Live a good life or not (what defines good anyway?); live the BEST life we are capable of living whether by our own choice or not … that is really all we can hope to achieve. So the question really becomes, “Which choices will allow me to be the best me I can be?” It is truly ironic how difficult many of us find such decisions; how many of us will then question if we have made the right choices or not. Some of us question so much that we practically paralyze ourselves, or worse yet abdicate our own right to choose and simply let others decide for us. That way is ultimately self-destructive, for we will not create the life WE want, but end up letting others define us.

Much of my creativity stems directly from these questions. Sometimes I am content with my own answers, sometimes I am not, and try to choose again. But either way, I have lived my life refusing to let others make those choices for me, which has often been a rough road. This is actually a family trait.

That segue was a hard one, but I finally arrived at it. For the real reason I am babbling here is to brag about and promote my sister, who has often struggled with her own path in similar ways. She has finally come to a choice not to give in to her inner demons, not to let self-doubt and lack of faith in her own choices stop her from recognizing the her own power, as a mom, as an academic, as a theater professional, and as a writer and creator. Today she has officially PUBLISHED a novel (even if it is not the first she has WRITTEN). It is a book that delves into the very questions I raised here, opening up avenues of thought that many may never have explored. Beyond that, it is simple entertaining and a good read. So if you are looking for a great book to read, or a great gift to share (or better yet both), buy a copy or three today! Get it at Amazon (available for Kindle too). Get it at Barnes and Noble. Get it at Kobo. Or better yet encourage your favorite book store or library to stock it. Introducing …

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The post The P.O.W.ER of the mind first appeared on thrumyeyes.

Yesterday, you have done by me well.
You have taught me much more than I can tell.
I hate to say goodby, it is really true.
But now beckons, and the future does too.
Some say parting is such sweet sorrow,
but that still leaves joy for welcoming tomorrow.
The past is truly past, and so it will always remain.
But that does not mean we remember it in disdain.
It has shaped our now; as it always will,
Yet we must keep eyes for the future still.
Yesterday, you have done by me well.
You have taught me much more than I can tell.

This “poem” was inspired by this week’s 100 Word Challenge for Grownups. The prompt was

…parting is such sweet sorrow….

For those of you swinging by from the 100WCGU, feel free to stop reading now, since this is really what you are looking for. But I am once again doing a two for one, and am going to explore the thoughts behind the poem a little bit more. For the brave among you  … keep reading!

Change is part of life. This is a simple fact. But somehow it becomes more evident for people at this time of year, as life reemerges from its “dormant” state,  getting a fresh start, almost as if attempting to wipe away the shadows of yesterday. The pattern is never-ending … birth, aging, death. Yet each new rendition of the pattern is slightly different. It is not a precise mechanized process, but rather art being repeated over and over, with each new work somehow different from the last. Many would halt the process, or worse yet try to reverse it. That is basically fear of the unknown. But those who truly value life in all its glory will embrace it, and even do what they can to add to the art.

Lately, though it seems that the world is in a tight conflict between those who embrace the change that is inherent in life, and those who refuse to accept it. So in a way this post is an homage to those who choose to embrace life. And taking an opportunity to do a little shameless plugging Many of those close to me are heeding the call, and so many people I know are stepping out of their comfort zone and basically reaching for the stars (me included). There is no way that I could list even a fraction of the people I know doing this right now, but I can do a shout out for a few, and maybe they will get some benefit from my hurrah.

For one, my sister has taken a leap of faith into her future, which includes stepping her blog up to HER blog, domain and all. I know many of you have followed her for several years now, but I wanted to help spread the word that she has moved. Check out her new manifestation of creativity. I have two more bogs I want to point out, and on the surface it looks like I am just promoting myself. While I am involved with both of them, the truth is I am trying to get them noticed more for what they represent than because my name is attached. One is more than a blog, but an attempt at creating a movement. I have mentioned PAX Nation before. Yes I came up with the idea, but my intent has always been to make it into some sort of group effort … hopefully something that will grow and take form without NEEDING my input. So if you think humanity is moving in the wrong direction, and want to maybe try to guide it towards life again, maybe you might want to take a look.

My final shout out is two a new project I am doing with my blogging brother Mark (many of you know him as The Idiot). We have undertaken a journey for self growth that somehow has manifested into an attempt for two middle-aged Idiots to maybe make a little difference in the world. For more details, take a look at our joint website, Two Hiking Idiots. Again, I am not doing this to promote myself or the blog itself, but we are trying to raise as much money as we can for as many charities as we can in the process of our little endeavor, so would love if anyone feels they can contribute.

Frankly there are many people I wish I could shout out about right now. It seems this season change has become the anthem of many. Which is a truly wonderful thing. For the individuals and the world at large. So despite my “selfish plugs”, I want to be sure to give the honor do to all these days who are embracing a better future. Kudos to all of you. Every little bit counts!

The post Momentum first appeared on thrumyeyes.

The post I Have Something to Say!!! first appeared on thrumyeyes.

The post Discussion, Debate and Blogging Etiquette first appeared on thrumyeyes.

The post I had planned on writing before I was sidetracked by the disaster in Japan speaks louder because of that same incident. Given the disturbing attempts in the United States toward limiting women’s freedom, rights, and basic equality I have been thinking a lot about women’s roles in society. I wanted to write about women–specifically women who stood stro … Read More

via Woman Wielding Words

The post The Power of Women's Voices (via Woman Wielding Words) first appeared on thrumyeyes.

That’s it! I’ve figured out what one of the major problems is with this world. Too many people have stopped believing in fairies. By this I mean the more general belief in a magical world that is not dictated by our rules of science. We have lost the sense of wonder that comes when you see the twinkling of fireflies on a warm summer night. Yes, I know that there is a scientific explanation for those fireflies (something to do with mating); but is … Read More

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The post Fairy Dust and Starshine: Necessities of Life (via Woman Wielding Words) first appeared on thrumyeyes.