Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ A LAUGHTER IN BLACK (AND NOT COMING BACK) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

peered

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

matt

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

f

e

l

l

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

crack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

.

.

.

.

.

f

e

l

l

.

.

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

crack . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

bathed

.

i

n

.

black . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

bathed

.

i

n

.

black

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back

.

t

o

.

the

dance

.

a

n

d

.

romance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back

.

t

o

.

the

elegant

.

a

n

d

.

grand . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

come

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

laughed.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2020. The sufferer has experienced so many struggles in life that he/she has permanently changed the self and his/her overall life experience. Ultimately, the sufferer embraces the permanent change.

I used the song “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode 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 TIP: FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU DON’T

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which might be helpful for some of you out there: Get in the practice of focusing on what you want, or would like to happen, instead of what you don’t.

The primary reason so many people feel so negative for so much of the time is that they fill their minds with thoughts of what they do not want.

Thoughts of one thing we do not want, often spawns other thoughts of things we do not want, which spawns still other thoughts of things we do not want, and so on. And this process can continue until our thoughts pull us in multiple, conflicting, negative directions and we become overwhelmed, drained of energy, and even paralyzed by our fears and negativities.

A good way to moderate and overcome negative thinking cycles such as this is to mindfully practice turning attention away from negative thoughts and towards more positive ones. For example, if you find yourself playing the what if game, you might substitute positive what ifs in place of the negative what ifs. That is, you would choose happier thoughts. In this manner you would be able to transform your thoughts from fear, anxiety, and negativity to something more positive.

For example, instead of telling yourself, “What if everything goes wrong?” you might tell yourself, “What if everything goes right?” Or, instead of telling yourself “I can’t,” you might tell yourself, “I can and I will.” Or, instead of telling yourself, “I will never get through this,” you might tell yourself, “I will get through this because I’m much stronger and more resilient than I’m giving myself credit for.” Or, instead of telling yourself “I’m going to look stupid in front of everyone, because I am such a lousy presenter,” you might tell yourself, “this will be a new and interesting experience for me. I am going to get up there and do a wonderful job. People might even applaud and want to talk to me after my presentation.” And so on.

The point is to figure out what you do want, instead of what you do not want, and to focus your attention on that. Whenever we visualize positivity and success by focusing our attention on what we want, instead of that which we do not want, it will energize us, drive us to perform exceptionally well, and create a more positive outcome (of which no small part can come from the power and help we might receive in response from the universe and spiritual world). And that can really help us get through the more difficult challenges we experience in life.

Several years ago, in Orlando, Florida, I once saw a billboard outside of an organic and environmentally safe products store which I just loved. It read, “If anything can go well, it will.” What a wonderful way to look at life. Just saying these words to ourselves can make us feel happy, peaceful, and optimistic. Believing these words in our daily approach to living can make us feel wonderful and help us to moderate and overcome our stresses, fears, and negativities. What do you really want right now in your life? Focus on that and live freely knowing that if anything can go well it will.

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

#joy #love #gratitude #appreciation #selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #peace #mindfulness

☆°▪︎ THE CANDLES STILL BURN (FOR BETTER OR WORSE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Is

.

i

t

.

better

.

o

r

.

worse

.

t

o

.

move

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

hurt ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

.

i

t

.

better

.

o

r

.

worse

.

t

o

.

blend

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

blur ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

have

learned

.

t

o

.

lean

.

a

n

d

.

merge

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

twists

.

a

n

d

.

turns . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

still

hear

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

places

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

still

feel

.

t

h

a

t

.

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

places

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

still

remember

.

t

h

a

t

.

allure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

places

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

places

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

hurt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

blur . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

better . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Another

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

places

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

places

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

candles

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

burn.

Reflection: This was a forgotten, but powerful romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2020 where the affected party struggles to move beyond relationship(s) of the past – because there are certain memories where “the candles still burn,” and select present day encounters which spark those memories and make them continue coming alive. Even when the affected party gets into new relationships, he or she still gets haunted and taunted by the past.

I played the wonderful gem of a song “Deacon Blues” by Steely Dan 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.

