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Quit Your Day Job, River of Light, Need to Put My Glasses On

Quit Your Day Job, River of Light, Need to Put My Glasses On

Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,

Thank you for being here, let's have a cuppa. I’ll put on the kettle.

Earlier this week I read an article the Intelligent Change curated newsletter.

The article, Your Mess is Your Message, by Kevin Evans was about a book review he did. The book by Cathy Heller, titled Don't Keep Your Day Job.

The book is about Cathy’s entrepreneurial journey as well as many known entrepreneurs who turned their lives around by dealing with life's rejections.

In the review, I was especially inspired by Josh Spector's story. 

A young man who was very involved in all things athletic, even being a competitive surfer while living in Hawaii. During his junior year in college, he was struck by a car while driving his moped. He ended by being paralyzed.  Lawyers told him he would be awarded millions of dollars.

During Josh’s darkest days, a friend brought him a Bible. He started to leaf through it until he happened upon the story of Samson.

Samson is confronted by a lion, whom he tears apart with his bare hands (Samson is best known for his strength). Later comes upon the carcass of the lion and finds a beehive filled with honey. 

Josh read these words, “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” Josh took these words to heart and he felt they were sent directly to him.

He awoke from his place of darkness and made the decision to not pursue the lawyers and their money option. He personally felt he had not come to a complete stop at the intersection and in good conscience could not do it.

That is integrity, that is convicted character.

He felt what happened to him had a larger purpose for his life. Samson’s experience revealed a spiritual realization. God will use situations in our lives to accomplish His will. 

Josh, accepted the revelation and set out to make a difference. Today, he owns The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, which he started from scratch. 

If ever back in Los Angeles, I will visit. 

Here is a bit of his story via Vimeo.

 

Speaking of books...

This week I purchased and am preparing to read, Drinking from the River of Light, the life of expression by Mark Nepo. He is a poet and philosopher providing personal reflections and exercises in this passionate testament to the spirituality of expression, particularly prose.

Here is a quote from Mark's book.

"The fundamental truth of being human is that we are incredibly sensitive creatures whose joy and pain are registered through that unique sensitivity. This sensitivity allows us the gift of seeing and perceiving. This sensitivity allows us to make sense of being alive. Unlike any other form of life, being human allows us to fit things together or to break things apart. Inhabiting the art of expressing ourselves is what lets us fit things together rather than break things apart. The art of expressing ourselves—what we experience, what we feel, what we think, and what we imagine exists within us and beyond us—is a form of inner breathing. And so, we each must learn how to do this or we will cease to exist. If you stop breathing, you will die. If you stop expressing, you may still walk around and buy groceries and pay the bills, but you will not be alive." ~ Mark Nepo

A quote I am thinking about this weekend. "The proper function of man is to live, not to exist" ~ Jack London

This morning, I learned of a friends passing. “Tom” Davies was a wonderful 82-year-old man. A fellow restauranteur who at a time owned all the KFC’s on the Island among other businesses as well. He was a gentleman and someone I admired and appreciated very much. His character continues to reflect through his gracious wife, Eleanore and his children.

In David Brooke’s book, “The Road to Character” speaks of two kinds of virtues. Resume virtues and eulogy virtues. While the former is deemed important in the marketplace, it is eulogy virtues, that speak to the character, when others praise a person who isn’t around to hear it. My memory of Tom will always be he was a man of humility, gentleness and kindness. A wonderful character. RIP Tom.

Moral improvement occurs most reliably when the heart is warmed when we come into contact with people we admire and love and we consciously and unconsciously bend our lives to mimic theirs. ~ David Brooks

Pulling on the thread about friends...

I read an interesting New York Times article listing many studies from around the world that support the theory that "friendship" is good for our health. Friendships are an essential ingredient in a happy life, so it’s time to give them the care and attention they deserve. The kind of friendship bond they spoke of was the non-spousal kind. Interestingly, they also found the proximity of the friend was not all that important.

Researchers are starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship and social networks in overall health.

