catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

Embrace the Comments

With the launch and availability to obtain a copy of the Catnip of Life comes time for feedback in the form of comments on social media and reviews. What I have been receiving has been a mixture of pluses and minuses, which is to be expected. Writing is an art and oftentimes the intent of the writer vs. that of the reader mismatches. Also, to be taken into consideration, are the multiple genres available for reading. Most people have a favorite author or genre.

Catnip of Life is poetry, a hard sell but an easy read. The second page of the book makes the theme of this book of poetic verses very clear: Your gateway to understanding Mother Nature’s footprints by Sharla Lee. The end of Catnip of Life is YOUR beginning as you hopefully walk in the footsteps of nature with a newly found perspective.

Bottom Line: Grab your copy of Catnip of Life! Understand it is a book of poetry devoted to bringing deeper consciousness and awareness of nature to the forefront and the impact Mother Nature has on human nature.

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Overall, my impression of Catnip of Life by Sharla Lee is that it is a beautifully written and well-formatted book of poetry that offers a thought-provoking and meditative experience for the reader. The focus on nature and the invitation to appreciate its beauty and connect with it is a refreshing reminder in our busy modern lives.

— Len Tien 2nd degree connection2ndSales Staff at Viettel Group

I am not a fan of poetry, but I was impressed by the beautiful graphics on the cover. After sampling the introduction pages and reading the review on OBC, I gained the impression that ‘Catnip of Life’ is very well-written with enormous attention to detail. This book of the day would be great for those who enjoy poetry, those who are just starting to explore this art form.

— Anna H. Education Consultant

One thing I like about poems is that they help us understand important themes in a simple and lovely manner. Although I am not keen on reading collection of poems, I might give this one a try.

— Selmug Voruma, Student at University Diego Portales

Review on Amazon from the United Kingdom

This has to be one of the most impressive books of poetry I have recently read. Sharla Lee’s motivational artistry imprints the soul. She observes with a calm keen eye and a quiet soul. Wisdom lifts the spirit—perceive with a listening call.

Be appreciated by your friends. Gift them a copy of this book: lyrics pulsing with such rhythm will become a blessing.

— Eliza E., United Kingdom

Review on Amazon from the US

Every poem in this collection reads exactly like a motivational poster hung eye-level across the toilet of your beachside AirB&B. Each of these delightfully repetitive verses (seriously, a person can only read the words “bird”, “tree”, and “Mother Nature” so many times). . .

— Bo

My Overall Takeaway: Thank you for taking the time to post a comment. If we were all lovers of the same genre of reading, where would be the diversity?

From the Catnip of Life:

Do you witness the splendor of a sunrise or face just another day?

SPLENDOR OF SUNRISE

It is morning. Just another day.
Or is it? How do you see it?
Rising early, sleeping late?
It’s all in how you begin it.

I arise with the sun
Etching depth into the hour
Promising, eventual
Wondrous, splendid power

The sunrise

It’s gorgeous. It’s glorious.
It amplifies. It deifies.

Poetry Vs. Fiction

There are four major genres of literature: poetry, drama, nonfiction, and fiction. While poetry might be the first mentioned, it is not necessarily first choice. Poetry relishes in moments of time and space, keen observation, and acute listening in order to make sense of the world around us. It is very emotive usually in small doses, small moments, of minutiae. Fiction, for example, focuses more so on people and represents more of a character study. It can also be very emotive but in much larger doses with character sketches, scenes, and beginnings/endings of stories.

With fiction, we always seem to begin with the end in mind. Our thoughts wander throughout the reading as to what will happen next and how will it end. Poetry is different. A book of poetry can be read from its beginning page to the end. OR poems can be randomly selected according to the mood of the moment with a single poem being read over and over again garnering new emotions with each new reading. With fiction, it is what it is.

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CATNIP OF LIFE – Book of the Day

Catnip of Life was submitted to OnlineBookClub.org for review. Catnip received a 4/4 review from a level 4 reviewer, which made it eligible for Book of the Day. At the time of the review, the highest level was a 4. Since that time, the 4/4 has become 5/5, which makes the two equivalent.

Thank you, Scott Hughes, for OnlineBookClub.org and all followers for your engagement and downloading of my book. Have a blessed day! Enjoy the catnip!

Remember, the intention of Catnip of Life is
for you to experience through nature
what cats experience through catnip –
that intense excitement or effortless tranquility. 

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CATNIP OF LIFE Hot Off the Press. . . It’s official!

The book Catnip of Life was launched March 02, 2023 @ Amazon!

Your own dose of catnip is now available for purchase!

