Author: asmith

Truest and best…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was sublime and I enjoyed the colors of the sky for a moment, then the moment was gone. It still was a good eve, and as darkness fell I smiled.

There is a lot to consider in the world. So much is going on that people seem mired in a never ending muck of what is right and what is wrong. People disagree and it seems as though many disagree for the sake of disagreeing and many more find the half empty glass and pour the contents out never realizing how big the glass was.

It is with that in mind that I suggest that we all take inventory of ourselves and realize that each of us has the ability to be the truest and best in the world. What is true and best about us? In my opinion it is the power and ability of people to see beyond themselves and be compassionate towards others.

I may be wrong, but I strongly feel that everyone has the capability of being more. Everyone makes a choice for how they will be. Whether it be open and positive or cold and cruel depends only on what they are and what they feel. It does not reduce their capability of being positive and involved with others. Somewhere in the midst of it all as our electronic age crashed in upon us we seemed to have forgotten the empathy that we all are built upon.

I am guilty as anyone. I can be positive and pay attention to others but I have the capability of being cold and cruel. I simply choose not to go down that path. I’m not saying I’m perfect, far from it. I am saying that I try hard to make the right choice quite often.

How about you? Do you look for the positive in everything you do? Do you look for the positive in others? When you find it are you patient? Do you understand how others feel? Do you try? All these questions and hundreds more align you with the world. Consider them if you can.

I am not saying that everyone will be positive. I’m not saying that the world is full of tulips and butterflies. I know there are some people that will never try to see a positive light. I know there are some people that will never try to understand others. Still, I only have to choose for me. You only have to choose for you. Make a good choice.

So as the sun sets on another day, I believe that so many people give us the ability to showcase the truest and best in the world. I hope you will consider allowing them to do so and in the process maybe doing so yourself. After all, the world is a better place with you in it. Make good choices, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and be true…

Magnifico…

The sun sets on another day…

As I watched the sunset there was a light mist in you and instead of the blinding sunlight that I would normally see a golden globe drifted silently across the western sky. It only took a few moments for it to pass beyond the horizon but as it fell and I watched through a forest full of trees I was in trenched in the beauty before me. It’s too bad I was driving couldn’t get a picture.

There are times in the world where I just like to think. I feel like Pooh Bear with my hand against my forehead stating think think in sequence as I Ponder strange things about the universe. Today I was thinking about words and the synonyms for good and bad and all of the things in between.

As someone who likes to write I try not to overuse the same words but I know that often I get stuck in a rut or I repeat words because it’s sometimes difficult to come up with synonyms. As an example how many words can you think of that mean the same as magnificent or terrific? There are a few of course but as you go through them you often find yourself repeating them. If I say that you’re amazing I mean it but amazing is also a word that is overused quite consistently. So where do we come up with new words? Do we make them up in order to create synonyms that we can use effectively or do we just continue to push through and in the process cycle through the known words for the meanings that seem to repeat?

There is of course another possibility. We could just use the same word. Instead of a terrific, magnificent, amazing day it could be just an amazing day. Instead of rotating through the words we could just stick with the ones that reflect our mindset.

There is a very good writer named Clive Cussler that I enjoy. I will say however that he reuses the same words quite a bit and sometimes a little more. This doesn’t make him any less of a storyteller but some people find license to criticize him. By the same token in my first book, Vengeful Son, I found myself using the word massive far too much someone pointed it out to me and I counted them and there weren’t more than 20 but it was enough that they noticed. My fault.

All of this reminded me of an old movie starring Judd Nelson. In the movie The main character calls for a sidebar to discuss the merits of using the word a******. The case was quickly made that there isn’t another word that adequately describes what that word elicits. So we again have to ask ourselves how do I want to approach my descriptors?

For me I think I will do similar to someone who is dear to me and just use the things I like over and over because they make me laugh

So as the sun sets on another day, I hope you had a terrific day. I hope it was magnificent and quite awesome. Mostly I hope you found the positives in every moment and cherished them as they deserve to be, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and be awesome…

A day to listen

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was so snowy I could barely see the road, but there was a certain amount of beauty to it, and as the darkness fell and I was lost in a perpetual star field of snowflakes, I smiled because it was good.

I met a lot of people today, and it seemed as the day went on that there was a common theme. I laughed with many, cried with some, and listened to all. It is amazing how much you can learn if you just listen. As I listened the day became a series of conflicting situations revolving around choices and interactions. I was told about different issues we had faced and different people who had left our lives or for bad.

Some of the people I talked to we’re finding their way to positivity and some of them were lost in negativity. All of them just wanted somebody to listen to them for just a moment. In the end many of us just one our stories to be heard. Whether it’s something simple or something far more complex we just want to know that somebody understands who we are.

