Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: REMEMBER THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE QUESTIONS AND LIVE YOUR LIFE ACCORDINGLY (PART ONE: LIFE QUESTION #1)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One key to happiness is remembering the three most important life questions and living your life accordingly. What do you suppose the most important life question is?

 

Drum roll…

 

Well the most important life question is “WHAT DO I WANT MY LIFE EXPERIENCE TO BE?” Independent of what others think, believe, express, or attempt to convince otherwise. This is YOUR life experience and no one else’s! And it can be whatever you want it to be! So, always remember this and live your life accordingly.

Life experience includes everything from the macro, to the micro, to the temporary, to the more persistent or more permanent. It can include that which you just want to explore or try out, that which you want to experience or experiment with, that which lasts days or weeks, and that which lasts months, years, decades, or even lifelong. There is no limit. It can be a wide variety of things or just a select few. And it can change. So, it can be whatever you want it to be at the time as well as all the time.

One of the key contributors to unhappiness in life is living other people’s lives. To be truly happy, you must live an AUTHENTIC life – your own life – and nobody else’s. So, always remember that.

This also means other people need to be free to live their life experiences – whatever they want them to be – independent of what YOU think, believe, express, or attempt to convince otherwise. It’s okay to offer advice, but just remember that ultimately it is THEIR life experience and not yours.

Now, one caveat to the above is that it must be a healthy life experience (overall) such that the life experience you choose does not physically harm yourself or others. Otherwise, the playing field is wide open.

What an exciting, wonderful, happy life you (and others) will share when you live in the above fashion. So, always remember: Your life experience can be anything you want it to be. Start today. Your future is filled with nothing but endless possibility. The reels are empty. This is your movie. Create it!

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

In Part Two, I will reveal the second most important life question. Can anyone guess what it might be?

☆°▪︎ THE SILENCE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Tell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

do

.

n

o

t

.

know,

–

– 

how

.

t

o

.

tell

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

am

.

t

o

o

.

ashamed

.

inside

.

t

h

e

.

shell,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

a

little

.

t

o

o

.

shy

.

a

s

.

well,

.

.

t

o

.

.

break

.

t

h

e

.

silent

spell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

it’s

easier

.

t

o

.

smile,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wave,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

smile,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wave,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

dream,

–

–

breathing

next

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

turning

away

.

a

n

d

.

fading

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

turned

away

.

a

n

d

.

faded

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

nothing 

.

b

u

t

.

silence,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

feelings

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

that

.

y

o

u

. 

have

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

they

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt

.

m

e

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

n

–

–

–

anything

before.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018 where the affected party experiences a heart-wrenching turn of events which, at that point in time, seem too insurmountable for him or her to change. This poem was primarily inspired by the wonderful, moving movie: “Call Me By Your Name.”

☆°▪︎ A NEW EARTH (IN REVERSE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

heard

.

t

h

e

.

words

.

about

.

t

h

e

.

turn,

.

.

e

c

h

o

.

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

universe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

.

n

e

w

.

earth

.

n

o

w

.

looks

like

.

t

h

e

.

old,

.

.

a

s

.

.

better

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

to 

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ as

better

.

f

a

l

l

s

.

to 

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ marching

forward . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

– 

reverse.

Reflection: This was a forgotten reflection-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018. It was primarily inspired by U2’s Bono Rolling Stone interview (January 11-25, 2018 issue of Rolling Stone) where Bono said “the new normal is the old normal” (in terms of the world moving backwards to protectionism, and no longer advancing: Trump, Brexit, the rise of protectionist contenders, political agendas, and such). After reflecting on this interview, I then wrote: “the new world looks like the old world” and this simple poem wrote itself from that.

☆°▪︎ NOT THE ONE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time,

–

–

when

.

I

.

thought

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

b

e

.

the

one

.

i

n

.

my

life . . .
–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

later

.

I

.

came

.

t

o

.

realize,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

were

.

n

o

t

.

the

one . . .
–
–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

not

.

t

h

e

.

one,

alright . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

one

.

w

h

o

.

got

away.

Reflection: This was a fun but simple romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018 where the contemplator looks back on a past romance which probably could have turned out to be the best relationship he or she has ever had.

☆°▪︎ CRYPTOCURRENCY ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Cryptocurrency . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Cryptocurrency . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Building

easy

–

–

money

schemes,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

sweet,

–

–

money

dreams

.

.

t

o

.

.

that,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ well,

.

i

t

.

seems

.

l

i

k

e

.

a

bubble

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

seems

.

l

i

k

e

.

a

bubble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

comes

crashing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

comes

thrashing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

h

o

w

–

–

–

many

.

w

i

l

l

.

still

.

b

e

.

singing

.

a

n

d

.

dancing

.

i

n

.

the

streets ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ singing

.

a

n

d

.

dancing

.

i

n

.

the

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

living

a

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

eating

crypto

currency

feed,

–

–

beneath

crypto

currency

bedsheets.

Reflection: This was a fun, but simple reflective-themed poem I wrote in December 2017 during the earlier days of the cryptocurrency craze – crypto crashed shortly after I wrote this but recovered almost three years later. Perhaps I should have modified this poem during the meme stock phase and published it then as well. The rhythm of this poem was inspired by John Lennon’s rhythmic verse in “I am the Walrus.” It started out as: “Cryptocurrency, easy money schemes, well it seems like a bubble to me.”

I actually started buying into cryptocurrency once the recovery began via Coinbase (COIN) – because that was the first time I started having some confidence in the fundamental value of a cryptocurrency-oriented company. It’s actually done very well since then.


☆°▪︎ TWENTY-NINE: A SMILE OF WINE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile

.

o

f

.

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

desire

.

spied

upon

.

m

y

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

danced

.

a

l

l

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

after

mile,

–

–

after

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

hard

.

t

o

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

wild

.

a

n

d

.

winding,

–

–

whirling

ride,

–

–

just

where

.

t

h

e

.

night

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

danced

.

u

p

o

n

.

a

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

wine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

i

n

–

–

–

those

precious,

–

–

priceless

moments

.

i

n

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

I

.

dreamed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

designed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.
 ~ when

I

.

dreamed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

designed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

danced

.

a

.

lie . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

thinking

–

–

somewhere,

–

–

someday,

–

–

somehow,

.

.

o

r

.

.

sometime,
.

.

I

.

.

might

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

make

.

y

o

u

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

might

.

f

i

n

d

.

a

way

.

t

o

.

make

.

y

o

u

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

longer

than . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for
longer,

.

.

s

o

.

.

much

longer

.

t

h

a

n

.

those

twenty-nine

.

maddening

moments

.

i

n

.

time.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the romancer looks back on a brief romantic encounter, and wonders what more could have been said or done to create a more lasting romance.

☆°▪︎ MAD MARTINI MOON ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here

comes

again

.

t

h

a

t

.

mad

martini

moon,
.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s” . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

which

.

a

r

e

.

nothing

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

old

.

h

i

t

.

tune,

.

.

still

trying

.

t

o

.

sound

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

still

trying

.

t

o

.

relive

.

t

h

e

.

dance

.

o

f

.

its

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

stale

–

–

scent

.

o

f

.

booze

–

–

after

.

a

.

confused,

–

–

alcoholic

afternoon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

m

o

r

e

.

than

.

t

h

e

.

boring,

–

–

cyclical,

–

–

patterned

story:

–

–

–

.

.

.

morning,

–

–

before

noon,

–

–

before

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

moon,

–

–

before

morning,

–

–

before

noon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

know,

–

–

all

.

o

f

.

those

sappy,

–

–

drunken

“I love you-s . . .”

–

–

–

.

.

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

move

.

t

h

e

.

most

desperate

.

o

f

.

fools . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

there

.

a

r

e

.

times

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

y

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

a

r

e

.

times

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

y

.

still

do.

Reflection: This was a fun romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the romancer looks back on a brief romantic encounter, and wonders what more could have been said or done to create a more lasting romance.

☆°▪︎ THE BREW OF YOUTH ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

.

.

s

o

.

.

many

.

f

r

o

m

.

which

.

t

o

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

.

.

s

o

.

.

consumed

.

b

y

.

the

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

with

pursuit,

–

–

pursuing

pursuit,

–

–

pursuing

pursuit . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

.

s

o

.

many

–

–

become

.

s

o

.

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

s

o

.

many

–

–

become

.

s

o

.

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

not

.

s

o

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

now

there

.

i

s

.

nothing

left

.

t

o

.

do,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

seek

.

t

h

e

.

sweet

.

o

f

.

something

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

seek

a

move

.

t

o

.

another

moon,

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ seek

a

move

.

t

o

.

another

moon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

a

blooming

shade

.

o

f

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

–

–

engages

youth,

–

–

engages

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

.

I

.

believe

.

I

.

should

leave

.

h

e

r

e

.

soon,

.

.

