With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life differently and/or better.

*** The joy I am experiencing in life is a marvelous thing!
*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** Hit by two trucks, one involving a 37-day coma, I remain happy.
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK— Do you camp?
Every year Gary DuTeau invites certain people to his land in the wilderness on Stevens Creek, near to Plum Branch, SC.
There is Gary, right behind me. 

In fact, he had invited me to his event through being friends on Facebook in 2021. This was a life-changing thing. You see, often, in my travels, I go to libraries to get online in which to send you my blog.
 
Nearest to Gary’s camp was a library in McCormick, SC. This is where I met Beth. We connected well and are happily married now. So, of course, along with Beth, Gary has a big place in my heart, too. You see, each of us, both at age 63, thought we would never find anyone to be with. Very happy I am.

My first-day camping reminded me of how terrible the pathway is into the place. Of course, after asking Gary, I had to apply myself and make it better. Turned out great and I got good comments. I’ve always believed there is a better way to do most everything. When you have an idea for improvement, make it happen.
 
Many recreationists like myself will testify to the benefits of the outdoors, especially in natural settings. I always feel better after a weekend camping away from the city’s urban sprawl – physically and mentally.
   
But it’s not just unreliable. There’s plenty of research to back up the claim that spending time in the great outdoors is good for your health and well-being.
 
And whilst this is good news, this story has a flip side. Americans spend almost 93% of their lives indoors. The rapid proportion of people living in towns and cities is growing. It is seeing people move away from rural, green spaces and into built-up, high-traffic cities.
   
Enjoying the great outdoors is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
 
There are many potential benefits to going outside:
 
A healthier heart
Improved immunity to cancers and viruses
Longer life expectancy
Increased happiness
Reduced stress
It resets your sleep cycle for a better night’s sleep
Maintains healthy eyesight
ADHD treatment
Improved creativity
Enhanced memory
Better academic performance
Mental health management
 
Get out to the wilderness whenever you can!
     
What new stories are you ready to write?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

They are so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy, happiness, and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!

    
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
 
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
 
“Not all girls are made of sugar and spice, and everything nice. Some girls are made of adventure, fine beer, brains, and no fear.”
-Unknown
 
“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
– Henry David Thoreau
 
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
– John Muir
 
“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.”
– Jo Walton
 
“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
-Unknown
 
“Life doesn’t flow backward.”
-Unknown
 
“Nature is one of the most underutilized treasures in life. It has the power to unburden hearts and reconnect to that inner place of peace.”
— Janice Anderson
 
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”
-Norman Maclean
 
“Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. ”
-Terence McKenna
 
“Go where you feel most alive.”
— Unknown
   
“Water is the most perfect traveler because when it travels it becomes the path itself!”
— Unknown
   
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time is going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.
 
5/7 through 9–First time to see Gary, it’s been a while. His land is very inviting and comfortable to be there. I was doing all I could to improve things there as much as I could. Anytime you can, you can improve things too, in that there is always a way to make things better.
 
5/8, 9–Today I worked on the path into the camp, making it wider and flater. Gary let me know how good he thought it was turning out.
 
Gary is an excellent chef. He made shrimp which was the best I have ever had.

Beth and I went to a bookstore today.
Why looky there, my book is for sale there.
     
5/10–Every week a group in Plum Branch gets together at a church in town. Gary has spent much time in Plum Branch and many know him. So, of course, he was a hit and there was much talk.
Gary is sitting next to me, see? 

5/11–I went around the entire camping area and cleared things out, put things away, and made the land we used here twice as big. As I wrote before, when I see and then have ideas to improve, I do just that.
 
5/12–Just stayed the morning there. You see, rain clouds are rolling in, I did not want to get stuck there in the rain. Thank you, Gary, for making this happen each year.
 
Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >
 
Do something different–This week get a new haircut. Please let me know how it turns out.
 
