5 Important Messages from Jesus

The six weeks leading up to Easter are meant to be a time of preparation.  It's a time of sacrifice. Some may be asking, "With the pandemic, will Easter be postponed?"  I know people who think Easter is a celebration of the past.  For me, it's really a celebration of what's to come and it's big, really big.  The exact day and time are uncertain.  Even Jesus tells you only the Father knows.  All I can say is this Easter will be unlike any the modern world has ever witnessed.  If you feel like you lost your rhythm in this time of preparation for Easter, I would like to share five messages from Jesus to help you get through these difficult times.  Here goes:


Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37).  Jesus says this is the first and greatest commandment (verse 38).  Jesus said this in reply when he was asked which of the commandments is the greatest.  The question was meant to trap him so the Pharisees could get rid of Jesus and hold on to their power.

Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).  This is the second part of loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind and it is equally important.  Jesus said this in response to a question about how to inherit eternal life.  Is there anything more important than eternal life?  These two messages from Jesus are the keys to eternity.

Don't worry.  There are more than 365 references to "fear not" in the Bible.  You can find these references in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, 2 Timothy, Hebrews, Revelation.  Let these words be your strength in troubled times.  Trust Jesus.

Behold I am making all things new (Revelation 21:5).  Jesus said this while he was seated on the throne and he said to John, "Write this down for these things are trustworthy and true."  He said the same thing to his mother while he was dragging the cross on his way to his crucifixion.  Can you believe that?  He looked into his mother's eyes and smiled at her.  He was so badly beaten that he was barely recognizable but he wanted her to know that he, our Lord and Savior of the world, was about to wash all of us of our sins.  This message wasn't just for his mother and the people around him.  It is for you and me and all future generations.  He is sitting on the throne right now making all things new.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).  For those of you who have not heard my story about what happened to me when a visitor came to our church many years ago and challenged us to find a creative way to connect to God through the Bible, I'm going to share it here because it confirms what Matthew is talking about in Matthew 7:7.  The visitor told us we should "randomly" open our bibles and pretend we're looking in a mirror when we read about the character on the pages.  I dusted off a Vulgate version of my Bible which was translated by Jerome from Hebrew to Latin in the 4th Century.  I closed my eyes and asked God to show me who I am in his eyes before opening my Vulgate Bible to the story of the naked caveman who was possessed by "legions," meaning multiple demons.  At first, I was terrified to see my alter ego on those pages.  It took years to understand God's point of view but I finally grasped my past, present, and future and now fully understand that the story is not really about me but about Jesus and his love for us.  The most challenging part of the message was the part about the cave dweller wanting to follow Jesus.  Jesus said, "You must stay and tell others about the good that I have done for you."  Jesus promised he would return after his work was done.  In the vulgate version of my Bible, the story mentions that when Jesus came back the whole town was waiting because the man "published" all the good Jesus had done for him.  This hit me in the heart because at the time I looked at myself in the mirror I was in the publishing business with a group of partners.  I have dedicated my life to share all the good Jesus is doing in my life.  Everything that I am is because of Jesus.

Have a great day.

Update – My 40 Days in the Desert

We know from the Bible stories what it looked like for Jesus when he spent 40 days in the desert in preparation for his Father's plans.  Satan was there every step of the way.  The temptations were relentless.  Why would my time of preparation for the Resurrection be any different?  I gave up the things most near and dear to my heart – wine and chocolate.  The world I left behind seemed so normal when I began my journey.  Then the pandemic hit.  Suddenly everything is upside down.  Schools are in lockdown.  Restaurants are open for carryout only.  Even my house of worship is shuttered.  One by one, states are telling the world that entry is forbidden.  The whole world has become a desert.  The risk of death is on everyone's mind, especially those who are afflicted with auto-immune diseases or suffer from respiratory ailments, like asthma.   The elderly are afraid to leave their homes.  The landscape of our world has changed.

Spectators watching world events from the sidelines may think the Devil has the upper hand based on all the current events.  I disagree.  My time in the desert has opened my eyes to see the world the way Jesus sees it.  I can say from my heart that anything the Evil One thinks he can do, God can do better.  All that is needed is to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Yes, it's true I felt deflated when I walked to my house of worship last week and discovered that the doors were locked.  There was a certain emptiness inside my heart.  This makes my time in the desert feel very real.

This morning I opened up my Facebook page after my morning meditation and discovered that my pastor set up a virtual mass service for his congregation.  Maybe my time in the desert without wine or chocolate is causing me to become delirious, but I'm doing something that's going to make the dark side want to come after me with a vengeance.  At the risk of causing all Hell to break loose, I'm posting a link to the virtual service for anyone else who may wish to join me in prayer for our world.  The Evil One may have played a role in shutting down our churches but Jesus did something bigger by busting through the brick and mortar and creating virtual houses of worship all over the world.  Click here for a Facebook link to my hometown church in Iowa and watch the videos of our virtual mass.  Please visit and offer your prayers for our time in the desert to come to a conclusion soon.  Have a great day.