☆°▪︎ THE ADVENTUROUS TYPE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

am

just

–

a

n

–

adventurous

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

who

does

–

n

o

t

–

like

–

t

h

e

–

boring

–

a

n

d

–

dry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

do

–

n

o

t

–

like

–

t

h

e

–

boring

–

a

n

d

–

dry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

that

–

w

a

s

–

the

high

–

o

f

–

my

last

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

w

a

s

.

the

high

–

o

f

–

the

last

time.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote in reflection of a post I saw on social media from someone stating: “I hate boring and dry” as a note for the next person he/she would want to have a relationship with. Those words struck a chord and poetic rhythm with me and I then proceeded to write this simple, short poem. 

☆°▪︎ THE DANCING REIGN (LOST IN THE TRACE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

.

s

a

w

.

today

–

–

just

.

a

.

trace

.

o

f

.

that

–

–

faraway

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

s

a

w

.

just

.

a

.

trace

.

o

f

.

that

–

–

faraway

place,

–

–

baked

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

laced,

–

–

cinnamon

glaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now,

nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace

.

t

h

a

t

.

tantalizing

taste . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace

.

t

h

a

t

.

chronic

crave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

take

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace,

.

.

n

o

r

.

.

take

away

.

t

h

e

.

memory

.

o

f

.

the

dancing

–

–

reign

.

o

f

.

yesterdays,

–

–

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

careless

plays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

yesterdays

–

–

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

lost

in

.

t

h

e

.

careless

plays

.

o

f

.

distant

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ distant

days

–

–

lost

.

i

n

.

careless

plays

–

–

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

s

a

w

.

today

–

–

just

.

a

.

trace

.

o

f

.

that

–

–

faraway

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

s

a

w

.

today

–

–

just

.

a

.

trace

.

o

f

.

that

–

–

faraway

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

s

a

w

.

today

–

–

just

.

a

.

trace

.

o

f

.

that

–

–

faraway

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

baked

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

laced,

–

–

cinnamon

glaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

a

s

.

baked

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

laced,

–

–

cinnamon

glaze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now,

nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace

.

t

h

a

t

.

tantalizing

taste . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

nothing

.

c

a

n

.

replace

.

t

h

a

t

.

chronic

crave.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but powerful personal struggle-themed poem where the affected party struggles with the torturous tease and tantalizing aspects of an addiction/compulsion he or she is seeking to permanently overcome. I played the wonderful gem of a song “Jumbo Jet” by Shout Out Louds 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.

☆°▪︎ WANDERING AIMLESSLY (A STREAM OF MAYBES) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

A

stream

.

o

f

.

maybes

–

–

wanders

aimlessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

seeking

promise

.

a

n

d

.

possibility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ seeking

promise

.

a

n

d

.

possibility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

week,

–

–

after

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

play,

–

–

after

play,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

street,

–

–

after

street . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

That

one’s

.

t

o

o
.

green,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

t

o

o

.

peach . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

That

one’s

.

t

o

o

.

salty,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

that

one

.

t

o

o

.

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everything

.

i

s

.

either

–

–

out

.

o

f

.

reach,

.

.

o

r

.

.

in

between . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ out

.

o

f

.

reach,

.

.

o

r

.

.

in

between,

.

f

o

r

.

maybe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Maybe

wanders

aimlessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

seeking

promise

.

a

n

d

.

possibility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ seeking

promise

.

a

n

d

.

possibility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

week,

–

–

after

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

play,

–

–

after

play,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

street,

–

–

after

street . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

dream,

–

–

after

dream,

–

–

after

dream,

–

–

after

dream,

–

–

after

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

every,

–

–

racing

ahead . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ racing

ahead

.

a

t

.

such

speed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

to

be

–

–

forever

out

.

o

f

.

reach . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

be

–

–

forever

out

.

o

f

.

reach . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

beyond

empty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

bankruptcies,

–

–

fed

.

b

y

.

the

hopes

.

a

n

d

.

dreams

.

o

f

.

those

attempting

.

t

o

.

cash

out

–

–

their

fantasies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

those

attempting

.

t

o

.

cash

out

–

–

their

wandering

streams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ their

wandering

streams

.

o

f

.

maybe.

Reflection: This was a popular personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2020 where the affected party is scattered by having too many possibilities and too little focus to be able to capitalize on much of any of them. I heard a song that sounded like it had lyrics that said “maybe drives” and liked the use of the word in that context – so that idea helped create the poem.

