I was thinking about the summer so far, and despite all the challenges going on in the world right now, I decided to come up with three positive things adding joy to my life. Once I started, I found it wasn’t that difficult to make a list.

1. My relationship with the Lord has stayed strong. With the negative news reports from the media, it would be easy to fall into fear and confusion, but instead I’ve upped by time with the Lord. I’ve been reading my Bible more. Talking to the Lord about the matters that are important, not only to me, but to others. I’ve been praying for our nation and it’s leaders, along with those in the medical profession. And through it all, I have no doubt that God is in control.

2. I started the first book in a new, four book series for Harlequin Heartwarming. I’m excited to go back to the small, mountain town in Georgia, which was featured in previous books in the Meet Me At the Altar series. It has been so much fun developing new characters, getting immersed in the romance conflict and adding to the footprint of this town I’ve grown to love.

After this I will write a romantic suspense, then back to the romance series, with two books in a new mystery series also scheduled in. And most exciting? I’m going to have a Christmas Heartwarming story. I’m already getting into the festive mood!

3. God’s beautiful creation greets me when I walk outside in the morning. I get to see new flowers blooming in my yard. I’m don’t have much of a green thumb and I definitely don’t have a stately garden—or any kind of garden—but seeing these colorful blossoms just makes me smile.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve found that I don’t need a whirlwind daily schedule to make me happy. Spending time in prayer, being with family and good friends, seeing beautiful flowers every morning and doing what I love—creating stories readers can enjoy— is enough for  me.

I hope after reading this post you can come up with three positive things going on in your life this summer. Just thinking about it should bring a smile to your face.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, Always The One, available now. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.