Second Thoughts ~ Gratitude Writing

Greetings Dear Reader,

In furthering my focus on gratitude, I have created an event on my Patreon Page.  From now until Thanksgiving I will write a special Gratitude Post for the first 20 people to meet the requirements for the event.  

Here is how it works. Signup to be $5.00 Patron and include something for which you are thankful for concerning my blog. For each person I will add an additional post about gratitude up to the first 20 people. Click the link to get started:  Gratitude Giveaway

Even if you are not wanting to participate you could show your gratitude for my writing by sharing this post, commenting on my blog page, or sharing my blog in general.

You can also see the links below for other services.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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Second Thoughts – One Small Thing

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Because staying in my small abode alone is unhealthy for me I have taken to spending one morning a week writing in a coffee shop.  I have a couple of favorites but both have the same need.  By nature coffee shops have limited seating and even fewer seats with access to power points. 

My tenure at these busy purveyors of caffeine and cream is usually a few hours.  The seats that offer readily available electricity all have tables that seat four or more.  I feel guilty taking up the space when all I am doing is drinking lemon ginger tea and working away at my next tale. 

Then I stumbled upon an idea.  With the manager’s permission and assistance I made up my little sign.  It simply says, “Feel free to share my table.”  I place it behind my laptop and focus on my work.  No has joined me yet.

There has been, however, a stream of comments about it.  At least once each visit someone will comment how thoughtful the sign is.  I know it makes the owner happy.   Then there are the curious.  There are people who actually ask if I am serious.  I assure them that I am but they move on to another table.

The most curious are those who notice and feel the need to apologize to me.  They explain that they are meeting other people or need to sit outside.  I try to reassure them that I am not offended and thank them for saying hi.  It is just curious that they are worried about me being bothered by their not sitting with me. 

It reminds me that I live in a society where offense is so easily manifested and sometimes even sought.  It reminds me that the motorways and footpaths of my town are paved in eggshells. 

I must remain difficult to offend.  I must assure that I remain open to the company of strangers. I must be considerate of the business owners to whom I give my custom.  It is vital that I am aware of the needs of all those with whom I congress.  If I am to follow Christ well I must remain approachable and available; generous and kind.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Road to Bethlehem – Through Long December Nights

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

Today is one of the best days of the Christmas season to me.   In a few hours my family will gather and we will do some volunteer work, share a meal, and spend the day decorating my Son’s home.  It is the doing something to help others that excites me.  Sharing with my family is a bonus.

I cannot rightly celebrate the birth of Christ without doing things for the poor and needy.  I have been poor.  I have been homeless.   I know what it like to barter for a bed and beg for bread.   It was the grace and kindness of those who are professionals at caring for the poor who helped me.  I knew people who had plenty and they turned a blind eye to my needs. 

It was strangers who helped me.  It was the generosity of those I will never meet that fed me.  It is the work of those who have and share that gave me a bed during that time.  It is this doing for those who can never thank you that drives me.  

I must follow Christ and on that journey I must see clearly how I can help others.  I must always be moved by those in need and want.  It is in them that I will see Christ clearly and grow closer in the following; but only if I help.

Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow – Jethro Tull

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow

While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go.

Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame

To warm their bones at Christmas time?

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Now as the last broad oak leaf falls, we beg: consider this ---

There's some who have no coin to save for turkey, wine or gifts.

No children's laughter round the fire, no family left to know.

So lend a warm and a helping hand ---

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

As holly pricks and ivy clings,

Your fate is none too clear.

The Lord may find you wanting, let your good fortune disappear.

All homely comforts blown away and all that's left to show

Is to share your joy at Christmas time

With Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow

While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go.

Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame

To warm their bones at Christmas time?

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A Little Shameless Advertising if you Please

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have promised my publisher and my publicist that I would regularly ask for my readers to support my work.  This is not a plea for donations nor is it an act of ingratitude.   My thinking is that you may not know the best ways to support my writing.  I am going to offer three suggestions and only one of them costs money.

As most of you know I write books.  You can find my Amazon Author’s Page HERE.   If you read my BLOG and enjoy it I would ask you to consider purchasing my books.  They make great gifts and if you wish we can arrange to have them signed.  There may be some gift giving you need to do in the not too distant future. 