☆°▪︎ THE SEA OF SADNESS (A MEMORY SO GREEN) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

sadness

.

o

f

.

the

sea

.

i

s

.

all

around

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

khaki

.

i

s

.

the

color

.

o

f

.

the

memory . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ the

memory

.

o

f

.

all

that

.

w

a

s

.

once

.

s

o

.

free

.

a

n

d

.

green . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ of

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

w

a

s

.

once

.

s

o

.

free

.

a

n

d

.

green

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ so

free

.

a

n

d

.

green

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

was

.

t

h

e

.

all

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

o

f

.

what

we

–

–

thought

we

–

–

could

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ of

what

we

–

–

thought

we

–

–

could

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now

only

–

–

echoes

know

–

–

how

.

i

t

.

truly

feels

.

t

o

.

let

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Only

echoes

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Only

echoes

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Only

echoes

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

how

.

i

t

.

feels

.

t

o

.

let

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

sadness

.

o

f

.

the

sea

.

i

s

.

all

around

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

sadness

.

o

f

.

the

sea

.

i

s

.

all

around

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

sadness

.

o

f

.

the

sea

.

i

s

.

all

around
me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

khaki

.

i

s

.

the

color

.

o

f

.

the

memory,

.

o

f

.

all

that

.

w

a

s

.

once

.

s

o

.

free

.

a

n

d

.

green . . .

–

–

.

.

.

  ~ of

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

w

a

s

.

once

.

s

o

.

free

.

a

n

d

.

green

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

spring.

Reflection: This was a popular, reflective-themed poem I wrote back in October of 2020. The contemplator looks back on a free-wheeling freedom that is no longer present in his/her life.

I used the song “Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez which I played in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” for the 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.

☆°▪︎ THE BURNING URGE (AND THE BLUR) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

nighttime

.

s

k

y

.

opens

.

i

t

s

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

nighttime

.

s

k

y

.

opens

.

i

t

s

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

dream

desires

.

a

n

d

.

sweet

delights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

.

w

i

l

l

.

only

.

b

e

.

a

.

little

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

i

l

l

.

only

.

b

e

.

a

.

little

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

this,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

everything,

–

–

comes

alive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ before

everything

.

comes

alive

.

tonight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ reaching

far,

.

a

n

d

.

wide,

.

a

n

d

.

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ reaching

far,

.

a

n

d

.

wide,

.

a

n

d

.

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

pouring

.

a

.

fine,

–

–

divine

wine

.

o

f

.

starshine

.

a

l

l

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

twilight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

by,

.

a

n

d

.

by,

.

a

n

d

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ dream

desires

.

a

n

d

.

sweet

delights

–

–

racing

’round

.

a

n

d

.

’round . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

side

.

b

y

.

side . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

moment

.

b

y

.

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

mile

.

b

y

.

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

c

a

n

.

never

.

b

e

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

there

.

c

a

n

.

never

.

b

e

.

enough . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

dream

desires

.

a

n

d

.

sweet

delights

.

never

.

g

o

.

out

.

o

f

.

style . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

.

t

h

e

y

.

never

.

g

o

.

out

.

o

f

.

style . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ calling

.

a

l

l

.

night,

–

–

every

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again,

.

a

n

d

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ every

moment

.

racing

against

.

t

h

e

.

haze,

.

o

f

.

a

.

haze,

.

o

f

.

a

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ racing

against

.

t

h

e

.

haze,

.

o

f

.

a

.

haze,

.

o

f

.

a

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

vague

.

rush

.

o

f

.

speedways,

–

–

chasing

.

t

h

e

.

faraways . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ chasing

.

t

h

e

.

faraways

.

t

h

a

t

.

still

remain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

collect

.

t

h

e

.

days,

.

u

p

o

n

.

days,

.

u

p

o

n

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yesterdays

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

yearn

.

a

n

d

.

merge

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

burn

.

o

f

.

the

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

merge

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

burn

.

o

f

.

the

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blur . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

nighttime

.

s

k

y

.

opens

.

i

t

s

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

nighttime

.

s

k

y

.

opens

.

i

t

s

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

nighttime

.

s

k

y

.

opens

.

i

t

s

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

dream

desires

.

a

n

d

.

sweet

delights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

–

–

after

time,

–

–

after

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

collecting

.

t

h

e

.

days,

.

u

p

o

n

.

days,

.

u

p

o

n

.

