SOAPBOX of the week: Humility is priceless

 “Poverty is a lot like childbirth –you know it’s going to hurt before it happens, but you’ll never know how much until you experience it.”     – JK Rowling, author

If you know the frightful sound of your last coins rubbing together… then we’re on the same page.  And it’s tough to say which is more painful – not having the basics for civilized living, or having to ask someone, especially family, for some of theirs.  Losing everything at once or stuck struggling to fight the bleakness of poverty is humility in the making …and stinks of pride and judgment.  Pride of the suffering.  Judgment of those who label, shun and ridicule the population of have-nots.  Ironically, though, those who survive and rise up from the trenches are both blessed and truly aware.  Alas, it is the “privileged”who are cursed with the naivety of just how close they themselves might be to the bottom rung.  Lesson at hand, folks?  Take the high road whatever you bank account reads.  And remember to always count your blessing while counting your pennies.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

Pure Soapbox  now available!  Site of TV Personality Kimberlie Dykeman

Dalton Publishing Earns National Distribution for Kimberlie Dykeman’s PURE SOAPBOX

Dalton Publishing inked a national deal with Midpoint Trade Books, a national book distributor in New York. Dalton founder Deltina Hay says the Austin-based publishing company’s strong presence at this year’s world-renowned BEA Book Conference in L.A. earned the nod of one of New York’s hardest working distributors.  For over a dozen years, Midpoint has focused its talent and energy on helping independent publishers build successful publishing programs in the trade marketplace.

What does this mean for Kimberlie Dykeman and Pure Soapbox, the first title launched under Dalton’s new imprint, Wiggy Press?  A vastly-reputable source will now pitch and supply Pure Soapbox to the national chain bookstores and beyond, as well as provide much more exposure to the overall national publishing world market, including schools and libraries.  This, combined with the efforts of KD herself, the publisher, and soon-to-be signed publicity firm, will be the powerful push essential to garner national recognition across broad consumer demographics. PURE SOAPBOX  launches 6.25.08.  Available where books are sold! 

SOAPBOX of the week: Change is gonna get you

“Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying.” – Nikki Giovanni, poet and social activist 

Hey “fence-sitters” of the world!  Is you’re butt asleep yet?  Well, you chose to park it there and insist that it’s “comfortable” …after all, “up there” you don’t have to grow up nor face up to the tough decisions lingering below.  And things will remain exactly the way you like them: Familiar.  Un-changed.  Safe.  Well, here’s your newsflash: if you think sitting still means your little world is “frozen in time”…you’re sorely mistaken.  Literally.  Both your physics teacher and Mom were right: Change is the only constant.  And, since there’s no better time than the present, leap off the fence before you become a permanent rotting fixture!  Grow and thrive with the fabulous mix of change, and you’ll see, the view down here is grander than you ever imagined.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

Pure Soapbox launches June 25 2008!  Visit site of On-Camera Personality

SOAPBOX of the week: Work hard to play hard

“Discipline is doing what you are supposed to do in the best possible manner the time you are supposed to do it.  And that’s not such a bad thing.”       -Coach Mike Krzyzewski

Structure ain’t a four-letter-word.  Some of us run from it like the plague…we picture a list of authority figures who doled out responsibility, hard work, and timelines …with a side of intimidation.  Believe it or not, their hearts were in the right place…they wanted you to get ahead in life…not just get by.  The difference here isn’t just one word …it’s a whole perspective.  Embracing it means rising above mediocrity.  Being disciplined means digging in for the battle ahead, doing more than what’s expected with what you’re given, and focusing your efforts on ringing the bell.  Don’t bet on the “right place, right time” scenario, the Fairy Godmother, or her cousin Lady Luck.  Instead, build a strong hand by relying on yourself and your work will bring great fortune.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

Book launches 06. 25. 08!

 

SOAPBOX of the week: Comedy, the great connector

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”     – Victor Borge, humorist
   
The feeling is priceless.  Someone cracks a joke and you’re doubled over in uncontrollable laughter.  Wait!  Stop!  Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much and in that brilliant moment… a connection is made.  The playing field is leveled.  You and this person are one with the world and life is good!  So what then is that magic you experience?  It’s your inner child reemerging to make an indescribable human bond that you can never get enough of.  You realize you both have a pulse, a sense of humor, fears, hopes, embarrassing moments, a yearning to belong, a love of life.  If mere laughter can ignite this gorgeous chain reaction… I say, bring on the one-liners and draw in a crowd. 

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

Pure Soapbox  launches June 25 !  Site of TV Personality Kimberlie Dykeman

SOAPBOX of the week: Cause and effect

    “You don’t lose your balance unless your life is out of balance.”     – Arthur Smalls, musician

Whoa, easy does it!  Now get your legs back.  How many times have you stumbled, dusted off and dismissed the lingering negative side-effects of a fumble or spill?  And each time your reaction is the same: “I don’t how it happened…it just snuck up on me!”  Not really, folks.  That cold you caught, fender-bender you caused, snide remark you made to your spouse, big mistake you made at work, birthday you forgot.  Those tremors emerge when you’ve lost your handle on your place, priorities and purpose.  They’re warnings that there’s a surefire quake on the horizon.  My advice: assess your terrain, friends.  Fill in the holes, patch the fences and tend the gardens.  Take care of the needs of your home turf and harmony will keep you on your toes…safely.

Copyright 2008 by Kimberlie Dykeman

Pure Soapbox launches June 25 !  Site of TV Personality Kimberlie Dykeman