Shane Mulligan Shares a Heartfelt Message

Please welcome our son, Shane Mulligan, to this blog.  I asked him to share his perspective with my readers and received this message from him on Saturday night.  Shane is attending school at the University of Montana Western on the GI bill and he tells me his writing professor likes his work.  I do too but I'm biased.  You can decide for yourself if this story touches your heart.  Thank you, son...

2020 I Won’t Forget You 

My father told me a couple of weeks ago that it was the first year anniversary from the last time I wrote a story for his blog. He asked if I would be interested in writing another piece and I responded with, “Dad I just honestly don’t have much to say about anything right now.” I just felt like last year was such a journey for me and I overcame so many obstacles that it would be hard to top the story I had then or have anything new relatable to share. I have realized the more I read and write that writing really isn’t about one-upping anyone or out-performing yourself but it’s just about writing. It’s as simple as that, just write some stuff down, share some stories and what people choose to take from it is up to them. 

So here we all are in what feels like the weirdest times that have ever occurred in all of history. I mean thank God we still have the internet because if it wasn’t for Netflix and YouTube, I think I personally would be at a new form of boredom that I’ve never experienced before and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that. A lot of people out there believe strongly that this is either the beginning of the end or it’s at least a, “wake up call.” I’m not sure what it is, but what I do know now is that is has given me a chance to reflect on myself and my own life decisions. I don’t think I have made all the right choices and helped others every time they have needed it. I think I have spent a lot of time being selfish. I’ve made some dumb decisions and have certainly let people down. Life would be boring and pointless though if you didn’t mess up every now and then and question yourself from time to time. What would be the lesson in life if you aced it every test, I mean really? Think about it.  

In my opinion, accountability is something a lot of people are missing. When you mess up just be a man or woman about it and admit you have. I have done more reflecting in this time then just beating myself up though, I have had some real time to appreciate the little things more. I have spent a little more time and effort in sending a text back to a friend. I have called up people from my past just to see how they are doing and let them know I’m thinking of them. I played a few games of scrabble with my parents with the mindset that these times together don’t last forever. It made winning a little sweeter against an ultra-competitive pair and it also made me laugh and smile a little harder when someone I cared about told me something funny that happened during their day because I was really paying attention.  

It shouldn’t take us thinking the world is ending to care more about the people in our lives. But the simple truth is that sometimes it takes something like this to make you realize who you love and why it is that you love them. Getting sick is as much a part of life as anything, it just happens. We can blame others, we can hate others, but it doesn’t change the fact we have something on our tables that is difficult. I don’t think you find out who people are in a time of peace, a true character comes out when things aren’t pretty. So, take a second to think about who you want to be or who you want to be remembered as. I know it isn’t easy and at the end of the day it’s a “dog eat dog world” but that doesn’t give you a reason to treat your neighbor bad or cashier who is already exhausted poorly. I have seen both hate and love in the world that we live in and have found it’s been a lot easier for me to love and forgive than hate and hold a grudge.  

I was angry that the college wrestling finals got canceled. I was angry that the opening day for Baseball got postponed. I was upset about the UFC events I spent months looking forward to getting delayed. I was upset about a lot of things but thankfully my Facebook friends were all there to let me know I wasn’t the only one upset about several things. There’s nothing wrong with being angry at the world or upset. I said a few weeks ago to my mother that, “nobody ever said life was going to be easy.” And I find myself going back to that again throughout my day in my head. Life isn’t easy! It’s super hard and unforgiving. You spend your whole year working your tail off whether it’s school, work or both for a vacation that seems to last a few hours in total. Next thing you know you’re back to the grind and already trying to plan your next vacation in your head. 

Life is filled with so many ups and downs that it’ll exhaust you throughout the rollercoaster ride it takes you on. It will truly beat you down and keep you there if you decide you’re tired of getting up. I miss a lot of things right now but I am also thankful for what I do still have and what my loved ones have too. If this is just a wakeup call, I'm awake now. I spent a couple of weeks in Iowa with my family this month and could have stayed there longer since the rest of my semester is online for college. But there was a voice in my head that told me I needed to return to Montana, for whatever reason. It’s the same voice that has told me not to drive when I had been drinking. The same voice that said don’t go somewhere when something bad ended up happening. The same voice that I’ve realized is just better to trust than to question. In these bizarre times, I think you should trust your instincts and heart. I heard recently that replacing “have to” with “get to” can change a whole lot with the way you view things.  

I hope that my words could at the very least motivate anyone reading to feel a little more positive in a world filled with a bunch of negative. I was watching the news Thursday night and a lady said just think in the future when everything returns to normal just how much fun we will have and no longer take things for granted. I also saw a documentary a few years ago on life after death about a man who temporarily died in a car accident and claimed he went to hell during the time his body was dead and the person interviewing asked him something along the lines of, “what was the worst part of your experience?” and he took a minute to gather his thoughts before clearing his throat and responded with, “hope didn’t exist there.” Those four words have somewhat haunted me for a long time now. Hope and faith have been the two things that have got me through so much in life and without it, I'd be nothing. I’ll leave you with this thought though, no matter how difficult, challenging or bad these times get. We still have hope here on earth and we are here for a reason. All of us are.  

       By Shane Mulligan 

Here's Some Calm for You

These are tough times, even for believers.  I watched an interview with Max Lucado, an author, and pastor who wrote, "Anxious for Nothing."  He talked about calm which he breaks down into four categories.  Here's a summary of his tips...

Celebrate God all the time instead of focusing on our problems.
Ask God for help in all matters. Get specific about your request.
Leave it with God once you ask for help.
Meditate on good things.

The United States is now the most anxious nation on the planet.  The average high school kid today has the same levels of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the 50's.  Max Lucado referenced a statistic he read the other day that our college-bound students are wrapped up tighter than a mummy.

The apostle, Paul, did a great job guiding others when he wrote to the Philippians (4:4-8):

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all me.   The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

Enjoy the calm.  Don't worry.  Be happy.  Have a great day.

Why I Prefer the Unknown Roads

I had an interesting conversation with a teammate at my day job the other day.  I brought up the idea that most of us simply repeat ourselves day after day.  What I mean is nothing ever changes.  We park in the same parking spaces, do the same activities, complain about the same challenges, and pretty much repeat history.  He looked at me and said, "I park in the same space every day."  He paused and then smiled because he realized I was right about reliving our lives without ever making changes.

This novel virus is serving as a kind of disrupter.  Some may complain about all the changes going on in the world right now.  I see this time as an opportunity to try out some unknown roads.  It's better not to plan too far ahead.  Take things one day at a time and focus on how uncertainty can serve as an opportunity to explore new ideas that can enhance your life.  Try an unknown road today.  Enjoy the ride.  Have a great day.

4am Wakeup Call This Morning

My "work less, travel more" mantra is on hold until it's safe to venture out again.  I'm up early today to pitch in at my day job and I want to make sure I give myself time to go through my morning routine first.  For me, writing and meditating keep me grounded, especially during times of turmoil.  The 4am wakeup call isn't much different from my regular start time but I'm going to do this twice a week to help support the elderly who now have their own dedicated time to shop for their necessities away from the general public.

I'm happy to report that my family is doing well during this time.  Our adult children understand this is a great time to be flexible.  The best way to avoid panic is to put limits on news watching which tends to be sensationalized.  The one thing that's being reported properly is the need for social distancing.  I'm thankful I can keep in touch with you through cyberspace.  It's safe and efficient.  Have a great day.

How I Made Peace with a Political Opponent

There's a reason why I don't share my political views on this blog.  It's like being in a crowded room and everyone is doused in lighter fluid.  As soon as the first person strikes a match, everyone gets burned.  Am I going to love one of my adult children any less because they choose to vote for "the other guy"?  Hell no.  The one I follow teaches us to love our enemies and this includes our political opponents.  That's why I went out of my way yesterday to deal with a former Facebook friend who struck a match on his page when he called out any and all friends who voted for "the other guy."  I decided it was time to practice social distance and unfriend him.  I could tell he was nervous about talking with me when he stopped in for supplies at my day job but I felt a need to speak my peace and the conversation went well.

When Jesus says "love your enemy," it doesn't mean you have to be friends on social media.  Social distancing may promote peace.  I told my buddy we can be friends in real life and the door is always open to Facebook should he choose to allow others like me who think differently to be included.  Speaking my peace felt good because I shared from my heart and told him we will always be friends no matter what are differences may be.  I walked out of his personal space before anyone lit a match.  Life is good.  Have a great day.

3 Reasons Why I Blog Daily

Fear is doing its best to creep into our lives.  I can only imagine what Anne Frank was feeling during her twenty-five months hiding from those who wanted to kill her.  She knew if she came out of hiding her life was over.  Sound familiar to what's happening in our world right now?  My boss at my day job handed me a letter yesterday that I'm to carry in my vehicle in case travel restrictions are imposed to control the spread of Covid-19.  We're asked to continue working to keep food supplies flowing during these challenging times.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to do my part especially because I love helping others.  I'm doing my best to modify my behavior to minimize contact while working.  I'm finding that sticking to my daily routine is bringing me joy and I wanted to share three reasons why I'm blogging daily...

1. Mom knows I'm okay.  This is our way of keeping in touch especially since face-to-face visits are on hold until the danger passes.  I'm picturing my mother enjoying her quiet space inside the home she's been living in for the last 55 years.  She's the ultimate prayer warrior.  I'm thankful she's living in the moment.
2. I promised God I would do this every day until I'm no longer able.  It's true, time does fly when you're having fun and this is something that gives me a sense of purpose, especially when we're going through challenging times.
3. I believe I can contribute by sharing my own successes, failures, and attempts to make the world better.  My place in this world is to be a servant and it's a role I cherish.

Everyone in this world has something to share for the betterment of all.  Look inside yourself and determine what that gift happens to be.  Find three reasons to share your gift daily.  Take action.  This may add a smile to your mother's face.  It may be pleasing to your Creator.  It may add one small morsel to the world you live in.  All I can say this morning is I'm thankful you're willing to read these messages and I hope they help you on your journey.  Have a great day.

