*✨KITTING AROUND✨
BLOG 396–Step Outside
THIS BLOG IS SHORTER AND HAPPIER!
Read every word; there have been changes.
Always Keep Getting Better than Yesterday!
Read This Entire Blog; It’s Good for Your Brain.
The full blog is here — https://kitsummers.com/blog/
This Blog is Best Read on a laptop rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS—World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback
Learn More About Me >> https://youtu.be/eQBnUJgTXts?si=1Qik7VdzscvHsfpS
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ONCE UPON A LIFE…
I made gravity nervous—Seven clubs soaring through the air.
A world record. Because physics loves a good insult.
Kit continued his drive toward excellence. 😄
Then came the truck. The coma.
Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
But I returned—Balancing healing,
tossing hope sky-high, and
juggling purpose, grit, and joy. 🤹♂️
Now, I lift people.
That is bigger than applause.
Writing is how I breathe.
If these words help you breathe a little easier, too—
That is magic catching air. 🎉
What comes next on Kit’s journey?
Back to juggling? Back to the stage? Back to life?
Stay with me and find out.
Life can get better. Life will get better! ✨
My new address is:>>
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217, Tampa, FL 33647
(A love letter would be dandy.) kitsummers@gmail.com
kitsummers.com https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/
Call me >> 610-400-3233
BALBOA PARK IN SAN DIEGO
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NONE OF US WILL LIVE FOREVER—SO MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW!
EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY—A CHANCE TO BEGIN A NEW LIFE.
DON’T LIVE IN THE PAST OR WAIT FOR THE FUTURE.
NOW IS THE ONLY MOMENT YOU HOLD!
MAKE THE MOST OF THIS MOMENT.
I FEEL THIS IS MY BEST BLOG YET!
A quick directory >>
Part 1—The Beginnings — Obvious.
Part 2—Things that Happened This Week.
Part 3—THE BLOG.
Part 4—Inspirational Quotes.
Part 5—Your Challenge.
Part 6—Blog for Next Week.
Part 7—Final Thoughts — Obvious.
ALWAYS REMEMBER >>
When your life nears its end,
what will you want to remember?
The dreams you chased? The people you loved?
I’m still planning to live beyond age 100; will you join me?
Remember the moments when you chose courage over comfort?
CRATER LAKE IN SOUTHERN OREGON
READ PAST BLOGS HERE —
kitsummers.com/blog
If even one sentence inspires you to make a positive change, face a challenge with greater courage, or appreciate the wonderful life already dancing around you, then every hour at the keyboard has been worthwhile.
- EVERY DAY >>
- Feel the sunshine.
- Enjoy a good meal.
- Speak more kindly.
- Care for your body.
- Learn something new.
- Laugh whenever possible.
- Improve one little thing today.
- Treasure a friendly conversation.
- Then improve another tomorrow.
- Keep going, and those tiny steps may grow.
- Spend time with people who lift your spirits.
- And become something absolutely phenomenal!
- Keep moving toward the person you want to become.
- Celebrate every bit of progress—even when it arrives late.
Small choices may seem insignificant in the moment, but never underestimate their power. When repeated with purpose, patience, and persistence, they become strong habits that quietly shape the direction of your life.
You do not have to transform everything overnight; simply make one positive choice today, then make it again tomorrow. Step by step, those tiny victories build momentum, strengthen your confidence, and create a brighter future—because every remarkable journey begins with one small decision to move forward.
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I heard from Phyllis >>
LOL— Making your Bed—one of my favorite topics!! An unmade bed WRECKS me! LOL Some days I am throwing Bernie out of bed so I can make it (ha ha). Not often, as we are early birds. But you know what’s hilarious? I JUST learned (about a month ago) that you should NOT make your bed as soon as you climb out of it. You should “let it air out” because of the dead skin cells and whatever “bugs” it leaves behind lol. I thought this person was joking and just being lazy when they told me, but I found out it was actually true!! LOL HOWEVER, let the bugs live on! LOL I’m still making my bed first thing! ; )
Warm regards, Phyllis ; )
MEET ME ON ZILLOW TO REVIEW MY TESTIMONIALS & CREDENTIALS: www.Zillow.com/profile/PhyllisLynch
THANK YOU, MY DEAR FRIEND, PHYLLIS.
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Happiness is not having everything you want; it is appreciating what you already have. There will always be another goal to pursue and another mountain calling your name. Just do not become so focused on tomorrow’s summit that you miss today’s magnificent view.
WORDS FOR YOU—AND FOR ME?
I write these words for you—and for myself. We are all works in progress, and none of us has life completely figured out. That is perfectly all right. Life does not demand perfection; it asks us to stay involved, remain willing, and keep trying.
Is that Kit?
PART 1: THE BEGINNINGS
Keep smiling. Keep growing. Keep believing in yourself.
YES—YOU’RE GETTING THERE!
Friday has arrived again. I send this week’s blog into the world—a collection of my thoughts, struggles, experiences, and hopes traveling through cyberspace in search of someone who might need its messages.
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1) LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU. STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.
2) RAISE THE CURTAIN. TAKE A BREATH. AND START YOUR ACT. 🎪🔥
3) DO NOT WAIT FOR MONDAY. TAKE ONE SMALL STEP TODAY.
4) YOUR BETTER LIFE BEGINS NOW — ADD TO THE WORLD IN A GREAT WAY.
5) DO SOMETHING WONDERFUL!
6) YOU ARE IMPORTANT — TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF.
7) WILL YOU BE THE FIRST TO REACH 200 YEARS OF AGE?
8) LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU — CATCH UP!
9) LIVE FOR NOW! NOT YESTERDAY! NOT TOMORROW! NOW IS THE TIME!
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The wilderness has always pulled me toward it. I feel most alive among the trees, surrounded by plants, wildlife, and the gentle sounds of nature. The woods are more than a place I enjoy visiting—they are where my mind grows quiet, my spirit feels free, and I remember just how wonderful it is to be alive. Over the years, however, I have discovered something important: we do not always have to travel deep into the woods to find that feeling.
This week, I invite you to discover your own wilderness. It does not have to be a distant forest, a towering mountain, or an empty beach. Your wilderness can be any peaceful place where the noise of daily life begins to fade, your mind opens, and your thoughts are free to wander. It might be beneath a tree, beside a pond, along a quiet walking path, or even in a comfortable chair near an open window. The important thing is not where you go, but what happens inside you when you get there.
That is because finding your wilderness is as much a mental journey as a physical one. For a few minutes, step away from schedules, screens, worries, and other people’s expectations. Breathe slowly. Listen to the sounds around you. Allow your thoughts to move naturally without trying to control or judge them. You are not escaping from life—you are creating enough quiet space to see your life more clearly.
I learned this through years of wandering through forests, mountains, oceans, and wild places. Nature gave me room to breathe, think, dream, and feel fully alive. But eventually I realized that the freedom I found in those magnificent places could travel home with me. Even when I cannot head for the mountains or disappear down a wooded trail, I can still create a small clearing in my thoughts—and so can you.
Your wilderness will probably look different from mine. Perhaps you will find it while walking through a neighborhood park, tending a garden, listening to birds, writing in a journal, or sitting quietly before the rest of the world awakens. The location matters far less than the feeling. Your wilderness is wherever you can loosen your grip on the day, breathe a little more deeply, and give your imagination room to stretch its legs.
So give yourself permission to visit that place this week. Put down the phone, turn down the noise, and stop trying to solve everything for a little while. Let your thoughts roam without a map. They may wander in unexpected directions, but that is part of the adventure. Sometimes the mind, like a good wilderness trail, leads us somewhere wonderful when we stop trying to control every turn.
And here is the best part: you do not need hiking boots, camping equipment, or a backpack stuffed with granola bars—although snacks rarely hurt! You only need a little time, a little quiet, and the willingness to explore. The greatest wilderness may not be somewhere far beyond the horizon. It may be the open, peaceful space you create within yourself.
Go there. Breathe deeply. Think freely. Listen carefully. You may return without a single mosquito bite—but with a fresh idea, a calmer heart, and a clearer path forward.
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delights—Inspiration Served with a Smile!
Good morning! Or perhaps it is good afternoon… or even good evening!
Whenever these words find you, consider them right on time. Inspiration never checks the clock—it simply arrives when your heart needs it most, usually carrying a smile, a warm hug, and occasionally juggling three bright ideas! 🤹♂️✨
That is one of the marvelous things about words: they never complain when you arrive late, glance impatiently at the clock, or lose their loving sparkle. With readers scattered across time zones around the world, I may not know what time it is where you are—but I know this: you are here, you matter, and these words have found you at exactly the right moment.
So, welcome, my friend! There is always time for fresh inspiration, a hearty laugh, a little more love, and one joyful step toward a brighter, happier life. Let’s take that step together—and if we wobble, we’ll call it dancing! 💛
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 19
It is a bright, sunny day outside, so I may have to wander out later and sample a little sunshine. I hear it is calorie-free, naturally energizing, and served in unlimited portions!
My daughter April called today, and hearing her voice filled my heart with joy. Things sound good for her and her little family, which made this dad—and very proud grandpa—smile from the inside out. A loving phone call can brighten a day faster than sunshine, and you do not even need sunscreen!
The lump and swelling in my right elbow are still there, stubbornly refusing to pack their tiny bags and leave. Since the left side of my brain was more seriously injured in my accident, I have long experienced difficulties with the right side of my body. Could the two be connected? I’m not sure, but it’s worth asking my doctor. Bodies can be mysterious little rascals.
They give me eight pills every day—some for high blood pressure, asthma, and allergies, along with a few vitamins. I take them as prescribed, although swallowing a daily pharmaceutical parade has never been my favorite activity. My mother always said, “If you eat well, you shouldn’t need supplements.” I still carry her loving advice with me and try to nourish my body with healthy, colorful food whenever possible.
As usual, Saturday is moving at approximately the speed of a sleepy turtle wearing fuzzy slippers. The hallways are quiet, nobody seems to be doing much, and excitement has apparently taken the weekend off. So, I am tucked away in my room, watching videos and writing this blog for you. It may not be a grand Saturday adventure, but writing fills my day with purpose—and knowing you are reading these words makes the quiet feel warmer and far less lonely.
So yes, today is slow, and I expect Sunday may stroll along at the same leisurely pace. But sunshine is waiting outside, words are happily bouncing around inside my head, and love has a delightful way of showing up—even on the quietest days. You never know when a little adventure might sneak around the corner, wink at you, and say, “Come on, Kit—let’s go!”
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 20
I stayed tucked comfortably in bed until about 4:30 this morning, enjoying the quiet while my mind gently stretched awake. Then, of course, my blog began whispering, “Kit, come play with a few words!” How could I resist an invitation like that?
I got up and happily went to work—
an edit here, an adjustment there,
and a sprinkle of extra sparkle
wherever it was needed.
With every loving change, the writing became clearer, stronger, and more enjoyable. Things are looking better and better, one carefully juggled word at a time! 🤹♂️✨What would I do if I did not have my blog to work on? Thankfully, I do not have to find out!
Writing brings purpose and direction to my days. It keeps my mind active, awakens my curiosity, and gives me a joyful place to turn my thoughts, memories, and experiences into something meaningful. My blog is far more than a weekly collection of words. It is a dear companion and a welcoming place where I can laugh, reflect, dream, and continue discovering new possibilities.
Perhaps something I write will encourage you, brighten a difficult day, or help you see life through a more hopeful window. That possibility fills my heart with gratitude. Every thoughtful edit brings me closer to the message I want to share. Every completed paragraph feels like another cheerful little victory.
Without my blog, my days would certainly be quieter and far less colorful. Fortunately, another idea is always bouncing around inside my head, waving its arms and shouting, “Catch me, Kit!” I am delighted to catch it and toss it onto the page—with love, laughter, and perhaps just a tiny bit of mischief!
NOW—How About You?
Have you started your blog yet?
You have experiences, ideas, and lessons.
These could brighten someone’s day—
or even change a life.
Share your voice. Tell your story.
Help people live happier, healthier, and more meaningful lives.
Your words may be exactly what someone needs today!
At noon, they held what they called a “Sunday Funday Football Luncheon,” complete with pizza and beer. A few people showed up, but there was not much excitement—or fun—to be found. It was about what I expected: more fumbles than touchdowns!
I had three slices of pizza, by the way, so the luncheon was not a complete loss! Then I grabbed my one can of beer and returned to my room, where the real fun awaited—writing to you. Some people spend Sunday afternoons watching players chase a football around a field. I would rather chase a good idea across the page! Football? What’s that? Give me a keyboard, a few playful thoughts, and something meaningful to share—that is my kind of winning game! 🏈🍕
At 2:00 p.m., they are playing Uno, and at 3:00, Bingo begins — oh boy. I will not be attending either one. Nothing against cards and numbered balls—they simply are not how I want to play my day. I would rather stay in my room, write, think, and juggle a few ideas. That is my kind of winning!
I do not know how this keeps happening, but somehow I lose track of what day it is—and it frustrates the hell out of me! Let me know if you need help with your blog>>KIT
Today is Sunday,
and I always enjoy watching CBS Sunday Morning.
It was on, but I was so busy working on my blog that I completely missed it.
I am angry with myself for not paying attention. How hard should it be to remember what day it is? At least I added more to the blog this morning, so the time was not wasted—but right now, that does not make me any less irritated!
Please send me a reminder on Sunday morning. I like watching 60 Minutes, too. I will make sure I don’t miss that show tonight. Do you also like watching those shows? But I did hear from ChatGPT, and it said that program would remind me on Sunday morning not to miss the show.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! At 7pm. Here we go again—rain pounding against the windows, wind whipping through the trees, and dark clouds gathering overhead. It looks like another delightful Florida evening! The sky is providing thunderous sound effects, the lightning is flashing like a free fireworks show, and the rain is determined to wash everything in sight. Mother Nature certainly knows how to make an entrance—and apparently, she has no volume control! ⛈️⚡🌧️
My friend Ray Stern kindly pointed out that I had written “knee” when I meant “elbow.” I quickly jumped in and corrected the mistake. Errors are never much fun, but this one came with a delightful bit of good news—it proved that people really are reading my blog posts. LIKE YOU, RIGHT NOW!
Thank you, Ray, for paying attention and helping me keep my body parts properly organized. Apparently, after all these years of juggling, even my elbows and knees occasionally get tossed around! (I’m glad I don’t drop one.)🤹♂️😊
If you ever notice a mistake in my writing, please let me know. Whether it is a mispeled word, a confusing sentence, or an elbow that somehow became a knee, I would truly appreciate your help! Your feedback helps me improve and reminds me that people are genuinely reading my words. Thank you for helping me make each blog post even better! 😊✍️
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 21
Wow! I lounged in bed until at least 5:00 this morning—practically a vacation by my standards! Then I climbed out and took one of my twice-weekly showers. Now I feel fresh, clean, and ready to greet the day with a smile. 🚿✨
There is something wonderfully uplifting about feeling clean and refreshed. It may be one of life’s simple pleasures, but it is certainly a mighty good one! And as you know from my last blog post, I carefully arranged and made my bed—so both Kit and his room look sharp today!
Breakfast was nothing special today—just another meal set before me. What continues to surprise me is that I am rarely hungry anymore. I can sit at the table, look at a full plate, and honestly wonder why I am eating at all. My stomach never seems to ring the breakfast bell or send an urgent message saying, “Kit, feed me!”
Still, I know my body needs nourishment, even when my appetite forgets to send the invitation. Food gives me energy to think, write, juggle, walk, heal, and keep moving forward, so I eat what I can, usually in smaller portions. Perhaps not every bite needs to be exciting; sometimes it is simply fuel for the next paragraph, the next walk, and the next small adventure waiting around the corner. 🍽️😊
It turns out I forgot to watch 60 Minutes, too, right along with CBS Sunday Morning. I suppose television simply does not hold much attraction for me these days. I enjoy certain programs when I remember them, but apparently, they are not important enough to remain on my mind.
My thoughts are usually busy juggling writing, fresh ideas, and the next blog post. Perhaps that is not such a terrible thing after all. While television tells other people’s stories, I am still happily creating my own—and that may be the best program of all! 📺✍️😊
The people serving meals here have been told that Kit does not eat very much, so my plates have become noticeably smaller. That is perfectly fine with me—I would rather enjoy a little than waste a lot! With garlic bread, the pasta was special tonight. Less food, but delicious.
