Continuing our great conversation with inspired filmmaker Corbin Bernsen

SCH – You have commented that your earlier film RUST had a major impact on your spiritual life. What specific event or turn of events flipped that spiritual switch for you?

CB – In that film the take away for me was WOW! Something special has brought me to this project through these twists and turns of my life. I just opened up my sails to catch its wind and you go with it riding the wind and allowing it to take you there – wherever there is. It’s a metaphor for my own life experience. Coincidences occurred that became winks or signs and fuel cells that kept pushing me forward. Certain things unfold and this keeps you moving. You buy into it and you go with it. It’s like the Nike slogan — Just Do It! You embrace it and then it just takes you there.

SCH – What was the process you encountered in your walk to the spiritual mountaintop?

CB – Well the process is pretty simple. I don’t think I’ll ever reach the mountaintop because I believe it’s always a step to move forward with that mountaintop always being something you hope to reach. I’ve always been pretty spiritual. My mother is Cherokee Indian. There is something about that which I embraced regarding her core beliefs about the earth and the Great Spirit and something larger in life. There’s something much greater at play. That’s always something that’s been with me. It was after my father’s passing that made me explore it more. That was the middle act of the path as it were. My father had died and I was left there standing with his ashes in my hands. This thought crossed my mind: Is this all there is? Is there something better? It doesn’t end here does it?

Okay, I thought, I’m going to reset my character to zero as if I knew nothing. This is what inspired me to write RUST. Through the making of this movie is where I found and discovered this great reawakening of my spirit and reconnection with God. It was the making of the movie that truly took me to that place of transformation from this rediscovered spiritual awareness and new found enlightenment.

SCH – How has this renewed spiritual awareness and enlightenment that you have embraced affected your family life?

CB – I’m nicer to my dog! (Laughter ensues on both ends!) Let’s just leave it at that . . . But, if you take this picture and put it in the mirror, what do you have? God . . . It’s how I see it in my life’s mirror now.

SCH – How has this rekindled spiritual awareness affected your business relationships in and outside the entertainment industry?

CB – It made it exciting for me. I’m enjoying the people that I’m surrounding myself with. I’m about the story. This is exciting in my life. We’re at a time where we need a little faith in life because the world is so upside down. Being in a business that is thriving because of effective storytelling and also to be profitable doing it to do good and spread the word in telling stories is fulfilling to me. It’s fulfilling the American Dream. Not just for the sake of jumping on some trending bandwagon, but for what truly lies at the depth of this story telling process regarding faith.

SCH – Was your thespian’s walk the result of growing up in Beverly Hills amid the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, or was this your own early attraction and dream when you were a child?

CB – It’s the family business and it’s been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. I had a brief period of uncertainty as to whether or not I would pursue my parent’s interests. I saw what they encountered with that harder side of the business and it made me ponder my family life’s direction in acting and the entertainment industry. I wrestled with it for awhile, but moved past it and as a result, it’s where I am today.

SCH – Was there any one writer, director or actor, or a mix of these that inspired you?

CB – Paddy Chayefsky, Preston Sturges and Rod Sterling as writers inspired me. The Beatles musically, also wrote about boundaries in a weird, wonderful celebrated way of life that had quirk and humor to it and sort of had the faith to be a little bit different. I observed and learned a great deal in Jack Lemon who had the ability in a single instant to be both dramatic and comedic. He’s my biggest inspiration. Jimmy Stewart is another. The guy that really influenced me the most though was Jack Lemmon. What Jack Lemmon did, the way he lived his life, showed you how life is a full package. There’s a lot to learn inside that full package and I do my best to learn as much as I can because of what I saw in Jack Lemmon.

My parting thoughts . . .

Somehow, I have been granted the privilege and honor to have become acquainted and friendly with individuals whose inspired passion is tied to creative content. Both in a literary sense — and/or by their actors, directors, producers and filmmaker gift as with Corbin. I am always amazed at what these individuals bring to life’s equation. The interview that I shared with Corbin was passionate, yet relaxed, friendly, humorous and engaging, and came from the heart of a man who truly knows what God is capable of doing in someone’s life — without being “churchy” by staying to the spiritual side where it belongs.

