How to Turn Your Passion into a Published Book

Often it’s hard for writers to commit to the long project, the novel — ‘The End’. There are just so many blank pages, so much story… so much doubt. For me, passion is the secret ingredient that makes all things possible in writing. In fact, I like to develop my ideas over months or yearsContinue reading “How to Turn Your Passion into a Published Book”

Why I’m ‘Giving Up’ My Goal of Losing Weight (Right When I’ve Achieved It)

On August 31st, I will officially complete my goal of becoming my perfect weight, shape, and fitness level. It’s a goal 20 years in the making. I’ve always been ‘big-boned’ and ‘someone who liked meat and potatoes’. I have an early memory of someone my dad was buying bales of hay from commenting on meContinue reading “Why I’m ‘Giving Up’ My Goal of Losing Weight (Right When I’ve Achieved It)”

The Three Keys to Turn Your Life From ‘Fine’ to Great

It’s very easy to just let life slide by, if it’s not quite what you want, you just hang in there and hope the next year will be better. Or the one after that. But I’ve seen some of the people I love, friends and family, sort of slip — especially during their 30s andContinue reading “The Three Keys to Turn Your Life From ‘Fine’ to Great”

The Difference Between ‘Just Right’ and Almost Right

A lot about these recent days have been perfect. The late spring weather in Bend, Oregon. Spending more time with my sister. Getting to focus on writing and exercising, eating good food and learning the banjo. On paper it sounds ideal, maybe even — if I could have told my 2019 self about this timeContinue reading “The Difference Between ‘Just Right’ and Almost Right”

Touchstones of Good

I have been trying, like most of us during this time, to do something. Make some progress. Accomplish stuff. I have written things, even written good things. I have gone on walks and cycle rides. I have sometimes been caught eating well — Hey! A Brussel Sprout! And I have struggled. And I struggle still.Continue reading “Touchstones of Good”

I Sleep 30 FT From Where I was Born. Now I’m Moving Across the Country.

It’s happening. After years (YEARS) of planning, my sister and I are about to hit the road –on December 31st — and start the exciting next phase of our lives. We leave behind the retail store (Best Buy #511, Athens, GA) we’ve both worked at for over 15 years, a half house/half trailer down aContinue reading “I Sleep 30 FT From Where I was Born. Now I’m Moving Across the Country.”

The Great Things About Turning Forty

Forty is awesome. I know you hear a lot of talk about it as a big scary number and I admit I’ve thought so too. Which is why I’ve been working hard for a couple of years to get my life to an exciting place for the big 4-0, just so I wouldn’t feel disappointed.Continue reading “The Great Things About Turning Forty”

Harder: The Thing That Stands Between You and Your Dreams

Coworker: I just graduated. Me: Congratulations! That was a lot of hard work. Coworker: Not really. But thanks. Later my friend also reiterated that, while it was nice of me to encourage him, graduating wasn’t really that hard of work. WHAT? I felt like he would have had lots of times, lots of choices, whereContinue reading “Harder: The Thing That Stands Between You and Your Dreams”

How to Create the Life of Your Dreams THIS YEAR

So, it has arrived. My final Change-Your-Life Challenge for (Georgia USA? My 30s? The old ‘status quo’?) this period of my life. In brief, my life has been roughly divided into home-schooled, hanging-with-the-fam era (birth to 25), and then the hanging-with-my-sister, learning, growing, preparing era (26 to 39). Now, baby, watch out — 2019 isContinue reading “How to Create the Life of Your Dreams THIS YEAR”

To Honor the Failing Darkness

Trying new things is hard. Returning to old things is hard. Doing anything worth doing is probably hard. 😉 But as the darkness of ignorance falls away we become more comfortable, less afraid, less annoyed.  The new is always challenging, which is why we rush past it — getting to know that new boyfriend, wantingContinue reading “To Honor the Failing Darkness”