Today’s Quote

Posted on September 29, 2016 by russtowne

I do, especially those who have grown from the experience and those who have gone through it with me, or would if they could.

With Love,
Russ

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Being There

Posted on September 29, 2016 by russtowne

Many of the most powerful moments in my life, the times I feel the most alive, the most useful, and the most connected to everyone and everything are those times I am there when someone needs me the most.

Just being there and walking through the fire or sitting in it with them, creating a safe space for their anger, grief, despair, pain, shame, loneliness, fear, and/or whatever else they are experiencing or being tormented by, and staying with them until the fire subsides, has often meant everything to me.

People often thank me for being there for them as though they somehow owed a debt of gratitude to me for being there for them. From my perspective, it is I who owe them, for the huge gift they gave to me for allowing me to be with them in their most awful moments, sharing their darkest hours, worst fears, and most painful times with me.

I live for such moments. It is why I’m alive. I’ve arranged my life so that I can drop everything and be there any time of the day or night.

To those who have honored me by allowing me to be there at such times, I owe a debt of gratitude. Thank you!

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Anger, Friendship, Gratitude, Healing, Pain & Grief, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

I Believe in HumanKIND

Posted on September 28, 2016 by russtowne

(I wrote this post in 2013 and it’s even more true for me today.)

I believe that the biggest problem facing the world is that there is far more pain, loneliness, and suffering than there is kindness.

I believe that as more people learn how interconnected we all are and get more aligned with the goodness within themselves, greater kindness in action will naturally occur.

Every act of kindness, and every person who learns of their interconnection and goodness, has the potential to ease much pain, loneliness, and suffering, so it is one of my goals to continue attempting to spread the word in every interaction I have.

Around the globe many millions of people are doing the same.

I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that the last four letters of the word “Humankind” spell the word “Kind.” The answer to so many of our ills is even in the description of ourselves. We just need to BE kind; to BE love in action.

We already know the solution. Now, much like the need to blanket the world with inoculations against terrible diseases, we need to keep spreading the light until the darkness of apathy, neglect, greed, and violence, have no place to hide and are eradicated.

Will total global success occur in my lifetime? No. But I believe that progress is being made every day.

The problems are huge and daunting, but I believe in the greatness of the spirit within humankind to continue to gradually overcome them.

Love,
Russ

Posted in Goodness, greatness, Kindness, Love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

A Howlin’ Good Time

Posted on September 26, 2016 by russtowne

My parents live near a small town named Coulterville in California’s gold country in the foothills of Sierra Nevada. Once per year the town has a Coyote Festival. This year’s festival was yesterday.  It included Coyote Howling contests for all age groups, a parade, classic car show, pony rides, gold panning, exhibits, music, and lots more. My Beloved and I joined my parents in celebrating it. We had a howling’ good time.

The woman sitting tall in the red Caddy is my mom. She was representing The Ladybugs, a women’s organization in the area.

With Love,

Russ

 

Posted in Family Fun, Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Monday Funnies…

Posted on September 26, 2016 by russtowne

More fun from my favorite ape!

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

10 Things that will make you Smile

Posted on September 25, 2016 by russtowne

Happy thoughts for a happy day.

With Love,
Russ

Yves-sama's avatarYves-sama

Everyone loves the quote “laughter is the best medicine,” and you have probably even experienced the benefits of smiling and laughter. But did you know that the simple act of smiling can boost your mood and even your immune system?

th6y2kx3nx

1. Cows have best friends and they tend to spend the most of their time together.

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2. Somewhere, Someone is having the best day of their life.

3. In April 1930,The BBC or the news channel reported that there was no news that day       and played piano music instead.

4. When you were born, for a moment you were the youngest person on Earth.

5. Blind people smile when they’re happy, even though they’ve never seen a smile.

6. Cuddling releases Oxytocin,  a chemical that can heal wounds and relieve pain.

7. The structure of your brain changes every time you learn something.

 8. Smiles Relieve Stress: Your…

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Maybe Marriage Isn’t So Great After All

Posted on September 22, 2016 by russtowne

I love this and believe many people who have been married more than a year will too.

With Love,

Russ

becomingcliche's avatarBecoming Cliche

So the husband and I have joined a marriage class at our church. It’s a biblically-based Francis Chan study, and there’s a free PDF for anyone who is interested.**  Let me know if the link doesn’t work, and I will see if I can find it for you.

The first chapter is called “Marriage Isn’t That Great,” and I’ve been chewing on that title for the last two weeks. And you know what? They’re kind of right.

Marriage changes everything. Husband and I dated for three years before tying the knot. We knew each other well, or at least we thought we did. We were starry-eyed idiots. “I do” turns into “What have I DONE?” and moonlit walks become mortgage payments with the speed of Seabiscuit on crack.

When we were dating, a professor told us that he and his wife knew each other well. “I…

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My Journey From Fear to Love

Posted on September 22, 2016 by russtowne

I believe most of the major decisions, and many of the smaller ones, I’ve made in my life were either driven by fear or based on love. I’ve begun writing a non-fiction book titled My Journey from Fear to Love to offer it as a road map for those on a similar path.

With Love,

Russ

 

Posted in book, Love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Inside

Posted on September 21, 2016 by russtowne

The sweetest fruit most full of flavor

Awaits inside our hearts to savor.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Heart, Poetry, Poetry I Wrote, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Two New Book Projects

Posted on September 20, 2016 by russtowne

I’ve just decided to write two more non-fiction books, one each  offering insights into  relationships and parenting lessons My Beloved and I have learned during our nearly four decades together. Neither are likely to be funny or heartwarming (because all those stories were featured in my current two non-fiction book projects) but instead will be filled with many more ideas for creating stronger, healthier, happier, relationships.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Love, Parenting, Relationship Lessons Learned, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Project Updates | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments