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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people, too. (But no longer alone, Beth is by my side.)
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!
*** I want to thank my wonderful wife Beth for her superb editing and adding to the blog each week.

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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

INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

It surprises me how I can obtain enough material to write a full blog each week. Beth and I actually “make” things happen to include in the week’s blog. How about you, can you make things happen in your life to make a more spectacular existence?

As you might know, for about six years I was living and traveling in my van all around the US. Mainly going to national parks and wilderness areas, I loved that lifestyle.

Most Americans do not travel outside of the US. The average person in the UK has visited 10 countries, Many Germans have seen eight, and the French traveled to five nations on average. But Americans? Most tend to visit just three. In fact, 29 percent of American adults have never been abroad, and with such a big world out there.

Myself, I have been to Europe three times, Japan three times, and Australia and New Zealand for one month each. Also, I have traveled, round trip, across the US at least thirty times, including visiting every state. In 1978 I lived with Barrett Felker in Hawaii for three months — very nice. 

But, when I say travel, it does not mean it has to cost much.
Even taking a bus to a nearby city for the day can be exciting. 

When citizens of the US do move past the border, most visit Canada or Mexico. Affordability is evidently a big factor — so many Americans say it’s too expensive to leave the country — but that’s hardly the whole story.

Given what all the travel and deal sites have to offer today, you can travel abroad without ransacking your piggy bank. Perhaps many Americans don’t grasp the benefits of traveling abroad — and there are many! And, I have found that language is ever a problem. So many in the world can speak English, or you can get your point across.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s abundant research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental, and emotional health as well. So many people I have met around the world are wonderful.

Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have and supported scientifically.

1—Travel Can Make You Healthier
Traveling actually keeps you happier and healthier. The study found that people who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so.

2—Travel Relieves Stress

Although missing a flight or losing baggage in an overseas airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.

I read one study that showed that three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, happy, more rested, and in a better mood. Interestingly, these benefits tend to remain for weeks after the trip has ended.

3—Travel Deepens Your Creativity

You will increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” explains Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.

The main thing is multicultural engagement, immersion, and adaptation. People who live abroad and don’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and gets involved in the local environment.

4—Travel Encourages Happiness and Satisfaction

Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about their work and home life. You see, people also experience a direct increase in happiness in the process of just “planning” a trip.

Then, three days after taking a vacation, overall, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood.

You see, just the prospect of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does, as your mind gets better.

5—Travel Lowers your Risk of Depression

While people often avoid the subject in our society, depression is, unfortunately, often a major problem. Millions of Americans struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to over-prescribe medication for depression.

Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. You CAN stay away from medications. According to research, travel can be one of them.

I read that people who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from chronic stress and depression than people who vacation less than once every two years.

As you can see, there are scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling around the world. Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain many from just packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.

Besides that >>
It boosts happiness and satisfaction.
It makes you mentally resilient.
It enhances creativity.
It’s a great stress buster.
It helps you reinvent yourself.
Expanding your horizons.
Connection.
Adventure.
These are the things that unite travelers in that shared experience so many of us know and love.

Perhaps you are the kind of traveler who likes to throw away the map and just get lost, or maybe you’re the type that prefers to have an itinerary with a defined list of things to do. In any case, dreaming up future trips is at least half the fun, and letting your imagination run wild with fantasies of back-country bike rides or long walks through cobblestone streets in a foreign city is always a joy.

Whether travel has been a regular part of your life or you are just now itching to explore, there is no shortage of inspiration to help fuel your wanderlust.

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?

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

WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with 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.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

In fact, 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 for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit 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 important—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

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

Here are some quotes on why travel is important in life >>

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
— Lao Tzu

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.
— Paulo Coelho

We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.
— Anaïs Nin

Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.
— Terry Pratchett

To get away from one’s working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one’s self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.
— Charles Horton Cooley

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.
— Anatole France

One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
— Andre Gide

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to control it.
— John Steinbeck

Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.
— Anthony Bourdain

Sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near.
— Paulo Coelho

When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.
— D.H. Lawrence

For the born traveler, traveling is a besetting vice. Like other vices, it is imperious, demanding its victim’s time, money, energy and the sacrifice of comfort.
— Aldous Huxley

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.
— Henry Miller

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

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

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

4/23—As I awoke early, I went out to the new gardens. Two are filling with organic materiel—branches, grass, limbs (not human ones), and tree trunk sections. The one that is empty right now, with the plastic up on the sides, had a small occupant.

There was an immature squirrel in it this morning. This small creature was not scared of me, at all, but just could not get out of his trapped enclosure because of the plastic on the sides. Beth was worried that he might bite me, but I picked him up. We had an empty container used for rabbits, so that was his new temporary home.

Next, Beth called some friends who rescue animals and they will help with what to do with the varmint. I’ve always wanted a pet squirrel, maybe this is the time?

Here I a holding a baby fox

We discovered that our squirrel has a bum back left leg most likely from a cat carrying him. I am hoping that it will heal and he will be good once again. After he is better, back to the wilderness with him. But, if he does not get better, we have a new pet.

4/24—The squirrel needs to get help, so today we left the little creature with a person at Greenville Animal Rehab. They will make sure the leg is OK and let the squirrel return to the wild. I would love to have seen it grow and befriended the little guy (who, we found out, is a girl), but this way is better for the four-legged little one. There were many animals in care here, good to see. 

Two baby raccoons in my hands.

On our way home, we passed by some people with signs stating, “Free food”. This group is part of St. Paul Methodist Church. They gave us each a sack lunch (quite tasty, too.) She was very nice, but I did not let her know I do not believe in any God.
Here they are >> stpaulsaluda.com

4/25—The four gardens need to be filled up. We were going to get a truck-load of dirt, but could not find anyone who delivers. I know that we have to put leaves in, the back yard is full of them right now, so I did a lot of transporting with my wheelbarrow-cart.

On top of the leaves, I will be putting a layer of wood chips. Then on top a thin layer of dirt. Over the next year all this will break down and we will have a great medium to plant “next” year. As I compost we will have all the future material for the gardens.

4/26—At the library, Beth found a green Anole lizard. Usually, they do not let you pick them up and handle them, but this one didn’t put up a struggle. It is temporarily living in a terrarium (not the one with the snails) with fruit flies to eat until it gets better. We YouTube everything to learn how to care for our foundlings.

