The Adventures of LitBoy: Bill Brent's Blog

BETTER

"Is It Going to Get Better?"

I think that's the question that nearly everyone I know wants the answer to. And if so, then when?

Don't the banks own enough of us already? And if so / not, then how many times over, in many cases?

I am seeking a way out, up, under, around, or thru, myself. I don't really have any answers, either, other than the ones I have already written here. Lately, they boil down to two central ideas: (1) cut back on stuff we don't need (and understanding the difference between NEED and WANT is an awareness that capitalism tries virulently to dim), and (2) keep our spirits up by any means necessary (preferably via acts of compassion and generosity, when we can).

Idea #1 is almost enough to make me stop writing, at least for a spell, but idea #2 is enough to make me keep writing, at least for now.

So as of now, I'm working with idea #3: How can we make it better today -- using ideas #1 and 2? (Today I'm going to look for my sense of humor.)

What are YOUR central ideas? Truly, I'd love to hear them.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

--Bill Brent

 [this post last edited: 2011.08.06, 10:08 a.m Hawaii time]

USE IT AGAIN!

reincorporation as a path to success

One consistent trait I have noticed among the highly successful is the ability to reincorporate elements of previous efforts into a current one. 

The ability to track and retrieve previous elements at one's command avoids the often tedious and time-consuming process of reinventing the wheel. 

Some examples of "elements": 

(1) an image for re-use in a blog entry (see above); 

(2) a half-used can of paint for a new surface (saves time AND money); 

(3) that great pair of hiking boots you scored last year at a neighbor's yard sale, for next week's camping trip; 

(4) some bit of wisdom you learned the hard way, but which prevents you now from getting into a frustrating relationship. 

What's another example, from your recent experience? 

 

 

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2011.07.04, 11:40 a.m. Pacific time

moving

Aloha, y'all!

Just wanted to say that this moving sale has been:

mentally exhausting,

emotionally draining,

and thoroughly exciting.

Really, does life get any better than this? :-D

It is a fantastic rush, to move the energy and see my stuff going to folks who can put it to good use. (Never mind that I'm crying just offstage about half the time, mostly whenever I see the cats.)

Plus, in case you didn't know, yard sales / garage sales are excellent networking opportunities! Even if you are leaving the area, and even if you don't think you will ever come back, it is well worth the time and effort.

In fact, rummage sales work better if you combine forces with your friends and neighbors, like I have. It only takes one big space. And we're just approaching summer, so what better time to DO IT?

For those who have asked, my own plans beyond this month are fairly indefinite. Yet now is the perfect time to get comfy with uncertainty -- after all, we're in the midst of a Depression, financial bust, economic crisis, or whatever you choose to call it. So really, what are you holding onto, and how much of it do you need in order to be satisfied?

What is in your life today that is truly worth living for?

Go ahead, make a list. Don't think about it much. Just jot down the first five items that come to mind, then put away your list. Do it again, later in the week, when you think of it. Now compare the two lists. What stays, and what changed?

What I want to do, basically, is to help other creative types set their boats on a course that works better for them, for now. So the goal is progress, not perfection (which is an illusion anyhow when it comes to subjective reality).

"Half the battle is to know what you have to offer -- and then to know that what you have to offer is valuable. The culture does not really value storytellers at this point in time." --Toni Amato, my writing coach

(Click above links for some pix of me in the carport.)

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2011.06.06, 2:00 p.m. Hawaii time | photo credits: J. Rabidoux]

support

Social support (also known as CARING) comes in three basic forms:

STUFF: money, food, supplies, chores.

SOLUTIONS: useful advice, answers to problems, guidance.

SYMPATHY: listening and reassuring.

Sometimes we get into conflict with others simply because we offer the wrong kind of caring support for the moment. For instance, you want to be heard, but then someone offers you a solution instead, and then they feel upset because they expected you to take "their" advice to solve your problem.

So you can start paying attention to the "3 S Factors" in your social support. You may spot erroneous assumptions on both sides of the fence. From there, you can avoid such misunderstandings in the future.

Paraphrased from "Social Relationships and Health," by Sheldon Cohen, in American Psychologist, 2004.11 (v 59, #8), pp. 676-84, and referenced in this book on resilience and hardiness, HERE.

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2011.05.23, 4:56 p.m. Hawaii time | graphics credit: I dunno! Somewhere off thee Internet! Back on Sunday, April 08, 2007! Anyway, I hope my using this doesn't harsh on anyone's mellow.]

Emerson

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2011.05.18, 9:40 p.m. Hawaii time | photo credit: Bill Brent]