Lessons on Life

Posted on May 22, 2014 by russtowne

I found the information linked below to be worth every second I invested in experiencing it, and believe some of you will too.

http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-mcraven-commencement-speech-at-ut-2014-5

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Adversity, Bullying, Challenges, Community, Discipline & Consequences, Growth/Learning, Hope, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Mistakes, Patience & Persistence, Spirit, Strength, Suffering, Teamwork, Traditions & Rituals, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Posted on May 22, 2014 by russtowne

The video is smile-inducing and heart-warming. Two unlikely creatures were brought together by their love of water and are now best friends.

With love,
Russ

Posted in Animals, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Fun, Nature, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Projects to Help Writers & Poets Get Published and/or Grow their Fan Base

Posted on May 21, 2014 by russtowne

As we near the deadline for presentations for possible inclusion into the three anthology projects, 28 writers and poets have chosen to participate, so far including approximately:

20 poets contributing 44 poems for Heart Whispers

5 writers contributing 12 fictional stories for Palpable Imaginings

3 writers contributing 14 stories for Slices of Life

The poetry is flowing in at a wonderful pace. Please keep them coming. I’d love to include 104 poems from 20 to 30 poets.

The stories are trickling in, but in the case of Slices of Life the number of stories and writers has actually dropped as some writers decided they didn’t have time to participate, were writing their own books, or decided not to participate for other reasons.

I’m committed to publishing all three anthologies this year and could use your help. Please spread the word to writers and poets about these opportunities.

If you are already participating, please tell others about your decision so everyone can see the quality and variety of the writers and poets involved. Based on the bio’s I’ve seen, I’ll bet the writers and poets already involved have published over a dozen books, had articles published in numerous magazines, and won a substantial number of writing awards.

Thank you!

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Story Writing Adventures, Teamwork, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A Beautiful Solution to a Heart-breaking Problem

Posted on May 21, 2014 by russtowne

I’ll bet it’s not often that a tough-looking biker club gets called beautiful, but I’m doing it now. Please click on the link to see why. So many of life’s difficult problems can be dealt with in such creative ways. Everyday heroes!

http://www.npr.org/2014/05/20/314293280/child-abuse-victims-bring-some-unlikely-backup-bikers

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Adversity, Beauty, Bullying, Children, Commitment, Compassion, Courage, Creativity, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Fear, Goodness, Honor, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Strength, Suffering, Teamwork, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What Students Remember Most About Teachers

Posted on May 20, 2014 by russtowne

Powerful, moving, and oh so true. To all such teachers and parents (as you too are educators) : May you find lasting joy not only in what you do, but in who you are, and the love you bring for your students/children.
Russ

Coach Muller's avatarMy Good Time Stories

Photo Credit: www.audio-luci-store.it Photo Credit: http://www.audio-luci-store.it

As most of you know (or don’t know), I am a teacher and coach. I have been doing both for 28 years now and I have loved every second of it. I really enjoy teaching my students in an atmosphere where they can have loads of fun, learn concepts, exercise and get rid if some stress. 

The most annoying thing about things about my job are the meetings, political decisions and other stuff but honestly, just about every other workplace has the same thing going on. Just give me my kids and my gym or field…and I am happier than a meadowlark!

One of the great joys of teaching and the most fulfilling, is knowing that I a making an impact on some child’s life…one that they will never forget and use it throughout their lifetimes. That’s why, when I read on my friend’s site, “Pursuit of…

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the things we admire in men…

Posted on May 19, 2014 by russtowne

I just saw this post from one of my favorite blogs that made me stop and think, and I wanted to share it and my reaction to it with you, dear friends:
“sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success.” I believe differently than Mr. Steinbeck on this subject, as I believe those are traits that lead to suffering, pain, loneliness, disconnectedness, despair, and grief, while “kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling” lead to a life of greater and more lasting joy. Perhaps Mr. Steinbeck’s definitions of success and failure were simply different than mine.
Russ

Kindness Blog's avatarKindness Blog

Image

“It has always seemed strange to me… the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”

John Steinbeck

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Suddenly You Just Know

Posted on May 19, 2014 by russtowne

Magic of new beginnings 10255016_10152039943691722_3780782591791696502_n Source: The Breast Cancer Site’s photo.

Suddenly you just know. When you hear the whispers of your heart, love emerges from your fertile spirit where it waited patiently for your understanding to beautify and inspire the world.

Thank you for the beauty, love, and inspiration you bring to my world, dear friends.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Adventure, Beauty, Change, Following Your Passion, Growth/Learning, Making the World a Better Place | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“A Flash Mob for Amy!”

Posted on May 19, 2014 by russtowne

The best of their love is something she’ll indeed treasure forever.
With Love,
Russ

Kindness Blog's avatarKindness Blog

In October of 2012, a mother named Amy was diagnosed with stage 3C metastatic ovarian cancer. The diagnosis was a terrible one, but after surgery, 4 months of chemo and lots of struggling, it looked like things were beginning to look up.

Her cancer was in remission for only a year before she and her family received awful news. It was back, only this time it was resistant to traditional treatment. That means her cancer will ultimately be terminal.

No one knows how much time they will have left with their darling mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend… but they’re going to make the most of it.

To celebrate their love for Amy…

"A Flash Mob for Amy!"

More than a few people decided to put together an amazing surprise.

amy-flash-mob2

To see the amazing surprise they had in store for Amy, watch the video below!

Life can be cruel and unfair, but at least the…

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Great Storytelling and Poetry

Posted on May 18, 2014 by russtowne

I learned in songwriting that a great lyric is a story that grabs the listener and makes them laugh, cry (tears of joy or sadness), moves them (possibly literally to the point of dancing), or be inspires to take action or think differently in some way. I believe great stories and poetry do the same. They create an emotional reaction and connection, and inspire hope.

I’d love to experience more such stories and poetry from you, my friends, as they reveal more of the greatness and goodness of your heart and spirit to me.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Hope, Inspiring, My Beliefs, Spirit, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Are You Ready For The Truth?

Posted on May 18, 2014 by russtowne

What matters, indeed.
With Love,
Russ

Paul Mark Sutherland's avatarGYA today

A beautiful 4 minute retreat!

REFLECT, THANK, GIVE, ENJOY!

Links:

http://josephsoninstitute.org/
http://charactercounts.org/
http://whatwillmatter.com/

Text on poster version (click to enlarge)What_Will_Matter

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