tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18601239029025276422024-03-24T05:21:35.377-04:00Todd Wright NowHealth & Wellness Coach/Personal Trainer/AuthorTodd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-87570524622313663682022-06-15T16:54:00.001-04:002022-06-15T17:21:59.528-04:00Transgenderism or Gender Dysphoria?<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/parents-rally-ahead-fairfax-county-school-board-vote-sex-ed-classes" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMqNIVIllP-El6oXFIF0hbfG1T0vf0zrdxMsM47XN94tvr9xGbqJRLIEVB7k5xKAbHQvoOMoI_dw_iKysydkEluzqK98dOfWfrCpI_WSGXTnW9imGK-W7xP_EQDXEnkhhGLw_Jgj2irf0u9K_XgDeddBwQvUhy81CFXDdDxFggNYOguOpCkvE20lsAw/s500/bathroom%20sign.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMqNIVIllP-El6oXFIF0hbfG1T0vf0zrdxMsM47XN94tvr9xGbqJRLIEVB7k5xKAbHQvoOMoI_dw_iKysydkEluzqK98dOfWfrCpI_WSGXTnW9imGK-W7xP_EQDXEnkhhGLw_Jgj2irf0u9K_XgDeddBwQvUhy81CFXDdDxFggNYOguOpCkvE20lsAw/s320/bathroom%20sign.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/parents-rally-ahead-fairfax-county-school-board-vote-sex-ed-classes" target="_blank">Here</a> is a story from where I used to live, Fairfax County, Virginia, about parents who want to confront the school board there about sex education, including transgenderism, so called. The extremist school board decided to table that discussion until later in the summer, presumably when more concerned parents will be away on summer vacation. The story tends to support my theory that government schools are no place of children (<a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/2022/05/if-i-were-to-run-for-office-this-would.html" target="_blank">see my political agenda here</a>). The story provides an adequate jumping off point for me to pontificate on my views concerning gender dysphoria.<br /></p><p></p><p>I prefer to use the term "extremist" above rather than "liberal" because that's what these people are, they're extreme. Normal, middle-of-the-road, middle-class people have ceded the language over to the extremists, which gives them a huge advantage in the war over social policy. They call themselves nice words like "liberal" and "progressive," while calling these middle-of-the-road people "conservative."<br /></p><p>Same with "transgenderism." Such a newfangled term sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? It gives the whole thing an air of legitimacy. But what is it really? </p><p>It's really a mental illness called "gender dysphoria."</p><p>My beef is not with people with gender dysphoria. These are people with a mental disorder who are due all the love and empathy that anyone else deserves. And it's a free country. People can do what they want with their lives. It's a crazy world out there and it's easy to get confused. People need to have the space to figure it out. Children are another matter, of course. Parents need to guide their children, not government school employees, and children need to wait until they're adults to make life-altering decisions like this.</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>My problem is not with people with gender dysphoria. It's with the unscrupulous, self-serving "professionals" of the healthcare-industrial complex who profit off of these people by selling them their most expensive products--unnecessary major surgery and life-long drug dependence, including not only hormones, but also anti-depressants to keep them from ever waking up to what they've done to themselves. And allow me to take back the language again. This is not "surgery" we're talking about, it's doctor-assisted self-mutilation. Welcome to E-ville.<p></p><p>Frankly, gender dysphoria is nothing the LGB&Q+ religion should include in its ranks. All the other letters stand for groups of people who are trying to say there's nothing wrong with us. And yet these evil doctors are getting away with telling this handful of people that there IS something wrong with <i>them</i>, something that only their surgery and drugs can cure. Think about that! May I suggest a different approach? May I suggest that the first and only line of therapy be to help people with gender dysphoria to understand that they're perfectly fine as they are, rather than to be encouraged to purchase the evil doctors' products? And that their unusual attachment to gender is misplaced--that it is not the source of their troubles?</p><p>There are people out there who for some reason enjoy cutting themselves. Is the therapy for these people to say, "Well, if you want to cut yourself, here let me help"? No, you try to get to the root of that problem. The cutting isn't going to help solve that inner problem, which is a problem of <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/search/label/Spirituality" target="_blank">elevating mind over soul</a>.</p><p> (But now I've gone too far, since none of the people involved probably believe that we have souls, so I'll real it back in and I'll try to stick to the subject, although if someone were interested, it's a pretty easy task to get the process started to restore soul to its rightful place atop the inner food chain, so to speak. But that's all I'll say about it here. <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/search/label/Spirituality" target="_blank">See other articles on this blog for more on that</a>.)<br /></p><p>And incidentally, isn't there something about an oath? What is it, first do no harm? No harm! You're lopping off perfectly good appendages and sending a person out into the world to try to pass as something they're not. I call that harm. And Frankensteinian. Hacking into the body to try to cure a troubled mind went out with the ancient Egyptians' practice of drilling holes in skulls to let out the evil spirits, and more recently with lobotomies. </p><p>It should surprise you to know, but probably doesn't, that electric shock therapy is still a thing. What do you do when the people treating the people with mental issues also have mental issues? Some of you will say, "They're doctors, they know more than you do." Come on, they don't. Nor do they know more than you do about these things. These are the same guys nodding as their cohorts lop off perfectly good appendages. It's up to normal people to rein them in.</p><p>I love this from <a href="I love this from Wikipedia, which is about all the depth anyone would need to debunk all of this if they--that is to say he or she--thinks anywhere near critically. It says, "Some researchers and transgender people support declassification of the condition because they say the diagnosis pathologizes gender variance and reinforces the binary model of gender."" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, which is about all the depth anyone would
need to debunk all of this if they--that is to say he or she--thinks
anywhere near critically. It says, "Some researchers and transgender
people support declassification of the condition because they say the
diagnosis <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathologizes" title="Pathologizes">pathologizes</a> gender variance and reinforces the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_binary" title="Gender binary">binary model of gender</a>."</p><p>And the answer to that is, of course it does! Because there are only two
genders. That's it. Two. These extremists have co-opted the language
again, this time by assuming something that simply isn't true. It's one
of those "the emperor has no clothes" situations. There are only two
genders and if you're confused about that, you have a mental disorder.
There's nothing "progressive" about this, it's wacky. And people who
support it are wacky. Don't argue with them because they're not grounded
in reality.</p><p>Let me repeat: There are only two genders, male and female, and if you're confused about that you have a mental disorder called gender dysphoria. This makes sense to most people, so how does a misconception like this gain any traction. One word: academia. Academics in certain "disciplines" drive all of this "new thinking." They need this new way of thinking in order to remain logically consistent. How can academics--who are also all extremists--argue that doctor-assisted self-mutilation is a perfectly acceptable practice if what's being treated is a mental illness? They can't, so in order to remain logically consistent, they simply declare that gender has nothing to do with biology. You can accomplish absolutely any kind of mental acrobatics in the virtual space of mind because that space isn't real. Gender is now merely an identity and not a way to describe physical characteristics. In other words, they equivocate upon the meaning of the word "gender." They've changed its meaning in the middle of the argument. Remember, these people are smarter than we are.</p><p>This is why it's so important to institute one of the pillars of <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/2022/05/if-i-were-to-run-for-office-this-would.html" target="_blank">my political agenda</a>, which is to make student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy. When you do that, lenders will have to scrutinize these loans to help ensure that they'll be paid back. One aspect of that scrutiny would be the marketability of the degree to be conferred. On Day One of this policy change, whole university departments would be completely eliminated, the very departments that spew this kind of nonsense. But I digress..... <br /></p><p>Alas, there's a problem with the aforementioned approach of these extremist academics: Money.<br /></p><p>A controversy exists over whether insurance should pay for doctor-assisted self-mutilation. Here's a little something from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_dysphoria" target="_blank">Wikipedia on the subject</a>:<br /></p><p></p><blockquote>Because gender dysphoria had been classified as a disorder in medical
texts (such as the previous DSM manual, the DSM-IV-TR, under the name
"gender identity disorder"), many insurance companies are willing to
cover some of the expenses of sex reassignment therapy. Without the
classification of gender dysphoria as a medical disorder, sex
reassignment therapy may be viewed as a cosmetic treatment, rather than
medically necessary treatment, and may not be covered.</blockquote><p></p><p>Now we get down to it. This is what it's all about, money. It's a classic Catch-22! If we can't call it a mental disorder, then insurance companies don't have to pay the evil doctors. So the evil doctors can't charge as much money. So which is it? Normal behavior or a disorder? The extremists will get around this easily enough eventually. When no one's looking, they'll simply attach a little sentence to a bill that has nothing to do with the subject telling insurance companies they have to cover this type of mutilation anyway.<br /></p><p>That's the way I see it. Let the cancelling begin!...I can't really back that up. I'm not a big enough fish that I can be cancelled. Well, it sounded kind of cool, anyway, very cavalier, all devil-may-care and what not.</p><p>Image courtesy of <a href="http://Walmart.com">Walmart.com</a>.<br /></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-23228011968132199432022-05-31T12:42:00.001-04:002022-05-31T12:52:22.324-04:00Elon Musk Laments Low Birthrate: Letterman-style list to Solve the Problem<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5ZgL9hMHwShJ7F9FDXtbXnQI84kuOqiX4NdvvGy-FIsx749bn_DLawoivL_HfvlHmKv5fjrqwmZgjX7Rf_oxxkoG5K205qjyOEqKspHOjdLNtifWhNp9ivY7FTf3ky22Xtqp4L0Jj3ZZN66339Fd4g54l42NCK9QQwcSzICdtY6ydS-BMLn29fjzoQ/s437/Elon_Musk_Royal_Society_(crop2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5ZgL9hMHwShJ7F9FDXtbXnQI84kuOqiX4NdvvGy-FIsx749bn_DLawoivL_HfvlHmKv5fjrqwmZgjX7Rf_oxxkoG5K205qjyOEqKspHOjdLNtifWhNp9ivY7FTf3ky22Xtqp4L0Jj3ZZN66339Fd4g54l42NCK9QQwcSzICdtY6ydS-BMLn29fjzoQ/w151-h200/Elon_Musk_Royal_Society_(crop2).jpg" width="151" /></a></div>Elon Musk recently <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/07/elon-musk-civilization-will-crumble-if-we-dont-have-more-children.html" target="_blank">lamented the low birthrate in the industrialized world</a>. Musk <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-25/musk-sees-extinction-of-italians-on-persisting-low-birth-rate" target="_blank">took Italy as an example</a>, where the birthrate fell last year to its lowest level ever. There will be no Italians on the Italiian pennensula, Musk says, if things don't change. He also <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/musk-tweet-japan-doomed-by-low-birthrate-provokes-anger-not-just-him-2022-05-09/" target="_blank">cited Japan declining population to make his point</a>.<p></p><p>According to Musk, “Most people believe that we have too many people on the planet. This is an outdated view.” Convincing people otherwise seems to be his only solution to the perceived problem.</p><p>I would like to offer a few more. Regardless of their views on how more people might adversely affect the environment and other possible negative ramifications of population growth, people can't keep from having sex, and sex will lead to higher birthrates if left to its own devices. The problem is, it is not.</p><p>I'm tempted to arrange these items from last to first in the manner of David Letterman's old Top Ten List, but there are only four so it's not all that dramatic (or funny, except maybe the last one). Aw, heck, I'll do it that way anyway. Here goes. Top 4 ways to increase the birthrate:</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a> <b>4. </b><b>Outlaw homosexuality</b> - If heterosexuality is the only game in town, more people will practice it, even if it wouldn't be their first choice.<p></p><p><b>3. Outlaw abortion</b> - No explanation needed.</p><p><b>2. Outlaw birth control</b> - Again, no explanation required.</p><p><b>1. Outlaw pornography</b> - Men (and some women) have found a way to achieve orgasm that does not entail having to deal with women (and vice versa to a tiny extent). It's called masturbation. Take away pornography and eventually masturbation becomes nearly impossible. Thus, men (and to a tiny extent women) would have to work harder to fulfill their life force/sex drive. And with all of the aforementioned behaviors no longer legal...more babies.</p><p>Problem solved. You're welcome, Elon! (I'm sure Letterman and his team could have come up with a much, much funnier list. Almost anyone could have.)<br /></p><p>This list looks like a very traditional, morality-based approached to sexuality. But it's important to note that things have been deemed over the centuries as immoral because they are bad ideas, not because they have magically shown up on a golden list from a magic book that God uses to determine who makes the grade and who doesn't.</p><p>On the other hand, many people these days worship in the houses of Eros and Dionysus, as it were (the LGBTQ+ religion) and divorce sexuality from its roots in reproduction, an approach which seems perhaps to be bearing poisonous fruit. <br /></p><p>Dung beetles feel strongly about their own propagation. So do mosquitoes. So do bunnies. It seems like people are the only ones who don't feel the need to keep going. Are the bunnies the ones that have gone mad, or is it the people?</p><p> </p><p>Photo courtesy of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>.<br /></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-30212052820032515532022-05-27T10:14:00.008-04:002023-10-02T15:38:58.085-04:00If I Were to Run for Office, This Would Be My Agenda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JCxL9UPOVXZYdZYz_e0UEK9GxbtiQMgBmrmIiMMhzZGflJ5HhFUs2-E1za5iJwwWPcSJ3CmdzjsY-1k1Raw1w2FcbxW70iAIsH8uWfp4ZIjYZBDxkqPmhTfC52_mqOb6f_FWKYifRGdR9ivfVIOd8OFafDkdGnnyCIdZ9wu8d9cwYfCLyNvdYKrZWA/s2482/20170729_131637.