Now, what?

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published May 28, 2013 in Letting Go, Love

Do you ever feel that, just as you have accomplished something, people ask, “Now, what?” Happens to me all the time. “What’s your next book?” “Now what are you doing?” My first instinct is to want to fill in their blank with more goals. As I say in my one woman play, “pen, paper, check, check, check, that’s me!” And if I don’t have an ambitious answer, I feel that I am letting someone down.  I do have some terrific plans in the works for the fall God Box tour.

But sometimes, especially as this long-awaited summer finally arrives, it’s okay to be grateful for “now.” My friend, director and co-writer Martha Wollner always tells me to “pay yourself on the back.” Martha literally makes me stop and put my hand over my shoulder and give a good pat. I laugh but it’s true that too many of us don’t stop to acknowledge what’s good. Instead, we look in the mirror and wonder why we haven’t done more. It’s great to set high goals but it’s also important to take a breath.

I am so proud that The God Box Project has raised more than $150,000 for cancer, hospice, women and family causes and education. We have helped thousands of people find peace and hope even in loss. And we have made so many new and wonderful friends along the way. Let’s celebrate the ‘now’ and let the ‘next’ come in good time.

Tags: Book, Daughters, drama, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mother, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project

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Every show, Mom and Dad are closer to me

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published February 28, 2013 in Letting Go

The question I am asked most often is: How do you do this, again and again? Aren’t you emotionally exhausted or just ready to cry?” No. Every show, Mom and Dad are closer to me. And nothing makes me happier. Hope you will check out the events tab on the home page to see when the show is coming to your area! Or write to me at hello@thegodboxproject.comand perhaps I can travel to your town!

Tags: American Cancer Society, Book, Daughters, drama, Flowers, fun, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mother's Day, Mothers, New York Times, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project, Women

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What we do for love!

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published February 27, 2013 in Love

What we do for love! After I perform the play, the question I am asked most often is: How do you do this, again and again? Aren’t you emotionally exhausted after reliving their deaths?” No. Every show, Mom and Dad are closer to me. And nothing makes me happier. Except helping others. We raised over $3,000 for the Connelly Center, a school for girls under the poverty line in NYC. LOVE!

Tags: Book, Charity, Daughters, Flowers, fun, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mother, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project, Women

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“My Mom was just like yours!”

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published February 26, 2013 in Love

Last weekend I performed “The God Box” play at the Connelly, an Off-Off Broadway theatre in NYC. The overflow audience told me that the story brings back the memories of the “Mary” or “Ray” in their lives, such as “My Mom was just like yours!” A friend said that the show was particularly moving to see on the one year anniversary of losing her Dad. Check out the events tab on the home page to see when the show is coming to your town, HERE.

Tags: Book, Daughters, fun, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mother's Day, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, Spring, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project

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Watch my 700 Club Interactive

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published February 25, 2013 in Faith, Press & Praise

Wanted to share my interview with Terry Meeuwsen on the 700 Club interactive show. Note to self: back away from the Skype camera! Watch it HERE, The God Box appears a little after the 9 minute mark.

Tags: 700 club interactive, Book, Daughters, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mothers, New York Times, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project, Women

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In my words, with love for the holidays

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published December 10, 2012 in Fun

Just in time for Christmas, we’re happy to present “The God Box” audio book from Brilliance Audio. I recorded this two disc set a couple of months ago as a way to spread the love to those who prefer to listen on the road, on the run or just on their own. Brilliance asked me to ‘audition’ to be me and I tried my best and had a lovely time recording it. You can order it in time for gift-giving by clicking right here on amazon and also listen to a sample to check it out.  Great stocking stuffer for that special someone who needs a little faith, love and letting go this holiday.

Tags: Audiobook, Book, Daughters, fun, health, holiday, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mother, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, Women

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What’s in your God Box?

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published October 25, 2012 in Events, Love, Solo Show

Last night in Lake Forest, I was so grateful to perform The God Box on behalf of the BCureful Foundation. Photos coming of the beautiful, packed house who came to the show filled with love for the host and mom in charge Julie Scroggins of Waukegan, Illinois. With her trusty genius artistic friend Teddi, look at the God Box centerpieces she created with antique boxes, each holding one of my Mom’s little messages. Pure joy! What do you place in your God Box?

