Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: LIVE WITH A SENSE OF HOPE BUT DON’T RELY ON IT

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which might be helpful for some of you out there. Always live with a sense of hope but don’t rely on it or use it as an excuse for inaction.


So often in life do people communicate things such as “I’m hoping for the best,” or “I hope I don’t lose my job,” or “I hope my finances will work out,” or “I hope my relationship or marriage will work out,” or “I hope I get this job or can get into this training or education program.” Anytime someone communicates these kinds of things to me, I might respond with something like: “Are you really going to rely on hope for that? Because, being hopeful is probably not going to make things happen or make things better. So, what I really want to know is what you are going to do about it.” Because even though it’s nice to live with a sense of hope, it is not helpful or empowering to rely or count on hope or use it as an excuse for not doing something. A better approach is moving from hope to action.


The following are examples of empowering ways to do this:

  • Instead of just hoping for the best, take steps to make things better.
  • Instead of hoping you won’t lose your job (for whatever reason), investigate any problem areas and come up with solutions for addressing them (in an active and iterative fashion) and take steps to make yourself so valuable to your employer that it would be foolish to let you go or allow you to get into the hands of competitors.  
  • Instead of merely hoping your finances will work out, actively investigate and adjust your spending habits, develop a budget which better ensures you pay down your debts and accumulate savings every month, and live with a sense of discipline from week-to-week and month-to-month so that your finances improve and create the financial security you desire.
  • Instead of hoping your relationship or marriage will work out, take steps to become the best boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife through mindful appreciation, kindness, consideration, understanding, support, and thoughtfulness and making the other person feel special, loved, valued, and secure each and every day.

  • Instead of hoping that you get a certain job, actively research the company to determine what their values, interests, focuses, initiatives, and products and services are (as well as what is important to them), find out the latest news stories associated with the company, and be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of the company in these regards and show how your values, skills, and experience can benefit the company to ensure you are viewed as a highly qualified and highly desired candidate for employment.

  • Instead of hoping you can get into a given training or education program, do some research and take steps to ensure you have a pretty good chance of getting into the program you desire.


Each of these are ways in which to empower yourself by taking actions instead of relying on hope to get you to where you want to be. Because, in most cases, hope alone won’t get you there. But hope combined with action might. Be sure to always remember this.  So, continue living with a sense of hope but don’t rely on it or use it as an excuse for not taking steps towards improvement, progress, or success. And although nothing is guaranteed, living in this fashion greatly improves the likelihood of improvement, progress, and success. Thus, you will realize many more “wins” and “gains” over the months, years, and decades of your life if you operate in this fashion.


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 #peace #love #relationships #discipline #balance #joy #optimism #positivethinking

HAPPINESS TIP – LIVING IN THE MOMENT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL AT TIMES… HERE’S WHY:

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which might be helpful for some of you out there regarding present-mindedness and why it can be detrimental at times.

So often in life we are encouraged to “live in the moment,” “be present,” and “seize the day!” (i.e., “carpe diem!”) – among other, similar, popular kinds of expressions. And while living in this fashion can be helpful at times for easing worries, distress, and negativity, and creating a momentary sense of peace and enjoyment, there are also times when it can do more harm than good. Especially, during those times when we fall victim to temptations, addictions, compulsions,  distractions (TACDs), and procrastination.

Years ago I had a computer game addiction. It seemed fun and exhilarating in the micro moment-to-moment but when “zooming out” to the more macro level, I realized after playing such games all night – every night – that these kinds of activities were consuming my life to the point where they created extensive stress, fatigue, anxiety, and a lack of performance and progress in other areas of my life. Many temptation, addiction,  compulsion, distraction, and procrastination challenges do the same. Several examples come to mind:

  • spending money “seizing the day!” – every day – so there is nothing put towards the future,
  • drugs, alcohol, and other kinds of temptations and addictions,
  • anything which consumes more of life than one might like such as sports, social media, information or media content, television, social activities, money related obsessions, the internet, video games, cleaning, sex, work (in the case of workaholics), or activities (in the case of “doaholics”), and
  • anything and everything delayed or avoided due to procrastination.

Living in the moment – or a day at a time – can seem a pleasure paradise for anyone experiencing challenges such as the above because living in this fashion can lead people to believe they are living happy, successful, productive lives when – in actuality – they are not.

“How can you tell?” someone might ask. Well, one thing you can do is “zoom out” and examine your overall life from time to time. When doing this, ask yourself something like: “Am I progressing towards longer term happiness and success in my work, relationships, activities, goals, and my life overall?” If you’re not, then you might be falling victim to a “live in the moment” or “carpe diem!” mentality. Such a mentality can be a great excuse for taking detours and not moving forward in life but will never get you to where you desire to go over the longer term. Ask any addict, procrastinator, or exuberant spender.

A good way to address TACD and procrastination challenges is taking steps to moderate or eliminate anything which might be holding you back or consuming more of your life than you might like. Let’s take the computer games addiction above as an example. One way to moderate such an activity might be to limit participation such that you allow yourself to only play computer games on Wednesday and Friday nights from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. In my case, I elected to eliminate computer games completely. However, I could have simply limited my participation in these kinds of activities.

Some of the above TACD and procrastination challenges can be handled by simply moderating them while others – such as more severe addictions – might need to be eliminated completely. Do what works best for you or those you are providing assistance to.

Now, while it can certainly be helpful at times to “live in the present,” for easing periods of worry, distress, and negativity, and for creating a momentary sense of peace and enjoyment in life, there are also times when it can do more harm than good. So, get into the practice of “zooming out” and examining your overall life from time to time to ensure you are progressing towards the longer term happiness, harmony, and success you truly desire in life and taking steps to address any problem areas you find along the way. What a wonderful life you (and others) will create and share if you live in this fashion.

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 #peace #love #relationships #discipline #balance #joy #optimism #positivethinking

☆°▪︎ THE SHADE OF WATERCOLOR RAIN ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

usual

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

told

.

y

o

u

.

I

.

would

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

I

.

.

would

find

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

not

be

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

would

–

–

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

would

–

–

find

a

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

vibrant

–

–

color

parades

–

–

which

remain

.

s

o

.

full

.

o

f

.

hope

–

–

throughout

.

t

h

e

.

days,

–

–

always

seem

.

t

o

.

bathe

.

i

n

.

the

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

~ they

always

–

–

seem

.

t

o

.

bathe

.

i

n

.

the
shade

.

o

f

.

watercolor

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

by

.

t

h

e

.

time

.

.

I

awake

.

t

o

.

daybreak . . .

–

–

–

.

.

~ yes,

by

.

t

h

e

.

time

I

awake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

find

–

–

myself

unchanged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

rearranged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

in

the

.

s

a

m

e

.

place

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

swimming

.

i

n

.

the

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

swimming

.

i

n

.

the

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

.

m

y

.

life

–

–

might

seem

.

t

o

.

only

.

b

e

.

drifting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

well,

.

a

t

.

least

I’m

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

swimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ at

least

–

–

I’m

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

swimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

usual

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

usual

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

lied

today.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in December of 2019. The opening line: “I lied today… in the usual place… in the usual way…” came to me in the beginning moments and the poem wrote itself from that opening line. I’m sure many who have dealt with significant personal struggles – their own or those of people close to them – will be able to relate to this poem.

I played the song “Why” by Annie Lennox in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. The song really seemed to fit. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ SMILE AT THE SKY (FOR ALL THE DAYS GONE BY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Let’s

just

–

–

sit

here,

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply

smile

–

a

t

–

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t
h

e

–

days

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

lived

a

life

–

t

h

a

t

–

was

–

n

o

t

–

always

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

set

aside

–

–

some

dreams

–

a

n

d

–

desires

–

–

which

would

–

n

e

v

e

r

–

take

flight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

we

–

h

a

v

e

–

watched

–

t

h

e

–

springtimes

–

o

f

–

vibrant

colors

–

–

dim

–

a

n

d

–

die

–

w

i

t

h

–

our

youth

–

–

over

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

–

w

a

s

–

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ there

.

w

a

s

.

still

–

–

you

–

a

n

d

–

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

let’s
just

–

–

sit

here

–

f

o

r

–

a

while

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

simply
smile

–

a

t

–
the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ smile

.

a

t

.

the

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

days

gone

by.

Reflection:

This is a poem that came to me while sitting on my balcony enjoying the sunshine sky and imagining I was sitting there with someone who was on my mind at the time – and just enjoying the moment. The opening line “Let’s just sit here, you and I, and simply smile at the sky” came to me in that moment and the poem pretty much wrote itself from that opening line. It’s sort of the flip side of the previous poem I had written that year (December 2019) in reflection of Josh Geyer’s passing [“Starshine (All the While)”] – and a flip from the gloomy perspective usually taken when thinking about days gone by. It essentially says we’ve had all this time in our lives, and how wonderful is that (in contrast to those who leave this earth at a youthful age).