Also, next to the house, under the ivy, Jemma was focused upon something, we couldn’t tell what. We had thought it was a snake, but it was Mr. Toad, which we still have in our keep. And yet, another terrarium. Beth bought crickets to feed him and I dug up worms for him. Nice little life he is going to have until we turn him loose. We enjoy learning about our local critters and do them no harm in caring for them.

My above-ground gardens are coming along. I am filling each with leaves, wood, and plants up about ¾ full. On one of the gardens, I filled with dirt up to the top. These are bags of dirt I bought, next year we will have enough compost and dirt that there will be no cost.

In this dirt, I planted tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce. They should do well, then we will consume them. So far they are looking good. For the garden next year, we are already planning to have one of the four just for strawberries.

Because of all the trouble in the world right now, I am hearing that food might be hard to acquire in the future. That is the main reason I am building our gardens, so we will have no trouble getting food to eat.

I am hearing from some people who think the world is soon going to become a wild place and everything will be under control. I think, if trouble does come, people will work together to keep things under control.

How about you?
Time to start your garden?

4/27—Once again, I drove the 68 miles round-trip to Costco. Their prices are so good and they sell quality merchandise, so it is well worth it.

Beth told me that Jemma was quite upset and missing me and miserable. Missed her, too (but missed Beth much more.)

4/28—In the bunny hutch we had put up some 8-foot wooden poles to hold up the tarp on top. Today I built a support system that is keeping the tarp up well—a roof it is. I love projects like this and this one turned out magnificent. I built this with leftover pallet boards, at no cost. You will see photos.

As Beth and I were putting one of the two in place, one end dropped and bonked my head. This is Beth speaking: “He always has blood leakage somewhere but head wounds are worrisome. Thankfully, we lived thru it.”  

I put in a new mailbox this week (I would love to hear from you!) 

4/29—Very busy this week, today we slowed down, but I still got stuff done (like finishing this blog to get it off to you.)

Still enjoy the horses next door.

Just today Jemma was after something, we could not tell what. Beth is very scared of snakes, that is what Jemma found. Being a baby serpent, it was quite small. 

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>

Take a trip, even for a day, to a local city or park.
Then make it a part of your life.

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

NEXT BLOG >>

You will learn how my gardens are coming along.
Also, if we pick up any other animals for our zoo (like, perhaps, a chimpanzee?)

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

THIS WEEK, MAKE YOUR LIFE SOMETHING

THAT YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT!

 

• Tweet
• Pin It

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/

*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.

*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.

*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!

*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people, too. (But no longer alone, Beth is by my side.)

*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.

*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

*** I want to thank my wonderful wife Beth for her superb editing and adding to the blog each week.

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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

INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

Don’t be so seriness!

RETURN
Bring back the playfulness of your younger life. Your young, curious, playful, loving person is still there. I am now 63, but feel like I am still in my early twenties.

CHILD?
There is a child in you, find it, bring it back. Sometimes, people forget to enjoy the younger, playful, curious, lighthearted side of life. Reconnecting with your inner child means bringing back play and fun and taking life a little less seriously. It means allowing yourself time to play, be curious, explore, laugh, and see the world with both joy and awe.

PLAY!
As I often say, “Don’t turn into an “adult”. Adult responsibilities, like paying the bills or running errands, can make you take life too seriously sometimes. Everyone needs to change their thinking every once and a while.
Dance with friends.
Juggle for the fun of it.
Run around in a field.
Have a water balloon fight.
Have a good laugh.
When you approach life with a playful attitude, everyday situations become exciting, entertaining, and fun!

ADVANCEMENT
Even when you deal with sticky situations, like when you are at work or during social interactions, you can use playfulness to resolve the tension and relax others. This free-spirited, lighthearted nature gives you a more positive outlook so you can cope with life in positive, healthy ways. As a group, you will achieve more!

HAVE
A funner time in life.
More love in your life.
Improved work and academic performance.
Increased creativity and motivation.
People who remain playful and young at heart actually live longer!

HONESTY
As you express yourself more openly and honestly, your life can change. Children seem to fearlessly express themselves by dancing, laughing, and playing—you can, too! When we are young we certainly know how to tell it like it is, too, and sometimes our younger selves are brutally honest, as you will be!

OLDER?
As you grow older, your change as societal norms tends to influence your behaviors. You may become more serious, scared, or shy and find it hard to express yourself. You may speak out less, perhaps out of fear of rejection, as people “turn” into an adult.

PLAY!
Your authentic self deserves to sparkle! When you hold back on expressing your true feelings, you miss out on valuable time and connections, and experiences. Bring back the play, and channel your inner child again by learning to smile as you communicate openly and honestly.

UNIQUE
Not everyone may agree with and like what you have to say, and that’s okay! When you express yourself, you offer your unique position to the world and ultimately attract people that genuinely like you.

CHILDREN
Spend time with children!
There is no better way to bring out your inner child than to spend more time with kids. Whether you are goofing off, telling jokes, running around, or playing games – make time to spend with kids and that will help tap into your inner playfulness and youthful expression.

GIVE
This is not one-sided. You also get to share your own skills and knowledge to help young ones discover and learn and grow. If you don’t have children, you might spend time with the children of your friends or relatives.

LEARN
Adults tend to focus on problem-solving and getting things done. Children live with an openness to learn and explore the world with all of its possibilities. You can connect to your inner child by letting go of the need to fix and control all the time. Instead, keep an open mind and see the learning opportunities around you each day.

TUNNEL?
At times, people see life with tunnel vision, looking down at their phone screens or rushing to the next meeting. Take a moment to pause and look down at flowers growing, up at the sky, into the forest. The sun, the clouds, the moon, and the stars will remind you to pause once and in a while, to appreciate your surroundings like a child.

CREATIVENESS
Kids love to learn through play, arts and crafts, movement, coloring, singing, and many other ways. You can bring out your inner child, too, through creative activity—and get lots of bonus health benefits, besides. Artistic self-expression helps you cope with trauma, manage emotions, and promote overall well-being.

HEAL
You can change! Heal the wounded inner child within you. Much of your personality and habits develop during early stages of life. As you get older, you may continue to act out patterns learned from childhood without realizing it, that’s a good thing.

PRETEND
Close your eyes and picture yourself as a small child again. What would you say to that person to comfort them? You can even write a letter to guide your inner child. This practice will help heal wounds from the past. This will develop self-compassion and build love. You’ll have an easier time forgiving yourself for mistakes you hold onto when you see yourself as that innocent child.