I

.

do

.

n

o

t

.

mind

.

t

h

e

.

brew.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in December of 2017 where the affected party is in a constant state of pursuit, and is continually disappointed by the results – leading to a continual, negative cycle of pursuit. This poem was inspired by lines that appeared on the screen of the silent movie “Intolerance.” The woman saw her aging reflection in a mirror and the following lines appeared: “Seeing youth drawn to youth, Miss Jenkins realizes the bitter fact that she is no longer a part of the younger world.” I thought that was a great line which warranted the writing of a poem based on that.

HAPPINESS TIP: SLOW DOWN AND MARVEL AT THAT WHICH SURROUNDS YOU

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

HAPPINESS TIP: SLOW DOWN AND MARVEL AT THAT WHICH SURROUNDS YOU

Many people spend so much of their time focused on getting there that they fail to appreciate the moment and their surroundings. Don’t do this to yourself. Mindfully slow things down a bit, every once in a while, and marvel at the world which surrounds you. You can do this while walking, driving, riding, or even sitting.

What I like to do is imagine my surroundings have been painted through the sentimental eyes of appreciation of an artist. How many paintings have you seen which were so cozy, so warming, so inspirational, and so inviting that you just wanted to be there? Well, imagine your surroundings were painted by such an artist and slow down a bit and smile and bask in the joy of it.

Anytime you do this, you will be able to transform even otherwise dull surroundings into something precious, wondrous, magnificent, and deeply moving; filling yourself with the warmth, joy, wonder, inspiration, and exhilaration of complete appreciation. And what might have been even boring, ordinary days will become extraordinary and you will feel happy, lively, and cheerful for much of the time. So, do this for yourself 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

☆°▪︎ CANDY APPLE RED ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

is

.
s

o

.

much

more

.

I

.

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

many

.

m

o

r

e

.

dreams

.

I

.

might

.

h

a

v

e

.

seen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

way

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

.

I

.

w

a

s

.

racing

around . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ racing

around

.

i

n

.

candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

instead . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

felt

.

s

o

.

wild

.

a

n

d

.

free,

–

–

moving

.

a

t

.

such

speed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

tomorrow

arrived

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

THEN

next

week

–

–

arrived

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

THEN

next

month,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

THEN

next

year

–

–

arrived

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!MORE SPEED!

tires

screeching . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!MORE SPEED!!

engine

screaming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!!MORE SPEED!!!

freeways

streaming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!

!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!

!!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!!

!!!!!!!MORE SPEED!!!!!!!

.

.

.

.

.

.

==>>>Here

!TOMORROW!

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

there ==>>>

!TODAY!

–

–

–

.

.

.

==>>>Here

!TOMORROW!

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

spinning,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

spinning,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

spinning,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

spinning

.

i

n

.

!YESTERDAY!

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

arrived

==>>>here

.

i

n

.

a

SCREAMING

BLURRR,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

knew

.

n

o

t

.

who

.

o

r

.

where

.

I

.

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

arrived

==>>>here

.

w

i

t

h

.

little

fuel

.

t

o

.

burn,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

.

m

u

c

h

.

more

.

t

o

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

arrived

.

w

i

t

h

.

little

fuel

.

t

o

.

burn,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

.

m

u

c

h

.

more

.

t

o

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

!OH!

.

.

.

.

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

!THRILLING!

–

–

!!EXHILARATING!!

–

–

!!!TWISTING!!!

–

–

!!!!TURNS!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

INSIDE

OUT

.

a

n

d

.

OUTSIDE

!IN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

UPSIDE

DOWN

.

a

n

d

.

UP

!AGAIN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

a

t

.

time,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

the

twilights

–

–

dimming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

a

t

.

time,

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

I

.

o

n

l

y

.

dreaming ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

days

.

o

f

.

before

.

a

r

e

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

nothing

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

more

.

t

h

a

n

.

echoes

.

a

n

d

.
blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

echoes

.

a

n

d

.

blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

echoes
.

a

n

d

.

blurs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

could

not

.

b

e

.

sure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

taunting

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

teasing

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Candy

apple

.

r

e

d

.

is

haunting

.

m

e

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

.

w

i

t

h

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

WASTED

years,

.

.

o

f

.

.

WILD,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

RECKLESS,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

SENSELESS

SPINNING . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

would

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

would

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

would

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

sometimes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

love

.

t

o

.

go

reeling,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

freewheeling,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

gear

shifting

–

–

behind

.

t

h

a

t

.

revving,

–

–

racing,

–

–

windshield

again.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2017 where the affected party is addicted to the thrills of exhilarating pursuit – not realizing the speed that life can pass, and how little value, connection, or satisfaction is gained as the memories blur.