Tag: #inspiration

What sighs are you?

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was amazing and from the beach it shimmered in the water like molten fire. It was nice.

No, I did not misspell it. Many people sigh from challenges. I find I sigh from time to time as well. The thing is we all sigh for different reasons.

Some people sigh when happy some sigh when they are sad, some sigh when they are wistful. Some even sigh when they ate excessively happy. It is hard to know.

I laugh about the sighs in movies, like when a man or woman sees someone they really like. Ahhhhh….

Anyway, a sigh can send a lot of different messages. I hope we all can see past the gesture to what is underneath. In doing so, consider your sigh as well, and I hope it is a good one.

So as the sun sets on another day, fun times and more when sighzing up the world. Enjoy your sigh, and have some fun along the way, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and ahhhhhhh

Sunday sun day…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was cloudy and I could not make it to the waterline. It looked as though the clouds would create a series of interlocking puzzle pieces to look amazing. I bet it was glorious. For me, I enjoyed the colors I saw and loved every moment.

I enjoyed the sun rising in the east today. I actually do just about every day when there is a break in the clouds. The morning sun shines through the trees and makes them glimmer in sparkles of red and gold as I take my morning walk. It is quite spectacular.

Today was fantastic as I watched the sun rise and it cascaded across new snow. The result was nothing less than awe inspiring. with that in mind, consider:

The sun rises
As the sun rises I find my way, now lit by scarlet light
I find a path and feel the sun hit my face as I forge ahead
There is nothing I cannot do or see if the light opens the path
For even if it is not there, I can find it without pause if I press on
and in that we see the difference

So as the sun sets on another day, find your path, push forward, and if the light is there, make your own way to your destination, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and live strong…

Childlike innocence

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was lost in a white whirlwind as snow battered the land. On a short drive, I saw four cars find temporary off-road homes while others found a pace more fitting to snow and underlying ice. Somewhere high above, the sun set and gave a spectacular end to the day. For me, it was a beginning.

I had to borrow a picture tonight as I didn’t get one. Ooops. Tonight I saw two musicians in a small setting with Mat (yes 1 T) Kearney and Marc Scibilia. I had heard some of the songs, and Mat had 5 top 20 hits that made him reasonably mainstream. Still, this was an acoustic night, and who knows?

The Saint Cecelia Music Center hosted the eventSaint Cecelia Music Center. The location was impressive, and whether Volunteer or employee, the people made the venue outstanding.

Somewhere from the start, as Marc Scibilia spun music like magic and made the audience chuckle with well-placed stories, I became enthralled in the moment. I lost myself in tunes and words and closed my eyes to listen without distraction. Marc was a spectacular singer with a unique voice and an even more unique perspective on life. His song about his wife made me smile, and I found it later and added it to my playlist. I was surprised to find out the opening had such power.

Mat (one T per his explanation) Kearney took it even further. With excellent storytelling skills and even better lyrics, he weaved a series of emotions and thoughts you had no choice but to feel and feel deeply. Then he took it to new levels with actual storytelling built in. It was not contrived or over-rehearsed but instead pertinent and directed to the crowd in Michigan. The audience was driven to become a part of this show, and even the most stoic had to be moved by his song about his father.

At one point, my mind wandered as Mat spoke of childlike innocence. Time stopped for a bit as I considered how much better the world might be if we kept our childlike innocence and found a way to truth.

I can think of few better ways to spend a night and even fewer with the emotional reality that was presented. If you are offered a chance to see either artist, do it. It will be worth your time.

So as the sun sets on another day, music is a foundation I have always believed in, and in the moments that pass, I will find new songs to carry my heart. Find your songs with me, and love the music you love. Let it move you if it can, and enjoy the night, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and live strong…

Consider this…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was awesome, but I didn’t see it. Instead I was watching the wild white snowflakes pummel the horizon. You know what? It didn’t matter.

I had a good time today playing around and enjoying myself in the snow. I was hopeful for an exciting sunset as the clouds parted then reformed many times. Still sunset is always spectacular as it is a time to consider the events of the day. With that in mind I considered it all.

I considered all of the things going on at work and making sure that I was giving the right amount of effort to help people be successful.