Corbin is truly one of Hollywood’s “good guys.”

Not only did I come away with a wonderful experience from this opportunity that allowed me to look that much deeper into a portion of the life of a long time acting son in Hollywood — of which only a part of, I was able to share with you, the reader — but I was blessed to have experienced a relational bond with another creatively gifted, like-minded spiritual sojourner. You want a great takeaway? This was it for me.

This great conversation has now spread its wings, taken flight, and is soaring to another lofty mountaintop perch. When it arrives, its gaze will look out upon other infinite possibilities that lay in the rich, fertile valley floor below.

What a vision!

What will grow from this other newly experienced view from the top? Who can say? That’s all in God’s hands anyway. Corbin — thanks for the gracious embrace and openness in what you shared with me and our SCH readers. We will have to do this again when the creative sails of your next project are filled and it gently reaches its shore! And remember:

COMMIT-TO-BELIEVE!! It’s a process… JUST DO IT!!!

SCH’s Kevin “James” Richardson, Corbin Bernsen, and October Baby director Jon Erwin, courtesy of Variety Magazine Archives

A “Great Conversation” with Inspired Filmmaker Corbin Bernsen

Are you one that’s punched your television’s remote over the last thirty years or so? If so, it’s likely that you have captured the engaging character portrayals of Corbin Bernsen — a well tenured Tinsel Town “old-schooler” that took his first curious leap of acting faith in 1967. As the years spun by from those early beginnings as a young, intrepid prodigy, his most recognized role came later as attorney Arnold “Arnie” Becker on the popularly famous top-rated television show LA Law that aired on NBC from 1986 through 1994.

At the onset of USA Network’s 2006 television season, you may have seen Corbin in the first of his 95 episodic appearances on its hit show PSYCH. He plays Henry Spencer, the retired police officer TV dad to actor James Roday’s character, Shawn Spencer. Shawn is a novice private investigator that dupes — well he thinks he dupes — the Santa Barbara police department into buying into the ruse that he possesses psychic powers to aid in solving crimes.

ACTING ICONS MAX GAIL AND CORBIN BERNSEN IN “SANTA BARBARA TOWN” PSYCH EPISODE, Photo Courtesy of TV.com

It has been during this most recent point in Corbin’s thespian journey that he has become led by a newly committed faith. This renaissance — a reawakening of faith, as Corbin relates — is a deeply layered enclave where his sacred spiritual warrior’s strength of resolute courage resides and lives. A recess of serenity now discovered, from that far away distant place where the RUST had finally fallen away. This brighter Light with its enhanced spiritual vision has come to guide Corbin’s evolving life path in a gentler way. Just ask his dog!

SCH Contributor Kevin “James” Richardson joins Corbin as he shares some personal elements of his life — and its humor — as we step through this intriguing open door and peer a bit deeper inside his creative realm and take a personal glance into the turning world of one of Hollywood’s accomplished sons.

Corbin Bernsen on the set of RUST, Courtesy of Home Theater Films Archive

A spiritual switch flipped inside this childhood actor born of an actress and full-blooded Cherokee Indian for which his production company is named. His thespian footprints were equally cast from the famed sidewalks he strode atop while growing up within the alluring glitz and glam of Beverly Hills and Hollywood and son of a Hollywood producer.

You will discover how true “faith and courage” has spiritually etched its mark on Corbin’s heart and come to understand how this man with God’s beating heart pulsing inside of him has become driven and passionate in his filmmaker’s craft. You will also discover what the All-American Soap Box Derby has to do with it.

So slide comfortably into the seat of your derby racer for your run down 25 Hill. Let’s discover what arrives when you own the right “faith and courage” to cross its finish line . . .

25 HILL, Faith and Courage Derby, Courtesy of Home Theater Films Archive

SCH – Corbin, coming out of the gate, let’s discuss your newest theatrical release 25 Hill. What inspired and motivated you to tell this story surrounding the All-American Soap Box Derby?