The Best Way to Avoid Regrets

Regrets are canceled dreams, missed opportunities and sick feelings in your stomach because you didn't do something that you should have done.  There are only so many times you can put off until tomorrow what you should have done today.  The best way to avoid regrets is to take action now.  Sure, there are many things we cannot do today because of the limitations of this novel virus in our lives.  What about the other things?  Like reaching out to friends and family by phone or through social media.  Or practicing random acts of kindness.  Regrets are nothing more than unfinished business.  I challenge you to finish your business.  Get busy.  Have a great day.

Finding Peace in Troubled Times

I got my butt kicked these last couple of days.  It was a stunning total defeat.  I didn't see it coming.  There won't be any news media reports about this because they have bigger stories to report.  I can assure you the grandkids will hear about this when they ask how we coped with the great pandemic of the century.  Our story may be different from those carefree spring breakers who partied in Florida like there's no tomorrow.

I promise you I will recover.  All I can say is I gave my best effort.  When nothing else was working, I tried bluffing.  My wife and our youngest son called my bluff.  Much to my chagrin, that's how I lost three times in a row at Scrabble.  Today our youngest son returns to school in Montana after an extended spring break.  He is well equipped to handle the chaos in these troubled times.  You may be asking, "What's the lesson in your defeat?"  My answer is simple.  Find peace in all circumstances.  Be in the moment.  Recognize that you can't control the outcome but you can find peace when you control how you handle uncertainty.  Have a great day.

Can You Find the Silver Lining?

These storm clouds are rather frightening.  Our world hasn't seen anything like this in over one hundred years.  Several states announced they are now closed until further notice.  Our lives somehow turned upside down.  We are social creatures who enjoy being connected.  These social distancing guidelines now in place can be challenging to accept, especially when they keep us from visiting the elderly who appear the most vulnerable.  Can the silver lining be found in the clouds?

There are always options, even in the worst of conditions.  The silver lining is always there.  I choose to look up.  Have you ever considered that these storms are here to get our attention?  Some of us have been sleeping throughout our lives.  All that thunder rumbling in the middle of the night can be unnerving unless we find the music in the chords.  Perhaps our silver lining is our opportunity to see the good in the challenges.  I challenge you to find your silver lining today.  When you find it, make sure to be thankful.  Gratitude makes any rainy day better.  Have a great day.

It's Almost Time for the Fog to Lift

Something strange happened to me on my way home from my day job yesterday.  We were under a tornado watch at the end of my day job shift.  The weather conditions were just right to fog up all my windows.  Nothing seemed to clear the fog.  I rolled down my front windows to get a better look around but it didn't help much.  Heavy rains moved through the area just before the end of my shift causing the roads to glisten so brightly that when I pulled onto the on-ramp at I-80 I could barely see.  The windows fogged up like smoke from a wildfire.  The sun lined up perfectly in front of me on the gentle slope I was ascending.  This moment of blindness scared the hell out of me for about 45 seconds.  Once on the interstate, the fog suddenly faded away.  The sun drifted to my peripheral vision allowing me to see and appreciate every detail in the cloud formations all around me.  I was awestruck.  All I needed was for the fog to lift.

The world we find ourselves in today is like my experience driving home yesterday.  This layer of dense fog is like a blanket of fear smothering all of our senses.  We are grounded from our favorite activities until further notice.  Only God knows how long it will be before the fog lifts.  I believe there's a difference between the fog around us and the fog within us.  Our thought patterns determine just how far we can see.  If we choose to let the fog blind us, we're stuck in limbo.  Fear has a way of narrowing our perspective and we feel trapped.  The best way to clear the fog in our minds is to close our eyes and see all the blessings.  Self-isolation doesn't have to mean loneliness.  I picture the day when my next book is in your hands and you're reading my stories about my adventures.  These foggy days make perfect writing conditions.  I'll see you when the fog lifts.  It's almost time.  Have a great day.

Garden Tips for a Healthy Brain and Body

Have you ever heard of "brain gardening?"  I'm astonished to learn just how many new brain cells you grow every day – approximately 300 million.  That's right.  300 million.  If you were to take a look inside your brain, what kind of garden would you see?  Are the rows in alignment or scattered and chaotic?  Are there patches of wild overgrowth that haven't been tended to?  If you want a healthy brain and body, these questions matter.  The last thing I want is to have all these new brain cells show up in a garden that is so messy I feel overwhelmed and out of control.  That's the difference between a healthy brain and a sick brain.

In my opinion, the challenge we have as "brain gardeners" is we feel we don't have enough time to garden or we don't know how to do this.  We may not be able to see our brains but we can observe how our bodies are functioning and determine the condition of our garden.  I've been doing some activities to help get the soil right like eating foods that haven't been processed.  This seems to be helping to nurture the new cells sprouting daily.  I'm also discovering how negative thoughts play a role.  They are the areas of my brain where weeds are growing.  Anger and sadness fuel the weeds.  So does unforgiveness.  I'm working this daily.  The better I get at gardening, the happier I feel.  I'm finding that daily meditation is really nothing more than closing my eyes and checking in on my "brain garden."  I'm working on getting rid of the weeds and aligning the rows of thoughts that are growing.  Give this a try and see how your body responds.  Have a great day.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