On the other hand there are far too many people that don’t listen to others and I really wish everyone would take the time to listen and enjoy the world around them every day. To everyone who I talked to, thanks for telling me your story. And for those that I didn’t talk to perhaps next time. I hope you all find a way to find peace. It’s out there.

So as the sun sets on another day, I hope you find your peace each day. In the process I hope you listen and are heard and  in the process I hope you see far more and far further than yesterday. Find your path, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and keep living…

Good memories..

The Sun sets on another day

There was a moment when Sunset looked spectacular and I tried to snap a few pictures and we’ll see what they look like. In the end as the darkness fell across the land it was still a wonderful day.

I remember a lot. I remember when I was four years old, and my family would get together, and my aunt would come and play with me as though I were a child. Wait for a second I was a child. It’s funny how perspectives play games with your memories. In my mind, I know I was only four years old, but at the time, I felt like I understood the world. I enjoyed the fact that people were there and even more the interactions I experienced.

There is a lot of fun in the world if you take the time to find it. Whether you are young or old doesn’t matter, and instead, it is how you store those memories in your mind. For me, my younger years will always be a lot of fun, and even though I thought I was mature, I looked at the world through innocent eyes and saw people as always good.

As for my aunt I will always remember her fantastic voice and the fun times we had together playing in a small trailer. It was all a matter of perspective and my perspective was good.

So as the sun sets on another day, consider your moments well and make them seriously good. Remember that no matter where you go, there you are, and believe in yourself along the way. After all you are pretty awesome, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and enjoy your night..

Tears…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was beautiful until again it was obscured by clouds. I didn’t mind because beauty is everywhere.

I am sure the question of the day is, what pronunciation am I giving this word? It could be taken as tears flowing from someone’s eyes after discovering horrible information or experiencing an awful situation. It could also be tears in the universe where Mighty battles are fought and the universe shutters in anticipation of change.

Unfortunately for you I’m not going to tell you which one this is today. Instead I’m going to sit here and enjoy the sunset and think about the evening in front of me. There is a lot to consider and even more that is in play at this very moment.

Whether the world gives me the battle of a lifetime or a reason to cry will not matter. Instead, I will try to find a way to a positive through the course of any negative. Many people need help understanding this. They see a negative as purely a negative. Some of them can’t even look for a positive. I am asking you to take a moment and look for the positives in your life and the world; both are there. Take a moment and breathe deep and be thankful for the breath. Take a moment, close your eyes, and think of the spectacular world around you. It’s there.

After you see the negatives for what they are, there are doorways to change. Every opposite we face opens the door of potential change and making the world a little bit better. I know that thousands of you only know me for my words, but I believe in you and we can all find a positive hiding in that negative as we move towards the change that will make our life better.

So as the sun sets on another day, there is a tear as I fight to tear the moments apart. I will find my way through the tears and make it right, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and is that a tear in your eye..

Don’t bring me down…

The sun sets on another day…

I expected a fun sunset and instead got last minute clouds. It is interesting how a few miles on the coast can make such a big difference, but that’s ok, I loved the sunset time anyway.

Somewhere in my mind I was listening to Electric Light Orchestra. There is a song they have call Don’t Bring Me Down that is very prophetic often. In our world there are many people who will try to bring you down. Instead of letting them drag you down to their level I suggest a different ploy. Don’t let them bring you down.

We are faced with so many conflicting ideas and crazy thoughts that we often believe it. On the other side there are people who continually find themselves exciting new ways of ensuring their own demise. Often those people reach out to others and try to drag them down to their level. On one hand I wish that those people would take a moment and realize what they were doing, on another hand I wish there was something that could be done to lift them up, and on yet another hand I hope that we never get lost in the mire and muck that these people create.

Today I hope that no one tries to drag you down to their level. Instead I hope people see you as the wonderful person you are and try to lift you up. Today I hope that no one tries to take away the positives you bring to the world and instead I hope that they find a way to point out your positives. Today I hope that you find a way to believe in yourself and stop looking for the negatives in the world and instead find the positives. After all life is too short to focus on the bad.

So as the sun sets on another day, it is a good day, you are a wonderful person, and I just might be ok as well. Let’s take a higher road and find a way to be the best we can be every day, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love with passion, and enjoy a little silence…

Pi?

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset beamed down as I went in search of the immortal Pi day delicacy, Pie. I found myself enjoying the drive and my steadfast companion, Pepper, enjoyed it as well.

I hope you found something to be excited about today. There are numerous items that come to mind. A little story first. In the mid 70s my Grandfather came home to us (I spent summers with my grandparents) with a special type of excitement. He was a math professor at a college and his department had gotten a new thing, a computer. He carried a stack of green and white folded paper in front of him and had a huge smile on his face. What was the paper? It was Pi, calculated as far as the first bin of paper would allow. He and I then poured gleefully over the printout starting with the familiar 3.1415926 and laughed looking for any repeat or mistake. That fascination brought my grandfather joy. It was terrific. (If you like PI, check this site!)

