Victoria Dougherty writes Cold War historical thrillers, historical fantasy, and personal essays. She's also a book coach, blogger, podcaster, and avid celebrant of the creative life!
Giving thanks, Cold style
Hello from the Cold!
I'm coming to you a bit early this week, but for good reason! American Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I wanted to be sure we could give thanks together, bask in the soul-nurturing gift of gratitude. This annual mediation is a great reminder of the good things in our lives, large and small. It is especially indispensable to those of us who aren't feeling particularly thankful, have had a hard year, and may be wondering what comes next. If this is you, you're not alone, my friends. The Cold is here for you.
The Cold Annual Thanksgiving Meditation
By Yours Truly
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Perhaps this isn't an actual meditation, per se, but parts of it can definitely be chanted. In fact, this annual list of things for which I am eternally grateful may sound positively devotional if sung as a monkish incantation or whispered like a prayer. Whichever way you choose to experience the following gratitude missive, and I can think of a lot of ways - shouting it like a war cry, belting it out like a Glee Club member, or even yodeling it - I can one hundred percent guarantee that you will feel better for having absorbed it. Lighter, happier. This feeling might last an hour, a day, or all of eternity - it's impossible to say.
What is possible to say is that there is no chance at all that you'll feel the worse for it. So, what are we waiting for?
Let's get this party started!
| You will be grateful that you clicked here and continued reading! |
Cold Podcast
This week in the Cold, I want to share with you this talk about the existential thrill of the struggle. How taking on enormous endeavors - like writing novels or running marathons - has unique rewards for both our mental and physical health. They make us feel alive, of consequence, and at times...invincible.
| Let's remember to be thankful for the struggle, too. |
Larry's Music Box
I can't even believe I came across this gem! I'm such a sucker for classic country music stars and John Denver is one of my favorite lyrical storytellers ever. This live performance of "Back Home Again" is from his 1977 special, which I just watched on YouTube. It's marvelous! The music is the best and the wardrobe is hilarious. I think you'll be grateful for having watched and listened.
Bargain Booksy has a Thanksgiving Giveaway!
If you love historical fiction, you've not only got the chance to win a highly selective library of bestselling novels, but a Kindle, too! It's a real chance to win, so please enter (and yes, BREATH is part of the offer).
| Click here to browse, enter, and win! |
Last, But Not Least
If you are grateful for these bi-weekly missives and the community we're building here, please consider taking a few moments to leave a review for a book you've enjoyed via the Cold or for the Cold podcast. Your thoughts, input, and word of mouth mean more than you can possibly know, and I am truly appreciative of everything you do! And if you love the Cold and want to support what we're doing here, please consider becoming a Cold Member.
| I'm so thankful for your support! |
Thank you,
Victoria
Victoria Dougherty
Writer, Book Coach, Unapologetic Fantasist
Victoria Dougherty writes Cold War historical thrillers, historical fantasy, and personal essays. She's also a book coach, blogger, podcaster, and avid celebrant of the creative life!
Hello from the Cold! The holidays are truly upon us, and I've been thinking a lot about how to express to all of you how very grateful I am for our Cold forum. It's a place, I believe, where nothing is off limits, and where we endeavor to address topics of real meaning, and stories of true consequence, whether they are fiction, family lore, or history. I thought about writing a short story, holiday-themed perhaps, or offering some of my favorite holiday photos along with some anecdotes I...
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