ADULT-NESS
Actual adulthood means nurturing and listening to that inner child. It means to listen to the pains of your past, then how to respond to those needs, and heal. When you reconnect with your inner child, you become more aware of the current motivations behind your behaviors, emotions, and relationships.

PLAY!
As you would know, play is an important part of childhood, it’s a critical component of adulthood as well! The brilliance of the play is that it has profound benefits for all ages. Babies and young children investigate their own little world and learn new things about their life through play. Preschool-age and older children can practice life skills and develop their bodies, minds, and social skills through play. Continuing through adolescence and adulthood, play contributes to being a well-rounded, creative, and joyful person.

TIME
Even though you are busy with everyday responsibilities and schedules, it is important for you to carve out time for leisure — if not daily, then at least throughout the week and month. This is a key to get more out of life. Play gifts people to be flexible thinkers, creative, young-at-heart, and free-spirited. It provides an opportunity for pure pleasure and doesn’t need structure. Play is free-flowing fun that can unleash our imagination.

PLAN
Play often happens spontaneously, planning time for play ensures that you have fun. All of us need time to unwind from our tight schedules and hectic lives. Sometimes just observing children at play and listening to their self-talk or conversations with their playmates can transport us into their imaginative world, and along with that, cause us to stop and enjoy the moment.

HAPPY!
Develop a happy, joyful, positive attitude, full of gratitude for even the smallest, everyday things. Plan to make play a part of every day, whether it is indoor or outdoor, solo or social, active or quiet—make it happen often.

THIS >>
Smile and laugh often throughout your day.
Try new things and experience the unexpected.
Use the unscheduled time to smile, be creative, daydream, reflect and decompress.
Appreciate playtime – whether it’s alone or with other adults or children.
Sing and dance just for the fun of it!

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with 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.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

In fact, 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 for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit 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 important—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

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

Quotes of PLAY >>

Self-discipline is necessary, but so is playfulness, flexibility, and joy. When you stop demanding perfection of yourself, your writing desk will become a spacious place.
Karen Russell

There often seems to be a playfulness to wise people, as if either their equanimity has as its source this playfulness or the playfulness flows from equanimity; and they can persuade other people who are in a state of agitation to calm down and smile.
Edward Hoagland

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.
Dale Carnegie

Why not make cheerfulness, outrageousness, and playfulness a new priority for yourself? Make feeling good your expectation. You don’t have to have a reason to feel good – you’re alive – you can feel good for no reason at all!
Tony Robbins

We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.
Charles E. Schaefer

The moment you start seeing life as non-serious, a playfulness, all the burden on your heart disappears. All the fear of death, of life, of love – everything disappears.
Rajneesh

The very essence of playfulness is an openness to anything that may happen, the feeling that whatever happens, it’s okay… you’re either free to play, or you’re not.
John Cleese

See if you can approach your own practice with a healthy combination of mindfulness, playfulness, precision, and curiosity.
Cyndi Lee

Organize your reality according to your strength; organize your reality according to your playfulness; according to your dreams; according to your joy; according to your hopes – and then you can help those who organize their reality according to their fears.
Seth

There’s a certain pleasure in the life of the mind that cannot be denied. There’s a certain pleasure about being around people who enact a playfulness when it comes to the world of ideas.
Cornel West

Many teachers think of children as immature adults. It might lead to better and more ‘respectful’ teaching if we thought of adults as atrophied children.
Keith Johnstone

The true characteristics of the epistolary style is playfulness and urbanity.
Joseph Joubert

Trust allows you to give, Giving is abundant.
Trust allows the experience of bliss. Bliss is wakefulness.
Trust allows you to laugh. Laugh at the richness, the beauty, and the playfulness of the universe.
Apply consciousness to this process and all roads will lead to home.
Gary Zukav

I think there’s a playfulness and a distance to Kavalier and Clay that I don’t aspire to in my stuff. Maybe I’m more old-fashioned, and less of a fabulist, in that way.
Jim Shepard

Creative individuals tend to be smart, yet also naive at the same time… Creative individuals have a combination of playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

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

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

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

4/16-18—Make each day unique, that is what I aim for in my life, and I hope you have seen that through my blog posts.

Living about a four-hour drive from where we live, we went to visit Beth’s parents for the Easter holiday. On a nice drive up, we went through much wilderness—trees, foliage, forests, and greenery. Ron is 84 and Joyce is 82, great to get to know them better.

Along with Beth’s parents, her three sisters, Barbara, Patti and Krisi, showed up, too, with their own families. Nice to get to know her family better.

4/19—We are acquiring animals, as you know, and Beth decided to find and collect very small snails, all from the backyard forest. We have them in a clear container with plants and rocks to help them think it is all-natural.

In fact, eggs were laid and baby snails are making their appearance. We will keep them as we enjoy them, then back to the forest with all.

4/20—Out driving for a time, we came upon “The Dented Can” store. We were both amazed at the low prices they charge. We will be returning. Do you always shop at the same place? Have a look around, perhaps you can places with lower prices.

See >>
https://www.facebook.com/Dented-Deals-Discount-Grocery-555241687918088/
Food at fantastic prices.
We bought a lot and will return.

Like many people, we are stocking up on all the food necessities. We are hearing from many sources, that with all the changes in the world right now, it might start to get hard to get food in the future. That is also the main reason I am building our above-ground gardens.

Our four gardens did not cost much, at all. It might be a good idea for you to grow your own veggies and fruits. I built them out of free pallets, and here is how I did it >>

Most pallets are four feet long and have a row of boards on the main side, support boards on the inside, and three two-by-fours holding them together.

Measure down 22 inches and cut the pallet, and all boards, then do the same thing on the other side. Do this with six pallets. Once you have all cut, screw two together using 3” screws.

Keep screwing sides together, two on each side, and one between (see the photos.) By cutting them at 22 inches, there are two support boards so that they stay solid.

To keep the dirt in the garden, I had some plastic that covered our windows, to keep the cold out (we are getting new windows, soon.) I used this plastic, cut it to size, and stapled on each side of the garden to keep the dirt in. Finally, you screw pallet boards around the top for additional support, and you can sit on this, too.

Contact me if you need more info.

4/21—The rabbits are growing here. Today we picked up another bunny hutch. This one is two-story and quite large (no elevator, though, there’s a ramp.) In fact, we have a big walk-in hutch, the new one would not fit into the walk-in hutch.

At this point, we have five rabbits. You know how they can multiply? Hmm, how about you, want a bunny? They are very cute and fun to play with. I’m sure you want one, yes?

