Category Archives: Random Thoughts

Thank Goodness For My Failures

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

“Live the life you’d dare to live if you knew you could not fail.” –R.B. Brooke I like the intent and message of this quote. And, I think a life that never involved failing would rapidly prove dull and lifeless. … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged attributes, dare, dare to live, empathy, formative, grow, growth, humankind, learned, lessons, lessons learned, Life, live, R.B.Brooke, succeed, suceess, valuable, value | 4 Comments

Small Things Done With Great Love

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

Most of you have probably heard the famous quote from Mother Teresa that “Small things done with great love will change the world.” I like that saying but believe it leaves out a key point: Small things done with great … Continue reading →

Posted in Generosity, Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Optimism, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged change, change the person, change the world, great, great love, Love, Mother Teresa, small things | Leave a comment

To Live In The Presence of Great Truths

Posted on June 4, 2012 by russtowne

“To live in the presence of great truths, to be dealing with eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals, that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged appreciate, blessings, calm, eternal laws, focus, focused, Francis Peabod, fully appreciate, gifts, great, great truths, ideals, Life, live, living, Love, miracles, patient, power, presence, Remember, truth, unspoiled, world | Leave a comment

Returning the Favor

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

My dog Duke has many positive attributes, and a few that might be viewed as somewhat less than positive when I’m in a Stinking Thinking type of mood. I was about to mention a couple of the latter when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Forgiveness, Friendship, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Humor, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged attributes, Dog, Duke, Friend, patient, positive attributes, teacher | 4 Comments

Lessons From Trees and Leaves

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

A recent blog post from GinaV at Profession for P.E.A.C.E. called “Letting Go and Turning It Over, reminded me that leaves, like our feelings, often go through many changes. They can turn to brilliant colors as temperatures change and passions … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Nature, Observations, Optimism, Random Thoughts | Tagged acceptance, brilliance, brilliant, change, feeling, Feelings, growth, healing, leaf, leaves, life lessons, trees | Leave a comment

Bliss In A Great Big Bundle Of Brown Fur

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

I experienced sheer bliss again last night. As is often the case, I was with Duke, a six-year old Chocolate Lab and constant companion. It started out as a simple trip to the grocery store to buy my wife a … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Gratitude, Humor, Random Thoughts, True Stories I've Written | Tagged big ears, big ears flapping wildly, blessed, bliss, car, connection, Dog, Duke, Happiness, joy, people, smile, smiles | 1 Comment

In Great Souls, Emulation

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

“Worth begets in base minds, envy; in great souls, emulation.” –Henry Fielding I prefer to focus on the first two words and the positive latter half of the sentence. It has been my experience that everyone–even those with base minds–have … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Envy, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged greart souls, great, heart, Henry Fielding, open heart, open mind, souls, value, worth | 2 Comments

Love, Grace, and Gratitude

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude” — Denis Waitley I don’t know about the “every minute” part, but I’ve found that happiness … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged allure, attract, attraction, attractive, Denis Waitley, grace, gratitude, Happiness, joy, lasting happiness, Love, spirit, spiritual, spiritual experience | Leave a comment

An Opportunity For Kindness

Posted on June 3, 2012 by russtowne

“Whenever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness.” –Seneca I’ve found that this is also true when there is an animal in need, and even a plant.

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Growth/Learning, Healing, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Nature, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged animal, human, human being, kindnesss, opportunity, opportunity for kindness, plant, Seneca | 2 Comments

To Dare Mighty Things

Posted on June 1, 2012 by russtowne

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows … Continue reading →