Author Archives: gottkg

Welcome To My Personal Website

Kathy Gottberg.comWelcome!

Thanks for stopping by my personal webpage.

During the last thirty-five years I have been extremely fortunate to “make it up” as a writer.  Throughout those years I have written hundreds of articles, lots of short commentaries, hundreds of blog posts and seven published books.  While not always easy, the writing life is incredibly satisfying and important to me.

The purpose of this website is to offer examples of some of my work and to provide a contact point to those who may wish to connect with me in reference to my work.  Please use the following links to do just that.

Thanks again for dropping by and I look forward to connecting with you.

~Kathy

 

My Books!

Here is a list of my seven published books:  

My latest book is a compilation of blog posts written on my blog SMART Living 365.com on the theme of creating a happy and meaning life for ourselves–You Get to Make it Up–A SMART Living 365 Guide to Creating a Happy & Meaningful Life.  I deeply believe that we have far more influence on our lives than we usually remember–and even if we can’t change the circumstances, we always have the option of how we will respond   But you might be asking, “Why buy a book if you can read it for free?”  So many people said they enjoy the freedom of a print book (or an ebook on Kindle) that this is a great way to read about one particular subject that I write about on a regular basis.  I hope you enjoy it as well as all the others I’ve written.

You can find both versions on Amazon HERE.   Meanwhile, here is a short introduction:

Click on cover to go to Amazon.

Are you happy? If not, why not? It could be because you’ve accepted that you have little or no control over your life and can’t imagine any other way. Or is it because you’ve been beaten down so many times that you’ve learned to just settle for whatever comes along? But what if there is another option? What if you really can create or at least influence your future? What if you can “make it up?” Included in this book are a series of articles from the blog SMART Living 365 with a focus on the ways those possibilities exist for us all. No, we can’t stop the lumps and painful hurts of life from hitting us now and then, but we don’t have to live a life of suffering if or when they do. And most of all, while we can’t control the actions of others—those we care about or those who might try to control us—we always have the ability to choose how we respond. No matter what your age, where you live, or what is happening in your life, a great deal of what occurs in your future is up to you. If you would like to find hope for a better life in the days to come, this book is for you.

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A couple of years ago when I turned 60 I realized I wanted to put more attention and intention into aging in a healthy and positive way.  I began writing articles on my blog that helped me explore all the latest (and most positive) news I could find.  The result:  A book containing the best of what I found.  It did, and still does, inspire me.

The title of the book is Positive Aging–A SMART Living 365 Guide to Thriving and Wellbeing At Any Age and you can find both the print and Kindle versions on Amazon HERE.

Here is a short introduction:

Click on cover to go to Amazon

How did we get it wrong? Until recently, most studies of people as they aged came from insurance companies, drug companies or doctors who specialized in geriatric care. Like the psychology field, research in the past often focused on pathologies, what didn’t work, or what went wrong. Fortunately, that is changing. Now many groups, organizations, and scientists are looking into what makes for a long and healthy future no matter what the age. Instead of only seeking ways to make our final years merely comfortable, the attention is now being put on what helps us to continue to grow and thrive. When we choose to see aging from this new positive perspective, each of us is granted the opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of what is now being called “the third age” of life.

Who will benefit from reading this book? Certainly, those at age 50 and beyond will find inspiration. But those just hitting midlife should also find encouragement. After all, the more we tell those younger than us that aging can be wonderful, fulfilling, and liberating, the better. Then instead of worrying about what is coming as we age, holding a positive perspective is sure to keep our minds and options open to the possible. And as the saying goes, like fine wine, we will just get better with age.

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My third compilation of blog posts written from blog posts on SMART Living 365.com focuses on rightsizing, reinvention and retirement and was published in 2016.

The title of the book is:  Rightsizing * A SMART Living 365 Guide to Reinventing Retirement.  You can find it on Amazon here.

