Category Archives: Adversity

The Harmonica Man

Posted on March 12, 2013 by russtowne

He’s 77 years old, has had 10 heart surgeries, quit taking all 15 of the medicines he was given, and then he decided to make a difference in the world for thousands of children. You’ll be amazed at what he … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Authentic Living, Challenges, Children, Commitment, Creativity, Following Your Passion, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Talent, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged children, harmonica, Harmonica Man, heart surgeries, music, School, strumsticks | 8 Comments

The Choice

Posted on February 28, 2013 by russtowne

In response to a recent post titled, “One Of My Heroes And A Quote That Helps To Explain Why”, a reader asked, “How do you do that–leave it (Ed. note: hatred, bitterness, anger) behind? That is an excellent question. Here … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attittude, Breakthroughs, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Feelings/Emotions, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Healing | Tagged Anger, bitterness, chains, cling, Forgiveness, free, gifts, hatred, hppy, prison | 6 Comments

One Of My Heroes and a Quote That Helps To Explain Why

Posted on February 28, 2013 by russtowne

“As I walked out the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind that I would still be in prison.” –Nelson Mandela (Source: Online Wellness Network) A wise man … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Forgiveness, Freedom, Quotes I Love, Wisdom | Tagged Anger, bitterness, freedom, hatred, Nelson Mandela, Onlne Wellness Network, prison | 10 Comments

Terrible Times, and Choices

Posted on February 13, 2013 by russtowne

A recent post discussed difficult times. In the comments section of that post some comments were made something to the effect that difficult times can make someone better and more kind. I agree. Below is part of a reply I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Choices, Kindness, Loss, Making the World a Better Place | Tagged Caring, choice, choices, empathic, kind, loving, path, paths, terrible times | 9 Comments

A Five-Decade Stroll Down Memory Lane

Posted on February 12, 2013 by russtowne

That’s What he gets rough mix-2_12_13 I was just working on a song about friendship with my co-writers Denis Loiuseau and Kevin Harris, and it reminded me of a visit I had last week from a dear friend whom I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Friendship, Song Updates, Songs I've Written or Co-Written | Tagged firemen, five decades, friends, Friendship, Memory Lane | 6 Comments

Sometimes I Wonder…

Posted on February 12, 2013 by russtowne

“Sometimes you face difficulties not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re doing something right.” –Joel Osteen Wouldn’t life be simpler if all our problems stemmed from doing something wrong? Then we’d know we were on the wrong track … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Introspection, Quotes I Love | Tagged difficulty, dificulties, growth, Joel Osteen, lead, leaning, Life, right, selfflagellation, track, wisdom, wrong | 6 Comments

Not-So-Troubling Blessings

Posted on February 10, 2013 by russtowne

“Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.” Unknown (Source: Let’s Be Positive Together) I’m a firm believer in the wisdom of the above words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attittude, Choices, Quotes I Love | Tagged blessing, blessings, gratitude, Life, negative, positive, true | 8 Comments

What One Does When They Do

Posted on February 10, 2013 by russtowne

When one falls down again and again Getting back up is an important start But it’s what one does when they do That’s a better measure of their heart! –Russ Towne

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Choices, Courage, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged falling down, getting up, heart, poem, poetry, spirit | 1 Comment

“I Owe It To My Soul…”

Posted on January 30, 2013 by russtowne

Sounds to me like a good way to live! Russ

Posted in Adversity, Attittude, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love | Tagged angry, consumed, disappointed, Dodinsky, forward, move, sorrows, soul, stressed, strive, torment, worry | 3 Comments

Head Winds

Posted on January 24, 2013 by russtowne

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford I don’t think I’ve ever seen this quote before, but I like it. It got me to … Continue reading →