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2482" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JCxL9UPOVXZYdZYz_e0UEK9GxbtiQMgBmrmIiMMhzZGflJ5HhFUs2-E1za5iJwwWPcSJ3CmdzjsY-1k1Raw1w2FcbxW70iAIsH8uWfp4ZIjYZBDxkqPmhTfC52_mqOb6f_FWKYifRGdR9ivfVIOd8OFafDkdGnnyCIdZ9wu8d9cwYfCLyNvdYKrZWA/s320/20170729_131637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm not likely to run for office, but if I did this would be my agenda. I wanted to go ahead and get the list out there now. This is a work in progress. I'll flesh it out little by little later. I'm not sure I would find a constituency, but I wouldn't really care. I would just run on this agenda and let the cards fall where they may.<br /><p><b>1. Overturn Roe v. Wade</b></p><p>The abortion issue is what's called a wedge issue--the ultimate wedge issue, it seems--that inures to the benefit of the Republican party and ultimately rich people of both parties. Abortion splits the middle class right down the middle. Half of those middle-class people vote Democrat, the other half Republican. This allows rich people and evangelicals to control the Republican party and rich people, poor people and kooks (mostly kooks) to control the Democratic party. The result of this division has been the resolute decimation of the middle class over the last 5 decades since Roe v. Wade was decided.</p><p>Without Roe v. Wade, both parties would have to tailor their respective platforms and policies in favor of the middle class, rather than the rich and the poor. Franklin Roosevelt was the first politician to harness the power of the middle class, and he won four terms in office, followed by a fifth for his Vice-president, Harry Truman. The run was only ended by General Eisenhower, a war hero, who was a Republican, but whose policies were in no way different from those of Roosevelt/Truman, and who was anchored by a Democratic Congress throughout his eight years in office. He was followed by eight more years of Democratic hegemony. This was an era of unparalleled prosperity. A return to a pre-Roe national political landscape would invite back those years of growth and stability. It would make both parties much more sensible.<br /></p><p>Middle-class people tend to be rather no-nonsense in their approach to life. The extremes of the social liberals that have a stranglehold on Washington, DC today would take a back seat to normal, middle-of-the-road middle-class values. This would be the best thing for the poor, as well. A thriving and attainable middle-class to which they can aspire and thrive is far more effective at raising them out of their poverty than any government giveaway program could ever be.<br /></p><p><b>2. Expand the Definition of Religion</b></p><p>Realizing and legally recognizing through court precedent that certain worldviews hold no distinction from historical religions would go a long way toward leveling the playing field of politics and education. Religions like LQBTQ+, Climate Change and even Science in general currently are allowed to indoctrinate throughout society with impunity, particularly in schools. "Outing" them as religions would mean they could no long fly beneath the radar. People would still be able to practice these nihilistic and atheistic religions but they would no longer be allowed to use the airwaves to proselytize and preach that their way is the truth and all other religions are false.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><b>3. Reinstate Impoundment</b></p><p>Impoundment is--or I should say was--the President's authority to bring the activities of the Executive branch of the federal government in under budget each year by not spending money allocated by Congress to all the various departments. The President had this authority until 1973, when Nixon--the worst President in history--signed it away under pressure from Democrats in Congress during the Watergate scandal. You can read all about it <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impoundment_of_appropriated_funds" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The removal of the President's impoundment power has resulted directly in the multi-trillion-dollar federal deficits we have today. Before 1973, federal deficits were very low. <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1860123902902527642/1754532145787942493" target="_blank">Here's another article on impoundment.</a><br /></p><p><b>4. Plastic Reclamation</b></p><p>Every business entity should be required to reclaim the amount of plastic that the company releases into the environment. It does have to be the same plastic, but the same amount. It will be up to that company to decide what to do with all the reclaimed plastic, but it can't go back into the environment. They can recylce it, store it or shoot it in a rocket ship to the sun, but they can't sent it to a landfill.</p><p>This requirement will force companies to deal with the hidden cost of their choice of packaging and will promote the use of more suitable alternatives. Many younger people don't realize that Coke and Pepsi glass bottles (there were no plastic bottles then) were returned to grocery stores. Coke and Pepsi would clean the bottles and reuse them. We need to force companies to return to these kinds of practices.</p><p><b>5. Fortify Schools to a Minimum Federal Standard</b></p><p>School shootings have become a fact of life. So have very vulnerable schools. This is unconscionable. All schools must become hard targets. While politicians argue about an impossible goal of getting rid of guns, this commonsense program must be established. What are we paying a federal department of Education for if not this?</p><p>This is only a stop-gap measure, however. (See item 6 below.)</p><p><b>6. Abolish Public Schools</b></p><p>Seemingly everything in the news these days has tended to prove my theory that government schools are no place for children. These places are infested with all kinds of indoctrination that only clouds and prevents achievement of their main objective, which is supposed to be provision of education and information that will help children thrive economically as adults. Rather than teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, arithmetic, and other essentials, like money management, entrepreneurialism, they're instead indoctrinated, brainwashed and perverted by extreme religious groups (see item 2 above).</p><p>Take the money from these bloated bureaucracies and attach that money to the students, returning the power for education to parents. Private schools will spring up to use that money to much more efficiently, which will include physical security that actually works in times of crisis.</p><p><b>7. Make Student Loans Dischargable in Bankruptcy</b></p><p>If student loans are dischargable in bankrunptcy, gone will be unmarketable degrees. If lenders must vet the prospects for repayment of their borrowers, they will look favorably upon good grades, marketable degrees and institutions with excellent placement rates. As an added bonus, gone with be whole departments of colleges and universities which seem hellbent upon the destruction of government and society. <br /></p><p><b>8. Give Union Reps Seats on Boards of Directors</b></p><p>This is the German corporate model. It's a commonsense approach that empowers employees. Unions are very much empowering of the middle-class. These types of reforms will become commonplace once (if) Roe v. Wade is overturned (see item 1 above).</p><p><b>9. Get Tax Collection Out of the Home</b></p><p><span>All taxes should be collected in a commercial setting: sales tax, value added tax, excise tax, etc. Citizens don't need this headache every year.</span></p><p><b><span>10. All Income Derived from Pornography Should Be Taxed at a 50% or Higher Rate.</span></b></p><p><span>This should balance the budget. There was a day when regular entertainment was free and pornography cost a pretty penny. We need to get back to that reality. </span></p><p><b>11. Inflation Must Be Repaid with Deflation</b></p><p>Inflation is an unlegislated tax on bank deposits. The government should have to reimburse these takings with an equal amount of deflation. The 2% inflation target established by the Fed is unlawful. Money must be stable.</p><p><b>12, The Southern Border Should Be Militarized.</b></p><p>"We the People" decide who comes into the country and no one else. Order the Army to shut down the invatsion.<br /></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-27297253351456355202021-05-17T12:53:00.009-04:002021-05-17T15:10:07.725-04:00The "Ahhhh" Moment<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxQXKbAvRpOrYZCGay_eCx1KHE93-zDMSwXtaYgIBBDg2RAdaciWnKkDo7qirUFFF-bvWl9OUWDOVDj2sPIz_hyphenhyphenFW-FqNosQgZ-6akBSsSH-C_tt0WyJcqqV37srxbkqt9v0rh4YQdoTB/s2543/20210510_060637.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxQXKbAvRpOrYZCGay_eCx1KHE93-zDMSwXtaYgIBBDg2RAdaciWnKkDo7qirUFFF-bvWl9OUWDOVDj2sPIz_hyphenhyphenFW-FqNosQgZ-6akBSsSH-C_tt0WyJcqqV37srxbkqt9v0rh4YQdoTB/w400-h195/20210510_060637.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>People talk about the "Ah-ha!" moment, but you hear less often about the "Ahhhh" moment. It's something that you might want to try to work into your schedule at least once a day. Maybe even more often if you can.<p></p><p>I have an Ahhhh moment every morning I go to the beach. It usually happens as pre-dawn I hit the apex of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Max_Brewer_Bridge" target="_blank">A. Max Brewer Memorial Bridge</a>. I don't know who A. Max Brewer is/was, but I sure like his bridge. Here is a picture of my morning commute. You can just make out the edge of the Indian River (which is actually a lagoon). Majestic. Ahhhh.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>If it doesn't happen there, it will likely happen in conjunction with my first sighting of water <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/2010/05/eckhart-tolle-says-birds-are.html" target="_blank">fowl</a>, like this one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku1N91nDebqwehbMVbcM0exvEECKGJ3An2_yRrBtun-rgCuoWTaApOR14NxNwoPeqQrFweHwrFLFLxVDpRoPTjB_fi7nlTvtBPgldsRj7lZdKFfV5K0z2gT8EU0qWc4UNNRLp4mAqvmbt/s2543/20210508_103135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku1N91nDebqwehbMVbcM0exvEECKGJ3An2_yRrBtun-rgCuoWTaApOR14NxNwoPeqQrFweHwrFLFLxVDpRoPTjB_fi7nlTvtBPgldsRj7lZdKFfV5K0z2gT8EU0qWc4UNNRLp4mAqvmbt/w400-h195/20210508_103135.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Or these guys.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZFtl_n4_UZ7PzYmmREBSN8bLq1SXl55nsFOQx4ZnJs5cZZ1tMu83mjsJtgZ3OYGgn0fO_YPR5hWh029vZ0Uc_KdSuol2zSmnzWQr3oy09yCKqDAHyXXjih6drZzpR8G8qO5wMadxAEQx/s2543/20210510_063357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZFtl_n4_UZ7PzYmmREBSN8bLq1SXl55nsFOQx4ZnJs5cZZ1tMu83mjsJtgZ3OYGgn0fO_YPR5hWh029vZ0Uc_KdSuol2zSmnzWQr3oy09yCKqDAHyXXjih6drZzpR8G8qO5wMadxAEQx/w400-h195/20210510_063357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>Or these Pelicans, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_P-3_Orion" target="_blank">P-3 Orions</a> of the Animal Kingdom. These guys are all business, on patrol. They should should wear those slouchy pilots covers with the inner tension bands removed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_8jhgjLESaG_Doxa4AdEwrp9ivVq-vghz1CQq5txTyQR-GGfQwYxBkp21InTAFAl6AtNfG2zyJFO74yt3NE4OjLyB81tHGm466wdNhexiODQxuvqH9GcMHATHtojmetgh6S7KLgCke23/s1439/20210512_063825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1439" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_8jhgjLESaG_Doxa4AdEwrp9ivVq-vghz1CQq5txTyQR-GGfQwYxBkp21InTAFAl6AtNfG2zyJFO74yt3NE4OjLyB81tHGm466wdNhexiODQxuvqH9GcMHATHtojmetgh6S7KLgCke23/w400-h225/20210512_063825.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Or this one. This is one big ass bird, because I'm a long way away from him. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_DsQDgWZKYzHltGxr-DnfLInQVSz5eUa26TB14BVSzLTaJLyJbzNJ-iPOf2byB9PiihR7KisL1EkKjWV1MMs7lyOiSod3Le4OYwitqaMg2ZxJCL6iwIQDg2xrgE2Z5Lowf9kWyKU_C9A/s1844/20210508_103831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1844" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_DsQDgWZKYzHltGxr-DnfLInQVSz5eUa26TB14BVSzLTaJLyJbzNJ-iPOf2byB9PiihR7KisL1EkKjWV1MMs7lyOiSod3Le4OYwitqaMg2ZxJCL6iwIQDg2xrgE2Z5Lowf9kWyKU_C9A/w400-h276/20210508_103831.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>[As an aside, I didn't even know there was such a thing as an ASS bird, big or small. What I've also recently learned is that there are no medium ASS birds, only big ASS birds and small ASS birds. But I digress.]<br /><p></p><p>This is probably not an ASS bird at all, in fact, but rather the Great Egret or the Great Blue Heron. My bird watching skills are not sufficient to make a confident identification. But seeing it brings on that Ahhhh sensation, like when a child finally stops crying and decides to get on with life. Deep breath and full exhale. Life is good.</p><p>If not by the time I see my first water bird, than by all means, if I make it to my desk on time, when this happens:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_UJtQPAdMWjL8vAlrqnP9iANLs8uUCiIlBfdr5odGGFWR2KXlS0Baf8VH0LcDlcxAeY9Wi2_t2ag7dAEd4jK7yN6T83VrsGcIQQo7HzdMS8acoxHAjTHzXttHH8ZLb1UwZg_RvkFS1lM/s2732/20210512_064536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2732" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_UJtQPAdMWjL8vAlrqnP9iANLs8uUCiIlBfdr5odGGFWR2KXlS0Baf8VH0LcDlcxAeY9Wi2_t2ag7dAEd4jK7yN6T83VrsGcIQQo7HzdMS8acoxHAjTHzXttHH8ZLb1UwZg_RvkFS1lM/w400-h169/20210512_064536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span>If you achieve this Ahhhh moment frequently, chances are you are in what I call the upward spiral. The world around you is a reflection of your inner state. When the inside feels good, the world around you reflects that back to you making you feel even better.</span></p><p><span>There is also the downward spiral. You are not conscious of your inner state and it generally feels bad. That bad feeling is reflected in the world around you and your inner space feels worse. And worse. And worse. Until something gives way. Until you become conscious of your inner state. That's really all it takes to turn the downward spiral into an upward spiral.</span></p><p><span>Lots of things can help you achieve the Ahhhh moment. Some people use drugs, alcohol, sex, music and many others to get to their Ahhhh moment. This can lead to addition.</span></p><p><span>But it really doesn't take anything at all. You can begin to become aware of your inner state regardless of your surroundings or circumstances. Then take pleasure in watching them change for the better.</span></p><p><span>Take all of the foregoing as a hypothesis and experiment. Start to become aware of your inner state, how you feel. Allow yourself to feel better--don't resist it--like that child who has cried himself out. Use every part of your body, <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/2010/04/excerpt-on-inner-body-awareness-from.html" target="_blank">like this</a>. Feel good, have as many Ahhhh moments as you can and see what happens.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">*****************</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you want to know more about living consciously, schedule a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865" target="_blank">Health & Wellness Coaching Session</a> today. We can do it in person (if you live in the Florida Space Coast area), virtually or by phone. The life you change just might be your own.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Learn more about living consciously by reading my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">License to Ill</a> (available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>). It demonstrates a life transformed by consciousness.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Read also my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a> (also available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>).
