H.L. Balcomb's Blog
August 10, 2022
My Writing Style?!?
An interviewer recently asked me what my writing style is?
My answer…a little peonies, a little proteas.
The person looked at me in disbelief…the truth is that is my writing style. I love proteas because they represent the longevity of something old, valued. A flower that I grew up with since my first breath. At the same time, I love peonies because within the context of my life, they represent something new, inspiring – the moment when I fell in love with gardening, right after we had purchased our most recent home.
I firmly believe that we mature not by age, but by stories, especially the type of stories that combine a little history like the strength of the proteas with new ideas that are as fresh and light as the flowers of peonies.
This style is projected throughout everything that I do, it all comes down to a little peonies, a little proteas, and the net result is a piece of my heart that I share with the world through my stories based off three themes of exploration: travel and culture, fairy tales, and motherhood.
If you're new to this page, welcome...
HLBalcomb
My answer…a little peonies, a little proteas.
The person looked at me in disbelief…the truth is that is my writing style. I love proteas because they represent the longevity of something old, valued. A flower that I grew up with since my first breath. At the same time, I love peonies because within the context of my life, they represent something new, inspiring – the moment when I fell in love with gardening, right after we had purchased our most recent home.
I firmly believe that we mature not by age, but by stories, especially the type of stories that combine a little history like the strength of the proteas with new ideas that are as fresh and light as the flowers of peonies.
This style is projected throughout everything that I do, it all comes down to a little peonies, a little proteas, and the net result is a piece of my heart that I share with the world through my stories based off three themes of exploration: travel and culture, fairy tales, and motherhood.
If you're new to this page, welcome...
HLBalcomb
January 2, 2019
Not lilve longer, live deeper: 2019
"'Too many #humans live #life #backwards. They make time to make their outsides beautiful and whatever time is leftover they dedicate to their #heart's development. When it's our heart that matters the most, the piece of us that contains our #individuality, the #energy of us that can't be #eradicated, for it is life.'
'Then how does one develop your heart? Cinderella inquired?" (Cinderella In Focus, 2018).
And that is my #QUESTION for today....
How are you going to develop your heart's potential in 2019?
Personally, fitness, nutrition and health are an important priorities, yet feeding the needs of my soul is placed as my # 1 goal in 2019. I want to delve deep into the well of life's #happiness, discover new skills and talents that I may have, and to be more content with where I am #now -- today! There's an old Italian proverb (my favorite) that reminds us -- "If you're not going to live #longer, live #deeper". That's where I am this year...
Come join us, as we explore through other people's stories, experiences, and interviews how they connected to the development of their heart's potential during defining moments of being on Hermy Author (Facebook)
Home page: hlbalcomb.com
'Then how does one develop your heart? Cinderella inquired?" (Cinderella In Focus, 2018).
And that is my #QUESTION for today....
How are you going to develop your heart's potential in 2019?
Personally, fitness, nutrition and health are an important priorities, yet feeding the needs of my soul is placed as my # 1 goal in 2019. I want to delve deep into the well of life's #happiness, discover new skills and talents that I may have, and to be more content with where I am #now -- today! There's an old Italian proverb (my favorite) that reminds us -- "If you're not going to live #longer, live #deeper". That's where I am this year...
Come join us, as we explore through other people's stories, experiences, and interviews how they connected to the development of their heart's potential during defining moments of being on Hermy Author (Facebook)
Home page: hlbalcomb.com
April 4, 2017
Prayer...This is South Africa
Interview with SAPeople.com (April 4, 2017):
Follow the Rainbow: Prayer for South Africa About Unity Through Diversity…
By SAPeople Contributor - Apr 4, 2017
Here’s a beautiful prayer poem written by South African expat HERMY BALCOM who is based in Denver, Colorada, USA.
She originally wrote the poem for a book specifically for the children of South African expats, “to teach them about the magic of our home country through a sensory experience”.
But today the poem is just as relevant for adults with South Africa’s (and even America’s) current political tension.
“Although the start of this children’s poem may not be the answer to all of the world’s problems, I believe it’s a great reminder of what makes South Africa The Rainbow Nation and an inspiration to the rest of the world – when we follow the rainbow’s lead and create unity out of our collective diversity… through important South African traditions that we have come to love and honour, as South Africans – nationals as much as expats alike.”
Prayer about unity through diversity…
by Hermy Balcomb (H.L. Balcomb)
“Follow the rainbow,”
Mama Africa sings.
“It will lead you
To a place in my heart
Called the Rainbow Nation.
Many know of this world as South Africa,
A place of rich colors, shapes, and textures.
It is there that you will find me waiting for you.
