Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: IF YOU WANT A BRIGHTER FUTURE, THEN INVEST IN IT… AND THIS IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST MONEY

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

In order to achieve longstanding happiness and success in life and to create the brighter future and the life you really, really want, you must be willing to make short-term sacrifices in order to create your most desired longer-term future – and anything and everything that might include for you (and others in your life). And this is about so much more than just money.

Do you want to live a long and healthy life so you can spend more quality time with those you love and appreciate, create memorable experiences, and live a life full of freedom, peace, and independence for the remaining years and decades of your life? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest in yourself by engaging in fitness activities and making healthy lifestyle choices. Sure, it might seem a bit painful and time consuming right now, but like most investments, it will really pay off over the longer term.

Do you have a dream that you really want to achieve or a cause where you really want to make a difference? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by performing the research, gaining the skills, and defining and taking the steps needed to achieve that. Sure, it might seem a bit painful right now, in terms of all the time and effort you might have to put in but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off in the long run.

Are there people in your life you would like to strengthen your relationships with or have you a strong desire to create a future relationship with a special someone? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by creating the balance you need in life so that you can mindfully participate in those relationships and take steps towards creating new relationship(s). Sure, things might seem a bit distant and awkward right now, but if you take regular, consistent steps to participate more in the relationships which matter most to you and position yourself for creating new relationships then, again, like most investments, it can really pay off over the longer term.

Do you want to achieve a sense of financial freedom in your life? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by getting in the practice of automatically saving 20% of everything you earn, developing and living with a sense of financial discipline, and learning how to invest and manage your money. Sure, you might not be able to live that exciting, lavish lifestyle filled with luster, experiences, and adventure right now but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off over the long run.

Are there any life experiences you really want for yourself? Well, then you probably need to mindfully invest by defining and taking steps to achieve that. Sure, it might seem a bit painful right now, in terms of all the time and effort you might have to put in but, again, like most investments, it will really pay off over the longer term.

And the above are just five broad categories of investment kinds of examples. There are several others we could come up with.

Lastly, don’t forget about the cross effects. For example, if you live an unhealthy lifestyle, do you suppose that could affect your finances, your relationships in terms of your abilities to inspire and actively participate, and the energy you have available to put towards the dreams you desire to achieve, the life experiences you would like to have, or the causes you would like to make a difference in? You better believe it might.

So, invest in yourself and invest in your future. And start today. Get in the practice of making all of the small sacrifices needed today, tomorrow, and all along the way so that you can achieve the brighter future you really, really want.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books…/

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness #peace #investment #love #relationships

☆°▪︎ YESTERDAY’S RACEWAYS (AND ALLEYWAY SHADES) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Yesterday,

I

knew

.

t

h

e

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

lived

.

a

t

.

such

a

pace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

even

–

–

average,

–

–

ordinary

.

d

a

y

s

.

smiled,

.

a

n

d

.

gave

a

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

smiled

.

a

n

d

.

gave

a

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yesterday,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

h

a

d

.

a

place

.

i

n

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

sailed

–

–

those

raceways

.

a

n

d

.

runaways

.

i

n

t

o

.

getaway

grays

.

a

n

d

.

alleyway

shades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

sailed

–

–

those

raceways

–

a

n

d

–

runaways

.

i

n

t

o

.

getaway

grays

.

a

n

d

.

alleyway

shades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

way

b

a

c

k

.

when . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

I

thought

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

only

–

–

changing

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

thought

–

–

I

.

w

a

s

.

only

–

–

changing

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

then

–

–

everything

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

–

–

everything

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now,

–

–

those

always

.

a

n

d

.

forever

–

–

endless,

–

–

summer

days

.

o

f

.

ravishing

rays

.

a

n

d

,

glimmering

grace

–

–

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced,

.

b

y

.

pain,

.

a

n

d

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

have

.

a

l

l

.

been

–

–

erased

.

a

n

d

.

replaced

.

b

y

.

pain,

.

a

n

d

.

rage,

.

a

n

d

.