It's a study of some of the greatest self-development books of all
time. Read my book, then read all the titles detailed in it. It's an
excellent place to start!</p><p></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-35916406574998973562021-05-07T11:17:00.000-04:002021-05-07T11:17:51.382-04:00Take Yourself By the Shoulders<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM2URPcEVhqEIivoaUX_00y04ZTN4CblOqLyDKAYC3eWKHPWkdGd7Qlq6khiBGN11IzJ31i-BGxWyThrmkUhmvjZfSATG9O7J3sHPHG9tdSgXKY0wpc5TpJjts3Rlf91xBbrN86-ggxvK/s1920/ask-2341784_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM2URPcEVhqEIivoaUX_00y04ZTN4CblOqLyDKAYC3eWKHPWkdGd7Qlq6khiBGN11IzJ31i-BGxWyThrmkUhmvjZfSATG9O7J3sHPHG9tdSgXKY0wpc5TpJjts3Rlf91xBbrN86-ggxvK/s320/ask-2341784_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The other day, I saw a woman outside a Publix grocery store. She was sitting in the shade smoking a cigarette. She might have been waiting for the bus, which was fully open and unattended a few feet away, to return to service.<p></p><p>The expression on the woman's face made me want to take her by the shoulders and shake her and say, "Ask for more from life! Just ask!"</p><p>A little while later, I wanted to take myself by the shoulders and say, "Ask for more from life! Just ask!"</p><p><span class="attribution_field hide-sm hide-md"><span>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/terimakasih0-624267/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2341784">Dean Moriarty</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2341784">Pixabay</a></span></span></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-26615841693100700252021-05-05T13:24:00.003-04:002021-05-05T13:24:58.026-04:00You Can Do What You Want<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY18DGE-R0fKcp1loHO2g6CN0N54JosaNxWxKJtGVTa9IFwfQoNjBhouFMbgUfmeDsYdYXqT2LmIgoLUT_HcifMR2Iz1zYX7sGJlu2-lLto_IifKzT8-VYUNdsu_D6GfwDghtdnW5HLA9/s1343/Sammy+Hagar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY18DGE-R0fKcp1loHO2g6CN0N54JosaNxWxKJtGVTa9IFwfQoNjBhouFMbgUfmeDsYdYXqT2LmIgoLUT_HcifMR2Iz1zYX7sGJlu2-lLto_IifKzT8-VYUNdsu_D6GfwDghtdnW5HLA9/s320/Sammy+Hagar.jpg" /></a></div>I grew up going to church, where I learned a lot about the Bible. One of the lines from the Bible that has stayed with me is Psalms 37:4<b>: <span class="text Ps-37-4" id="en-ISV-14456"> </span></b><p></p><p><b><span class="text Ps-37-4" id="en-ISV-14456">"Delight yourself in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span>, <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-37-4"><span></span>and he will give you the desires of your heart."</span></span></b></p><blockquote><blockquote><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-37-4"></span></span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-37-4"></span></span></blockquote><p>I'm quoting it here not as authority, but because it came to mind as I thought about what it means to live a successful life. It's pretty much a tiny little success formula, isn't it? One that might make a lot of sense once we break it down. </p><p>But what does it actually mean? And how does Sammy Hagar, the Red Rocker (pictured left, courtesy of <a href="https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/talkin-tequila-with-sammy-hagar-3739" target="_blank">Cigar Aficionado</a>), figure into the equation? Let's take a look.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Couple of questions come to mind. How does one go about delighting oneself in the Lord? What does that mean? Where is the Lord? And how does one find the Lord in order to delight in the Lord?<p></p><p>As with all writings of this kind (<a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/p/tao-te-ching.html" target="_blank">Tao te Ching</a> is also one of my favorites), you have to consult your own soul (or spirit) to fully grasp it. You have to feel it, in other words. Which may help us answer our questions above. <a href="https://www.toddwrightnow.com/2010/04/excerpt-on-inner-body-awareness-from.html" target="_blank">Find out where your soul is</a>, and perhaps you've located the Lord too. (Go back and click that link you just passed up to find out where your soul is). Maybe delighting yourself in your own soul (or inner-body) is delighting yourself in the Lord.</p><p><span></span>Delighting yourself in you own soul? As opposed to what? Delighting yourself in your own mind. One is real (soul) one is a virtual space (mind) and thus, not real.</p><p>Now we can try to figure out the second line of the stanza, the part about giving you the desires of your heart. This phraseology indicates a double-edged sword, does it not? It could mean that the Lord gives you whatever you want. But it could also mean that the Lord is the one who put those desires there.</p><p>So let's experiment then. If the former is the case, there's nothing for you to do but delight yourself in your own soul and see what happens. If the latter is the case, you'll have to figure out how to delight yourself in your own soul, then actually go for what you want most in life without fear or compromise.<br /></p><p>You will have proven your hypothesis in this latter case if, when you've gone for exactly what you want, the Lord (the Positive Universe might be another name to use) lays out a straight path for you, removes obstacles, provides connections and opportunities. Conversely, you might also lend credence to your hypothesis if you DON'T go for what you want most and you experience obstruction, struggle and dissatisfaction. This may not be proof exactly or your hypothesis, but it might be more encouragement to actually give the experiment a conscientious attempt.<br /></p><p>I watched an interview of John Mellencamp by Sammy Hagar a few years back and something that Sammy said has stuck with me. Sammy said (@ 8:40 on the below video): "I'm like you. Man, I went around dirt poor, on food stamps, welfare, with a baby, playing music and thinking I was--I'm okay. It was like, hey, this is fine, you know?"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s4WMrt5pByw" width="320" youtube-src-id="s4WMrt5pByw"></iframe> </p><p>It sounds like Sammy just did what he wanted regardless of his circumstances and it seems to have worked out pretty well for him. He never took his eye off the desires in his heart.</p><p></p><p>I'm also reminded of Larry David, one of my heroes. In <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/larry-david-cover-profile-february-2020" target="_blank">an interview for GQ magazine</a>, he seems to contradict the premise of this post. Larry says of his early days in comedy, “This whole ‘happiness from the inside’ thing…where's it coming from?
What am I feeling good about? You have to have some sense of
accomplishment.” </p><p>But in reading the article and following Larry's career, I've noticed that he never did anything except exactly what he wanted to do in the world of show business, and doors have always opened for him. The biggest of those doors, of course, was when Jarry Seinfeld invited him to work on a sitcom pilot.</p><p>My own experience is that I've spent many years NOT doing what I really wanted to do. Finally, I've retired from government service and moved to Florida, something I've wanted to do for a long, long time. </p><p>My own personal experiment with doing exactly what I want to do continues. I'll keep you posted on how it works out. I gotta say, so far, so good. </p><p></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-29242963286482674012021-05-04T21:01:00.002-04:002021-05-04T21:05:51.863-04:00Take a Breath<p> 1. Press the play button.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsLbUzSobunItQT12HhLQ-Fu1ZQxRxlycssXztE8Tvp0CDCvL85xKHLP4NaIwJ6H7QElSz-gT0eq98Ox_b7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>2. Take a breath.</p><p>3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 as needed. <br /></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-44144718448897828492021-04-27T09:19:00.003-04:002021-04-27T09:23:49.995-04:00Brace for Impact<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhpgX5wcruFcfsNj3Ftd28vZqQjEOYSEK-toCIs6g8YxrN4aZDMQ56drLXX3CFU59zUPAi9TaiwtJaOP0JFvcYvc_DvID7-btLvnoPmCnxW_sF1fFCuLYFsRzS_xl-_wKq4UNuM8oZOI8/s1920/lighthouse-820431_1920.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhpgX5wcruFcfsNj3Ftd28vZqQjEOYSEK-toCIs6g8YxrN4aZDMQ56drLXX3CFU59zUPAi9TaiwtJaOP0JFvcYvc_DvID7-btLvnoPmCnxW_sF1fFCuLYFsRzS_xl-_wKq4UNuM8oZOI8/s320/lighthouse-820431_1920.jpg" /></a></div>A couple of the phrases I remember from my Navy days were, "Standby for heavy rolls," and "Brace for impact." <p></p><p>The first would be announced when the ship was in the trough of a wave. When the waves rolled through, so would the ship from side to side, sometimes violently if the waves were big enough. We always tried to keep the ship's bow (nose) pointed toward the waves, or away from them, but we couldn't always do that for a variety of reasons. And when we couldn't, it could be a real problem.</p><p>They would announce: "Brace for impact," when we were about to hit something, like land or an iceberg or another ship. This never actually happened on any ship I was on but we ran drills for everything and that phrase came up in some of those drills. In which case you would have to grab something and hold on tight.</p><p>It's one thing to standby for heavy rolls and brace for impact externally, but it's quite another to do so internally. Another word for this phenomenon is "worry." Or "anxiety." And it can cause real health problems. What does such internal bracing accomplish? Does it help the situation in any way? Or does it merely cause physical discomfort?</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>In a wider view, it may be that the world around you, the so-called "real world," isn't real at all, but rather is a mere reflection of your inner state. Have you ever considered that possibility? If this is the case, such internal bracing or worry isn't just causing you physical issues, it may actually be keeping you from a better life.<p></p><p>How might one go about proving this one way or the other? Answer: Stop worrying and see what happens.</p><p>That makes the next question how do you stop worrying? You have to figure out where this internal bracing hits you. Become conscious of that. Does it cause a tightening in your stomach? Your heart? Your abdomen? Your knees? Take a moment and think what you worry most about. Where is it hitting you? Allow yourself to feel it. Don't judge it, just allow it to be there.</p><p>This awareness will dissolve it little by little each time you feel it consciously. Take this as a hypothesis and give it a try, experiment with it.</p><p>At the bottom eventually you'll find an unconscious fear that has nothing to do with the thing you think you're worrying about. Once you make this unconscious fear conscious, it can no longer control you. You will be able to let it go for good. This process may take a while but it will be worth it all along the way. </p><p>And perhaps smoother seas will lay ahead.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*****************</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you want to know more about living consciously, schedule a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865" target="_blank">Health & Wellness Coaching Session</a> today. We can do it in person, virtually or by phone. The life you change just might be your own.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Learn more about living consciously by reading my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">License to Ill</a> (available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>). It demonstrates a life transformed by consciousness.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Read also my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a> (also available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>).