Around an open fire, as we cook pap –
maize porridge
Together in my pot of unlimited blessings.
It is there in the shade of our friendship,
I will share with you
All of the things that makes this nation so great.
Together, we will brew ourselves
Some rooibos tea and drink from
This cup of deeper understanding.
As the fire burns in front of us,
And we quiet the chaos of the world around us.
And search for that common thread that connects all of us.
To these words from the Khoisan language
That says… Diverse People Unite.
“For when we unite, we create
A rainbow of hope, light, and combined might
Through our sense of compassion,
That both honors and reflects our individuality
In a safe space that stills the darkness of judgment.
Yet, since there’s so much to love about
South Africa,
I’ll only be sharing a few of my favorite aspects,”
Mama Africa reminds me…
Under the starry glow of the Southern Cross,
As a spotted hyena echoes her excitement,
By fearlessly laughing far off in the bushveld.
Mama Africa isn’t fazed by that sound,
As she stretches out her hand and says,
“Welcome.”
MORE
Hermy Balcomb’s website: hlbalcomb.com/
Follow the Rainbow: Prayer for South Africa About Unity Through Diversity…
By SAPeople Contributor - Apr 4, 2017
Here’s a beautiful prayer poem written by South African expat HERMY BALCOM who is based in Denver, Colorada, USA.
She originally wrote the poem for a book specifically for the children of South African expats, “to teach them about the magic of our home country through a sensory experience”.
But today the poem is just as relevant for adults with South Africa’s (and even America’s) current political tension.
“Although the start of this children’s poem may not be the answer to all of the world’s problems, I believe it’s a great reminder of what makes South Africa The Rainbow Nation and an inspiration to the rest of the world – when we follow the rainbow’s lead and create unity out of our collective diversity… through important South African traditions that we have come to love and honour, as South Africans – nationals as much as expats alike.”
Prayer about unity through diversity…
by Hermy Balcomb (H.L. Balcomb)
“Follow the rainbow,”
Mama Africa sings.
“It will lead you
To a place in my heart
Called the Rainbow Nation.
Many know of this world as South Africa,
A place of rich colors, shapes, and textures.
It is there that you will find me waiting for you.
Around an open fire, as we cook pap –
maize porridge
Together in my pot of unlimited blessings.
It is there in the shade of our friendship,
I will share with you
All of the things that makes this nation so great.
Together, we will brew ourselves
Some rooibos tea and drink from
This cup of deeper understanding.
As the fire burns in front of us,
And we quiet the chaos of the world around us.
And search for that common thread that connects all of us.
To these words from the Khoisan language
That says… Diverse People Unite.
“For when we unite, we create
A rainbow of hope, light, and combined might
Through our sense of compassion,
That both honors and reflects our individuality
In a safe space that stills the darkness of judgment.
Yet, since there’s so much to love about
South Africa,
I’ll only be sharing a few of my favorite aspects,”
Mama Africa reminds me…
Under the starry glow of the Southern Cross,
As a spotted hyena echoes her excitement,
By fearlessly laughing far off in the bushveld.
Mama Africa isn’t fazed by that sound,
As she stretches out her hand and says,
“Welcome.”
MORE
Hermy Balcomb’s website: hlbalcomb.com/
April 18, 2016
Childlike Possibility
“How often have we heard the saying: Ignorance is bliss! Yet, Maya Angelou stated a similar thought far more eloquently when she said: “Children’s talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives.” May we bless our life today with limitless childlike hope – the root of all possibility.” Hermy (Author Facebook) HLBalcomb.com
December 26, 2015
A Tale of Sweetness
A TALE OF SWEETNESS: A young girl was watching her mother wrap the Christmas gifts when she said: “I don’t understand why we have to celebrate a pagan holiday?”
“I don’t see it as a pagan holiday,” the mom replied, “I see it as a kindness holiday.”
“What do you mean?” the girl inquisitively inquired.
“Dolce far Niete,” the mother replied.
“What?”
“Dolce far Niete,” the mom reiterated. “It means the sweetness of doing nothing – that’s what this kindness holiday means to me.”
“I still don’t understand, Mom?”
“It’s like this – if every day is a gift, for 11 months of the year, we are daily wrapping this gift. Yet, most of us are constantly overthinking the wrapping procedure because that’s what good humans do! Analyzing the gift’s size against how much wrapping is needed, pondering the best type of decoration, and trying to figure out the exact amount of time that’s needed to wrap this gift - down to the second.”
The mom stopped her own wrapping for a moment and looked up at her daughter’s face. She wanted to see if she was truly listening, and indeed, her body language reaffirmed to the mom that she was.