Do something new daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.
*******************
NEXT BLOG
 
I will have more photos for you of my time with Gary at his land.
*******************

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life differently and/or better.

*** The joy I am experiencing in life is a marvelous thing!
*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** Hit by two trucks, one involving a 37-day coma, I remain happy.
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK— The Come-Back
   
(These words are from my book series, Beyond Your Potential.)
Relearning
Something that did help me in my come-back was I found it interesting to relearn how to walk, communicate with people, and sit up. These are things that almost everyone takes for granted:  
 
Do you ever?
Do you ever think about how you balance yourself when you walk?
How do you form words when you speak?
How do you control a toothbrush?
What muscles do you use when you juggle?
Excuse me; you don’t juggle; you will learn to juggle in chapter five.
 
For Granted?
Don’t take the things in life for granted; see all that you can and can do; we have to feel all that life has to offer. There are so many joys in life if you look for them. Open your eyes to how you can overcome obstacles and see things differently. It made it less depressing for me if I made it enjoyable to relearn. It is how we think about and the attitude we develop toward things that bring us joy or bring us misery. Building this new life was interesting, along with being quite a difficult challenge. I saw that relearning would take time.
   
A short juggling life
In having to relearn, I got to start again in life. Mainly with a background in juggling and performing, I could have gone any direction for my future; the world was open to me. Since I was 15, juggling was my main focus, deciding at that age that juggling would be my passion. But, to tell you the truth, I was a juggler for only seven or eight years. Leaning at the age of 15, then my accident happened when I was 23. So, in seven short years, I mastered the craft. It surprised me to figure this out, in that juggling has been such a large part of my life.

College?
Was college, for me, a critical path for my future? My overall knowledge of things in life was good, and I saw that I could make it without college. The college has helped many people get ahead, but it is unnecessary for someone’s life. People can drive themselves forward without the discipline of what a college education offers. I have asked many students why they are going to college; they don’t know why. Going to college is the “common” thing people think is necessary. A class should be developed for high school students to find the right direction for their future; I think it should be mandatory to help everyone with where they want to end up. Find an endpoint, then design your educational instruction toward that end. Some of the most successful people in the world did not get a college education, so a college education is not necessarily necessary.
 
Some who did not complete college were Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Walt Disney, Ray Kroc, Will Smith, Ted Turner, Mark Twain, and Mark Zuckerberg. Don’t get me wrong, I want you to pursue college for your future if you are sure that is the direction you need to take. But first, do the hard part, figure out where you want to end up with your life. This can always change later; get a direction now and stick to it. You know you and where you are going if you take the time to figure it out. Define who you are and decide what direction you will be taking. And remember, at any age, you can change your life and pursue a new direction. If that new direction takes a college education, then jump right in.

Know yourself
On my way back, I listened to people who made suggestions. Then, I sorted through these suggestions and used ideas I knew would help me. Who is defining who you are? So often, we follow a path someone else has set for us. Who has set your self-image and standards in life? So many people will speak up on how we should act and what we should say.
 
Listen to people, but you must be the one to direct your life. Also, the image you hold for yourself must be kept current as you grow; and change in life; our demeanor changes, too. Keep up to date with yourself and stay who you are; know yourself. There will be changes in your life; there will be trials; there will be circumstances beyond your control. The more you know yourself, the better you will get through these times. You will be way up and down for the length of your life. Like a juggler, find the balance point and stay there.

What new stories are you ready to write?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

They are so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy, happiness, and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
    
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!

Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
 
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
   
“Maybe it’s not about trying to fix something that’s broken. Maybe it’s about starting over and creating something better.” – Unknown
 
“My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.” – Maya Angelou
 
“The direction you choose to face determines whether you’re standing at the end or the beginning of a road.” – Richelle E. Goodrich
 
“There’s an important difference between giving up and letting go.” – Jessica Hatchigan
 
“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” – Lao Tzu
   
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” – Hermann Hesse
 
“Starting over can be challenging, but also it can be a great opportunity to do things differently.” – Catherine Pulsifer
 
“Pain will leave you when you let go.” – Jeremy Aldana
 
“Though nobody can go back and make a new beginning, anyone can start over and make a new ending.” – Chico Xavier
 
“Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” – Frank Sinatra
 
“Holding on is believing that there’s a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.” – Daphne Rose Kingma
 
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell
 
“It’s painful, and it’s messy. But sometimes you just have to make the break and start again.” – Tony Parsons
 
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
 
“You are allowed to let go of all those that do not set you free anymore.” – Dhiman

    
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time is going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.
 
4/29–Because my laptop was out for repair, I had to use the computer at the library. That’s a good thing, I could continue to bring you words and ideas.
     
4/30–On A rainy day, I worked on the gardens as I could. Things are really popping up; we will have many edible things too much on. Here is a shot of the zucchini. As you see, doing well, it is. And, you will the onions growing closer to the camera.
 
Last summer, I found a branch from a tree that was quite interesting. I kept it, and today I planted it in cement (so it will stay up, I suggested to Beth that she puts all her jewelry on it. It turned out nice. These are just a few of Beth’s jewels; more will be on the tree.
 
5/1–Got more bags of garden dirt down in Augusta, Georgia. As I wrote before, always look for bags (or ask) for broken bags. Usually, I can get these for half off, a great deal.
 
And this is the only dirt I will ever need to purchase; in the future, I read that all you have to do every year is add fresh compost that you put together to mix in with the top dirt.
 
5/2–A town near us neither of us has been to, named “Ninety-Six.” It was a strange name for a town, but it turned out the place was not too weird. The town’s name was derived from being 95 miles away from two local towns.

Beth treated us to a Philly Cheesesteak at Migs. Friendly, good food, fast, a good time we had. Here is Migs >>
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057686400195

5/3–It was time; the lawn needed a haircut, and today was the day. As I’ve seen, many mow their lawn like a typewriter, going down on the side, then down a path right next to the first. The turn on each end takes time, too much time for me.
 
I’ve always tried to be very efficient in what I do. When I mow, I go around the outside and work in smaller circles toward the middle. The most challenging areas are on the sides, so I take care of those first. Try it, and you might have a better way to mow your lawn.

Of course, the gardens continue to do well >>

5/4,5–As you see, only a little is happening this week.
     
Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

A fun challenge this week.
   
Usually, someone places their bed in a specific spot and sleeps with their head in the same place every night. After you wash your bed coverings this week, set up your bed so that your head is where your feet usually are. Sleep in the position for at least two nights.
   
This may give you a new perspective on your sleep; you may want to change everything.
 
Let me know how it works for you.
   
Do something new daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.
*******************
NEXT BLOG
Beth has a new passion; she has taken on succulents and bought many. She is making gardens of them, and I will show you photos next blog. She is learning, and growing is her passion.
 
When is the last time you brought on a passion?
This week, discover what you love and make it a passion you pursue.
*******************

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life differently and/or better.

*** The joy I am experiencing in life is a marvelous thing!
*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** Hit by two trucks, one involving a 37-day coma, I remain happy as can be.
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK—Things vs Experiences
 
Throughout my life, I have gained much, and I have lost more. For example, for six years I lived in my van and traveled to all the National Parks in the US and drove through every state (I have also visited Alaska and lived in Hawaii for 4 months. These are experiences that are much better than anything money can buy. How is it for you?
 
Most of us live life on various levels–for a time we do great and are satisfied financially, but then things can get difficult. Like a roller-coaster, up and down we go. When money is tight, you have to remember that things will eventually become stable once again. I’ve lived with no money and been extremely happy.
 
1–Experiences Bring More Joy than Things.
The main reason for this joy we find is that we are naturally inclined to adapt to situations as if they are the new normal, and when this happens, what was once novel and exciting, now seems familiar and somewhat boring. We then raise the bar and want something even newer, leading to an endless cycle of desire. Doing NEW things can change your outlook.
 
