Vivian Carpenter's Blog

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan

If a baby just sat on the floor and cried after trying to take its first step—and never tried again—would the baby ever walk? No. The baby’s muscles would never grow to be strong enough to support his weight, if his mother carried him from that point on. No loving mother would say, “Baby, don’t try again.”

But too many people in the world today have given up, beaten down by their failures and indifference by others to their plight in the world.

Hopeless. They don’t try again. But we need everyone to try again.

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? A lot. If something didn’t work, you would try again. You would set big goals. You would approach all problems in your life without fear. You would be great. Your name would appear in the history books. The next generation would know your story, just like we know the stories and names of George Washington, Martin Luther King, Henry Ford and Nelson Mandela.

They all faced tough circumstances in the world and had to conquer their fears and emotions to find success in life. They had failures. Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”

Yet, some of us stop when we meet failure. We give up. Why?

We fear meeting failure again.

We lose our vision of what we—and the world—can be.

It is the fear of failure that keeps us from reaching our greatest potential. As we look at the problems confronting us today, too many of us feel overwhelmed and powerless to change our circumstances. So we sit back, complain and do nothing.

We find fault in the actions of others. We criticize. We believe the lie we told ourselves. The lie that holds us back: I can’t make a difference.

Have you failed in your efforts to get what you want out of life?

That’s okay. It’s just a part of gaining the wisdom you need to be successful.

You should think of every failure as a stepping-stone to your goal.

It’s nothing more than that.

Many of my successes in life have been spectacular because I’ve kept trying in the face of repeated failure and push back from others.

I knew I was okay when others saw me on the edge of a cliff.

I think failure is a perquisite to achieving high levels of success in life. That’s been my experience. So I expect failure to show its face, especially when I’m trying to reach another one of my unreasonable goals in life. But I know I can move past it. Failure is no longer a big issue for me. I expect some failures to get ahead.

When I’ve faced failure, I’ve always looked for the lesson.

Then I’ve tried to accelerate my rate of failure. I’ve thought, “Let’s hurry up and get these failures over with.” I try again and again, hour after hour, day after day and even year after year to break through to successes.

I know I’ve had way more failures than successes.

That’s just how it works.

What’s important is to keep the faith through the many dark nights required to become an overnight success. Understand this point.

Don’t be discouraged. Be persistent. Be resilient. Be of strong mind.

There is a blessing inherent in every experience of failure.

There’s also a wisdom lesson associated with every failure.

Wisdom is what we get from our life experiences when we pay attention.

So pay attention!

When I look at my failures, I always assume there’s something I didn’t do right or take into consideration. There’s always a message.

I’ve always held myself accountable for my failures. That way I can avoid becoming a victim. If it’s not my fault, I can’t fix it. So take ownership of your problems and find the solutions that work.

Listen to your critics. The criticisms of your enemies, bosses, family and friends always contain seeds of truth, even if they are delivered to you in a harsh way. Get the lesson. Come up with a new strategy. Then execute again and again.

Failure is just feedback. Get the message. Move on.

Many feel that the world is a failure today. Are you one of them?

If you are, don’t just complain.

Decide what you can do to impact your community today in a positive way.

What would you do for the community, if you had no fear of failure?

That’s what you should be doing today.

Need help?

Put it out there and see who will join you.

Allow the organizing power of the universe to amaze you.

Make a plan for your community’s positive development. Yes, you can create your own little project for positive change in in the world. Then let me know what you’re doing to create change by making a comment on this post.

What can you do?

Amaze me.

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely

First it was single black male deaths in Ferguson, Cleveland and New York that shocked the nation.

I understood those deaths were associated with the irrational fear of the black man in American.

But something else is going on … praying blacks have been slaughtered in mass. Hatred and ignorance have entered the equation once again. I’ve concluded fear alone does not explain what happened in Charleston, South Carolina last week. More is going on now.

We need to take a closer look.

I think the killing of nine praying black people in a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina last week was a calculated attempt to unleash a wave of fear in the black community by a white man whose mind had been captured by irrational hatred and fear. He acted alone.

But his viewpoint seems to be gaining energy.

The assaults against blacks in America are becoming bolder.

That’s a reality that the black community is reacting to in increasing numbers.

Some people believe violence is the weapon of choice to oppress the weak.

Others believe it is the weapon of choice to fight back.

But I believe we must resist violence as a weapon of offense and defense.

Because there are no true winners in violent race wars.

Everybody becomes a big loser.

Some people lose their lives, others lose their souls.

What was the shooter fearful about that night in South Carolina when he walked in the church? No. He was not afraid of the black people praying there.

They welcomed him.

As we welcomed the white visitor who came to our church this past Sunday morning. We rejected fear on the basis of race. We did the right thing.

Can you?

That’s what we all must do.

