The Community of Lost Musicians

Pulling the guitar out of the car I rush because the wind whipping off the ocean is brutal, the sun has set, it's pitch black though good Karma and the secret of acceptance led me to a lone parking place directly in front of Doc's Bar.

Rushing pass the bar and folks playing bumper pool, I give hugs to the players already playing in a church like sort of greeting with the community of lost musicians.

At some point in each of our lives music came first.

Some aggressively pursued it while others just wished or sang in the car with the radio blaring ... perhaps alone in the shower.

At this point in our lives though, we're all players again.

Every Tuesday night in the back room of Doc's Bar the congregation gathers. Some sit on a pew while the rest take bar stools.

And the sharing begins.

Everyone takes a turn taking the lead.

We go round and round, sharing songs and stories, mistakes and marvelous moments of wonder.

Those in the bar or playing bumper pool likely hear our choir of drunken angels.

It's very church like in that the community of believers are never the same and their is no High Priest.

Actually we resemble a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous with guitars, harmonicas, conga drums, an occasional upright bass and an autoharp last night!

There's lots of encouragement though everyone screws up forgetting lyrics or mishitting chords.

It doesn't matter because we're all doing the best we can to share ourselves.

A couple have higher aspirations to get paid to play but its just the joy of the music that keeps us coming.

I wish church was more like this.

Politics too!

Two hours quickly pass so I load up my ax, stumble outside and see Tybrisa Street is completely engulfed in Tybee cops.

They got bad ass faces and guns.

I got a guitar.

I like my chances.

Still Waiting

A year ago today I wrote about how "waiting is the hardest part," quoting Tom Petty.

I also invoked George Harrison's "It's takes so long my Lord."

Like today, it was a cold and rainy morning though the sun battled mightily for supremacy in a clouded sky.

I was in a stuck place, impatiently waiting on others to get back to me.

They weren't and it was really getting under my skin!

I was trying to holy about it, saying prayers and finding hope in the tiniest of things.

A lone bird perched on a wet limb burst out in a Hymn of Praise and I took it as a sign from God that everything was working out.

Well, a year's passed and I'm still waiting on some things.

I feel stuck and it's really getting under my skin though I'm trying to be holy about it all though just now when a bird started singing outside I closed the sliding glass door not wanting to listen.

Impatiently scrolling on Spotify I listen to Tom Petty for the hundredth time in the last several days (the 1985 live version!) so I can commiserate with myself again.

Sarah's not here so I can commiserate with her again.

Besides she's as frustrated as I am.

So it's just me, Tom Petty, the dogs and God.

"Hey God," I say out loud. "Why is this taking so long?"

Laying at my feet Goddess sighs loudly.

"You are not speaking for God," I tell her so she rolls over wanting a belly rub and I give her one.

"Alright," I sigh sitting back down. "Time to get back to work ... waiting."

But somehow ... I don't know why or how ... it feels right ... faith-like ... the assurance of things hoped for ... the conviction of things not seen.

And the sun overcomes the clouds and the world is baptized in light.

A Monk-like morning

A cold wind blasts off the ocean cutting right through me as I rush inside The Breakfast Club where the mood is dour and dark.

Everyone is tired from the weekend and sleepily trying to find their footing on this Monday.

The satellite single fades in and out of the 70s station blaring above the grills so words are missing from familiar songs.

"Everybody plays the ... no exception to the ..."

"FOOL Dammit!" EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL!" Jodee screams as he jiggles the wires.

The staff is busy preparing to open and aren't listening as they fill ketchep bottles, fry bacon, restock bread shelves and set tables.

Sitting beside me, John smiles but doesn't say anything.

I shrug my shoulders and sip coffee.

It's a Monk-like morning as the world swirls preparing for work and I sit prayerfully contemplating the universe.

There's nothing I really have to do today.

Except take care of Sarah who isn't feeling well and I dote on her anyway so her upset belly is just another reason to dote more.

We have to decide what to make the girls for dinner tonight but other than that ... I can sit Monk-like with no need to say anything to anybody except God.

"Mutha-fu ..." John mutters as the door opens and one of the most obnoxious customers in the universe takes the stool between us.

Immediately he talks about the weather, John's work and obscenely thrusts his pelvis towards Mindy who is bending over preparing a mornings worth of coffee.

John interrupts him by placing an order.

