Posted on by ajbrown · 2 Comments

Celebrate

Kool and the Gang put out a song in 1980 titled, Celebration. It’s the ultimate Raise Your Beer song. It’s the ultimate Look What Amazing Thing You Did song. And it should be the song we sing when we succeed, even with the little things … especially with the little things.

Did you get out of bed this morning? Celebrate it.
Did you get dressed this morning? Celebrate it.
Did you make it to work or school this morning? Celebrate it.
Did you make someone laugh today? Celebrate it.
Did you write a song today? Celebrate it.
Did you write a story today? Celebrate it.
Did you write a paragraph or even just one line? Celebrate it.
Did you draw or paint a picture? Celebrate it.
Did you graduate from school—any school? Celebrate it.
Did you get a new job? Celebrate it.
Did you do something new? Celebrate it.
Did you do something you were afraid to do? Oh, celebrate it.
Did you do something you thought you couldn’t do? Celebrate it.
Did you do something you’re good at? Celebrate that, too.
Did you cry because something made you sad? Celebrate the emotion.
Did you help someone today? Celebrate kindness.
Did you stop holding a grudge today? Celebrate maturity.
Did you do a workout for the first time or the thousandth time today? Celebrate progress.
Did you do something for yourself today? Celebrate you.
Did you not let something bother you that usually does? Celebrate tolerance.
Did you dance for the first time today? Celebrate it.
Did you arrive to work on time today? Celebrate timeliness.
Did you realize you’re an amazing person? Celebrate the awesomeness of you.
Did you fall in love? Celebrate that with all your heart.
Did you stay in love for a week, month, year, twenty-five years, fifty years, more? Celebrate endurance … and patience.
Did you learn something new today? Celebrate education.
Did you say goodbye to something toxic? Celebrate renewal.
Did you say goodbye to a loved one who is no longer here? Celebrate their life.

There are so many things we can celebrate every single day, but we’re too focused on bad things, on failures, on the things that bring us down. We’re too focused on not being good enough for a person, for a group, for a job … for ourselves. Life is full of small successes, things we pay little attention to, but things that matter more than we tend to believe.

Celebrate all the small things (did you read that as if you were singing a Blink 182 song?). Those small things so often lead to bigger successes. We should make celebrating these things a part of our daily lives. I’d celebrate that.

Until we meet again, my friends, be kind to one another.

A.J.

Posted on by ajbrown · 2 Comments

How About A Birthday Contest or Two?

July is my birthday month. Normally, I’m not big on birthdays. To me, they are just another number. This one is different. I turn 50 on July 8th. That is a big deal birthday. I want to celebrate this one. And I will. All. Month. Long.

I want you, my readers, to come celebrate as well. To do that, we are having two contests during the month of July. They are big contests.

The first one is called 50 Years & 50 Books. Here is how it works:

If we sell 50 print books in the month of July, then we will give away a complete set of my print books to one person. That is 15 books, including a bonus book that has not been released yet, that is slated to come out in August. That is a $157.00 value. The books will be signed, but not personalized. The reason for this is if you purchase a print book, even if you only have that one, you will get another one in the complete set. If you want to give that book away, then I want you to be able to do so without having your name inscribed in it.

Now, here is the important stuff: 1) The books have to be purchased directly through myself or Cate, either on our social media pages or through my website. AMAZON PURCHASES DO NOT COUNT. Please understand that last sentence. If you purchase a print book through Amazon, thank you, but it will not count toward this contest. 2) I hate doing this, but I can’t ship a big box of books internationally. It sucks. I wish I could afford to. That means I can only ship within the United States. I apologize to my international friends and fans. I just can’t afford to do that. 3) 49 books is not 50. 28 books is not 50. The goal is 50, in honor of the age I will turn this month. If we don’t reach 50 or higher, then there is no drawing for the complete set of print books. That sounds pretty crappy, but it really isn’t. The contest is 50 Years and 50 Books. 4) All book orders will be sent out in mid-August, AFTER the contest is over. This will allow us time to package and mail out the books.

I hope this sounds good to y’all and I hope we sell enough books to be able to send out a full set to one person.

The second contest doesn’t cost any money (unless you want to spend some, then by all means, spend away). It is called. 50 Years & 50 Reviews.

If we receive 50 book reviews in the month of July, then we will give away one complete set of my digital books. That’s 15 books, including one yet to be released. 

Now, here is the important information: 1) Book reviews need to be sent to me or Cate, either on our social media pages or through PM’s or through my website, Type AJ Negative. We would also like you to post the review on your social media page (or blog if you have one). AMAZON REVIEWS DO NOT COUNT. If you place a review on Amazon, thank you, but it doesn’t go toward the contest. 2) Book reviews must be new. They cannot be reviews already left somewhere else. 3) Book reviews can be of any of my books. 4) Like with the 50 Years & 50 Books contest, the goal is 50 reviews here. Not 49. If we don’t reach the goal of 50 reviews, there is no drawing. 

You can leave reviews at the following places (as well as your personal social media pages, websites and blogs):

My author page:

https://www.facebook.com/typeajnegative/

The 50 Years Contests Page:

https://typeajnegative.com/50-years-contests/

Or by sending me or Cate a PM through our various social media pages.

I realize I did not post Cate’s information here. Those who know my wife also know her social media pages and they are set to private, so I will not be adding it here. Those who know Cate, please feel free to contact her directly.

There you have it: two great contests in honor of my birthday. I don’t do these things too often, so I hope you will participate. 

As always, until we meet again my friends, be kind to one another.

A.J.