Sal's Reflections

My wish for all of my friends and loved ones is that at some point you love what you are doing. I have been so blessed in the fact that there has never been a job in my adult life that I hated. All of the professions that I experienced were connected to contact with others, and I cherish each experience and all that they brought to me. At present I love writing and speaking ,and I would plead with you that at some time in your life you passionately follow your dream job. It may not always be easy but do what you love .the money will be enough to sustain you.

No one has total control over every aspect of life, but there are ways that we can gain control through leverage. At the core of every significant opportunity to change positively leverage must be present. We can often find it in examining what are the visual messages we send to our brain. If we see ourselves through the prism of being stuck then we have no leverage. If the visual changes then the brain attracts opportunities to support the visual. In addition it helps if we examine the negative speech patterns that supported the former visual. In addition it is also worthwhile to examine and perhaps jettison some beliefs that have been carried too long. You are only stuck and mired in the past visual if you continue to accept the old visual and add on the negative words and beliefs.

Living solely for “someday” is based on a guarantee that all of those moments that you wish to experience are going to happen in the future. Not to be maudlin, but there are no guarantees regarding the absolute fact that the someday will occur. It is not morose to realize that the “now” is all we have, and to savor at least some of those dreams in the present is more than sensible.If you have a few moments write down the three dreams you wish to experience, and then ask yourself”is it necessary that I just dream about someday”?

I have often been asked”What would you do in this set of circumstances if you had a magic wand?” With that in mind t every challenge could be easily solved, and without pause I had a specific answer that would meet the challenge.I still do not have a magic wand, but I have found something that may be just as effective,an ability to see what “finish looks like”. Once I am able to see the desired outcome I have the ability to decide whether it is something so compelling that I am willing to perform the necessary work to achieve the goal.There is real magic once we see what we desire, and it provides energy and inspiration. The magic wand is in your head and heart and can achieve results beyond your imagination.

My friend’s dog had been ill for weeks and yesterday she had no choice but to end his suffering. Like so many pets he had been family, and so much a part of her life.For some it is difficult to understand the bonds of affection that exist between persons and their beloved pets They often say things like”he was only an animal.,what’s the big deal?This observation completely misses the point because he was the one who for years greeted her at the end of the work day, and was a constant companion and friend. She never merely thought of him as an animal, but rather a friend and vital part of her life. I am sad for her loss, and hope that the wonderful memories of his loving presence will sustain her at this difficult time.

Seventy years ago the beaches of Normandy were soaked with the blood of young men who risked their lives to end the tyranny of an evil government that had cast the world into cyclonic hell.They came from every walk of life and beliefs. Many would die that very day ,some never even reaching the shore. Their courage and commitment to free Europe from the tyranny of the Hitler regime should never be forgotten, and should remind all of us that the petty partisanship of today should be abandoned to honor those that fought to restore decency and justice to all. We are truly the home of the brave and the free when we live and govern with the realization that our way of life was purchased at great cost and human sacrifice.

The initial editing for the new novel is finished and now there will be some adaptions and re-writing. My editor Stephen has been amazing during the process and it is so rewarding when my intent for the work is completely understood by the publisher and the editor. After the structure is finished and all of the edits are finalized the work will go out seeking reviews. I am counting on all of you to continue your support especially in the social media areas. The initial buzz created by you in your individual networks is critical and please know it is deeply appreciated.
A reminder-if you or anyone is interested in receiving the first three chapters send me your name and email address,

There are times when conversations about the most pressing issues of the day are like viewing the movie “Groundhog Day.”Climate change, the second amendment, gay marriage, gender equality, race and other vital topics which require reflection and dialogue are reduced to sound bites and slogans. Rigid positions are taken and instead of reasonable discourse which can lead to solutions labels are placed on the foreheads of those who oppose partisan views. The end result of this is that we are in a quagmire where nothing changes .Ignoring those who espouse diverse opinions will not make the challenges evaporate, and it is time for reasonable persons to take the first step to open the conversation in friendly respectful ways.

“She had the ability every breathing moment to say yes to life in all its peaks and valleys. Absent the ability to disdain others, she would wrap them in her elastic ever expanding band of acceptance. The wondrous gift of totally enveloping who and what they were enabled them to feel the sense and wonder of their own value.”

This is a brief description of Solange one of my favorite characters in my new novel. She represents the best qualities I have found in others along the way. To widen our acceptance and embrace everyone in our circle benefits us as well as those we embrace

In every life there are moments when loss or failure prevent us from seeing that there are reasons to hope. It is in those moments when the encouragement of others is critical. A phone call, a loving word, a pledge to be present are not merely nice gestures ,they are the backbones of love and concern. Each of us in the course of our days needs encouragement, and we also are the warehouses of giving that enable others to go on. Is there someone in your life that needs encouragement today?