Subscription Lists

Not long ago, I submitted this quote on my social media accounts, "If you're going to write, do it with your heart, not with your head." Almost immediately, I saw it gathering attention and it really made me stop and think about what I was saying. The answer is simple: It was something that came to me while closing my eyes and letting my inner soul do the talking. Now, for some that might sound a bit corny, or even conceded. But truthfully, that is really how I write and am learning to live my life. Our actions and reactions should reflect what our heart, and passions…  ( Click for more )

Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? Give everyone you know on your gift list what they asked for? Did the IPad’s, jewelry, and fresh pieces of clothing pulled from neatly-wrapped boxes flow steadily around the ole’ Christmas tree? Good. Now, how many of those “things” have truly made you happier, more fulfilled, even caused you to maintain a better sense of hope and excitement for the future past the first minutes after receiving them? Did their newness quickly wear off, or are you still reveling in their presence now that the New Year has come…  ( Click for more )

I was advised a while ago while getting my novel, "Sons In The Clouds" ready to go online that few people I knew personally would buy, or even acknowledge it's existence. That only around 10% would even whisper a single word. Unfortunately, this viewpoint has proven entirely correct. I'm not one looking for praise, please understand this. But, what has opened my eyes about many people these days is the increase in negativity among them. That, for whatever reason, they're uncomfortable in watching you succeed, gain a few shards of acclaim, climb a little higher…  ( Click for more )

In my novel, "Sons In The Clouds" I spend a great amount of time writing about two of the main characters love affair, how it began during their carefree youth, grew through their adulthood, and managed to last til later years despite many heartfelt struggles. It's a shining example of what true love should be, its purity, depth, trust, and what the special ingredients are which make some couples chemistry last a lifetime. When Andy and Rebecca's eyes first met in that open field, they both knew they were on to something truly unique. It was crystal clear, they'd found…  ( Click for more )

When someone new comes into your life, do you use the time to really see them, or do you merely take what’s on the surface, give them their due, and move forward with whoever, and whatever else is included in your agenda? In other words, when was the last time you actually seized an opportunity to get to really know another human being? I ask this because in the fast-paced, super competitive world we live in; having healthy, supportive, emotional connections with others is becoming much rarer.

My last article discussed the new ways we communicate, and how all the electronic…  ( Click for more )

So there I was, sitting comfortably inside a church pew listening to one of Dallas’ most popular preachers spreading his message, when curiously, I decided to gaze around and take note of others cell phone usage. What I saw was the inspiration of this week’s topic.

The Preacher’s message this week was very timely: How to take a day off; not only taking at least one day off each week from anything work-related, but really taking it off away from cell phones, computers, and anything electronic which could distract from quality time with family, friends, or…  ( Click for more )

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays in general give us all an opportunity each year to reflect on the people, circumstances, and things we have to be thankful for. The energy in the air during December always seems to be (at least for me) very positive and uplifting; a little cleaner and crisp, and filled with that certain charisma and charm making us more lighthearted and hopeful. Perhaps, it’s because I’m a believer, and feel that the days leading to the celebration of Christ’s birth gives me renewed hope that I’ll live again after my moments…  ( Click for more )

This time of year always brings to light the inner-emotions of every human being. For better or worse, angry or happy, blessed or starving, employed or not, living among the devastation of war or sitting underneath the comfortable blanket of peace, we all have something to be thankful for and look forward to the upcoming days of the holiday season.

It’s been a crazy year for many. The aggressive political election and its results left millions wondering what’s next for our beloved country. The images from overseas, mainly the events happening within the Middle East,…  ( Click for more )

Luke, Chapter 11-17: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to destruction, and a house divided against a house falleth"

After the recent election, it is very clear to me, we now live in two very different countries within our shores.

I was born in 1962. JFK was President, Johnny Carson had just begun The Tonight Show, The Supreme Court voted to ban school prayer, the median fixed income was $6,000, a house costs $15,000, and a gallon of gas was a meager $.25 cents. But, things were much different back then because people were much different. There…  ( Click for more )

We all have a history, no matter our age or position in life. No matter what your financial, marital, or spiritual position is, it will always be filled with extremes. How you handle these situations, and the choices you make because of them, will greatly affect yourself and the people around you. In my novel, Sons In The Clouds one of the main characters went through horrible cruelty at the hands of his father. He was beaten, emotionally traumatized, fearful, and sexually abused until he was finally able to escape toward a better future. He had a best friend (the other…  ( Click for more )

Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Astor, Ford and Morgan; the dominant names of those who built this nation during its infancy. Men, who had vision, drive, guts, determination, goals, and minds which captured the very essence of Capitalism. Men, who constructed entire industries out of their genius, powered and built America’s infrastructure, and made it into the wealthiest country in history. Men, who started from nothing, and became the richest on the planet without government help, or intervention; the creators, the ones who started it all, the leader’s who made…  ( Click for more )

The Economy. Money. Jobs. Your Future, and the future of our youth. It’s filling the minds of everyone these days especially during this super-heated political election. People are more concerned than ever about what their future holds, and rightly so. Millions are looking for work, or have stopped searching at all with little hope. It isn’t the America I grew up in, and one in desperate need of a new direction.