These experiences don’t have to cost much or even be time-consuming either, simply choose. Experiences can include anything from swimming, visiting new places in and around your local area, trying new food and activities, or even various ways of juggling.
 
2–New Experiences Will Make You Grow.
Not only do experiences bring more joy into our lives, they also help us broaden our horizons. For example, interacting with people from different countries and cultures gives us a sense of perspective; remembering that the whole world doesn’t center around us, what we’re used to,  and our home countries.
 
There is so much to learn from different groups, whether that be new foods, language, moral, religious, or environmental values, or simply new ways of looking at the world. Do you partake in expanding your horizons?
 
With the advancement of the internet, which connects us to a whole host of different cultures and communities online, there is something special about meeting people in real life and hearing their stories first-hand. In addition, there is only so much sensual satisfaction that the online world can bring, and it’s never quite the same as smelling a special flower from South America or a freshly-cooked curry in front of you, hearing the sound of wildlife in the trees above your head or feeling the warmth of the sand beneath your toes!
 
3–Memories Will be with You Forever.
Another benefit of experiences over things is that memories last for a lifetime. While it may seem, at first, that a physical object will last much longer than, say, a week away on holiday, the truth is that the memories of the holiday will stay with you forever which cannot be said for the latest computer gadget, or juggling club, or pants!
 
While the level of happiness is about the same for material and experiential purchases at the time of purchase, that happiness will go down over time for physical objects, but it will go up for your experiences.

4–Experiences Will Make You Sound Super Interesting.
You’ll be able to tell them about all the cool places you’ve been to. If you add stories of you doing community service with stories of your travels, your friends will think you’re adventurous, and that you are a good person, too. Telling your friends about your latest trip is way more interesting than telling them about your new watch.
 
Often times we work hard to save money to make an expensive purchase and then spend more of our time worrying that the purchase. For example, your new car is going to get scratched, broken into, get a flat tire, or even stolen. So then, do you truly enjoy your new car?
 
5–We Are the Sum of Our Experiences.
As well as broadening our horizons as we form memories, travel experiences also help to shape our identity. I’ve been around the world! It is believed that we are essentially a sum of our experiences, mixed with the values, ideas, and experiences we encounter becoming building blocks for our inner selves. While we may feel as though material possessions help to make up who we are, it is, in fact, experiences that have a much greater impact on our identity.
 
6–You Will Not Have the Stress of Ownership.
The capitalist society we live in the West is mainly centered around purchasing products that we believe will make us feel better–but which inevitably get boring and eventually thrown away. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that younger people have started to question the status quo about ownership and have started changing the game when it comes to buying stuff.
   
7–You will make less Impact on the Environment.
While some travel experiences do have a negative impact on the environment (think: car exhaust, flight emissions, all-inclusive resorts, and irresponsible wildlife interactions), on the whole, experiences tend to have less of an effect on the planet than physical items that often end up in a landfill.
 
8–Experiences Allow You to Find Your Reason for Living.
Experiences can help you to have clarity and to feel productive; adding to the world. Such as, volunteering makes you realize that you want to help other people. Perhaps, traveling helps you see what kind of community you want to be surrounded by. Experiences can show you what your values are in life and how you can add to other people’s lives.

9–Experience can bring us permanent joy that “things” can not.
Why?
Experiences allow us to be more social, to have memories that never get old, and to have something interesting to talk about with friends at holiday. They allow us to be more open and to find purpose.
 
10–Experiences Bring Long-Lasting Memories.
How often have you purchased a computer only to see that a new model was released a week later? You most likely want that new model and no longer feel cool about your new toy. “Things” provide temporary happiness.

Things get old very, very quickly.
Experiences last a lifetime.
Your experiences are different because they leave you with memories that can last a lifetime. I will always have my memories of the times I went to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and my 31 trips traveling across the US roundtrip. .
   