Corbin – Honestly, it started as a seed to draw greater attention to family and community. The All-American Soap Box Derby seemed to be falling away and slipping through the cracks. I just couldn’t let that happen. It seemed like something was coming in and taking over this great tradition and making it fall by the wayside. I felt compelled to come in and tell the story of this great American tradition so it didn’t become lost. It wasn’t just a great tradition, but is everything that is family and community. The value of family of all sizes, shapes, and colors is the keystone of our society. We’ve lost that somehow and this is why I was drawn to this because it’s about family and community. It’s a story that needed to be told. I’m very passionate about the importance of family and community in this country.

CORBIN BERSEN 25 HILL WRITER-DIRECTOR, Courtesy of Home Theater Films Archive

SCH – What will the viewer take away and feel after seeing 25 Hill?

Corbin – Well, I think we got a couple of more things into the film other than things just about family and community. Patriotism becomes a focal point in the film along with serving our country. This is another aspect of the film’s message. We are as one big family. The single biggest take away from the film that I want people to feel is that we have to find a way to work together at every level. We just have to find a way to work together. We really do. If we work together we can achieve — even if individually our belief structure says something else. We still need to buy into the greater good and give it a chance by coming together and working toward that common goal. We all have to be in it for the common cause. Sometimes I think those at the highest level that are running things just don’t get it. You have to play with everyone and you have to support what the majority decides, to give things that chance to succeed.

25 HILL, One Big Family

SCH – When you were crafting 25 Hill, how did it impact you spiritually?

Corbin – Well, always above all of it, I have a great sense that I am being guided and driven toward projects on what their importance will be. There’s this largeness of God in me that impacts and directs my pursuits. As I said, in 25 Hill you’ll see that if we work together we can do great things together. But in this, it takes a faith. It’s a combined aspect of faith at different levels. This faith says that I can work with you even if we don’t share an opinion. It also deals with putting yourself out there in areas you’re not familiar with. You have to take that leap into the unknown. When you put yourself out there it definitely takes a greater faith. The thing that fuels this movie is faith. To have faith often takes great courage. The two things you can’t live without is faith and courage. That was the basis in making this film and in the way it speaks spiritually.

Dreams Start Here, Courtesy of Home Theater Films Archive

SCH – In writing 25 Hill, how deep did you have to go to bring this across the finish line to the viewer in the way that you hoped it would be received?

Corbin – Very deep . . . I had to go very deep. You make these films and you have massive inspiration and a very big producer you’re trying to please – in God – and not much money to do it with. In the process, you just push yourself and persevere to make it to the end. I guess in a sense, that soap box derby cart becomes the metaphorical vehicle to bring this across the line. For me, I have to forget the good or the bad and focus on moving forward. To me, this is also part of my journey of going deep in my relationship with God. Ya gotta go deep! The rest is doing the work. Did you get enough film and did you get the story right? If you’re pure, it happens. If you have a deep sense of faith, you have the courage then to step into that great unknown. But with faith you come to know it has purpose. I leave my films at faith. Just have some faith. Once you step in the door, something tells you to go and you go. That’s when things open up and you begin to understand the purpose and the plan.

This article by Kevin “James” Richardson first published in Sonoma Christian Home.

Suicide surrounds us daily, but we hardly ever hear about the “survivors” who are still standing to talk about it and what it was that brought them back from the edge. We only hear about those who don’t because it makes great news copy.

AP-Photo-Denis-Poroy

So is the case recently when former All-Pro NFL linebacker legend — Junior Seau — the San Diego Chargers first pick in the 1990 NFL draft committed suicide. His method of misguided relief was delivered through his handgun by pulling its trigger. The onslaught of media stories that have related his self-inflicted gunshot to the chest abound. That invasive wound ended his earthly pain, but who knows what truly followed spiritually? Eternal death in total darkness? Or loving forgiveness from the Light? Mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, I immediately felt Junior’s confusion and loss from a state of helplessness, desperation, and uncertainty that had once been my own. I could imagine Junior’s mindset and lost feelings of dissonance. His unquenchable thirst of hoping to make sense of why life should continue on as we know it — even though he was one built and sculpted to be invincible.