Dinner tonight was absolutely fabulous. The Shrimp Scampi Alfredo was some of the best pasta I have ever eaten. My sincere thanks to the chef and dining staff for preparing such delicious, thoughtful meals. Tonight’s dinner may have been a smaller portion, but it delivered enormous flavor! 🍤🍝🧄😊
Then it was back to my room for a little writing and television. We have cable here, so I can watch almost anything I want. Yet I usually spend more time with my computer because, with this marvelous typing machine, I am not merely watching someone else’s story—I have the freedom to create and control my own. 📺💻✍️
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 22
Last night I watched Indiana Jones.
This well-made film was well worth the time.
If you have the chance to see it, do; you will love it.
Until then, see this >> Indiana Jones
Not much happening around here today—or so it might appear! Behind the scenes, my little computer and I are attempting something rather enormous. I have been working with ChatGPT to transform my movie treatment into a full-blown screenplay. 🎬
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ChatGPT wrote this about putting together a screenplay:>>
And WOW! Writing a screenplay is not exactly a leisurely stroll through the park. Characters need voices, scenes need action, and somehow hundreds of ideas bouncing around inside my head have to land neatly on the page. It feels a little like juggling seven clubs—except the clubs are words, and occasionally they all hit me in the head! 🤹♂️
Still, difficult has never frightened me away for long. I have faced a few challenges in my life that were considerably bigger than a blank page. So I keep writing, rewriting, imagining, and pushing forward. This story has lived inside me for decades. Now, scene by scene and page by page, I am giving it a chance to come alive on the screen.
Will it be easy? Nope.
Will I keep going?
You bet I will! 🎥✨
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I didn’t get my old life back. I built another one.
And when that life changed, I built again.
Believe me, I did not plan for my life to take so many unexpected turns. But I learned something powerful along the way: we can rebuild, reinvent, and redirect our lives as many times as necessary.
Yes—I have had to rebuild my life more than once. It was not always easy, and I certainly did not always know where I was going. But I kept moving. You don’t have to start at square one — just START!
I built another life. You can rebuild yours, too.
And believe me—I’m still building mine.
That is the remarkable thing about being human: you are never finished. You can change direction, rewrite the plan, begin again, and build a different Life as many times as necessary. Your past may have shaped you, but it does not have to dictate where you go next. If there is something about your life you don’t like, don’t simply accept it. CHANGE IT!
Change the direction.
Change the habits.
Change the dream.
Change what you can—
and then start building again.
Life isn’t written in permanent ink.
Keep rewriting it—live the life that YOU want!
Change is the only thing we can count on in life.
Starting over again, and again, and again.
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 23
I’m still not quite sure why I am here at The Legacy. Sometimes it feels as though this is simply a place for me to stay for a while until I figure out what comes next. I know the cost is exorbitant, but for now, this is where I am.
LEGACY
So, I’m making the best of my days. I spend plenty of time writing, working on new ideas, and occasionally settling back to watch something on television. Lately, I’ve been enjoying Reacher. Sometimes it feels good to forget everything else for a while and simply enjoy a good show.
Yes, this is definitely a shoot-’em-up flick—plenty of gunfire, action, and mayhem. But I have to admit, it is very well-made, with enough exciting moments to keep me watching. It may not be Shakespeare, but Shakespeare never had this many bullets flying across the screen!
REACHER
Still, I cannot help wondering what comes next. I’ve learned throughout my life that where you are today does not necessarily determine where you will be tomorrow. For now, I’ll keep writing, keep thinking, keep enjoying the good moments—and keep my eyes open for the next door that life decides to swing open. 😊
Here is Reacher >>
REACHER
Enjoy.
In fact, I stayed in my room nearly all day and watched movies. There really was not much happening around here to tempt me out. About the only reliable events on the schedule were breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and yes, I did manage to make appearances for those! At least the meals gave me a reason to escape my four walls for a while before returning to my room, my computer, and another movie. Some days are filled with adventure; apparently, this one was filled with movie credits and trips to the dining room. 🎬🍽️
Because there are so few activities on the schedule that interest me, I spend a great deal of time alone in my room, working on my computer. Some days, the lack of freedom and choices begins to wear on me. Strangely, it can almost feel like being back in prison, where I once spent a month of my life after being falsely charged.
IN JAIL
Of course, this is not prison, but that old feeling of confinement occasionally comes rushing back—the feeling of having someone else decide where I can go and what I can do. Fortunately, today I have my computer, my writing, and my imagination. Those things give me freedom and somewhere wonderful to go, even when I cannot physically go anywhere.
HEAD TILT
Every now and then, I catch myself sitting at my computer with my head and neck tilted to one side. It is an old habit that seems to happen without me even realizing it. I do not want to keep doing this, so whenever I notice the tilt, I consciously straighten my head and adjust my posture.
The encouraging part is that I am noticing it. Each time I catch myself and make a correction, I become more aware of how I hold my body. Perhaps, little by little, that awareness will help me develop a better habit. For now, I will simply keep catching myself, straightening up, and moving forward—one small correction at a time.
ASTHMA
That sounds encouraging, Kit. Symbicort is designed to help control asthma over the longer term by keeping the airways calmer and more open. If you’re noticing that breathing is becoming easier, that’s certainly a welcome change.