Also, we found a farm store, The Peach Stand, and I let Beth know that, in the past, when strawberries are in season, I have used them to make my fresh and tasty salsa. Have you seen >> summerssalsa.com?

With our fireplace, I am often making fires for our heat. The house is on electric heat, which is expensive now, so I like to heat with wood. We had been having the firewood delivered. We recently found Mike and Nadine, who have much wood on their land and gave us wood for a much better price than where we were getting it.

4/22—Being strawberry season, we went to a place where Beth has gotten large and pretty fruit. We bought many berries, in that Beth will be freezing a large number of them.

Take a look >> https://www.exploreedgefield.com/place/cooks-farm-roadside-stand

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
Make laughter and play an essential an part of your life this week (and always.)

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

NEXT BLOG >>
In driving to Abbyville today, we drove through much forest land, some of which is national forest. We will be checking maps, and, perhaps, going there this upcoming week. I will let you know.

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

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

• Tweet
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With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way.

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/

*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.

*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.

*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!

*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people, too. (But no longer alone, Beth is by my side.)

*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.

*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

*** I want to thank my wonderful wife Beth for her superb editing and adding to the blog each week.

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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

INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

One of the main ways I came back strongly from my accident and 37-day coma is I would challenge myself. From learning to walk again to learning to jump again, these were personal responsibilities that I had to conquer and excel at.

Challenging yourself will bring a bright and dandy future. Also, no matter what your status is currently, challenging yourself will bring you to a higher level.

Why You Should Challenge Yourself?

There are so many reasons to why it’s important to challenge yourself. First of all, you’ll discover that you are capable of things you didn’t think you could do. You have so many skills if you just gave yourself the chance to see them.

By challenging yourself, you’ll also reach new ideas you never would have previously thought to even reach for. Things that never would have seemed possible for you could be right within your grasp.

Sure, you could just stay in your comfort zone and never grow beyond that. No one can force you out of it. But I promise you’ll be happy once you take the leap!

Ideas for how you can challenge yourself >>

1—SET A TIME EACH NIGHT FOR YOUR SLEEP

Going along with the idea of waking up earlier in the morning (I often wake before 3am), I really challenge you to set a bedtime for yourself!

I always tell myself that I need to start going to bed earlier. But the only time I actually do is when I set a bedtime for myself and commit to it.

2—WAKE YOURSELF UP EARLIER IN THE MORNING

Mornings can be an amazing time of day, a good time for thinking. It’s a peaceful time to do something like staying calm, meditate, do yoga, or just sip a cup of coffee or tea before the full day comes on.

It’s also amazing how productive your day can be if you start off on the right foot in the morning. Each day, start thinking in a positive and better way.

3—SET A NEW GOAL

I can’t think of any better way to challenge yourself than to set a new goal and really create a plan to follow through on it. There is so much power in planning by goal setting!

If you find yourself hoping to see something change in your life, set a big goal for yourself. But don’t stop there! Once you’ve set your goal, break it down into smaller steps and put them on your calendar.

4—LEARN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

An excellent challenge. Learning a new language is such a fun way to challenge yourself by expanding your horizons. Even better if you love to travel, and can learn the language of some of the places you’re going to be visiting!

When it comes to learning a new language, the internet has many sites that can teach you.

5—TAKE A CLASS WITH A SUBJECT THAT INTERESTS YOU

I am a lifelong learner and I really love and look forward to being able to learn new things. But not everyone is like that. For some people, learning something new is outside their comfort zone. Make the time to learn.

Taking a class to learn something new is such an amazing experience! You may even discover a new area that you love and can bring in a great income.

And, you could end up making a new friend or finding a new favorite hobby!

6—FIND SOMEONE YOU CAN LOOK UP TO

I’m not just saying someone taller than you. Find people you would love to connect with or have a conversation with.

Once you start reaching out to people you look up to, you will be so glad you did! Sometimes you might seek advice, other times you could say “hi” and let them know you were thinking of them and you enjoyed what they were putting out into the world.

Meet people. Find someone who is doing excellent at what you want to be good at, too. Later, send them an email and tell them how much you admire them! If a relationship doesn’t form, at least you’ll be able to give them a self-esteem boost.

7—GET AWAY FROM TECHNOLOGY FOR A DAY

We are so reliant on technology these days, it’s almost a little scary. I mean, have you ever found yourself opening your computer, only to forget why you needed it in the first place?

Not only is it often just a waste of time, but we’re shutting ourselves off from connections with the people around us who might be able to help us.

I challenge you to turn off the smartphone and close down the computer and TV for an entire day, and do this each month. Instead of the technology, just focus on interacting with people and enjoying activities you don’t normally make time for like reading a book, having a deep conversation, or getting back to nature.

8—SET A SAVINGS GOAL

Setting a savings goal can definitely be a challenge, and an especially uncomfortable one if it means cutting your spending to reach your goal. But in the long run, you’ll be so glad you challenged yourself in this way.

For a week (or a month?), write down everything you spend money on.

See how you might be wasting your money. Start saving by not spending on frivolous things.

When I have a trip or another large expense I’m planning for, I always like to break it down and determine how much I need to be saving every month in order to reach my goal. Sometimes I can fit that within my current spending, but oftentimes it means cutting spending in other areas.

9—WRITE IN A JOURNAL BOOK EVERY DAY

After my first accident, memory was a problem, I kept a journal regularly. As an adult, however, I struggled to stay consistent for a long time, eventually not making future entries.

And yet, I’ve found that when I consistently journal, or at least journal when I’m having a lot of thoughts running around in my head, it helps keep my anxiety at bay.

If you’re someone who has a lot of anxious thoughts, I challenge you to start writing in a journal every day, at least until you have time to figure out if it’s helpful for you.

10—RECONNECT WITH A DEAR OLD FRIEND

We all have old friends who we still consider friends, but who we probably don’t reach out to all that often. Too much effort, hmm. Sometimes, it can be easier to just let things be than it is to put in the effort to revive the friendship.

11—START A NEW WORKOUT ROUTINE (Always good!)

Sticking to a workout routine can be so difficult! We have the best of intentions, but then we talk ourselves out of it after we’ve had a long day or make other things more important.

A good way to stick to a workout routine is to prepare everything ahead of time and make your intention known. For example, if you wanted to do yoga in the morning before work, you would get your yoga mat set up the night before so it’s there waiting for you in the morning.