The robot, Gort, from the science movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still, has much in common with our new visitor, Covid-19.  Both visitors caused everything to stop.  While Gort may have been a fictional robot, Covid-19 is real.  Our European neighbors showed us what happens should we choose to continue with business as usual.  Our best option is to get out of the way of those best equipped to help us get through this crisis.  We need to pretend Gort has returned from the 1951 movie classic to stop us from spreading this highly contagious virus.  We need to stand still, all of us except those who staff our hospitals, our distribution centers, and our sources for food like my day job.  Social distancing is the new norm.  My hope is that while we're standing still we find a way to stay positive. Have a great day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Most of the world is in solitary confinement on this St. Patrick's Day.  The parades are canceled.  Restaurants and bars are empty.  In spite of all this, I have a great reason to celebrate.  Our daughter is celebrating her birthday today.  She shares her birthday with one of my cousins, a transplant to the Midwest like our family.  Please join me in wishing these fine young ladies a happy birthday.  Have a great day.

Looks Like I Have Visitors in the Desert

I began my "40 days in the Desert" at the start of my Lenten journey.  Well, it's not really the desert most people think of but it's similar because it's baron, as in no cable TV, no wine (except on Sunday), no chocolate, and not much social contact.  For me, this is the perfect writing atmosphere for "The Adventures of Wilson."  While in disconnect mode, I heard about this new virus.  It's spreading faster and further than a California wildfire.  I've survived two wildfires, perhaps the most frightening events in our family history.  Most of the world will get through the latest virus scare.

If you're a new visitor to the desert scene, take your coat off and stay awhile.  I won't shake your hand for two reasons.  Number one, we're in cyberspace and it's just not feasible.  Number two, it's a good idea to practice due diligence and keep skin-to-skin contact to a minimum should we meet in public.  I recommend the Spock greeting from Star Trek because it's friendly and the gesture is derived from the Hebrews as a blessing.  Live long and prosper takes on new meaning when many are afraid of dying if should they get infected by this new virus.

Maybe you're here in the desert because your school is closed, your work is slowing down or shut down due to recent events or you were told to self-isolate.  Or perhaps you're here because you feel safe reading my stories.  Whatever your reason, I'm glad you're here. I find so much beauty in the desert.  If you hear coyotes howling in the distance, don't freak out.  Look them straight in the eye and show them you're not afraid.  You wanna know why?  There's a Resurrection coming.  Yep.  Easter Sunday.  It's a foreshadowing of what's to come – a sequel.  No virus can touch the one who rose from the dead.  He'll take anyone in the desert who wants to follow him to a special place where fear no longer lurks.  Use your time in the desert to get ready because when He comes it's going to be really special.  Thanks for visiting today.  Please don't worry about the stock market.  There just happens to be a big sale.  Have a great day.

Try This the Next Time You Face a Crisis

Charles Darwin has an interesting idea about survival.  He says, "It's not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives.  It is the one that is most adaptable to change."  Change isn't something most of like to consider but when it comes to survival, we appear to be more open to trying new ideas.  "Social distancing" is something many leaders are advocating to slow down the spread of the latest coronavirus circulating the globe.

The one I follow practiced social distancing when he felt overwhelmed by the crowds.  He wasn't worried about sickness or disease.  In fact, he cured all sorts of diseases.  Jesus was more focused on quiet time in order to prepare himself properly for the challenges ahead.  I believe social distancing has other benefits besides helping to slow the spread of COVID-19.  The top three for me are prayer, meditation, and reading.  Spending time in nature is also a great survival technique when your world is in a state of chaos.  Give quiet time a try then next time you face a crisis.  Have a great day.

Get Well, Tom

Tom Hanks is one of the first actors to be stricken with COVID-19.  It's been reported he's quarantined in Gold Coast Hospital on a South Pacific Island, Australia, with his wife.  The news falsely reported a story that the staff thought it would be a nice gesture to reunite Tom with his beloved Wilson.  One of my friends at my day job sent me a "doctored" photo of the two together during Tom's quarantine.  Could this be a preview of what's ahead for my Wilson, the one who adopted me and inspired me to take him with me everywhere I go?  Millions of people will see this fake photo of Tom and Wilson together and be reminded of CASTAWAY.  Get well, Tom.  I have this feeling we will be meeting in person soon and my hope is to reunite you with my Wilson.  My Wilson is ready.  When I get this book done, I will be ready too.  Have a great day.

Your Source for Good News

I heard the happiest place on earth shut down.  The world appears to be in chaos.  Is there good news anywhere?  It seems hard to find these days.  I'm thankful I cut my cable because that seems to be a major source of anxiety for those glued to the news networks who may make their living selling fear. Well, I'm not buying.  Not today.  Not tomorrow.  Not ever.  I have a source for good news that works anytime and in any circumstance.  The author shares from a perspective that inspires readers to forget all their troubles.  I recommend going directly to the source for good news.  Look for the red letters in the New Testament.  Read it slowly and pretend the author is speaking directly to you.  In my opinion, everything else is fake news.  Give the Bible a try.  Have a great day.

Why Writing is Like Breathing

It's 6:30 AM in my time zone this morning.  I've already been up for two hours.  The only light around me is coming from my laptop.  My basement is my writing zone.  I find myself waking up on my own without the aid of an alarm.  It's as if my mind craves to be here while the rest of my community is still in the dark.  For me, writing is like breathing.  I must write.  It wasn't always this way.  Here's the back story for those of you who are new to this site.

