Category Archives: My Beliefs

A Magnificent Banquet

Posted on September 24, 2013 by russtowne

I believe that wanting to feel connected is a very real human need, but if by joining any group I am required to feel disconnected from any other part of humankind, the price of membership is too high. It would … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Choices, Community, Connection/Connecting, My Beliefs, Observations | Tagged author, books, choices, community, connected, disconnected, human need, non-fiction, stories, writer, writing | 10 Comments

Ending the Cycle of Suffering

Posted on September 21, 2013 by russtowne

Some time ago I read a saying that I would have at one time agreed with and found humorous, but now just saddens me: “KARMA: No need for revenge. Just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you will eventually … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Forgiveness, My Beliefs, Suffering | Tagged compassion, cycle of suffering, forgive, Forgiveness, Love, loving, pain, suffering | 19 Comments

Collateral Compassion and Kindness

Posted on August 27, 2013 by russtowne

(A re-post for newer readers of this blog.) When you see a man led to prison say in your heart, “Mayhap he is escaping from a narrower prison.” And when you see a man drunken say in your heart, “Mayhap … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Joy & Happiness, Kindness, My Beliefs | Tagged compassion, Kahlil Gibran, kindness, Love, my beliefs, quote, understanding, wordsmith.org | 4 Comments

Facing My Fear, I Found My Truth

Posted on August 22, 2013 by russtowne

I believe I have changed far more in the last three years than during any prior 7-year period during my adult life. People often talk of how much courage it takes to change, and that is often true. After the … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Failure, Friendship, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, Observations | Tagged change, choice, choose, courage, epiphany, fear, fidelity, integrity, Life, Love, realization | 14 Comments

Why I Write Children’s Books

Posted on August 17, 2013 by russtowne

I write children’s books because I love telling stories, especially to children. I love the looks of wonder and delight as they experience and become part of each adventure. I love children, and entertaining them. I love writing and creating … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Children, Fear, Following Your Passion, My Beliefs, My Written Works Misc., Writing | Tagged "Clyde and I", author, children's books, children's stories, Clyde giraffe, green giraffe, Grumbly Grumpadinkle, Hippita Hippo, pet kindness named Love, Rusty Bear, Wendy Goodlight, writer | 4 Comments

E.B. White’s Planning Difficulties

Posted on August 14, 2013 by russtowne

“I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.” ― E.B. White I got a chuckle out of the above quote, and thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Following Your Passion, Fun, Making the World a Better Place, My Beliefs, Observations, Passion, Quotes I Love | Tagged change the world, determined, E.B. White, have fun, having fun, Important, passion | 5 Comments

A Gift of Trying Times

Posted on July 25, 2013 by russtowne

I love this quote and believe in the truth and wisdom of it. Sadly, the times I typically learn and re-learn this lesson are when I need friends the most. The great news is that those are the times that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Awareness, Challenges, Friendship, My Beliefs, Observations, Quotes I Love, Quotos | Tagged adversity, challenges, freindship, friends, photo, quote, quoto, quotos | 6 Comments

Warm-Heartedness

Posted on July 16, 2013 by russtowne

“The real source of inner strength and self-confidence is warm-heartedness.” –Dalai Lama (Source: Let’s Be Positive Together) “Don’t change, so people will like you. Be yourself so the right people will love the real you.” (Source: Let’s Be Positive Together) … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Believe, Humor, Kindness, Love, Miracles, My Beliefs, Observations, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Time, Wisdom | Tagged Anger, anials, black cat, cat, crazy, Dalai Lama, Forefer Aweome, gift, inner strength, Jonathan Lockwood Huei, Karen Robiscoe, Karen Robiscoe-Fan Page, kindness, Let's Be Positive Together, Lightraiser, Love, magic, marvelous gift, rel, self-confidence, source, squirrel, Ute Lark, warm-heartedness | 6 Comments

It’s What You See…And Do

Posted on July 11, 2013 by russtowne

I believe the same is true for cruelty, hatred, gossip, betrayal, undkindness, neglect, indifference, violence, and destruction, except when those seeds are sown, they create chains of more of the same until they are broken by love, kindness, courage, strength, … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Courage, Humility, Kindness, My Beliefs, Observations, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Strength | Tagged betrayal, compassion, courage, destruction, hatred, Henry David Thoreau, I Stop For Suffering, Karen Robisco, kindness, Love, Rawforbeauty.com, strength, violence, Zen Mama | 6 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 →