I considered nanowrimo and the writing of a new book. I also considered the four nearly finished books that are sitting in my “Oh my God I have to finish this” pile waiting for me to close them up.

I considered the snow and the start of the season that would go on for a while but openness up to a new world coming soon.

The list went on and I was happy with my day. Each day when I look at the day I feel like I’ve accomplished something whether it is something very large or very small depends completely on that day. How about you?

have you ever sat down and realized just how much you’ve accomplished today? Take a moment and consider all of the things of the day that you solved or resolved. I think you’ll find you have a lot to be proud of even if you didn’t build the Eiffel Tower today, at bare minimum you got out of bed and faced the day and that in itself is an accomplishment.

So as the sun sets on another day, fortunately I have a few pictures from different angles in the last few weeks of pretty sunsets. No more puppy pictures for a while, well OK I may slip one in every now and then. Take a moment and look forward to all of the things that you can do every day, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and hold on tight…

Well, that happened…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was a snowy series of fun. The day had been sunny, but as it passed the snow returned.

Contrary to most people I actually love snow. If you live in Michigan either you love snow or you stay miserable a lot. For the next four months, perhaps five we will see spitting of the white cloak of cold assailing our senses and making the landscape beautiful. It is a fantastic time for winter excitement. It’s an even more fantastic time for play.

If you haven’t followed me for a while, you wouldn’t know that I have a new puppy. For those of you that do follow this week was the first time that my new puppy saw snow. There’s something special about seeing snow for the first time whether you’re a human or an animal. Obviously it changes the landscape completely and even more obviously if you’re not dressed right or if you’re a puppy, your feet get cold.

Today while playing outside, I looked out over the horizon and all of the weeds and fallen trees were wearing a blanket of white. Nothing was truly gone but as I paid attention I reveled in the idea of the beauty before me. If you take a step back from anything in the snow it is the same.

While playing in the snow I got my best laugh of the day as the puppy walked underneath a white pine flocked with new snowflakes and I shook it a little and covered her with snow. Normally I would expect people and animals to shy away from that barrage but the puppy, being a little over the top, jumped into the air and grabbed another branch and pulled it down on herself. For the next 5 minutes it became a game of how many branches we could find that would cover her in snow as she danced around glistening like a crystal canine. It was a lot of fun.

What did you do fun today? Did you laugh? Did you see past all of the ugliness and find a blanket of white to make your day a little better? The best question yet is did you cover yourself in snow and enjoy every moment of it? I think if you took your time you might want to be out under that tree, pulling a branch, and loving every moment.

So as the sun sets on another day, there is fun and just about everything if you look for it. Instead of avoiding those scary situations, embrace them. Find a way to make today the best day you’ve ever had. I know I will, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and brrrr….

Squirrel…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset, it was cold, and the clouds obscured the light shining in on us all.

I laughed a lot in the snow today as Pepper chased the snow, the leaves, and occasionally the squirrels. As I watched her analyze situations from a dogs point of view I thought for a moment on how the squirrel felt.

Take it a step further. As we go outside the squirrels often are hitting up the feeders for some seed. They are not in it to share, just to eat, eat, and eat. They force the birds away so they can eat more. Here comes this bounding bundle of brisk puppy power rushing across the short distance from the sliding door to the feeder. Oh, my, god. This thing is relentless and follows me them from tree to tree watching as attempts to elude are nearly impossible with the exception of staying in the tree. Then a whistle and the puppy predator is gone. What a rush, or what a hinderance?

For the puppy, it is pure fun. There is a wonderful living toy to chase. For the squirrel, not so much, perhaps they are urgently trying to get food and get fat from my perspective. Neither is wrong, but nether will understand the other.

Your question for the day and one that I ponder often, is there a way from them to ever see the others perspective? Should one or the other be discounted because they cannot be understood? How can we apply this to people? If someone doesn’t see it from our point of view, are they wrong?

Think about it, and at least the squirrels are in shape.