After asthma has been getting in the way of things you enjoy, better breathing can mean more freedom again. Keep using it exactly as your doctor prescribed, and don’t increase, decrease, or stop it on your own just because you’re feeling better. Here’s hoping those lungs keep saying, “Ahhh… now THAT’S more like it!” 😊
“HOW AM I DOIN?”
Far too many people casually say, “How are you?” or “How ya doin’?” without really wanting to know the answer. To me, that is a little sad. The words have become an automatic greeting rather than a genuine question. We say them, smile, and keep moving before the other person even has a chance to respond.
Imagine how different life might feel if, when we asked someone, “How are you?” we actually stopped, looked them in the eyes, and cared enough to listen. Those few words could become more than a habit—they could become a small act of kindness. So, the next time you ask someone how they are doing, mean it. You might be surprised by how much that simple moment matters.
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 24
Thursday again, and right on schedule, I took my morning shower, which I do every Thursday and Monday. Ahhh—there is something wonderfully refreshing about stepping out clean and ready for a brand-new day. It may be one of life’s simplest pleasures, but it always feels so good to be clean in this wonderfully messy world! 🚿😊✨ Good, then there’s also the bad.
FRUSTRATION
It is deeply frustrating, especially when one day begins to look exactly like the next. Meals should not have to carry the entire burden of being the day’s big event. Maybe that is the real problem with the schedule here: it gives us a few things to attend, but very little to genuinely anticipate.
And there is a big difference between having something to do and having something to look forward to. A person needs something on the horizon that creates a little excitement—a reason to think, “I’m looking forward to that.” I want more than ways to simply fill the hours. I want things that make me feel like I am getting back to living again.
PERFORMANCE
I’ve spent a lifetime performing, traveling, creating, teaching, writing, and chasing whatever adventure waited around the next corner. I was always moving toward something—a new stage, a new road, a new idea, or a new challenge.
Now, sitting around waiting for lunch to become the big event of the day is quite a change of scenery for me. I’ve spent much of my life performing, traveling, creating, teaching, writing, and chasing whatever adventure waited around the next corner. I’m simply not very good at sitting still and waiting for life to happen.
MUST GET AWAY!
I would much rather be out there making something happen—creating, exploring, helping people, laughing, learning, and finding another reason to get excited about tomorrow. I’ve spent a lifetime creating the next act. Maybe that is exactly what I need to do again. The stage may have changed, but the show certainly isn’t over. It’s time to create the next act.
The encouraging part is that Legacy doesn’t have to provide every reason to look forward to tomorrow. You may have to create some of them yourself—another juggling gathering, a weekly writing session with residents, a little outdoor adventure, a movie night you choose, or even a regular “Kit’s Hour” where you teach, tell stories, laugh, and get people involved.
I’ve spent much of my life creating the next act. When one chapter ended, I found a way to begin another. I went from juggling on stages around the world to rebuilding my life after devastating accidents, starting a business, writing books, speaking to audiences, and eventually living on the road with the whole country outside my van door. Reinvention has become part of who I am.
MAYBE IT’S TIME TO CREATE ANOTHER ACT RIGHT HERE?
I may not be able to change where I am today, but I can change what I do while I’m here. Instead of waiting for something interesting to appear on the schedule, perhaps I need to put something interesting on my own schedule. Write something. Teach someone to juggle. Meet someone new. Start a project. Make somebody laugh. Give myself one thing every day to genuinely look forward to.
I’ve learned that a new life does not always arrive with trumpets, spotlights, and applause.
Sometimes it begins quietly—with one decision to stop waiting and start creating.
So, what’s next?
I don’t know yet.
Why stop now?
But I’ve created a few pretty good acts before.
The idea does scare me, but maybe it’s necessary.
RIGHT NOW!
Being here scares me, but I have nothing else.
Without being here, where could I go?
That scares me.
Today, I stayed in my room for most of the day, doing very little. Most afternoons lately, I even lie down for a while and let a few hours quietly disappear. Rest is sometimes necessary, but I have never been very good at sitting around waiting for life to happen. I have spent too much of my life performing, traveling, writing, teaching, creating, and chasing whatever adventure waited around the next corner. Sitting in a room and watching another afternoon slip away simply does not feel like me.
SLEEPIE TIME
Maybe that feeling is trying to tell me something. Perhaps I don’t need to accept that the most exciting part of my day is the next meal or that tomorrow must look exactly like today. I have rebuilt my life before—more than once—and I can still create something new from where I am right now. My world may be smaller at the moment, but my imagination, purpose, and possibilities are not. I’m still here, still thinking, still creating—and I am certainly not finished.
I just went out front, determined to go for a run—or at least a good, fast walk. My body was ready. My mind was ready. Unfortunately, my lungs apparently had not received the invitation. Almost immediately, they shouted, “NO!” My body wants to move, but my breathing keeps putting on the brakes. What to do, what to do?
Well, if I couldn’t run, I certainly wasn’t going to waste the trip outside. I noticed several areas out front that badly needed weeding, so I took a seat and went to work. I pulled weeds, cleaned things up, and before long, the whole area looked much nicer. Maybe I didn’t get the exercise I had planned, but I still accomplished something worthwhile. Sometimes life says NO to Plan A—and hands you a perfectly good Plan B hiding in the weeds. 🌱😊
It sounds as though meals have become more than breakfast, lunch, and dinner—they are almost the only times I see other people. Fortunately, the chefs here prepare excellent food, and I am genuinely grateful for that. Still, good food cannot replace conversation, companionship, laughter, or simply having something meaningful to look forward to. A person needs more than a full plate. We need a life that feels full, too.