I ignore him by staring at the newspaper that I've already read lapsing back into morning prayers.

Minutes turn into seconds and John leaves so I'm alone with a man who just can't shut up.

Because he's utterly incapable of remaining silent, he asks, "So what are you doing today?"

This is when I love who I am. I have lots of answers depending on my mood.

If I want to talk I say I'm a writer and that leads to a billion questions.

If I want to confuse him, I say what I'm working on forcing him to think between asking what I'm talking about.

If I want him to shut the Hell up, I play my Baptist Minister card ... "I'm just talking to God today.

We're making plans."

He doesn't know what to say so he pays and leaves.

It works every time.

"ALRIGHT!" Jodee proclaims as Barry White "Can't get enough of your love baby."

Heaving myself up to brace the bitter wind, I salute, say "Goodbye Kiddies" and return home to check on Sarah who's still sleeping.

Meandering into the kitchen I stare out of the sliding glass doors at the leaves dancing in the breeze.

There's nothing to do except wait on God to say what we're doing next.

But I ask that Sarah feels better first.

Then ... it's back to waiting on God.

Sex at our house

Love is as strong as death the great King Solomon said or sang, depending on your point of view.

Many waters cannot quench it; neither can floods drown it (Solomon 8:6-7).

The Song of Solomon is one of my favorite books of the Bible.

It’s the “sex, drugs and rock-n-roll” part ministers ignore!

Solomon was tired of building a Temple, of his 700 wives and 300 concubines, meaning whores (I Kings 11:3), and was at the forefront of inventing the porn industry.

There is no mention of God, the Law, Israel, the Promised Land or Wisdom in this Biblical Book.

It’s pure sex … rough and ready!

The plot’s right out of a 1970s porn movie.

Boy lusts girl.

Girl lusts boy.

Then Marvin Gaye takes the lead from Angels singing, “Let’s get it on.”

The entire universe is suddenly composed of skin and breath and hair.

You don’t hear many sermons about such things in Church.

I do love reading the interpretations in big ol’ Biblical commentaries and on Google.

“Now kids … this isn’t about sex … it’s really about how much God loves Church! You know how exciting Church is! You should get it off in Church … not those other ways.”

I think Solomon disagrees.

I think GOD disagrees!

It’s crazy how most, especially religious people, disagree with God when it comes to sex.

Sex is good and we should work at it more to make it better.

Married couples … gay couple sex ( should be allowed to be married by the law of the land) … divorced people sex … exploratory teenage sex (among teenagers) … individual sex for those who can’t find another to share themselves … random elevator sex and the occasional sex in a Baptismal Pool … it’s all good!

And each and every one of us has done some …or … ­all of these.

It’s funny that we lie and claim we don’t.

That’s bearing false witness … meaning we break one of the 10 Commandments.

Enjoying sex does not mean breaking one of them!

Okay, I’m sweating a little … that’s bearing false witness because I’m sweating a lot … and wondering where Sarah is … THANK GOD! … she just turned on the shower.

Time to go bare some witness!!

Hallelujah!!

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God Threw me out!

God Threw Me Out!

I think God threw me out of Church!

I don’t know how else to explain it.

For 8 years, I was a “Professional Christian” employed as the minister of an inner city church.

We did quite well, living on faith, throwing caution to the wind, lots of people started attending and I got quite “Big Headed about it all.

So God threw me out.

So I became a very unprofessional Christian working helping less fortunate people.

I didn’t call them that.

That would be condescending because they are no less fortunate than I was.

Just in different ways.

We were very successful at that too, and naturally I got “Big Headed” again so God threw me out of there too.

Then I spent a lot of time mostly alone.

Just God and me.

We sat on the back deck, listening to the ocean in the distance, watching leaves dance in the breeze and blooms on the Hibiscus plants come and go.

“Hey God,” I asked one day, “Why’d you throw me out of those jobs? I was pretty good at them.”

God didn’t respond so I took it as a shrug of the Divine shoulders.

About a year later, I finally understood my time at both of those jobs ended when they should have.

Neither ended AS I thought they SHOULD HAVE but definitely WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE.

Oh well!

You can’t have everything!

“Hey God,” I said after arriving at this conclusion, “Now what?”

I felt the Divine shoulders shrug again.

“I’d appreciate a lightning bolt every once in a while,” I sighed.

Another holy shrug. 

I did a lot of stuff over the next year but none of it worked out.