Start now to develop memories to last you the rest of  your life.
   
What new stories are you ready to write?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

They are so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy, happiness, and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
 
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
“Buy experiences, not things.
Spending on experiences makes people happier than spending on things.
Things get broken and go out of style.
Experiences get better every time you talk about them.”
— Jean Chatzky
 
“Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.”
— Anonymous
 
“If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.”
— Thomas Jefferson
 
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
— Neale Donald Walsch
 
“Two things define you:
Your patience when you have nothing,
and your attitude when you have everything.”
— Imam Ali
 
“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
— Walter Bagehot
 
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.
The time will pass anyway.”
— Earl Nightingale

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time is going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.
 
4/22–I had the wood, I had the idea, and I wanted to see the beauty.
Today I built a flower garden, about four feet off the ground, right in front of our front windows. This way it beautifies the front of our house, and we can see the plants growing from inside the house.
 
Make your views in life beautiful, it can affect your life–much!
Beth wrote what is just below.

4/24–To go along with the flowers in front, I put in two gardens in the back for flowers. I will be taking care of the vegetables we are growing; Beth take care of the flowers. This is working out great for us. How about you, how does your garden grow?
 
4/25–Another garden is built. Beth has developed a fascination with cacti and succulents. So, I build a garden to house these.
 
Today we each ate the first two ripe strawberries that we grew. Great satisfaction in the tiny morsel.

We picked up, yet more, bunny rabbits, to add to Beth’s collection. These two buns were owned by Beth’s friend, who no longer wanted to deal with them.

As we get more and more bunnies

I am not allowed to deal with the bunnies myself, Beth wants her own thing. I am fine with that, she handles the rabbits excellently.
   
Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

Because of my accident and 37-day coma, I saw double because my right eye muscles were weak. I went through seven strabismus eye operations (the doc goes in, cuts the muscle, moves in on the eyeball, then sews it back on.) They could not get it right. They eventually did, I do see double sometimes when I am tired.
 
It amazes me how the human body can adjust to various changes and keep on operating.
 
Your challenge for this week is to wear an eye patch and just use one eye to get by.
Can you do it?
   
Do something new daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.
*******************
NEXT BLOG
Our house is not finished yet. I will be starting work on the two remaining rooms (and they are big rooms.) I hope my work on the house has inspired you to make your own home better and better.
*******************

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life differently and/or better.

*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** I was hit by two trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK—Building Confidence!
From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential”.
   
I have noticed that many people go through life lacking confidence, following fear, and being anxious about many things. The words below are to help you to build confidence, to alienate fear, and to help you to get past anxiety. These words can be used to battle any anxiousness in yourself.
 
CONFIDENCE
 
A sense of confidence enhances your life in numerous ways. From relationships to business dealings and any other area of life, your confidence will bring you closer to success. You will live a fuller, happier, and more abundant life. 

A strong confidence will make you stand out as the leader you are.

As your confidence grows, your good influence over others will grow too. Other people will look up to you and expect more from you, and you can provide more to them.  Over time, you will recognize intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to have such confidence and the responsibility that comes with it.
 
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is the internal drive telling you to meet your needs. Things like juggling, running, or pleasure-seeking activities are based on intrinsic drive. We do them because we like them, not because we are required to do them.
 
Extrinsic motivation is when you are encouraged by external influences given or controlled by someone else. Most people are extrinsically motivated to go to work every day solely because they get paid to do so. 

 If we can find ways to build our intrinsic motivation to go to work every day, perhaps by building our confidence and earning more respect from our peers and therefore feeling accomplished and like we want to accomplish even more, we can go further in our careers and in our lives than we ever thought we could.  This concept of course applies to all aspects of life.  

   Confidence is not something you have; naturally, it comes through practice.

