Break For The Holidays

Scott Eagan posted he was taking a break and I thought, "Why not me too!"  He's right.  We all need a break.  So, I've decided that I will come back January 2nd, 2012.  I most certainly will be thinking of new year's resolutions, reviewing and making them and will return with my revelations, epiphanies and deep thoughts.  

The end of the year has always been a wonderful time for me that induces a festive but restful time instead of the strict duty-bound schedule I like.  So here is a crab picture to close the year and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

War Of Words

The war of decision between self-publishing and traditional publishing have brought out their pens to write in blood what they stand for during these days of thoughtful reflection.  

On one side stands an old king; battle-worn, tested, strong but rumors of his fading strength run rampant. On the other side a commoner; proud, dirty, one who's tasted ground not by choice leads a similar montly crew behind him.
 

The king and commoner have fought before and now stare at each other with the same thought on their mind.

"I was once like you with as much grit and backbone." The king said. "Can we work together?"

"Don't compare yourself to me." Snarls the commoner.

But the leader of common followers believes the king speaks reason and often asks himself that question still lingering in the king's eyes. Yet the mangled commoner's anger gets the best of him. "Why should I work with a tyrant?"

"We are better together." The king released the tension in his back. "You are my salt and I am your bread."

"I don't need you." The commoner spits.

"Who then will protect the land from ravagers? Who then will stop the horde from flooding the crops? How will you eat while the barley burns and you fend off pirates?"

There were merchants and beggars alike that made it through the gates. Some came back and swore an oath to the king. Others were never heard from again. At still a smaller group turned lord expressed the praises of the outside.
 

"Go then." the king hardened his voice. "See what there is to see."
 

"And if I go will you take me back?" The commoner matched the kings tone.

The king said nothing. To the commoner the answer wasn't certain.

Such is the life of the self-published author to go beyond those "gates" to see what one can find.  But think if you are willing to pay the price for independence.  

Guys Are Just Chicks With A Different Set Of Rules

This is not an androgynous post.  Nor is it meant to ruffle the feathers of macho men.  The title is to drive the point that men and women have more similarities than differences.  Too many point out each sex is separate from the other.  We are not so different you and I; men and women.  We have a need to be accepted, loved, and cherished.  Our difference is in the way we express ourselves.

Men have three major complaints about women.  

- Girls are too emotional.

Men find women intimidating because guys are trained not to show emotion.  When a girl has no trouble crying in front of you men are not equipped with the fortitude it takes to just let her work through it and not try to fix it or make her stop crying.  That's okay, I find a guy throwing a pig skin at his TV during a game and shouting at the players being a couch coach intimidating myself.  I'm wondering what else your going to throw and where do I need to be to avoid it?  

 

- Girls talk too much.

Listening to the latest greatest knife/gun/boxing instructional video for an hour is a bit much. Just like girls talking about the latest lipstick color might be as interesting as grass growing.  Also, guys talk too much about themselves just like girls talk too much about themselves.

 

- Girls don't make sense.

If we don't make sense then it's probably because you're not trying to communicate to us in our language.  Our language is not simple but neither is yours.  Amazingly men can condense an hour long conversation in one "grunt" sound.  That's amazing, but a woman doesn't have that ugh, ugh sound and must string communicative words before she feels she's been heard.  If you are confused as to an action or words we say then tell her I'm sorry, I'm trying to understand you.  I want to understand you but I don't know if I should take this conversation at face value or not. What's the underlying story here? 

Men might have perfectly logical reasons why they do the things they do.  So do women.  Following the logic it's summed up to; women cry.  Men sulk.  Girls communicate through speech because they are articulate.  Men give hand signals, eye signals and grunt, expressing themselves just as efficiently as women.  Guys don't call women letting them know they are not interested.  Girls say "no" but guys don't believe them.  

You can reverse everything and find that guy rules and girl rules is like mixing baseball with football.  Pay attention to the "rules" and "the game" isn't so hard.  

Random Epiphany

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

I figured this saying out!  It's simple but the word "conspires" tripped me up; yet it was the right word.  

The universe will use negative and positive influences to get you to move in the direction of your personal legend.  When Santiago lost his money to a thief the universe was moving him in the direction of his personal legend.  

You might think, how could God let this happen?  But really God is conspiring with the universe to get you to MOVE!  The universe is a power of negative and positive.  This epiphany has hit me and yet at the same time I feel stupid for not getting it the first time.  It took me two times for something right up my alley to click.  But I feel enriched for having "got it", or really being led to the conclusion, by myself. 

~ The Alchemist ~ What a fantastic story.