Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: MAKE INCREMENTAL PROGRESS AND GROW FROM THERE

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a Happiness Tip which can be helpful not only for giving up bad habits but also for working towards progress: focus initially on making incremental progress and grow from there. Two examples of how this might be applied include the following:

1) Giving Up Bad Habits. Instead of focusing solely on giving up a bad habit (smoking, unhealthy foods, drugs, alchohol, etc.) by resolving to never partake in the habits again, resolve not to partake in the habit for some increment of time which is easy for you to support (e.g. an hour, 4 hours, a day, etc.). When the time is up, simply renew your resolution for another increment of time which is easy for you to support. Once you get into the practice of this and as the desire diminishes, you can extend the increment to something more stringent but still easy for you to meet (e.g. 2 hours, 4 hours, 2 days, a week, etc.). By progressing in this fashion, you can moderate and eventually overcome the habit.

2) Working Towards Progress. During those times when you might feel unmotivated or fatigued, instead of focusing solely on achieving something in its entirety (completing work or personal tasks, completing a run or workout, completing a goal such as writing a book,  etc.) focus on continuing your efforts for some increment of time which is easy for you to support (e.g. 15 minutes, an hour, 1 mile, 50 calories, 1 hour, etc.). For example, you might tell yourself something like: “I’m going to keep running (or working) for another 15 minutes.” When the time is up, simply renew your resolution for another increment of time which is easy for you to support (perhaps even extending the increment of time to something more stringent if feasible or practical) until you have made the progress desired or complete the task, run, or workout. By progressing in this fashion, you can improve progress.

The reason this can be a good approach to take is because, in the words of David L. Swartz (from the book The Magic of Thinking Big): “Someone who wants freedom from a bad habit all at once often fails because the psychological pain is more than he or she can stand. An hour is easy; forever is difficult.” Likewise an increment of progress is easy, but the entire goal or a certain level of progress all at once can be overwhelming. So, focusing on making incremental progress can sometimes be a good approach to take.

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 SOMEDAY PLACE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

When

.

I

.

dreamed

of

.

t

h

e

.

someday

place,

–

–

there

.

w

a

s

.

nothing

.

i

n

.

my

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

When

.

I

.

dreamed

of

.

t

h

e

.

someday

place,

–

–

there

were

.

n

o

.

barricades . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

always

.

became

.

a

.

weightless

gain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

weightless

gain

.

o

f

.

glorious

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

a

great

escape

.

f

o

r

.

better

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

great

escape

.

f

o

r

.

better

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

sometime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

someway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

somewhere . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

o

f

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

I

.

could

.

s

e

e

.

everything

.

s

o

.

clearly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

perceive

everything

.

s

o

.

dearly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

could

.

perceive

everything

.

s

o

.

dearly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

I

.

would

–

–

dream,

–

–

dream,

–

–

dream,

–

–

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

those

.

dancing

days

.

o

f

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

those

.

dancing

days

.

o

f

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

I

.

would

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

I

.

would

dream

.

s

o

.

freely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

someday

place.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote back in Feb of 2020 where the contemplator looks back on a past filled with magic, dreams, and boundless adventure where he or she seemingly lived a wondrous life without boundaries – and ponders whether something similar might ever be experienced again. I played the haunting gem of a song “Chariot” by Beach House 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.

☆°▪︎ A MILLION MILES BEHIND (WHEN DAYLIGHT SMILED) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

family

picnic

.

b

y

.

the

waterway

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

I

.

close

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

drift

away

.

a

n

d

.

affectionately

gaze

.

a

t

.

that

pristine

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

beetles

.

a

n

d

.

bumblebees

played . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

humming

.

a

n

d

.

strumming

away

.

a

l

l

.

hours

.

o

f

.

the

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

–

–

where

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page,

–

–

after

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

could

.

n

o

t

.

only

bathe

.

i

n

.

the

peace

.

o

r

.

just

.

simply

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

!breathe!

–

–

!!breathe!!

–

–

!!!breathe!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!feel!

–

–

!!feel!!

–

–

!!!feel!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

!green!

–

–

!!green!!

–

–

!!!green!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

grasslands

.

beneath

.

y

o

u

r

.

feet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

miles,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

miles,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

miles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

daylight

smiled . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

daylight

smiled

.

s

o

.

bright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

so

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

across

.

t

h

e

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

across

.

t

h

e

.

springtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

e

v

e

n

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

e

v

e

n

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

a

s

–

–

–

nice,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

fun,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

fine,

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

dancing

rays

.

o

f

.

that

joy-hopping,

.

poetic

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that

.

w

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

today,

.

t

h

e

.

colors

.

o

f

.

the

day,

–

–

carry

.

s

u

c

h

.

weight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

so

much

.

a

n

d

.

so

many,

.

heavy

shades

.

o

f

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

day,

.

.

t

o

.

.

day,

.

.

t

o

.

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

w

–

–

–

creates

such

.

a

.

bitter

taste . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

compared

.

t

o

.

that

pristine,

.

poetic

place

.

b

y

.

the

waterway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everyone

.

a

n

d

.

everything

.

h

a

s

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

m

a

y

.

never

see . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

feel . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

never

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

place

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

family

picnic

.

b

y

.

the

waterway

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

fade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

when

.

I

.

close

.

m

y

.

eyes,

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

drift

away,

.

a

n

d

.

affectionately

gaze

.

a

t

.

that

pristine

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

pristine

place,

.

.

a

million

.

miles

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

million

.

miles

behind,

.

b

a

c

k

.

when

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

when

.

time

.

w

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

daylight

smiled

.

a

l

l

.

the

while.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem I wrote back in Feb of 2020 where the contemplator looks back on a special, warming, youthful day in the past with those loved, cherished, and appreciated – and wonders whether he or she will ever experience anything like it again. I played a wonderful song I had heard for the very first time and immediately loved: “Kids” by Current Joy. I played this song 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. It wasn’t the lyrics of the song but the sound which inspired me to write the poem. The sound painted a fresh, soothing scene of a sweet, green, serene spring to me. So, I wrote the poem in reflection of that.

☆°▪︎ A PLACE WITHOUT A NAME ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The

currents

flow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

move

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

undertow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

move

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

undertow . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

wonder

where

.

m

y

.

life

.

might

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

know

.

I

.

a

m

.

lost

.

a

n

d

.

alone,

.

.

m

y

.

.

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

.

.

.

a

place

–

–

without

a

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

train

–

–

without

rails . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

ship

–

–

without

sails . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

n

–

–

–

a

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ on

a

plane

.

i

t

.

strays,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

races,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

strays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

without

.

a

.

way

.

t

o

.

navigate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

know,

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

lost

.

a

n

d

.

alone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

my

future,

.

.

i

t

.

.

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

train,

–

–

after

train,

–

–

after

train . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wave,

–

–

after

wave,

–

–

after

wave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

plane,

–

–

after

plane,

–

–

after

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

whether

wind,

.

.

o

r

.

.

flame,

.

.

o

r

.

.

shine,

.

.

o

r

.

.

rain,

.

.

o

r

.

.

snow,

.

.

o

r

.

.

hail,

.

.

o

r

.

.

earthquake,

.

.

o

r

.

.

hurricane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ my

future,

.

.

i

t

.

.

travels,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

will

.

n

o

t

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

My

future

travels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

a

place

–

–

without

a

name.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in January of 2020 where the affected party exerts little control over his or her life and just goes with the flow to nowhere. Because even if you do nothing – the future will arrive. And it is likely not the future you would want for yourself. I played the wonderful song “Harbour” by Moby 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.

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. It reflects the struggle that so many people go through in life. 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.