Speak Up and Speak Out – Camilla on the Bill Arnott Spotlight

Many months ago I had the pleasure of being a guest of author Bill Arnott on his Spotlight feature. Join us to find out how seeing situations from different angles, ping pong, role models, loving kindness, pressing the reset button, spaghetti, and a kayak come together for this fun spotlight.

It’s Showcase time! Welcome back to our Showcase interviews, with an event announcement below. Today we visit with Camilla Downs, author, poet, photographer, and founder of Meeting the Authors, itself a great showcase of international writers. (Camilla’s pronounced like Pamela.) Camilla, it’s a treat to showcase a showcaser. Welcome!

Q. What do you feel you’re best known for, Camilla?

A. It’s funny you have asked this question as I have just recently asked friends and connections what they have noticed about me and about how I solve problems. So …. I’m best known for my perseverance and being a problem solver who is able to see the situation from different angles, beyond mainstream thinking. As well as my writings, books, and nature photography, living from my heart and making intuitive decisions, being grounded by nature, and having a calming presence.

Q. (Which shines through in your positive writing.) What do you feel brought you here?

A. You and I have been playing a game of ping pong! We met in an online Facebook group for authors and bloggers. I interviewed you on my website of MeetingtheAuthors.com, you read and reviewed my book, and now I’m answering these fun questions for your Showcase! And, I’m reading Gone Viking right now and really enjoying it!

Q. (We have been dancing around in similar circles! And thanks.) Who do you consider a role model?

A. I think I’m in between role models at the moment. There are several people I admire, and am inspired by how they do business and live their lives. I have had role models in the past who inspired me, too. Perhaps it’s because I’ve pressed the “pause” button of my life, but I’m not able to name a person at the moment.

Q. (I understand; people in those roles “appear” at different times.) What’s your advice to others?

A. Live your life as you see fit, with a solid foundation of loving kindness. Speak up and speak out about what offends your heart, and try not to be concerned with what others think of you.

Q. (Oh, I like that a lot.) And what are your currently working on?

A. Currently I’m trying to take it somewhat easy. I’m just on the other side of a years long emotional and mental healing journey, while also being a single parent to two kids. I decided at the end of 2019 that 2020 would be a year of rest, relaxation, and of pressing the reset button.

I do plan on writing more books, I’m just not sure yet what they will look like. I’m beginning to think about goals for myself moving forward, and am participating in a challenge to get started with how I’d like to be of service to others with my skills and knowledge.

Q. (That sounds wonderful.) Tell us, please, what are your favourite: album, movie, and food dish?

A. Album: I seriously cannot choose a favorite album. I’m one of those people who likes to listen to music on shuffle, just to be surprised. I love 70’s and 80’s disco and rock n’ roll. Yet, I also love 50’s and 60’s rock n’ roll. On the flip side, I enjoy hard rock and some heavy metal! It absolutely depends on my mood.

Movie: It may be easier for me to name my least favorite movies! I don’t like horror/scary movies or movies with tons of violence (unless it’s based on a true story or event from history). My favorite movies are ones that inspire me, make me laugh, teach me something, or expand my awareness.

Food Dish: Spaghetti with a lovely side salad and a chunk of ciabatta bread (Now, if you ask me this next week, you may receive a completely different answer!)

Q. (Ah, a diner after my own heart!) And now for our Quirky Question. Make a choice: kayak or canoe?

A. I’m going with a kayak as I’ve been in a two person kayak exactly one time, and that was only recently! I can’t recall that I’ve ever been in a canoe.

Q. (I think of canoes more often than not as Canadiana.) Thanks Camilla, this has been fun. And I wish you continued success with your writing and Meeting the Authors.

A. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your Showcase, Bill! I had a great time!

To read the full interview, go here …

https://mailchi.mp/1e39b5bbf413/showcase-interview-author-camilla-downs

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 19 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here

Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.

Throwback Post: Between the Sweet Spot and the Heaviness

**THROWBACK TO 2017 OR 2018″

Between the Sweet Spot and the Heaviness

And lo the feelings
of being trapped
are strong.

Weighing on this body
as worries weigh
upon the mind.

No way out is seen
as the mind ricochets
from thought to thought.

Most having nothing
to do with what brings
forth the heaviness
and feelings of being trapped.

Like the shell in
the ocean,
attention is focused
on one thought
until tossed
to another and
yet another
with the movement
of the ocean.
Never BEing still.

Thoughts of wanting to be
somewhere one is not.
Always thoughts of how
one gets passed this
moment – how one
survives this moment.

The moment will come.
There is no stopping it.
It arrives just
as the moment
before arrived and
the moment after arrives.

Just as the shell
in the ocean is
tossed to and fro
one feels tossed
to and fro by life.

Not knowing which
way is which.
Confusion clouds
the mind,
despair settles
within the confusion.

Following this path
knowing not
where it leads.

Looking back on
past paths with
thoughts of what
a good place it
was in the path.

All the while knowing
that in the midst of
that place one was filled with
thoughts of being trapped
and seeking a way out.

Could it be that
one will look back
on this place in
the path years from
now with thoughts of
what a good place
in the path this
was to have been?

Though it feels like
it not, this place
in the path is always
a good place to be.

As there is no way to
move forward from the past
or the future.
One can only move
forward from this
moment in time,
this place in the path.

Knowing the answers
within seems so
far from knowing
the answers without.

Seems like a
distance of eternity.

An eternity of traveling
to the sweet spot within
where life is a blissful
walk in the park.

Stopping for a bit here
Stopping for a bit there
following the nudges
that life presents.

Knowing all we need
do is always BE
where we BE. – ©Camilla Downs

Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.

Amazing news! My 19 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here

Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.