C.M. Halstead's Blog, page 2
October 13, 2021
Do you want to succeed or do you want to fail? And how to know the difference.
Easiest way to find our if you want to succeed or fail is to ask yourself, preferably while looking at yourself in the mirror, "Do you want to succeed or do you want to fail? Another way is to have someone ask you and then check your reactions. Same goes for in the mirror, keep track of your honest internal and external reaction.
Many times in the past, I've felt the need to ask mentee's and myself this question. The question gains two common truth responses, anger and joy. Which one comes instantly to the surface is the truth. Other reactions also appear.
In this moment you might be asking yourself, "Why would someone want to fail?", "Why wouldn't someone want to succeed?" or "Why wouldn't I want ME to succeed?" The answer is about self-worth.
The answers around self-worth can be a deep dive into shadows and pasts that we do not want to look at. The parts of ourselves that we hide, repress, and deny. If we refuse to be honest with ourselves around these shadows, then the shadows rule the roost, run the show, and cause us to sabotage ourselves.
Examples, "I don't deserve to succeed.", "I am afraid to succeed.", "I suck." all great versions of subconscious reasons we prevent ourselves from our obtaining version of success. All rooted in paste events and teachings. Somewhere we learned that it is dangerous to succeed, that if I am seen I am in danger, money is the root of all evil, or something entirely different. As a man named Morris Massey used to say and teach, "We are who we were, when." In other words, our actions now are reactions from past experiences.
I believe it is up to us to do the personal work, look at the shadows, hold them out in front of us and say, "Here you are. I see you now." Sometimes we can do this on our own, other times we need the help of others, ie professionals.
Good luck. I wish you the best personal success. Specifically when looking in the mirror and asking, "Do I want to succeed or do I want to fail." and doing the work until you get a giant grin as a response.
Many times in the past, I've felt the need to ask mentee's and myself this question. The question gains two common truth responses, anger and joy. Which one comes instantly to the surface is the truth. Other reactions also appear.
In this moment you might be asking yourself, "Why would someone want to fail?", "Why wouldn't someone want to succeed?" or "Why wouldn't I want ME to succeed?" The answer is about self-worth.
The answers around self-worth can be a deep dive into shadows and pasts that we do not want to look at. The parts of ourselves that we hide, repress, and deny. If we refuse to be honest with ourselves around these shadows, then the shadows rule the roost, run the show, and cause us to sabotage ourselves.
Examples, "I don't deserve to succeed.", "I am afraid to succeed.", "I suck." all great versions of subconscious reasons we prevent ourselves from our obtaining version of success. All rooted in paste events and teachings. Somewhere we learned that it is dangerous to succeed, that if I am seen I am in danger, money is the root of all evil, or something entirely different. As a man named Morris Massey used to say and teach, "We are who we were, when." In other words, our actions now are reactions from past experiences.
I believe it is up to us to do the personal work, look at the shadows, hold them out in front of us and say, "Here you are. I see you now." Sometimes we can do this on our own, other times we need the help of others, ie professionals.
Good luck. I wish you the best personal success. Specifically when looking in the mirror and asking, "Do I want to succeed or do I want to fail." and doing the work until you get a giant grin as a response.
October 7, 2021
When you see something amazing, what do you do?
The other morning was an a-typical Arizona morning. We've recently received a series of rains, not the usual type of monsoon type rain, the after-effects of tropical storms leaving the Gulf of Mexico and Baja area type of rain. Although these storms lose a lot of their spin, they retain a ton of moisture. Sans house flattening winds.
When a couple of inches of rain hit the high desert at a rapid rate, the plant's root systems and gravity enter a race. Both desire to grab gratuitous amounts of water. The plants for survival, the gravity as a byproduct. Or is it smarter than that? Is the earth passive, does it adapt and change consciously, or is that an anthropomorphic type thought on my part? Either way, two nights ago, I found myself staring at the stars peeking through thick cloud gaps and listening to the roar of waters racing downwards through generally dry washes and canyons. Freight trains in the night. White water cleansing dead and dying from their lazy death beds, animal bones from where they dropped, and oops-I-forgot-to-move-it human items rolling over and intertwining with rocks and sand create a symphony of chaos that blasts off the canyon walls, sounds that rise to the mesas, sounds that say STAY home tonight! Or else.
