An American Hero and Example to Follow

Bing Videos I had a huge crush on Bobby Kennedy when I was fourteen. Today I love and respect Robert Kennedy. This inspiring documentary is a must watch for all Americans. Most sincerely, Jody

Here I Am!

I walk into Mom’s room at her nursing home, and she says, “Here I am!” So, I asked her, “Mom, after 92 years on Earth, what do you have to say about being here?” She replied, “Thank you.” With dementia, Mom’s long-term memory is very much in tack. But she does not remember me coming to see her each day. EVERY day she thanks me for visiting, for helping her and for reminding her of who she is. “Thank you, thank you, thank you” she says. Over and over again. I am practicing now to follow her example. I want to build that grateful “muscle” so that when my mind is not as sharp, I will do it without even thinking about it. Like Mom, it will be a natural part of who I am. A grateful person. Thank you, Mom, for continuing to lead by example. I love you, Jo

Our feet take us …

When you know what it is you want to do with the rest of your life, you can quit spending so much time thinking about what it is you want to do and start walking. Your feet will take you where you want to go. If you want to get there faster, run!

It was a dream come true to present the Inspired Writers Workshop to four high school English classes in the Escuela de Palapa, Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico. I felt I was in the palm of God’s hand. THIS is what I am called to do. Write and inspire others to write. To love what you do and make a lifestyle and living doing it, how could anything be more fun? What do YOU love to do? Send me a note on Contact Jody. xo, Jo

Create

A gentle whisper here, a tug within your womb there. You can sense it, can’t you? When you lie awake at night wondering why you cannot sleep. Your body knows what you are here to do. The wisdom of your purpose is ingrained in your very cells. So … when you hear that faint whisper pulling at your heart. When you feel the beckoning in your womb, strong and clear as day. When you find you cannot sleep, CREATE. - Author Unknown

LOVE Valentine’s Day

From the bottom of my grateful heart, Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you. I love you for so many reasons. Today, the primary emotion that wells up is appreciation. Because of YOU, my dreams are coming true. Most sincerely, with LOVE, Jody

Entering 2024 with EXCITEMENT!

Faith and fear cannot inhabit the same space. In our hearts, minds or emotions. The new year is full of promise and adventure. There are also impending events we dread. On a global scale, in our country and within our own friends and family circumstances.

Each and every morning we have a choice to begin our day saying thank you or to ask why me? Writing your story allows for the opportunity to reflect and consider how we showed up for life yesterday and how we want to show up today.

As each of us individually makes a conscious choice to begin our day in faith, the collective sun and moonlight we co-create beams across the entire sky! We are/I am the light of God shining through us/me.

With love and joy, Jody

A Christmas Gift from You to You!

The Healing Power of Writing Your Story

For unto us a child was born. In the ninth century, December 25th hallmarked the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Before then, people celebrated the end of the darkest days and return of the sun, winter solstice. Modern Christmas merriments began in the 1800s when Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and other traditions accompanied the reverence of Jesus Christ.

For some, Christmas has morphed into a time of hustle, bustle and maybe a little too much “cheer.” Do we experience anxiety at Christmastime? Is it any wonder? Apart from shopping, spending, wrapping, cooking, traveling, hosting and the inevitable disappointment on the child’s face who did not get what he wanted from Santa, are there other reasons we become anxious, particularly at this time of year?

The mission of the Inspired Writers Workshop is to encourage you to write your story and to write it well. Prior to her enrollment, I spoke with the first student of IWW. She shared her struggle with anxiety. We collaborated on the opening paragraph of her manuscript, the hook. I suggested she begin with a significant event in her life that ultimately defined her or set her on a certain course.

Through this conversation, the student realized the anxiety she has today, in her early 40’s, stems to when she was six years old. She was able to recognize and reflect on that early memory and to integrate her childhood emotions into her current struggle.

When we think of integration, we think of race. The human race was separated by the color of one’s skin. We first began to integrate the human race, to bring us back together as the whole that we are, in our schools and on buses.

To integrate with regard to emotions means to bring those feelings into the whole. A part, or parts of us, were fractured from our true selves. This usually happens by the time we are seven years old. As a result, we may cut ourselves off emotionally. Or, become emotional basket cases. To integrate these emotional imprints means to make ourselves whole again.

In that moment, on a phone call between Mexico and Montana, I heard this precious woman release the most sacred sigh. My heart leaped as my hope and dream for IWW took flight. I know, in the very depths of my soul, writing our stories will bring healing to core woundings.

Please go to Contact Jody — jodykemple.com and enroll in TRUST to receive an informative welcome letter. See if this is a gift you want to give yourself this Christmas. And remember, YOUR STORY MATTERS. Not just to your family and close friends, but to your community and the world. You have wisdom and a valuable perspective. These are important to others and to humanity as a whole. We feel less alone, less different. Together is better.

Merry Christmas, with love, Jody

Blast Off!

Cameron of Today is officially launched worldwide. Please visit your local bookstores, libraries and schools. Show the purchasing agents the cover of the book. Ask them to order. Tell them about TRUST, the Inspired Writers Workshop, and how the Freedom Foundation and this endearing tale will change your community.

Spokane, Washington’s inner city was ridden with crime and drugs. An arm of the Catholic Church started buying up real estate in these impoverished neighborhoods. Offering programs to families, adults and children, one of the most transformative was teaching the children to write their stories. Absolutely life-changing for all!

A Good Night Story

As the author, I am able to purchase Cameron of Today before its release date November 14th. For their bedtime story, my grandsons, Oliver, age nine, and Emmett, six, asked to read Cameron of Today. Get Up! the first chapter, grabbed our hearts. This story is sweet and soothing. Emmett fell asleep. Oliver held on to the last sentence A single tear streamed down her cheek. The chapters are short with engaging chapter titles. You literally do not want to put the book down, thinking I’ll just read the next chapter, it’s only three pages. And the next and the next. I crawled into my bed and read all the way through What About the Dog? Who could put the book down before reading that? This morning I woke before 5:00 am and read through Trouble Follows Me Wherever I Go. I know the boys will ask for more before breakfast. Can you imagine how this makes me feel? Surreal does not begin to describe the emotions billowing up in my soul. Your Story Matters, not only to your family, friends and community members who will delight in a tale of their city, but to YOU. Show up for yourself and write your story for you.

Gramma Jo, aka Jody Kemple, Author, Cameron of Today

The pain now is part of the happiness later. That’s the deal. Joy Davidson, C. S. Lewis’ Wife

You are inspired to write. Maybe now, maybe later, you write. The words flow onto the page. It is an enjoyable experience. You think “I like writing. I should take time to write.” Maybe now, maybe later, you write again. And again, you enjoy it. Well, in case you did not know, YOU ARE A WRITER! YOU have something valuable to say. To yourself, your family, possibly the world. Inspiration comes from deep within, from God. It wants to be birthed and shared with others who will benefit from its message. The pain of being a consistent, disciplined writer now brings immeasurable happiness later. I promise! Jody