Here is a short synopsis:

RighSize-Cover-for-SM

Click on cover to go to Amazon

Most people don’t start thinking about retirement until they hit 40, 50 or beyond. But what if making some simple changes in the way we live today gave us the opportunity to retire earlier and more fearlessly than we expect? Even better, what if a way existed to start enjoying life with more peace of mind, happiness, and freedom right now? If you’re worried about your future and are tired of the rat race that seems to lead nowhere, then rightsizing might be the best way for you to reimagine your life—starting today!

What is rightsizing? Rightsizing is the conscious choice to reinvent a lifestyle that more closely fits you and your family in the best possible manner at every stage of life. Rightsizing provides the freedom to let go of the daily grind of just getting by day-in and day-out. So instead of constantly striving toward more and more stuff and trying to keep up with the neighbors, rightsizing avoids unsustainable debt, stress, addiction and competition and allows us to recreate life with meaning and purpose. Rightsizing helps us each design a life that lets us spend our time and resources on whatever is most important to us. And best of all, rightsizing is about discovering what gives our life meaning, makes us smile, and allows us to sleep well and deeply every single night. If you don’t have that now, maybe it’s time to rightsize your life.


 

My first compilation of blog posts written from SMART Living 365.com around the topic of sustainability, simple living and minimalism was published in 2014.

That book is titled:  Simple * SMART & Happy — A SMART Living 365 Guide To A Sustainable & Meaningful Lifestyle

Here is a short synopsis:

Available in print or Amazon Kindle

Click on cover to go to Amazon

Ever wonder if your life would be happier if things were simpler? The answer to that is probably yes. In fact, research now shows that when a person steps back from a busy and complicated life they frequently learn that a simple, more minimal approach offers everything they need to live a joyful and meaningful life.

Simple * SMART * Happy is a collection of blog posts written by Kathy Gottberg on her blog SMART Living 365.com during the last three years. These articles address some of her best ideas about the topic, and tie into how each of us can discover our own version of “simple” in order to experience a more fulfilled and rewarding life.

The true value of a simple life is not one of sacrifice or denial. It is never about giving up or giving in. Instead a more focused, minimal life offers a growing awareness of what is truly most valuable and life enhancing. Sharing tips, how-tos, research and personal perspectives, Simple * SMART * Happy offers readers a new way to start experiencing the world and life. Join Kathy as she explores how each of us can create a more simple and SMART Life 365.

 


My one and only novel to date is:

Finding Grace 1600r

Click on Cover to go to Amazon

Finding Grace–A Transformational Journey.

Finding Grace is available as both an ebook AND in print.  You can order either on Amazon.

What’s it about?  Here is a short synopsis:

Ever wonder what it takes to be uniquely and passionately yourself in a world determined to make you like everyone else?

Grace Martin intends to find out as she stumbles from one humbling life lesson to another. With a peculiar, but supportive guide and mentor named Mrs. Pettermint, Grace slowly breaks free of traditional family and religion and courageously explores life, relationships, and various spiritual traditions seeking solutions that make her soul shine. Finally, just when the peak of her journey seems within reach, her beloved mentor dies leaving her nearly $50 Million Dollars—but the only way to claim that inheritance and find the peace Grace craves is to face the fierce criticism of her past, the betrayals of the present, and the thousands she serves as a New Thought Minster.

Finding Grace reveals that in order to find grace, a woman must surrender her fears, doubts and attachments and learn to walk the transformational journey into her own soul.


 

My next book is a book that draws upon my background and experience as a real estate broker for nearly 30 years and a writer of escrow newsletters and promotional materials for nearly 25 years.  This book was published in 2008 and is now out of print.  The title of this book is

FSBOThe Complete Guide To Selling Your Own Home In California

Published by Zyrus Press; 1st edition (April 8, 2008)

This book is available only in print and can be bought through Amazon.com.  (click on book cover to access)

What’s it about?

 

 

Is it possible to sell your home yourself and save a large amount of money? Absolutely! Is it easy and simple? Not always. Fortunately, with the comprehensive information, including all the forms, explanations and disclosures in The Complete Guide to Selling Your Own Home in California, you now have everything you need to successfully accomplish the goal of selling your home yourself.

