As an audience we must let an artist develop, grow, and change. Why do we only want actors  to stay in the same genre for an entire career; we complain that they are doing the same old schtick, but if they do something different then the complaint is that they should stick to what they know. 

Being a better you will take effort, it takes a willingness to let yourself be broken. To be vulnerable enough to accept criticism from others. Not total disrespect or worthless observations; this is speaking with people whose opinions matter to you. It is looking at yourself and admitting the things that you do, say, and have accomplished may all be nothing compared to the abilities and accomplishments that you may be able to accomplish if you allow your mind and attitude to accept feedback that is raw and true. No feedback, that you welcome, comes from a negative place. I've not always been willing to accept this type of feedback. Sometimes you can get full of yourself and it shows. So, humble yourself long enoug to get better!

Walking into a room, the murmur of the party dies and you know that they have seen you. The next sound is forks and spoons hitting plates; maybe a few mouths have dropped open silently. But I walk, I stand out like a Jack-O-Lantern at Christmas. My outline has become the sight line for the room. I am a bit too brown, unkempt, and underdressed. Still, you continue to move toward an empty booth. They don't want you here, but their courage does not match their energy. I will have my  food, drink, and enjoy the entertainment.

Many times in life I find inspiritation from the strangest things. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies. It stars Robin Williams (One of my favorite actors) and it is named "The World According to Garp". I saw the movie as a kid and it stuck with me until today. I still watch it at random intervals. T.S. Garp wants to be a writer. He, along with his mother move to New York to get some life experience. 

A simple truth to life is that we create our own borders. In any country, walk of life, or within a group; the borders placed upon us are imaginary. Who would even think that a state or province is just a specific shape that just exists. No, humans made the borders. Humans decide who belongs and who doesn't. Humans. Yes, humans make the deicsions of who can even be accepted by a group.

Coming from a difficult upbringing doesn't mean you have to live how you were taught to exist. In fact, life has shown you how bad it can get; it is up to you to make your adult life better. It is not a simple thing, you are used to things going poorly for you and when you are growing up in a tough environment all that you know is bad. So, you become an adult, you leave the place that has caused you pain for all of your young life and you are ready to really begin your journey.

As an artist, one will get several no's for each yes. Rejection is all part of the process. In acting, you are chosen from a headshot, called in to read for a part that the casting director thinks you may fit. If they like you, you get a second (sometimes a third or more reads).  Then a producer and director will watch you, and their opinions will be the final decision. A lot of people will sit and discuss your merits, and your shortcomings. And, if they say no, you will never know how close you came to getting the part. You do not get a call, feedback, or anything of the such. Instead, if you hear nothing by the time the process was due to end-- well, you didn't get it. 

Resting is akin to sloth. We have only so many days in this short lifel. If we treat any day as a day to rest and do nothing; we have, in fact, wasted 1/7th of the week. 1/7th of the week? Think about that. Let's say that you are years old, that is about 14,000 days. If you waste each Sunday that adds up to almost 2100 days. Over 2000 days of resetting, and resting. Breaking life down in to parts, you will see that it isn't a very long life. There should be no wasted time. Live each day like it matters! 

Well, readers! I have some great news. I entered 2 eBook Fairs and got the Gold Medals in each. I'm glad that my writing is appreciated and appreciated!  With that said, I have 3 new opportunities in eBook Fairs.  I'll attach the links below:

Everyday we must make decisions; some are easy and others are not so much. We look at the world around us, and some days feel harder to get through. Is it violence, hate, and other negativity in our small patch of the planet? Do we need some positivity to push us forward? Imagine, if you will, that your immediate circle of influence--friends, family, work mates, and others--are there to make you better. So, our circle wants us to be better; then why do we feel such a negative aura around the globe? Simple, we have no influence on the entire earth, but we can control our circle of influence. We can limit the outer influences and limit the attention that we give to the people closest to us. 

As I walk my dog along the street in our neighborhood, I look at the yards. All well manicured, as the Fall is now among us, there are some Halloween decorations and leaves blow across the yards. I think to myself, what have I come to?  Almost to my mid-fifties, pain wakes me every morning, pain and dizziness  push me through my day. I still search for something, a new thing. An idea that will take me to the next day. 

Every time you hit the field, you punch them in the mouth, then you put your foot on their throat until that can't stand and they are utterly defeated. It has been said many times in many huddles. Over the years, players in every sport have heard a similiar speech before they step onto a field of play. Yet, they go out there and play a game. A game! Why all the talk of destruction, of stomping on their throats, etc...

In times of difficulty I find that I must choose to be happy. My mind sometimes does not work the way that I want it to go, I can't find the happiness that I seek. It's a mix of depression and anxiety. I've often described, to the one's that know me, my mind is like a roller coaster. 

Well, I have come here today to let you know that I am currently entered into two book fairs! I am very excited to be part of two separate eBook Fairs. Please feel free to visit the site, and if you feel that I deserve your vote, please take the time to vote for me! And you can enter to win and a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

When we see the same things day in and day out, we sometimes move about in a perfunctory way. Everything is just autopilot. you begin to float about your days and then, before you notice... it's been a year. Then a decade and so on... You've missed everything. Find some moment, or moments, in your day that you can change. Where you become more than you were, and you try changing the channel you will discover that the world isn't boring. The truth of the matter is you have just been bored for such a long time. It's a beautiful world! Take advantage of each day. Change needs to be consistent!

Click here to add texting my saddest hours, I look to my left and right... no one is there. If I look back, I'm seeing nothing that wasn't already passed. I look ahead, there lies doubt, uncertainty, and fear. 

Words? They are what I focus on these days. It's a big part of what I do these days. I try to find good words, kind words, or words that heal others. If you have read my book, a lot of my words aren't quite healing. They were theraputic to me, and they still are! My stories, though, as I continue to write will always be healing for me. I walk a road through my mind each time I write, the path only comes to me as I write. As disjointed as this sounds, putting my words together in any fashion pushes my days along. So, why do I speak of kindness in words? Simple, in my everyday life, I'm not in a story. It's my life.