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

nothing

.

f

r

o

m

.

those

.

d

a

y

s

.

remain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains

.

f

r

o

m

.

those

days

.

o

f

.

young

.

a

n

d

.

tender

age

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

still

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

nothing

seems

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2021 where the affected party looks back on a simple, wonderful life he or she might have had in the past but strayed far away from that by going down the wrong path for many, many years to the point there was no way to get to get back to that. So, it only lives in taunting, haunting memory.

I used the song “Wild Time (Rough Trade Session)” by Weyes Blood playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: ALWAYS BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU EXPEND YOUR TIME AND ENERGY ON

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness/Success Tip which might be helpful to some of you out there: always being mindful of how you expend your time and energy. Focus on filling more of your life with that which makes you happy and inspires and fulfills you instead of focusing so much on that which does not. Because life isn’t short. We make it short by wasting time and energy.

So many people seem to get lost from time to time and forget the true purpose of their life is to be happy – and anything and everything that includes – for each and every one of them.

So, keep doing anything that makes you happy. And be mindful of anything which does not.

A lot of people seem to forget the latter – especially when they get consumed by negativity, bitterness, politics, conspiracy theories, and such. So, I wanted to provide a “friendly reminder” in case it might be helpful to some of you out there. Because your life is precious. And you’ll be a lot happier if you treat it that way.

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness

☆°▪︎ STARSHINE DIES (LAUGHING AT TIME) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

y

o

u

.

will

never

–

–

again

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

again

feel

.

t

h

a

t

.

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

glow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

glow

–

–

called

home . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

y

o

u

.

can

.

n

o

.

longer

fill

.

t

h

e

.

hole

.

i

n

.

your

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

s

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Did

.

y

o

u

.

go

.

t

o

o

.

far

.

d

o

w

n

.

that

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although

.

y

o

u

.

try

.

t

o

.

hide

behind

.

a

.

soothing

smile

.

o

f

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

see

.

i

t

.

in

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

.

c

a

n

.

see

.

i

t

.

in

.

y

o

u

r

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

starshine

.

h

a

s

.

died . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ Yes,

.

t

h

e

.

starshine

.

h

a

s

.

died

–

–

from

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ from

behind

.

t

h

e

.

days

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

were

wild,

.

a

n

d

.

prized,

.

a

n

d

.

alive

.

w

i

t

h

.

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

pumping

.

w

i

t

h

.

pride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ from

behind

.

t

h

e

.

days,

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

were

delighted

.

b

y

.

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

otherwise,

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

.

a

n

d

.

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ then,

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

w

e

r

e

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

.

a

n

d

.

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy

–

–

who

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

laughing

.

a

t

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile,

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line,

–

after

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

rolling,

.

a

n

d

.

riding

.

t

h

e

.

dice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ rolling,

.

a

n

d

.

riding

.

t

h

e

.

dice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

flying

high

.

a

n

d

.

flying

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wild

.

a

n

d

.

alive

.

w

i

t

h

.

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

speeding

.

w

i

t

h

.

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

future

–

–

raced

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

.

w

a

s

.

spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ spinning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

who

.

w

a

s

.

then

.

f

o

r

.

a

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

such

.

a

.

happy,

–

a

n

d

–

kind,

–

–

carefree

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

living

a

life

–

–

still

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

future

–

–

which

could

.

h

a

v

e

.

been

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ which

could

.

h

a

v

e

.

been

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now

.

y

o

u

.

ask . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now

.

y

o

u

.

ask . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

over

eyes

.

o

f

.

wine,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

line,

–

–

after

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

e

.

same

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

e

.

same

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

ten

years

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy

.

w

i

t

h

.

starshine

.

i

n

.

his

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ if

I

still

–

–

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy

.

w

i

t

h

.

starshine

.

i

n

.

his

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

gazed

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still

.

t

h

e

.

raging

fire

.

o

f

.

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

.

y

o

u

.

were

still . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

guy

.

s

o

.

fine,

.

h

e

.

burned

.

u

p

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

still

.

t

h

a

t

.

guy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

replied

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

smiled

.

i

n

.

my

reply . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

lied.

Reflection:  

Written in reflection of someone who used to be a star entertainer at nightclubs back when he was in his early 20s and continued down that path many years later. I pondered what that path might have done to him over the years. Hence, I began the poem with: “Did you go so far down that road,” and then just let it take its own path. The remainder of the poem is not necessarily a reflection of him but perhaps someone who went down the wrong path for many, many years . . .

I used to song “Wild Time (Rough Trade Session)” by Weyes Blood to play repeatedly in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ THE VALLEYS BELOW (WHERE THE ECHOES GO) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Was

.

i

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

end

.

o

f

.

the

road

–

–

with

nowhere

–

–

left

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

was

.

i

t

.

the

brand

–

–

new

start

.

o

f

.

a

future

–

–

that

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ of

some

future

–

–

that

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

somewhere

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

raw

undergrowth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ somewhere

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

fast

.

a

n

d

.

slow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ somewhere

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

highs

.

a

n

d

.

lows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ somewhere

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

valleys

below

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

e

.

valleys

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Well,

.

i

t

.

only

depends

.

o

n

.

the

vision

.

y

o

u

.

hold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

only

depends

.

o

n

.

the

seeds

.

y

o

u

.

sew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

what

.

y

o

u

.

believe

–

–

when

meeting

.

t

h

e

.

unknown . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ what

.

y

o

u

.

believe

–

–

when

meeting

.

t

h

e

.

unknown . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

even

though

–

–

there

.

a

r

e

.

those

–

–

who

will

–

–

say

this

.

i

s

.

this,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

.

i

s

.

so . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

.

i

s

.

this,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

.

i

s

.

so . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

such

.

i

s

.

what

–

–

they

think

–

–

they

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

i

s

.

what

–

–

they

think

–

–

they

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Such

.

i

s

.

what

–

–

they

think

–

–

they

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

there’s

.

n

o

.

more

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

there’s

–

–

nowhere

left

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there’s

nowhere

left

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

only

because . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ only

because . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

such

.

i

s

.

what

–

–

they

think

–

–

they

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Was

.

i

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

end

.

o

f

.

the

road

.

w

i

t

h

.

nowhere

left

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

was

.

i

t

.

the

brand

–

–

new

start

.

o

f

.

a

future

–

–

that

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Well,

.

i

t

.

only

depends

.

o

n

.

the

vision

.

y

o

u

.

hold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

o

n

l

y

.

depends

.

o

n

.

the

seeds

.

y

o

u

.

sew,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

what

.

y

o

u

.

believe

–

–

when

meeting

.

t

h

e

.

unknown.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in February of 2021 about how important perceptions and beliefs are with respect to the life one ends up creating and experiencing. I played the song “Wild Time (Rough Trade Session)” by Weyes Blood repeatedly on low volume to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

TWO BIG INVESTMENT CONCERNS RIGHT NOW: RISING BOND RATES AND RISING INFLATION

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One of my two biggest concerns in the stock market over the near-term (and beyond) involve the rapidly rising yields in the bond market (and declining bond prices since bond prices move opposite yields) resulting in substantial losses in what are traditionally “safe haven” low-risk investments. The days of using bonds and bond ETFs as “save havens” might be over. I wrote about all of that here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/storm-clouds-on-the-horizon-the-bond-markets-and-the-low-risk-safe-haven-facade/

The second big concern for me is the risk of a policy mistake by the Fed regarding inflation. The Fed might be using an outdated “play book” in that they plan to allow inflation to run “hot” and consider any near-term inflation to be temporary and transitory in nature (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fed-attempts-to-get-ahead-of-inflation-by-talking-down-transitory-effects-172650392.html). In fact, two inflationary components which are typically ignored by the Fed when assessing inflationary pressure (food and fuel costs) are rising substantially (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/high-food-prices-struggling-americans-211552448.html and https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gas-prices-spike-us-inflation-142654810.html)

What the Fed seems to be underappreciating is that this monetary policy body has historically been late in addressing inflation which can result in runaway inflation. Because, historically, once inflation takes hold, it becomes very difficult to get under control. So, my primary concerns on the inflationary front are the Fed’s underappreciation and downplaying of inflationary indicators and overconfidence in their tools and abilities to fight this once it takes hold.