Do what’s right when we are fearful.

Do what’s right when we are challenged.

Was the shooter in Charleston ignorant of the fact we are members of one human race? Connected. Tied. Bonded as citizens of a nation with declining global economic power—with corporate persons selling our U.S. Constitutional rights to the highest bidder behind veils of privacy.

All in the name of rational economic self-interest.

We have a collective problem that’s creating more stress for the 99%.

Did you know all voters in America are members of an inferior class to corporate persons? No?

How did this happen?

Read my debut novel: The Fifth Letter if you want to learn more about this issue in an entertaining format.

The celebration of rational self-interest is a problem for us.

And it has been a problem for a long time.

We need to think about the concept of enlightened self-interest a little more.

We’re all bonded, whether we know it or not.

The killings in South Carolina created another wound in the spirit of our nation. We need first-aid treatment. We need to understand that now is the time for unity in our nation. Rich and poor. Black and White.

Employed and Unemployed.

It is dangerous to ignore what is happening now.

We must fight the fear that’s gaining energy in our communities. We need peaceful educational projects, political action and grassroots efforts to combat the growing negative energy around race issues in America.

What project can you think of to be of service to your community today?

Don’t limit yourself because you think your ideas can’t work.

Believe in yourself and see what you can make happen.

You’ve got more power than you might think.

We The People have great power.

Use it today.

Try.

Do you think you know who is a person with inalienable rights in America?

I recently got an unsolicited email for a campaign contribution that began, “We The People.”

By opening our Constitution with these three simple words,the Founders made it clear that in America, the citizens would be the center of power.”

Is this still true today?

If you really want to understand this critical public issue, you should read The Fifth Letter now!

Throughout The Fifth Letter the political issue: Who is a person in America with inalienable rights is fully examined.

If you want to understand what “Corporate Personhood” is and how it evolved, this is an entertaining way to get a sound lesson in American History on this critically important topic and you will come to understand who has superior rights in American.

Superior rights in America are not based on race.

Today, superior rights in America are not based on gender.

Superior rights in America are not determined by national origin.

A class of persons with superior rights to all of us was created in 1919 by the U.S. Supreme Court.

And that just isn’t right.

Find out why by readying The Fifth Letter.

To spark your interest, I’ve decided to give a hard cover edition of The Fifth Letter away on http://www.Goodreads.com.

Click below to enter the contest.

This is a short window of opportunity.

Act now!

Purchasing now is a sure thing.

But it just might be your lucky day!!!

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Goodreads Book Giveaway







The Fifth Letter



by Vivian Carpenter

Giveaway ends June 11, 2015.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

I will not be afraid of failure for God has promised that He will be my help. Robert H. Schuller

I’ve read Tough Minded Faith for Tender Hearted People by Robert H. Schuller more times than I can count. For many years, it sat on my nightstand and I read one page before I went to sleep. It seemed that whatever problem I was facing, he had a page that gave me just the right message to get me through the challenge at hand.

So what is faith?

To me, it’s not just a statement of blind faith. My faith is based on knowledge of God’s promises and revelations resulting from my actions.

My faith requires action.

The fear of failure is the number one reason most people fail to achieve their goals in life.

Turning this around, lack of faith is the number one reason most people fail. If you had no fear of failure, what would you have attempted to accomplish in this lifetime?

What would we want to achieve in this lifetime?

I think we would have big, unreasonable goals.

If we accept the constraints on our life that others attempt to project on us, their projections become our reality. But if we reject the negative projections of others, we take full control over our life outcomes to create the reality we want.

If you accept the limiting viewpoint of others—be they your mother, father, spouse, teacher, employer or anyone else who you may perceive to have power over your life—your life will be limited because you will have granted your power to bring forth the life you want to them.

It takes courage to act on faith.

It takes faith to take one step at a time in the face of our fears.

It takes faith to keep going in the face of apparent defeat.

It takes faith to claim the life that God has promised us.

Yesterday someone said to me, “Education is the only thing that changes a person’s reality.” We were talking about the high level of poverty in the world.

I think that’s a true statement. Knowledge of how to harness God’s power to change our day-to-day reality requires understanding that we must dare to fail to achieve greatness in this life.

Education is an important tool to address poverty in the world.

Improving education around the world has to be our collective goal.

And I mean education on many levels.

Faith requires using our intellect to discern.

I’ve often said that the only goals in life worth having are unreasonable goals, because only an unreasonable goal will allow you to see God’s magic in your life.

I put my faith into action by working on The Fifth Letter for seven years. I announced an unreasonable goal of wanting to write a New York Times Best Seller, putting all of my creative writing energy into creating the best novel I could. But the driving goal was to write a novel that would entertain and education the masses. I wanted to create food for thought.

I tried to understand multiple viewpoints.

