Beyond the Pages: Why Gratitude is the First Chapter
Life rarely stays on script. Weddings go sideways, mysteries leave us guessing, kids surprise us daily, sometimes with hugs, sometimes with glitter glued to their little brother. That’s why I created Beyond the Pages: a place where the stories don’t stop at “The End.”
I’m Marinda Wells, and this blog is my creative desk. It’s part witty advice, part behind-the-scenes, part heartfelt reflection.
You’ll find wedding regrets turned into laughter (and lessons).
You’ll catch glimpses of my mystery worlds, clues included.
You’ll get how-to hacks on writing, journaling, and tools like ChatGPT.
Sometimes, you’ll see kid-approved projects that remind us why imagination matters.
Because to me, every chapter matters.
Before diving into wedding planning tips, a detective’s queue of the dead, or a child’s story about a runaway cricket, I wanted to start here: gratitude.
Why?
Gratitude anchors us when stress pulls hard.
Gratitude makes ordinary days worth remembering.
Gratitude reshapes even regrets into wisdom.
That’s why my first books out in the world aren’t mysteries or wedding guides, but gratitude journals. They’re a way for brides, dreamers, and everyday storytellers to pause and say: this moment matters.
To make this first post practical, here’s your own first step:
Write down one unexpected thing that made you smile this week. Bonus if it wasn’t part of the plan.
That’s the kind of simple shift that turns stress into perspective.
This is just the first chapter of Beyond the Pages. In the weeks ahead, you’ll see wedding sanity savers, mystery teases, how-to tools, and kid-friendly adventures.
Today, I’ll leave you with this: gratitude is a page worth starting on, no matter what story you’re living.
Ready to take gratitude further? Explore the Bride’s Gratitude Journal, a keepsake designed to capture your journey, or the slimline edition, perfect for journaling on the go.
Coming soon: Journey to Forever, a gratitude journal created especially for Black brides, also available in a slimline format. Each journal offers thoughtful prompts to guide you, one page at a time.
Warm regards,
Marinda