Even if we have mastered the art of intrinsic motivation on the job and enjoy going to work every day for the personal sense of accomplishment, we may still encounter things we don’t like doing, such as reprimanding other employees for job performance issues or having to fire someone or lay someone off. We sometimes have to do undesirable tasks as part of our jobs, so we have to find the confidence and motivation to get through the depressing things in life. That’s where intrinsic motivation is vital.
 
Confidence will factor in when you have work you don’t like to do. If you apply yourself and confidently do the best job, no matter how mundane or upsetting the job may be, you will eventually learn to like what you are doing regardless. 

To learn to like your job or any other aspect of your life that currently isn’t your ideal thing to be doing, train yourself to do things with a different heart, with confidence, and with intrinsic motivations.
 
When I used to perform professionally as a juggler, I would have to look deep inside myself to find confidence in my juggling ability and confidence within my ability as a performer. Everyone at one time or another has seen a street performer or a speaker deliver their performance with little confidence – it’s not very entertaining to watch. 

An overall confidence must be developed to become a good performer, whether juggling on the stage of Bally’s Casino or perhaps just giving a speech in a community college classroom.  I often remember being backstage at Bally’s, waiting to start my routine, and I would be actively engaging my mind and heart to find this confidence. 

Eventually, the music would start, the lights would come on, the curtain would open, and I would come blasting out on stage as if I were the most robust and most able person ever to appear in Bally’s or any stage. 

In my mind, I was overpowering the audience.

I can find this same confidence now when I need it. This confidence must be developed, and tapping into that confidence at a moment’s notice will come with practice.
 
While recovering from my accident and coma, I found that when I had confidence in myself and my ability to get better, I could get much further through my rehabilitation. My progress would stall or stop altogether when I had doubts or fears. Then I discovered something that helped me a great deal. If you fake any feeling or emotion long enough and often enough, you will develop that feeling or emotion, including confidence. 

When you have confidence, you can do just about anything.

I learned that it’s possible and desirable to fake confidence in yourself and others when necessary. Even if you are just faking it, you will still feel better about yourself, you will accomplish more, and others will believe in you and your abilities. Remember, fake or genuine confidence will take you far in your goals.

Suppose there’s some area of your life that you’ve been struggling with, such as finding a new job. After all, you don’t interview well or make new friends because you don’t think anyone likes you, muster up some fake confidence and go for it! You will be surprised at the outcome. What do you think I’m doing now by writing this book? Not really, but then again, who knows for sure? Always be confident that you will reach excellence and end up there before you know it. 

Confidence is a habit that you can and must develop for yourself.

What new stories are you ready to write?
********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

They are so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy, happiness, and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
 
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ABOUT CONFIDENCE INSPIRE YOU >>
“The way to develop self-confidence is to do what you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.” William Jennings Bryan
 
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh
 
“Always be yourself and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and try to duplicate it.” Bruce Lee.
 
“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less-than-perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more self-confident, and more successful.” Mark Victor Hansen
 
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
 
“Low self-confidence isn’t a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will improve.” Barrie Davenport
 
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” e.e. Cummings
 
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” Golda Meir
 
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Arthur Ashe
 
“Confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits allows us to keep looking for new adventures.” Oprah Winfrey
 
“To be yourself in a world constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
“But failure has to be an option in art and in exploration–because it’s a leap of faith. And no important endeavor that required innovation was done without risk. You have to be willing to take those risks … ” James Cameron.
 
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
 
“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing wrong.” Peter T. Mcintyre
 
“Argue for your limitations; sure enough, they’re yours.” Richard Bach
 
“The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, despite being unacceptable.” Paul Tillich

“If we all did the things we can do, we would astound ourselves.” Thomas Alva Edison.
 
“Shyness has a strange element of narcissism, a belief that how we look and perform is truly important to other people. ” Andre Dubus
 
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?” Marianne Williamson
 
“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” Brene Brown

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time is going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.
 
4/15–Showering outdoors is quite an experience. As the summer is coming, I will be showering more often in the outdoor rainwater shower I built. Now, no picking if you are in the area. 
 