“At Christmas, we give ourselves time to enjoy the sweetness of life – permission NOT to overthink, just to enjoy. And then, the miracle of Dolce far Niete sprinkles its magic over us. As we are enjoying the Christmas music and conversation around us, we suddenly realize that the design on the wrapping paper somehow perfectly aligns – of course, done without our conscious attempt.”
The daughter smiled at her mom and answered, “The sweetness of doing nothing.”
“Yes,” the mom replied, “And that often means doing the most.”
Merry Christmas – Hermy x
“I don’t see it as a pagan holiday,” the mom replied, “I see it as a kindness holiday.”
“What do you mean?” the girl inquisitively inquired.
“Dolce far Niete,” the mother replied.
“What?”
“Dolce far Niete,” the mom reiterated. “It means the sweetness of doing nothing – that’s what this kindness holiday means to me.”
“I still don’t understand, Mom?”
“It’s like this – if every day is a gift, for 11 months of the year, we are daily wrapping this gift. Yet, most of us are constantly overthinking the wrapping procedure because that’s what good humans do! Analyzing the gift’s size against how much wrapping is needed, pondering the best type of decoration, and trying to figure out the exact amount of time that’s needed to wrap this gift - down to the second.”
The mom stopped her own wrapping for a moment and looked up at her daughter’s face. She wanted to see if she was truly listening, and indeed, her body language reaffirmed to the mom that she was.
“At Christmas, we give ourselves time to enjoy the sweetness of life – permission NOT to overthink, just to enjoy. And then, the miracle of Dolce far Niete sprinkles its magic over us. As we are enjoying the Christmas music and conversation around us, we suddenly realize that the design on the wrapping paper somehow perfectly aligns – of course, done without our conscious attempt.”
The daughter smiled at her mom and answered, “The sweetness of doing nothing.”
“Yes,” the mom replied, “And that often means doing the most.”
Merry Christmas – Hermy x
July 28, 2015
The Cinderella story before there was a Prince Charming...
Friends, my newest novel is officially released in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This is the story...Once upon a time before there was a Prince Charming or a fairy godmother with a magical wand. Cinderella made an amazing discovery that's always been part of you!
I would love to hear back from you: what was your favorite story, what do you think the invisible crown represents, and did you have a favorite quote? This novel contains 81 short stories written from two points of view: two points of experience! It's a story that addresses the core themes of life, love, and loss.
Come visit our Facebook page under Cinderella In Focus: A reading guide is posted on this site!
Hermy (H.L. Balcomb)
I would love to hear back from you: what was your favorite story, what do you think the invisible crown represents, and did you have a favorite quote? This novel contains 81 short stories written from two points of view: two points of experience! It's a story that addresses the core themes of life, love, and loss.
Come visit our Facebook page under Cinderella In Focus: A reading guide is posted on this site!
Hermy (H.L. Balcomb)
May 17, 2015
New Novel Coming -- Summer 2015
Dear Friends, I'm excited to announce that I have a new novel to be released around June 15, 2015.
Here's a short summary of the prequel to the classic fairy tale...
Once upon a time before there was a Prince Charming or a fairy godmother with a magical wand, Cinderella made an amazing discovery inside an old shoebox...
It is there that she learns about her invisible crown and its powers to release one’s glow of individuality...
If you’re asking yourself what is the invisible crown then you’re halfway to unlocking Cindy’s secret. A secret that has always been part of you!
Here's a short summary of the prequel to the classic fairy tale...
Once upon a time before there was a Prince Charming or a fairy godmother with a magical wand, Cinderella made an amazing discovery inside an old shoebox...
It is there that she learns about her invisible crown and its powers to release one’s glow of individuality...
If you’re asking yourself what is the invisible crown then you’re halfway to unlocking Cindy’s secret. A secret that has always been part of you!
May 10, 2015
Mother's Day wishes!
Motherhood will test your sanity, expand your heart’s possibility to love, and count your blessings at the day’s end. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothering teachers of the world! Hermy Xxx
December 15, 2014
You’re Weird – sister site: Crazy Sexy Motherhood.com
Dear Darling One,
Today you came home devastated by the news that somebody called you weird at school.
The truth of the matter is that I probably would have felt devastated, too, by the news. Yet, I have to tell you that through the gift of life experience – I feel a little different about the situation today.
Actor Johnny Depp said: “I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” A student in my class once wrote a beautiful paper on the word crazy. Her definition for the word crazy is simply an untainted idea. So to combine those two thoughts – may we celebrate our individuality – an untainted interpretation of self; knowing that your individuality is your individuality regardless of one’s age, and it’s yours to own in a magnificent way!
When somebody calls you weird, the opportunity presents three lessons:
First, they haven’t taken the time to truly get to know your personality on a personal level – inquired about your likes or dislikes or general opinions on life’s events.