☆°▪︎ STARSHINE (ALL THE WHILE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

were

here . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

you

–

–

were

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ as

gone,

–

–

as

gone

–

–

could

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ we’ll

.

b

e

.

haunted

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

y

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

always

willing

–

t

o

–

reach

across

–

–

the

dangerous

depths

–

s

o

–

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ lighting

even

the

–

–

most

sinister

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

warming,

–

–

welcoming

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

those

eyes

–

s

o

–

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

spirit

–

s

o

–

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

every

blackness

–

–

could

spontaneously

ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

transform

every

chaos

–

i

n

t

o

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

melodies

–

a

n

d

–

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

warming

welcome

–

–

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

once

wrapped

–

t

h

e

–

world

–

i

n

–

a

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

shimmer,

–

–

smile,

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

making

everything

–

i

n

–

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

seem

–

n

o

t

–

just

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine,

–

–

guiding

ahead

–

–

all

that

–

–

fell

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

giving

the

lows,

–

–

new

reasons

–

t

o

–

fly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ making

a

life

–

–

so

much

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

so

–

–

much

more

–

–

than

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

shimmer

–

a

n

d

–

starshine…

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

that

–

–

wondrous

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

breaking

circles

–

i

n

t

o

–

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

creating

inclusion

–

b

y

–

design . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

welcoming

inside

–

a

l

l

–

who

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ all

who

–

–

might

–

h

a

v

e

–

otherwise

–

b

e

e

n

–

tossed

aside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we’ll

–

b

e

–

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

haunted

–

–

all

–

t

h

e

–

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ until

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

we

each

–

s

a

y

–

goodbye.

Reflection:

This is a poem I wrote in the loving memory of Joshua Geyer who was such a wonderfully warm, welcoming, positive, spirit of a man. Nothing I could ever write could possibly do him justice, but this was my humble attempt to do just that.

You will be greatly missed, Josh, by all and everyone you came in contact with. You were such a wonderful example of how warm the world could become with just a smile, a kindness, and a joyous spirit.

I used the music from the song “On the Square” by Mac DeMarco, at low volume, to create the “moodset” while writing this poem. So, if you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ AN ENDLESS CHAIN (OF YESTERDAYS) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Yesterday

.

w

a

s

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another

.

t

o

o

k

.

its

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

another . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day

.

o

f

.

rain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

I

.

closed

.

m

y

.

eyes

.

t

o

.

the

shade,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

turned

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

.

o

f

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

.

f

a

r

.

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

day

–

–

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

hope,

–

–

beauty,

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

I

.

smiled

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment,

.

I

.

danced

.

a

n

d

.

played

beneath

.

i

t

s

.

warming

.

r

a

y

s

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

.

a

.

moment

.

I

.

thought

.

i

t

.

could

–

–

remain

.

t

h

i

s

.

way

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

awake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ from

.

t

h

e

.

dream

.

I

.

now

–

–

awake

.

t

o

.

another

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ another

day

.

o

f

.

rain.

Reflection: This was a melancholy-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party lives a largely dismal life that seems to stretch out for lengthy periods of time. Every once in a while, he or she will experience warmth, a light, a love, or a kindness only to return to that same dismal place. I played the wonderful song “Tuesday Afternoon” by The Moody Blues in the background 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.

☆°▪︎ ACROSS THE BAY (THE DAYS WILL SAIL) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

wind

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

t

e

l

l

.

me

–

–

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

t

e

l

l

.

me

.

t

o

.

wait,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

–

–

generate

.

o

t

h

e

r

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

find

.

a

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

ease

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ other

days

.

t

o

.

erase

.

t

h

e

.

gray,

.

.

o

r

.

.

make

.

a

.

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

create

warmth,

–

–

glimmer,

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

p

o

n

–

–

–

a

future

–

–

tomorrow’s

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

tomorrows

.

f

a

d

e

.

todays,

–

–

which

.

f

a

d

e

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

tomorrows

.

f

a

d

e

.

todays,

–

–

which

.

f

a

d

e

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there

.

i
s

.

a

place

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

sunset

waves

.

a

t

.

the

end

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

wind

whispers

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

bay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

.

t

e

l

l

.

me

–

–

everything

will

.

b

e

.

okay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

w

i

l

l

.

sail . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

new

tomorrows

create

–

–

brighter

places

.

f

a

r

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

.

a

w

a

y

.

from

.

t

h

e

.

place

.

o

f

.

today.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 where the affected party presently experiencing a difficult time has the experience, patience, and wisdom to understand that life is comprised by a series of ups and downs – and that things will get better and the challenges of today will seem much smaller and less threatening over time. I played the wonderful song “Sailing” by Christopher Cross in the background 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.