Kindle $.99 through the weekend.

Paperback $19.95 for those who prefer book in hand.

The intention of Catnip of Life is for you to experience through nature what cats experience through catnip – that intense excitement or effortless tranquility. Using poetry as a tool to spread happiness and positivity, I am already working on two sequels (smaller versions) titled A Touch of Catnip and Voices in Nature. These serve as daily quick reminders and refreshers as you continue to Observe Life at Its Best, Listen to Life’s Songs, Embrace Life’s Bounties, Breathe the Breath of Life, and Savor Life to Its Fullest!

NOTE: I am publishing under my maiden name Sharla Lee. Most people misspell my last name, Shults, because they simply have a difficult time understanding Shults can be spelled without the “c” and/or the “z.”

Then, of course, there is the matter of pronunciation. We will stay away from some of those, for many could be deemed x-rated. LOL, My publisher said, “Let’s keep it simple. Hopefully, only a few people can possibly misspell or mispronounce Lee!”

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The Essence of Poetry

Do you consider yourself a lover of poetry or have you always shrugged at the thought of having to read poetry? Unfortunately, poetry carries with it the possibility of misunderstanding or totally not understanding at all the intent of the poet. It is deep within a matter of perception.

Poetry written with vision presents pictures/scenes with words. As you read The Essence of Poetry, create not only a vision in your mind but a feeling in your heart. Listen to the rhythm of the words in the same manner as you would a song.

Poetry is rhythmic
A melody like song
Striking the heartstrings
As life moves along

Tones are soothing
Loving sometimes
Words are healing
Calming the mind

Verses of visions
Paint a picture
Share a moment
Incite a venture

Lyrics that sing
Summon caressing
Pulse with rhythm
Become a blessing

With nature’s embrace
Spirits unfold
Laughter amid tears
Capture the soul

Poetry is art. The canvas is the mind. Thoughts are the paintbrush.
Catnip of Life

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From Tears to Smiles

A true story. . .

Today has been exploding with energy! On my early morning walk, I encountered Lily, a little girl about 5 or 6 years old, standing at the corner sobbing. I stopped and asked if she needed help. Was she hurt?

No, not physically. Her brother was on his bike peddling up the sidewalk and had left her standing at the corner. She said her father told her she could go no farther than the corner where I found her. So, there she stood with tears streaming down her face all alone.

I reached out with open arms and offered that we quieten her tears with a big hug. We stood there embracing as time seemed to stand still. I explained to her that her father was only trying to protect her.

I took her by the hand and we walked to her house where her dad was vacuuming the car. I asked if it would be okay for me to walk Lily to where her brother had stopped. He recognized me so I was no stranger and he said yes.

I told Lily we were going on a short journey and she needed to hold my hand tight. When we crossed the road leading to where I lived, I explained that was a river flowing with energy. Then, when we came to a bicycle bar along the sidewalk, I told her that was the bridge to a beautiful garden and for her to picture her favorite flowers.

We met her brother and then, turned around and headed back to the house. Along the way, we stopped, gathered and gave energy to a large tree. With both our arms, we could reach all the way around the tree’s trunk. When her brother passed by, he asked why we were hugging the tree. I explained that the tree is life that thrives on love, giving and receiving energy throughout the day and night.

We continued on our way and had I had a rearview mirror, it would have been interesting to see if the brother stopped to hug the tree.

I left her with her dad smiling, instead of sobbing feeling left out and alone. I continued on my walk knowing I had encountered the two kids that would be instrumental in listening as I write and complete my most challenging writing. . . a children’s book connecting a child with nature.

What a glorious day! We never know who or what is going to cross our path on any given day. Be grateful for all blessings received and give thankfulness in return.

Note: The photo was taken a while back when visiting family in South Carolina.

#writing #help #love #energy #grateful #streaming

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To all Fathers…

Today Sunday, June 19, 2016 is Father’s Day…a day of honor and celebration for our dads and fathers. Not all fathers are dads nor are all dads fathers. Each holds a special place in a child’s, teen’s or adult’s heart. Regardless of the roledad, father or bothnot any one of us could be here without having been fathered. With fatherhood comes a tremendous responsibility encompassing tasks of sharing, caring and preparing for life’s journey.

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May this Father’s Day be filled with wondrous blessings that continue through each day of the year! To each of you…A Father’s Day Salute!