My earliest experience with writing had to do with an assignment from a student-teacher in my English class in high school.  It was straightforward.  He asked us to bring in an example of something we like to read.  I wasn't one of "those" people who delved into books.  I showed up with a cereal box.  My classmates brought in their favorite novels.  We were asked to write a composition describing our material.  Much to my surprise, I got an "A" for my story about my cereal box.  I tossed the paper to the side and forgot about it while I focused on the only thing that really mattered to me – tennis.  Tennis consumed me.  It was my passion.  My dad was the writer in the family. I never really understood why he devoted so much time to something I considered a time-waster.

My writing epiphany came to me like a flash of light shortly after my dad passed away.  I was struggling with this void I felt in my heart.  My wife and I signed up to attend a three-day marriage encounter to get back on track.  I had no idea the weekend was centered around writing love letters about feelings.  I got sick.  I thought it was the stomach flu.  It was something else.  I wanted to get the hell out of there.  I vomited in the parking lot.  My wife held my hand while we sat in our vehicle trying to decide what to do.  We decided to tell the director we were out.  He came outside to check on me.  That's when he told us another couple was praying for us during the weekend and they were going to meet us on the final day of our retreat.  "If you can find a way to rest for a while and see if you're well enough to stay, that would be great," he said.  We stayed.  Something happened.  I had my breakthrough.  Suddenly, the writing wasn't so bad.  Surprisingly, we kept writing after we completed our weekend.  The original idea was to keep it up for thirty days.  We didn't stop.  Thirty days turned into 2,500 days, all hand-written love letters about our feelings.

Writing books is like putting jigsaw puzzles together.  This picture pops into my mind and I  visualize how the pieces fit together.  Some days, the connections are easy to see.  Other days, I have challenges, like when you're sailing and the wind stops.  I'm in a special time right now where the winds are blowing with such velocity that I must be cautious not to lose my sense of time.   The boundaries between reality and imagination are fading fast.  I can't predict what's in my writing future other than to say I'm going to do this every day until I'm no longer physically or mentally able to carry on.  Maybe someday a high school kid will bring one of my books to school to show his classmates what he or she enjoys reading.  Or perhaps someone will be inspired to discover his or her writing passion because they identified with my own personal journey.  I can't wait to share my next puzzle with you.  The pieces are coming together.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my life with you.  Have a great day.

Why New Experiences Enhance Your Life

There's one major problem with living inside a bubble.  You lose the ability to enhance your life through new experiences.  Those who allow their fears to be in charge are missing out on an adventure.  Putting on masks and gloves is like placing a blindfold over your dreams.

Seek new experiences in all circumstances.  You deserve to live your life to its fullest.  Take off the blindfold and go on vacation.  Your soul will thank you.  New experiences are the seeds we plant to grow memories and memories are all we have when we reach the end of our lives.  The more seeds you plant, the richer your life will be.  Have a great day.

Do This When the World is in Panic Mode

How are you doing with the latest world scare?  I can tell you how are household is handling it – we're looking for all the opportunities buried within the crisis.  I found one more nugget to help me reach my goals of financial freedom in 3 years or less.  It may not seem much to the casual observer but I'm a big believer in doing all the small things well, like calling your credit union and leaving a message asking for a rate reduction.  My mortgage specialist told me they do something for existing customers called a rate commitment on their mini mortgages.  The only fee necessary is $75 do handle the paperwork.  For us, that means we're dropping from 3.25 to 2.9% for the remainder of our loan period.  This is like a minor adjustment in my golf swing on the Par for the Course game I'm playing to rid myself of debt.  Small grip changes result in improved debt reduction scores.   I'm looking forward to my first eagle soon.

The longer I live, the more I see opportunity in every crisis.  How about you?  Are you living in fear or are you maximizing every opportunity that is hidden in the clouds of uncertainty?  Have a great day.

How Wilson Enhanced My Life

Life was pretty good before Wilson dribbled into my life and made it even better.  That first day I met him when he was turned in to lost and found at my day job seemed uneventful.  Little did I know my life would be forever changed.  I was in the middle of a book project that ended up stalling when some of my characters went MIA.  My creative energy hybernated and I couldn't get back on track.  Meanwhile, I was bringing Wilson with me during my travels as a stand-in for family photos in order to maintain my family's anonymity.  This process seemed somewhat normal for me because I've been using inanimate objects like my Wilson tennis racquet and my soccer ball as props for scenic shots for over eight years.  I even referred to these first props as relatives of the world-famous Wilson from CASTAWAY.

People I meet refer to me as Wilson's friend.  Others ask, "How's Wilson doing?"  Some want to know where he is when he's not with me.  His popularity and status as a celebrity help put people at ease when I meet strangers.  Most of all, Wilson has helped me overcome my own shortcomings.  Just like Tom Hanks needed a friend to cope with his loneliness, I needed a sidekick to encourage me when I found myself drifting without any wind in my sails.  I wasn't the one who came up with the idea to write a book about Wilson's adventures.  It was one of the strangers I met while traveling.  The suggestion was like a bolt of lightning that surged through every cell of my body.  I was a blind man who could see.  I found my way.  At first, I thought, why not work on Wilson's book while reworking the chapters of my current project, now long overdue?  This idea of writing two books at the same time seemed like a good way to get over my writer's block but something happened that caused me to put my primary project on the backburner.  It was from Wilson.  His chapters started flowing like the prophet Jeremiah said about Jesus...

