#storiesmatter

Reading isn’t just something we do… it’s something that stays with us—quiet moments, big dreams, and the stories that shape who we become 📚❤️

Some stories arrive quietly… but leave a light that never fades ✨📖 Open the right book, and it stays with you—guiding, shaping, and illuminating your path long after the final page.

The best stories don’t just entertain you… they quietly change you. 📖✨ You close the book, but something inside you has shifted—your perspective, your empathy, your courage. That’s the real plot twist. 💛

My latest is up in @montecitojournal - all your beach reads from true crime, to mystery to romance to songwriting … - Thank you to the terrific authors and publishers who continue to gift me with ARCs so I can bring YOU the best of the best books! - Stories Matter @brookeleafoster @jenniferhillierbooks #johnwoodstewart @lourhare @mollyannleikin @gallerybooks @henryholtbooks @berkleypub @minotaur_books - Remember #reading is transporting #storiesmatter #journlist #bookstagram #bookrecommendations https://www.instagram.com/p/CflMQ5CLCX7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

"Magic, in essence, is the ability to communicate to the universe what you want in an effective way, so that the universe can then respond and create what you desire." ‒ Christopher Penczak, 'The Witch's Coin. ✨️🌙✌️⚡️ Manifesting. I've become such a firm believer in the power of this. Using my words to speak my goals into existence. Trusting the Universe to guide me in the right direction. Realizing that, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz... I've "had the power all along." I've just been surrounded by too many people throughout my life, who told me I was either too little: not good enough, couldn't be loved, damaged. Or too much: too loud, too silly, too smart or ambitious for a girl, too extra. I've wasted so.much.of.myself. So much time, and energy, lost. Trying desperately to both be enough so that someone would love me -- but not be too much or ask for too much, so that I wasn't a bother. Not anymore. My birthday is Sunday. 42. Incredible, 42? How? 🖤 I've been writing lists, plans, goals. I'm ready. Ready to be the version of me I should've always been. Pull back the attention and affection I keep trying to give to people who don't value it, or want it. Focus on me. My life. Growth. Beautiful things are ahead for me. Guaranteed. Because I will make it that way. I can, I have before, and I will. Watch. 😘 #trusttheuniverse #trustyourintuition #storyteller #storiesmatter #strongwomen #followyourownpath #makeyourownpath #makelifebeautiful #shesawitch #witchywoman #storiesoftheeveryday #createalifeyoulove #beYOUtiful #beyourownhero #manifesting #manifestyourlife #wordsaremagic #wordshavepower #magiciseverywhere (at Terrace Heights, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdxMCPZu8Eg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Words are power. #personaldevelopmentjourney #leadershipskills #storiesmatter #wordsarepowerful #wisdomwednesday #yycquotes #yycleaders (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdtPJ_Wp_lm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The years have not been merciful to them. Theres is estimated to have doubled in size, her hair is white. Insa, on the other hand, has virtually halved in size, is skinny as an old man with hair dyed pitch black in a pixie cut. They still perform together, but are no longer as nice. They prefer to play in retirement and nursing homes, but don't talk to the inmates because it's too depressing. Their friendship, which lasted almost a lifetime, was already on the verge of ending. Then the pandemic came and put a stop to any change. They are taking part in my project because they want to break through their mutual burdening silence - thrown back on themselves and each other by the lockdowns. In the painting, past and present are supposed to meet. Why Theres' purchase of a bandoneon threatens to destroy everything that makes up both their lives in the course of a friendship: Read more in the story.