12—VISIT A NEW PLACE

I know a lot of people who take annual vacations or weekend getaways but usually visit the same place each time. It’s great if you’ve found a spot you love so much you want to keep going back, but, it will be amazing to travel to a new place. And you never know, you might find this place could be your new favorite!

Some of my favorite experiences have been being able to travel to new cities, states, or countries, and I’m definitely looking forward to exploring more new places in the future!

13—CONVERSE WITH A STRANGER

We all have different stories and others can add to your life through a gentle conversation, as you add to theirs. Meet people, have a talk, learn and teach.

When I remember, I occasionally challenge myself to talk to one new person each day. I especially try to do this if I’m attending an event alone that I’m not super comfortable going to. Jumping into a conversation with someone always helps ease the discomfort!

14—DROP ONE BAD HABIT

Let’s be honest, we all have at least one or two bad habits we’d like to stop. This week get rid of one bad habit, then make it a habit to do this each week.

It can help you to help others with their bad habits, then focus on yourself.

15—DOWNSIZE YOUR BELONGINGS

When I went through a divorce and the break up of my family, I went from a two-story house to living in a van. So, I did get rid of much. But, that’s a good thing, the less you have with you the smoother life can go.

If you’re struggling to figure out where to start, I always like to start with clothes. And, if you really want to go all-in, obtain some books on organizing and downsizing.

16—TRY PREPARING A NEW MEAL

When I was young my mom cooked delicious meals, it was a treat. I took that on and can follow any recipe and make it as any restaurant would. Also, for over twenty years I had a very successful company where I made and sold a tasty fresh salsa.

See summerssalsa.com to learn more.

That being said, every once in a while I get the urge to whip up a new recipe for myself. It doesn’t always go great, but it’s fun and helps me work on my cooking skills a bit. You can do it, start making new and delicious meals.

17—VOLUNTEER FOR A CAUSE THAT MEANS MUCH TO YOU

We all have causes that are near and dear to us, but I’m guessing most of us don’t actually make the time to donate our time to those causes. Sure, a monthly donation is great. But even better is to show up in person and help as you can.

Volunteering is not only a great way to contribute to your community, but, more important, it is a great way to meet new people and possibly make some new friends.

18—LEARN TO MEDITATE (not mediate)

For years I heard about all the benefits of meditation. It wasn’t just self-improvement people either. All of the most successful online business owners I followed talked about their meditation habit.

I was not sure about meditation, seemed like something that helped people relax. Then I learned of how it can help you focus and other good things about it. As I learned, you will learn. I am learning there are many benefits to the ancient art of meditation.

It may not be for you, but it’s a fun challenge, and I’ve heard from people that it’s really, really made a difference in their life.

19—MAKE A NEW FRIEND

Making new friends can be one of the biggest changes. Since many are not all that outgoing, it’s more of a challenge to make new friends, and it really forces them to put themselves out there.

New people in your life can add so much to your existence. It can be a lot of fun to make new friends who have similar hobbies or interests. You will add to each other’s life and that is such a good thing.

20—ASK FOR HELP?

Asking for help is scary for many. Maybe you’re like me and you’re a perfectionist, afraid of admitting to someone that you need help to do something just right.

Or maybe you’re afraid of looking stupid?
Or you are afraid of putting yourself out there and talking to someone new.
Or you could be afraid of bothering someone with your problem.

Most people have these phobias but continue, anyway. I challenge you to ask for help next time you are struggling with something!

21—START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

We all get a lot of help in our life. It is good to chart your connections as in a journal of gratitude. Do this, don’t depend on your memories.

Stay with the positive! You don’t want to focus on the things that are going wrong. Make it a challenge by forcing yourself to look at the GOOD.

But writing down things you can be grateful and it can actually have such an amazing impact, and it can turn a bad mood right around.

At the end of each day, write down three things that were good about your day. Once it becomes a habit you will find that this actually works to help you feel better about your life.

22—CREATE A “FUTURE” VISION BOARD

At first, making a vision board doesn’t seem like something that would challenge you. But you’ll see that it really is, stay with me.

Creating a vision board requires you to do a couple of things uncomfortably. First of all, seeing your life and changing it. Also, it forces you to actually create a vision for your future. If you’ve just been letting life lead you rather than leading your life, it might be scary to see what you want your life to look like.

Second, creating a vision board forces you to see and confront your big goals each and every day. So many of us have a huge goal that we’ll probably never really create a plan to reach. But by creating a vision board, you’re constantly reminding yourself of the challenge of that goal and daring yourself to take action on it. It’s honestly a way of tricking yourself into going after your big scary goals!

==================

You “CAN” make the life you want—accept the challenge.

There are so many fun ways you can challenge yourself to grow as a person. And the great thing is everyone can find at least one thing on it that sounds like something they can do! And, even better, you can do many of them!

It’s made such a huge difference for me, and I know it can do the same for you! Start now to challenge yourself to make the life that you want to live!

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?

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

WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with 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.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

In fact, 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 for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit 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 important—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

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

1. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

2. “Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. “The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he’s dead.” – Bette Davis

4. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy

5. “Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.” – Author Unknown, Be Thankful

6. “I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot.” – Nadia Comaneci

7. “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” – Chinese proverb

8. “You see a mousetrap; I see free cheese and a fucking challenge!” – Scroobius Pip

9. “There is a tendency at every important but difficult crossroad to pretend that it’s not really there.” – Bill McKibben

10. “Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

11. “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.” – Paulo Coelho

12. “Hope and change are hard-fought things.” – Michelle Obama

13. “I’ve learned that success comes in a very prickly package. Whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you. It’s what you choose to do with it, the people you choose to surround yourself with. Always choose people that are better than you. Always choose people that challenge you and are smarter than you. Always be the student. Once you find yourself to be the teacher, you’ve lost it.” – Sandra Bullock

14. “Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.” – Amelia Earhart

15. “It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.” – Abigail Adams

16. “I like the challenge of trying different things and wondering whether it’s going to work or whether I’m going to fall flat on my face.” – Johnny Depp

17. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” – John F. Kennedy

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

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

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

4/9—Today we went to, basically, a yard sale, also called an estate sale. These people had hired a company to make it into an auction, stuff sold for big bucks; many were there. We stayed for a short time, then it was bye-bye.

4/10—Picked up, yet another, bunny rabbit. Right now we have 4 bunnies, another comes tomorrow. In the future, they will have babies – yikes!

4/11—Beth had to bring her car over to the mechanic to be looked at before we went on our trip. I drove ahead to give her a ride home. I was backing into space and wanted to leave enough room on the road. There was a rain gully that I did not see and backed right into it.

I tried, but could not get the van out, stuck I was. I called AAA, I had already used up my service calls. Ricky, the mechanic, knew someone who would come and get me out. Fifty-five bucks later I was happy to be back on the road.
===========
Beth wrote this about the incident >>

Every week, sometimes every day, something happens that lets me know that being married to Kit is like living on the border of insanity. We have days when everything goes normally and happily. We have days when one of us is cranky, usually me. And then we have those days where living with Kit is an adventure. 

This week’s adventure started with the weather. It got quite warm and he was working on a project outside and decided to change into his shorts. The ones with the large red chili peppers on them. The shorts he is not to wear in public unless he matches his shirt with them. And then, even that is questionable.

A gray and white striped shirt is not a match. No, no, no.

I needed to drop my car off at Ricky Whites Service Center and told Kit he could pick me up there but, he could not get out of his van. As long as those shorts were on his body, he was to stay in the van. I saw the smirk in his eyes. I never know what is in store for me since meeting him.

He left ahead of me and when I pulled into the car lot, there is Kit standing outside of his van. In those shorts. And there was his van, backed into the ditch, tipping the front of the van forward. Surely he wouldn’t go that far just to show off his shorts! I looked at him and said, “I thought I told you to stay in your van.” And then I cracked up. This could only happen to Kit.

We went to the shop to ask if anyone could pull his van out, where, people saw his lovely red pepper shorts. I whispered to Ricky, ” This is my everyday life now.” And I laughed.

We didn’t have to wait too long before Jerome Perrin brought his truck and removed the van. Now, remember it’s a small town and I know almost everyone. I used to worry about keeping my reputation clean when I worked at the library. Being married to Kit has changed that. And I do not mind one bit. He is fun! Our life is fun.

Oh no, I just realized that he went to Lowes wearing those shorts!”

=====================

4/12—The tadpoles arrived! More and more animals in our household. Beth saw a small pond with many tadpoles in it. She scooped up a bunch and brought them home. We learned to feed them boiled lettuce and cucumber slices. It will be interesting to see them change into frogs.

4/13—Worked on building the ramp that goes onto the front porch. There were only three steps, but I thought a nice ramp would be a much smoother walk up, so I built it. At first, I had no idea how I was going to build it. Step by step, things came together.

The cost for this ramp was very minimal. The wood I used for the ramp was wood from free pallets I picked up.

Also, as I wrote before, I used pallets to build my above-ground gardens, we will eventually have four of them. I watched some videos of people who build gardens, and mine is better.

I saw some that were just a foot off the ground. I build mine with the pallets by cutting them right by the center support, which was 22 inches from top to bottom. Then I used pallet wood to screw onto the top for more support.

This size makes for a rather deep and large above-ground garden. But you can fill the bottom with tree branches and logs from trees. Just make sure you fill it with all organic material. It’s really quite fun.

I’ve written before, if someone else can do it, so can you. Keep this confidence as you live your life.

You will see from the photos, the ramp turned out fantabulous, better than I expected. After a paint job in the future, it will be magnificent.

Ready for painting

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

I’ve started mine with Beth. We will be growing many different vegetables in our above-ground garden planters I have built.

Your challenge this week is to start a garden growing vegetables and fruits you can eat. There are many sources on the internet to show you how. On YouTube, you can even watch videos on how to start and grow a vegetable garden. Let me know your progress.********************

NEXT BLOG >>

On Friday we will be driving up to see Beth’s parents, who, at age 84 for dad and 82 for mom, they are still doing well. This is so great. You will read a full report next week.

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

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

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
But no longer alone, Beth is by my side.)
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!
*** I want to thank my wonderful wife Beth for her superb editing and adding to the blog each week.

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>
For so much of my life juggling was such a passion. I lived for juggling, sleeping only when necessary. Many hours each day were dedicated to the art, my joy. My level in juggling went higher and higher, I could not get enough.

This same passion was driven toward my recovery after my accident. I also knew that the more I helped others the more recovery I would have—so I did.

Still later this same passion was directed toward my fresh salsa business. Did you ever see >>
https://www.summerssalsa.com/

After the second time I was hit by a truck I had to close down my very successful fresh salsa business.

To find passion in your life you need to reach toward something you love.

Here are other suggestions >>

1. SEARCH YOUR OWN MIND.
The questions “How can I be happy?” or “What is my purpose in life?” and “What are my passions” are actually the same – and they have the same answer. See yourself, you can never truly understand how to find your purpose by listening to others’ opinions and seeking outside approval.

Everything you need is in you. The only thing that holds you back is your own limiting beliefs. With each limiting belief you identify and replace with an empowering passion, you develop greater self-awareness. And when you’re in control of your emotions, you are in control of your life.

2. PUT PURPOSE BEFORE YOUR GOALS
If you center only on achieving short-term plans, you will never find your true passion or learn how to find your aim. The plans you work toward must always be based on finding your intent. If they’re not, you’ll only feel a momentary sense of ability, and will soon be seeking more. You won’t be able to see that your life is happening for you instead of to you.

3. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU’VE GOT
Developing a clear mindset is like opening your eyes to life: You will see beauty and goodness all around you, it is there if you look. With this new view, your purpose in life becomes much clearer. As you drive forward you question less and less how to find your purpose because you feel like you have more of the answers and that you are on the path to achieving meaningful achievements.

When we focus on what we have now, fear disappears and abundance appears. You’ll stop living in fear that you’re wasting your life and begin to attract positivity and joy. Finding your purpose becomes an exciting path, rather than a stressful finish.

4. LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOU!
True fulfillment comes from designing your own life. This is how you unlock the exceptional. To find your purpose, you must decide what’s truly right, and know it in your whole mind. You must not let yourself be driven by fear or anxiety. A decision made from fear is always the wrong decision.

To truly make this a part of your life, you must stop playing the victim. Realize that every decision in your life is a result of your own plans, not anyone else. When you take responsibility for finding your purpose, instead of blaming others, satisfaction follows.

5. THINK ABOUT WHAT BRINGS “YOU” JOY
Joy must be a part of your life. Look back on your whole life and identify the times when you felt the most joy. Was it when you were connecting with your mate? During a successful presentation at work? Creating art, juggling, or helping others? When you discover what brings you joy, you usually discover where your passions lie.

Joy and passion go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other.

6. DEVELOP YOUR OWN LIFE PLAN
Before you can ask yourself “Why am I here?” you first have to know what an ideal world could be and how you fit into it. Creating a life theme involves identifying what life would look like if everyone were living up to their fullest potential. This will help you develop a roadmap to guide you to your future.

7. DISCOVER WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IN LIFE
When you ask yourself “What is my purpose in life?” you may not even know where to start. If this is you, you may need to examine what you really want in life. Here are the top words to work with—certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth, and contribution – these words affect every decision you make.

8. WRITE OUT YOUR STORY
Myself, I’ve written 15 books to help others. Writing will help you organize our thoughts and discover new thoughts you may not even know you had. The benefits are limitless as proven to help you reach goals, improve memory and decrease stress, which are all essential when you are learning how to find your purpose.

Putting your life in words can reveal hidden messages you may not see otherwise. Start with these questions for you: What strengths do you have that helped you get through tough times? How have you helped others? How have others helped you? Write this all down and you’ll begin to see patterns that will help you find your purpose as your text grows and grows.

9. TAKE TIME FOR YOU!
“What is my purpose in life, why am I here?” This is a deep question that takes time and thoughtfulness to answer. When you spend all your time running from one project to another, you often lose direction. Make sure you schedule enough time to reduce the noise and demands of everything and focus on what you want.

When you feel depleted searching for meaning in life, take a deep breath and start again. Take time for self-care, whether that’s a juggling day or reading a book in the park. It’s by looking within that you’re able to identify your values and beliefs – the things you hold most dear as a guiding force in life. You won’t understand how to find your purpose without first taking a step back and relaxing.

10. ACCEPT ACCEPTANCE
Part of finding your purpose is accepting your own limitations. Instead of getting frustrated and upset with yourself, give yourself a break. Get to know yourself bit by bit, taking the role of observer of you. As you practice self-compassion while building self-awareness, you’re able to find you and the meaning you’re seeking.

Self-compassion means being patient with yourself. Feeling lost in life can be a very confusing feeling. You may feel frustrated, but be gentle with yourself. Everyone who has ever asked themselves “What is my purpose?” began from a place of uncertainty.

11. FIND YOUR OWN GROUP
Finding your purpose in life is often about discovering where “you” fit in. When we meet our “people,” we feel like we are at home: relaxed and at ease, able to truly be ourselves. Your group can often help you discover how to find your purpose or to live your purpose once you’ve found it.

To find your group, follow your passions. Join a volunteer group. Juggle with others. Take a class to develop a skill you enjoy. Seek out support online. Find others who enjoy the same things you like – music, books or plays. The saying “You are who your friends are” is true – and when you find the right group – that’s a good thing.

12. BE ABLE TO CHANGE
One of the hardest parts of learning how to find your purpose is letting go of the old you and the interests that no longer serve you. Yet, it’s something that must be done. Your purpose in life is also likely to grow and change, as you grow and change. You must be willing to be supple and to listen to your inner wants and needs.

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?

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

WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with 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.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

In fact, 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 for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit 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 important—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

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Quotes holding Passion >>

1. “To succeed you have to believe in something with such passion that it becomes a reality.” Anita Roddick

2. “Money will never replace happiness. Life is too short to work at something you do not have a passion for, something that does not excite you.” – Catherine Pulsifer

3. “It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” – Mae Jemison

4. “You should enjoy your work, so pursue something you find interesting, and if you work hard at it, it will turn into a passion.” – Cary Bergeron

5. “Passion is the genesis of genius.” – Anthony Robbins

6. “Let your love be your guide. Let your courage be your driver, and let your passion be your road to enjoy this magnificent life to the fullest.” – Debasish Mridha

7. “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” – George Hegel

8. “Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” – Maya Angelou

9. “Our passion is our strength.” – Billie Joe Armstrong

10. “Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you.” – Oprah Winfrey

11. “If you don’t love what you do, you won’t do it with much conviction or passion.” – Mia Hamm

12. “Passion will move men beyond themselves, beyond their shortcomings, beyond their failures.” – Joseph Campbell

13. “Happiness is the key to success. If you are truly passionate with what you are doing and are relentless in overcoming any obstacle that will come your way, you will be wildly successful.” – Ziad K. Abdelnour

14. “Happiness is an attitude, a passion that you alone own and create – you cannot buy it, rent it, or steal it from another.” – Byron Pulsifer

15. “Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.” – Isabelle Lafleche

16. “Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.” – Maya Angelou

17. “Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

18. “Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.” – Jon Bon Jovi

19. “With a strong mind, you can realize most anything. Only you can determine what you desire most or what your deepest passion is in life.” – Dale L. Roberts

20. “Passion is your joy, it is the essence of who you are. You have to unwrap it and find it.” – Jackie St. Onge

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

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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

4/1—Today I went https://atlantajugglers.org/schedule-and-cost. It was a marvelous juggling convention, but I don’t feel like I fit in anymore. Saw a few old friends there, witnessed some superb juggling, did some coaching. It just didn’t feel right.

Looking across the room I saw someone throwing 6 clubs, and pretty well at that. My new friend, Dan Brown, is an accomplished juggler, and, as I found out, a good lawyer, too. See him here >> sanchezbrown.com

Did you ever see my juggling before the accident?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZALVajgH6Q&t=218s

The juggling you will see in this video was taken many months before my accident, my juggling actually improved much after this video and before the accident.

And, here is about my “first” accident >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc&t=133s

Juggling will always be a big part of my life, though. I remember going to juggling conventions back when the skill was my passion before my accident. People would gather in large crowds to watch me do a 4 tennis racket routine, throw 5 clubs behind my back, or keep 7 clubs up in the air. Different now.

4/2—Saturday, the big day of the festival.

After a few hours, it was the return drive back to Beth and my new life. Juggling has been such a big part of my life, yet I no longer juggle for fun or have the passion for it as I once did. So, I stayed overnight and for a few hours helped some people with their juggling, then I headed home to Beth, whom I missed.

4/3—Anniversary day.

It was on this date in 1982 – I was struck by a truck and went through a 37-day coma. There is so much loss from going through what I did, but I gained much, too. I believe it is how you see things and the future you set up for yourself.

It is “always” the life you put together for yourself. Things change, but you must learn to change with the changes.

4/4—Back home with Beth. There is a big storm forecast for tomorrow, so I am putting things safe and getting ready.

Had to use poles to hold up our tent from filling with rainwater.

4/5—The big storm struck today. As usual, it was not as dramatic as was forecast. The weather people always seem to suggest the worst things could become. So often things do not end up as bad as said.

Jemma lapping up rainwater from the stream in our backyard.

4/7—Woke at 1 am and could not get back to sleep. This has happened in the past, a number of times. My mind just clicks on and I cannot turn it off. So, I got on my computer to spend time.

And, I am continuing to work on our raised gardens. 

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YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
“Go fly a kite” (not a kit)
When was the last time you sent something into the air on a string?
This week, fly a kite and bring back good memories.
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NEXT BLOG >>
Working on our house more and more.
You will see results. 

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

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/

*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.

*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.

*** The freedom I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!

*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.

*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.

*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

*** I want to thank my wonderful wife Beth for her superb editing and adding to the blog each week.

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>
With this blog, I am including a few photos of my past travels. I loved being on the road and always seeing new and different experiences. You have to remember, it is experiences that make a good life, not “things”. It may take changes to see a better life.

Change is a good thing, but so many fight against it. There is good change and there is bad change. When you are going through bad change, you may not be able to control the outcome, but, you can and must control how you react to it. 

Not much happened this week. I hope you enjoy the photos from past travels. So many changes in my life, all through it. My latest, teaming up with Beth to live our life together, was one of the better changes I have gone through.

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves as well as others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas provide us with 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.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

In fact, 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 for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit 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 important—THINK RIGHT!

Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.
Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.
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VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

1—The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. – Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy, the greatest humanist, put these words in General Kutuzov’s mouth. And, actually, it is a combination of two quotes.

2—Time is money. – Benjamin Franklin.
Probably, the most famous quote about time by Benjamin Franklin, a person known for his productivity and various talents. In his 84 years, he became not only a prominent politician and diplomat, but also an actor, musician, inventor, and satirist.

3—Time waits for no one. – Folklore.
The earliest record of this phrase is dated 1225 – before English was shaped in the modern form. The origin is uncertain, so it’s considered to be proverbial wisdom. It means that no man has enough power to stop time or to change its course.

4—Better 3 hours too soon than a minute too late. – William Shakespeare.
Better spend time waiting for the opportunity to take an action than miss the chance. In Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, the phrase is said by a character who suspects his wife’s infidelity, but in fact, it can be applied to any situation when you need to take a chance to change things.

5—Lost time is never found again. – Benjamin Franklin.
You can’t keep today’s hour for tomorrow – we all know that, but still tend to procrastinate. Benjamin Franklin warns that time is a scarce resource, and if it’s wasted, it cannot be recovered later. This is why mindful planning and work on productivity are so important.

6—Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. – Theophrastus.
Ancient Greek philosophy is known for its combination of merely theoretical thoughts and practical approaches. Theophrastus understood time as an accident of motion that cannot be stopped or reversed, and he said that waste of time is the most extravagant and costly of all expenses.

7—Time is the wisest counselor of all. – Pericles.
Pericles, the influential ancient Greek statesman and general, was a rationalist and knew the value of time. His famous phrase was said as a warning for Tolmides, the young Athenian general who intended to invade Boeotia. Eventually, Tolmides failed to listen to Pericles’ words, his army suffered a heavy defeat and he died in the battle. This quote is a warning against premature decisions and poor judgment caused by the lack of time.

8—The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. – Stephen R. Covey.
A quote by Stephen R. Covey, the author of the famous time management matrix. You can spend time on useful and useless things, but if you call it “investing”, you’ll definitely invest it in something that has value and importance for you. So choose your goals wisely so that time you spend on them becomes an investment, not an expense.

9—It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
If we truly love something, we spend (or invest?) time in it. As time is a valuable resource, when invested, it makes the person, goal, or activity even more important for us. But there’s a negative side too. Sometimes we hold on to the past and to irrelevant goals just because we already spent too much time on them.

10. Punctuality is the thief of time. – Oscar Wilde.
The phrase that looks like a joke for most of us, is the truth of a complete hedonist. Oscar Wilde is being at his best: the meaning of his quote is that when you invest effort in someone else’s comfort (like hurrying because someone is waiting), you sacrifice your own time that you could spend on much more pleasant things.

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

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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

3/27—Our friend, Nancy, has a big forest of bamboo, looks quite nice. There is an area on our land that I am hoping to make the view less obvious, so I will be starting a bamboo forest of my own to block seeing in.

Bamboo grows very abundantly, so I got some younger shoots and will plant them soon. You will see photos in the future. This is an amazing material, so strong. So much could be done with Bamboo. 

3/28—As you might know, I designed my van so that I can take everything out and then be able to use the big empty van to transport things. We needed more wood for the fire, so I removed stuff to make room, then went today to pick up a big group of wood. 

I will be driving to the juggling festival in Atlanta, so today I put all back into the van. For about six years I lived in my van and traveled, which I like very much. I do have wonderful memories, but great to be with Beth now.

For a change, Beth asked me to shave my face today. I do still have a mustache, but a clean face. Feels different for me, looks antithetic, too.

3/29—The wood has to go somewhere, so I built a rack to hold it. When I have a project I strive for perfection. Not sure where I derived this effort, but I always have it. I had no idea how to go about building this structure but started with minor ideas, and the rack came to be. 

Once this rack was full, I needed another, so I built one around the side. There were some problems with this one, but I kept at it until it was the excellence that I desire. You see, I aim for excellence in all that I do, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

This aim has become a habit that I use in an unthinking way. And, this is a habit that you can and should aim for, too. We always have a choice, to aim for mediocrity or aim for excellence, the choice is always up to you – choose right.

3/30—Today we planted our small tomato and pepper plants. As they reach a bigger stage, they will be planted in the garden. As I wrote before, I am building 4 large above-ground gardens, which should be nice later – you will see. Is your garden started yet?

I built this above-ground garden with free pallets. 
The plants will be put into the garden later.
Jemma, our dog, helped as I built. 

3/31—Rain most of the day. Good for the plants, not good for projects.

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YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>

As I am typing this, I am looking out the window and seeing trees, big ones.
When is the last time you made the time to safely climb a tree?
Remember when you were a youth and loved the climb?

This week, find a tree to climb and do, is a safe way, of course.
I know I will be doing just that.
Let me know how high you got on the tree.
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NEXT BLOG >>
Tomorrow I will be going to >>
https://atlantajugglers.org/festivals/upcoming-festival
I will let you know how it went.

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

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