The New Phone Book Is Here

It can be much more official now, "The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!" The line comes from a movie starring Steve Martin called, "The Jerk". At one point, his character Navin is so excited about the delivery of the new phone book.

His friend Harry says, "Well I wish I could get so excited about nothing."

Navin responds, "Nothing? Are you kidding?! Page 73, Johnson, Navin, R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book every day! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity, your name in print, that makes people. I'm impressed! Things are going to start happening to me now."

Well, I have that same excitement about my new book, CHANGED LIVES. Distribution has started and it can be found online at most any location including Amazon and Lulu online stores.

The ISBN number is 978-0-578-01674-0 and is my second book, the birthing of new words for all to read. So I would really appreciate some feedback on the book. It is a great read and actually feel it is a great book to give out to others that need some inspiration to move on in life. I have given out dozens and hoping for a ground swell of support.

I am also working on possible speaking engagements and turning my 'little project' into that 'big project' my friend Dean Sweetman spoke about. All it takes is a little excitement about what otherwise might be considered nothing.

So get excited, the new phone book is here!!
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Spread The News

"Things do not change; we change." ~Henry David Thoreau

I have been writing for a number of years now and still take wonder in reading the works of 'real' writers. I have friends locally here in Atlanta that I know are classified as professional writers. They each give me encouragement to continue and improve my writing skills. Inspire and motivate others, that is the whole point.

Each of my articles is intended to provide a simple view (mine of course) of what you can do to live a better life. As we grow older we tend to allow negative thoughts of what we can and can not do consume our lives. We forget that we can change ourselves for the better. The place or circumstance we are in doesn't have to be "all there is" in our life.

If I can give you a boost when something has you down; give you some inspiration to try something different when nothing seems to be working; or give you another way of looking at your life when no one else will, then I think the writing is worth every word written.

Over the next few days, I will be giving you bits and pieces from my book called "Changed Lives", which is my second book. The stories are a journey into the lives of people faced with a decision. Each of the people made a change, they stepped through the open door and allowed themselves to experience possibility.

As a note to my books (available at LULU.COM and other online outlets), the proceeds go to charities that I support. These charities are geared to help others and are part of the 'ripple' effect I have written about many times. Please support me in these efforts and order a few books. Simply hand them out to those that need the encouragement. I have given out hundreds of these books and the feedback has been great. Again, it makes a change in someones life; it opens a door for them to make a choice.

Step through the open door before you, help spread the news, help spread the word of change.
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Beautiful Rain

Rain showers my spirit and waters my soul.~Emily Logan Decens

It is all a matter of perspective. You can choose to be sullen by the cloudy day or rejoice in it. The following video is from John Poland and it is said, "Tears add to the rain. Happiness makes the sun shine."


Beautiful Rain © copyright John Poland & Stanley Rumm 2009

Of course it all comes back to, "is the glass half empty or half full?" I'd say half full and the rain only fills it more. So much is good about the life we live and if a little bit of 'Beautiful Rain' falls, enjoy the wonder of it.
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Strength To Decide

"It is truly said: It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide what to do." -Chow Ching

Early in the morning, the alarm awakens us to another work day. Rattling our mind from the quiet recess of dream and slumber. We may roll over and take refuge in the snooze button for a few more minutes. Yet we eventually remove ourselves from the bed and prepare for the day ahead.

It certainly didn't take much physical strength to move from the resting state to a state of movement. The strength came in your will to rejoin others in the daily tasks at hand. It is the 'will' to do something that takes the most strength.

In every decision you make, there is a battle within the mind to either stand still and do nothing, or take a step forward in action. But as you notice each morning, it isn't the physical act of taking a step but the decision to take that step which requires strength.

When I begin a new book, I always battle the negative aspects of doing so. Will people purchase it, will people like the book and will they actually be able to take some measure of goodness from it? The battle of time and work involved sit like a rugged mountain in the middle of my path. Is it worth the effort to climb it one more time? But with each book, the will to proceed grows easier. I have reached the peak, seen the other side and know the effort is well worth it.

You can develop the strength of will by continually moving forward. You fight off the desire to remain complacent. If you do not, laying in bed all day will eventually result in bed sores and a not very pleasant life. Get up and move out into the day with the strength of your decisions.

The results will surprise you when you decide to step out in change. It is the decision which is the hardest part. The rest will seem easy.
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