On the way to my coffee the next morning, I noticed the valley below encased in fog. I emerged from the kitchen about ten minutes later to a deep, rain-filled valley embossed with the morning sun. I did the right thing. I stopped and took some pictures. Why wouldn't you stop and take a memory? Heck, even I share to social media these days. Not all are blessed with glorious views, and I am happy to share mine. This particular sunrise I posted to Instagram (apparently there was some kind of outage..?) You can find me there at cm_halstead or search for the #writerscave hashtag and my profile will appear. Share your photos and adventures with me. I will share mine as well.
When in doubt take the photo.
When a couple of inches of rain hit the high desert at a rapid rate, the plant's root systems and gravity enter a race. Both desire to grab gratuitous amounts of water. The plants for survival, the gravity as a byproduct. Or is it smarter than that? Is the earth passive, does it adapt and change consciously, or is that an anthropomorphic type thought on my part? Either way, two nights ago, I found myself staring at the stars peeking through thick cloud gaps and listening to the roar of waters racing downwards through generally dry washes and canyons. Freight trains in the night. White water cleansing dead and dying from their lazy death beds, animal bones from where they dropped, and oops-I-forgot-to-move-it human items rolling over and intertwining with rocks and sand create a symphony of chaos that blasts off the canyon walls, sounds that rise to the mesas, sounds that say STAY home tonight! Or else.
On the way to my coffee the next morning, I noticed the valley below encased in fog. I emerged from the kitchen about ten minutes later to a deep, rain-filled valley embossed with the morning sun. I did the right thing. I stopped and took some pictures. Why wouldn't you stop and take a memory? Heck, even I share to social media these days. Not all are blessed with glorious views, and I am happy to share mine. This particular sunrise I posted to Instagram (apparently there was some kind of outage..?) You can find me there at cm_halstead or search for the #writerscave hashtag and my profile will appear. Share your photos and adventures with me. I will share mine as well.
When in doubt take the photo.
September 30, 2021
Spring forward, Fall back
Fall hath arrived to my part of the world! Northern Arizona is high elevation and many parts of it participate in all four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). The local temps after spending the summer topping out around 90 F or so, suddenly top out around 70 F. With our high desert's desire to drop 30-40 degrees every night, that means wood stove season is here! I know some of you live in areas of congestion or areas without vegetation where wood burning is not practical, here, I am surround by juniper trees and not much else, making wood burning a sustainable, practical way to provide heat. There is something about the hot metal and burning cedar scents that make me feel nostalgic, even though growing up on military bases did not provide many opportunities for fireplaces.
This week found me working on a supernatural type story for the 4-Pack book I am working on. Four, non-related novellas packed together in one volume. In this story two protagonists, partners in crime since childhood continue their capers unknowingly enter the realms of someone even more sinister than they.
Last week I was featured at Awesomegang.com! They asked about C.M. Halstead's background, what makes him tick, and about some plans for the future.
My in depth interview can be found here: https://awesomegang.com/c-m-halstead/
Other than that... I hope you get outdoors, soak up some vitamin D, and read some good stuff.
Enjoy,
C.M. Halstead
This week found me working on a supernatural type story for the 4-Pack book I am working on. Four, non-related novellas packed together in one volume. In this story two protagonists, partners in crime since childhood continue their capers unknowingly enter the realms of someone even more sinister than they.
Last week I was featured at Awesomegang.com! They asked about C.M. Halstead's background, what makes him tick, and about some plans for the future.
My in depth interview can be found here: https://awesomegang.com/c-m-halstead/
Other than that... I hope you get outdoors, soak up some vitamin D, and read some good stuff.
Enjoy,
C.M. Halstead
September 11, 2021
Saturday Explorations
Who else likes to hop in their motor vehicle and drive around to see what you can find within a day or so radius of your home?
I chose to live in an area that has a plethora of opportunities to explore new things or revisit favorite views. Depending on the day of the week, time of the year, or personal whim I can be standing the Grand Canyon's most popular view. Or hidden deep within it's bowels at a remote campsite. I can peruse the shops in Taos or the ancient dwellings of Chaco Canyon who's miles and miles of subjectively and naturally maintained roads keep out all but adventurous souls. (well and rental cars... do you know the difference between Jeeps and rental cars? ...rental cars go anywhere.)
There is something surreal and first world about visiting many of the sites around me. Some pueblo dwellings, although thousands of years old, are still occupied. Others were abandoned about that long ago. I would love to hear the inside story of how a culture can outlast all of those around it.
After today's meander and recharge, I jumped back into my #writerscave. There I am starting to edit, sort, and formulate that gaggle of stories I mentioned in the last blog post.
