Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ WHAT ONCE WAS TRUE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time

.

o

f

.

types,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

divides,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

ways

.

t

o

.

decide:

–

–

–

.

.

.

This

one

.

t

o

o

.

tall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

this

one

.

t

o

o

.

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

This

one

.

t

o

o

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

this

one

.

j

u

s

t

.

plain

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Yes,

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

.

time

.

o

f

.

types,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

divides,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

ways

.

t

o

.

decide

which

.

a

l

l

.

went

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ which

.

a

l

l

.

went

.

a

w

a

y

.

when

.

y

o

u

.

arrived

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

.

I

.

could

clearly

.

s

e

e

.

you

were:

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

tall . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

too

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

just

.

p

l

a

i

n

.

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

even

in

.

t

h

a

t

.

crowded

room,

.

.

t

h

e

r

e

.

.

was

.

n

o

.

one

.

b

u

t

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

no

one

.

b

u

t

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

while,

–

–

building

.

t

h

e

.

bonfire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ building

.

t

h

e

.

bonfire,

–

–

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

higher

.

a

n

d

.

higher . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

racing,

.

raging

.

forest

fire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

breaking

out

.

i

n

.

the

wide

.

open

wild . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

consuming

.

a

l

l

.

that

used

.

t

o

.

be

true . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ consuming

.

a

l

l

.

that

used

.

t

o

.

be

too . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

.

i

s

.

only

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

.

i

s

.

only

you

.

a

n

d

.

I,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

moon

.

o

f

.

June . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

moon

.

o

f

.

June

.

i

n

.

full

bloom.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in November of 2018 where a typically picky and selective romancer finds there can be lust, love, and romance with someone outside of one’s perceived or self-prescribed preferences.

☆°▪︎ THE OUTCAST ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

cried

today

.

w

h

e

n

.

I

.

saw

.

y

o

u

r

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

no

matter

.

h

o

w

.

much

.

I

.

say,

.

.

o

r

.

.

how

many

ways

.

I

.

hate

.

a

n

d

.

berate

myself,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

haunting

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

haunting

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

never

.

g

o

e

s

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape

.

i

s

.

to

fade

–

–

the

pain,

–

–

the

guilt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

simply

.

g

o

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ go

away,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

erase

.

t

h

e

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Sometimes

I

wait

.

a

n

d

.

hope

.

f

o

r

.

warmer,

–

–

brighter

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

wait

.

a

n

d

.

hope

.

f

o

r

.

warmer,

–

–

brighter

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it

.

i

s

.

just

.

a

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

. 

a

.

short

.

a

n

d

.

gray,

–

–

somber

delay,

–

–

until

.

I

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

I

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape

.

i

s

.

to

fade

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

go

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

.

o

n

l

y

.

escape

.

i

s

.

to

fade

.

t

h

e

.

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

go

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

.

I

.

w

i

l

l

.

see

.

y

o

u

r

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

i

l

l

.

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

bitter,

–

–

unforgiving

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

t

h

e

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

t

h

e

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

it

ends

.

t

h

i

s

.

way.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but powerful personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2018 where the affected party is haunted by and cannot escape the guilt and shame experienced in the past. This is one of the few poems I have written that was inspired by a movie. This one was inspired by the moving, powerful movie: “In Bruges.”

HAPPINESS TIP: ON THOSE NOT SO POSITIVE DAYS, FOCUS ON HOW YOU MOST WANT TO FEEL AND THEN OFFER THAT TO OTHERS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Here’s a happiness tip on getting yourself into a positive place on those not so positive days:

There might be times in life when you are not feeling your best. A good thing to do, when this happens, is closing your eyes and – instead of focusing on how unhappy you presently feel – asking yourself how you might most want to feel and focusing on that. Many people, in these situations, do the opposite by focusing on the very negative thoughts and feelings they are seeking to moderate and overcome. It can be extremely difficult to move in a positive direction with so much attention focused on the negative. So, instead focus on how you most want to feel and take actions to gently move in this direction.