It is a study of some of the greatest self-development books of all
time. Read my book, then read all the titles detailed in it. It's an
excellent place to start!</p><p><span class="attribution_field hide-sm vertical"><span>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/fancycrave1-1115284/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=820431">fancycrave1</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=820431">Pixabay</a><br /></span></span></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-23735950668375510032021-04-26T13:03:00.001-04:002021-04-27T09:24:46.235-04:00What to Eat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSwk81uh__2Q7HrJ2l4MXIUdNd6MlXdxasWGQeGTOGQ9x4i_J7CWJkaruClMbOQ1uY0BbI1OGBJuGdLReb2Sivb1B1znKQBQ24SJATy2h1l-5tgpjUye4EJeYxBGtC8chnpk7smJVN-aX/s1280/vegetables-29063_1280.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSwk81uh__2Q7HrJ2l4MXIUdNd6MlXdxasWGQeGTOGQ9x4i_J7CWJkaruClMbOQ1uY0BbI1OGBJuGdLReb2Sivb1B1znKQBQ24SJATy2h1l-5tgpjUye4EJeYxBGtC8chnpk7smJVN-aX/s320/vegetables-29063_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div>How do we answer this question, "What to eat?"<p></p><p>Do we look around for the latest diet fad and read the book? Do we sign up for one of the weight loss programs and let someone tell us what we should eat?</p><p>Here's an idea: listen to your body. Maybe it knows exactly what to eat.</p><p>How would you go about listening to you body? What would that look like? It might look something like this:<br /></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>1. <b>Put everything you think you "know" about nutrition out of your head.</b> Where did you get that information anyway? How do you know it's accurate?</p><p>2. <b>Wait until you're hungry.</b> And if you can help it, don't wait until you're "hangry," that's probably waiting too long. When you get hangry, you're body is probably telling you that you've waited a little too long.</p><p>When we have regimented meal schedules, that's an example of our minds dictating to our bodies what's best for it. Better to wait and see when your body wants to eat rather than interfering with its preferences.</p><p>3. <b>When your body is hungry, stop and reflect upon what it's hungry for.</b> Often, I will stand in my kitchen trying to figure out what would taste best to me at that moment. That's how one's body gets this information to our hands. Take your time with this.</p><p>This is where step one comes into play. Your body might want ice cream, but the nutrition chart might dictate meat and two veggies. Toss out the food chart. Listen to your body. It needs whatever ice cream has in it at that moment. Give it what it's asking for.<br /></p><p>3. <b>Stop when it no longer tastes good.</b> Eat consciously. Don't let your mind wander to other things. Savor the taste of what you're eating at that moment. When your body has had enough of that particular item, you will know it. Stop--not another bite--and move on to the next food item that you select in the same way. Or if you feel satisfied, wipe your mouth and hands and go on with your day.</p><p>If you're in a position where you have to sit down to a meal, don't feel obligated to eat some of every item or to clean your plate. These habits might be more polite or better for your bank account and starving children in China, but not necessarily for your body. And if there's something else you're hungry for, ask!</p><p>In nutrition, as in all things, listen to your body. It knows all. Don't allow mind to dictate to it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*****************</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you want to know more about living consciously, schedule a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865" target="_blank">Health & Wellness Coaching Session</a> today. We can do it in person, virtually or by phone. The life you change just might be your own.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Learn more about living consciously by reading my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">License to Ill</a> (available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455263&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>). It demonstrates a life transformed by consciousness.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Read also my novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a> (also available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/B08P1H4KZD/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=self-improvement+book+club+murder+by+Russell+T.+Wright&qid=1619455717&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>). It is a study of some of the greatest self-development books of all time. Read my book, then read all the titles detailed in it. It's an excellent place to start!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="attribution_field hide-sm hide-md"><span>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/clker-free-vector-images-3736/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=29063">Clker-Free-Vector-Images</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=29063">Pixabay</a>.</span></span></p>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-91150388330863966192018-04-06T09:09:00.000-04:002018-04-06T09:12:06.924-04:00Kirkus Review of License to Ill<div itemprop="reviewBody">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNFMwjLOR338aVxnJtMGrO2JMJkPgWKfjgWIUlNlBYqOreiAqVdkjqIKM6G8Bc85YDOereYTuV-7ltMM1QPID1ls6_oHIvAZFLP0wltK3FRDhdESkGuxSuv8HL_j1oj2hzuEN2eqWb6Hg/s1600/licenseBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="754" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNFMwjLOR338aVxnJtMGrO2JMJkPgWKfjgWIUlNlBYqOreiAqVdkjqIKM6G8Bc85YDOereYTuV-7ltMM1QPID1ls6_oHIvAZFLP0wltK3FRDhdESkGuxSuv8HL_j1oj2hzuEN2eqWb6Hg/s200/licenseBook.jpg" width="125" /></a>When you self-publish a novel, you want to find ways to lend credibility to it, a way to say the book is worth reading. One way to do that is to have a reputable agency review it. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1243434912" target="_blank">Kirkus</a> is a pretty respected reviewer. <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/russell-t-wright/license-ill/" target="_blank">Here's what they had to say about <i><b>License to Ill</b></i></a>. I think it's pretty accurate.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Two lawyers attempt to overturn
Obamacare on spiritual grounds in this debut novel. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jerry Riggs is chief counsel to the
speaker of the House and, as a Republican, is exasperated with his party’s failure
to effectively oppose Obamacare. He’s especially angry at the GOP’s
hypocritical complicity: Senate Minority Leader Mack McCormick openly
criticized the Affordable Health Care Act but simultaneously ensured its
protection from legislative assault in deference to his close ties to the
health care industry. But an unusual opportunity to attack Obamacare surfaces
when Sebastian Vogel, an old law school classmate of Jerry’s, files a suit
against the federal government, requesting a religious exemption from the act’s
individual mandate. His argument is a strikingly odd one, not premised on any
adherence to institutional religion but instead on a general spirituality that
interprets sickness and health as states of consciousness rather than medical
conditions: “We’ve mapped out the DNA and found that it doesn’t explain everything….Could
that be because there’s a spiritual aspect to disease?” Jerry reluctantly teams
up with Vogel—his New-Age conversion strikes the chief counsel as incoherent at
first—because he sees a real possibility to strike a blow at an otherwise
impregnable law. But when Vogel’s home is set on fire by an arsonist, the
stakes become perilously clear—a billion-dollar industry has taken notice and
is prepared to kill to protect its profits. Meanwhile, Jerry struggles with his
own mounting health problems—overweight and underexercised, he’s developed a
serious heart condition that requires surgery, precisely the circumstances that
led to his father’s death. Wright inventively combines political intrigue,
humor, and philosophical meditation in an unusually policy-wonkish thriller.
The author certainly stretches the outer limits of plausibility—and readers’
credulity—but in a way artful enough that the plot never descends into outright
absurdity. Vogel’s form of spirituality can be irksomely enigmatic, but he still
delivers some memorable insights. The whole narrative is a kind of conservative
fantasy—a spiritually inspired but legitimate way to topple Obamacare—so it’s
possible those readers unsympathetic to the Republican cause will find it tough
to be sensitive to Jerry’s plight. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A witty and refreshingly original
political drama.</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-59160859626808306142018-04-05T10:54:00.003-04:002018-04-05T10:55:19.706-04:00Blurb for License to Ill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC_ySSMHyZYams-znwX4g02Dg0thcvWmumioevIZwi6_7Uq8gbd2_vfp3FsNBn1hcly7RYYqZynzrxsoe83rvrX5j4xfknRcmUiXPeJiClX9INJWh1MT6IXjxq0frcIsu0zjuxi9BPQEB/s1600/Dark+River+Rising+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC_ySSMHyZYams-znwX4g02Dg0thcvWmumioevIZwi6_7Uq8gbd2_vfp3FsNBn1hcly7RYYqZynzrxsoe83rvrX5j4xfknRcmUiXPeJiClX9INJWh1MT6IXjxq0frcIsu0zjuxi9BPQEB/s200/Dark+River+Rising+Cover.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
I need to bring you up to speed on some of the developments concerning my latest novel, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?s=amazon-devices&ie=UTF8&qid=1522939405&sr=8-1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+t+wright" target="_blank">License to Ill</a></i></b> (see cover/link to the right). Both <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?s=amazon-devices&ie=UTF8&qid=1522939405&sr=8-1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+t+wright" target="_blank">License to Ill</a></i></b> and <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/1503256464/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522939809&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a></b></i> (look to the right) are novels that uses an entertaining story to convey spiritual principles.<br />
<br />
I imposed upon my friend Roger Johns, author of an excellent mystery set in Baton Rouge, LA, called <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-River-Rising-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01N3C84HZ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522939473&sr=1-1&keywords=dark+river+rising" target="_blank">Dark River Rising</a></b></i> (St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books), to read <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/License-Ill-Russell-T-Wright/dp/1503033899/ref=sr_1_1?s=amazon-devices&ie=UTF8&qid=1522939405&sr=8-1&keywords=license+to+ill+by+russell+t+wright" target="_blank">License to Ill</a></i></b> and write a "blurb" for it, which he graciously agreed to do. A blurb is a quote from another author that usually goes on the cover or somewhere on the interior to help get people excited about reading the novel.<br />
<br />
Here's what Roger wrote for me:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Big money, political intrigue, a very inventive story with plenty of action, and characters you won’t soon forget make <b><i>License to Ill</i></b> a flat out page-turner.</blockquote>
Thanks, Roger! I'll get the cover updated soon in order to get this blurb on there.Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-20576335884498419332018-04-04T09:30:00.000-04:002018-04-05T10:56:11.943-04:00Your Car Can Be a Great Place to Meditatate . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeQtycJrzl6tCmXZHhoGAP1tnpfK7a75mB6FZmJn0CyjPcATawU1jBisz8gavICweR9_lstDTPGs_sOSR01p1PyeVDeW15xS0zQkiHH4MYc-73DApzsFRHb_w2XfksiDnxp1gqYRmMAre/s200/Traffic+Photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
. . . as long as you don't close your eyes.</div>
<br />
If you have to deal with rush hour traffic or have a long commute everyday, use that time to your benefit. For heaven's sake, turn off the music--it's not bringing you peace, it's programming you--and turn off talk radio--it's designed to get you spun up.<br />
<br />
Just because it's rush hour doesn't mean you have to be in a rush. Hang out in the slow lane. Let people in, let people pass you. It won't make an appreciable difference in your arrival time, but it will make an appreciable difference in your blood pressure and it will give you space to look inward instead of outward.<br />
<br />
Pay attention to your breathing, one breath at a time. In, out, rest. Your breath is always happening now. This is the simplest of meditations. It brings you to the present moment very quickly and easily. And what problems do you ever have right now? <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Pay attention to the silence. It may be uncomfortable at first but you'll get used to it, and then you won't be able to do without it. Roll down the window and pay attention to the road and traffic sounds. They are happening here and now. Anytime you're doing that, you're bring more presence into your life and therefore more peace.<br />
<br />
Go into your body. Feel your feet from the inside. Feel that tingle?