Four stories are the appropriate length and similar enough (age group/audience-wise) to combine into a book, a four pack of sorts. Four novellas, not related, yet compatible together. A story of moving on from childhood crutches, empowering others, and other hero's journeys our characters are living. As are we. A story of decadence, human contradiction, and UN-humane use of humans as sport.
The majority of what I've sorted through will be a book of parables, short stories, fables, and allegories. All designed to entertain and teach, whilst escaping your day to day grind. Because even those of us living the dream need to escape the task list every once in awhile. What do you do to escape yours?
I chose to live in an area that has a plethora of opportunities to explore new things or revisit favorite views. Depending on the day of the week, time of the year, or personal whim I can be standing the Grand Canyon's most popular view. Or hidden deep within it's bowels at a remote campsite. I can peruse the shops in Taos or the ancient dwellings of Chaco Canyon who's miles and miles of subjectively and naturally maintained roads keep out all but adventurous souls. (well and rental cars... do you know the difference between Jeeps and rental cars? ...rental cars go anywhere.)
There is something surreal and first world about visiting many of the sites around me. Some pueblo dwellings, although thousands of years old, are still occupied. Others were abandoned about that long ago. I would love to hear the inside story of how a culture can outlast all of those around it.
After today's meander and recharge, I jumped back into my #writerscave. There I am starting to edit, sort, and formulate that gaggle of stories I mentioned in the last blog post.
Four stories are the appropriate length and similar enough (age group/audience-wise) to combine into a book, a four pack of sorts. Four novellas, not related, yet compatible together. A story of moving on from childhood crutches, empowering others, and other hero's journeys our characters are living. As are we. A story of decadence, human contradiction, and UN-humane use of humans as sport.
The majority of what I've sorted through will be a book of parables, short stories, fables, and allegories. All designed to entertain and teach, whilst escaping your day to day grind. Because even those of us living the dream need to escape the task list every once in awhile. What do you do to escape yours?
August 23, 2021
Finding flow and its results
I found 25 short stories, parables, and other delights while sorting through some unfinished works!
I use Scrivener as my writing software, this is not an add, just a testament to my all over the place, ADD type writing style. I jump all over when in flow. Whatever it takes to keep my fingers moving.... work the long novel, jog over to a new chapter, wait, I've a new idea... another file, (writes down 5,000 word idea), jumps back to long novel. Thanks to the creator of scrivener's software. They know my type!
Now what... Last blog post was about the all American great addiction: NEXT. I, like many others, am guilty of this. I released a book, now back to the fun, creative writing. A week or so later, i now know next.
On top of this, work continues on the "homestead". Not a prove the land homestead, a raw land type of homestead. This past spring and summer was all about basic infrastructure. Also known as access road, driveway, and on property "roads". 40 raw acres on a multi-tiered property with no roads... took lots of wandering around with coffee and cigars to find sustainable routes. Then the fun part, playing with the loader/backhoe. I learned long ago that I can operate anything. I love to multitask and operating jeeps, loaders, big trucks, and quads on multi-terrain is one of my ideas of a great time.
NFL season is also upon us. It is a rare thing that can get me to sit still for hours, somehow the NFL accomplishes this. Thanks for that! Most of my past years have NFL memories. From watching Andre Reed, one of the greatest underrated (hall of fame) wide receivers of all time, to disappointing Super Bowls that were preceded by exciting championship games. Upsets, bong hits, lots of pizza, chips, naps, and other (personally) rarely allowed 1st world luxuries.
In the meantime I digress back to the original topic. Over the next few months I will be reading through, adding to, and getting ready for editing a multitude of stories to create a few books combined into themes for all to read, enjoy, and maybe even learn from.
This fall I also am committing to writing my first philosophy book, coming out of the closest as a self-professed fool-losi-fer.
Enjoy the reads. As a thought, what are your favorite compilations, short story book, etc?
I use Scrivener as my writing software, this is not an add, just a testament to my all over the place, ADD type writing style. I jump all over when in flow. Whatever it takes to keep my fingers moving.... work the long novel, jog over to a new chapter, wait, I've a new idea... another file, (writes down 5,000 word idea), jumps back to long novel. Thanks to the creator of scrivener's software. They know my type!
Now what... Last blog post was about the all American great addiction: NEXT. I, like many others, am guilty of this. I released a book, now back to the fun, creative writing. A week or so later, i now know next.
