Listen to the Warm

“For every star that falls to earth a new one glows.
For every dream that fades away a new one grows.
When things are not what they would seem
you must keep following your dream.”
Rod McKuen

Rod McKuen

Rod MKuen April 29, 1933 to January  29, 2015

We lost a great artist the other day. Rod McKuen was not as well-known to this generation as to the generation of the 1960s and 1970s. He was a poet, a singer, a lyricist, and a musician. His work mirrored the 1960s and he was once given the label as the unofficial poet laureate of America.

They say that snobs hated him and were constantly tearing down his talents. Which makes sense, since his writings were not for snobs but for everyday people.

His songs were recorded and performed by artists such as Barbara Streisand to Frank Sinatra.

My first introduction to Rod McKuen was through my older sister who gave me one of his book, as a graduation gift. The book was “Listen to the Warm”. His poetry spoke to me and influenced me a great deal. I will always cherish this book and still have this book today. In fact, leafing through this book is like looking at a scrapbook of my life:

“I’ve been going a long time now
along the way I’ve learned some things.

You have to make the good times yourself
take the little times and make them into big times
and save the times that are all right
for the ones that aren’t so good.”

By: Rod McKuen from Listen to the Warm

Shine On

The Carousel of Life

“And the seasons, they go round and round,
And the painted ponies go up and down.
We’re captive on the carousel of time.”
Joni Mitchell

The Carousel

Life is like a carousel
That spins within our life
And we are only passengers
Riding along up and down
While the world spins slowly around

Life is such a carousel
Brilliant colors, shiny objects
For all to see and touch
Music from every style and range
For all to hear and love

Life was once a carousel
For all the young and old
No worries or cares
Just simple joys
Love once made our world go around

Life is just a carousel
With all it’s ups and downs
You must hold on
Until the ride is over
And then you must step down

By:  J R 

Shine On

I’m Happy

“Being happy
enables one
to be freed,
or largely freed,
from the domination
of outward conditions.”
Robert Louis Stevenson

happyhamsterComedian, Jake Johannsen has a funny comedy routine about the subject of being happy. He tells about his little daughter who announces out of the blue, that she is happy. Life is just that simple, as this comedian points out. Life is about, being happy.

Being happy may sound simple and easy, but most people don’t even know what makes them happy. That’s why I believe there are so many people on Prozac. Some people believe that someone else can make them happy. Others believe that having lots of money will make them happy. I believe that everyone, first of all, needs to know what makes them happy, to become a happy person.

There are a lot of generous people that help less fortunate people and that’s what makes them happy. Volunteer work is a great way to give back and get back. The other way to give back is a “pay it forward” type of giving.

The concept of “pay it forward” goes back as far as ancient Athens in 317 BC. It was also written about by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. Not until the book and movie, “Pay it Forward” written by Catherine Ryan Hyde came out, did people begin talking about this concept.

In her book, the author describes “pay it forward” as: . . . an obligation to do three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should accomplish things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the practice of helping one another can spread geometrically through society, at a ratio of three to one, creating a social movement with an impact of making the world a better place.

It’s always amazing to me how life can sometimes imitate art. Because of the impact of the novel and movie, an organization “The Pay it Forward Movement and Foundation”  was founded in the USA helping start a positive ripple effect of kindness acts in many places around the world.

It doesn’t take much effort to be happy and to make others happy. A smile, a “how are you”, a nod of approval or just telling someone you love them, can make all the difference in someone’s life.

I feel very fortunate because I know what makes me happy. What makes me happy? Usually, they are little moments in the day, but those moments last a life time.

That’s why, “I’m Happy !”.

Shine On

That’s Living

“Be as you wish to seem.”
Socrates

Coleus plant from the Manhattan Beach Mall.

Coleus plant from the Manhattan Beach Mall.


There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and the people who create it.

Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

Love the people who treat you right.

Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is part of life, getting back up, that’s living.

J R
Shine On