AP-Photo-Andrew-J.-Cohoon

Sadly, Junior probably won’t be the last of legendary NFL greats or other professional stars and various other dream chasers of lesser notoriety to fall to this defeat at the hand of darkness. There continues to be an epidemic of those giving up on life because of so many broad and varying considerations. We always look to the mitigating, or cause and effect, circumstances as to why a life ends in this way. What caused it?

AP-Photo-Paul-Sancya

Could this fall by Junior–descending from life’s living, breathing plateau–have been the result of years of subject trauma to his brain? News stories seem to suggest so. Was it brain trauma that possibly resulted from those much heralded collisions on the gridiron of football stardom that created his legend? There is documented, scientific proof regarding Tau Protein in the brains of former footballers and other brain-related maladies that has opened the eyes of the NFL, major universities, colleges, and high school administrators alike regarding concussive and non-concussive blows to the head.

AP-Photo-Lenny-Ignelzi

Or was Junior’s end of days spawned from a hopelessly broken heart of complete loss from the true God-granted essence of unconditional love that may have been vacant from his heart and soul? Was it a combination of both? Who can say? Who will know? Junior is the only one who could have truly answered that question as to the “why” of it all. Eluding, evasive answers to questions that may forever be left unknown.

Suicide… What horrific thoughts run through your mind when you hear that word? What pictures are formed? They can be ghastly visions. Can you even imagine what would bring a person to even possibly consider this desperate final act? Could you possibly fathom the complete loss of hope someone feels to even entertain ending their life? Try to envision the depth and sorrow of those darkest feelings of complete fear, overwhelming loss, abandonment, and confusion during that final life-ending moment and the contrasting illusion of freedom that it brings.

Kevin "James" Richardson -- Washington - Virginia Game -- Husky Stadium 1976

I once fell prey to those same abysmally cold, life-ending considerations. Mine were manifested from penetrating unsettled emotions of worthlessness, fear, failure, and “forsakenness.” I felt that mine were initially formed by a shattered childhood dream — a deeply envisioned and very real, tangible dream of playing in the National Football League. They were extraordinarily extreme, heartless, dead emotions that invaded the deepest recesses of my soul. How do you conceive of attempting to make sense of it all? Especially when the noise continually reverberates in your head as it races through your mind and leaves footprints of fear — cast there by haunting legions of dissonant voices? Intensely horrifying and upending invasive voices that continually remind you of your failures first — always tapping; recurring, never ceasing…

Overstated? Really? Not for a second! You would only know it if you had lived it.

It truly becomes the darkest, defeating place you can ever know and a place of engulfing agony that you wouldn’t wish on your greatest adversary.

Tragic life-ending realities from suicide haunt the human element unremittingly. Darkness does all it can to rip the breath and life right out of you — if you let it in. That is, when you are capable of controlling such an invasive presence. But what if one is unable to battle these spiritual demons due to extenuating physiological conditions that create mental imbalance? More questions yet to answer.

Kevin "James" Richardson - 1976

In my darkest moment of uncertainty, when I stood up from my bed and reached for my 12-gauge shotgun to end my pain, I had no idea of the intrinsic physiological effects that had affected my mind at that point. At that fortunate moment, my mind had listened to the gentle calling of God’s merciful angel of love — a caressing, divine and benevolent muse that whispered softly to my heart by speaking of love. A hope found only in love’s pure Light that pulled me back from that hard cutting razor’s edge overlooking that mesmerizing pit of infinite, swirling eternal darkness.

Kevin "James" Richardson - 1976

I was the lucky one on that dismal, dreary day. Why? I felt it was because I had been raised with God’s unconditional love. I was blessed to have had caring and nurturing parents and extended family members and friends that truly understood the power of God’s greatest gift to us all — His pure love.

