D John Watson Interview of Bertha

I’d like to take a moment to introduce the always colorful, Bertha from Bertha-Size Your Life!
Bertha, where are you from?
Oh, here and there. I can be at home anywhere. You’ll find me wherever there’s a woman who isn’t quite sure who she is or what she wants out of life.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure. Some people call me zany and some call me quirky but I prefer zany. I think that’s because zany goes better with redhead. Don’t you think? I love vibrant colors, especially lime green and flamingo pink…oh and spandex and tube tops. I like long walks on the beach and I’m not much for cats. You’ll rarely catch me without a fresh mani-pedi and the highest heels around. Oh, and, I jump on a soapbox at a moment’s notice. I always have something to say.

What do you do to relax?
I find a mani-pedi one of the most relaxing things, ever or maybe some shoe shopping.

Do you enjoy reading?
Oh…give me a shoe catalog and I’ll be happy for days. Basically, I enjoy reading anything that makes me feel good…‘cause feeling good is what it’s all about.

Is there something that you wish others could understand about you but don’t?
I wish the cat would understand that I am always right. Somehow, it has the mistaken notion that it is supposed to be in charge. Talk about a bad cattitude…it has one!

What do others think of you?
Oh…they love me. Women are always asking me what I would do about this or that. They seem to want my advice…that’s why I always carry a soapbox with me…just in case.

What’s your greatest fear?
Chipping a nail?! Seriously, I faced most of my fears a long time ago. Rita (you’ll meet her in the book) is pretty much the only person who can ruffle my feathers because she can twist things around until I doubt myself. But I’m not afraid of her because I know how to get back to a good place. And surprisingly that self-doubt usually leads to a stronger sense of who I am and what I want.

What’s your biggest ambition?
Well, my biggest ambition…my life’s purpose…is to inspire women to wear heels. I’ve found a few ways to do that. First, I’m writing a book, Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Bertha’s Guide to Life and Shoes. I’m also a shoe model for the local department store but my next adventure is going to be designing a line of fantasy shoes. By the time I’m finished, women all over the world will be in heels!

We all have a driving force behind us, what’s yours?
I want to feel good. I always make choices for my life after considering what would feel the best. Now that may sound selfish but it isn’t. What feels good in the moment isn’t necessarily what will feel good in the long run. You know like overeating, over spending and that type of thing. Feeling good always comes from a place of integrity.

If you could speak with any one person, who would it be and why?
I would speak to the woman who is doubting herself at this moment. I would tell her to look deep inside and see how beautiful she really is. I would ask her what she wants in her life and then I would help her figure out how to make that happen. Why would I choose her? Because…that’s what I do, I empower women to enjoy life and love themselves. And then…we’d go for a pedicure and shop for new heels.

I think everyone has a moral code, something that guides their actions. What’s yours?
Truth. I always live my truth. But there’s a trick to that. First you have to know what your truth is. That takes a bit of work.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“When life hands you an ostrich…make a boa!”

Interesting, do you have many boas?
Oh my yes and I love to wear them…reminds me of how many times I’ve triumphed. And that’s really what life is all about…learning what you don’t want and focusing on what you do want until you have it. Then another ostrich comes along and you start all over again.

Bertha, how did you get so smart?
My Grandma Minnie Mae taught me so much about life and how to be happy. She didn’t know all the fancy terms we use today like Law of Attraction and things like that. But she understood the principals for living a good life and she taught me well.

Yes, I must say she did. Thank you for visiting with us today. Do you have anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
I’d like to encourage everyone to take time today…even ten minutes…to do something that makes their heart sing. It doesn’t matter what it is…roller skating…painting…singing…whatever…just do something just for you that makes you happy. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to do everything else. Thank you so much for having me today. Think I’ll go and do my nails now…will you join me?

You can read more about Bertha's adventures and philosophy in Bertha-size Your Life at http://www.amazon.com/BERTHA-SIZE-YOUR-LIFE-Jane-Carroll/dp/1897512600

TODAYS SPECIAL  APPEAL 

Help our friend ARLENE O'NEIL

Normally, I would use this space for an interview or a cover reveal but the true goal of Artistic Reflections is to help others so I don’t think I’m getting away from that now.

Every once in a while, you come across someone who has given in ways many of us wish we could and others would never dream of.  It’s that special person who is always thinking of others before themselves and at the same time is asked to handle more than is their fair share of troubles without asking for help in return.  Those giving souls are all too rare at times and when they do shine, we're all that much better for knowing them.
But we all need a hand once in a while.  It’s at these time when we see the very best in each other.  Now is one of those times, a time to help a fellow author when she needs it but will not ask for it.  For those of you who know Arlene O’Neil, either through her lively presence on FaceBook or through her role as an editor with Maser Koda Select Publishing LLC, you know how tireless and devoted she is when it comes to helping others.
I met Arlene through the face book group Master Koda at one of their book launches and in all of the time  I’ve known her, not once has she put herself first.   Her stories about her goats are always entertaining

and her pride in her son is inspiring.  But she has endured alot, more than  any of us think we could and she has not lost her sense of humor or her strength of heart. She's been a real example to follow  

So it's up to her friends to offer what we can.  Thanks to the efforts of Brenda Perlin and Kim Mutch Emerson, of MKSP, two benefits have now been launched to help Arlene with the financial needs for rebuilding her leg.  But this is a major operation and as anyone who's every gone through major surgary can tell you, it's not over when you leave the hospital. There's medications and PT, not to mention the normal day to day stuff that comes from running a small farm on 5 acres and all at a time when so  many other things needs fixing.

https://www.facebook.com/events/721771647880120/722408967816388/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_mall_activity  This event will run until the 20th of September

And http://www.gofundme.com/Arlene

To really understand what kind of person she is, she tells about the accident that has plagued her since she was six in the book Broken Spokes.   In many ways, this one event made her who she is today.  This book is not just about that accident, it's about how it affected her after that and about becoming a widow and being a single mother.  It's a book about overcoming the obstacles, about picking yourself up and growing stronger.  It's also about not letting those falls make you bitter and angry.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IZTKGR0/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
Kindle 3.99 or 12.99 for print.

They say each drop adds to the bucket, so too does every penny and dollar.

I know that we all have it in us to help one of our friends when she needs it most so please, however little, whether it's just prayer or a couple of dollars, it all helps.