I worked day after day. Growing everyday. Getting closer to my goal.

Then one day I realized The Fifth Letter was finished and I had to find the courage to release it into the universe for judgement.

On May 15, 2015, I will issue a press release for The Fifth Letter and begin the book launch and marketing efforts to bring my dream of creating a best selling novel to life. A novel the masses can read.

I’m a little scared, but I’m going to march forward based on faith.

Do I know everything I need to know to insure my success?

No!!!

But I’m going to march forward anyway, taking one calculated step at a time. Figuring out what I did wrong when I fall down. Then doing some more homework. Finding some more experts to give me advice. Then getting up and taking another step toward by goal.

That’s what I will be doing for the rest of this year.

Running the risk of a very public failure. But that really is the only way major goals are accomplished in life. That’s what I’ve always done.

Announce my intention. Accept the risk of failure. Work.

Then just keep on going when things aren’t working out.

Not accepting the negative assessments of others on what I can do.

Relying on God to take me to the promised land.

And that is what you should do, too.

Robin Barclay wins  a free autographed copy of the hard cover edition of The Fifth Letter!!!

Congratulations Robin.  Expect your signed copy when the hard cover edition is released on June 15, 2015.

You can order your signed copy of The Fifth Letter by clicking on the Sample The Fifth Letter tab and click on the Order Your Copy tab.

But it’s still not too late to get a free copy of The Fifth Letter!

30 copies of soft cover edition of The Fifth Letter will be given away on Goodreads.com for those who enter on the Goodreads website by by June 1st.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway







The Fifth Letter



by Vivian Carpenter

Giveaway ends June 01, 2015.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

No man who is afraid of death will ever be equal to a man who has no fear.

In The Fifth Letter, Justice Katherine Helena Ross, the first African American female appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court must break out of a cage of fear to reach her desire to become a great Supreme Court Justice.  She realizes fear is crippling the nation.  She understands that those who wish to force her to become a puppet for them use fear as their weapon of choice.

She resolves that she will not be controlled by her fears.

Rejecting her fears, every time she feels them gaining power in her life.

Stratagem, another central character in The Fifth Letter states, “No man who is afraid of death will ever be equal to a man who has no fear.”

I think that’s a true statement because fear drives out the magic that can exist in all of our lives.

Fear of anything leads to a lesser life.  I know that to be true.

I believe we must learn to overcome fear to experience our best life on planet earth.

The Bible says, “Man shall have ever lasting life.”

Do you believe that?

Will we live forever?

The spirit of God is in all of us.  That’s what I believe.

So fear nothing as you walk along the path of life.

God’s spirit cannot be destroyed.

Life is constantly transforming, adjusting to harsh conditions and crushing blows.

But we are still here.

I am still here.

Rising from the earth on a sunny morning, after a stormy night, after every deep freeze, after every fire.

Life goes on.

Gaining strength from the heavens above.

Pulling nutrients from the earth to nourish our weakened bodies after abuse.

Healing, repairing and renewing each cell in our bodies over and over again.

While the challenges of life strengthen our spirits that reside within.

Who are we?

The children of God.

We have nothing to fear, so we should live life with courage.

Our spirits never die, just our useless bodies are returned to the dust.

Knowledge of who we are, is the antidote to fear.

Justice Katherine Helena Ross conquers her fears in The Fifth Letter.

What will she do in the face of death threats?

She’s not afraid to die.

Will she survive?

Get your copy of The Fifth Letter today to find out what happens when evil tries to control her.

Will she be crushed or will she rise?

The Fifth Letter will challenge your thinking, regardless of your political persuasion.

The truth is complex.

The supreme power of fear is a lie.

Open your mind …  Visit The Fifth Letter website at http://TheFifthLetter.com now.

One Day something happens–and things will never be the same again.

This is the opening line in The Fifth Letter that is now available in eBook and soft cover from for one week from the date of this post to family and friends.

Find out why Katherine is damned if she does, and damned if she doesn’t issue the fatal fifth letter to take our conservative Supreme Court Justice John Galt.

You can read the first nine chapters of The Fifth Letter on Amazon now by clicking on the following link for the soft cover:

http://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Letter-Vi...)

You can also download the ebook on Amazon.

The first Goodreads review is in.  It’s a five.  Read The Fifth Letter to find out why.

The first Amazon review is in.  It’s a five, too.

Time for you to be the judge!!!

 

 

 

Here is the link to get your copy of The Fifth Letter now.

https://www.createspace.com/5233170

This is what Gregory Allen Howard, screenwriter of “Ali” and “Remember The Titans” had to say about The Fifth Letter:

“The Fifth Letter” is a remarkable first novel… The past informs the present in this contemplative, sophisticated judicial thriller. The moral/legal conundrum at the center hooked me and never let go. In this court of public appeal… a clear victory.