Photo by: Arnold Turner – Wire Image

There isn’t a shadow of doubt in my mind that Junior Seau owned a compassionate heart. It seems most evident by the charitable concerns and outreach he showed his community as a measure of giving back from all he had been given. It’s just so, so sad that when it mattered the most — in his true time of need and grasp to feel that sincere sensation of true redemption — Junior Seau fell to the dark hand of death when it called… and he lost his champion’s heart. Life is about going deep. Something stopped Junior from reaching that true measure of depth during his final moments. Now the pain of loss rings its clanging bell of sorrow as we have lost another great one to its taunt. A parting thought…

“LOVE CONQUERS ALL”

AP Photo - Junior Seau Memorial Driveway

SEAU MEMORIAL PIC Photograph by - Getty Images - Reuters

This article by Kevin “James” Richardson first published in Sonoma Christian Home.

Featured Photo Credit: George Kalinsky for Madison Square Garden

If you spend any time reading the sports page or watching cable sports broadcasts, you probably have heard about “LINSANITY” — “Tebowmania” or “Tebowing.” Tim Tebow’s bold claims as a Christian motivated the first big Christian “Mega Trend” craze. Then Jeremy Lin stepped into the picture as another committed disciple found dribbling a basketball in front of adoring New York Knicks fans and NBA crowds nationwide.

SCH reached out to interview the author of two books referencing these high profile Christian athletes tied to these manic, MEDIAINSANITY blitzes. I recently had the opportunity to share a pleasant phone conversation with bestselling Christian author Mike Yorkey. I posed some questions about his early beginnings as a writer and his literary accomplishments which now include the LINSANITY and Tebowmania worldwide explosion.

Let’s see what this crafter and creative collaborator of more than 75 books has to say . . .

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

SCH: Something that stirs in us ultimately pulls the trigger of inspiration and motivation to pursue our desired vocational endeavors. So what was it that pulled your trigger of inspiration and motivated you to become a writer?

Mike: It was a childhood aspiration. I always wanted to be a sportswriter when I was a kid growing up in San Diego. It was something that just hit me early on in life and it captivated me. It ultimately became my passionate pursuit that led to where I am today. Sports genre books are a big part of my writing; although I have pretty much crossed the spectrum of most writing genres during my lengthy writing career. It’s great to be able and sit at my keyboard and create every day!

Jim McIsaac/Newsday/MCT

SCH: What were the foundational underpinnings that launched your writing career?

Mike: From those early aspirations, I began my journalism career in newspaper after graduating from the University of Oregon. My first real big break arrived when I joined Focus on the Family in 1986 as their magazine editor. From that first great opportunity, I started writing books on the side. In 1991, I was approached by Greg Johnson the Breakaway magazine editor at that time about writing a book together. We did, and this created my path as a freelance author, editor and collaborator. Now I have ghost written, co-authored, personally written or edited over 75 books with 2 million copies in print. During my writing career I have been editor-in-chief of nine national magazines. From this initial writing journey, a wonderful working relationship was spawned with Greg. Greg is now my literary agent and sits as the president of Word Serve Literary in Denver, Colorado. It’s a blessing having a friend, co-author, and former workmate bring you new work and look after your committed literary pursuits.

Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

SCH:  With all the LINSANITY and Tebowing hoopla that media has set ablaze with their “Mega Trends” surrounding Lin and Tebow, what has been your role in telling their stories?

Mike: My book: Playing With Purpose — Inside the Lives and Faith of the NFL’s Top New Quarterbacks — Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow was released at the start of the 2010 NFL season. At the time, sportswriters called them the “Holy Trinity” while they were having record-setting careers at the collegiate level, and while each has experienced varying degrees of success in the pros, I believe their best is yet to come. Playing With Purpose shared the story of how these three exemplary young men got to where they are today — and what makes them tick. Complementing my book about this trio of young Christian quarterbacks is: Growing Up Colt—A Father, a Son, a Life in Football that I co-authored with Colt and his father Brad. My most recent book, which centers on the LINSANITY mega trend shipped on April 20th… At least from what I was told. It is due out in stores this week or next and was published through Zondervan. I was also told that it should be out on Amazon by May 8th. My newest book is titled: LINSPIRED –The Remarkable Rise of Jeremy Lin. Because of the LINSANITY craze, I was only given an eight day window to write the book.

