Let it go

“On no account brood over your wrong-doing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.” -- Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English writer

My Mantra...

"Dare to be yourself."
André Gide (1869–1951)
French writer, Nobel Prize winner

Father of Mine

I once read that being a father, father involvement, is defined as a man's positive, wide-ranging, and active participation in his child's life (Marsiglio et al., 2000, p. 276). And I couldn't agree more.

Everclear really brings this notion to the forefront in their song, "Father of Mine."

Being a father is more than just naming your child...

Happy Mother's Day

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
--
Elizabeth Stone

We are influenced by the people with which we surround ourselves...

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to
live in a circle of those who are.”
--
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Irish writer, scholar

Happy New Year

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
--Eleanor Roosevelt

Simply Put...

“I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite.”
Buddy the Elf
from the film, Elf (2003)

Bleed

My new favorite song by Hot Chelle Rae; the lyrics really resonate me - I have bled my heart out on paper a many of times.

Our Responsibility to Contribute After Our Successess...

This is a quote that really resonated with me. I can understand enjoying the success of the day, but also looking forward to the next difficulty that is to be conquered.

“The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”
-Thomas Henry Huxley

What are you listening to?

My music tastes are quite eclectic. But lately, I’ve been drawn to guitar riffs and songs with lyrics that are compassionate and sincere. Bush’s "Glycerine" is one my favorites. I can also appreciate the simplicity of the video. Simple, but compelling in its storytelling and message.

Love and Poetry

"At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet."
~Plato

Fear Not...

"Some of us just go along...until that marvelous day people stop intimidating us--or should I say we refuse to let them intimidate us?"
--Peggy Lee, Singer

Friday Favorites...

"When you write in prose you say what you mean. When you write in rhyme you say what you must."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Friday Favorites...

The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett


A very interesting book about unwed mothers and their secrets and lies in the 1960s...beautifully-written with compelling character study.

Friday Favorites...

This Christmas By Chris Brown

Friday Favorites...

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd


A very poignant book that explores race and female relationships while allowing readers to fall in love with the central character, Lily, as she discovers love and the idea of home in turbulent times. A lovingingly-written drama that truly touched my heart.

Friday Favorites...

Make it Work (Sabra and Dominic) - Shane Sparks Choreography



Who said there's no romance in hip hop? Got to love Shane Sparks for this piece; the music and lyrics truly meshed with the choreography, especially at the scene -1:05.

Friday Favorites...

Don't Speak - No Doubt



One of my favorite songs and videos. Great song -- Gwen Stefani's vocals and the guitarist did it for me. Great concept for the video: No "I" in Group or Band.

Friday Favorites...

"Writing [a novel] is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."
-- E.L. Doctorow

Friday Favorites...

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan


A beautiful story! Learning about one's past often allows us to gain a new understanding of that person's behaviors...