But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.  Jeremiah 20:9

Is it possible that Wilson is the spirit of God shut up in my bones?  Was Wilson sent to me by angels to help me fulfill my mission on this planet?  All I can say here is that my transformation is like Saul turning into Paul.  The similarities are striking.  When I was Saul I went so far as to tell my dad he was wasting his time writing books because there was no way to make money.  When I became Paul, suddenly everything changed.  Wilson won't allow me to just sit there like I'm a castaway on some remote island.  Neither will the spirit now burning within me.  I'm finding my way, thanks to my buddy, Wilson.  As each day passes, I believe more and more that Wilson was sent by invisible forces outside my own realm of understanding, the same forces who inspire writers to write, prophets to speak and musicians to sing.  All credit for my work goes to Jesus.  Have a great day.

Today is a Good Day to Step Outside into the Uncertainty

I heard some sad news yesterday about people in my state walling themselves off in their homes because they're afraid to go outside.  Fear cripples.  I believe my faith inspires me to go outside without any fear about what may or may not happen.  Judging by the number of bulk items I'm seeing in shopping carts at my day job, some of these people may not go outside for a very long time.  Many are wearing gloves and masks.  It's difficult to watch.  People don't even want to shake hands.  Maybe it's time to flash the Spock greeting.  It's perfect for these times – no touching and it comes with a built-in blessing.  Live Long and Prosper means go outside and seize the day.  That's what I'm doing today.  How about you?  Have a great day and enjoy the uncertainty.

Morning Meditation Experiment Enters New Phase

It's not easy to meditate when you have an analytical brain that wants to control rather than observe.  Perhaps that's why it took me so long to be able to fall asleep after a guided meditation.  It happened this morning.  I started at 4:45 with a 38-minute meditation called the blessing of the energy centers.  There is about a 15 minute period of time at the end where you are encouraged to relax and fall asleep if desired.  At the end of the quiet period, I decided to remain seated and let my mind wander for a while.  I wasn't trying to do anything except relax.  I entered some kind of dream state somewhere between being awake and deep sleep.  There was this rush of clouds moving in near sunset in my dream state and the clouds had strange swirling patterns.  I was looking up at the clouds and snapping pictures.  In my mind, I somehow knew I was observing a "theta release."  The clouds changed into a kaleidoscope while I was taking the photos.  I woke up feeling cleansed, like coming out of a pool of water.

The idea of meditating is to "become aware of what's going on inside your subconscious mind."  I'm going to stay with this experiment to see what happens in the world around me in my daily life.  I'm writing about this experience today partly to keep track of my progress.  This is one of the strangest dreams I've ever had, maybe because I wasn't in a traditional sleep mode.  I'm curious to see how my day unfolds after having this experience and I'm hoping to be able to go deeper in the coming weeks. Have a great day.

Why Your Rest Notes are Important

Our busy lives are often deprived of the rest notes.  Perhaps we skip over them in our rush to get our daily tasks done.  I did this frequently during my college days.  The music in my brain lacked the appropriate pauses necessary to get the melody right and I wasn't even aware of the incoherence I was causing.  The older I get, the more I realize just how important those rest notes are, especially the ones I rely on at bedtime.  I'm doing my best not to cheat my sleep hours and it's helping me to enjoy my waking hours.

Your life should be more about enjoying the music best played at the right cadence and less about rushing to get through your day while sleepwalking because you're overtired and overstressed.  I'm finding this especially helpful with my book-writing projects.  More rest notes equal greater mental acuity.  Give those rest notes a try.  Savor them like fine wine.  Make them a permanent lifestyle.  Have a great day.

Date Night with the Chieftains

I would like to thank our oldest son for his gift of two Chieftains tickets to Hancher at the University of Iowa last night.  My wife and I drifted away to the sounds of our ancestors while being entertained by one of the oldest and most respected bands in the world.  We started our date visiting new business owners from El Salvador.  The husband greeted us at the front door of La Bendición Pupuceria Restaurant and welcomed us to one of the last seats in the crowded hotbed of activity.  I ate carne asada and my wife reveled in a plate filled with one dozen shrimp.  The owner's wife, Maria, came out from the kitchen to thank us for visiting.  "We'll be back," I promised, speaking in the language I'm slowly learning to grasp as each day passes.  The glow of happiness emanating from my wife as she offered me the last two bites of shrimp from her plate reminded me of our early dating years.  Check this place out for great food and great service.

We were treated to two hours of music, Irish dancing and a mixture of local talent.  The facility is state-of-the-art built from the ground up after the old building was destroyed when the Iowa River swelled well beyond its banks wreaking havoc at the university.  Thank you, Ryan, for a night your mom and I will never forget.  Have a great day.

