"Fix Your Own Plate" A Manual For Love, Relationships, Marriage, and Parenting

By Frances Patterson Harper Ann

: “Fix Your Own Plate”

One thing that life has truly taught me is to appreciate, value and exercise options. Options, coupled with common sense, wisdom and commitment diminishes the presence of stress. These tools also decrease havoc, drama, and chaos in one’s day to day life. Even prior to birth, we begin to establish a relationship. We, each and everyone of us, depend on our Mothers for our growth, development and nourishment. Relationships are such an integral part of our lives, yet we spend very little time seeking the tried and true as well as the best options to make them work successfully. The teaching and guidance of successful relationships should start from day one. I even believe it should be a part of the curriculum in daycare, preschool, throughout high school, college and life. Between the dashes, no matter who or what you become, relationships with things and people will be as prevalent and essential as the blood that flows through your veins.
Much too often, we base our concepts or blueprints of relationships on celebrities, storylines in movies, sit-coms and even fairy tales in search of our happily ever after. Many concepts of relationships are based on fantasies that never existed in either realm. Many authors, TV personalities, and psychologist/psychiatrists have written books over the years on the trending subject of relationships, still many of us remain like a deer caught in headlights. My perspective is based on the human connection, you, your best you, is the most valuable ingredient or asset in a relationship. It is your love, kindness, respect and unselfishness that propels any relationship you are involved in to newer heights. Yet these are just a portion of the components of all things necessary for a healthy, sound relationship.
On my quest for clarity in expressing the information in this book, as always, I sought to reduce my concepts to the least common denominator. I highlighted each and every component and tip that may be of service to clear the fog along the path to a richer life. Fix means to correct, or set right, to adjust; hence the title, “Fix Your Own Plate.“ The book touch bases on what to do-Fix it, what needs to be fixed-your own-and how to get the job done in the areas of relationships, parenting and wholeness. It is my desire and belief, that beyond the shadow of a doubt, there is something within these pages that can definitely be used on your journey to being better in love, relationships, and parenting. Read this book to be enlightened, intrigued, informed and empowered. This book encourages you to determine your needs and parameters, to get in touch with your morals and principles, and to know what you will and will not do to accomplish what you want. You must know what you’re looking for so you will know when you find it. You might be pleasantly surprised that the love and relationships you desire are more accessible to you than you ever believed, just by fixing your own plate!!! Make your life the absolute best it can be!!!
Thank you in advance for taking the time to allow me to share this book with you. It is my hope and desire, that within it, there is fuel to be passed on to the next generation. We must learn first, then we can teach. Be Better!! Be Blessed!!

Frances Patterson Harper “Ann”
Ann Harper, Author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frances Patterson Harper Ann
• Release date: Jul 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463751954

Frances Patterson Harper Ann

Just call me Ann. I am shown on my books as Frances Patterson Harper Ann; because any and every variation of my name is shared by other authors, ironic but true. I am a southern girl, born, educated and have lived in Georgia all my life. Even though many other authors share my name, I embrace my uniqueness in all that I am and do which is reflected in the thoughts that make up all my books. I love the arts. all of them! I am a singer, I play piano, and I have been writing all my life. My philosophy of life is to be better today than I was yesterday. My must haves in life are love, respect and kindness. I am a positive individual who believes in being genuine yet tactful. My life is all about uplifting, inspiring and loving people. My favorite past times are learning, connecting with others through positive expressions-(singing, writing, conversations and empowering social events), What makes my spirit smile is lots of sunshine, sandy beaches and family. Add to that chocolates, flower gardening, nature in general, and I am a happy camper!! What puts a smile on my face is my daily morning quiet moments of meditation and gratitude to God for loving me and keeping me. It is then, and often many times during the day, that I express my gratitude for the blessings of family and all that is good in the world. Listen, my writing is a healing and instrument of growth for me. It is my hope that it does the same for you in some way. Journey with me on my website: fdharper22.wixsite.com/harperbooks and accept the inspiration through my writings. GET TO KNOW ME... Read my books. Blessings~.

Book preview

Fix Your Own Plate

Your Manual To Love, Marriage and Parenting

(The Common Sense Perspective)

By Frances Harper Patterson Ann

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2018 Frances Harper Patterson Ann

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. All pictures are held by commercial license and may not be duplicated by anyone without express permission.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER: 1 | In Search Of Love

CHAPTER: 2 | The Human Factor

CHAPTER: 3 | Relationships/Marriage

CHAPTER: 4 | A Special Note To My Sistas And Brothas!

CHAPTER: 5 | Relationship Speed Breakers

CHAPTER: 6 | Relationships – Rule of Thumb

CHAPTER: 7 | Before Becoming Parents

CHAPTER: 8 | Parenting

CHAPTER: 9 | The Spirit Of A Child

CHAPTER: 10 | Raising and Parenting The Empowered Child

CHAPTER: 11 | So, The Baby’s On The Way!

CHAPTER: 12 | People and Changes

CHAPTER: 13 | Just a Moment!

CHAPTER: 14 | Conclusion

YOUR 10 STEPS TO WHOLENESS

INTRODUCTION

If I had the one answer that would unlock the mystery of instant joy in these areas, I’d have Bill Gates’ net worth in my change purse. It seems no matter how much money, education, or experience people have in these areas, they don’t have a clue and they are still searching. It’s no wonder we’re still totally confused about the main reason why we’re all here, what we’re supposed to be doing and how to do it. I refuse to discount anyone’s offering of how it should be done, what works and what doesn’t work, this is not why I’m writing. The purpose of these words is to reduce the questions and answers in these areas to the least common denominator. Often, as egotistical human beings, we like to make things so complicated! When we feel we have solved the issues or unearthed the answers, we pat ourselves on the back for being so smart, so highly intelligent. We raise our shoulders up and stick our chests out with our noses in the air because we’re so damn smart! That’s exactly what has us in the mess we’re in now! We have complicated our world, especially in the areas of love, marriage and parenting. There is enough complexity without us adding fuel to the fire on this journey called life.

Many of us live lives that are as tangled as last Christmas tree’s strings of lights that we stripped off the tree, threw in a box and tossed in the closet or attic. Then we meet someone (love), we want them to put their strings of lights aside and help us untangle ours. We then have the nerve to think we will live happily ever after. Really!?! The truth of the matter is, how fair is it to ask anyone to commit their one shot at life, and you know we only get one shot, to do what makes you happy or successful, or feel good only about yourself? Is there a kind of love that makes one say, I’m not that important, let me help you reach your goals and make your dreams come true? "I’ll just discard my individuality, hopes and dreams all in the name of love, just for you." Well, not really. Two things to note here: that’s sacrifice, not love. Secondly, you are possibly with the wrong person. On that same trend of thought, it is just as ridiculous to believe that someone else can or is supposed to make you happy. Happiness comes from the understanding that it’s up to you to master your own. Of course, there are many things in life that brings happiness, and they are as varied as the individuals who seek and yearn for it. What does it for one person may not do it for you. Find out what your happy is and let that be your personal mission regardless of who is in your life. They too, will reap great benefits from your journey to wholeness. Just know, that mythical person who is the answer to all your dreams does not exist…sorry. They just don’t! Love does not ask us to make