(Title poem to my forthcoming book of poetry, The Social Media Poet, poems, posts, and prose of encouragement)

He is standing at the crossroads

He is divided down the middle

He’s got mad rhythm to throw a riddle

He is living in two worlds

He’s post modern and always moving forward fast

While he has one foot planted firmly in the past

Though his beliefs are quite progressive

Still his behavior can be regressive

He has passion for his writing

He paints images so exciting

He knows he’s got a gift with words

He is searching for a hero

And feels like he’s starting at ground zero

Cause sometimes he just can’t find his way

He comes baring gifts from yesterday

He knows constant change is here to stay

He has so much that he wants to say

He has no plans to go away

He’s social and he loves to play

He’s going to bring it everyday

His poems can lift or paint in gray

Though you may not even know it

You just fell under the spell… of the modern day poet

To be the cause that ignites the spark.

Casting vibrant light into the dark.

To be the force of friction that feeds the flame.

Seemingly reckless but with precision and aim.

To purposely feed the fire inside.

Stoking great passion that has been denied.

To dispel the cold with such radiant heat.

Discovering victory after punishing defeat.

To see the flames burn higher and higher.

Following my hearts call to inspire.

A heart that cares venturing where it dares.

With a message for you to walk towards your fears.

Take a look deep inside where passions often subside.

When you bring them to life you’ll experience an incredible ride.

Ideas into action can bring such satisfaction.

Make them stop, look, listen, and think with surprise reaction.

With your newborn wings you can do most anything.

From singing with birds to dancing amongst kings.

And your days will know so many ways.

Of lifting the spirits of he who prays.

Every moment in it will be lived to the limit.

Take that leap so you can begin it.

Please promise to cash in on a life filled with passion.

For the gifts you share will always be in fashion.

When you learn how to fly you will touch the sky.

Come to know the beauty of your tears when you cry.

Empower yourself now and make a personal vow.

My most important work will show you how.

Alphabet Soup

The 26 special ingredients found in my Alphabet Soup tell my personal story as a serial entrepreneur and social pioneer! Read through my ingredients and start focusing on your own “Recipe for Success.”

Ambassador

Boldness

Communication

Determination

Experience

Find

Growth

Help

Inspire

Journey

Knowledge

Leadership

Marketing

Network

Opportunity

Pioneer

Quality

Relationships

Service

Team

Unique

Vision

Work

X-Factor

You

Zeal

If we are to achieve greatness, we must risk failure.  Just as mountains peaks rise up from deep valleys, the ascent to great heights is filled with the potential to fall down along the way.  It is this fear of the unknown, and the risks, that erode our confidence.  The confidence we need to succeed will be gobbled up, bit by bit, by fear, and the way it spreads itself, destroying all hope in its path.

Along life’s path there are many many lessons to be learned.  Our growth will come with some discomfort and pain.  It is part of the process, just like a new child being born into the world. 

We must come to embrace change. For it seems to stir up such uncertainty for so many of us.  Fear of the unknown. The fear of failure.  Change is a constant.  It is part of the evolution of everything.  Changes are not permanent, but change is.

Forget about the things your family and friends said about you.  The limits they put in your head.  Forget about the devil’s advocates who told you that you could never do the great things your passionate about in life.  Forget the voices in your head, telling you that you are not good enough, or smart enough.  Broken records that go around and around, never stopping their message, nor their sound.  It is our job to take action by seeking the information we need to forge out our future.  A future that fulfills our great promise. 

Rejection lives everywhere.  It lurks right around the corner just about all the time.  It stands in our way.  Rejection blocks our path by putting lies in front of us to derail us from greatness.  We are not tall enough or rich enough.   Our house is nothing compared to our friend’s house.  We were never a good student, and just can’t do math because we were never good enough at numbers.   We look in the mirror and the lies are even clearer…”not pretty enough”…..”too fat”…..”our hair is all wrong”.  We wish we had blue eyes or brown eyes or green eyes or any color eyes than the color we have.  Lies, all lies, that need to get out of our pictures and images of ourselves.  

Truth is, no one is quite like anyone else.  We stand alone full of possibilities.  One beating heart and one great work of art.

Stand out by following your passions without reservation, and with no hesitation.  It is time to get dressed for success.  Do the things you want to do with your life.  Listen to the voice that is so filled with excitement about the many gifts you have to share.  Follow that passion for connection.  Build the life you dream of by networking with the people who support you.  The passionate people who say “you can”.  The ones who know you will.

The dreamers who dream big dreams.  The people who plant the seeds of greatness with their lives.  The ones who withstand  punishing agony to know the greatness of victory.  The bravehearts who forget about their fears. 
The achievers who make history.

Something so simple…

…can touch my day.

Something so simple…

…helps me find my way.

Something so simple…

…brings me so much joy.

Something so simple…

…just a moment to enjoy.

Something so simple…

…moves my loving heart.

Something so simple…

…like a work of art.

Something so simple…

…fills up my wings.

Something so simple…

…like the little things.

Something so simple…

…is what I live for.

Something so simple…

…that’s all, nothing more.

In a world dominated by a sea of noise, chaos, and nonstop violence, I highly regard the serenity and calm of silence.  The quiet moments.  The gentle whisper of the breeze through the trees.   Time spent just listening to the sounds of nature or observing the beauty of a sunset.  The brilliant glow of a full moon. The many moments that pass way too soon.  The time we spend away from all the clutter and confusion of it all.

