Author Archives: russtowne

About russtowne

I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.

Blowing the Dust Away

Posted on June 25, 2012 by russtowne

At MaggieMaeIJustSayThis blog, she often asks interesting questions and invites readers to answer them. She recently asked: Dust love get dusty? Here was my reply: Love gets dusty… …but investing time together, finding things to laugh about together, finding things … Continue reading →

Posted in Family "Fun", Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged best, best friends, finding, Friend, friends, grateful, gratitude, investing time, Love, love notes, married, sweet memories, time, treasured, wife | 4 Comments

A Key Source of Light

Posted on June 25, 2012 by russtowne

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” -Rumi We all get wounded in many ways. It is part of the experience of life. But in exchange for the the pain we are offered several huge gifts that … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Choices, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Healing, Observations, Quotes I Love | Tagged appreciate, compassion, darkest hours, empathy, gain, gifts, healing, kindness, light, Love, pain, patience, persistence, receive, Rumi, within reach, wounds | 2 Comments

A Warm Heart on a Cold Day

Posted on June 24, 2012 by russtowne

From the time I was a young boy all the way through my most of my thirties I tended not to fit in with most of my peers. I was introverted, socially awkward, lacked confidence, and often felt shunned and … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Healing, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Praise, True Stories I've Written | Tagged boy, boys, cocoa, heart, hot chocolate, kids, kind, kindness, polite, share, snow, trip, warm, young | 14 Comments

My Sweeteners

Posted on June 24, 2012 by russtowne

They say that if life gives you lemons make lemonade, but it has been my experience that lemonade made only with lemons is a recipe for a very bitter brew and life–and believe me I’ve tried! I’ve found that adding … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Love, Observations, Quotes I Love | Tagged gratitude, kindness, lemonade, lemons, Life, Love | 2 Comments

I Can Save THIS One

Posted on June 24, 2012 by russtowne

I remember reading a short story with a HUGE message years ago that had a big impact on me and how I view life. It went something like this: One day a little girl was walking on a beach with … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Parenting, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged dad, father, girl, little girl, mom, Mother, ocean, parents, sea, Star fish, starfish, tide, water | 8 Comments

Way Ahead

Posted on June 23, 2012 by russtowne

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow your progress you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.”–Unknown So simple, yet so true–as are most ideas that truly matter. I said “simple” rather than “easy” because … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love | Tagged everyone, matter, way ahead | 2 Comments

A Great Gift I Gave to Myself

Posted on June 23, 2012 by russtowne

Last night I treated myself to a fun couple of hours with a great friend, getting some terrific exercise, while doing something we felt happy and proud to be able to do. And it was free. It doesn’t get much … Continue reading →

Posted in Making the World a Better Place, Random Thoughts, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Ble Star Mothers, contest, exercise, Friend, fun, great, help, serve, servicemen, servicewomen, support, team | 2 Comments

The Choice

Posted on June 22, 2012 by russtowne

A dear friend of mine named Dave forwarded a story from Ed Bridges to me. It was fairly long, but a pargraph of it really was the gist of the message and stood out to me, so I wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Choices, Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Relationship Lessons Learned, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged children, choice, choices, Ed Bridges, Family, what I have, what I need, what I want, wife | 6 Comments

Yucky or Wonderfully Delicious?

Posted on June 22, 2012 by russtowne

A little boy is telling his Grandma how “everything” is going wrong: School, family problems, health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does. “Here, … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Creativity, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Optimism, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged boy, cake, delicious, Grandma, grandmotehr, gransdon, son | Leave a comment

Posted on June 22, 2012 by russtowne

Originally posted on LIFE TALKS:
“When you allow yourself to feel gratitude in the present moment, in the now, what I promise you is that the spiritual dimension of your life begins to change. It opens up, it expands and…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment