Truth Seeker and Story Teller
Rick What is your truth? What defines you that others should see and that you must live?
How many of us put on masks, erect barriers, or turn our backs on others wanting only to be left alone? Far too many of us and far too many times.
We all, understandably, want to be accepted and know that we belong in the world we know. We pretend we’re okay and fine, and refuse to show our pain. We hide who we really are, what really matters to us, and that we’re hurt or confused.
Past pain, real or imagined, cannot be current pain. Leave it where it belongs, in your unchangeable memories.
Why do we wait so long to let go of the things, and people, that hurt us long ago? We carry past pain entwined throughout our lives into every decision and interaction for years.
Gratitude: there’s more than you thought and more still to come.
Gratitude – everyone’s talking about it, journaling about it, expressing it, and writing books about it. But for many of us, we tend to ignore it and not give it proper reflection.
Do some have more to be grateful for than others? I don’t think so. I think that some, and this includes me, don’t give gratitude enough time in our thoughts and journaling. I have at least two journals that have a place to write down what I’m grateful for on a daily basis. But I’m not consistent with this and can even go at least a month without giving it much thought.
What calls to you from deep inside? Listen to that voice, it’s who you’ve been looking for.
In a busy world, it’s hard to slow down and listen. But even if we could, what are we listening for? Our jobs, family, even our free time dictate that we keep moving, do something useful, and not be seen as “a slacker.” But there is something more and we block it out by keeping busy.
A Bright New IdeaI’m working on a new novel outline and as I was working on the characters, and getting all these terrific ideas and scenes, it occurred to me to mind map as I developed the outline.
There’s always so much going on in your head when you’re outlining that it’s easy to forget some of these great ideas – and how characters relate to one another. Answer: Start a mind map and keep adding to it as your outline evolves.
The middle of October, everyone’s thoughts are turning to the inevitable: what do my kids want to dress up as this year? What do I want to dress up as? Which party will be “the one” to be at this year? And my favorite, who’s bringing the best candies to work this year?
It’s impossible – those dreams 
we have and the ideals we want to live up to – those things which we know we ought to do but don’t do. And knowing we deliberately avoid these things says something – that we know what we are avoiding and make other poorer choices. Well, our choices now may lead to problems later.
Born in the storm
Of mighty wind howling, the baby awakes
The tempest rages while parents rejoice
The room weeps for another
Unwitting form
In our neighborhoods
We know the usual but not another’s
We decorate our yards in comparison
One-upmanship reigns
Others starve
The world’s tyrannies
Shout across the oceans at others blame
We, secure in our righteousness
Change our attention
Another one dies
This planet our home
Cries in pain we cause deliberately
It looks beyond yet lives within
Asks the heavens
Guide the citizens