Then people started showing up at the house.

They were all running to something or from someone and needed advice, understanding and someone to believe in them.

We’d sit on the back deck and I’d listen which seemed to make everyone feel better about the decisions they made.

I’d follow up with them online and my mornings became a bustling flurry of personal communications, visits and phone calls.

Then I started getting “Thank you” letters, emails, texts and messages as friends moved to better places in life than they had been.

“Hey God,” I asked. “So I did those other things so I could learn how to do this?”

There was no need for God to answer.

I already knew.
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When I hate my writing

I opened the email for my daily blog and read it (You can get it too by signing to receive it at www.meellc.com ).

I hated it!

"Why did I write that?" I asked myself, sitting at the kitchen table watching the rain through the sliding glass doors.

It's a funny idea.

No matter how bad things are there's always someone worse off.

 

That got me thinking if you follow the logic long enough, eventually we could find the one person out of 7 Billion people who is worse off than the rest of us.

How bad off would that person be?

But I didn't like the way it came off.

It happens. As much as I try to make them funny, clever and uplifting sometimes I miss the mark.

In Hebrew, "sin" is defined as missing the mark.

Oh well.

I quickly forgave myself and started on the next one which is all about how to forgive yourself.

If you're interested in my sinful blog you can get it at www.meellc.com

Awesome you are!

"Awesome you are," is the first message I see on my Facebook page.

My friend Kyle sent it in the middle of the night. I've done some "coaching" with him as he transforms his life into the things he loves rather what others want him to do.

It's a nice way to start the day.

Clicking over to LinkedIn I enter a conversation I started weeks ago. Every day new folks contribute something and I read this from Tim!

"I can honestly say that I have not seen the injustices that you have seen or done half the good things (You know what they say about good intentions); however, I do believe that you were where you were meant to be at those times and that there is no way on Earth you could experience all that and not be changed."

Blown away I have to sit back!

Something special seems to be happening and I try to give it the space it deserves.

I have many friends and family members going through major life changes. Some transformations are wanted though others were completely uninvited. Babies are born, divorces devastate, jobs trap friends into sustaining without enjoying and God is content to keep quiet.

I make time to send these folks love, support and good Karma. They're family or clients and I'm intensely focused on them. As Tim explains, I'm where I am meant to be at this time and the things I'm experiencing keep changing me."

"You blessed many people by your actions or just by being present," is the next message.

I think we are all either a blessing or a curse to one another.

Blessing requires deliberation and action. We get off our ass and do something for someone while cursing means not giving a damn and we don't do anything. I prefer the blessing activities.

"We all are effected in some way by what we experience, it's what choice we make with those changes that determine how we grow and who we are from that point on," is the last part.

I turn the computer off and prop my feet on the railing of the back deck.

Over the past few years, I've had a hand in friends learning from experiences and making choices to change and grow beyond what they've always known. We've communicated, visited and had prolonged conversations where I was the one who believed in them.

I think more than anything else ... what's most important to us ... is too physically and spiritually have someone who believes in us when we struggle to believe in ourselves. We need someone whose "been there and done that" and will hold our hands in the dark places.

The fact of the matter, you are awesome!

Even awesome people need someone to believe in them when they struggle believing in themselves!

It's okay!

Now is the time for you to embrace how awesome you are!

It begins when you start doing things for you! Like having someone who believes in you!

Like now!

A Christmas Present for you!

When the little Virgin Mary waddled down the aisle everyone couldn't help but notice there were 4 feet instead of 2 underneath the blue choir robe doubling as what would soon be swaddling clothing.

The congregation giggled as the little Shepherds made their way to the stable in front of the pulpit.

They were followed by Tiny Angels in white robes popping up in the choir loft singing "Silent Night."...

A little black boy in a white robe screamed in a pre-puberty shrill, "Behold, today in the city of David, a Savior has been born unto you."

On cue, Mary rips open her robe and a 4 year old Jesus jumps into the little wooden manger.

The congregation of little old ladies, homeless people, kids who lived in the projects and a few Seminary students burst into applause!

Afterwards, young Mary and her new family, the tiny Shepherds, the little Angels, led the rest of us down the stairs to the social hall for the Great Banquet of a pot luck born in poverty.

Thirty years later, that Christmas still fills my soul with the spirit of Holy Things.

And on this Christmas Eve, we like to give you the gift of stories like this one throughout the year. Just go to www.meellc.com and say that you want them.