For example, if you feel lonely then you might most desire to experience feelings of love and appreciation. So, instead of focusing on your loneliness, focus on love and appreciation and steps you might take to gently move in this direction. A wonderful way to do this is offering what you most want to others. So, if you most want to escape your loneliness, then make someone else feel less lonely. And if you most want to experience love and appreciation, then offer love and appreciation to others. You will be amazed at how much love and appreciation comes back to you when you do this. Anytime we graciously and selflessly give to others that which we want for ourselves, it comes back to us in overwhelming abundance. So, do this often in your life.

And keep in mind that you can perform this process not only with people but with pets as well. So, don’t forget about your furry friends when doing this.

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

HAPPINESS TIP: FOCUS ON CONTRIBUTIONS INSTEAD OF RESULTS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

In such a “results and outcomes” focused society, it can be easy to feel over-burdened and unhappy at times. However, if you focus solely on, and allow yourself to be happy with, your contributions instead of on results and outcomes you will feel much better about your life and about yourself. We do not control results and outcomes. We only control our contributions.

Many things in life happen the way they do no matter what we do or how much we give. So, get in the practice of detaching from results and outcomes. Just do your best – whatever your best might be at the time given everything you have going on in your life and how you are feeling at the time – and be content with that. It’s the best you can do and you can feel good about that. Don’t worry so much about what you cannot control. Just do your part. That’s all you can ask of yourself (and others).

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

☆°▪︎ FAST FORWARD ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

remember

.

t

h

e

.

time,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

all

.

w

e

.

had . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

all

.

w

e

.

desired . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

all

.

w

e

.

needed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

a

s

–

–

–

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

.

w

h

e

n

.

every

roll

.

o

f

.

the

dice

–

–

seemed

right . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ back

.

w

h

e

n

.

every

night

–

–
would

arrive

.

w

i

t

h

.

a

.

higher,

–

–
brighter

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

as

.

t

h

e

.

miles

.

o

f

.

months

.

a

n

d

.

years

–

–

rolled

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

youth

. 

a

n

d

.

magic

–

–

began

.

t

o

.

dim

.

a

n

d

.

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

awoke

.

t

o

.

realize,

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

only

you

.

a

n

d

.

I . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

i

s

.

only

.

t

h

e

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

I

.

who

.

h

a

d

.

such

.

a

.

beautiful

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ who

.

h

a

d

.

such

.

a

.

beautiful

time,

.

.

i

n

.

.

the

dimming,

–

–

dying

. 

d

a

y

s

.

gone

by.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2018 where the contemplator looks back on a dimming, dying romance that was once so passionate and vibrant in the days of youth – and comes to realize that the person he or she is with is no longer enough. This is one of the few poems I have written over the years that was inspired by a movie. This one was inspired by the wonderful movie: “Blue Valentine.”

☆°▪︎ FAR BEYOND ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

.

i

s

.

magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence

.

a

l

l

.

around

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

belief

.

y

o

u

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence

–

–

up

.

a

n

d

.

down

.

a

n

d

.

all

around,

.

f

o

r

.

you,

.

a

n

d

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone

.

w

h

o

.

refuses

to

.

b

e

.

consumed

.

b

y

.

the

limitless,

–

–

worldly,

–

–

wicked

brews . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

dark,

.

a

n

d

.

brooding

blues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

dark,

.

a

n

d

.

brooding

blues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

is

love,

.

a

n

d

.

life,

.

a

n

d

.

joy

.

y

o

u

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

n

–

–

–

smile

when

.

y

o

u

.

see

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

dance

when

.

y

o

u

.

feel

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

shine

when

.

y
o
u

.

breathe

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

your

own

–

–

unique

warmth,

–

–

color,

–

–

light,

.

a

n

d

,

brilliance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

c

a

n

–

–

–

ignite

.

a

.

wondrous,

–

–

shimmering

expanse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

r

–

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

romance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

elegance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

original

magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence.