Another way you can help Dear Reader is to share my BLOG posts on your page.  If you like something you read feel free to post is from my BLOG aramisthorn.blogspot.com.   You can also follow me on this page and you will get notification of my posts.   If you do follow and have your own writing, I will follow back so that you get some reciprocal publicity.   

A third way you can help is to write book reviews on my books if you have read them.  You can do this on Amazon or any place you find my books for sale.  If I can get to fifty reviews on any one title that title rises in the search pool for Amazon. 

Thank you for taking the time to ponder helping me Dear Reader.  I will keep writing no matter what.  I would, however, like to get to the place where that is all I do for a living.  In my next promotional BLOG I will be announcing a contest.  Look out for it in early December. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Say What You Need to Say – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I close in on the milestone of another year I feel a sense of urgency to not leave things unsaid.  I do not have a terminal illness and I expect to have many more years (my goal is 101 so that I can see Haley’s Comet with Orion). 

There are things I never wish to leave unsaid for those I love.  There are also things that I wish for you to hear Dear Reader.  Since this journey has a finite distance to its destination one must use the time wisely.  Since that terminus is unknown to the traveler procrastination can be hazardous.

Hoping that these writings will survive me in more than the binary on an archive, I want to leave a record of some things so that those who survive me know exactly how I feel and think.  I am going to write directly about things that may make you uncomfortable.  I assure you that I will endeavor to be kind, gentle, and honest.

There are things that worry, confound, and enthrall me that I do not often say aloud.  There is love and compassion that I do not express as often as I should.  There is fear in this for me but fear is not allowed to be in charge of a Christ follower.

As I dance through these thoughts I will endeavor to be careful of your toes Dear Reader.  Too often we say things that have little or no value.  Many times we need to say something honest and good but do not for fear of being misunderstood.  I do not wish to do all the talking here.  Please walk with me share your thoughts.  As a reminder my primary purpose for this writing is to be open about my thoughts in following Christ.  My secondary purpose is to listen to you Dear Reader and answer your questions.

Say What You Need to Say – John Mayer

Take all of your wasted honor

Every little past frustration

Take all of your so-called problems,

Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army

Fighting with the shadows in your head

Living out the same old moment

Knowing you'd be better off instead,

If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in

Have no fear for giving over

You'd better know that in the end

Its better to say too much

Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking

And your faith is broken

Even as the eyes are closing

Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say [x24]

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

On Giving Thanks – The Salvation Army

Greetings Dear Reader,

My favorite waitress at my favorite diner also works for the Salvation Army overnight at one of their shelters.  She often shares stories with me of the people that the shelter helps and the opportunity they get to get real jobs and real homes.

No organization is perfect but the Salvation Army succeeds in doing some very fine work.  Most of the donations they receive actually go to helping others.  According to the BBB only about 11% of their donations go to overhead.  That is remarkable compared to some other charities that do the same work.  One such popular charity is at 25%.  The next best is at 18%.

Each year the Salvation Army counts on donations from it Red Kettle Campaign to supply a large portion of its annual operating budget.  I realize most of us associate this with Christmas but the campaign begins before Thanksgiving.   This year bell ringing shifts begin on November 14^th.  You can sign up at their Ring Bells web site.

One of the ways I show my gratitude is by volunteering to ring bells for the Salvation Army.   We make it a family event and I provide breakfast for any of my kids who show up.  What matters is that the kettles get filled.  The money goes directly to those in need. 

I realize this sounds more like an advertisement than my usual musings.   So be it.  I think that following Christ sometimes requires that I promote others who do the same.  So here is the challenge Dear Reader.  Sign up for one shift.  I have already signed up for several.  It is fun and only costs two hours of your time.  Let me know if you do.  I promise to share in the joy.

If you cannot then remember to drop a few coins in the kettle every time you can.  Listen for the bells ringing as you shop and count it an opportunity to help people you will never meet.  Who knows you may encounter me if you do.  After all the silver bells you are the sound of thousands of people in need asking for your help.

Silver Bells – Anne Murray

Silver bells silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Hear the bells go ring-a-ling

Soon it will be Christmas day

City sidewalks busy sidewalks .

Dressed in holiday style

In the air

There's a feeling

of Christmas

Children laughing

People passing

Meeting smile after smile

And on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights

Even stop lights

Blink a bright red and green

As the shoppers rush

home with their treasures

Hear the snow crunch

See the kids rush

This is Santa's big scene

And above all this bustle

You'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

Soon it will be Christmas day

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)