They're free!

Our presents to you throughout the year!

Blowing up the Holidays

On Christmas little boys don't drum, Angels keep quiet, Wise Men are nowhere to be found and the manger's empty. Poor Joes haul pregnant wives, fleeing higher taxes and the Census.

God's quiet as a church mouse and all is calm ... all is bright ... Peace on earth ... for what it's worth.

Many throw tensile on their loneliness ... to which I say, "IT'S GOING TO BE ALRIGHT!"

Read more at www.meellc.com It's free! Just sign up to receive my daily blog and it'll be there for you every morning!

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

Santa Claus and Jesus, according to FOX News' Megyn Kelly, are WHITE!

Lots of people are up in arms hearing this news ... especially black, brown, olive, red and yellow skin people ... but Megyn's just reporting the facts as she knows them.

It's not like she's the first person to say stupid shit in public.

The Southern Baptist Convention has proclaimed that Santa and Jesus were white men since the Civil War!

The fact is Santa Claus was from Turkey while Jesus was born in Israel. Both could have been light skinned but naturally tan easily.

Both could have been black skinned too ... with blue eyes!

Who knows?

The Coca Cola marketing department invented what Santa Claus looks like in the 1920s. Before that he was a tall, thin, elf who couldn't make up his mind what color coat to wear.

What Jesus looks like is anybody's guess since the Bible doesn't say one way or the other. BUT, most people living in Israel when he was born weren't white. It's a pretty good bet that he wasn't either.

You know what though, everybody dreams of a white Christmas!

Well ... except for black, brown, olive, red and yellow skin people ... and because I don't want any damn snow, I'm with them in complete solidarity!

The fact is ... "red and yellow, black and white ... all are precious in his sight."

You know why?

Cause Santa, and Jesus too, are red and yellow, black and white.
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What's a normal Christmas?

It's best to be honest, I prefer Christmas in the sand.

I'm not a snow person.

Hell! I'm not a cold weather person either! I detest it when the temperature is below 75.

I prefer Santa wear a bathing suit, mistletoe in Palm Trees, waves breaking on the reef, and stockings hung from the mast!

It's not normal Christmas behavior but then again I've never cared about "normal."

Then again, what is normal Christmas behavior?

If you want to set up a plastic Jesus in a manger, stay inside a church building or shop till you drop as ways of bringing good tidings of comfort and joy, I say "Go for it!"

I'd rather work on my tan, listen to some good tunes and look at Sarah in her bikini! I'd rather sail with Captain Morgan, skinny dip with good friends and cool off in the ocean! I'd rather have seafood pot pie, steamed oysters and hush puppies! I'd rather snuggle with Sarah in a hammock and find our presents under the Palm Tree!

Now that's a Christmas to enjoy!

What's your favorite way to enjoy Christmas?
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You Looking for me?

If you have been looking for me I really appreciate it!

There's been a daily blog for 4 years until a couple of weeks ago.

It was time to shake things up a bit but now I'm back!

Beginning Monday December 16 you can receive my daily blog via email.

It's easy!

Just go to www.meellc.com and register.

Then BOOM!

Laughter, intrigue, spirituality, Guardian Angels, Winston The Little Gay God, the Cat Lady, Conversations with God and political satire delivered straight to your inbox first thing every morning.

Do it now!

Looking forward to Monday.

Register now at www.meellc.com and you won't have to look for me.

I'll be there for you!

Christmas Thoughts

"And so this is Christmas ..."

Unless you're Jewish, Muslim, Druid, just worn out from trying or something else.

Regardless, it's a great time of year!
...
Rush Limbaugh is firing missals of hate at Pope Francis I whose just trying to correct a lot of wrongs.

The great Nelson Mandela has died and there is no consoling those who love humble men who do great and wonderful things.

Caesar consistently proclaims we're in an economic recovery but it's a damn lie but everyone so desperately wants to believe we don't do anything about him and his lying cronies.

But ...

We've put up a Christmas Tree and it's a nice reminder of peace on earth.

Friends hug us though everyone is struggling with depression, divorce, financial insecurity, the impending festive gathering of family who ignore one another the rest of the year.

People I love are hurting, struggling, trying their best to survive as they desperately want to believe that Christmas, love, peace on earth, Karma ... is true. While everything else is falling apart they're dying to hold on to things to believe in.

Charlie Brown leads the charge to remind us that "It's a wonderful life," and there are "Miracles on 34th Street," Grinch's hearts can grow, little boys can drum and Angels can sing ... on television anyway.

Church People are harking heralds for Angels to sing while everyone else waits for the bars to open.

I think these things on a early December day, staring at the lights of a Christmas Tree and my heart is filled with love and hope for all of us. According to the story, Jesus was born in a most shitty time ... just like now.

It can happen again.

At least that's what I believe this Christmas.
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What's your favorite review?

My favorite review of one of my books was in The Western Recorder of all places! The state newspaper for Kentucky Baptists did a review of "Playing Hide and Seek with God" long after I'd ceased being a"Professional Christian" indebted to them for a paycheck.

The review went something like this. "I read the first couple of chapters of this book and got so mad I flung it across the room and stormed outside! After I cooled down I went and picked it back up and finished it. This is not pleasant to read but it's a book we must read."

 How cool is that?

You can see why its my favorite.

I've got a notebook somewhere of all of my book reviews though I could probably find them all online. It's not something I think about though they were fun when the books were published. Other than The Western Recorder, I really don't remember them.

My first book "The Society of Salty Saints" got the most reviews and some woman gave a speech at a missions conference holding it up saying, "we need more Christians like this!" I'd already left the church when she said it and always wondered if she ended up leaving it too.

"Running with the Dolphins" got the next most though I got a lot of mail with that book. Some of it was hate mail! One wrote a letter saying what a lousy person I am and 22 other people signed it with her. I kept the letter and have it stuck in the notebook with the reviews.

Then after eight books in ten years, I stopped writing them.

I turned to social media and began to blog and post notes. The patterns of the way I write remain the same though I was overwhelmed at the instant gratification of feedback. In the old days, I'd wait forever for a review to appear somewhere. Now they're instant!

I also began teaching online classes for writers (www.meellc.com/writingworkshop ) coaching others in unleashing their stories.

Eventually I got around to writing an old fashion book again and relish in the immediacy of readers feedback and reviews!

What's your favorite book review?

How do you get feedback of your writing?

Does it work for you?

My Happy Journey!

Obviously I'm having to wean myself off posting song titles as my daily Facebook status updates.

Even though I said I was stopping, I haven't yet.

I amuse myself too much and occasionally they make others happy too.

People asks, "Micheal, why do you use song titles for your status updates?"

I'll tell you why!

It makes me happy!

Happy is something you can never have enough of and dammit, I want more so I'm going for it!

The other thing I'm still doing is writing everyday and that's going to remain a constant too. We are changing the platform though.

If you want to keep receiving them every day, THAT's GREAT!

Just click to www.meellc.com and look at my picture.

Then stop looking at me and look under my picture though this may prove more difficult than you think because it's a damn fine picture!

You can sign up and there I'll be for your reading pleasure, discomfort, spiritual awakening or the first moment of utter confusion in your day.

It'll be fun.

You may be asking, "Why in the hell is he doing this?"

I'm happy to tell you.

After you sign up.
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A New Journey Begins!

For almost four years I've posted a song title as my status update on Facebook trying to never repeat a title. I immensely enjoy friends responses ... sometimes quoting lyrics, asking questions or searching for hidden messages.

I've also daily posted a blog or Facebook note. This has been enriching as a consistent community of followers was born. You found things to identify with, laugh at or be spurred to debate or discovery.

I went through seismic changes in my life. Suddenly single turned into marvelously married. An empty nest is now full. Countless jaunts to St. Martin dwindled as new destinations emerge. A house became a home. Dead ends are endless possibilities.

Professionally I morphed from successful CEO to full time Beach Bum; international consultant to partnering with my wife Sarah in Micheal Elliott Enterprises "growing hope" for people needing more in their lives through coaching and encouragement.

My 9th book Sandy Bottoms and Duct Taped Hearts is out and the feedback is GREAT!

The 10th, a children's book illustrated by Eddie Woods is being released in a few months. Winston, The Little Gay Dog is a loving look at my family, acceptance in a Judgmental world and being yourself in the end!

Now there are new worlds to explore!

You've followed my changes and accomplishments as I'm pretty transparent about it. It's been cathartic for me and I'm happy you find it encouraging, humorous and useful.

BUT ... All Things Must Pass.

Change blows in the Palm Trees and it's time for them to carry us to new seas!

The daily song titles and postings will soon fade like the setting sun on the Back River.

Replacing them are new opportunities for those seeking inspiration, encouragement, laughter and community!

Like getting married under a full moon on the beach or cliff diving from 45 feet in the Caribbean, it's a little scary but pretty damn exhilarating!  That's how all great things in life start!

So stay with me as this journey!

We're going to have fun!!

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Follow the journey at www.facebook.com/micheal.elliott1 and liking it or at www.meellc.com

The Things I'm not thankful for

The sun shines coldly through the sliding glass doors as I sit at the kitchen table staring outside at Fran's Thousand Shades of Green while sipping coffee. Goddess lays at my feet.

Sarah's awake but still in bed, cozy under the quilts, tapping away on her I-Phone. Winston, The Little Gay Dog, is curled up in a ball beside her.


All is quiet as her girls are away and we're coming down from celebrating a romantic evening at Billy's Place in Savannah last night. It was a long leisurely meal, with a fine pianist in a historic building making us feel we're somewhere in Europe.

The sliding glass door opens and my Guardian Angel floats inside and takes the seat across from me.

She looks good for once. Her long black hair has been washed, her white robe and blue stole is relatively clean and her broken wing has duct tape on it so it's at the same height as the other.

"What's up?" I ask with suspicion.

"Making the rounds before heading to the Heavenly banquet," she cheerily answers. "Not that I want to but the Boss is going to ask what everyone's thankful for and I've got to give a report on assignments ... meaning YOU!"

"HOLY SHIT!" I exclaim. "YOU"RE SOBER!"

She gives me the evil eye which is very disconcerting because Angels shouldn't do such things.

Then again my Guardian Angel drinks beer followed with shots of bourbon, chain smokes, is always dirty and her robe is forever sliding down her shoulder so she comes close to flashing me. She's woken me up drunk out of her mind, showed up unexpected (and unwanted!) in bars I'm in, and is forever flipping me off with her middle finger.

Most Guardian Angels have a hundred people to look after but mine's permanently pissed I'm her full time assignment.

"So," she begins laying her white hands on the table, "what are you thankful for this year?"

"Seriously?" I laugh. "You've got to give a report to God and all the other Angels on what I'm thankful for?"

Her left eye twitches as her fingers impatiently drum the table.

"Alright," I say. "Jesus I don't want to make you mad ... well, let's see ... Sarah of course! She's the best! ... all the kids are healthy ... Moms doing well ... I really like what we're doing at work ..."

Out of nowhere a pen and scroll appear and she jots down the things I'm saying.

"Hey," I say watching her write, "What about the things I'm not thankful for? I want to list those too."

She sighs loudly and a tall boy Pabst Blue Ribbon appears in her left hand. She takes a long draw before looking at me again with the evil eye.

"This cold weather sucks," I begin my non-thankful list. "I hate it. And why in the hell did Aaron Murray's Guardian Angel leave the game early last week? Speaking of which, when did Heaven start getting involved in college football games? Tipping that pass at Auburn was just sinful ... though ... I did like the whole Georgia Southern/Florida thing!"

A cigarette appears in her right hand and she immediately inhales deeply.

"Have there been budget cuts in Heaven?" I continue, "because apparently nobody up there gives a shit about what's going on in Washington. I mean does anybody watch FOX NEWS up there?"

A tumbler of bourbon appears and she shoots it and chases with the beer. Another can appears out of nowhere.

"Then there's Miley Cyrus's new video ..."

My Guardian Angel stands up and says, "Shut up."

I stare at her without speaking.

"You know what," she begins, "Never Mind. I'm going to just start with you are thankful for Sarah and make everything else up. Finish your coffee! I'm out-a-here."

"You gonna lie to God?" I ask and realize the mistake as the words leave my mouth.

The duct tape comes loose and her broken right wind falls to one side. She crushes the beer can and throws it on the floor. Ashes fall on the table from her cigarette.

I sit down and fold my hands between my knees.

She backs away without saying a word, all the time giving me the evil eye. The sliding glass door magically opens and she disappears.

"Are you talking to somebody?" Sarah sleepily yells from the bedroom.

"Ummmm, well ... yes but not really," I tell her.

"Why don't you come back to bed," she suggest.

