Category Archives: Adversity

Why Stop At Lemonade?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by russtowne

“When life gives you lemons make lemonade” We’ve all heard that worn-out phrase before But why stop at making lemonade When we can have a whole lemon smorgasbord? We all get a lot of lemons in our lives from time … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attittude, Challenges, Creativity, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged bars, coconuts, cookies, create, fun, lemon merangue pie, lemon pie, lemonade, lemons, Life, limes, pineapples, poem, rum, smorgasbord, tarts, time | 12 Comments

A Picture Of Love

Posted on January 19, 2013 by russtowne

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In this photo one word comes to mind loud and clear. Love. Russ

Posted in Adversity, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Friendship, Love, Photos That Touched Me | Tagged carry, Dog, flood, Friendship, Love, man | 3 Comments

If I Could

Posted on January 19, 2013 by russtowne

Your sorrow shows in your eyes and is etched on your face It reflects a weary spirit that is in a painful place The smiling mask you wear when you say everything’s OK Can’t hide from me the tragedy you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Forgiveness, Healing, Loneliness, Pain & Grief, Poetry I Wrote, Strength | Tagged admire, carry on, courage, darkness, faith, festered, fire, Grief, Hope, hottest, hurt, if I could, Life, life's, long, night, pain, strength, suffered, suffering, symptoms | 14 Comments

Thank You Indeed

Posted on January 18, 2013 by russtowne

I just read a heart-breaking article that was also inspiring and heart-warming. It included several responses to young women who are living with horrifying traumas of various kinds. Snippets: “In a girls’ bathroom stall at my university, girls have written … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Compassion, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Love, Making the World a Better Place, Stories That Touched Me, Youth | Tagged beautiful, brave, cares, courage, eating disorders, enough, horrifying, Love, loved, pain, raped, Reddit, stall, strong, The Lookout, trauma, women's, women's restroom, worthy, Y news, Yahoo, Yahoo News | 6 Comments

Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops

Posted on January 16, 2013 by russtowne

The link below is to a group of children from Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Stunningly beautiful heartfelt innocence. May their hearts heal as quickly as their voices and faces have melted mine. http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/children-record-song-benefit-newtown-conn-causes-131022810–abc-news-topstories.html Russ

Posted in Adversity, Beauty, Children, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Healing, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged ABC, ABC News, children singing, Newtown, Sandy Hook Elementary, School, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, United Way | 6 Comments

Abled

Posted on January 15, 2013 by russtowne

I’ve often found that “disabled” people are some of the most “abled” people I know. I’ve learned much about living and life from people who have been labeled disabled. I’ll bet that many of you have found the same. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Challenges, Gifts, LIfe Lessons | Tagged abled, disabled, eye contact, gifts, greet, hello, labeled, learned, Life, living, Love, smile, talk with, welcome | 10 Comments

Adversity and Me

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

I can choose to let adversity Weaken or strengthen me The choice is mine Every time Russ

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Wrote, Words or Quotes I Believe I Coined but please let me know if you heard them earlier elsewhere | Tagged adversity, challenge, challenges, choice, choose, me, time, tough times | 8 Comments

Regaining One’s Voice Via Technology

Posted on January 12, 2013 by russtowne

A year or two ago My Beloved had thyroid cancer and went through surgery, radiation treatments, etc. Vocal chords surround the thyroid and there is always a risk that when the thyroid is removed that temporary or permanent damage to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged cancer, movie critic, Roger Ebert, thyroid, thyroid cancer, vocal chords, voice box | 12 Comments

The Change

Posted on January 3, 2013 by russtowne

The daunting gauntlet that was my life Was full of stress and strain and strife Felt only pain and misery Hope seemed a distant memory It was even hard to lift my head Or get myself out of bed Trouble … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Attittude, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Gratitude, Loneliness, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged amazed, bound, change, cocoon, gratitude, heart, kindness, Life, Love, misery, pain, room, sadness, self, trapped | 10 Comments

Creating A Good Life

Posted on January 2, 2013 by russtowne

I just read an interesting article about a World Gratitude Map and the remarkable woman who inspired it. Here are some snippets: “…the World Gratitude Map, the idea of giving people the chance to create small moments for themselves to … Continue reading →