"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."

Opening Remarks: Collaboration

– Tom

Featured Article: How to Deal With Disappointments and Regrets

How do we deal with past disappointments when we work on our life story manuscripts?

You can learn from your mistakes and from past events. Painful as they may be, there can be a silver lining.

It is easy to get frustrated or disheartened when facing hard truths about your own or others’ actions. Let’s face it, we all are human and as such prone to imperfection.

Everyone has this as part of their story. Denying it won’t make your story better. And making excuses can also be dangerous. It’s better to face the facts. Realize the truth in “to err is human and to forgive is divine.” That includes forgiving yourself.

Acceptance Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Approval

---

Sometimes we experience hardships and difficulties that are not our fault. That can be a bitter pill to swallow. And it can breed despair. But being able to accept what happens is a start. And you should recognize that acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean approval.

---

Continue reading this article at here.

---

Featured Resource: French Twist, A Memoir Example

---

The amazing memoir, French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph, continues to receive rave reviews on Amazon, all so far are 4 and 5 stars. I was very privileged to write this story of Janine Winters, a strong and independent woman who has lived through many challenges and traveled various countries in her very full life.

One of the interesting parts of her memoir was how preparing and sharing food has been a big part of her life journey. Here’s an excerpt from when she was just a child helping her relatives in the kitchen and so forth:

“It seemed there were always many people around. The men prepared the méchoui, lamb roast, cooking it outside in a big fire on a spit. The ladies in the kitchen prepared tajine, a hearty stew with vegetables, and couscous. I loved to help harvest, cut, and wash the vegetables. Most days we served thirty or forty people, and that’s how I learned to help in a kitchen.

My mother and Aunt Rosalie were in charge, and I enjoyed being their helper. “Here, Janine, chop these vegetables,” Mom told me, “but be careful not to cut yourself.” I did as she asked. “Good job!” I ate up the compliments, which nourished my self-esteem as much as the tasty food my mother and aunt prepared.

Mom’s sisters and brothers were all married and had several children. Most Sundays were spent at Rosalie’s with cousins and friends. If it was a holiday, such as Christmas, we celebrated all the more.

Morocco is a Muslim country, but that didn’t deter these Spaniards. While we typically ate the local cuisine, on these special festive occasions, we also feasted on turkey and homemade stuffing with couscous.”

Find out more about Janine Winters and her memoir, French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph here. Thank you in advance for your interest.

The book is currently available for sale on Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble and other book sites.

---

Closing Information

That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert

---