"Why that's a grand idea," I say standing up. "Give me one second. I need to say a prayer for someone whose going to have  a rough day today. I just hate that for her.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone else!
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Ready for the HoliCRAZE? We will help make it the joy it should be for you! Give yourself a present this year at www.meellc.com/onlineclass

Half Truths or Happiness?

"You're crazy," he said pointing a television camera in my face, "you're one of those people who can talk about anything for 5 minutes."

I laughed and shrugged my shoulders.

"Seriously," he pressed, "I could say ... I don't know ... nuclear fusion ... and you'd talk for 5 minutes before I'd realize you're just making shit up."

Jodee Sadowsky stifles a laugh.

We were in Jodee's popular restaurant The Breakfast Club, after hours as I was being interviewed for a PBS documentary on lighthouses and he'd agreed to host it to promote his business. He and his brother Nick were busy prepping for the next day.

"When I make love," I reply without cracking a smile, "I like to split the photons from my neutrons creating a nuclear explosion."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"Even my neighbors are blown away," I continue though the camera is laying on the table as the crew wipe tears of laughter from his eyes.

I've always had a good rapport with the Press.

I speak their language ... half truths and made up shit occasionally dressed in absolute truth.

I learned how to do it in Seminary, somewhere between Hebrew and Greek was "Bullshit."

These days I shy away from such things. "Politics is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings," said Samuel Johnson and I concur.

"The people want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats and Government officials," says Pope Frances I and I agree with him too.

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind," proclaimed the Prophet Jim Morrison and I think he's right too because there's some crazy people in charge of the news ... any News!!

Politics, "Professional Christianity" and the Media was my life for decades, and though I can still do it all with the best of them, I've ended up in a quieter world.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is pretty much how I go about things now.

"The world will be saved one neighbor at a time," is how it's put in the Talmud and that's what Sarah and I do for a living.

I like where I am now much more than before. It's a happy place where nothing's made up anymore. Even when sad things happen, they're accepted in love and truth. It is what it is. We love you. And that's the truth.

It's better that way.

Besides, the great interview I did about the Lighthouse ended up on the cutting room floor, though The Breakfast Club was mentioned.
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The Holidays are here? Are you ready to survive them? Join our journey to "Do the Right things for you!" beginning in December by registering at www.meellc.com/onlingclass

The Ingridents for Happiness

Love is rare
Life is strange
Nothing lasts
People change

These lines from a wonderful song, "Old Friend" performed by Michael Feinstein, is beautifully melodious and sang as though one friend talks to another.

They're in a bar after one's relationship falls apart and the other is listening to the sad tale.

Everything sung in the chorus is an absolute truth!

Love comes and goes, bursts into brilliance or burns out slowly, sometimes lingering forever or may abruptly leave. You have to "Make Love", meaning it takes two which is tricky because often it's only one working on it while the other takes advantage. One day you wake up and realize you really are in love or ... you've merely been taken advantage of. Love really is rare.

Life is certainly strange. Just when you think you've figured it out you're jerked in another direction. It's chock full of surprises, unexpected opportunities and tragic things. Sometimes it's funny, boring, hurtful, lonely, or shocking though it has a definite ending that catches us all by surprise. None of us know how much life we have so no one's prepared when it stops.

Nothing last! "All things must pass," sang the Major Prophet George Harrison. Sunrises, sunsets, days, weeks, and years all slip away. Friends don't last, marriages end one way or another, churches go out of business, Governments crumble, the binding in books crack and stars and planets eventually die.

For sure, people change. I'm not who I once was though there's a funny quirk that I  think everyone else should stay the same. We don't! The best of us grow and keep at it right up until we die. Others get stuck even as they long for something different. Change takes courage, the ability to throw caution to the wind and a hearty dose of foolishness. The funny thing is even if we work out hardest to keep everything as it is, people still change.

But ... love ... life ... appreciating what we've got ... the friends we have ... those are the ingredients for happiness.

The trick is mixing them in the right proportions.

The other trick is to keep baking new cakes. You've got to always be mixing and remixing your love, life, accepting what and where you're at, and knowing who your friends are ... or unhappiness grows.

Take a moment now and do an inventory. Who do you love? What's strange about your life? What are the things important to you these days? Who are your friends?

Then throw in pinches of yourself and mix your happiness for today.

And do it again tomorrow!
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There still time to register for "Doing the Right Things for you" my online class that begins in December. Just click to www.meellc.com/onlineclass