James Pyles's Blog, page 114
October 26, 2018
Quoting: Review Your Past
Think about past experiences that you didn’t exactly enjoy. Look back at those experiences and view them as part of your lifetime growth seminar. Keep learning new lessons and gain new strengths. -from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s book “Happiness”,p.118
October 25, 2018
The Night of the Succubus
Trigger Warning: This story is at least PG-13 with a little R thrown in (I tried to be as circumspect as possible and still retain the overall imagery of the story), so if you’re offended by sensual language with a touch of horror, you might want to stop reading now. Lilith was always the first […]
Quoting: Prepare for the Best
The best time to mentally prepare yourself for times of adversity is when things are going well and you are in a resourceful state. Adversity is a challenge that enables you to develop attributes that wouldn’t be developed in easier times. Keep building up the inner resources that will enable you to cope well with […]
October 24, 2018
The Eye
I ran into the building to get away from the angry mob of protestors outside. What is this place? The middle of the room is contained in a sort of marble circle. Who is that by those torches? “Oh good, you’re here.” He’s African-American, bald, and I’ve never seen him before in my life. “Hurry. […]
Quoting: Do Your Best
Our goal should be to keep improving ourselves, rather than “being the best.” Someone who feels the need to be “the best” should ask himself, “Why do I really have to be better than others? What is so awful if someone else is better than me in any given area?” People who feel the need […]
October 23, 2018
Quoting: See the Good in Your Past
When you look at your past, focus on the things you have to be thankful for. Sources: see Rabbi Eliezer Zev Luft; Tnuas Hamussar, vol.5, p.302; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.37
October 21, 2018
Sunday Afternoon, a Little Girl, a Tree, and Dragons
I was spending time drawing with my three-year-old granddaughter, and while she was scribbling on her piece of paper, I borrowed another she’d lightly worked on and added a few things. I can see all the colors of autumn out my back window, so naturally, I started with a tree. Then, because I read one […]
I May Not Know Art But I Know What I Like
“So, what’s with the crap?” Tammy waved her arm at the unlikely collection of two beat up rocking chairs and a dead tree. “It’s art, I guess.” Her companion Ryan scratched his head in puzzlement. “We had to pay to get in and see this? And look at the price. Who’d pay $800.00 for this?” […]
Quoting: Avoid Using Guilt to Justify Inaction
Feeling guilty is the lazy way of reacting. A guilty person resigns himself to keeping his faults and does not try to take actions to improve. Don’t use guilt feelings to justify laziness and procrastination. If a person tends to think in terms of guilt, when he hears an idea he will say to himself, […]
October 20, 2018
The New Dragon Saga: Captive
The doorbell rang again. “Just a minute.” The seventeen-year-old boy went to the front door, and looking through the peep-hole, saw a mail carrier holding a package. Turning the deadbolt, he opened the door, and then, in a breathtaking fashion, his world ceased to exist. “Landon.” His master’s voice came from behind him. He turned, and […]