That's your soul. Feel your hands. Feel your legs, your torso, arms,
neck, head. Put it all together. Feel that inner glow. Your soul is
always in the moment. It's alive and eternal right now.<br />
<br />
Pay attention to your mind. Still the thoughts running through your head one moment at a time. There is a peaceful pause, but then here come the thoughts again. You notice it--that's awareness rising. Try for two moments this time. Then three. The gaps in thinking get wider and soon you're in your driveway or the parking lot at work feeling refreshed.<br />
<br />
And you will have gained a little bit of understanding about the nature of reality: that it is good. <br />
<br />
Photo from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_hour">Wikipedia</a> (By B137 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48998674)Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-80817723275933117932018-04-03T09:45:00.000-04:002018-04-03T09:45:04.311-04:00Good to Be Back!It's been a few years since I've done any blogging as I made a few changes in my life, changing jobs, moving from Kentucky to Tennessee and now to the Washington DC area. I was also writing a 2nd novel (see to the right). Meditation and Life Coaching has continued with each new locale.<br />
<br />
During this hiatus, I experimented with another blog format that just didn't work for me. It was too complicated. And so now I'm back.<br />
<br />
It's good to be back! I'm going to try to post something uplifting for you every weekday, even if it's something simple like this.<br />
<br />
<br />Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-38368983056187344212014-07-11T09:28:00.001-04:002014-07-14T12:06:53.415-04:00The Münchhausen Trilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPCPKobhfa-zFtyaG0K4QGcoh58Vf8-P7D7Us-EtA7bPO30J1u-wo137o-wc6NCv21mfolszgA96yHrbrMmxpFqN-TLTrHKOHPkZA4lAd46GSiWQGgAy-c8htOxhwT9xX0L-LSDpRe7PY/s1600/Muenchhausen_Herrfurth_7_500x789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPCPKobhfa-zFtyaG0K4QGcoh58Vf8-P7D7Us-EtA7bPO30J1u-wo137o-wc6NCv21mfolszgA96yHrbrMmxpFqN-TLTrHKOHPkZA4lAd46GSiWQGgAy-c8htOxhwT9xX0L-LSDpRe7PY/s1600/Muenchhausen_Herrfurth_7_500x789.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></div>
For a brief moment, my next novel, now called<i> License to Ill</i>, was going to be called <i>The Obamacare Trilemma</i>, and it was going to have the below inscription, both in German and English at the beginning. Even though I've changed the title, I'm going to keep the inscription because it's still very much apropos to the story and it sets the right tone because it's so funny (I think).<br />
<br />
This may be the only place you can find the English translation of the Barron von Münchhausen bootstrapping story anywhere (see below), which is a little odd because the Münchhausen Trilemma is such an important philosophical issue.<br />
<br />
For a more complete understanding of the concept, I invite you to click on the link and read, but for my purposes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchhausen_trilemma" target="_blank">The MünchhausenTrilemma</a> demonstrates that rationality (i.e. thinking) must have input from some source other than itself. Rationality is like a calculator in that it requires a finger from somewhere to press the buttons.<br />
<br />
The input comes from consciousness. Rationality is but a tiny subset of our larger consciousness. Feelings bubble up into ideas (rationality) and those ideas become words for the very limited purposes of communication and the creation of labor-saving devices. Those feelings come from our connectedness to all that is, not from our own thinking.<br />
<br />
That's why a so-called "rational" approach to life (as opposed to a consciousness-based approach to life) is considered bootstrapping. It does not allow for this input from all that is. It simply assumes that the thinking started up on its own. That the calculator pressed its own buttons.<br />
<br />
[As always, you need not take my word for any of this. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/exercise-for-experiencing-joy-of-being.html#more">Go into your body</a> and make your own determination as to the nature of reality.] <br />
The world of Science (what I would call the Religion of Science) would have you ignore this point. As stated aptly on <a href="http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchhausen_Trilemma">Rationalwiki.org</a>:<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The <b>Münchhausen Trilemma</b> is a problem in <a href="http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Philosophy" title="Philosophy">philosophy</a>
that all statements can be questioned and then need evidence. This
problem has been well known in philosophy for thousands of years, but
rarely gets addressed because it breaks the legs of philosophy, science,
and any other possible approach to reality.</blockquote>
</div>
I would disagree, however, that the Münchhausen Trilemma breaks the legs of "philosophy" and "any other possible approach to reality." It only breaks the legs of rationality-based philosophies and approaches to reality. If so-called reality is an illusion, all falls into place. I would certainly agree, though, that the Münchhausen Trilemma breaks the legs of science.<br />
<br />
The story behind the below quotation is interesting.<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchhausen_trilemma" target="_blank">The Münchhausen Trilemma</a> has its roots in a tall tale attributed to Baron Münchhausen, but none of the philosophy websites anywhere on the internet (as far as I could find) actually provided the story. They simply said that the story was a tall tale attributed to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_M%C3%BCnchhausen" target="_blank">Hieronymus Carl Friedrich Baron von Münchhausen, better known simply as Baron Münchhausen</a>.<br />
<br />
It took a nice piece of internet sleuthery--if I may say so, myself--to figure out why this quotation never showed up.<br />
<br />
The first known version of Baron Münchhausen's tall tales came out in German in a series of books called <i>Vademecum fur lustige Leute</i> (<i>Handbook for Funny People</i>) published between 1781 and 1783. But the most famous book of the Baron's tales was <a href="http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/munchh.htm" target="_blank"><i>The Adventures of Baron Munchausen </i></a>first published in English in 1785 by Rudolf Erich Raspe. The story of the Baron pulling himself out of a swamp by his own ponytail was nowhere to be found in that book.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
[For a funny explanation of the Münchhausen Trilemma take a look at this video from <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/So_DEOtiSLI" width="420"></iframe>
</div>
What could be simpler?]<br />
<br />
In 1786, Gottfried August Bürger translated Rapse's book into German and added a few of his own tales to the mix. (In truth, these tales had almost nothing to do with the actual Baron Münchhausen and had been around for centuries before he came along). Working on a hunch, I found Bürger's version of the book and scoured the German text until I located the story.<br />
<br />
So as I said, this may be the only place you can find the English translation of the Barron Münchhausen bootstrapping story anywhere. As such, this translation is my original copyrighted work. Please feel free to quote it with attribution and with a link to this webpage. I would like to see how much interest there is in it.<br />
<br />
And now for the quotation, first in German then in English: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Ein andres Mal wollte ich über einen Morast setzen, der mir anfänglich nicht so breit vorkam, als ich ihn fand, da ich mitten im Sprunge war. Schwebend in der Luft wendete ich daher wieder um, wo ich hergekommen war, um einen größern Anlauf zu nehmen. Gleichwohl sprang ich auch zum zweiten Male noch zu kurz und fiel nicht weit vom andern Ufer bis an den Hals in den Morast. Hier hätte ich unfehlbar umkommen müssen, wenn nicht die Stärke meines eigenen Armes mich an meinem eigenen Haarzopfe, samt dem Pferde, welches ich fest zwischen meine Knie schloß, wieder herausgezogen hätte. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: right;">
--Gottfried August Bürger, <i>Wunderbare Reisen zu Wasser und zu Lande Feldzüge und lustige Abenteuer des Freiherrn von Münchhausen</i>, 1786</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Another time, I wanted to jump my horse over a swamp, which initially didn’t seem as wide to me as when I was in the middle of my jump. Floating in the air, I turned to get back to the point of departure in order to get a better running start. On my second jump, however, I fell short of the other side and found myself up to my neck in the mire. There I would have surely perished, if not for the strength of my own arm, whereby I pulled myself out of the morass by my own ponytail, together with the horse, which I clasped firmly between my knees. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: right;">
--Gottfried August Bürger, <i>The Wonderful Sea Voyages and Land Campaigns and Funny Adventures of Baron von Münchhausen</i>, 1786</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>You might also like</b>:</span> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-we-know-stuff.html">How We Know Stuff</a></span></b></span>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-81786999714346589552014-06-29T15:40:00.000-04:002014-06-29T17:03:45.959-04:00Connection Between Observation and the Material WorldA friend of mine sent me the following video about an interesting new technology. Isn't it interesting that everything we look for . . . we find?<br />
<br />
Perhaps there's more of a connection between the act of observation and our "discoveries" than we realize. Maybe we're actually creating the world, rather than discovering it. I talk about this in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/dp/1456461354/ref=tmm_pap_title_0" target="_blank"><i>The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</i></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WFacA6OwCjA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-8066331801927679732014-05-07T21:01:00.000-04:002014-05-07T21:36:38.699-04:00Latest 5-Star Review of The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IW8HRPI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00IW8HRPI&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20&linkId=IQRUDVMUEKYWUBEM" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IW8HRPI&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="199" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IW8HRPI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />I'm listening to the Reds game while I write this. I just had to turn down the sound on another cancer commercial. Ask yourself what they're selling in those commercials and realize that healthcare providers, like all corporations, are actively about the business of expanding their markets. Think about that and you will turn down the sound on all such commercials too. That's the topic of my next book, the current working title of which is <i>The Obamacare Experiments</i>.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I have this other book out there called <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IW8HRPI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00IW8HRPI&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20&linkId=BXHJY2VCGC6RMF4V">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IW8HRPI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>, and my friend and colleague, Thomas Cothran, has been so kind as to post a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/product-reviews/1456461354/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending" target="_blank">review on Amazon</a>. While Thomas gave the book five starts, in the review he also says of what you might call its philosophical argument:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
"I'll let the reader make their own decision about the merits of this worldview. (The enemy of this metaphysics is Aristotle.) For my own part, I remain cheerfully Aristotelian.</blockquote>
In other words, <i>The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</i> in essence lays the responsibility for all the woes of modern society squarely at the feet of Aristotle's rationalism, and young Thomas--who's <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2014/03/emails-about-kierkegaard.html" target="_blank">favorite philosopher is Kierkegaard</a> but <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2014/03/emails-about-kierkegaard.html" target="_blank">doesn't recognize that Kierkegaard was anti-Aristotilian too</a>--remains unconvinced.<br />
<br />
Not to worry. I've challenged my good friend to read <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/zen-and-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html" target="_blank"><i>Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</i></a> for himself, a challenge to which he has agreed. We shall see if he remains cheerfully Aristotelian after that.<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted. Thanks, Thomas!Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-11008266626902532652014-04-15T23:51:00.000-04:002014-04-16T00:18:21.752-04:00Remembering Pee Wee Reese on Jackie Robinson Day<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBzxXrA_t32v2mhBXInxZUnRrCSMzYtWgyfbX7sgjkRRQXd_DSlp_pYQleeXc1cYpuPVG7TKHdkWv8oHx7-alAnL3izVDwwVpNc1lOLnrxH6d6RLwQL-YDngSFGLdyiAhNQ2FUSjLkGey/s1600/pee+wee+and+jackie+robinson+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBzxXrA_t32v2mhBXInxZUnRrCSMzYtWgyfbX7sgjkRRQXd_DSlp_pYQleeXc1cYpuPVG7TKHdkWv8oHx7-alAnL3izVDwwVpNc1lOLnrxH6d6RLwQL-YDngSFGLdyiAhNQ2FUSjLkGey/s1600/pee+wee+and+jackie+robinson+statue.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a>As I listen to Marty Brennaman and Jim Kelch broadcast the <br />
Reds game on this, MLB's Jackie Robinson Day, when all players wear number 42 in commemoration of this day in 1947 when the color barrier was abolished, it's easy to get a little choked up thinking about Cincinnati's important connection to that important season--and the Kentucky connection to it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And I do . . . get choked up about it, I mean . . . every year, I do. It's such a beautiful story about a Kentucky boy demonstrating nothing more than simple kindness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And changing the world thereby.</div>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
This is such a stirring story for me because those of us who grew up around here, we know this boy. A native of Meade County, Kentucky, near Louisville, he had a high school education. He was splicing lines for the Louisville phone company when his church team got the chance to play a league championship game on the field belonging to the minor league Louisville Colonels. Reese impressed the owner of the Colonels so much, he signed him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The way kids got to the bigs back then, 1937, is difficult for present-day baseball fans to believe, what with the structured system that's developed over the years and all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee_Wee_Reese" target="_blank">Pee Wee Reese</a> was married to his wife Dottie for 57 years by the time he died in 1999. That figures. We know this humble, salt-of-the-earth fellow. There are a lot of 'em in these parts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And those of us who grew up around here, we know this place, Louisville, where he came from. How can I say this? It has been something of a known quantity over the years. It is not a northern city. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When Pee Wee was young, his father showed him a tree where a black man had been lynched. An impression perhaps was made that day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Louisville is the city out of which arose in the '50s the Louisville Lip, Cassius Clay, <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-find-doing-that-arises-from-your.html" target="_blank">Muhammad Ali</a>, that icon who bore within his persona the tensions of the race relations of the times.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And Louisville in the 1970s saw the governor call out the National Guard in the face of violent protests to keep the busses running to desegregate its public schools.<br />
<br />
We know this place. We can only imagine what it was like back when Pee Wee was growing up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There has been some <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20917/did-reese-really-embrace-robinson-in-47" target="_blank">conjecture</a> over the years as to whether Pee Wee, the shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers, actually walked over to Jackie Robinson, where he stood at the right of the diamond playing first base and put his arm around his shoulder and had a little chat with him to silence the booing and hissing Crosley Field stands in Cincinnati during that historic '47 season.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some say it did happen, but it happened in Boston. Some say it happened the following year, either in Boston or Cincinnati. Some wonder if it ever happened at all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is difficult for present-day humans to believe, what with ubiquitous cell phone cameras and video and every single game televised live and digitally recorded for posterity, and all. But apparently, that's not the way it was in 1947.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A recent <a href="http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/04/12/hug-silenced-boo-birds/7660005/" target="_blank">article</a> in the Cincinnati Enquirer provides a credible eyewitness account of that shining moment in Pee Wee's life. A bat boy, 15 years old at the time (78 now), Ralph Tate, was assigned to retrieve the lumber of the visiting Brooklyn Dodgers that day at Crosley Field. Tate recounts:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
“That’s when I saw Pee Wee Reese walk over to him. The whole place was booing and hollering and screaming. Jackie was at first base. Pee Wee walked over, put his arm around him and it just silenced the crowd.”</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How that day began for Tate is one of those details you might miss on first pass because the writer doesn't comment on it, and it's effect is all the more powerful by the neglect. Let's see if you catch it:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Before the game, the Dodgers’ traveling secretary came to the bat boy and said: “I need someone to dress along side of you in the clubhouse. Are you OK with that?” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tate, a 15-year-old freshman at St. Xavier High School, was quite fine with that. He was getting paid $3 a game, $3.50 for doubleheaders. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And he was living a dream. So, anyone could dress next to him. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Well, that person came in and sat next to me, and it was Jackie Robinson,” Tate said. “You would not want to meet a nicer person. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“We became good friends over the years. He was one hell of a ballplayer. And he was so humble."</blockquote>
That's right, you guessed it: Jackie wasn't dressing with the players, he was dressing with the batboy. Here comes that choked up feeling again. And apparently, young Ralph Tate was one of those salt-of-the-earth types too. I told you, we have a lot of them around here. And it seems, so was Jackie.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Everybody wants to be associated in a positive way with historical events like this, but there's a quality to Mr. Tate's account, something in the way he tells the story that rings true. The article continues:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Reese’s move shocked some of his teammates, too. “Some of the Dodgers weren’t all that thrilled having Jackie on the team,” Tate noted. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
As the drama unfolded at first base, the bat boy stood in the dugout next to Duke Snider, the Dodgers’ famed center fielder. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
“Duke was injured, if I remember right,” Tate said. “He pinch hit later in the game.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
Tate remembered correctly. Snider struck out pinch hitting for the pitcher. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
When Reese hugged Robinson, Tate remembered Snider saying these words: “Oh my God! This is unbelievable.”</blockquote>
This guy is 78 years old. I kinda doubt he's looking this stuff up on the Wikipedia. That's the kind of detail that puts you right there in the action, seeing it through a fifteen-year-old boy's eyes. Eyes that were forever changed.<br />
<br />
I can only imagine what must have been running through Pee Wee's mind each game as he listened to the jeers and cursing and caterwauling blanketing the field from the stands. I wonder what lead him to that simple, beautiful gesture of kindness.<br />
<br />
Later in life, Pee Wee <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20917/did-reese-really-embrace-robinson-in-47" target="_blank">said of that moment</a>: "I was just trying to make the world a little bit better. That's what you're supposed to do with your life, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
Salt of the earth. We have a lot of those around here, but you don't usually get to see them. So seldom are they center stage like this that when they are, we should celebrate them, I think . . . at least once a year . . . by getting a little choked up.<br />
<br />
And maybe by trying to make our world just a little bit better where we can.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>You might also like:</b></span> <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/06/coach-woodens-pyramid-of-success.html" target="_blank"><b>Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success - An Overview</b></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20917/did-reese-really-embrace-robinson-in-47" target="_blank">FANDOM</a></span></div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-29645182966556264772014-04-03T23:06:00.002-04:002014-05-02T10:58:53.693-04:00Success - Writing and PublishingFollowing is the meat of a post to a friend on Facebook in response to a question about publishing:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1456461354&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="199" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
My last book was self-published, so I didn't work with a publisher on that one. It was actually my 8th novel and I tried a little to get some of the other ones published but never really delved deeply enough into it.<br />
<br />
In some ways, I wish I would have tried to do more with them, but then again I think something inside made me want to wait to mature as a writer and as a person. And no regrets, there is only now. And speaking of now, I've written a 9th novel, working title <i>The Obamacare Experiments</i>, and <i>now</i> I'm pursuing a traditional publisher for that one more rigorously.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Find an Editor</u></b><br />
<br />
One thing I've come to understand is that you have to invest in your product. That means you need to seek out a professional editor. It's expensive but it must be done, for four reasons.<br />
<br />
First, it's the best way to learn. It's like hiring a tutor.<br />
<br />
Second, writing is a collaborative process. It is very rare when a person can just write something down and have it published (maybe impossible). You need that professional with credentials. Why? So you will trust their recommendations. Preferably, you should find one from NYC with publishing experience, again expensive, but worth it.<br />
<br />
One more piece of advice on the selection I might offer: if you're a woman, find a male editor and vice versa. This is not a hard and fast rule, by any means, but in my own research (anecdotal though it may be) I found that this dynamic seems to lend itself to creation of a better product . . . food for thought.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Third, networking. When you're working with an editor, you're hobnobbing with an industry insider. No telling who they might talk to if they like your work. You have to make sure you find one that's plugged in, to a certain extent.<br />
<br />
Fourth, the editor can help you figure out if your project has commercial value of if you need to move on to your next project.<br />
<br />
For my editor, I went with a fellow Kentuckian who lives in NYC named <a href="http://inkslingerediting.com/" target="_blank">Catherine Adams</a> and she's doing a phenomenal job. I couldn't recommend her more highly. But I must say, the Tao or the Spirit, or call it what you will, led me to her virtual door. Not every editor is right for every author or every project. Take as much time as you need making your selection--it's a critically important decision.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Find a Marketing Guy</u></b><br />
<br />
The next thing I would recommend is talking to a marketing guy. It will cost you about $300 but this person's advice will be more directed toward helping you to find an agent. You almost have to have an agent these days. Now read that sentence again but take out the word "almost."<br />
<br />
When I finish with the editing in a few weeks or so, I plan on working with a guy named Mark Malatesta (<a href="http://literary-agents.com/">http://literary-agents.com/</a>). I haven't used him yet myself, but his website is extensive and free and has already pointed me in the right direction in many ways, so I feel good about what he will be able to do for me when the time comes.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Writing Conferences</u></b><br />
<br />
Some people also like to go to writers conferences. I've been to one of them and they can be good once you get prepared per above. With those, look for the ones with a "pitch sessions" where you can talk to actual agents for a few minutes about your project. If you're prepared (see above), they just might bite.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Entrepreneurialism</u></b><br />
<br />
With all of this you're looking at an investment in your product in the thousands of dollars. But you have to understand that half of writing is writing, the other half is business. You have to be entrepreneurial to succeed, which means risking money in the hopes of future gain. And you could come up empty, lose it all, with no royalties whatsoever to show for it.<br />
<br />
Personally, I would rather fail completely than not really try. No meals will be missed. Everything will work out. The consequences of failure are not as dire as some fearful types would have you believe. And you will know that for the next project from personal experience--entrepreneurialism becomes easier and easier with each new attempt. And then one day you succeed and make the big bucks. That's how it works.<br />
<br />
Look at it this way: you're asking other people to take a risk on you and your product. Have you done the same? Do you have the same faith in your work that you're asking them to have? In the business world they call this "having skin in the game." When you have taken a risk on your own product, you act differently and that comes through. It gets communicated. And you look at your own writing differently. You're more willing to evaluate it objectively and make necessary changes when you have money riding on it (funny how that works, isn't it?).<br />
<br />
This is how it's done. Otherwise, you might as well buy a lottery ticket because that has about as much chance of success as going it alone. You've got to build your team to succeed. Fortunes are made by teams, not very often by individuals. An editor, a marketing coach, an agent, a publisher, a publicist, a lawyer, a web designer, a hairstylist . . . Start building your team.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-43831705199452772492014-03-17T00:52:00.003-04:002014-03-17T16:48:39.627-04:00Emails About Kierkegaard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XKV0FbF47-TUv3zFT2A46jfaJyQnottPNuZWNZekDP7GrOWTMNR4TIuT1i1QkvFQMx4P5R9-gj_M8MLLm3J8dSurpd5HmJRQwKRlpOwd64PNlSBhnMVp_YcKcbraf9VfUrLQbonCuaqk/s1600/kierkegaard-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XKV0FbF47-TUv3zFT2A46jfaJyQnottPNuZWNZekDP7GrOWTMNR4TIuT1i1QkvFQMx4P5R9-gj_M8MLLm3J8dSurpd5HmJRQwKRlpOwd64PNlSBhnMVp_YcKcbraf9VfUrLQbonCuaqk/s1600/kierkegaard-2.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I know what you're thinking: "Gee, Todd, your life must be pretty dull if you're exchanging emails about a Danish philosopher from the 19th century." Ok, ok, I hear you, but hear me out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Let me give you a little background on how this email came about. A couple of friends of mine read my book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and one of those friends described my book to the other as, "out there." Which is about the best review a writer can hope for. Why? Because this means that the book contained ideas and concepts that the reader didn't necessarily agree with (or <i>thought</i> he didn't), and yet it was written well enough that he was able to get through it, he was able to finish the book. That's big! I couldn't really hope for more.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1456461354&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">This fellow, I'm told, is also a big fan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard" target="_blank">Søren Kierkegaard</a>, the aforementioned 19th century Danish philosopher (these are the upper crust circles of people who actually have favorite philosopher that I run in, folks, what can I tell you?). So much so, in fact, that he named his child after him (Søren, not Kierkegaard). Which I think is pretty cool because it's a pretty cool name, only I hope he didn't use the o with the slash through it (ø), which would probably get a little annoying for the kid.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Anyway, I was only vaguely familiar with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard#Three_stages_of_life" target="_blank">philosophy of Kierkegaard</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">(I'm a novelist, after all, not a philosopher, or worse a "philosophizer" as Robert Persig puts it in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/zen-and-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html" target="_blank">Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">, so after the conversation I went on line and brushed up on it, and lo and behold, what did I find but that the depressed Dane agreed wholeheartedly with everything in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />! He professed, you see, Kierkegaard did, a similar brand of what has been labelled "existentialism."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I had always heard the term bandied about and had an idea what it meant, but not until now did I make the connection between the "existence" in "existentialism" and "being" and "consciousness." These are all exact synonyms. What Kierkegaard was talking about, what <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/power-of-now-entire-book.html" target="_blank">Eckhart Tolle</a> is talking about, what I'm talking about in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />--it's all the same thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">And now from the email . . . Oh, and be sure to check out the <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/exercise-for-experiencing-joy-of-being.html" target="_blank">link to the exercise</a> mentioned a couple of times below so you know exactly what we're talking about when we talk about existence.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">* * *</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">From the writing of Kierkegaard:</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<blockquote type="cite">
<blockquote class="toccolours" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: table; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 10px; position: static; z-index: auto;">
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I ask for nothing better than to be known in our <i>objective</i> times as the only person who was not capable of being objective. That subjectivity, inwardness, is truth, that existing is the decisive factor, that this was the way to take to Christianity, which is precisely inwardness.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
If my book is "out there" then so is Kierkegaard. He seems to have been mostly there. The above quote is precisely what my books are about. "Existence" or being or consciousness is indeed "the decisive factor." That's why its so important to do that <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/exercise-for-experiencing-joy-of-being.html" target="_blank">exercise</a> so you know exactly what existence is. Existence is God. To know existence is to know God and vice versa. This is what he is saying.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
From Wikipedia about his views:</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<blockquote type="cite">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Humans cannot think out choices in life, we must live them; and even those choices that we often think about become different once life itself enters into the picture. For Kierkegaard, the type of objectivity that a scientist or historian might use misses the point—humans are not motivated and do not find meaning in life through pure objectivity. Instead, they find it through passion, desire, and moral and religious commitment. These phenomena are not objectively provable—nor do they come about through any form of analysis of the external world; they come about through inward reflection, a way of looking at one’s life that evades objective scrutiny.</span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Right on.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Kierkegaard wrote a lot. I was more familiar with his views on what has been called "angst" and "alienation." Even these I have only understood, it appears, in their popular sense, and maybe not how Kierkegaard meant them exactly.<br />
