Category Archives: Gratitude

Making Dreams Come True & All the Fears & Shadows That are Coming Up For Me

Posted on June 30, 2013 by russtowne

A big part of my dream of bringing my first two children’s books to life and into the hands of young children and their loved ones was to give my friends and loved ones from various communities the opportunity to … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Choices, Dreams, Fear, Feelings/Emotions, Following Your Passion, Friendship, Gratitude, Project Updates for Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Regret, Teamwork | Tagged abandonment, children's books, community, fear, Friendship, global community, Shame, support | 16 Comments

“Rusty Bear and Thomas, Too”

Posted on June 19, 2013 by russtowne

Here are some excerpts and illustrations from my second children’s book. It’s titled “Rusty Bear and Thomas, Too”. It is scheduled for release at the end of September, and will be a part of my Kickstarter Crowd-sourcing campaign (which could … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Adventure, Adversity, Animals, Challenges, Children, Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Choices, Compassion, Courage, Friendship, Goodness, Gratitude, Heroes, Inspiring, Kindness, My Written Works Misc., Project Updates for Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Teamwork | Tagged birds, carved bear, children's book, courage, crowd-sourcing, crowdsourcing, fear, friends, Heroes, Kickstarter, redwood trees, Rusty, Rusty Bear, Rusty Bear and Thomas, Thomas, write, written, wrote | 20 Comments

Greatness In Small Things

Posted on June 3, 2013 by russtowne

(Source: Karen Robiscoe-Fan Page shared Hippie Peace Freak’s photo.) When one realizes that the small things in life ARE great they realize they’ve had great things in their life the whole time. And who wouldn’t be grateful about that? –Russ … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Awareness, Breakthroughs, Contentment, Gratitude, Joy & Happiness, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, Observations, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Quotes I Wrote | Tagged great, greatness, Hippie Peace Freak's photo, Karen Robiscoe-Fan, photo, photographs, quote, quotes | 6 Comments

“Greater Than Gold” (first draft of a lyric from my poem of the same name)

Posted on May 28, 2013 by russtowne

Greater Than Gold My little girl saw a homeless man Said, “Daddy he looks hungry and thin May I use my allowance To buy a meal for him?” He was surprised when she reached out With a big burger and … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Generosity, Goodness, Gratitude, Making the World a Better Place, My Beliefs, Parenting, Poetry I Wrote, Song Updates, Songwriting Adventure, Writing | Tagged Caring, compassion, daughter, feeding, food, girl, gnerosity, Gold, half-starved, homeless, hunger, kindness, Love, man, meal, mom, starved | 16 Comments

The Corrosive Power Of Ego

Posted on May 23, 2013 by russtowne

I believe that ego corrodes relationships, self-confidence, and feelings of self-worth. My ego used to run nearly constant unnecessary and harmful replays in my mind of instances that happened long ago that brought on feelings of shame, guilt, pain, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Awareness, Breakthroughs, Choices, Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, Mistakes, My Beliefs, Observations, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged choice, choices, ego, embarrass, embarrassment, focus, gifts, guilt, lessons, nourish, nourishes, nourishment, observations, pain, poison, Relationships, replay, self-worth, Shame, toxic, toxin | 16 Comments

The End Of An Era

Posted on May 20, 2013 by russtowne

I’m always appreciative and grateful when someone says something kind about this blog or honors it with an award, and I’ve just reached a decision that I’ve long considered and kept putting off until now. I no longer plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards: Sharing The Love, Gratitude | Tagged appreciation, appreciative, award, awards, blog, blogging awards, gratitude | 6 Comments

Precious Gems

Posted on May 18, 2013 by russtowne

(Source: I Stop For Suffering shared Tao & Zen’s photo) The Cosmos is filled with precious gems. I want to offer a handful of them to you this morning. Each moment you are alive is a gem, shining through and … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Awareness, Gratitude, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Wisdom | Tagged breathe gently, cherish, distress, Earth, embrace life, embrace your heritage, enjoy, Happiness, heritage, I Stop For Suffering, in your arms, living, miracles, Our true Heritage, photo, photograph, precious gems, quote, stream, Tao, Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen | 5 Comments

Letting go, Appreciating, and Looking Forward

Posted on May 13, 2013 by russtowne

“Sometimes you just have to let go of what’s gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what’s coming next.” (Source: Lets Be Positive Together) I’ve been there and will be again. Based on my experience, I’d say this … Continue reading →

Posted in Attittude, Challenges, Choices, Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, Loss, My Beliefs, Observations, Optimism, Quotes I Love | Tagged experience, future, gratitude, let go, letting go, loss, optimism, present, true, wise | 3 Comments

Grandsons Update

Posted on May 6, 2013 by russtowne

I had just finished reading a book to Thomas last night and had put it down. He picked it up and said “More” clear as day. Have I said lately how much I love my grandson and his parents? As … Continue reading →