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.

To Love What You Do

Posted on April 12, 2012 by russtowne

“To love what you do and feel that it matters–how could anything be more fun? –Katherine Graham I see ever-greater numbers of people around the globe doing what they love while making the world a better place. If you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Random Thoughts | Tagged appreciated, do what you love, energy, experience, feel valued and appreciated. feel, fun, help, Kathleen Graham, Love, love what you do, making the world a better place, passion, talent, valued, wisdom | Leave a comment

I P O Y

Posted on April 11, 2012 by russtowne

I occassionally write the letters “I P O Y” on the bottom of emails and other written communicationss to one of my sons. The reason for doing so takes a little explaining but involves Fred Rogers of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” … Continue reading →

Posted in Forgiveness, Friendship, Gratitude, Healing, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Optimism, Random Thoughts, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged anxieties, anxiety, Audiobook, author, better world, Caring, children, childrens', compassionate, confidence, confident, death, empathetic, fear, Fred Rogers, Friendship, gentle, I P O Y, IPOY, kids, kind, letters, Life, loving, making the world a better place, Mister Roger's, Mr Roger's Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers' Neigborhood, safe, safe space, self-worth, show, son, sons, television, their world, troubling, TV, world, writer | Leave a comment

I Will Not Forget You

Posted on April 10, 2012 by russtowne

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” -William Arthur Ward I like and believe in … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Quotes I Love, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged A.Word.A.Day, Anu Garg, encourage, follow, I will never forget you, Life, Relationships, William Arthur Ward, wise | Leave a comment

What The Living Can Learn From The Biggest Regrets of The Dying

Posted on April 9, 2012 by russtowne

The URL below is to a poignant and powerful article about the biggest regrets that are most often given by those who are at the end of their life. I believe that many readers will discover a surprise or two. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, LIfe Lessons | Tagged Australia, children, decisions, dying, Family, Five biggest regrets of the dying, friends, friendships, kids, living, man, men, palliative care, palliative nurse, regret, regrets, woman, women, Work | 2 Comments

The Day Girls Saved Me

Posted on April 9, 2012 by russtowne

Many years ago I was in a high school Marine Corps JROTC program as the Vietnam War was coming to an end. It was not a real popular time to be in uniform. It was a turbulent time. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Friendship, Gratitude, Inspiring, True Stories I've Written | Tagged athletic, boys, bullied, cadets, camera, cameras, Family, fight, Friend, friends, girls, girls saved me, high school, jeer, jeered, JROTC, lockers, loved, Marine, Marine Corps, Marine Corps JROTC, Marines, pounded, pounded into the ground, retired, student, student teacher, students, taunt, taunted, television, TV, Vietnam, Vietnam War, Woman Marines | Leave a comment

LAAF SHMILY!

Posted on April 5, 2012 by russtowne

My wife and I sometimes write notes or sign cards to each other that end with LAAF! and/or SHMILY! It’s not because we have forgotten how to spell the words “Laugh” or “Smile”. “LAAF & SHMILY” are actually acronyms for … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, Random Thoughts | Tagged always, forever, forevermore, frequently remind her, investment manager, LAAF, LAAF SHMILY, long-term committed relationship, Love, love always and forever, return on investment, ROI, see how much I love you, SHMILY | Leave a comment

Money For a Taxi Ride

Posted on April 5, 2012 by russtowne

My wife and I were out on the town with some other couples when an elderly woman who appeared quite down on her luck and perhaps homeless walked up to our group and asked if we were going in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Gratitude, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Random Thoughts, True Stories I've Written | Tagged brightened, down on her luck, evening, experience, eyes, grateful, gratitude, Happiness, homeless, homeless woman, kind, kindness, kindnesses, lifted, lifted my spirits, lives, lives of others, make a difference, misted, Money, out on the town, small kindnesses, spirit, spirits, surprise, taxi, taxi ride, twenty dollar bill, woman | 2 Comments

“I will die in the midst of doing what I love to do…”

Posted on April 2, 2012 by russtowne

“I will die in the midst of doing what I love to do and that is using my voice and using my life to try to inspire other people to live the best of theirs.” –Oprah Winfrey As an investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Creativity, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Optimism, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged 101, 101 mistakes, a recipe for success, admired, admit, analyses, business, businesses, die, doing what I love to do, full and rewading life, full and rewarding, generosity of spirit, gutsy, Inspiration, inspire, investment manager, Life, live, Love, mistakes, Oprah, Oprah Show, Oprah Winfrey, OWN, OWN Network, perserverent, rewarding, Success, successful, willing to admit mistakes, words and actions are in alignment, works hard | 3 Comments

A 5-Run Homer!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by russtowne

I just experienced a a most unusual baseball game between the Giants and the Yankees. During it I got to see a 5-run homer, a batter run the bases backwards, players skipping in the outfield an doing somersaults in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Humor, Inspiring, Unexpected Pleasures | Tagged 1st Graders, 5-run homer, announcer, baseball, bats, beautiful, being beautiful, bleachers, buddy, coach, eyes puddled, fans, First Graders, gentle, Giants, Kindergartners, Little League, loving, manager, motorized, parent, parents, pitchers, players, running bases, show-boats, shy, shyness, skipping, smiles, somersaults, special, Special Education, Special Education baseball league, stands, teacher, tears, wheel chairs, Yankees | Leave a comment

“When Grown-Ups Lie”

Posted on April 1, 2012 by russtowne

One of my songwriting collaborators and I are writing a song that we hope will inspire children who are victims of abuse to speak painful truths to caring people who will listen and take action to help protect them. To … Continue reading →