MY DEATH
My wish is that, after death, my body could be placed out in the wilderness so that the animals and bugs can feast on me. I do not want to be buried in a grave; that would be a waste of space on the earth. And I would rather not be cremated, where my energies would go to waste.
I have spent my life taking nourishment from the wilderness—breathing its air, walking beneath its trees, exploring its mountains, and finding peace in its quiet places. The wilderness has fed my life. Someday, I would be honored to feed the wilderness.
When my life is finished, I would like to return the favor. I do not need the wilderness only to hold me; I would like it to take nourishment from me. I have spent a lifetime receiving from nature. In the end, perhaps I can give something back.
For so many years, the forests, mountains, oceans, rivers, plants, and animals have given me something. They have fed my curiosity, calmed my mind, restored my spirit, and reminded me again and again how extraordinary it is simply to be alive.
So when my time eventually comes, I like the idea of giving something back. Not disappearing from nature, but returning to it—becoming, in some small way, part of the wilderness that has given me so much. The wilderness helped nourish my life. Someday, I would be honored to nourish the wilderness.
Goodnight, my friend. I’m glad you’re ending the day with a smile. 😊
My last wishes can wait patiently on a very distant shelf. I’ve got 100+ years in my sights, and there’s an awful lot of living between here and there.
There are still words that haven’t been written, people who haven’t yet heard my story, places that haven’t felt my footsteps, jokes that haven’t caused groans, and adventures that haven’t even introduced themselves yet.
And as for getting into a little more trouble? I’d say I’ve demonstrated considerable natural talent in that department. 😂
Sleep peacefully tonight. Tomorrow is another blank page—and knowing you, it probably won’t stay blank for long. Good night for now. Tomorrow is waiting for you—and who knows what wonderful little piece of life might be hiding in it. Sleep peacefully, wake curiously, and keep that smile handy. Goodnight, my friend. 🌙❤️
>>>>> SEPTEMBER 25
Up early and right to the computer. Good morning to you.
Thinking of you as I type, I hope you are doing well.
Today is the release of the current blog. Do you like it?
Up early and right to the computer. Good morning to you.
Thinking of you as I type; I hope you are doing well.
Today is the release of the current blog. Do you like it?
Not much happened today; I hope you are doing well.
=============
PART 3—BLOG 396–Step Outside
Be Different—Find Your Own Way.
FIND YOUR WILDERNESS 🚐
For seven years, my van was my home and the wilderness was my backyard. One morning, I might awaken in the mountains, breathing in the scent of pine trees. The next day, I might open my door beside the ocean and feel the salty breeze on my face. Every road offered another adventure—and another reason to feel alive. But my love of wilderness was about more than traveling to beautiful places. Long before I lived in that van, life had already taken me into a wilderness of its own.
TWO ACCIDENTS—ONE WILD LIFE 💕
After surviving two devastating accidents—including one that left me in a coma for thirty-seven days—the wilderness came to mean far more than beautiful scenery. I had once been a world-class juggler, but suddenly I had to relearn how to walk, speak, juggle, and think. Recovery became its own wilderness: difficult, unfamiliar, and without a map. Yet the mountains, forests, and oceans reminded me that life was still waiting beyond the next bend. Once I was strong enough to explore again, I wanted to see just how many of those bends I could follow.
EVERY NATIONAL PARK 🏞️
Eventually, those roads carried me to every national park in the continental United States. Yet even after seeing so many extraordinary places, I never ran out of wilderness to explore. Every trail revealed a new view, refreshed my mind, strengthened my body, and filled me with possibility. And, naturally, America was not enough for this wandering juggler. My curiosity followed me across oceans.
WORLDWIDE WILDERNESS 🌍
While traveling through the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Europe, I explored forests whenever I could. Each was different, but each gave me the same wonderful sense of peace and discovery. I began to realize that wilderness speaks a language we can all understand. And the more wild places I experienced, the more I understood that they were doing far more than giving me beautiful memories.
WHY WILDERNESS MATTERS 🌳
Wild places naturally filter water, clean the air, and provide homes for plants and animals. When we protect wilderness, we are protecting natural systems that help sustain life. But wilderness also protects something within us. It gives us space away from noise, technology, and hurried routines. Walking, hiking, kayaking, and exploring can strengthen the body, quiet the mind, and restore perspective. Perhaps that is why I always felt so completely accepted when I stepped into the wild.
THE WILDERNESS WELCOMES YOU 👏
The mountains never asked how quickly I was recovering. The trees did not care whether I could still juggle seven clubs. The rivers did not judge my scars or the slower pace of my steps. The wilderness welcomed me exactly as I was. Among the trees and peaceful trails, I did not have to prove anything. I could breathe deeply, move at my own pace, and simply be alive—and that was enough. That feeling of leaving expectations behind may be one reason stories about people abandoning the familiar have always fascinated me.
“INTO THE WILD” 🃏
This is a fascinating and thought-provoking book. Have you read it? You must.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?ds=20&kn=into%20the%20wild&sts=t&ref_=ds_ac_rk_0
The story was also made into a splendid film. It explores the powerful desire to leave ordinary life behind and search for something deeper in the wilderness. Read the book. Watch the film. Then ask yourself what kind of adventure might be calling you. You do not have to disappear into Alaska to understand that desire. I certainly understand it.
DESIRE 🍽️🎬
I understand the desire to step beyond ordinary boundaries. Sometimes we must leave the familiar road, wander into the wilderness, and discover strengths within ourselves we never knew were there. The path may be uncertain, but that is often where the greatest adventures—and the most remarkable versions of ourselves—begin. For me, those adventures eventually found another home: the written page.