You can learn about all of my investing techniques via my “Invest Like a Pro in 10 Minutes a Day!” series of 4 books where you can learn the “end to end” process to investing and gain key investing insights and skills (https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books…/).

Also, you can read all about my stock market activities here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities/

I wish you much success in creating a brighter financial future for yourself, your loved ones, and those who follow.

Stay safe out there.

#finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #success

☆°▪︎ ECHOES OF HOME (THE LONESOME ROAD) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Snow

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

slow

.

upon

.

t

h

e

.

snow,

–

–

upon

.

t

h

e

.

cold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

it’s

like

.

t

o

.

be

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

.

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

it’s

like

.

t

o

.

be

alone,

.

.

o

n

.

.

the

road

.

t

o

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

places

.

w

e

.

used

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

o

f

.

those

places

.

w

e

.

used

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wrapped

.

i

n

.

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

homes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ wrapped

.

i

n

.

warm

.

a

n

d

.

welcome

homes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

glimmered

.

a

n

d

.

glowed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

only

.

h

o

s

t

.

haunting

echoes

.

a

n

d

.

vacant

souls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

n

o

w

.

only

.

h

o

s

t

.

haunting

echoes

.

a

n

d

.

vacant

souls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

those

places

.

w

e

.

used

.

t

o

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Snow

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

slow

.

upon

.

t

h

e

.

snow,

–

–

upon

.

t

h

e

.

cold . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

it’s

like

.

t

o

.

be

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

I

.

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

it’s

like

.

t

o

.

be

alone,

.

.

o

n

.

.

the

road

.

t

o

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

places

.

w

e

.

use

.

t

o

.

go.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in February of 2021 where the contemplator looks back on certain special people he or she shared warmly, wonderful moments with but is no longer in his/her life for whatever reason – leaving behind a deep, somber void which nobody else can fill. I used the haunting song “Good Love” by Zola Blood playing in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ BETTER THAN ME ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

.

c

a

n

.

spin

.

t

h

e

.

gloating

.

a

n

d

.

the

greed

–

–

into

dancing

dreams

.

a

n

d

.

fantasies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

plaster

.

y

o

u

r

.

walls

.

w

i

t

h

.

plasticine

prestige

.

a

n

d

.

seeming

celebrity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

paint

.

a

n

d

.

set

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

these

stately,

–

–

sparkling

scenes

.

f

r

o

m

.

sea

.

t

o

.

sating

sea . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ presenting

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

every

.

o

f

.

these . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

the

grandest

.

o

f

.

deeds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ into

.

t

h

e

.

greatest

.

o

f

.

opportunities . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

do

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

this

–

–

with

such

–

–

selfish

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

do

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

this

–

–

without

losing

–

–

your

peace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

do

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

this

–

–

without

caring

–

–

what

.

t

h

e

.

future

brings . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

do

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

this . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

do

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

this . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

much

better

.

t

h

a

n

.

me.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote about those who can seemingly go through life doing whatever they please without worrying about who they hurt or what the impact might be. I wrote this poem using a much-loved song (“Statuette” by Emily Haines). I played this song in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” while writing this poem and the repeating lyrics “better than me” really hit me in a haunting sort of way and caused me to think – even though the context within the song was a bit different from the way I used it in the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: FIND, FOLLOW, AND FOCUS INTENTLY ON YOUR BURNING WHY

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One of the keys to motivating yourself (and others) and making consistent and continual progress involves discovering what your burning WHY is and keeping it in clear focus over the weeks, months, years, and decades that follow – whether towards your life overall, for a specific goal or accomplishment, or some success you desire to achieve.