4/18–As you know from the past, I purchased a 100-gallon Water Barrel (something to collect and save rainwater.) I bought their 50-gallon container before the 100-gallon one.  For some time ours worked superbly. Just last week I noticed that one of the seams had split and it was not holding rainwater.
 
Within a week after contacting the company we received a new one. I don’t even have to send the old one back. A magnificent rainwater saver and superb company. If you are not saving rainwater, you need to–start today.

Here they are >> https://www.vingli.com/products/vingli-50-gallon-collapsible-rain-barrel
I did buy mine through Amazon.

4/21–Sending out the blog today. Not much happening this week, I will have to “make” things happen next week. 

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

Stretching and bending help your body and your mind.
This week, start a routine of daily stretching and bending, you will be glad you did. 

Do something new daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.
*******************
NEXT BLOG

As I wrote earlier, I need to “make” things happen, as you might do.
You will find out next week what I did.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life differently and/or better.

*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I was hit by two trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK—A Good Sleep?

Hard to imagine; I once took a nap for 37 days. After my accident and long nap after, I thought I would get right back to where I was. But, brain injuries can change a person, completely.

At first, I was awake only briefly during the day and night. As time went forward, I found that I was functioning for more extended periods and did not need the sleep. But, I would forget when I slept because of my brain injury.

In fact, at one point, while living in Sharp Rehab Hospital in San Diego, I often told therapists that I did not sleep at all most nights. A group who worked with me got together and purposely came and woke me. They laughed at my being asleep. A good joke performed by friends.

At this point, I function well on only about five hours of sleep each night. Part of it is that I think sleep is a waste of time (we do need it, though), and because I always have projects to work on.

About 35% of American adults get less than seven hours of sleep a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which, they say, isn’t enough. We often either can’t get to or think of sleep as wasted time. What actually goes on while we’re lying there?
Why are we designed to do nothing for a third of our lifetimes?

The answer is that our bodies are doing the necessary work to keep us going when we’re awake. But, really, scientists still have plenty to learn about how.

I’ve always been a curious sort. We sleep every night, adding up to thousands of nights. I wanted to witness the point where my mind shut off, and I would go to la la land. Of course, in working on this, I would think I would not get to sleep. Kept me up many nights. Will you be trying this?

What Is REM Sleep
In 1951 (not that long ago), a graduate student at the University of Chicago and a doctor there hooked up his 8-year-old son, Armond, to a device that tracked eye movements and brain waves. After Armond fell asleep, Aserinsky noticed from another room that the eye-tracking “pens” were swinging back and forth.

Thinking Armond must be awake and looking around, Aserinsky went to investigate. He found the boy was sleeping deeply, with his eyes closed. Aserinsky’s paper, published in 1953, was the first time REM sleep had been described; before that, scientists had believed that the sleeping brain was more or less turned off.

We now know that not just humans but all land mammals and many birds undergo spells of REM, or Rapid Eye Movement, sleep. In those spells, the heart rate speeds up, breathing becomes irregular, and brain waves are more variable. Significant muscles that we usually control can’t move.

Are you getting enough REM sleep?

And, what is Sleep Paralysis?
A young person waking up again, looking at them-self. Sleep paralysis is an inability to move that sometimes happens briefly as you fall asleep or wake up. The mind is awake, but the body lags behind for a minute or two. This often happens with people who are in a coma, too.

Although the feeling is bizarre and often scary, sleep paralysis is not rare or even dangerous. It occurs most often in young people, beginning in the teens, and in people with other sleep issues, including narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and nighttime leg cramps.

It is more common in people with brain injury, post-traumatic stress, or panic disorder. In those moments of paralysis, some people feel they are falling, floating, or having an “out-of-body experience.” Others hallucinate a presence in the room, hovering nearby, and may conclude they have been abducted by aliens or visited by ghosts.