WRITING ABOUT THE WILD ✍️
I have spent much of my life writing about remarkable experiences—performing as a world-class juggler, relearning to walk and speak after a devastating accident, building a successful salsa business, and living on the road while exploring America’s wild and wonderful places. Each chapter has taught me that even when life drops the ball, we can pick it up and begin again. Still, of everything I have tried to put into words, wilderness may be one of the hardest to capture.
YOU MUST GO 😜
Wilderness is especially difficult to capture. I can describe a towering tree or restless ocean, but words cannot reproduce the feeling of standing there. You must hear the wind, smell the earth, feel the air, and see the stars for yourself. I write about those places anyway, hoping my words will encourage you to find that feeling for yourself. Because once the wilderness gets inside you, it has a funny habit of continuing to call. Just trying to expose more of the earth for you.
THE WILDERNESS IS CALLING 🌵
Wilderness does not care about your skin color, age, abilities, or nationality. Its wonders belong to everyone. Some travel memories make me laugh; others bring tears. A few make me want to lace up my hiking shoes, pack the van, and head straight for the mountains. The wilderness still calls to me. I may answer differently today, but I am still listening. And that brings me to perhaps the most important wilderness of all—the one available to me right now.
MY WILDERNESS TODAY 🚂
Asthma has made running and outdoor juggling difficult, and I miss the freedom to follow my curiosity wherever it leads. But a limitation does not have to end the story. After my coma, I began again. After my second accident, I began again. Today, I can still step outside, notice the sky, appreciate a tree, write about where I have been, and dream about where I may go next. My desire to return to the wilderness remains packed and ready. Until the next grand adventure arrives, I can still find little pieces of wilderness every day—and so can you.
FIND A LITTLE WILDERNESS EVERY DAY—GET OUTSIDE 🦆
Step outside for a few minutes and let nature greet you. Feel the breeze, admire a tree, watch a bird, or wander through a nearby park. You do not need towering mountains or a distant forest to experience wonder. Sometimes wilderness begins with one cloud drifting overhead, a flower growing beside the sidewalk, or a duck happily paddling across a pond. Nature is always open, never requires an appointment, and—best of all—never sends an electric bill! And while you are outside enjoying yourself, bring along something else that costs absolutely nothing: laughter.
HAVE A LAUGH 😄
Laughter has carried me through difficult years. Read something funny, watch a comedian, or call the friend who makes you laugh. A good laugh can lighten the trail—and if you snort, congratulations! You may have startled the wildlife. Once you have laughed at life a little, it becomes easier to notice how much good is still around you.
COUNT WHAT IS GOOD 🔄️
Instead of focusing only on what I had lost, I learned to appreciate what remained: a good meal, a kind person, a page of writing, or another chance to try. Write down a few things you appreciate today. Small joys are trail markers reminding you that you are still moving forward. And some of the finest trail markers in life are the people walking beside us.
REACH OUT ❤️🩹
Think of someone traveling through a difficult personal wilderness. Call or send a thoughtful message. A few caring words might help that person find the next step. You do not need a hundred companions around your campfire. A few genuine relationships can bring warmth, laughter, and light into your life. Of course, companionship cannot walk every mile for us. Eventually, we still have to move our own feet.
TAKE A WALK 🚶
My walks are different from the journeys I once took, but movement still matters. Walk in a way that suits your body and breathing. Sometimes a short stroll brings a fresh idea, a better mood, or simply the pleasure of saying, “I did it.” Every adventure begins with one step—even if it is only to the mailbox and back. And once you are moving, perhaps you can clear one small obstacle from the trail ahead.
CLEAR ONE PART OF THE TRAIL ✅
Answer an email, clear a small space, or make the call you have been postponing. Do not worry about clearing the entire wilderness at once. Choose one manageable obstacle and begin. It is like juggling: start with one ball, establish the rhythm, and then add another. Of course, every juggler, hiker, and human being needs enough fuel to keep going.
NOURISH YOURSELF 🍽️
Choose fruit, vegetables, oatmeal, nuts, water, or another nourishing food you enjoy. Eating well does not need to be a grand production. One nourishing decision can set your day on a healthier path. Every explorer needs fuel—even if today’s expedition is only from the bedroom to the dining room. But nourishment is not only something we put into our bodies. Sometimes the best nourishment is something we give to another person.
LEAVE KINDNESS ON THE TRAIL 💖
Hold a door, offer a sincere compliment, or help someone who needs a hand. After my accidents, people helped me through wildernesses I could not have crossed alone. Their kindness changed my life. Yours can change someone else’s. And when nobody else is around to encourage you, there is one person whose voice you will always have with you: your own.
BECOME YOUR OWN GUIDE 💬
After thirty-seven days in a coma, I had to relearn how to walk and speak. There was no map through that wilderness. Often, the most useful words were simply, “Keep going.” When you face a setback, speak to yourself as you would to someone you love. You may not see the entire trail, but you can always take the next step. Over the years, I have discovered that a few simple trail markers can help keep us moving in the right direction.
THREE TRAIL MARKERS FOR LIFE 🥰
1) Move regularly. Walk, stretch, dance, or garden.
You do not need to conquer a mountain today.
Climb the small hill in front of you.
2) Eat nourishing foods.
Add a colorful fruit or vegetable, drink water,
and notice which foods help you feel well.
3) Make room for rest. Even the wilderness rests.
Night falls, flowers close, and the forest becomes quiet.
Even jugglers must put down the clubs—and explorers must occasionally make camp.
