WE WILL SURVIVE!

Sandra Mansfield Wright

It is now 2021 and although many went through a horrific 2020 – those of us reading this did survive. We may have bumps and bruises, or may have suffered grief and loss, but we are still here and hanging on. Encouragement and uplifting words mean even more to me now than before the pandemic, and hugs from my friends and loved ones even more precious. COVID did make me appreciate, notice and drink deeply of life.

In the COVID year of isolation I was blessed to have written two books and find now that I can get out and be busy with other things, I am having a difficult time getting into my writing as before. Maybe this is true for others as well – finding it hard to get back to normal (whatever normal may be.) This is a time when we may reflect on how we truly want to live our lives. Do we want to go back to normal? Things are supposedly back to normal, but normal is different for many of us, isn’t it? We find we don’t feel the same about normal any longer. This may be a good thing, because we will now appreciate and cherish our ordinary days more readily. Finding our normal lives again, when life has changed so much in the world, isn’t an easy matter.

The good thing is, we can grow, and change and help our lives be whatever we hope them to be. We can take the good things and expand on them and let go of the things which were unnecessary and hold less meaning for us. We may have found we could live with many less “things,” many less activities, going and doing, running hectically through life. Families had time together around the kitchen table, playing games together, eating meals and talking. We found time to talk and listen to our family members – those who are most precious to us. Outside distractions were limited. Maybe you would like to keep these good parts of isolation. It caused me to re-think my activities, and I found I even enjoyed being at home more.

How do we keep the things we want in our lives and not fall into the trap again of being swallowed up by the world around us – the constant pull of work, going, doing, planning, keeping up? Everyone has different needs and wants in their lives. There are chapters in each life, some are raising children, some working a stressful and demanding job, some are care-givers to someone in their family, some are retired, some are fighting health issues, some are struggling with heartache and problems, and on and on it goes. We live our lives as best we can, and I for one ask for God’s help daily. We each must make a conscious effort to get the life we want. We must choose wisely. There are things we will have to give up – we cannot have it all! We must make time for those who are a priority for us. What’s important to our life right now? Who is important? Make time for these. Will what we are spending our time on (people, things, our faith, our work) be important to us in five years, in ten years, in eternity?

The books I write are books of joy, hope and encouragement. Helping people, lifting them up as we all struggle to live as best we can is a goal of mine. I want to leave you with my favorite scripture:



“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Sandra Mansfield Wright, is the author of Gentleness, Strength, The Posture of Hope, Growing in Hope,365 Daily Gifts of Joy and Little Gifts of Joy.


After retiring from her career in real estate, Sandra Mansfield Wright became an "Interior Designer for the Heart".


She writes and speaks on the subject of joy and provides practical ways to bring joy more fully into the lives of her readers and listeners. Sandra lives near Memphis, TN,


Visit Sandra at sandramansfieldwright.com
for more information and to read her blog.

WORDS – THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME

Sandra Mansfield Wright

In times of stress I find myself writing, possibly as a way to calm myself and think through a situation in a more rational frame of mind. It is a form of self-therapy in my life. Writing has always been a part of my life, beginning with journaling and then going further into writing books.

            At a time when the world around seems uncertain and shaken, writing words of encouragement and hope soothes my soul, and I hope something I write will help others find a calmness in the midst of the world’s madness.

            My first book, Little Gifts of Joy, came out at a time of deep sorrow in my life. It did not begin in this way. It began as a book to my grandchildren about life and the idea of looking for and finding joy in every day. It grew out of that concept into larger and deeper thoughts of finding joy no matter what happens in one’s life, a guide to abundant living.

            From this beginning followed other books; all with the major themes of joy, hope and faith; books of encouragement and thoughts to lift the reader from the depths of sadness, heartache, sickness, despair and hurt into a realm of hope, joy, peace and renewal. My prayer and goals for my writings are to give my readers a ‘daily dose of hope.’ The world in which we live tries to steal our joy and drain us of energy and enthusiasm. My books give practical, down-to-earth, common sense suggestions as to how to find exuberance and practice abundant living every day.

            Quotes are used often throughout the books because quotes lift me when I am down. Memorizing quotes, having them placed in my home where I can see them and read them daily is to me an instant spirit-lift.