Accompanying this book is a CD containing all the necessary legal forms and worksheets required in an editable and printable format to sell residential property in the state of California.

This book is organized into three parts. Part One addresses the choices you face and reveal some of the mysteries of the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) experience. Part Two is filled with the elements every seller needs to know before, during and after the successful completion of a sale. Part Three is for trouble-shooting or to use as a reference when a task is at hand or if you find yourself facing a roadblock. This final part also includes some simple marketing techniques that all sellers should at least be aware of before beginning the sales process.

In addition, the accompanying CD contains all the legal forms a homeseller needs for any phase of a transaction. Until now, finding forms to legally transfer real estate in California has been one of the greatest challenges facing those in the FSBO market. Feel free at any time to jump around in the book or to browse the CD to find anything that directly tackles your current concerns or questions.


My sixth and first book was published in April 2003 and is now out of print.

PS coverThe Findhorn Book of Practical Spirituality:  A Down-to-Earth Guide to a Miraculous Life

Published by Findhorn Press, April 1, 2003

This book is no longer offered by the publisher but you can access sites that offer copies through Amazon.com.

 

What is it about?

Why should we be spiritual? As a co-leader of an independent spiritual organization for seven years, Kathy Gottberg was uniquely challenged to discover and use the spiritual ideas that work in everyday life, not just those that sound good. Clearly, only the most practical of those concepts have true life-transforming power. So, what does practical spirituality look like? This book identifies ten characteristics of a person who practices spirituality in a down-to-earth way, and helps us to define it and to recognize it in others and ourselves. Whenever possible, stories and personal examples are used to illustrate and clarify.

Praise for Practical Spirituality:

    “Practical Spirituality” is, for modern life, where the rubber meets the road in our relationships with each other, the planet, the cosmos.  Authenticity, with integrity, honesty and clarity of thought directing our actions, is the true path of a spiritual person.  With poignant stories and examples, Kathy Gottberg points the way for those wanting to take control of their own spiritual direction.”

~Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D. Founder of Institute of Noetic Sciences

   “Kathy Gottberg writes like an angel—clear and right to the point.”

~Walter Starke, author of “It’s All God,” “The Golden Thread, ” “Homesick For Heaven, and others.

Ways To Contact Me!

I am fairly easy to reach by email or social media.

My primary email is:  kathy (at) kathygottberg.com

My blog is here: SMART Living 365.com

My Amazon.com Author Page Is:  AMAZON

My Goodreads Author Page Is:  Goodreads

My Personal Facebook Page Is:  Kathy Gottberg on Facebook

My Blog SMART Living 365.com Facebook Page Is:   SMART Living 365 on FB

My twitter account is: gottgreen

My pinterest boards can be found at:  gottgreen

 

My snail mail address is:

42215 Washington St. #A303, Palm Desert, CA  92211

 

If you have tried all of the above and haven’t been able to reach me then it is likely because I am unavailable.

 

My (short) Bio!

Thom & KathyKathy Gottberg has been a published author and writer for over 30 years. Her current passion is exploring ideas and experiences that help to create a meaningful, sustainable, compassionate and rewarding life for herself and others through her blog (https://smartliving365.com), her books and her articles. Beyond that, she is happily growing and experiencing life married to her best friend and soul mate–Thom.  Ultimately, Kathy strives to live life fearlessly and full-out….and to remember, that each of us get to make it up!

My Blog!

SMART Living 365 is a site that shares ideas and information about how to live a happy, peaceful and meaningful life every day of the year.  SMART  stands for Sustainable, Meaningful, Aware, Responsible & Thankful.

My name is Kathy Gottberg, and together with my husband Thom we came up with the acronym SMART to help remind us of some essential ideas that we’ve learned while creating a life filled with happiness and well-being.  We think SMART is easy to remember, and covers just about every quality and aspect of a happy and fulfilled life that we can imagine.  Our intention is to frequently share our experiences and discoveries here on this site so that together we can all benefit from SMART Living 365.

Are you ready to live SMART too?   If yes, be sure and sign up for our regular posts, comment frequently, and feel free to share your SMART tip ideas as well.