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

yesterdays

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

yearn

.

a

n

d

.

merge

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

merge

.

i

n

t

o

.

the

burn

.

o

f

.

the

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blur.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in October of 2020 where the affected party becomes addicted to the whirlwind excesses of the disco age – and the days and nights get consumed into a blur. I played the songs “Boogie Nights” by Heatwave and “Love to Love You, Baby” by Donna Summer in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to these songs at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it. I first drafted an initial poem to the Donna Summer song, drafted a separate poem to the Heatwave song, and then merged the two poems together playing the Heatwave song for the remainder of the process.

HAPPINESS/SUCCESS TIP: GET IN THE PRACTICE OF ENGAGING IN PRODUCTIVE INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS INSTEAD OF NONPRODUCTIVE ONES

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness/Success Tip which can be helpful not only in your work, but also in your life outside of work: Get in the practice of engaging in productive interactions with others instead of nonproductive ones. This involves not only verbal discussions but also communications via social media and other forms of communication.

A good first step in doing this involves evaluating the interactional/conversational environment before engaging to ensure the setting is constructive and that it’s a convenient time for everyone involved. The only productive interactions/conversations to have with people are those which are done in good faith in which each of the parties are feeling positive and are interested, curious, open, truly want to listen, and desire to explore, investigate, gather information, learn something new, improve relationships, or gain a different perspective or a new understanding.

Engaging in interactions/conversations with argumentative people or those who are emotionally charged, not feeling their best, or enjoy provoking emotional responses are usually not very productive. So, in those situations, it is probably better to wait until the circumstances are such that they can be productive. Otherwise, they can just create a lot of negative energy without accomplishing much.

Always take a soft approach, be respectful, and ask permission of those you wish to interact or converse with. So, instead of saying something like: “We need to talk now!” and cornering or invading a person’s space and using the time as an emotional dumping ground, ask something like:”Can we talk about ‘X’,” or “Is now a good time to talk?” If the interaction/conversation involves sharing worries or fears, do so without blaming those you are having the discussion with.

The above are some of the reasons that self-care is so very important so that you always show up presenting your “best self.” And here’s a post I wrote about this: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/how-to-defeat…/

The above ideas were formulated from an inspirational podcast I listened to today on the Good Life Project which featured Alex Jamieson and Bob Grower as guests: https://www.goodlifeproject.com/…/alex-jamieson-bob…/

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 #relationships

☆°▪︎ THE DISTANCE (LOVE IS LOVE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

search

.

t

h

e

–

.

alleys

.

a

n

d

.

skid

row

–

–

streets

.

t

h

a

t

.

scream,

.

a

n

d

.

bleed,

.

a

n

d

.

soundly

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

–

–

I

know

.

y

o

u

.

would

never

–

–

travel

.

t

h

e

s

e

.

alleys

.

a

n

d

.

streets

.

f

o

r

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

love

.

i

s

.

love

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

offers

.

n

o

.

in-betweens . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

love

.

i

s

.

love

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

moves

.

w

i

t

h

.

steady

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

through

even

.

t

h

e

.

snow

.

a

n

d

.

sleet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now

I

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

now

–

–

I

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

travel

.

a

n

y

.

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

carry

.

a

n

y

.

load . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ I

.

w

i

l

l

.

carry

.

a

n

y

.

load . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

love,

.

i

s

.

love,

.

i

s

.

love,

.

i

s

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

has

.

a

.

reach . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

offers

.

n

o

.

in-betweens . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

simply

feeds

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

memories . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

simply

feeds

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

memories . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

how

things

–

–

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

how

things

–

–

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ yes,

love,

.

i

s

.

love,

.

i

s

.

love . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

simply

feeds

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

memories . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

glimmers

.

a

n

d

.

glows . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

even

.

t

h

e

.

palest

.

o

f

.

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

even

.

t

h

e

.

palest

.

o

f

.

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

I

.

c

a

n

.

find

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

I

.

c

a

n

.

find

you

–

–

out

there . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

someway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

somewhere . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

along

.

t

h

a

t

.

raw

.

a

n

d

.

rugged

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

I

.

c

a

n

.

find

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ that

I

.

c

a

n

.

find

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

along

.

t

h

a

t

.

raw

.

a

n

d

.

rugged

road . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

somehow

bring

.

y

o

u

.

home.

Reflection:  This poem was written in reflection of those we deeply love but who tend to struggle in life. We might strongly believe in them and see great potential, and would do anything to help them to find a more positive path – because we know they could do well in life if they could only find the path.

I used the wonderful song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by The Hollies to play repeatedly in the background at low volume as 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.