            My home is a place of renewal and a haven of tranquility to me, and in my books I often give ideas as to how to create a space of serenity for the reader and ideas on how to design a life of substance and joy.

            A firm believer in the philosophy of remaining positive and thinking on joy, my writings encourage training oneself to re-think and change attitudes and give practical ways to do this. Finding ways to lift ourselves when the world is pulling us down is a focus for everyday living.

            Words, the right words at the right time, can heal our spirit and strengthen our resolve. They can cause us to grow and stretch us to become more than we once thought possible. Words written in love and prayer can soothe the broken soul. This is my constant prayer for the books I put into this world.

Sandra Mansfield Wright has been called an interior designer for the heart, specializing in bringing more joy and hope into the lives of her readers and listeners. She is the author of four books. 

Her book, 365 Daily Gifts of Joy, gives the reader a joyful devotional for every day of the year. Each passage, regardless of topic, points the way to joy and promises that God is there for us in every circumstance.

The Posture of Hope, Sandra's third book, will uplift and motivate the reader to find great power and security in prayer and in the reading of God's Word. A relevant book for today's stressful world, it teaches us how to replace fear with hope.

Sandra's fourth book, is an interactive devotional book entitled Growing in Hope, this book gives the reader a "dose of hope" for the day ahead. Always sharing uplifting and encouraging words to counteract the negative messages given by the world today, Sandra's writings are a breath of refreshment.

In Times Like These (to be released in 2020)

Visit Sandra at:  sandramansfieldwright.com 

Marketing – Finding Your Way

By Sandra Mansfield Wright

Marketing, I have found to be one of the most difficult aspects of the writing process. How do I find time to market when I am trying to write?  Making it a priority in the process is important. Carve out the time in each week to market your project and yourself. For me it is a commitment of at least one to two hours a week for marketing projects. A writer’s group of like-minded people may be of great help; they have been for me. Ideas, brain-storming, hearing how others are promoting their writing has helped me. I gather ideas, tweak them to fit my needs and go from there. When we share our ideas, other ideas often develop.

One of the things I have done, that seems to be working for me, is having a ‘Joy Luncheon’ in my home once a month. My writings thus far have been focused on ‘Creating a Life of Joy!’  Groups of twelve to fifteen may come to my home for a delicious lunch catered by my daughter’s company, Simply Done, of Collierville, TN. The group tours my circa 1890 cottage home, eat on antique china, and have a fun day.  After the tour and luncheon, I speak briefly on the subject of ‘Creating a Life of Joy’ and share my books with my guests.

Another idea we have created is ‘A Day of Joy’ for guests of 15 up to 50 people. This is a day’s venue held in a historic church building starting at 10:30 with appetizers and greetings, a guest speaker on a subject relevant to the group: i.e. essential oils and their benefits to our health, flower arranging, gardening, table landscaping.  Topics change seasonally and can be fitted to the group involved. Lunch is then served. After lunch I speak on the subject of finding joy in our lives - no matter what! We end the afternoon with a ‘high tea’ and desserts. Sometimes we may have a guest soloist or music offered as a special treat. We may have a hands-on workshop creating a wreath for the front door, jewelry making, or other “fun” events.

These events are promoted by word of mouth, sending out post card type event cards telling people about the luncheons, mentioned on my personal website and blog, and giving out book marks with short descriptions of each of my books and a bio on one side, and on the opposite side there is a ‘Joy Luncheon’ description. I leave these bookmarks everywhere I go, and give them to anyone who will take them.  People who attend these luncheons are the best advertisement – because they always tell someone they know, and word spreads!

Different things work for different people. Listen, watch, and think about the talents you have and creative ways in which you can market yourself and your work. Share ideas with others and get their feedback and counsel.

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”   - Proverbs 15: 22

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After retiring from her career in real estate, Sandra Mansfield Wright became an interior designer for the heart. She writes and speaks on the subject of joy and provides practical ways to bring joy more fully into the lives of her readers and listeners. Sandra lives near Memphis, TN, and is the author of Little Gifts of Joy and 365 Daily Gifts of Joy. Go to sandramansfieldwright.com for more information and to read her blog.