<br />
But the problem is, these things are very simple. And when you write so much, the tendency is to obscure and obfuscate rather than to illuminate. When you write so much--even about God or consciousness or existence--you're still getting consumed in rationality and this is the opposite of "the decisive factor," as K. puts it. It's the opposite of the simple exercise that puts you in direct contact with reality, existence, God.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Do the <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/exercise-for-experiencing-joy-of-being.html" target="_blank">exercise</a>, it will teach you much more about existence than reading all the works of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard" target="_blank">Kierkegaard</a>. Or just take a conscious breath, it will teach you more than<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard#Three_stages_of_life" target="_blank"> the entire Wikipedia article about Kierkegaard's philosophy</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">You might also like:</span></b> <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/eckhart-tolle-for-christians_01.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Eckhart Tolle for Christians</b></span></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Kierkegaard photo courtesy of <a href="http://jasongoroncy.com/2013/05/05/encountered-by-one-who-has-established-kinship-with-us-in-time-celebrating-soren-kierkegaard/" target="_blank">Per Crucem ad Lucem</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-9358464393125929182014-03-13T18:17:00.000-04:002014-03-13T18:19:17.083-04:00Top 10 All-Time Blog PostsAfter maintaining this blog for a few years now, here are the most popular posts. The second on the list is the most popular recently and will make it to the top at some point.<br />
<br />
Give them a read and let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
1. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2012/01/avoid-dramatic-people.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Avoid Dramatic People</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jan 31, 2012</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
2. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/law-of-cause-and-effect-tenet-of-faith.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Law of Cause and Effect a Tenet of Aristotelian Fa...</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Feb 16, 2010, 2 comments</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
3. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/jesus-and-aristotle.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jesus and Aristotle</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Feb 6, 2010, 3 comments</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
4. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/bumping-into-god-part-1.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bumping into God - Part 1</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Aug 31, 2011</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
5. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/eckhart-tolle-for-christians_01.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Eckhart Tolle for Christians</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Feb 7, 2010, 6 comments</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
6. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/aristotle-and-christianity.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Aristotle and Christianity</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Feb 6, 2010, 1 comment</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
7. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/use-daily-affirmations-to-strengthen.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Use Daily Affirmations to Strengthen Self-Confiden...</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jun 14, 2011, 4 comments</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
8. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/self-confidence-commitment-to-feeling.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Self-Confidence: A Commitment to Feeling Good</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jun 17, 2011</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
9. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2011/06/fully-commit-to-feeling-great.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Fully Commit to Feeling Great</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Jun 22, 2011</div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<table style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></tbody></table>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-259" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="GFPUSQ2EO" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 220px;">
10. <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/04/exercise-for-experiencing-joy-of-being.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">An Exercise for Experiencing the Joy of Being</a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Apr 17, 2010, 2 comments</div>
</div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-260" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div __gwt_cell="cell-gwt-uid-261" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-3187977496416344602014-03-09T19:12:00.001-04:002014-03-09T19:12:09.853-04:005 Stars from Portland Book Review for The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder!<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1456461354&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="200" /></a>You may be wondering why I keep bringing up <i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/self-improvement-book-club-murder.html" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a></i>. "Why don't you write another book already?" some of you may be thinking. Well, I have written another book. It's working title is <i>The Obamacare Conspiracy</i> and it goes to the editor on March 17th. I'm very excited about that.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />But neither book is merely entertainment. They represent the latest generations in a long and hallowed genealogy that begins as far back as Plato's <i>Dialogues</i>, continues on through all the books about Jesus (he never wrote any himself), through St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and on into the present period with <i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/zen-and-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html" target="_blank">Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/zen-and-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html" target="_blank">Zen and the Art</a></i> could be considered the father of <i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/self-improvement-book-club-murder.html" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a></i> and the grandfather of <i>The Obamacare Conspiracy</i>.<br />
<br />
These books unravel a philosophical conspiracy far more important to you and your life than <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> every could. They help you understand what may be missing in your life and how you can feel better--much, much better--without regard to what you believe (or don't believe) religiously speaking.<br />
<br />
So the reason I keep bringing it up is because I would love to help you feel better, and <i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/self-improvement-book-club-murder.html" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</a></i> is a great place to start (if I may say so, myself). Spend the time on yourself, it'll be worth it.<br />
<br />
Of course, the converse is also true. If you have no doubts, no anxiety about the future, no depression at all about the past, no curiosity about the deeper meaning of life, no concern for the constant conflict and suffering that seems to be the state of our existence on this planet, if you've lost faith in your religion or science to help you answer these questions, if everything is peaches and cream as far as you're concerned, that's fantastic! You have no need for these books.<br />
<br />
If, on the other hand, peaches and cream wouldn't have been your first choice of descriptors, give <i><a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/p/self-improvement-book-club-murder.html" target="_blank">The Self-Improvement Book Club</a></i> a look. But be forewarned: you can't "unlearn" the truths it contains.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://portlandbookreview.com/" target="_blank">Portland Book Review</a> picked up on the foregoing. It's review by Rachelle Barrett states:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
As the detectives question witnesses, delve into the life of the victim and interact with each other, they clarify not only the case but the nature of reality. Bookman and Berg come away from the case irreparably changed by having gained this new knowledge. Whether you are an avid reader of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance or new to these types of books, you will be riveted to the story for one reason or another. And soon you may be introducing this book to a book club of your own.</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can read the entire book review <a href="http://portlandbookreview.com/the-self-improvement-book-club-murder/" target="_blank">here</a>. For what it's worth, the reviewer's average is 3.9 stars. Thanks, Rachelle!<br />
<br /></div>
<br />Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-10216888689963669562014-03-03T22:34:00.000-05:002014-03-01T01:27:16.944-05:00More Haiku . . . Sorry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-RxRn1s93Ny7FGTwdRhDONhEnkEJxsWGfu6c7chu11hJdoE0zHDFwNgzUn-mm4atAltXWNaboHYFYdCiVYQuhhgqD2_iNIqnf-LAPF7qAFqj3UKRSlJr_VqpCHtGSWt4jBzSpg_XN_zr/s1600/mirage-desert-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-RxRn1s93Ny7FGTwdRhDONhEnkEJxsWGfu6c7chu11hJdoE0zHDFwNgzUn-mm4atAltXWNaboHYFYdCiVYQuhhgqD2_iNIqnf-LAPF7qAFqj3UKRSlJr_VqpCHtGSWt4jBzSpg_XN_zr/s1600/mirage-desert-007.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a><b>Desert Heat</b><br />
<br />
Always a mirage--<br />
The road to happiness: long<br />
And never ending.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Pete Turner/Getty Images courtesy of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2011/sep/11/weatherwatch-mirages-reflections-light" target="_blank">The Guardian</a></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3zjpiHNjFwGENzurdr9NJvqVQMhPscZjHfiKdvZV9YqmyejWA1dSVeVPsNqcNwhcOWrkxcaGXYVN2Ih5GW9yzOy3kboDEjhyphenhyphenSBWGr5lmHw2SDh_XIb2mQu1FJe7ZwAGFFmP_wSYXprHf/s1600/drifting_snow_by_Dmitrys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3zjpiHNjFwGENzurdr9NJvqVQMhPscZjHfiKdvZV9YqmyejWA1dSVeVPsNqcNwhcOWrkxcaGXYVN2Ih5GW9yzOy3kboDEjhyphenhyphenSBWGr5lmHw2SDh_XIb2mQu1FJe7ZwAGFFmP_wSYXprHf/s1600/drifting_snow_by_Dmitrys.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Winter</b><br />
<br />
The wind blows, snow drifts.<br />
Poor weather! It never wins.<br />
We can wait it out.<br />
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Dmitry Sergeev Courtesy of <a href="http://dmitrys.deviantart.com/art/drifting-snow-49658744" target="_blank">Deviant Art</a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kX9G04VIbIQY_57gJuZf_nirT-fzOT_wQwGB3b-EGlia_L8LUwraT3NG_EJnMoSdyMT6pteILJ3nV-6HUZb8_BI8bV1-U649yl4-fu9NKwMfh6seFPraLJ0fpEq8iUrKQIQ0Ie6Eeznx/s1600/woman-washing-hands-horiz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kX9G04VIbIQY_57gJuZf_nirT-fzOT_wQwGB3b-EGlia_L8LUwraT3NG_EJnMoSdyMT6pteILJ3nV-6HUZb8_BI8bV1-U649yl4-fu9NKwMfh6seFPraLJ0fpEq8iUrKQIQ0Ie6Eeznx/s1600/woman-washing-hands-horiz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kX9G04VIbIQY_57gJuZf_nirT-fzOT_wQwGB3b-EGlia_L8LUwraT3NG_EJnMoSdyMT6pteILJ3nV-6HUZb8_BI8bV1-U649yl4-fu9NKwMfh6seFPraLJ0fpEq8iUrKQIQ0Ie6Eeznx/s1600/woman-washing-hands-horiz2.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><b></b><br />
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b><b><br /></b></b><b>Washing Hands</b><br />
<br />
In the winter while<br />
Washing my hands the water<br />
Turns from cold to hot.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Courtesy of <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/831431/slowly-going-green-stop-wasting-water" target="_blank">She Knows Living</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>You might also like</b>:</span> <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2013/12/rate-my-haiku.html" target="_blank">Rate My Haiku</a>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-54497164591427297852014-03-03T06:04:00.000-05:002014-03-01T01:35:57.725-05:00Joy in My Ear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui2BCjueCtsymV1d0pDd6BnqpCtQYjIWlXRhGxPz1B_3Eeo4S6ea_PTOoffdodfc-wKfC_b6qgoXXlRlyGDiGo33enPNMJKi8OJ4Pl_okTFStKbD-96v4VAvDkeVjDVaNSyK02VhbXM05/s1600/Ear+whisperer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui2BCjueCtsymV1d0pDd6BnqpCtQYjIWlXRhGxPz1B_3Eeo4S6ea_PTOoffdodfc-wKfC_b6qgoXXlRlyGDiGo33enPNMJKi8OJ4Pl_okTFStKbD-96v4VAvDkeVjDVaNSyK02VhbXM05/s320/Ear+whisperer.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455486392321305506" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<b><u>UPDATE</u></b>: 2/28/14: My ear finally cleared for good! That's how long it took. This article was originally published 4/2/10. It got much better initially, but then I let it sit like that for a long time. In the end, it was just pain-body. When I finally developed enough presence to concentrate on it, I felt it move from my ear (like a little sprite or tiny benign demon that had found what it thought was a home; use what metaphor you will) into my cheekbone and then finally disappear.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sweep your body clean daily. Search it with your awareness and winnow out any pockets of negativity in its physical dimension. Turn off your mind and feel your body from the inside. Call this meditation if you like.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It isn't pretty. Check your heart. Check your guts--negativity loves to linger there. Check your legs, your knees. Check your ears. Yes, that's right, you heard me correctly: CHECK YOUR EARS!</div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
For many years, my left ear has been clogged. It's something I have accepted. But I have cleared out all the other "normal" pockets of anxiety (<i>See</i> A Cure for Anxiety <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2009/12/cure-for-anxiety-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2009/12/cure-for-anxiety-part-2.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2009/12/cure-for-anxiety-part-3.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/cure-for-anxiety-part-4.html">Part 4</a>). What is this but anxiety? Why differentiate? Negativity, absence of joy, call it what you like.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's right, you heard me correctly: ABSENCE OF JOY!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our body's natural state is joy (<i>See</i> <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/03/joy-of-being-explained.html">The Joy of Being, Explained</a>). You should feel a dull, barely perceptible joy at all times in the background as you progress through your day. But whenever it occurs to you, it's there, you feel it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Joy is your body's natural state, and it will generally cure what ails you. It's not that you turn it on as a result of meditation (or running, or holding your baby) and then turn it off in your daily life. When you meditate, you are simply focused on it and can turn it on more brightly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For joy to obtain in your body, all you have to do is remember it, allow it. For many people this is natural. For many others, unnatural neutrality has been taught and learned. And for yet others, outright negativity is their constant state.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Without a doubt, I will get out the Q-Tips, the hydrogen peroxide, a trip to the doctor, whatever it takes--I told you this wouldn't be pretty. It might even uncover another dietary change I need to make (<i>See</i> A Cure for Anxiety - <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/cure-for-anxiety-part-4.html">Part 4</a>). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But don't be fooled. The root cause of this problem is an absence of joy in my ear.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Photo credit: <a href="http://inventorspot.com/articles/ear_wax_reveals_ancient_history__6971">InventorSpot</a></div>
Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-35748323653908913422014-03-01T01:06:00.002-05:002014-03-01T01:46:01.878-05:00The Celestine Prophecy - A Cautionary Tale<b><u>The Book</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