America was founded on self-reliant, entrepreneurial principles. A nation where people are free to dictate their own future, create their own jobs, and look…  ( Click for more )

We all have a history, no matter our age or position in life. No matter what your financial, marital, or spiritual position is, it will always be filled with extremes. How you handle these situations, and the choices you make because of them, will greatly affect yourself and the people around you. In my novel, Sons In The Clouds one of the main characters went through horrible cruelty at the hands of his father. He was beaten, emotionally traumatized, fearful, and sexually abused until he was finally able to escape toward a better future. He had a best friend…  ( Click for more )

Do you show respect to others in your life? Do they show the same to you? What do you regard as respectful behavior? Is it merely doing as one says when they say they'll do it, or does it dive much deeper than that, demonstrating by not only backing up what one says, as much as one does? According to Wikipedia, the definition of respect is: "Respect gives a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of…  ( Click for more )

I was recently talking with one of our nation’s youth (19 years old) when the subject of politics came up, that dreaded word which has sparked many heated debates, especially lately. We were about ten seconds into the conversation when he quickly said, “I don’t like that Romney guy.”

I said, “Really, why not?”

“Because he’s rich.”

Taken back a little, I then asked, “What’s wrong with being rich? Wouldn’t you like to be rich someday?”

Thinking, “Well…ya’ll.”

“Then,…  ( Click for more )

When you were born, God equipped you with a conscious, a gut-wrencher, an energy feeling coming across when impending forces try causing you harm or propelling you toward greater good, a realistic sensation responding to all things emotional, a subtle voice. That voice is God trying to tell you something, for better or worse, even when you don't want to listen. God knows what's best for us. He oversees and plans everything we do way before any situation or person comes across our thoughts. He sees the forks-in-the-roads, the urges, the desires, the wants, and the mistakes…  ( Click for more )

On a summer evening in July of 1969, Neil Armstrong placed his left, then his right foot on the surface of the moon humbly saying, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Words which will forever be etched in history books and minds of all who heard them across the airwaves. Armstrong was our generations, Christopher Columbus, a true hero, and a man who surprisingly retired and walked into anonymity only two years after his historic flight. He often said in interviews that none of what he did “was about him, that he was only the tip of…  ( Click for more )

All of us experience challenges, along with moments of pain, stress, and tension. It's just part of what makes us human as we travel through our individual journeys. However, one thing I've noticed is that those who carry the ability to laugh and allow humor to always be at the forefront of their demeanor are some of the happiest people I know. When life gives them lemons they make lemonade, when problems or struggles try and come up against them, they shrug them off and quickly pull a joke from their basket of endless humor. As they face obstacles which would cause…  ( Click for more )

The recent death of actor, Michael Clarke Duncan at such an early age made me stop, and remember all the memorable roles he played during his short time on the silver screen. For instance, I loved him as accused murderer, John Coffey in The Green Mile. He was a huge, extremely powerful-looking man upon first glance. Then, as the storyline unfolded, you couldn’t help but see him in a completely different light—loving, caring, a gentle giant, a person I found wishing I had as a buddy, friend, or next door neighbor. He was actually an angel living inside an extremely intimidating…  ( Click for more )

Do you know the amount of our National Debt? If you’re like a surprising number of Americans, you don’t.

Our National Debt is quickly spinning toward the out-of-control figure of sixteen trillion dollars. That’s sixteen trillion dollars—in other words, sixteen thousand billion George Washington’s! An astonishing number and one that’s simply in-comprehendible by people like me. It represents the sins of both, Republican and Democratic managers who are responsible for putting our country in such a predicament, severely hurting our economic power…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been to a party, or other form of social gathering, drinking, talking, laughing, even dancing when all of a sudden, in a blink of an eye, the mood suddenly pauses, even swings to a deafening silence? The cause? Someone, somewhere, decided to say something inappropriate causing everyone to take notice, clearing the room, looking for the nearest exit to run toward. And they didn’t need to be spoken words. It could be something written, an expression you gave at just the wrong time, or a thumbs up or down you clicked in social media land. No matter what, and no…  ( Click for more )

When you think about your personal heroes, what names come to mind: a parent, sibling, action figure, military veteran, or stranger you witness saving a life? Maybe it’s the elderly lady selflessly serving free Thanksgiving meals inside the homeless shelter, an ER Doctor working exhaustively for three days straight, or just someone that reaches out their car window at an intersection handing over a dollar bill to a stranger in need. No matter who they are, we all want, and wish for someone who’s larger than life.

Heroes come in many shapes, forms and patterns,…  ( Click for more )

Months ago, I was listening to an interview with then Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump who was discussing his business, lifestyle, and overall viewpoints on how he came to be who he was. His father had been a big time influence on him, and his mother, and those of past generations of his family. When asked about why some in his field of expertise do so poorly in comparison to his success, his answer was simple: “You can have the most creative, gifted mind in the world, but luck definitely plays a role in your overall success.” He admitted he’s one who’s…  ( Click for more )

I’m turning the big 50 this week, a milestone in a person’s existence, and more than likely the halfway point in a human beings life. Surprisingly to me, it seems pretty pleasant because I feel good, appear well, and am looking forward to the next 50 if I’m blessed to do so. I’ve become one who believes life can get better as we age because by this time we’ve all learned a few things, experienced much, hopefully loved and cared for others, and been a friend to many. Fifty years doesn’t seem possible because I remember certain events from my childhood…  ( Click for more )