Reflection:  

This was a hope/inspiration themed poem I wrote back in October of 2018 to inspire hope and optimism by suggesting our perceptions largely create the way we feel inside and the life experiences we have.

☆°▪︎ OUR FIRST KISS ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Our

first

kiss

.

w

a

s

.

much

better

.

t

h

a

n

.

this . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

beamed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

burned,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

blossomed

.

w

i

t

h

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

tonight

.

y

o

u

.

tried,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tried

.

t

o

.

make

it

.

t

h

e

.

very

best

.

o

f

.

its

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

our

first

.

k

i

s

s

.

happened

.

l

o

n

g

.

before

tonight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

before

mile,

–

–

before

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

time,

–

–

before

time,

–

–

before

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

miles

.

a

n

d

.

time

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

.

tonight

arrived . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

miles

.

o

f

.

time

.

o

f

.

midnight

lines,

–

–

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

you-s,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

me-s,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

we-s . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wined

.

a

n

d

.

dined,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dined

.

a

n

d

.

wined . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

isles

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

isles

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

lie

inside

.

m

y

.

wildly

wandering,

–

–

wanting

mind.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2018 where the romancer finally experiences what he or she has been anticipating over a period of several months – but the actual experience paled in comparison to what had been imagined many times before leading up to that event. So, the anticipation was much more passionate, moving, and thrilling than the actual experience. Frequently that happens in life. This poem was written about a someone I had daydreamed about romantically many times but found the actual experience to be nothing close to that.

HAPPINESS TIP: LIVE WITHOUT REGRETS OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One way to live happier is taking steps to better ensure you live without regrets. This essentially involves taking chances: taking chances on people, taking chances on opportunities, and taking chances on life experiences.

For example, back in my early 30s, to overcome my shy nature with respect to initiating conversations with others I did not know, I created and adopted the expression: “I’d rather try than be haunted by…” because the potential discomfort of trying and getting shunned was less painful than the haunting, restless thoughts of what might have been.

And I’ve had a lot of fun and gained a number of friends and wonderful life experiences over the years because of this. Many of which involve friendships which have lasted 15+ years!

A simple way to express this idea is (which my more intellectual followers might appreciate): “If A would like B to be a part of A’s life experience, then it probably makes sense for A to do something to initiate the process or communicate some sort of interest. Otherwise it may not happen.”

So, do not miss out on these kinds of wonderful life opportunities! The people and experiences in your life can add such color, beauty, excitement, and comfort throughout the months, years, and decades of your life. I STRONGLY encourage you to do this for yourself from time to time. Because you never know what might happen. So, do this for yourself if your 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 #relationships

☆°▪︎ A SIMPLE LIFE SERENE AND FREE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Oh,

.

b

u

t

.

your

life

.

i

s

.

so

boring,

–

–
said

.

t

h

e

.

sea . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

your

life

.

i

s

.

so

boring,

–

–
said

he . . .
–
–

–

.

.

.
said

she . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

boring

.

i

s

.

simple . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

boring

.

i

s

.

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

boring
.

i

s

.

serene . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

freeing

.

t

o

.

me.

Reflection:  This was a simple, reflective-themed poem that came to me when I was at Daytona Beach relaxing by the sea. It was so simple and basic that I was surprised so many people liked it.

HAPPINESS TIP: AVOID MAKING “PERFECT” DECISIONS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There is no such thing as “the right decision”. There are good decisions, bad decisions, and decisions which lie between these two extremes. One of the keys to living a happy, stress-free life is making and being content with decisions which are good enough instead of those which are “perfect”. Because, perfectionism is never worth the cost. Nothing will ever be perfect no matter how much time, energy, and resources you put towards something. Simply consider a few facts or indicators, make a favorable decision based on these, and move out on that decision. You will live happier and make more progress in life if you do.

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