According to one theory, people who feel outside their own bodies or sense ghostly presences might be experiencing a glitch in their mirror neurons, the part of the brain that fires when we observe activity in other people.

A few times in my life, I kept awake all night, such as when I once flew to Europe and, not being able to sleep on a plane, I didn’t. Although losing an entire night’s sleep zombifies many of us, there are exceptions: Some people feel much happier or calmer after not sleeping. That’s probably because the jolt is a reset for their body clocks, which might have been out of whack

They say eight hours is the key to good sleep, but ideally, we’d all have a sweet interlude. Just don’t turn on your lights or use your laptop or phone. Never worry about not getting enough sleep. Your brain knows what you need and will be there for you when needed.

What new stories are you ready to write?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

I find them so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ABOUT SLEEP INSPIRE YOU >>

True silence is the rest of the mind and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment, and refreshment. — William Penn

There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest than in all the alcohol ever distilled. —Edward Lucas
A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. — Irish Proverb

Your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep. — Mesut Barazany

A day without a nap is like a cupcake without frosting. — Terri Guillemets

Sleep is the best meditation. — Dalai Lama

Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds. — JoJo Jensen

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight. — Phyllis Diller
There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep. — Homer

Nothing cures insomnia like the realization that it’s time to get up.
Laugh, and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone. — Anthony Burgess

If you’re going to do something tonight that you’ll be sorry for in the morning, sleep late. — Henny Youngman

Never waste any time you can spend sleeping. — Frank H. Knight

A well-spent day brings happy sleep. — Leonardo da Vinci

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow. — Charlotte Bronte

No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap. — Carrie Snow

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

4/8—Currently reading the “Lord of the Rings” 3 book series, by JRR Tolkien. I read these back in Jr. High, loved ‘em then, and love them now. As I read, not many books “take me away”; these do. Books by Dan Millman do the same, “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior” is fantastic; have you read this book? If not, you must.

Rain and bad weather, all day. I went up to the attic to look for leaks and saw a couple of places needing work. I will be back when the weather is better and warmer.

4/9—What a perfect Easter! Two people came for rabbits today. When the mother asked one of the little girls if she wanted a bunny, the little girl cried with happiness. It reminded me of when we first got rabbits for Jasmine and April, my daughters.

Then, later, we realized that rabbits are going away quickly. We played Easter Bunny and delivered three buns to a good home today. What a perfect gift for Easter Day.

4/10—It turns out that I am very allergic to rabbits. So, we will only be keeping the little fur balls outside from now on. Beth loves her rabbits, but I do have to breathe.

4/13—Needed pallets to build the one last garden for the front of the house. I went to Lowes to see what they had. When you acquire pallets from Lowes, they are free, my kind of price. Look to Lowes for your pallet needs.

You can see how our gardens are turning out—fabulous! Have you started work on yours, yet?

And, Tractor Supply Store has good pallets, too.
The cost is only three bucks a pallet, well worth it.
Find a Tractor Supply here >>
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/store-locator

As you have read before, I cut the pallets down to 22” and then use two inch screws to hold them together, top and bottom. Finally, I put a 2×6 board on the top and put in two inch drywall screws to hold everything together. The side supports are painted green, and I stain the boards on top.

We plan to grow much food that we can consume and not depend on stores to have what we need. Broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, zucchini, raspberries, strawberries, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, spinach, cilantro, to name a few things.

Then, to finish things off, I mount a six-foot bamboo pole to each corner and put spinners in to the openings. When there is good wind, and they are all spinning, it makes a fabulous yard.

4/14—Friday once again. Each week much of the blog is put together. Just some minor editing on Fridays. Are you enjoying the read?

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

While laying on the ground, get up to standing without using your hands or arms in any way.

Now, get up without using your legs at all (just kitting around, again.)

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************

NEXT BLOG

Plants are growing much. You will learn more of the garden of edible vegies.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!