The Magic Of Words

I have, and more than occasionally, been asked to digest this common tidbit of career advice: “do what you love.” Common conjecture supposes that if we choose to do that which we love in making a livelihood, then we would be more apt to attain lasting happiness, be healthier, wealthier, more content, and eventually reap the rewards of a fulfilled life. Proven true to theory by study after study, this is unquestionably, excellent advice…advice only a fool or inept individual would fail to heed. I think it safe to assume that everyone desires to live a healthy life, filled with financial freedom and accented by complete success of all they dare venture.

Fact is: I am doing one of the things I do and just for the love of doing it…right now; and that is writing. A goodly number of us, consider the act of putting words together truly artful, while others claim it is natural, and some even insist that writers are gifted-being inspired by who knows what. Regardless as to the origin and no matter how they come out, words are one of the most effective ways of communicating and when written they are indubitable the finest method available for disclosing whatever it is you have desire to share. The thing is, I don’t make a living at it, in fact I don’t get paid at all; and it certainly doesn’t contribute to my physical health for it forces me to stay for a time too long at this temperamental computer…in one somewhat unflattering position too (that’s the sitting position–which accentuates my aging midsection and widening bottom). In terms of mental health however, it is most often a plus for when I learn that someone has put a special meaning to my words…more than being ingratiated, I am thrilled.

As a child, before attaining school age even, I would sit on Mom’s lap and drift away into the land of imagination, envisioning each tale as she read. In looking back I can honestly say, “Mom was my very first reading and writing teacher”. Perhaps she, was the reason I fell in love with words. Every single word in any particular story has it’s own meaning, and that meaning changes with each reader’s interpretation. Awesome when you think about it! A single tale or point of view, once written, becomes a thousand times a thousand stories and creates a multitude of opinions. Words have the power to enhance emotion, exhilarate a debate, suggest a situation, define a circumstance, and create dominant images for our minds to contemplate. Good writing combines them all in the same instant.

It is said: “A picture says more than a thousand words” and sure, pictures are a great and simplified way to express our feelings or mood…but it is words that are omnipresent in our lives. We think in words, we use words to name our feelings, people, places, and things that are dear to us. Ever since humans mastered the complex skills of thinking and speaking, we have done so by means of words.Through words we have means to share our inner most thoughts and dreams (something few, if any pictures are capable of doing because they mostly “suggest”) and I for one, believe that words do indeed have significant and mysterious power; and in fact, right now…My MIND is having lots of FUN; its’ the rest of me that gets frustrated.

Happy Fourth of July America

Founded on July 4th, 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence was an independent America.

On “Independence Day,” July Fourth of this year, Americans are expected to celebrate the 232th Birthday of what was for nearly 200 years; the greatest country on this earth.

For over 2 centuries, Americans enjoyed the finest of ideological societies…that is to say, that Americans and the rest of the world assumed they did. Today everyone clearly sees the other side to the story.

Something “bad” has happened to America. It seems to have gone the way of the poison barb and the whole of the earth’s people see it as a vulgar, violent, and forsaken country…a nation of “freakish bullying hogs” that will stop at nothing to fatten already over stuffed “pigs.”

Overseas we have been waging impunity’s war for more than 60 years; and on our very own shores, the weak, the impoverished, the old, and up and coming generations are being victimized by corrupt political leadership and conglomerate powers as they combine and re-stage “bogus reality” for titillation of the masses. From a controlled media, we as ordinary citizens, are blatantly exposed to brazen and obvious untruths daily to sustain this monster pig’s voracious appetite.

In the world’s eye, we are a nation of lazy, indifferent, apathetic puppets who live a life of luxury. We Americans, most assuredly, have been given an outstanding gift. There was a time when I felt undeniably proud to be an American and celebrated whole heartily on the 4th of July. I am not anti-America, I am disgusted, disillusioned, tired of being lied to, and damn well pissed off. There is no economical reason why any working American can’t sustain a living, yet as it stands today, the ordinary citizen has to struggle every single day just to feed his family. He is an overused and abused mule that is on it’s last leg. The goose that lay golden eggs is fast becoming barren, an endangered species that is going the way of the DODO bird.

