New Books, New Stories

"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit." -Khalil Gibran

As the days pass, I will begin to build up to the announcement of my new book. The manuscript is with the publisher and potentially a few edits and changes to make, are all that stand between now and publication. This book marks a slight shift from the past couple of books, CHANGED LIVES and LIVE THE JOURNEY.

In my new book called LOVE IS, the intent is to take you through a series of stories that will give you new perspective on what love is. There is a wide variety of good and many not so good definitions of what love is on display and talked about these days. This book should bring it all back to an easy and healthy way to know and understand what love really is.

Yes, I still use my own life experiences to illustrate what love does in life, the lessons learned, and the power of love in our lives. I also bring it around to one of the greatest love stories ever told. You will recognize it and in my book I attempt to break down the meaning of each sentence for you.

The name of that love story will have to wait, but if you think about it, you'll know which one I'm talking about. If not, once the book is out, you can read and find out what a huge impact love, the right kind of love, can have on your life.

Stay inspired my friends and if you are looking for a great read today, check out @DavidSpell new book Street Cop II (Reloaded). Read stories from a 30+ year career to find out what serving and protecting really means.

Can I Live forever

"I intend to live forever. So far, so good." -Steven Wright

I have wondered from time to time, what it would be like to live forever. Or live for at least one-seventy five years as Abraham, from Bible stories did. Maybe two-hundred or more years would be sufficient to see tremendous change. And then again, maybe only ninety years will be enough.

My grandmother lived to be 93 years-old and I remember how she was enthralled by the changes she had seen. She was born at a time when telephone service was in its early infancy. She died when the first cell phones were coming out. Moving pictures went from silent films to the big screen and back down to the small screen with VCR tapes. Even the cameras used to record them could be held (on your shoulder) and instantly seen. Not to mention television sets, cars, the moon, and so many things.

What I believe would be hard if living longer would be the loss of family, friends and familiarity with every day life. Of course good health would be essential and money. Heck, who is going to hire a one-hundred twenty year old man even if I do have my wits about me. Life would be a gradual adaptation to seeing so much change.

Don't get me wrong, I will live as long as God gives me to live. I am happy for each day and each moment with my wife, kids, grand kids, and friends. The experience of life is a joy to behold and whether it is sixty years or six-hundred, I will be thankful for each of them.

The important part of living forever though is living the years you are given such that the memory of you lives on. If the life I live is a good one, as good as one can strive for, then you do live on forever in the minds and hearts of those that knew you.

My own mother lived to be almost seventy-eight years of age until Pancreatic Cancer left its mark on us. We firmly believed that she would live into her nineties and beyond. She was that rock-solid to us and invincible. She lived though for others, for her children, for her family. And she enjoyed life even with all of the heart-break and pain that comes with simply living.

The interesting part is that she continues to live on inside each of us. She lives in the stories we tell our children and grand-children. She will live on in the stories that they tell the generations. So in a way, she is living forever and so far, so good.

He Is My Son

"It takes a long time to grow young." -Pablo Picasso

I remember a boy sitting in a laundry basket, smiling from ear to ear.
He may have been one year old or two, but this I know, he is my son.

He was proud of his trick, having gotten into the basket to surprise Dad.
So proud of him and everything since, for he is my son.

Years flow by like cool mountain streams, winter's store of snow racing towards the sea.
Each drink of water quenches the soul, for he is my son.

As time runs on and age consumes, rocks will wear and new flowers bloom.
But forever it remains, for he is my son.

Happy Birthday my son.

Temptation

"Ever notice that the whisper of temptation can be heard farther than the loudest call to duty." -Earl Wilson

I guess it happens to all of us. We could be walking down the street and when we turn the corner, we find temptation standing right there in front of us. It is seductive and does very well at playing to the inner most parts of us.

Recently it happened to me and did so in such a quiet and sneaky way that I am still surprised. You see I am one of those people that like cars but not enough to pay the large sums of money required for a new one. So I tend to buy a car that is a couple of years old and drive it for quite some time.

I took our 2004 Chrysler Concorde in for some new tires, which turned into a stripped lug nut bolt. From there I went to the dealership for a new lug nut and bolt replacement. Of course the brakes were getting a bit thin so I decided to have the front brakes replaced and yes, the front rotors as well. It was all going well until they brought the car around front and the brake pedal sunk to floor and they needed to use the emergency brake to stop the car.

Back in the service bay it went to find that the rear seal of the master cylinder had broken. The ensuing explanation of what and how that could have happened took place. My only reaction was just how much and lets get it fixed. I've gotten to a point in life where I can't change what just happened, I just need to deal with it and move forward.

The dealership offered a free rental car and thus the temptation began ever so quietly. When I had walked in originally for repairs, the service manager and I spoke about the new 2012 Chrysler 300 vehicle. For me, it piqued my interest and we had a nice discussion about them. Now I found myself riding to the car rental facility in a courtesy vehicle, the drive and I also talking again about the 2012 Chrysler 300.

There was paperwork and a bit of a wait and it shouldn't surprise you, they provided me with a 2012 Chrysler 300 of course. I slipped in and grasped the steering wheel, adjusting the seat perfectly to accomodate my frame. The satellite radio kicked out a concert hall sound as I placed the transmission into reverse. The large screen lit up with a view of the ground behind, no need to turn my head as everything behind me was perfectly clear.

Onto the highway I turned and the car's Hemi V-8 engine lifted and pulled me forward down the road with the greatest of ease. As I had expected, this car was all that I had expected. The seduction of a new car was taking hold of me. Temptation had me looking at financing options. The three sirens were clearly tempting my spirit.

Yet I found myself and looked beyond the temptation of a new car. The car payments, the insurance costs, worrying about this and that when it comes to keeping a new car looking new. There are other things higher on my wife's and my priority list. This car was trying to push its way to the top and nearly made it there.

We are all tempted by the slick marketing advertisements and the material want for new things. The yearning for these items usually starts in our emotions, which can be quite powerful. But you also have to step back from teh temptation, examine the reality of it and the longterm consequences of it. For us, buying a new car wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It would mean placing other things lower on the list, reprioritizing.

When I stepped back though and looked at what was really important in our lives, the car just didn't match up. The temptation almost worked, but understanding that once the emotional excitement drifted away, the temptation ended up holding no power over me. I ruled the day and made the right choice.

Don't let temptation pull you into the rocks like a crashing wave. Settle back and consider beyond the moment of excitement. Take a clear view of what you want in life and avoid the sirens. You will find life a whole lot better without the aggravation of a hangover from choosing a wrong temptation.