EVER FORWARD ⏩
None of these actions seems enormous on its own.
That is exactly the point.
My own life was rebuilt through small actions repeated again and again.
THE ROAD AHEAD 🛣️
Rebuilding my Life after a coma taught me that small actions add up.
One step becomes a trail.
One word becomes a conversation.
One expression can become a book.
One practice becomes a skill.
One decision changes your direction.
I know this because I have lived it.
RELEARNING 🤔
That is how I learned to walk again, returned to juggling, built businesses, wrote books, and created a new life after circumstances repeatedly tried to knock me down. I have crossed more personal wildernesses than I can count, yet I am still looking ahead. There are more ideas to explore, more people to inspire, and more adventures waiting beyond the next bend. And now I want to turn the question around and hand it to you.
WHERE IS YOUR WILDERNESS? 🃏
Your wilderness may be a mountain,
an ocean, a forest, a neighborhood park.
And it can be a quiet place within your mind.
It may also be a difficult chapter with no clear trail.
Find your wilderness.
Let it quiet the noise.
Let it awaken your courage.
Let it remind you how much life is still waiting for you.
You do not need to see the entire road ahead.
I certainly never did.
Just take one more brave step forward.
Then another.
And another.
Who knows what wonderful possibilities may be waiting for you just around the next bend? 🌲🚐❤️
PART 4) 🔥 THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Inspirational quotes are mental spark plugs. 💥 They wake up the mind, shrink problems down to size, and give your spirit a running start. One powerful sentence can turn “I can’t” into “Why not?”—a small flashlight guiding you through a dark hallway. 🔦
But the real magic comes through repetition. The more you repeat a truth, the more deeply you believe it—and the more your life begins to reflect it. A quote hanging on the wall is decoration. A quote put into action becomes transformation.
THIS FOREST IS IN JAPAN, CAN YOU TELL?
Simple truth:
A quote on a page is nice…
A quote you live by?
Now that’s power. ✨
==========
1) “Go out in the woods, go out.
If you don’t go out in the woods,
nothing will ever happen,
and your life will never begin.”
—Clarissa Pinkola Estés
2) “I have traveled many roads worldwide,
but the wilderness always leads me home.”
—Kit Summers
3) “My aggression toward myself is the first war.
Wilderness is an antidote to the war within ourselves.”
—Terry Tempest Williams
4) “Everything in nature invites us constantly
to be what we are. We are often like rivers:
careless, lucid and muddied, eddying, gleaming, still.”
—Gretel Ehrlich
5) “Go out in the woods, go out.
If you don’t go out in the woods,
nothing will ever happen,
and your life will never begin.”
—Clarissa Pinkola Estés
6) “Everything in nature invites us
constantly to be what we are.
We are often like rivers: careless,
lucid and muddied,
eddying, gleaming, still.”
—Gretel Ehrlich
6) “May your trails be lonesome,
crooked, dangerous, leading to the
most amazing view.”
—Ed Abbey
7) “You may leave footprints in the wilderness.
But the wilderness leaves something greater in you.”
Kit Summers
8) “In every walk with nature one
receives far more than he seeks.”
—John Muir
9) “No one can make you feel
inferior without your consent.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
10)”The clearest way into the
Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
—John Muir
===============
PART 5—YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>>>>
Yes, the wilderness is calling you. How will you answer?
Make time this week to meet the wilderness somewhere. Stand beside the ocean and listen to the waves. Walk among the trees in the mountains. Or visit a local park, find a quiet spot in the shade, and listen to the birds. You do not have to travel far to feel the world open up around you.
Stay a while. Notice the breeze, the changing light, the sounds you usually hurry past. Let your thoughts settle and give yourself permission to simply be there. The wilderness will still be calling when you return—but this week, why not answer?
That is your challenge for the week.
That is the challenge for YOUR LIFE!
====================
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WOODSIDEMOTION!
Thank you to Christopher and everyone at Woodside Motion for helping
me explore the possibility of bringing my extraordinary life story to the screen.
Always remember Christopher Jones—the man who can help introduce you and your story to the world. Christopher, thank you for believing in me and recognizing the potential of my journey. I am deeply grateful to you and everyone at Woodside Motion for helping to share my story with the world and for bringing the movie about my extraordinary life to life. Together, we can inspire countless people to overcome adversity,
discover their strength, and create a better future.
Website: https://woodsidemotion.com/
Email: christopher@woodsidemotion.com
=====
CINDY MARVELL
At this point, I must recognize the marvellous Cindy Marvell.
This amazing woman founded and runs https://bouldercircuscenter.net/
where she helps others dream big and take flight.
She is also an extraordinary performer in her own right—take a look >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNbKaLV4I9Q
Here is Cindy in the
Wilderness Shaking hands >>
Throughout this movie project, Cindy offered her encouragement and help in countless ways. Having someone believe in your story makes the journey even more meaningful. For one thing, she is the only woman to ever win the International Juggling Competition.
Thank you, Cindy, for your remarkable talent, generous heart, and unwavering support—both personally and financially. I am deeply grateful to have you beside me, helping keep this dream in the air. Every great dream needs someone who believes in it, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have you juggling this one alongside me! 🤹♂️💛
====================
PART 6) NEXT WEEK>>>>>BLOG 397–WHAT IS “NORMAL”
🌟 PART 7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
YOU CAN DO THIS IN ALL AREAS. YOU CAN BE MORE—YOU ARE MORE!
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Write me today—kitsummers@gmail.com
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
🌟BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE! 🌟
