibility, self-reliance, and self-confidence.

4. They will feel needed and will know the meaning of "lending a hand". 

5. At a young age, they will understand what work or office is.

6. They will experience and practice the virtue of generosity by giving their time, energy and talent (or treasure) to the family.

7. And by extending help, they learn to be charitable. Well, we all say that charity begins at home, right?... And this is love in action.

The key to success for this matter is to show them examples of doing things. One of the guiding principles to note is self-activity. We all learn by trying, experiencing and first-hand doing things all by ourselves. 

Children are great imitators. Just set good examples for them.

Easy chores can be- setting the table, returning the toys into their proper places or boxes, putting soiled clothes into the hamper, putting the slippers or shoes together in a certain area in the house, checking and cleaning the school stuff, watering the plants, making their bed, folding their undies, pulling weeds in the garden, sweeping the floor, making their own sandwich, throwing pieces of papers and disposing the small garbage bins, arranging the cushion or pillows on the sofa, putting back the dining chairs, and a lot more.

In my published children's book, "The Joys of Junior", the main character wants to play all day long. He is allowed to play because playing is the kid's world. He learns skills also by playing. But he should do the household chores as well to gain and acquire knowledge of practical life-long skills such as the ones written above.

Well, Junior and other kids can be supervised by the parents, guardians, and teachers. Or the kids can begin to do such chores from easy to difficult ones till they do them all without assistance. Sure and soon, they become independent and happy.

We can teach values to our children directly, by examples and by reading to them.

"The Joys of Junior" is available on Amazon, Kindle Edition by Lucy Lombos.

#parentingtoday
#parentingtodaychilddevelopment

The "F" in Fall

The color festival is here! The verdant leaves turn into orange, yellow, gold, brown, red and purple power. It is this time of the year when many people bring out from their closet their heavy and thermal outfit.

One Sunday morning, I went to Joyce Street in Vancouver and I spotted a young lady named "MC" at the door of the St. Mary’s Parish. I approached her with a smile. We introduced each other. Cool, we both came from the Philippines.

Luckily, I got her number. Over the phone, I discovered that she was born in Manila and migrated in Vancouver in 2014. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Film, and now almost finished studying in Vancouver for the Motion Picture Arts Certificate.

I mentioned to her that at our first meeting, I could sense that she carried herself well with a sense of fashion. I immediately asked her fashion style and she said, “My fashion style is very versatile, depending on the occasion or time of the day. But I would say, it is a combination of being casual and chic.”

Moreover, MC’s fashion statement is inspired by Filipino Fashion Bloggers. With the use of Instagram, she could easily check out the bloggers’ feeds and see what’s popular and trendy in the fashion world.

MC also works at my favorite shop where I buy my dresses. Working in that famous shop keeps her updated with the monthly fashion trends. The visual merchandising in that store gives her ideas for good combinations of clothing.

She told me that her key elements in fashion are form, color, and texture so she could feel good and be comfortable.

In addition, she said, "I repeat my dresses and other apparels but I try to make different combinations, especially at this time of the year when leaves are falling."

Brrr…the air was cold outside when I saw her. MC looked great with her brown leather jacket on top of the white, classic jacket with a hood. She matched those tops with a pair of blue denim and tawny boots. 

Oh, "F" is Fashion this Fall. 

This is just my simple outfit inspiration this year. I fall in love with a plain yet trendy fashion!

- By Lucy Lombos

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