On top of this, work continues on the "homestead". Not a prove the land homestead, a raw land type of homestead. This past spring and summer was all about basic infrastructure. Also known as access road, driveway, and on property "roads". 40 raw acres on a multi-tiered property with no roads... took lots of wandering around with coffee and cigars to find sustainable routes. Then the fun part, playing with the loader/backhoe. I learned long ago that I can operate anything. I love to multitask and operating jeeps, loaders, big trucks, and quads on multi-terrain is one of my ideas of a great time.
NFL season is also upon us. It is a rare thing that can get me to sit still for hours, somehow the NFL accomplishes this. Thanks for that! Most of my past years have NFL memories. From watching Andre Reed, one of the greatest underrated (hall of fame) wide receivers of all time, to disappointing Super Bowls that were preceded by exciting championship games. Upsets, bong hits, lots of pizza, chips, naps, and other (personally) rarely allowed 1st world luxuries.
In the meantime I digress back to the original topic. Over the next few months I will be reading through, adding to, and getting ready for editing a multitude of stories to create a few books combined into themes for all to read, enjoy, and maybe even learn from.
This fall I also am committing to writing my first philosophy book, coming out of the closest as a self-professed fool-losi-fer.
Enjoy the reads. As a thought, what are your favorite compilations, short story book, etc?
August 13, 2021
Next....
Literally the day of HBD (Here Be Dragons) release, the writer part of miss started thinking, "Ok, what's next?" Not even in a rhetorical manner. Book four of The Tripper Series was written in my mind years ago and has yet to completely make it out the fingers and into a rough draft. Then my brain reminded me of Backyard Brilliance, a human nature story that utilizes the knowledge that humans will do strange things to each other for money or entertainment. That draft was started a couple years ago and lies at 4,000 words. Then there is a bizarre futuristic ranch story, a full 50,000 word rough draft I totally forget about. I was blessed to write that rough draft in a line cabin during (that cabin's) off-season. There is no off-season in ranch life, the work moves with the weather. However the rancher allowed me a month off to write in one of the cabins. A cool experience.
As I type this I am reminded of my personal task list as well. We've a homestead developing and it still has a back-list of chores longer than my indie author list. More roads to build, dead trees to remove, water bars to be built.... Then structure. Things to live in, play in, create in. Life is busy.
As I type this, I keep in mind my personal commitment to write my first philosophy book this November. As I often have in the past, I will surely rely on my version of the NaNoWriMo support system to write the rough draft. 50,000 words cranked out in 30 days, including a slight break for Thanksgiving. and the groggy return afterwards. I think once or twice I was mostly done by that point and crawled my way to the finish line the last week full of starches and sleep inducing turkey sandwiches.
As I type this I am reminded of my personal task list as well. We've a homestead developing and it still has a back-list of chores longer than my indie author list. More roads to build, dead trees to remove, water bars to be built.... Then structure. Things to live in, play in, create in. Life is busy.
As I type this, I keep in mind my personal commitment to write my first philosophy book this November. As I often have in the past, I will surely rely on my version of the NaNoWriMo support system to write the rough draft. 50,000 words cranked out in 30 days, including a slight break for Thanksgiving. and the groggy return afterwards. I think once or twice I was mostly done by that point and crawled my way to the finish line the last week full of starches and sleep inducing turkey sandwiches.
December 28, 2016
Learn to live life as a champion!
Live life, not as a victim of it, live life as a champion of it. I love the article in the link below. If I handed it to my wife to read, she would think I wrote it. I didn’t. I relate to the article because it is congruent with the way I live my…
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December 16, 2016
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim, a trip back in time.
Those adventurous enough to drive the additional 200 miles from the south rim of The Grand Canyon, located in Northern Arizona, to the North Rim of the same Grand Canyon, are gifted with a trip back in time. Located just ten miles as-the-crow-flies from the south rim’s Grand Canyon National Park new Mather Point visitor…
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October 19, 2016
It’s a frosty morning on the Colorado Plateau
It’s a frosty morning on the Colorado Plateau. It is almost time for us to head towards lower elevation for the winter. Life between 50 & 90 degrees is the goal and frost is a significant indicator of temperatures below that mark. My mission up here is mostly accomplished for this year, ‘The Mongers’ is…
October 11, 2016
It is time to Know or Die.
The contents below are an excerpt from ‘Earned Innocence’, a cathartic military fiction novel I plan to release this winter, in the year of 2016. ‘Earned Innocence’ is written in first person. My intention is to put the reader in the boots of the person transitioning from youth into a warrior, and then afterwards, having…