A really great idea, poorly executed, and yet James Redfield has sold something like 23 million copies of <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i>. Why? Well, because it's a really great idea for a novel, I suppose.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446671002/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446671002&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0446671002&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="208" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0446671002" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
But just imagine if Dan Brown had written <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> (23 mil.) in addition to <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> (80 mil.). If I were Redfield, I'd ask Dan Brown to help me write a revision of <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> for the 25th anniversary of its publication coming up in 2018 (published in 1993, you do the math). It would sell another 20 million easy.<br />
<br />
Because there's a lot to like in <i>The Celestine Prophecy: </i>jungles, the Andes, Machu Picchu. But there's also a lot to hate there too. I've tried three or four times over the years to read it but I just couldn't do it. And I like this kind of novel, one that tries to teach you something, especially something about consciousness, enlightenment, awakening--all that crap. Heck, I even write books like that myself and I still couldn't choke it down.<br />
<br />
The problem is, it's just so poorly written, and that's where the cautionary aspect of this blog post comes in. <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> was originally self-published, and it shows. Redfield sold 100,000 copies out of the back of his Honda--Accord-ing to lore (sorry, couldn't resist)--so at that point it must have been tough for the editors at Warner Books, which scooped up the publishing rights to the book after that, to talk much sense into Redfield. And what did they care, really? I'm sure they were happy to keep the printing press churning out twenty-dollar bills. This was an unholy union that I suspect damed the movie version to hell, Satan's spawn that it is, but we'll get to that in a moment.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b>You might also like:</b></span> <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/search/label/Eckhart%20Tolle" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>These articles about Eckhart Tolle</b></span></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I had never been able to get past that first awful first chapter of the novel. Finally, as I felt duty-bound to read it as market research for my latest manuscript, I finally decided to begin anew with chapter 2. Then with the help of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaWr3RH6UnY" target="_blank">audio version</a>, I was able to get through the whole thing this time, and I have to admit, issues of craftsmanship aside, it wasn't that bad. I was able to see occasional faint glimmers of the genius that drew so many people to read it.<br />
<br />
Earlier in life, Redfield was a child psychologist (or social worker, perhaps; at any rate he was a child counselor). Yes, his novel has all the new age claptrap, but essentially the book is a vehicle for Redfield's views on relationships and child rearing, garnered from his own experience and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celestine_Prophecy" target="_blank">books he'd read and liked</a>, like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_People_Play_(book)" target="_blank">Games People Play by Dr. Eric Burne</a>. These psychological principles--like don't steal other people's energy, and the stealing of other people's psychic energy is the root of all human conflict--are the insights of the ancient eponymous prophecy, the implementation of which are supposed to usher in a new age of enlightenment, ultimately "ending the cycle of birth and death." Here is <a href="http://jeanbakula.hubpages.com/hub/The-Celestine-Prophecys-Spiritual-Insights" target="_blank">list of all the insight</a>s, there are 12 of them now.<br />
<br />
I certainly can't quibble with Redfield's views on the nature of the universe (as energy) and the need to give energy in relationships rather than stealing it. But the idea that you can overcome negative tendencies (e.g. the practice of stealing other people's energy) even after having a spiritual awakening through conscious application of these principles isn't practical. It certainly hasn't been my experience. Even after a spiritual awakening has occurred, unconscious behaviors continue (driven by what Eckhart Tolle has called the "<a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/01/pain-body.html" target="_blank">pain-body</a>") until you go into your inner body through meditation to root it out. The idea that you can do this through conscious application of the principles and insights, detailed at length in the novel, doesn't ring true for me.<br />
<br />
Not that they aren't interesting to read about. One of the passages that I listened to on audio and then found in the book to read again talks about the roots of codependency:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[T]he problem starts in our early family. Because of the energy competition there, none of us were able to complete an important psychological process. We weren't able to integrate our opposite sexual side.</blockquote>
It's important, I think, to note here that these types of discussions are pure metaphor, although they are not meant as such. There is no such thing as a male or female side. These are just words expressing what? An idea. And that idea is simply an expression of a what? Anyone? Anyone? A feeling. So this idea, which exists only in the conscious mind--that non-existent virtual space of mind--will be of absolutely no help to the codependent person until it is repatriated into the body, the inner-body, where it is located and identified as a negative <i>feeling</i> and rooted out by making the unconscious thought that created the pain (i.e. pain-body) conscious through the application of awareness (vice judgement, that is to say rationality, that is to say conscious thought). This Redfield doesn't seem to understand, or at least hasn't included, which makes his novel incomplete. And as Thomas Mann has said (probably ironically) through one of the characters in his thousand-plus page novel, <i>The Magic Mountain</i>, "Only the exhaustive is truly interesting."<br />
<br />
Another of Redfield's major points is in finding one's evolutionary mission. He says this is the blending of your mother's purpose and your father's purpose. He says, through his characters, that if you think back to what your dad was all about and what your mom was all about, then you can figure out what you're all about. Really? Thinking about such things seems more like a silly waste of time to me. Why not just be, and then do whatever arises out of being? And if nothing ever comes up, count yourself lucky and just relax and enjoy being. But to each his own.<br />
<br />
Then there is the inevitable new-age preoccupation with the evolution of humanity and where it's all leading and where its all going and the development of human consciousness and so forth. This even infects the teachings of my good (anonymous) friend and long-distance mentor Eckhart Tolle. What does that have to do with living in "the now"? Nothing whatsoever. It just puts pressure on people to go and do and move and evolve and seek and . . . instead of just being. It's the same with <i>Left Behind</i> and the rapture and concerns about the next life. Wherever we're going, we're going to get there without any of us worry about it, Does it matter where civilization is going if reality is actually an illusion? Of course not. So just relax. Chill out. Enjoy life. You want to know what the next life will be like? Try meditating. It will be something like that.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456461354/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1456461354&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1456461354&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="200" /></a>From a craft standpoint, aside from the poorly constructed plot and the undeveloped characters, it's the way these clunky psychological principles, which are literally right out of a self-improvement text, are shoehorned into the narrative, in dialogue from characters that are simply there to deliver their lines and then exit stage right. The insights are not born of their character in any way, because we have no idea what their character is like. Characters have to be their words; they have to embody their words. That's not happening here at all. And Redfield jumps right in doing this from the first page of the novel. I found it really painful to read. But so many more readers out there are much more forgiving of these foibles than I am, in deference to a great idea for a story that tells them things about which they generally like to read, I guess. A cautionary tale, indeed, for anyone considering writing about what people don't wish to hear.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1456461354" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
I have headed this warning. While <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Self-Improvement-Book-Club-Murder/product-reviews/1456461354/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending" target="_blank">the reviews for my self-published novel, <i>The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder</i></a>, have been favorable, I have nonetheless seen the light about hiring a professional editor for my latest tale, working title <i>The Obamacare Conspiracy</i>. This is an important step as a writer. It is this that distinguishes the professional writer from the hobbiest, that one is willing to invest in his product. The editor begins her work on March 17th. I'm very excited!<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Movie</b></u><br />
<br />
This was the worst movie I have ever sat all the way through. I actually walked out on <i>Blades of Glory</i>--at the dollar theater no less, and I'm a big Will Ferrell fan to boot! But to be fair to <i>Blades</i>, I was watching <i>Celestine</i> as research, knowing that I would be writing this review and feeling that I should at least watch the entire movie before doing so.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JBWWQ0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000JBWWQ0&linkCode=as2&tag=todwrinow-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000JBWWQ0&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=todwrinow-20" height="320" width="220" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=todwrinow-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JBWWQ0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
This movie is so bad, it's worth watching. This movie is almost comedy, that's how bad it is. It's sometimes difficult to watch good movies and learn anything about how movies are made because one gets so engrossed in them and forgets to regard the craftsmanship involved, the movie magic, the tricks of the trade utilized. This movie has no such problem. They should show it at film schools. The students will understand implicitly how to do it right by watching this movie.<br />
<br />
It's terrible. It's as if it's makers looked at the book and took from it only the elements that wouldn't make a good movie. Because there were lots of features in the book that would have been great in the movie. Take us to the Andes! Not in the movie. Take us to Machu Picchu! Not even mentioned in the movie. Give us a love story. Give us drama and danger.<br />
<br />
Why is the main character going on this adventure? Shoulder shrug. Why this guy? Shoulder shrug. After just a few minutes, the desire is, "Ok, why don't you just give us a list of the nine insights so we can get on with our lives?" Sure enough, they rolled across the screen, but only after the final credits an hour and a half later.<br />
<br />
The problem is . . . James Redfield. He insisted on co-writing the screenplay and producing the movie. And he apparently surrounded himself with sycophants, who were unwilling to tell him that his screenplay sucked. I have very little doubt that any Hollywood mogul would have been champing at the bit to get their hands on the rights to <i>The Celestine Prophecy </i>(with Tom Cruise as the lead, assuming his Scientology elders approved of his participation) IF they could have them unfettered so as to draw out the good bits and turn it into the blockbuster it could have been. But with Redfield--poor writer that his is--holding all the cards, no one would touch it. As it was, the movie had a $10 million budget (perhaps all Mr. Redfield's money) and grossed about 1/10th of that.<br />
<br />
As an aside, a co-producer and co-writer, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0047685/?ref_=tt_ov_wr" target="_blank">Barnet Bain</a>, appears to be behind an effort to <a href="http://miltonssecretmovie.com/campaign/co-creation/" target="_blank">"crowd fund" a movie adaptation of a children's story written by my good (though long-distance and anonymous) friend Eckhart Tolle called <i>Milton's Secret</i></a>. Claiming to have access to Hollywood production money, Mr. Bain also claims to eschew these sources of funding due to the strings that inevitably attach (like a requirement for a great script, for example), and he's touting his role in the making of <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> to make his case! Hoping his potential marks won't have seen the monstrosity, perhaps (probably a pretty safe bet). They're asking for a million bucks and have raise almost $323,000 in free money so far with their slick website, with no deadline on fundraising (as is required, for example, with legitimate crowdfunding organizations like <a href="http://Kickstarter.com/">Kickstarter.com</a> projects). I even went so far as to send an email to the propounders of this effort via Facebook some time ago, asking them to cease and desist tarnishing Eckhart's good name in this way. I haven't heard back from them as yet. If <i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> is any indication, they need all the Hollywood strings attached to <i>Milton's Secret</i> that they can get.<br />
<br />
Again, this is a cautionary tale, not only for Eckhart Tolle and Barnet Bain, but for anyone who writes or makes movies--or writes novels with an eye toward making movie out of them in the future. There are some stories that work, and many more that don't. And movies are very limited vehicles, much more limited than novels. You only have a couple of hours of time and attention, and there are only certain things you can profitably do with that time. And there are people who know what those certain things are. Leave any experimentation to those people. The best thing, a writer can hope for in most cases is to use the movie to get people interested in reading the book.<br />
<br />
<i>The Celestine Prophecy</i> would have made one helluva good picture if James Redfield had done that. Maybe when the 25th anniversary revised edition of the novel comes out, he'll let them remake the movie.<br />
<br />
But I wouldn't hold my breath. The end of the cycle of birth and death is likely to come sooner.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b>You might also like:</b></span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">This article about <a href="http://toddwrightnow.blogspot.com/2010/02/trouble-with-spiritual-teachers.html" target="_blank">A Course in Miracles</a></span></b>Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860123902902527642.post-1074999239037058202014-02-17T22:51:00.000-05:002014-02-17T22:51:49.093-05:00A "Lost" Review of The Self-Improvement Book Club Murder<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=140909&lc1=261414&t=todwrinow-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=tf_til&asins=1456461354" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 107px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Here's a 5-star review from last year that it appears I failed to post from a Harry Federci:<br />
<br />
Author Todd Wright skillfully uses the rather ordinary theme of a murder mystery to explore the extraordinary difference between organized religion and what is known at the present time as New Age spirituality. Detectives Bookman and Berg - no first names are ever divulged - are assigned to a criminal case involving the murder of a young woman. In the course of their investigation, they are exposed to profound literature which radically alters their perceptions of reality. The teachings of Aristotle, Socrates, St. Paul and Jesus Christ all come into play in this most unusual crime novel. I highly recommend it to anyone with an open mind who wishes to explore the big questions of life and doesn't know quite where to begin.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Harry!Todd Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618731415750572865noreply@blogger.com0