I find myself now, around 50 years later, finding joy in that memory, and in everything I can find that elicits passion, creates satisfaction, or finds a way to anywhere. It is there we often have to consider, our happiness and joy. It is not given to us, we have to choose to embrace it. I can only suggest that you do, in fact, embrace it.

As I ate my Pie thinking of Pi I thought about my grandfather and the joy he took in so much. It is with him in mind that I think about life and living and pushing for happiness every day. It doesn’t take much, sometimes it is just a word, a smell, a sound, maybe a stack of green paper, but there is a doorway into happiness for you if you just look.

So as the sun sets on another day, I had banana cream pie. I wanted cherry, but ooops, sold out. Maybe next time I will bake my own cherry pie, and enjoy the flavor. Still, the pie I have is good, and it game me a great moment. Be happy with your moments, and make the world yours, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and find your pie.. (pi?)

More snow?

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was snowy. Well, there were a few moments of sun, but it was mostly snowy. The sun peeked in through the clouds as a shadowing white globe bouncing across the sky. It was fun.

Maybe the weather should just drop the mic.

I have to admit it was pretty though.

so as the sun sets on another day, sometimes you should just enjoy what you can, and look for the bright side. Then again, you could also smile at the fun in the snow and make today a day to throw snowballs and drink cocoa! Have a super day, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and more snow…

Hidden Heroes…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was again cloudy, but no meatballs were in the air. I was hoping for some serious pasta, didn’t happen.

For context on some of what I will be talking about you can click here.

I was scrolling through the Internet yesterday and came across a number of wonderful ideas and testaments to what people had done for other people. This ranged from cutting lawns to attending events to being at the front line of everything going on. As I looked at these many of them were very positive and some of them, we’re inspiring because of the sheer tenacity of the individuals who were helping others. Fast forward a few hours and I was watching a television show about heroes that focused on people like firefighters that often get overlooked. I sat and thought for a few minutes about all of the people who do so much and get overlooked very consistently.

As I did I realized most people do things for others without the expectation of any notoriety or any number of additional clicks on social media. It was then I thought about years ago and when both my dad and I had similar ideas at a similar time. You know maybe it would be better if nobody had to point out that they had done something good. Maybe it would be better if donations were all anonymous. Maybe it would be better if when we did something nice we simply did it because we wanted to help someone.

In an idea a long time ago it was suggested did a group of people could help others and their primary focus would be to help and stay unknown. I’m not saying that’s the best solution but maybe it’s a solution that would help more people. Maybe it’s the solution that would allow others the freedom to not be in competition but instead to make the world a better place.

Now I am sure that there are plenty of things that are very nice to have out in the open. I’m sure it’s also nice to be thanked sometimes and when I have helped some people they have been very appreciative but in the end when people need you isn’t it best to just be there? I’m not pretending to have all the answers here and I’m sure that you can interject your opinion, I’m just pointing out that the world would be a better place if we helped those people that needed help.

So as the sun sets on another day, if you need help I hope you get it People sometimes need a little more. If you can give help I hope you do it freely and without expectation. Along the way I hope you do amazing things, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and keep doing good…

Open Mics and Minds..

The sun sets on another day

Sunset was beautiful for just a moment. I saw the sun through the clouds and then it faded away and was gone. I’m thankful for the beauty that was almost there.

I had two events today that I enjoyed. The first was the imaginative storm group. Each week two wonderful people take their time with a group of writers and create magic. Prompts are based either on pictures or other unique items and in today’s case it was a electronic image of a medical item. The approach is fairly simple and everyone rights. You’re writing can be whatever your imagination dictates and the nice part is that no matter what you write you are accepted and more. It is an eclectic group of people with open minds and it is good.

I also went to an open mic today at a gallery in Grand Rapids. I do this to share some of my writing and get a feel for my reading. Normally it is an amazing time and tonight was no different. I said my piece and smiled for a minute and as I did I felt good about the world. There is no better way to share than to share with people with open minds and hearts.

If you read what I write I have said it hundreds of times. Whether you agree or disagree with someone your mind should be open to their point of view. Something has taken them on a journey as it took you on a journey to learn something for yourself. Be open-minded and as you are realize that everyday is an opportunity to see more and be more. The first step to growth is realizing that you cannot always be right, the second step is opening your mind to possibilities.

So as the sun sets on another day take a deep breath and find a path to being you. I hope that you adapt and change daily and find a way to grow without boundaries or bias and instead make each day a learning experience, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and keep living..