I am just a laid back 70’s chick who likes to write. I have raised Rottweilers for over 13 years and I am a belly dancer…
I have been writing since I was about eight years old and writing and animals are my passion. Creed I live by; Family is very important to me and to have a solid foundation and roots is something that everyone needs. I have lived in my childhood home since 1968! In fact, I bought the house back in 2009. I also enjoy helping others and being positive. You can find something nice to say about anyone and if you just take the time to treat others like they are already your friend, I think the would be in better shape.
What are some of the setbacks that occurred in your life and how were you able to overcome these setbacks?
When I lost my mom to cancer in 2006, I had a series of tragedies befall me. One by one, the loss and heartache kept pounding me until I felt dead inside myself. I spent the next three years in a crippling suicidal depression and cursed every day that I woke up breathing. My purebred Rottweiler Kurgan, who is now almost 14, kept me alive and above ground. I would not and could not leave him so I lived every day for him until I got through the darkness.
Who inspires you?
I have the most wonderful man in the world by my side. I have never admired and respected a man more than Steve. He is the only person I have ever known who makes me want to be a better person. His love, understanding, and support inspire and encourages me every day and he truly is the wind beneath my wings.
What do you wish more people knew about you?
I am pretty much an open book and very approachable. I also want to be a motivational speaker! I studied Public Speaking in college for two years and it is something that I have a lot of passion for pursuing.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A lot of people didn’t know that I was suffering for three years with suicidal depression. They drove by my house, not knowing the darkness that enveloped me inside those walls. I always give the impression that I am Wonder Woman and so very strong. I am that woman now but I was lost for many years. I think people who know me would be surprised to hear that. That is one thing about depression. Although I do not have a family history of depression, mine was grief related, it is a mysterious and scary illness. So many people isolate themselves from the outside world, just like I did, and then if something tragic happens, their friends are surprised because they never knew.
What do you wish you had known 20 years ago?
To soak up every opportunity that came my way. I always felt that there would be another one coming along and sometimes they have, but I have missed a lot of opportunities due to my immaturity and childish arrogance.
Where would you like to be in five years?
My goal and dream is to be a best selling author. I want to be on the NY Times Best Seller list and have a name that everyone knows. I have been practicing signing my autograph since I was able to write! 🙂
How do you relax and unwind?
I am the type of person who has trouble just letting go and relaxing! My father’s side of the family, who is French Canadian, is the same way. But I can truly say the place that I can be at total rest and relax in my lounge chair out in the backyard. On a hot summer day, I am out there with a book, a pad and pen, a bottle of water, plenty of sunscreens, a spray water bottle and I am truly at peace.
What advice would you give women?
I used to be the type of woman who felt she could not be without a man. I was like a monkey who would not let go of one vine until I had hold of another. That comes from insecurity. After I lost my mom and four other people from my life soon after, I was forced to be alone, I mean really alone. I was scared and became panicked when I didn’t have a man by my side. But after about a year, I was feeling okay and realized that I can do anything by myself. I was on my own for four years when I met Steve. I think it is so important for women to be on their own before they commit to a man. A woman needs to find out who she is without a husband, a boyfriend or a lover. Find out what she can do on her own, what she will and will not tolerate in a relationship. Men are great, but a woman should not define herself by being with one.
What’s the best way women can help other women?
Women need true friendship with another woman. There can be no jealousy, mistrust or insecurity in this relationship. It is important to be there for one another without draining the energy of the other person. Like in any relationship, there has to be a balance. I have been friends with women who have drained me, tried to use me or simply look at me as a sounding board without any real regard for my thoughts or feelings. I have had to make decisions about keeping them in my life and they are no longer a part of my world. I look at my life like a garden and every now and then I have to weed that garden in order for the real flowers to grow.
What’s the best way for men to help women?
Basically, men and women are never really going to see eye-to-eye! 🙂 But men are fixers and when a woman wants to talk to him, she needs to tell him up front that she does not want him to fix anything, she merely wants to vent. Men are protectors and providers and some are great listeners but they need to know that women want to lean on them sometimes and they can relax, nothing needs fixing.
How do you stay physically fit?
I love anything to do with the outdoors. We live on a very large farm and we enjoy walking, hiking and metal detecting. I also get a lot of exercise walking the dogs; plus I eat right and try to stay as healthy as I can.
How do you stay motivated?
I am a very happy and positive person. I have a goofy sense of humor and laugh at something every single day. But I am also human and sometimes have a down day like everyone does but I think about Kurgan and how does my mood affect him. Plus Steve is so funny, he always makes me laugh and he can calm me down in a heartbeat.16. What makes you laugh? I like wacky, off the wall kind of humor. Funny movies or just plain silly things can get me going!
What touches your soul?
When I see kindness bestowed on another person. When people do something out of genuine kindness toward another human being. They do not stop and judge the person based on income or education. People are people and we should be kinder than necessary because everyone is fighting some kind of battle. I also get really choked up when I see anything about the men and women in the military. I have the utmost respect for these heroes and I always, always thank a veteran.
How would you like to be remembered?
That I made a difference in someone’s life. That my words and kindness gave someone the strength to carry on another
Tell me about your latest book?
THE RAINBOW WON’T WAIT is a dying mother’s advice for the obstinate daughter she is leaving behind. I wrote this book after losing my mom in 2006 and in it, you will find advice and words of wisdom from my Cherokee mother Victoria. I never knew when she gave me this advice that it would help me cope with caring for a dying mother. It also served as a catalyst to help me regain my footing after suffering for three years in a crippling suicidal depression. It is a story of hope, inspiration and how a briar of a child became the flower that her mother always dreamed of…but died before she had a chance to see her bloom.
Where can your book be purchased and how can your fans reach you?
Check Lisa at http://lisavproulx.wordpress.com/ – My home email address is Magicforest@peoplepc.com
At Amazon, you can purchase – The Rainbow Won’t Wait
Celeste Duckworth
