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.

Change

Posted on June 22, 2012 by russtowne

“Although the connections are not always obvious, personal change is inseparable from social and political change.” -Harriet Lerner (As seen at Wordsmith.org A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg)

Posted in Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Quotes I Love | Tagged A.Word.A.Day, Anu Garg, change, Harriet Lerner, personal change, social change, societal change, wordsmith.org | Leave a comment

Parenting “Fun” with Younger Son

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

Beloved and I are very proud of all three of our now grown children. Each of them is unique and special in their own ways. But there were many times when pride wasn’t the primary emotion we felt when dealing … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Family "Fun", Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged beloved, little sister, parent, parenting, sister, son, window, younger, younger son | 4 Comments

A Dance of Love From Around the World

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

I felt so connected and hopeful while watching this, and the afterglow remains. Russ

Posted in Creativity, Fun Vids, Inspiring, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged afterglow, connected, dance, Hope, hopeful, Love, Matt, people, world | 2 Comments

Being Heard

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” –David W. Augsburger I believe in the truth and wisdom of this quote. I saw it at mindfuldiary at http://mindfuldiary.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/pretty-flowers/ and would have … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged David W. Augsburger, hear, heard, Love, loved, Mindfuldiary | 4 Comments

21 Photos of Kindness in Action

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

A friend shared this touching and heart-warming set of photos and I wanted to share them with you, my internet friends. http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity

Posted in Courage, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Photos That Touched Me | Tagged compassion, courage, generosity, kindness, Love, making the world a better place, photos | Leave a comment

Kindness In Action

Posted on June 21, 2012 by russtowne

http://www.wimp.com/colacameras/ I fund this video to be well worth watching. In fact, I think I’ll watch it again as soon as I share it with you! Russ

Posted in Courage, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Coca Cola, Coke, courage, Hero, kind, kindness, vid, video | 2 Comments

Posted on June 20, 2012 by russtowne

And the greatest pain often comes just before the breakthrough to understanding! Thank you for sharing the saying and photo, MoJo! Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Beauty Within

Posted on June 20, 2012 by russtowne

Great sculptors can see the beautiful form within a block of granite. It is also possible to see, feel, and experience the beautiful spirit of others regardless of what they look or act like on the outside, and often even … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations | Tagged act, beauty, beauty within, block of granite, people, sculptor, see, spirit | Leave a comment

Changing the World

Posted on June 20, 2012 by russtowne

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” — Rumi I love this quote and have learned that when I change myself I change the world, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Optimism, Quotes I Love | Tagged change, everyone, myself, Online Wellness Network, Rumi, self, true, world | 3 Comments

I Met My Wife While Playing Hide and Seek In the Dark

Posted on June 20, 2012 by russtowne

I met my wife while playing Hide and Seek in the dark. Perhaps I should explain… But first, some background… When I was a youngster all of our relatives lived out of state, so my family celebrated holidays with another … Continue reading →