So as the sun sets on another day, perspectives are amazing, and the world is a fantastic place full of wonder with those perspectives. Remember your view may not be the view of everyone, and be accepting. The world will be a better place if you can see past who you are. Be more, see more, and accept everyone for who they are, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love deeply, and …squirrel…

Choice of choices…

The sun sets on another day…

Sunset was full of clouds and occasionally a bright Shard of light would shine through. Just like in life there was a little bit of light even in the darkest of darks.

I was reading through a series of posts on several social media sites and wanted to make something clear for a moment. Each day I write something based on my experience while trying to expand that so that others can open their minds maybe just a little. There are many people who feel strongly that they know it all. They have things figured out, they know which direction they need to go, and they darn sure no the right religion and political candidates. I don’t.

Don’t take me wrong, I study significantly on every topic that I look at. Some of the topics I go way over the top and do things that other people probably wouldn’t even understand. I studied many religions so that I can understand the commonalities and differences in each one. On 29,000 sunsets I do not state that any one religion is better than another or that a lack of religion is better than a bucketful. Instead, I think it is a choice that people need to make for themselves and occasionally I will make note of one item or two to open a door or potentially guide people to a different path. The decision to proceed is always up to the person. I learn each and every day and I find conflicting configurations each day that make me question what I learned yesterday. I will define that for a second as yesterday can be any day before today not just one day ago.

I read a post from one person that called out another group as just being wrong. They may well have been. It could be that one person, or one group is the wrong of all wrongs, for you. It does not mean that your limited viewpoint fits everyone. If you think it does you have a serious problem and only you can fix it.

I’m writing this post simply because if you read something that I have written and don’t agree, I agree. You don’t have to agree with me. You don’t have to be that person that attempts to annihilate my point of view. You don’t have to be that person that agrees with me all the time and thinks that I am right. Instead, I would love for you to be that person that has the ability to think and realize that none of us are omniscient, at least I’m not there yet. More importantly anyone who really knows probably doesn’t worry about arguing about it. There are things that I don’t argue that people think that I should be very vocal about when confronted with the issue. It’s not that I don’t believe in the issue it is just that discussing it with someone who has no point of reference and could not understand what I was saying would be meaningless. They would walk away thinking I was wrong, and I would walk away knowing they were. Ouch.

Take a moment and realize that all of your points of view are based on your personal bias. If you walk away with anything from 29,000 sunsets it is that the largest regret that people have as they cross into whatever lies beyond this life is that they didn’t live their life. It is up to you to live your life each day knowing that tomorrow isn’t promised and that today is where you are living now. Worry and regret will slow you down always so set them inside in favor of positivity and enjoying every moment that you can. If you don’t agree with me, I’m good with it.

So as the sun sets on another day, today is a day to be lived. Take this day and make it yours but remember that is your choice. You can make a difference for yourself every day if you want to. Make choices that are good for you and be spectacular if you can because I believe in you, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and what a ride…

Another reality..

The Sun sets on another day..

Sunset was a scattering of colors with people who started out as coworkers and became friends. As the horizon changed through its amazing Hughes I was enjoying the moments all that I could.

Today was a long day and as the end of the day approached I had time sit down and write. I am currently working on Morgan, book two of the Eternal forever, and as I said and wrote I became a part of another life, another world, another reality. People don’t really understand sometimes that when you are writing you are often living those moments and in spite of the world that you existed that world takes shape as well.

The second book in this series is about a very brutal woman who has been alive for over 4,200 years. As I am writing this character is developing herself into a complex series of emotional catastrophes that built a woman who no longer settled for anything. I have introduced new characters who all have a cautious understanding of Morgan and her fairness and fatal eccentricities.

In the words I wrote last night Morgan is testing someone new and has put them in a situation that will physically and emotionally push them to their limits. In this second book I will be exploring the drive and ambition of a woman who has nearly everything and only once more.

I have to know that two of the characters I have introduced, Max and Cole, are particularly fun. As Morgan’s bodyguards they are ruthless and cunning. Max is nearly 7 ft tall and his dark skin and white smile make him stand out in a crowd. Cole appears to have very little problem dealing out punishment from Morgan as necessary. He is also a ruthless right hand at manages many of Morgan’s Estates as necessary. The interactions of these characters took on New Life in the past 2 days and I love where the story is going.

People have asked me before about how the story will end. As is true of all of my writing the stories take shape on their own and the endings become a surprise to me as well as to the reader. I paid attention to it once and realized I knew where the story was going because I wrote the details leading up to it but as I did so the story had a life of its own.

Last year was the first time ever I second guessed myself. I completed a book and then went back and questioned the ending. I won’t do that again as that book still is in a nearly complete stage. My goal will be to take the story where it lie and then begin the edit process with the story as is. It appears that works out much better for me.

I also modified my writing last year based on feedback from some readers. Those who knew my other books did not see the need for sensuality in the first book of the Eternal forever and I toned it down Beverly. There is some sensuality already in Morgan and this time I will likely leave it because it fits in the story.

So as the sun sets on another day, I am of many worlds right now. I will push to make all of them best they can possibly be. Along the way I hope to see new excitement and fun situations that my readers can enjoy. Then maybe it’s time to Market and Market some more, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and keep reading..

A better world…

The sun sets on another day…

While driving to an event across the west side of Michigan, I saw the wind and rain part for a moment. As it did, I pulled over to take a picture of the fantastic angry sky. The moment I pulled my camera out, the clouds closed in and took the light for a moment. I kept driving and saw the same over and over but did not stop. I would instead enjoy it than stop and make it hide.

There are events in your life that cause you to feel both good and bad. I spend each day trying to overcome the bad, and focus on the good. Sometimes that is easy, sometimes a challenge, but always an adventure.

Tonight I met a young woman for a second time that will eventually change the world. Her warm heart and grasp of life made me smile and I found myself fascinated with a particular set of interactions.

The night was eventful, with music and words flowing constantly. People sang of love lost and love found, of wonderful times and challenging moments. People read of passion, discord, and all the beautiful things that make us unique. (If you would like a good read, I read from “A Slice of Passion” and “The Gift.”)

During the night, I helped a group take some items to their car, and on the way back, a young woman began talking to everyone. I watched with patient, pensive eyes as the moment unfolded. One of the musicians invited the young woman into the event, and she was initially over the top. She was lost in music and people, and as I ran and got her a coffee, I watched everyone walk away from her except one. Like a fantastic symphony, I was bespelled by magic as this woman engaged, spoke, and truly listened. I did not want to interfere but watched with awe as the young lady transformed into a person with care and concern, and I watched as she gifted the young woman and came back in and sat down.

Others who began the interaction had walked away, but this young woman did not. She knew what to do and made a difference.

Super job Maddie.

So as the sun sets on another day, thanks to all the people who take a moment and make a difference. The world is a better place because of you. I hope your night is spectacular, and help when you can, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and be good to people…

This is Halloween…

The sun sets on another day…

Take 3. Sunset was a cascade of color and cloud, and each moment I watched, I saw changes.

I have dumped 2 posts tonight as I wandered down the depths of negativity. If you think I am always positive, well, I am. I also have to fight to be that way sometimes.

Halloween is simply amazing. The landscape covered in nothingness there are still some leaves in the tree and still some color on the horizon. With that in mind you also have to consider the constant barrages of negativity flowing from just about everywhere. I have watched numerous discussions about politics and the world and the way that it is, but I sit here today telling you that you have a choice. This is Halloween, and you have a choice! Take it!

You see, sometimes we’re lost in the middle of all this and sometimes we just have to step out. It really isn’t worth it to get spun up over things you can’t control. That includes people. We have control of ourselves and no matter how hard we try we will never have control over other people. (Unless we start implanting chips into the brain and shunting the way our minds work.)

I hope that you got out tonight and got to see all the Halloween trick or treaters and all of the fun people getting outside just to have some fun and maybe a little more. Take a moment and take a deep breath and enjoy the evening. Take a moment and just let go of all the silliness that seems to be bombarding us all. Now let’s just have some fun.

 So as the sun sets on another day, it’s our choice. Let’s make good choices for ourselves and set aside the bad ones. Keep a few mediocre ones around just to drive you a little crazy. Find a way to enjoy the day with everything swirling around you and in the middle of it all laugh if you can. I will find my way to laugh, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and Happy Halloween!!!