Tags: Book, Daughters, fun, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project, Travel, Women

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Letters to The God Box: Heaven Sent

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published October 5, 2012 in Friendship, Love

I received these wonderful words from Britta Jicks whose memories of her Mom and whose approach to the God Box might just make your day. Made mine!

Dear Mary Lou,

My Mom was a kindred spirit much like yours and my best friend. I was so upset on Saturday. It was the first time her birthday came since her passing on March 3, 2012. I was there to do the hospice for her at her home along with my siblings. Anyway a wave of depression settled on me, and I needed an answer. I found it in the God Box on Sunday with your app suggestion.

I am carved of the same cloth as your Mom… I attract people and listen but I always prayed and then didn’t let go. That has been me since college, eventually leading me to a break down at age 21. I had been listening and worrying for all my sorority sisters, they felt better but I held the weight of all on my shoulders. My Mom knew, because I have had this my whole life…

When my Mom was diagnosed with AML, I quit telling her all the problems/prayers I started talking to Jesus/God. Before I had told Mom and after I’d share or she would share we would pray and she was my prayer release. We would, and when we came up with a plan/prayer, we’d say,”The rat is on the wheel” and then laugh. I have found cards, notes, stories etc from my Mom too. Thank you for sharing your Mom and helping me find a way to let go and let God. The notebooks and journals…I never felt that I had let go. I do in this way, I love it and it was so great to have this blessing from your Mom. Thanks Mary Lou.

Your sister in Christ,

Britta Jicks

God Bless

PS I told my Bible study group about the God Box.. They are very excited about it too. My husband is writing his prayers and putting them in there too. There is something about the act of putting your prayers into the box that frees you. My husband cracked me up, he said, “Oh I like that!” Then later, after I put his prayer in the box, he said “Well, what I really want to see is just how you plan on mailing that box to God?” I said, “Oh silly, it’s God! He already has it, it’s as good as mailed.”

Tags: Book, Daughters, health, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Powerful women, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box play, the God Box project, Women

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Letters to The God Box: Rediscovering the comfort of letting go

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published September 5, 2012 in Faith, Letting Go

Here is another letter I received about how Mom’s story inspired someone to start her God Box again. Sometimes it’s hard to accept what life brings us and easier to abandon hope, but there is a comfort that comes from having help along the way to get us through. I find that the more I ask, the more often I feel that I can power through anything with courage.

“Dear Mary Lou Quinlan,

I’m not sure how I discovered your book but it seemed it was from another
email I had subscribed to and was curious as to what your book was about.

You see days earlier I had been so hurt by some life events that I refused
to believe there was such a thing as God and also got rid of my God Box
as a result and threw it in the trash. I didn’t see the purpose anymore and
also with dealing with ongoing health challenges.

When I clicked on your link and read the first chapter…it was as though
something was whispering me to believe again…I was very inspired by
your mother’s love for so many and her faith for simple requests to larger ones
and what a gift she left behind. I believe with you sharing her story you are
not only keeping her love alive but you are also helping to rebuild other’s lives,
faith, and love in their own lives.

I made one God Box, have another, am going work on one later in the week
and follow by your mom’s example. I hope to get the book soon.

I am also grateful that you have a blog where you are sharing how so many
people are being inspired by The God Box and the depth of richness it has
brought to them.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Lisa”

I would love to hear your story too, please write to hello@thegodboxproject.com or comment here! 

Tags: Book, Daughters, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mother, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Relationships, Self-Help, Spirituality, the God Box, the God Box project, Women

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Wowza, “The God Box” tops USA Today’s Mother’s Day Gift List

by Mary Lou Quinlan
Published May 10, 2012 in Love, Press & Praise

Wowza “The God Box” has been touted as the #1 book to buy this year for Mother’s Day in USA Today…but why stop at Mother’s Day? Mom would be so proud! http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/G3848

Tags: Book, Daughters, fun, Inspiration, Love, Mary Lou Quinlan, mom, mother, Mother's Day, Mothers, Positive thinking, powerful woman, Relationships, USA Today

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