☆°▪︎ BEYOND THE TURN (THERE WILL STILL BE LOVE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

have

.

t

o

.

keep

going . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

you

.

j

u

s

t

.

never

know

.

w

h

a

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

i

t

.

might

happen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

how

beautiful

.

i

t

.

might

.

b

e

.

when

.

i

t

.

happens . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

arrive,

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

j

u

s

t

.

find

.

a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

n

e

w

.

reason

.

t

o

.

warmly

wipe

.

t

h

e

.

joy

.

f

r

o

m

.

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

come

.

t

o

.

realize

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life,

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

then

cries

away

.

t

h

e

.

hours . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

a

t

.

point

.

i

n

.

time,

–

–

when

.

o

n

e

.

mourns,

.

a

n

d

.

turns

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light,

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

w

a

s

.

there

.

a

l

l

.

the

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

lovely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

won’t

.

b

e

.

half

.

a

s

.

nice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

share

.

t

h

e

.

highlights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

dance

across

.

t

h

e

.

stars

.

o

f

.

the

shimmering

sky . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

sing

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

dreamy,

–

–

dazzling

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you’re

.

n

o

t

.

there

.

t

o

.

shine

your

.

o

w

n

.

divine

lamplight

.

u

p

o

n

.

each

.

o

f

.

these

wondrous

times . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

. . . (and more) . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

please

.

j

u

s

t

.

keep

going,

–

–

because

.

y

o

u

.

never

know

–

–

what

.

y

o

u

.

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

never

know

–

–

what

.

y

o

u

.

might

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

warms,

–

–

glimmers,

.

a

n

d

.

glows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ further

on

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

hold

.

y

o

u

r

.

head

up,

.

a

n

d

.

try

.

t

o

.

look

above . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turn,

–

–

there

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

there’s

.

s

o

.

much

more

.

t

o

.

a

.

life,

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

cries . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ beyond

.

t

h

e

.

turning

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

is . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

always

.

w

i

l

l

.

be,

–

–

there,

.

m

y

.

dear . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2019 to inspire people to keep going – even when things seem so dim. Because there might come a time when things become wonderful or that you contribute to something or others in such a way that you would have been glad to have experienced them and sorry to have missed them. I played the wonderful song “Planets” by Emily Haines in the background 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. This poem was also inspired by the wonderful gem of a movie which really moved me: “A Single Man.”


☆°▪︎ MY GREATEST BLISS (AND ALL THE HOURS MISSED) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

She

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

.

.

o

n

.

.

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips,

–

–

granting

.

m

y

.

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

greatest

wish

–

–

throughout

.

m

y

.

years

.

o

f

.

innocence . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

greatest

wish . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

ever

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

e

v

e

r

.

since . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

warmly

remember

–

–

bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ bits,

.

a

n

d

.

pieces,

.

a

n

d

.

bits . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

that

first

kiss,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

hours

missed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

she

.

h

a

d

.

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ she

.

h

a

d

,

cocaine

.

o

n

.

her

lips . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

that

night

.

o

f

.

bliss.

Reflection: This was a passion/romance/adventure-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2019 where the contemplator looks back on a wild romantic night of bliss. This simple poem came to me one night while out at Will’s Pub listening to an excellent live show (Paul Simon Tribute) orchestrated by one of the best musicians in Orlando (David Vanegas). Well, a couple of intoxicated young women saw a small container of lip balm that I was dipping into and thought I was putting cocaine on my lips. Well, you should have seen their expressions change from excitement and bliss to gloom and disappointment when they discovered it was only lip balm. I did offer them some, but they declined. I’m not sure why… It’s really fascinating how much you can learn about complete strangers in just one interaction. 🙂

☆°▪︎ NOTHINGNESS ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

boundless

.

b

u

t

.

erratic

views . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

ecstatic

.

b

u

t

.

elusive

moods

–

–

that

consume . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

saw

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

nothing

–

–

I

could

do

–

–

would

move

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

past

gloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

through

.

t

h

e

.

present

brood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

move

even

into

–

–

a

brighter

future

–

–

blooming

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

I

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

I

–

–

could

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

finally

knew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

then

.

i

s

.

when

–

–

I

knew

.

t

h

e

.

truth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

that

might

–

–

take

me

to.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November 2019 about a romantic encounter that consumed – even long after it had passed.

I played the song “Good Love” by Zola Blood in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for this poem. The song really seemed to fit. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.