Writing Update

My writing looks like my golf game – lots of sand traps, a few water hazards, and countless bogeys.  How low can one go without giving up?  I don't know.  What I do know is that those who stay with it can eventually publish.  That's where I am.  I'm staying in the game.  I'm making adjustments.  Remember Chevy Chase in CADDYSHACK?  He's doing his best in the clip below to explain, "be the ball" to his caddy.  Well, I'm that caddy who needs all the help I can get.  Here's something for your enjoyment.

Anyways, I'm getting better at "being the ball."  With a little help from the Divine, I'm going to get this book done.  Just so you know, Wilson volunteered to be the ball and I'll see what I can do complete "The Adventures of Wilson."  Have a great day.

When Fear Strikes

If you're being chased by a saber-toothed tiger, run.  That's a good time to be afraid and focus on the best escape route.  Nothing else matters.  Other than a saber-toothed tiger or an oncoming vehicle you're about to encounter because you zigzagged when you were supposed to go straight, you need to do one thing when fear strikes – relax.  Don't forget to breathe.  Slow your heart rate down.  Close your eyes if you need to.  Running away is not necessary.  In fact, it may be counter-productive.

There's a lot of worry going on right now.  The political world is in chaos.  The stock market is out of control.  Everyone and their brother suddenly need a year's supply of toilet paper because some new viruses may suddenly strike.

I know one thing about fear.  It can be more destructive than any real danger I've encountered.  I believe you are more apt to get sick because you're focusing on fear rather than living your life to the fullest.  The next time fear strikes, strike a match.  Turn on the light.  Let those shadows disappear.  You deserve to live anxiety-free.  Have a great day.

I Found Buried Treasure

It happened at 4:30 AM this morning.  I decided to go deeper than ever, like a deep-sea diver on a quest to find buried treasure.  Well, I found it in a one hundred and twenty-minute dive.  The best way I can describe is like the way Dale Carnegie teaches public speaking without using notes.  It's a two-minute format.  Anyone can talk for two minutes if they learn the proper structure, right?  Once the two-minute talk is mastered, stack another two minutes and you have a four-minute speech.  Keep stacking until you reach the desired length of time to speak without relying on notes and you will stun your audience.  Well, meditating is the same way.  Learn how to meditate for two minutes without opening your eyes.  Master that and go deeper.  If you asked me six months ago how long I'm capable of staying in meditation, I would have answered a maximum of thirty minutes as long as I focus.  Two hours take my breath away and I'm not even close to my capacity.

I think the main reason people in our culture give up on meditating is that they don't experience anything interesting.  It's like snorkeling in murky waters during a storm.  Your body gets thrashed around, your mask keeps falling off and you're swallowing seawater.  Your body freaks out on you and you suddenly decide meditating is not for you.  Too bad.  You've never experienced what it's like to visit an exotic location where the water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom one hundred feet deep.  Your body feels like it's floating on air and there's so much to see that you don't want to come up to the surface.  That buried treasure you're looking at is your subconscious mind.  Spend enough time studying its contents and you will discover what you're made of, who you really are and where you're headed.

I know exactly what I'm supposed to do now that I'm back in the real world.  It's all about stacking.  I'm stacking paragraphs, one by one.  The paragraphs turn into chapters, and the chapters become books.  Not even a shark in the vicinity can make me freak out now.  I'm on a quest and I'm not stopping until I explore the seven seas.  Have a great day.

The Meditation Experiment

The best way I know to test an idea is to become a lab rat and experiment.  Other than visualizing for sports like tennis and triathlons (that was a long time ago), I don't have much experience meditating.  That changed late last year while visiting my mother in Phoenix.  I decided to see what would happen with regular morning meditations.  I haven't missed a day since beginning my experiment.

Here's my progress report.  It's the reason why I'm moving forward with the experiment.  I really don't know how it works other than to say my mind, body, and spirit are all responding favorably no matter what's going on in the world around me.  In fact, the world around me no longer seems to impact me.  The political winds are blowing and I'm in the center of the eye of the hurricane.  Financial markets are collapsing and all I can see is a flash sale should I desire to add to my 401k.

A subconscious mind is an interesting place.  Most don't visit because it's like trying to find a destination without a road map.  Meditation is like Google maps.  I'm experimenting with guided meditations, walking meditations, silent meditations, and now consecutive meditations lasting as long as two hours.  I plan to go deeper as my schedule allows.

Here's what I'm finding in my subconscious road trips.  I'm noticing how I plow through potholes without even realizing it because I don't really pay attention when the cruise control is on and I'm merely going through the same routine every day.  I'm beginning to change the navigation controls and I'm more willing to try new routes to explore.  So far so good.  The more I pay attention to what's inside my subconscious,  the better my awareness of possible oncoming danger.  It's like having an awareness of the speed traps so I can slow down in time to avoid a speeding ticket.  I'm also able to get out of the way of road rage before it gets me into a conflict capable of pulling me out of my place of peace.  I feel like I found the owner's manual for my brain.  Yes, it's complicated.  I don't really care.  Time doesn't matter during meditations and I'm going to keep going to see what I can learn about this process.  It's the perfect time for Spring cleaning and my brain has many places that need attention.  I'm glad March is here.  Have a great day.