James Pyles's Blog, page 94
February 2, 2019
One December Morning in Stuyvesant Square Park
The three teens, two boys and a girl, all ran out of The Halal Guys restaurant across 2nd Avenue near the East Village. “Anyone chasing us?” 14-year-old Brenda asked her brother Brad, pushing her red MAGA cap up over long blond locks. “No, don’t see anyone.” Their leader, 15-year-old Ken, took them up toward Stuyvesant […]
Quoting: Sound Advice
Sound is energy. This is a highly significant statement that effects you every time you speak to someone. Your tone of voice creates a specific type of energy. A soft and smooth tone of voice creates peaceful energy. An upbeat or joyous tone of voice creates positive energy. Both of these are in stark contrast […]
February 1, 2019
January 2019 Wrap Up
Just a wee update. As you all know if you’ve been reading my blog over the past month, three of my short stories have been accepted for publication. You can find out all about them on my Publications page. You also know that I haven’t been writing as much fiction here as in months past […]
Quoting: Antidote to Arrogance
Arrogance is one of the most negative traits, and it leads to many counterproductive words and actions. What’s the antidote for arrogance? Awareness of the enormous size of the universe – and our microscopic position in comparison. In every Jewish blessing, we say the words “King of the Universe,” which is a constant reinforcement to […]
January 31, 2019
Life After the State
David had lived underground all his life, his existence tied to the Hive habitat that had been manufactured hundreds of years ago, and his body, blood, work, all in the service of the state. He couldn’t have imagined the exquisite beauty of the garden he was now walking in, sunlight warming his back and shoulders, […]
January 30, 2019
A Little Fallout: Bias and the “Humanities”
Several days ago, I posted a link to my essay Concealment: Should I Have Used a Pen Name? in a private writers group on Facebook. The admin always holds links in mediation prior to approval. Usually the process takes a few minutes to an hour, but after a day went by, I figured I’d gone […]
Quoting: How to Give Advice
Giving positive advice to people who are open to hearing it, is one of the greatest acts of kindness you can do. Be careful not to give advice when it is unwanted, even if you are well-meaning. A prerequisite for giving advice is to have the humility not to give advice unless you are certain […]
January 29, 2019
Quoting: Boost Your Confidence
When you are confident that you can do something, that itself mobilizes more of your talents and skills. Increase your appreciation for the Almighty’s power and how He can give you the Divine assistance to succeed. This is the ultimate way to increase your level of confidence. See Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s “Gateway to Self Knowledge,” […]
January 28, 2019
Concealment: Should I Have Used a Pen Name?
It’s too late for me to use this option (probably), but an incident (two, actually) occurred last week that got me to thinking. I’ve already considered the idea that breaking into science fiction and fantasy as a conservative, religious, white, married, cisgender old man (and if you exist at a particular social and political extreme, […]
Quoting: Feel the Joy of Being Alive
If we truly appreciate the gift of life that the Almighty gave us, we will constantly say, “No complaints, I’m alive.” When you experience joy for being alive, these positive feelings create a context that free you from the thoughts and feelings that create complaints. Sources: For a series of probing questions on this topic, […]