You can read more about The Fifth Letter and see other endorsements by clicking the link.

I Can’t Be Afraid Of Critical Judgement.

I will be releasing The Fifth Letter for two days on March 9th and 10th for my friends and family to allow them time to read The Fifth Letter before the general public release date of April 15th.

After seven years, it is time for this work to be judged.

After holding my breath, waiting for the public comments of my main editor, New York Times Best Selling Author William Martin, this is what he said about The Fifth Letter:

“The Fifth Letter is a fine new addition to the field of legal fiction. But we’ve never had one like this before, because it’s about judges, not lawyers, and not just any judges. The Fifth Letter takes us into the chambers of the US Supreme Court and brings to vivid fictional life the men and women who in so many ways determine our national destiny. Vivian Carpenter gives us a fascinating view of how business gets done in the Court and on Capitol Hill while also delivering a novel of big political ideas, a riveting study of race in America, and a tale of buried secrets, lost loves, and page-turning suspense.” — William Martin, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lost Constitution and The Lincoln Letter

So if you want to be among my family and friends who get a month to read The Fifth Letter before the public release date of April 15th, sign up for my blog today to get your link to Amazon.com to purchase the soft cover edition or eBook on March 9th and 10th.

Don’t delay!!! Or you’ll have to wait until April 15th to find out what happens in The Fifth Letter after Chapter One which is posted on TheFifthLetter.com website.  After you sign-up here with your email address, click on the Pre-Order tab here to go to http://www.TheFifthLetter.com to read Chapter One.

Story music, pictures and Hattie’s Recipe for sweet potato biscuits are under the Story Enhancements Tab on TheFifthLetter.com website.

Enjoy.

 

 

When a person did their best, do not scold them for failure.

Today is George Washington’s birthday. We should pause and take a few moments to reflect on one of his most famous quotes: “When a person did their best, do not scold them for failure.”

I believe this is an important motto to follow in life because failure is often a prerequisite for success. We should not fear failure of anything because failure is a negative form of faith. We bring into being the things that we have faith in and focus on—the good and the bad.

The things that we fear, we bring into existence.

So focus not on what you fear, focus on what you desire in life.

Approach your life with courage and watch your blessings unfold.

You will be amazed at what you can accomplish in this life.

But everything in life comes at a price.

Resolve to do what you need to do to be successful in this life without fear of anything or anyone. Just do it, even if you’re shaking.

Take a deep breath. Take the first step. Then take the next step.

Keep stepping.

Taking one logical step after another, until you bring forth what you want.

Advancing every day toward your goal without fear of failure.

You don’t have to figure out everything all at once. You just have to take the first step and learn from every experience you have in life, correcting your path whenever you realize you’ve off course in reaching your goal. Forgive yourself for mistakes. Remember your goal.

To be successful in life, you have to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Write it down. Find your supporters.

That is the first step.

Creating a clear vision of what you want to accomplish and surrounding yourself with the right people. People respond to great visions.

That’s why George Washington was such a great president. He had a clear vision for our nation, he was able to recruit men who shared the vision and he was willing to fight for that vision without a fear of failure. He pulled the best out of his men who often fought without food, clothing and compensation.

He did not criticize them when he knew they had done their best.

They fought for the dream of liberty without adequate resources.

They didn’t win all of the battles, in fact, often they suffered great loss.

But they keep on going in the face of failure and that’s what we must do today when failure appears to be holding us back.

We must keep fighting for what we want to bring forth in this world.

Very few things in life are accomplished on the first try. The American Revolutionary War was not won in the first battle. But we won the war under George Washington’s fearless leadership. They kept fighting in the face of failures. Most great feats are accomplished after years of focused effort. Often the death of great souls has been the price.

Think of the courage that was associated with the founding of the United States of America. That’s the courage we need restored today.

Courage that had no fear.

Courage is required to build American into the land of opportunity for all.

Think of Martin Luther King.

Think of the many men and women who died for the dreams written into the U.S. Constitution. Equal rights for all. Liberty. Justice. Pursuit of happiness. Inalienable rights for all. Religious freedom. Powerful concepts we must struggle to keep and bring into existence. A strong educational foundation for all citizens. Equal opportunities for all.

But writing our dreams on paper doesn’t make them come true.

We must follow up our words with action to being our dreams into reality.

We must take bold actions without fear today.

We must become the best that we can be to make American all that it can be.

And American must become the best that it can be, for the world to be a better place for all. The people in each nation must grow to their greatest human potential, for the world to reach its greatest potential.

Each individual has a role to play. The world’s symphony will not be the same without your part being played.

So figure out what it is and play your part without fear.

Everybody is important, so don’t criticize the person who has done their best.

Instead encourage them to try again.

Nobody’s a complete failure until they quit trying.