Modern day life spins at a feverish pace like some kind of whirling dervish, dizzying himself out of control.  Information is instantaneous. News is narrow-cast now on online platforms like twitter, that happens so quickly one could just shutter.  How can we all keep up?  Where is this all leading?  And what will happen next?  Time to check email?  Or is it a text?  Time will tell.  It’s any one’s guess. 

Above it all.  Beyond all the noise.  I am just one man doing what I can.  I am an observer with a wide angle lens.  The things that pass before me become pieces of my stories.  I do not seek to be loud but my spirit is mighty.  I believe in you and me.  And know we must work to build back our communities.  It is up to us.  Take someones hand and join the band. 

We must come together in harmony, like the musicians in a symphony.  Each one of us playing a different part.  Together we are greater than the sum of the parts. Our orchestral notes shall offer serenity, peace, and healing to those who listen and hear.  My voice is just a whisper, but my message is loud and clear.

In a world driven by data, where technology seemingly trumps all topics, I’ve been feeling the call of the simple things that touch our lives.  The immeasurable things that touch our body, mind and soul.

The feeling we get when someone just says,” Hi, how are you today?”  with that sparkle in their eyes and a genuine smile upon their face.  When that person stops and pauses to actually listen to our answer(without looking at their cell phone), it’s a delight.

The rush of emotions in motion when I hug my mom tightly.  It fills me with an unexplainable joy and sadness at the same time. Joy that I can feel such warmth and connectedness to her through such a simple gesture.  Sadness for the loss of my dad, and left wondering when the last time my mom has felt the loving touch of a kiss, a hug, or the warmth of a hand.

I love the way great music can make our spirits take flight, transporting us right out of our bodies.  It lifts the emotions.  The intoxicating rhythm of the instruments.  The soaring sounds of a soulful singer.  It can set our heart and imagination on fire.  Spirits fly on…..

We touch each others lives in so many immeasurable ways.  It is such  a blessing to recognize the “little” things that happen.  The holding hands.  The inspiration we feel after a great speech.  The voice that says “I care” just by it’s tone.  The kind deed.  The philanthropists gifts that touch our communities.

The passion found in people’s eyes.

The warmth of the breeze blowing by.

Moments that make you stop, and sigh.

The times we have to say goodbye.

The beauty of tears when we cry

The immeasurable dynamics between…. you and I.

In a world driven by data, where technology seemingly trumps all topics, I’ve been feeling the call of the simple things that touch our lives. The immeasurable things that touch our body, mind and soul. The feeling we get when someone just says,” Hi, how are you today?” with that sparkle in their eyes and a genuine smile upon their face. When that person stops and pauses to actually listen to our answer(without looking at their cell phone), it’s a delight. The rush of emotions in motion when I hug my mom tightly. It fills me with an unexplainable joy and sadness at the same time. Joy that I can feel such warmth and connectedness to her through such a simple gesture. Sadness for the loss of my dad, and left wondering when the last time my mom has felt the loving touch of a kiss, a hug, or the warmth of a hand. I love the way great music can make our spirits take flight, transporting us right out of our bodies. It lifts the emotions. The intoxicating rhythm of the instruments. The soaring sounds of a soulful singer. It can set our heart and imagination on fire. Spirits fly on….. We touch each others lives in so many immeasurable ways. It is such a blessing to recognize the “little” things that happen. The holding hands. The inspiration we feel after a great speech. The voice that says “I care” just by it’s tone. The kind deed. The philanthropists gifts that touch our communities. The passion found in people’s eyes. The warmth of the breeze blowing by. Moments that make you stop, and sigh. The times we have to say goodbye. The beauty of tears when we cry The immeasurable dynamics between…. you and I.

Like a rare and precious jewel, we are all blessed with something unique about us deep down inside.  Most of us live in fear of revealing our true selves, thus it is sadly not shared with the world.  When searching to find pearls we must first open the protective shell, revealing insides that are raw and sensitive…..but it is there inside the oyster, where we find our precious pearl.

Modern times seem to call us to be more mainstream.  Globalization. The sharing of similar technologies worldwide.  And the ideology that we are all the same…  Truth is we do share many commonalities, but we really are individuals with our own perspectives and perceptions.  We experience life from our unique point of view, looking out our own window to the world around us.   Our commonality is probably that no one truly fits in…..we are  all strangers in one way or another.  Strangers together!

Where food is our universal language shared together everywhere, our special gifts tend to be left boxed up and wrapped.  They seem to rarely be opened up.  Yes, the outside may be beautiful, capturing our eyes.  But the joy of what’s inside can bring joy and fulfillment.  It may warm our hearts.  It can leave a special imprint on our lives.

We all take on jobs at that time in our lives when we need to earn our own money and take care of ourselves.  Through education and experience we build skills, moving onto a career which tends to be higher paying and more purposeful.  We tend to feel a greater  satisfaction or connection to our work.   

There is a place where all the pieces or ourselves merge together.  Our jobs, our career, our hobbies, our passions, and our special gifts  blend.  That place uses the greatest part of our intellect in perfect harmony with our heart.  The pieces fit together.

It is our calling!  It comes from inside.  I have heard that call…and I am listening to it!

I will follow my calling!   I am willing to reveal myself transparently and honestly!

It calls me to not live in fear.  It calls me to express myself from the inside out!!

And it is priceless!!!