Two, they haven’t developed the maturity of spirit to process difference yet; moreover, they are using a generic term to group or file things under that don’t match their envisioned outcome of the situation.
Three, Dr. Wayne Dyer reminds us: “How someone treats you is their karma, how you treat them is your karma.” Sometimes the best approach is just to walk away from the situation not because you are a coward; instead, you are ‘speaking’ your self-worth through your actions from a place of authenticity.
Your life is a light and only you can make that light glow in a way that is both meaningful and purposeful. What our world needs is not more genetic clones; rather it hungers for more individuals who are compassionate in their expression of self.
Next time somebody calls you weird – thank them and move on…. knowing that your reaction will give the speaker something to think about. Maybe your situation will challenge their authenticity to a richer unearthing of their character’s wisdom.
I leave you with these words from author Toni Morrison: “Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Remembering that all of life is a journey and every stop along the way offers a gift and a seed of truth – may your learning run deep, my dear child!
Love Mom – Lucy Bell (Hermy’s mothering alias)
Today you came home devastated by the news that somebody called you weird at school.
The truth of the matter is that I probably would have felt devastated, too, by the news. Yet, I have to tell you that through the gift of life experience – I feel a little different about the situation today.
Actor Johnny Depp said: “I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” A student in my class once wrote a beautiful paper on the word crazy. Her definition for the word crazy is simply an untainted idea. So to combine those two thoughts – may we celebrate our individuality – an untainted interpretation of self; knowing that your individuality is your individuality regardless of one’s age, and it’s yours to own in a magnificent way!
When somebody calls you weird, the opportunity presents three lessons:
First, they haven’t taken the time to truly get to know your personality on a personal level – inquired about your likes or dislikes or general opinions on life’s events.
Two, they haven’t developed the maturity of spirit to process difference yet; moreover, they are using a generic term to group or file things under that don’t match their envisioned outcome of the situation.
Three, Dr. Wayne Dyer reminds us: “How someone treats you is their karma, how you treat them is your karma.” Sometimes the best approach is just to walk away from the situation not because you are a coward; instead, you are ‘speaking’ your self-worth through your actions from a place of authenticity.
Your life is a light and only you can make that light glow in a way that is both meaningful and purposeful. What our world needs is not more genetic clones; rather it hungers for more individuals who are compassionate in their expression of self.
Next time somebody calls you weird – thank them and move on…. knowing that your reaction will give the speaker something to think about. Maybe your situation will challenge their authenticity to a richer unearthing of their character’s wisdom.
I leave you with these words from author Toni Morrison: “Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Remembering that all of life is a journey and every stop along the way offers a gift and a seed of truth – may your learning run deep, my dear child!
Love Mom – Lucy Bell (Hermy’s mothering alias)
November 24, 2014
Book Club: Theme: Forgiveness of earthly transgressions in the afterlife!
Proverbs 10:12 “Love covers all wrongs”
Rumi: “These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.”
“Although Melinda’s request was denied today, she still has plenty of opportunities left to work on her character weaknesses before pleading her case again at a future date. I’m hopeful. The opportunity is waiting on her embrace of it,” Abraham reaffirmed (p .126)
In this phase of the afterlife, the theme of forgiveness surfaces – can it be that we are given a second chance in heaven to own the results of our earthly transactions? CREDERE’s answer is yes. However, in Melinda’s case, she was not granted that opportunity today. Abraham from the Bible sums up her situation as hopeful, yet we are reminded that forgiveness is more than word symbols; it becomes a way of life – an alignment of the heart, mind, and soul …something that the character Melinda is still working toward, even in the afterlife.
What do you think …should we be given second chances for our earthly transgressions? Why or why not, and how do you know what you know? Peace. Love. Inspiration. Hermy x
Rumi: “These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.”
“Although Melinda’s request was denied today, she still has plenty of opportunities left to work on her character weaknesses before pleading her case again at a future date. I’m hopeful. The opportunity is waiting on her embrace of it,” Abraham reaffirmed (p .126)
In this phase of the afterlife, the theme of forgiveness surfaces – can it be that we are given a second chance in heaven to own the results of our earthly transactions? CREDERE’s answer is yes. However, in Melinda’s case, she was not granted that opportunity today. Abraham from the Bible sums up her situation as hopeful, yet we are reminded that forgiveness is more than word symbols; it becomes a way of life – an alignment of the heart, mind, and soul …something that the character Melinda is still working toward, even in the afterlife.
What do you think …should we be given second chances for our earthly transgressions? Why or why not, and how do you know what you know? Peace. Love. Inspiration. Hermy x
