KJ Aartila
Stories (297)
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Why I Have Stopped Sharing My Work in Vocal Facebook Groups
Why I Have Stopped Sharing My Work in Vocal Facebook Groups I have been a big supporter and advocate of joining Vocal Facebook groups to gain reads, followers and education. I still am, especially for the newest members of the platform. The groups have helped me immeasurably, but what I have found now is that my efforts are better spent on a different strategy for gaining reads and followers. I still read and comment on pieces of other authors shared in groups to which I am a member, but I rarely share my own stories there anymore, nor do I spend as much time scrolling in an effort to earn my reads in reciprocation. It’s just not a balanced use of my time at this point. There are several reasons for that, and below are listed a few other options to consider.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
The Rhythm of Change. Top Story - April 2023.
The Rhythm of Change Sitting on the couch, contemplating my crumbling marriage - he was an asshole, I blamed myself - I was watching late night tv and drinking too much wine. An awkward woman appeared on the show. She had long, red hair and a captivating energy. She played the piano and sang a very strange and haunting song. Her lyrics spoke to me. Her musical sound, intriguing: different. I couldn’t turn away.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Beat
Prevention is the Cure!
Prevention is the Cure! Why do I care? Why should you? ⁃ I am afflicted with an autoimmune disease and so is my husband. Autoimmune diseases run through the ancestries on both sides. We have a daughter who has a 50% chance of inheriting defective genes from each of us, or both. If we knew earlier on - before signs and symptoms took hold - we may have been able to halt or reverse the progression for ourselves. Now our conditions have progressed too far along to be able to interrupt the progression. The outlook is grim, as there appears to be no actual cure in sight. Instead, we live with watching disease dictate our lives, cause a lot of expense, and slowly steel our physical abilities. At this point, there is not much we can definitively do for our daughter, but watch and wait.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Longevity
Two Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Options
Two Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Options As a Mom and Wife with health issues, to a family with health concerns, providing meals as a healthy option to support beneficial lifestyle choices is a focus of mine. For me, that involves consistently preparing a healthy breakfast. Getting a heathy immune boost and anti-inflammatory nutrients is of specific consideration for the foods I prepare.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Feast
Writer, Have Some Manners!
Writer, Have Some Manners! If you are aspiring to be a successful writer, and you interact with other writers and readers, please consider incorporating the following techniques for respectful engagement. They will help you be taken seriously as a writer, as well as a human, and grow a following for your work. People’s time is valuable. We’re all vying for a piece of the pie. We all want attention for our genius, but really, it’s not a competition. Being supportive of others works for you, not against you.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
Confidence Boost - Overcome Your Fears
Confidence Boost - Overcome Your Fears In my long life of riding horses, I hit the ground numerous times in an unexpected dismount chosen by my regal mount. I have never been seriously hurt - well, except that one time when I couldn’t breathe for a month and it took nearly a year to find myself basically pain-free from that, but I didn’t go to the Dr., so it doesn’t count - until about 1.5 years ago. It could have been serious, but wasn’t. It scared me pretty bad, though, when I saw the creases marking my helmet from the fence I was tossed into. Thank goodness I was wearing a helmet. What I remember the most is the view of scrambling hooves trying to avoid squashing me after I landed in his path. He did avoid me, and I did avoid deathly injury that day, but my confidence had been shattered. How am I overcoming that? First of all, because I think I can. Confidence starts and ends in the mind.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
The Plight of an Equinologist. Top Story - March 2023.
The Plight of an Equinologist An equinologist is a person who studies horses. -- W0rd Sense Dictionary The wind streams my long hair behind me in the wind made by the horse galloping beneath me, no leather to restrict us. We are free.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Petlife
More Flim Flam from the Aquarian's Journal. Top Story - March 2023.
Not that he needs my defense, or even wants my ridiculousness to support him. I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of standing up for himself, but here’s my interpretation of his words, in response to Shane Dobbie’s article, Hooptedoddle and Flim Flam.
By KJ Aartila3 years ago in Journal
