Category Archives: Choices

Cocoons and Sunshine

Posted on January 18, 2014 by russtowne

As I laid in bed this morning, luxuriating in the warmth on my skin, knowing that in a moment I would rise and begin a new day, the seeds of the poem below came to me. I rose, grabbed some … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Loss, Making the World a Better Place, Poetry I Wrote, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged beauty, death, decisions, Love, opportunity, poetry, potential, shadows | 18 Comments

Sliding Backwards

Posted on January 2, 2014 by russtowne

The holidays and new year can be especially difficult for those who are experiencing difficult times and relationships, or no relationships at all, health problems, etc. Some people I love are dealing with depression and struggling to cling to hope. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Change, Choices, Forgiveness, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Loneliness, Observations | Tagged Anger, depression, Forgiveness, growth, self-help, writer, writing | 23 Comments

What Happened When this Man Stopped Listening to “People” and Started Listening to His Heart

Posted on December 18, 2013 by russtowne

http://wblk.com/nervous-man-blows-x-factor-away/?trackback=fbshare_mobile Source: Butch Dority shared this. What a great reminder to us all as to what can happen when we listen to our heart. Wish Love, Russ

Posted in Authentic Living, Beauty, Breakthroughs, Bullying, Choices, Courage, Dreams, Feelings/Emotions, Following Your Passion, Inspiring, Joy & Happiness, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, Passion, Talent, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged courage, faith, fear, heart, Love, naysayers, passion, singing, spirit, talent, X Factor | 4 Comments

A Fire Hose Through a Drinking Straw

Posted on December 12, 2013 by russtowne

A reader recently commented that it takes courage to rise above the pain by your true self. I agree. In my case, it did take courage, though at some point, it wasn’t just that I wanted to share what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Authentic Living, Breakthroughs, Change, Choices, Courage, Creativity, Fear, Gratitude, Love, Observations, Uncategorized | Tagged courage, encouragement, fear, frieds, Friendship, ideas, Love, support, writing | 9 Comments

Choices and Pain

Posted on December 3, 2013 by russtowne

I believe that when people go through awful experiences–especially situations where other folks hurt us–we have a choice. We can choose to let what we went through become an excuse to close our heart in an attempt to protect ourselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Choices, Compassion, Courage, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Healing, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, My Written Works Misc., Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, Observations, Pain & Grief, Suffering | Tagged choices, courage, decisions, heart, I believe, joy, lasting joy, my beliefs, observations, pain, paths, suffering, will | 22 Comments

A War of Wills

Posted on November 16, 2013 by russtowne

Here is an excerpt from my book, “From the Heart of a Grateful Man” which is due to be released next month. A War of Wills As parents, My Beloved and I were blessed with remarkably honest children. They were … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Discipline & Consequences, Family, Family "Fun", My Written Works Misc., Non-fiction Stories I've Written, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, Parenting, Youth | Tagged author, book, child, children, consequences, discipline, Family, grateful, heart, parenting, pride, proud, son, writing | 10 Comments

Courage Comes in all Sizes

Posted on November 11, 2013 by russtowne

Because this story happened about 20 years ago it is likely that some of the “facts” that I seem to recall have likely been blurred by the mists of time. Any inaccuracies are unintentional. I’d come across an article in … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Courage, My Written Works Misc., Non-fiction Stories I've Written, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done | Tagged "Reflections of a Grateful Man", author, courage, non-fiction, non-fiction stories, writer, writing | 11 Comments

A Play that Changed Hearts and Lives

Posted on November 7, 2013 by russtowne

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/can-learn-lot-middle-school-football-team-video/ Some plays change the course of games. This one changed hearts and lives. I highly recommend that you watch this short clip until the end. With Love, Russ

Posted in Acceptance, Action, Choices, Community, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Goodness, Heroes, Inspiring, Kindness, LIfe Lessons, Love, Making Memories, Making the World a Better Place, Stories That Touched Me, Teamwork, Vids & Stories That Touched Me, Youth | Tagged compassion, football. hearts, kindness, lives, Love, special needs, teamwork | 11 Comments

It’s a Matter of on What We Choose To Focus

Posted on November 6, 2013 by russtowne

While we are focusing on fear, worry, or hate, it is not possible for us to be experiencing happiness, enthusiasm or love. ~ Bo Bennett (Source: Smile at me) With Love, Russ

Posted in Choices, Fear, Joy & Happiness, Quotes I Love | Tagged choices, focus, Happiness, joy, Love, quote, quotes | 7 Comments

Choices

Posted on November 5, 2013 by russtowne

Whenever I receive an email or other message with a link and a note that says something to the effect that opening it is a fun way to waste time, I immediately delete the message without opening the link. It … Continue reading →