 A father’s day is every day
Not just one day of the year
Holding a wee little hand
(day time and nighttime)
Wiping away a tear

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It’s faith, hope, love
All rolled into one
Encouragement, patience
(never giving up)
‘Til a task is done

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It’s being thankful
Gratitude of heart
Knowing what you need
(when you need it)
Right from the start

  
It’s together time
The thrill of hearty laughter
 Seeing what you’re going through
(even if it doesn’t show)
The morning of the day after

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It’s helping with decisions
Staying taut through outs or ins
Teaching life’s not easy
(taking the right road)
Supporting losses and wins

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It’s hurting and being hurt
Holding discipline’s place
Leaving behind a legacy

(not of material ‘things’)
Rewards of saving grace
*

It’s compassion and comfort
When a hug is all that’s needed
Priceless moments in time

(Teddy Bear hugs)
Quickly and tenderly heeded

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It’s shaping, molding
Each life that has begun
Making an investment
(often without return)
‘Til the full course is run

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It’s when having to leave
Looking back with pride
Releasing all the tears
(happiness and heartache)
Bottled up inside

©Sharla Lee Shults

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Give Up Giving Up!

Give-up-giving-up

Click the image to visit Awakenings. June 19 is… GARFIELD THE CAT DAY

Has life thrown you a curve ball to the point you just felt like giving up? Throwing in the towel? Flushing it all down the drain? Pulling your hair out? The answer is probably “Yes!” because it can all be summed up in one all-powerful four-letter word…LIFE!

Choices must be made, mistakes will happen. That’s inevitable. With wrong choices that leave us with the feeling of giving up comes the need for change. Life demands change yet with one thing definitely for certain: You just don’t give up…remember, it’s life! There are no guarantees and Life IS a Bed of Roses

“With the beauty of the rose comes its thorny stem.
Life captures the essence of the rose for it too is beautiful
but filled with many thorns.” ~catnipoflife

Give up giving up! It may take once, twice, three times a charm but pick up that towel, give it a quick snap stepping forward into life’s next day. Remember, Life = Risk! that often leads to failure and the felling of giving up. So, when a stone is thrown in the midst, that stone just may be the ‘stepping stone’ to the success that lies ahead!

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Stop-giving-up

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Eye Candy from God

There are times when something crosses your path or shows up unexpectedly in a message that screams to be shared. Here it is…ENJOY!

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“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

—Albert Einstein (Theoretical physicist, 1879–1955)

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Life’s Journey

The journey along the rivers of life destines us toward many different shores. Along the way, choices must be made…the question at hand, this way or that? Much like the rivers that flow swiftly downstream, life glides along with ease. Then, there are those that flow against the norm making the way much more difficult. Often it is within those times of sadness and discomfort when we find renewed spirit, seek to aid those aging closest to us and face heartaches in order to experience joy.

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Voyages: Life Journeys

life-is-a-journey

From the moment of birth
Our true destiny is set
To travel life’s journeys
Overcoming fear and regret

One day may be somber
The next, glad instead
As each new path of life
Reaches far ahead

Voyages all through time
Touch varying walks of life
Those of understanding
As well as those of strife

From a desert oasis
To a sun-drenched island
Warm amazing adventures
Surround life like a garland

Flowers of the fields
Covering land like the dew
Could be choking weeds
Or blossoms fresh and new

Pages of life’s scrapbook
May be ragged and torn
Filled with worn images
Of the lost and forlorn

Could chapters be rewritten
Granting ways to understand?
The journeys across life’s paths
Reach out with a helping hand

©2013 catnipoflife Sharla Lee Shults ©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

“The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming
is where the dance of life really takes place.”

—Barbara DeAngelis (Author, motivational speaker & TV personality. (n.d. to Present)

Related Articles:

Journey is more beautiful than the destination http://pallaksharma.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/jouney-is-more-beautiful-than-the-destination/
Life is a Journey http://shirleymaya.com/2013/06/24/life-is-a-journey/

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Misty Morning Fog

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Early Morning 11/02/2013

Images appear subdued
Amidst the dense, pesky fog
Softly kissed by stratus clouds
Disturbed by a croaking frog

Figures in the far distance
Emit varying shadowy hues
A feel so melancholy
Reminiscent of ol’ country blues

The highest peak of a mountain
Enshrouded within the thick fog’s bed
Converges with the sky’s splendor
Striking patterns of gray overhead

Just a mere touch of fog
Steamy haze in view
Evokes mystical thoughts
Chilling through and through

Silhouettes against a blue sky’s backdrop
Endure nature’s transformation
Misty morning fog amid dawn’s glory
An object of fascination

From the sky to the terrain
Trickling rays of sunlight drift
Transparency emerges
As the fog slowly lifts

©2013 catnipoflife©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.

—Carl Sandburg (U.S. biographer & poet, 1878–1967)

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