I was zipping through some animal pictures the other day and marveling at all the various species. Each animal looked different from the other. Each of them had its own shape and expression.

The thought occurred to me that we human beings are probably as diverse.

Except, of course, that most of us keep to our own little ecosystem. I frankly doubt, however, that the cheetah plays with the monkey or the meerkat mingles with the mouse, but as a higher species aren’t we supposed to be more evolved?

Most of my friends are in my age range, race, and demographic. That’s not to say that I haven’t ever had friends who were different from me. But I think those relationships are more prone to drop off – or be subject to attrition – in the way of relationships. I honestly don’t have as many friendships now as I did in the past. First of all, I don’t work in an office where most of my friendships began. Secondly, I tend to be driven and goal oriented and lack the time necessary to give to a good friendship. Any relationship takes time and a certain measure of selflessness.

But it does make me wonder about someone who makes a conscious effort to surround himself with people who are different from him. Does he have a richer and more rewarding life? Or does he find himself an island?

What do you think?

(Oh, and don’t tell Flash I used a picture of a squirrel.)

The post Let Me Count the Species appeared first on Karen Ranney.

It occurred to me the other day that we all need courage in our daily lives. Not the courage we require of our first responders – I will always admire those people.

This is the kind of courage you need to walk into the office after the argument with your co-worker; the strength to face your mother when you know she’s going to disapprove of your actions. The ability to come face to face with your spouse when you’re on two different pages. Sometimes, it’s even the courage to stand in the morning, walk away from the bed, and be about your daily life.

We all have wells of courage and sometimes we have to go to them time after time.

I can only wonder how we replenish those wells. What quality is there in us that feeds us more courage when we need it? Is it witnessing other people’s acts of courage? Or are we inspired by what we read? Is it the unquenchable part of the human spirit that makes us continue on long after we should have stopped?

I’m probably more cowardly than most people. I’ve always thought it was because I feel things deeply and don’t like being in pain. Or doubt, for that matter. But being a writer requires that you be brave, even if you put on a paper mache mask to hide behind. You dare yourself each day.

Still, courage fascinates me.

What do you think? Where does it come from? How have you been tested lately?

The post The Necessity for Courage appeared first on Karen Ranney.

You really should read this article. Go ahead, I’ll be right here.

http://cuteoverload.com/2013/05/17/doggehs-n-diplomas/?utm_source=feedly

Drumming fingers on table. Humming softly to myself.

Back? Good.

Now, let’s discuss.

Good for her and good for Hero. Service dogs are wonderful. So, too, the resolve of the young woman to finish college. (And good for her parents, who probably have their own tale of courage.)

Aren’t dogs wonderful? Aren’t people with purpose just as wonderful?

(Edited to remove too many instances of the word: too.)

The post Not a Dry Eye in the House appeared first on Karen Ranney.

“If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. That’s the lesson. That lesson alone will save you a lot of grief. Even doubt means don’t.”

Oprah Winfrey

I’m not given to quoting Oprah Winfrey all that often. Not because I doubt she has anything pithy to say but because I normally don’t run across things she’s said.

As far as her quote about doubt, once upon a time, I would have agreed with her.

It used to be that whenever I felt doubt about something it was as loud as a scream. It meant, “NOOOOOOO!!!” Whenever it appeared it was a warning, a clarion call, and a big booming bell that stopped me in my tracks.

No longer.

Doubt is part of the writing process.

Is it as good as I think it is? Or does it suck?

Does my editor really love it or is she just being kind?

Will readers hate this book – will they understand the character?

See? Doubt is part of everything I do, every day.

In fact, I’ve come to think of doubt as just a safety check, one last gate through which I have to pass.

For example, I’m changing my newsletter and going to a new service has been a royal pain.

Here’s my internal monologue:

Hey, Karen, you sure you want to do this? You realize, of course, that it’s going to be a pain in the neck if you do it.

Yeah, I know. But I have to.

Are you absolutely sure?

Yep.

You sure you’re sure?

Yeah. Just do it.

Okay, well push ENTER and off we go!

Another great quote, one I have inscribed on glass and sitting beside my monitor reads:

Nobody has to tell you when it’s right.

Because, at the end of the day, nobody can dispel that voice of doubt but you.

The post Even Doubt Means Don’t – Or Not appeared first on Karen Ranney.

I don’t want to happen on to a bad review where people are being nasty just because they can.

But the other day when I was pirate hunting I did it anyway and what I discovered was a revelation.

Sometimes, when you’re trying to avoid the bad stuff you miss the good things.

I happened on to a lot of wonderful reviews that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I love discussions about my books and I saw several of those, too. Bottom line, I discovered some diamonds when I expected coal.

Have you ever tried to avoid something only to find that you’re cheating yourself?

The post Finding Diamonds When You Expect Coal appeared first on Karen Ranney.