Considering the fact the next few months are all about family and friends, the following links might be read and considered.

Read Smarter Living by Tara Parker-Pope of the New York Times.

How to Be a Better Friend

The Benefits of Friendship

How to Make Friendships Last 

How to Listen

How to Argue with Friends

Well friends, got to run, market morning...fresh eggs and sourdough bread. YumYum. 

While writing I have been listening to a new album by Sofaine Pamart. 

Gold Medal of the National Conservatory of Lille, Sofiane Pamart is the new French prodigy of the piano. At the age of 23, he spanned the biggest stages: Olympia, Bataclan and La Cigale in Paris. He has already collaborated with many French and international artists such as Kery James, Grand Corps Malade, Gael Faye, Medine, Scylla and Selah Sue. He draws his inspiration from today's rap and classical references such as Vladimir Horowitz, Ravel and Chopin.

His music is precise, sharp, rich in cultures and influences. 

Enjoy the sound. Sample Listen Here

Taking care of business. Be sure to take a peek at our offerings in the newsletter this weekend. If there is anything we can do to make your gift-giving easier, let us know. We can personalize each gift with your choice of items, and we handwrite the cards with your good wishes.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Be nice. Love is a verb. 

With love from Prince Edward Island, 

Bruce

Ps. 

My face in the mirror isn’t wrinkled or drawn.
My office ain’t dirty; the cobwebs are gone.
My car seems so shiny, like I waxed it anon.
My abs are a ‘six-pack’; my body’s all brawn.

My desk is uncluttered, with papers not o’errun.
My screen crystal clear now and typing is fun.
My garden looks lovely, nd so does my lawn.
I think I might never put my glasses back on.

~ Dr. Bob Griffin

Previous article Happy News + Rewilding + Magicians Dilemma

Comments

Paula Mueda - November 26, 2019

Enjoyed your blog very much, Bruce. Thank you for the story about The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles and its owner Josh Spencer. Very inspiring story.

MURDOCK Roy MORRISON - November 25, 2019

Hi Bruce – getting around to responding to this blog which was very uplifting as the stories about Josh and Tom were from the heart as that is what I read from your comments. And of course , friendships are so important to our overall health especially if the friendships are with those who are positive and open minded. Missed your humour with a funny story ( ha,ha) but always enjoy your blog. Murdock

Sharon L Lapointe - November 25, 2019

Good blog as usual. Lovely, sunny weather. Looking forward to Wednesday as going to a Men of the Deeps concert. Til next time.

Rose-Marie LeBel - November 24, 2019

Thank you once again for an inspiring read. I look forward to your blogs, they lift my spirit.
Thank you.

Betty Plucinski - November 24, 2019

Bruce this was an outstanding post – had a very busy day today (all good) and late in reading, but just have to compliment you on this blog ~ it was like a double or triple. Thank you so much.

althea k - November 24, 2019

Thank you for this fab blog. And more titles to add to my own to-read list. In Vancouver we have Macleod’s – not as neat or organized as Josh’s. I think it’s lovely he lets people to sit and browse. All blessings. oh – love your pix as well.

Joyce Simpson - November 23, 2019

What a great story and a remarkable young man.
Another great post, Bruce.
Thank you.

Doreen Mohler - November 23, 2019

Good Morning from Sunny California ! I loved the vimeo about The Last Book Store and it’s owner. Thank you so much for sharing that. My 29 yr old daughter is an avid bookworm and can get lost in bookstores for hours. She gets that from me! She is a magazine editor and challenges herself every year to see how many books she can read. Right now she is reading book #68 for this year. Crazy, but she doesn’t have kids yet. That will change. She and her husband live in Orange County, CA, and I have just made a date with her to visit The Last Book Store next time I go see them. I enjoy your Saturday blog. It always takes me back to PEI and the time we got to visit your store. Blessings !!

Gary Zanes - November 23, 2019

Enjoy your holidays Bruce. Excellent read.
Gary

Joan MacEachern - November 23, 2019

Beautiful read for a lazy Sat morning, thank you!

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