You’re Worth It

“It’s not that important” or “it doesn’t matter.” Sound familiar? Is this what you say when you break a promise to yourself to do something that is good for you? Perhaps your goal is losing a few pounds, exercising regularly, journaling, eating fewer processed foods or meditating on a regular basis. Whatever you choose, you can achieve it.

Would you break a promise to a friend that easily? You may, but not if you really care about them. Do you not care about youself? Are you not worth the work it takes to achieve the goal of becoming healthier and more in balance physically and mentally? You are worthy of this and much more. Put yourself first and make the effort that will benefit you, perhaps even in ways that may surprise you.

Make a list of goals you’d like to achieve. Choose a simple one and work on it one day at a time for at least a month until it becomes a habit. At the same time, make a list of pros and cons. How will this enrich your life? Better health? More peaceful outlook? Will you feel better about yourself? Have more energy or creativity? Flip the coin and look at the alternatives if you don’t make this a part of your life.

Before you know it, one step at a time and one day at a time will get you to your goal. Once this goal is solidly a habit, take a short break and then move on to your next choice. Always remember that you deserve to be the best you can be for yourself as well as for your loved ones.

Check out my novella, Where the Heart Goes, for a timeless message of love and resilience in the Old West.

Gifts for the Spirit

photo of smiling woman standing near tree leaning on stone railing looking out into the distance

Sometimes life’s most precious moments occur when we least expect them.

Is it because you didn’t plan it? You were busy with everyday events and not thinking about it..

Is it because you didn’t try to force it? Perhaps it was something you desired, put it out to the Universe and let go.

Is it because the timing was just right? The clock of the Universe can be difficult to decipher.

Regardless, cherish these lovely experiences. They warm and heal the heart. These gifts are fruit for the soul.

Photo by Hoàng Chương on Pexels.com

“Where the Heart Goes” is available as an Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal July 27-August 1st.

A Little of Cape May

“The Cove” in Cape May

Here’s a few photos of my favorite place in New Jersey – Cape May and it’s surrounding areas. Cape May is a unique Victorian beach town with lovely beaches, shops, fabulous restaurants and a rich history…even a slew of ghosts!

Hope you also have some fun summer plans!

Sunset Beach in Cape May Point

Washington Street Mall in Cape May

Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry seen from Sunset Beach in Cape May Point

Beach at “The Cove” in Cape May

St. Peter’s Beach in Cape May Point

Hidden Treasures

Higbee Beach 5/15/22 Photo credit: Sherri Sorbello

A piece of history known as the “ghost tracks” have returned to the Higbee Beach area along the Delaware River in Cape May. Beach erosion and storms have continued to unearth the tracks from time to time, most recently in the last 10 days. My daughter and I visited that area yesterday.

The century-old tracks were built by the Cape May Sand Company who in 1905 began sand mining and dredging sand from the beach to be processed for glass and cement.

During the World War I period (1916-1919) this area served as a munitions testing ground performed by the Bethlehem Steel Loading Company. The tracks were used to move cannons and massive munitions along the coastline that were then fired into the beach and sand dunes to test their strength for the US and its allies, including Russia, France, and England.

Fortunately, sand mining operations were suspended in 1936 when Cape May became concerned about depleting sand from nearby bathing beaches.

This is how the tracks appeared on May 15, 2022.

Photo credit: Sherri Sorbello
Photo credit: Sherri Sorbello

Photo credit: Sherri Sorbello

Photo credit: Sherri Sorbello

Resources: https://www.phillyvoice.com/cape-may-ghost-tracks-higbee-beach-railroad-noreaster/

https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2022/05/coastal-storm-unearths-cape-mays-century-old-creepy-ghost-tracks.html

Goodreads Giveaway

If you’d like to win a free autographed copy of my recent book, sign up on Goodreads by March 31st! 🙂

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Where the Heart Goes by Shirley Sorbello

Where the Heart Goes

by Shirley Sorbello

Giveaway ends March 31, 2022.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Lest We Forget

A year ago today, I watched in horror as the Capitol Building of the United States of America was stormed by American citizens. Let us never forget this tragic moment in history when those among us resorted to violence to solve a perceived injustice.

Hate and violence are not solutions to our country’s problems. Greater communication, tolerance, respect, honesty, truth, compromise and love are the qualities that will allow our democracy (republic) to thrive as our founding fathers intended.

Freedom and the spirit of democracy are never guaranteed…they need to be treasured and nurtured every bit as much as do our relationships with each other.

Photo credit: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/politics/gallery/january-6-capitol-insurrection/index.html

The Story

I’m daydreaming…looking at man with an oversized cowboy hat riding a bull or a wild horse in a large corral. I’m not sure which it was because I was wondering more about why this vision was invading my thoughts. I dismissed it, but then when I saw the same sight in my mind’s eye the following day, I decided to sit down and meditate upon it.

As I relaxed into this vision, I realized that the man was an Italian singer that I enjoyed listening to. This realization made the whole daydream even more bizarre. I started to make notes as I watched the sketchy images of an unfolding story. I wrote the short story, “That’s Just the Way it Is” in a little over two hours which I published in 2013. A little later I wrote a sequel, “Return to Texas,” published in 2014. The cowboy from the vision became John Colter, who is the protagonist Becky’s, first husband.

Somehow Becky’s story never “felt”  finished…too many loose ends needed to be connected. Life got in the way until 2020 when I began working on a book that would reveal a more complete version of Becky’s life. This book became the novella Where the Heart Goes in which Becky’s shares scenes from her life as a child up until her death, from a place that seems like the afterlife. It’s like a saga packed into a novella-sized book informally narrated by the protagonist. This is a story of love, guided by the heart.

Where do stories like this come from? Is this a past life memory…mine or someone else’s shot out of the collective unconscious? Was I Rebecca? Perhaps it’s just the product of an unbridled somewhat creative mind. We will never know for sure, will we? What I do know is that this story was meant to be written and lives in a special place inside my heart. I hope that it will find a place in yours as well!

Note: That’s Just the Way It Is and Return to Texas are FREE on Amazon, today through Dec. 3rd!

Summer Beach Memories

On a day when the wind chill is in the 30’s, it warms me to think of summer memories at the Jersey shore and the peacefulness that I feel when I watch the waves. Hopefully, you will enjoy them too. 🙂

Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, NJ
Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, NJ
Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, NJ ( SS Atlantus wreckage)
Sunset Beach (Delaware Bay) on a windy day

Where the Heart Goes

I’m happy to announce that my novella, Where the Heart Goes, is now available on Amazon for purchase as a Kindle or paperback! The book is a western about a young woman who moves from Philadelphia to Texas in the 1800s on a journey of self-discovery where the events and people in her life bring her to a greater understanding of love. Those of you who liked my short stores from a few years ago will delight in this extended and more detailed story of Becky’s life! (link below)