So, some of you might find, focus on, and follow a big, burning WHY in terms of your life overall for the long term if that creates enough motivation for you. Alternatively, you might find, focus on, and follow smaller, burning WHYs for right now in order to create motivation for each of your shorter term goals and such. Or you might use a combination of these approaches.

For example, in my own life, having the peace and freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, has been my life overall big, burning WHY for many years now and was enough to drive me to create and embody the financial and investing discipline and balance I needed to achieve that success. Some other person might have a smaller, burning WHY right now, which might involve spending a month in Paris a year from now. So, that smaller, burning WHY for the near term might motivate the individual to do whatever research, take the actions, and earn the money needed to achieve this goal. Someone else might have a smaller, burning WHY right now, in going hiking in the Rocky Mountains. So, that smaller, burning WHY for the near term might motivate this individual to engage in more fitness activities, eat healthier, and embrace healthier habits.

Visualization approaches can also be used to personify your big or small burning WHYs to motivate progress such as the following:

(1) Positive Visualization Approach. This is primarily a positive oriented motivational approach personifying your WHY(s). This essentially involves visualizing the person you greatly aspire to become, the ideal life you would greatly desire to live, or the highest success you greatly desire to achieve and collecting reminders of these – whether reflective of your life overall or your shorter term goals and such. By developing a positive means in which to visualize success and proceeding to visualize, or remind yourself of, this success on a regular basis, progress can be made towards achieving this success.

(2) Negative Visualization Approach. This is primarily a fear oriented motivational approach personifying your WHY(s) from the opposite end of the spectrum. This essentially involves visualizing the person you would most not like to become, the life that you would most not like to live, or the failures and other experiences you would most not like to have and collecting reminders of these – whether reflective of your life overall or your shorter term goals and such. For example, images of a homeless person suffering the effects of a prolonged addiction problem or a character in a movie who played such a role might serve this purpose. Another approach might be collecting reminders of those you love and appreciate who might be greatly affected by your nonsuccess. By developing a negative means in which to provide reminders of your life fears and the negative implications and consequences of nonsuccess, these can help to provide the strength and the motivation to resist or avoid these. And many studies have shown that pain can serve as a powerful motivational force since human beings tend to be “wired” towards avoiding pain/suffering and being risk averse.

(3)  Combined Positive/Negative Visualization Approach. This approach essentially involves two contrasting visualizations: One which represents the positive aspects (item 1 above) and another which represents the negative aspects (item 2 above).

Each of these approaches can help motivate success and improve progress. And the key to this progress and success hinges on finding, following, and focusing on your burning WHY(s) over the weeks, months, years, and decades to follow – whether in life overall, for a specific goal or accomplishment, or some success you desire to achieve. So, do this for yourself (and others) if you can.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness

☆°▪︎ THE LOW SIDE OF HIGH ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

could

have

–

–

lived

a

life

–

–

–

much

brighter

–

–

than

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

could

have

–

–

lived

a

life

–

–

–

much

better

–

–

than

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

so

often

I

ride

–

o

n

–

the

low

side

–

o

f

–

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

ride

–

o

n

–

the

low

side

–

o

f

–

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

pages

–

–

fly

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

pages

–

–

fly

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

I

realize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes

then

I

realize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

have

–

–

lived

a

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

have

–

–

lived

a

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

much

brighter

–

t

h

a

n

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

life

–

–

much

better

–

t

h

a

n

–

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

so

often

I

ride

–

o

n

–

the

low

side

–

o

f

–

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

ride

–

o

n

–

the

low

side

–

o

f

–

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

pages

–

–

fly

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

pages

–

–

fly

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

pages

–

–

fly

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

I

realize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

–

a

l

l

–

I

would

write

–

–

–

would

only

–

–

ever

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

this

–

w

a

s

–

my

life.

Reflection:  This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote. I saw an Album by Marilyn Manson titled “The High End of Low” and played with the words which drove me to write “the low side of high” and those words drove the remainder of the poem.