So this Fourth of July, when you sing the National Anthem, or wave the flag; whether you enjoy a fireworks display or participate in a family barbecue in celebration of our country’s birthday, realize this one thing: we are enslaving ourselves by our own appetites.

Our health care system, our national debt, our reputation as humanitarians, our quality of life, and our God given rights to pursue happiness is at stake. In today’s world of politics and publicity our representatives and lawmakers have sold out every single American and they have distorted the very principals this great nation was founded upon. Freedom is now but an instrument blasting a sour tune of materialistic nothingness. America the Beautiful has become a nation that embraces things instead of integrity. It’s purple mountain majesty is no longer colored in Liberty. Whereas our Founding Fathers cherished freedom, today’s Senate, Congress, Supreme Court, and political representatives (from the local mayor all the way up to the President) favor self. We, the American people are no longer represented, instead we are directed. One can only guess how long this trend will last before we have lost all that America was meant to be.

A Reason to Rejoice

Memories are such awesome things. When unleashed from the confines of what was…they glorify our todays and make favorable our tomorrows.
PCJr.

Far too many people fail to grasp the natural wonder of things simply because they look through windows sullied by politics, religion and cultural murk. In the necessity of sustaining a living, we often become so involved in trying to secure a livelihood that we forget what life is truly about. We assume materialistic values and a willingness to sacrifice principle for social or public recognition and personal gain. We indulge whole-heartedly to be financially successful even to the point of relinquishing our dreams. We forget who it is we are and wonder who it is we have become. Yet, what we don’t readily realize is…that in our efforts at making a tolerable living and establishing our place in society, we fail to receive from life the wisdom and serenity it offers.

I have found fortune in many aspects of life, especially those concerning family and friends. I have discovered the satisfaction that comes from completing a goal, experienced the pride of accomplishment, known the rewards of parenting, and savored the ambience of friendship. Then, in the cycle of the living when the inevitable happens and personal tragedy brought me to my knees: when I thought all was for not, a comforting hand reached down, offered condolence, and I found reprieve. I have inherited good health and acquired many of treasures on my journey. In my world of memories, the hours of aloneness are diffused into smiles of recollection. They give reason to what was…purpose for what is, and hope for what is to come. They are the aspiration of our tomorrows and the biography that each of us wishes to share.

Wouldn’t it be grand if every situation in life that qualifies as a special occasion were one that gave reason to rejoice? However, in defining special, circumstance demands that we face reality and accept the brutally ugly truth which most of us would prefer to forget…life is not always pleasant. Events will take place that oft at times go the way of stingers and barbs, piercing our protective shells, swelling our bodies, dulling our thoughts, and filling our hearts with pain and remorse.

by Paul Ciccone, Jr.

OH Brother

Memories accumulate consistently with the passing of time.

They, being our greatest treasure are stored in a vault hidden somewhere within the vast chasm of self. Here our past life dwells and here love and laughter take precedent to everything else. Then at our leisure, on special occasions, or whenever there is a need, we draw upon that warehouse of what was, and replenish warmth and goodness once more.

Wherever we may travel, however far we may go, this house of treasure lies quietly, awaiting our call. Its inventory constantly increasing as it blends the old with the new. It’s there for us to build on, to encourage our growth, and to remind us who we are. You see, the greatest joy of memories is the knowledge that come tomorrow we will be adding more.

Quotes from OH Brother:The unexpected in life is conspicuously obvious, often it’s even consider the norm, and this dirty, untidy, disorderly part of living is what validates the fact “life is messy!”

Let not memory hold dear the quantity of your accomplishments; instead let their worth be measured by the manner in which you achieved them.

Don’t be trapped by the dogma of living life within the expectations of other people’s thinking and don’t let the noise of their opinions drown out your inner voice!

author: Paul Ciccone, Jr. Copyrite © 2007

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