Jim McIsaac/Newsday/MCT

SCH: Can you share an excerpt from your LINSPIRED book with our readers to get a feel for the book and your writing style?

Mike: You bet . . . I’d love to!

“Have you noticed that the two most talked-about athletes today are two young professing believers named Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow?

What’s amazing to me about Linsanity and Tebowmania is that Jeremy and Tim have not hidden the fact that they are followers of Christ, but the media—which are largely secular—are drawn to them. It’s as though they sense the fragrance of Christ permeating from their pores.

Columnists, reporters, and pundits have taken measure of the two and come to the conclusion that Jeremy and Tim genuinely believe in the faith that defines them and approach life in a spirit of humbleness. They’ve noticed how the two refuse to “impose” their faith with preachiness or employ silly clichés (“The Man Upstairs was looking out for us today”). Instead, both athletes speak thoughtfully and reflectively, whether Christ is overtly part of the conversation or not.”

Book Cover graphics by Zondervan Publishing

SCH: Aside from being professional Christian athletes, are there other similarities they share?

Mike: There are more similarities than you think between the two young athletes, even though they play different sports and come from different ethnic backgrounds. They are both under the age of twenty-five and close in age—Tim is older by one year, having been born on August 14, 1987. Each has played two seasons in the pros, and each came off the bench when their teams’ seasons were going down in flames and fans’ patience was stretched to the breaking point. Each made their career relevant by immediately winning—Tim took the Broncos on a six-game winning streak, and Linsanity ignited seven straight wins.

On the spiritual side of the ledger, Jeremy and Tim were raised by parents who were Christians before they were born, and that is notable. This means they were raised in the “admonition of the Lord” from birth and were raised under the guidance of Proverbs 22:6, which reminds parents to “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Jim McIsaac/Newsday/MCT

SCH: Speaking to your focus on the family and faith, would you tell us about your family and share a favorite verse from scripture regarding your faith?

Mike: I’ve been married to Nicole for 31 years and we have two children—Patrick and Andrea. Nicole and I recently became proud grandparents to our first grandchild with grandson Joshua. What an amazing blessing and gift we have received! As for my walk of committed, personal faith, I was raised in a Christian home but was introduced to having a personal relationship with Christ while in high school. My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 22:17-19 take from the New Living:

“Listen to wise advice; follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others: Trust in the Lord.”

To gain greater insight into the writing career and books written by Mike Yorkey, you can visit his author’s website: www.mikeyorkey.com.

This article by Kevin “James” Richardson first published in Sonoma Christian Home.

I vividly recall the precisely stated, tentative words uttered by a young golfing phenom on that warm summer’s day in 1996. It was an historical benchmark struck in golfing legend. This young cat had just launched his professional golfing career after confidently striding along another lush, well groomed fairway and announcing to the world his audacious entrance into the ranks of the PGA Tour. One young cat whose bold, bright stripes seemed to have faded and fallen somewhat since that well staged media launch back then, to now, all these years later. It is now time for me to take a similarly curious leap of faith from my burgeoning writer’s precipice by diving head long into my new found pool of wonderment and uncertainty. This newly realized journey at times has become an inviting deep blue, often contrasting murky whirlpool of alluring and treacherously swirling waters which spawned the question:

“Do I really want to dive into these unchartered waters with their hidden, rocky outcroppings?” Reflection considered, I suppose my mom was right when she commented to me as a kid competing in sports that “You’re a glutton for punishment!”

Moms tend to know their sons pretty well. I fit that uniquely crafted mould without exception. As a kid, I loved the rough and tumble collisions I encountered within the formative designing framework of my youth. In my mind’s reflective eye, the vision I still feel of running bare foot on those many grassy fields and sensing every blade of grass beneath my feet still seems exhilarating and exciting to my senses. This total recall finds me twisting and turning to avoid a defender’s touch. It seems metaphorical in a way as I was always running brave to encounter some lighted path for glory in the hope of winning the adversarial battle to cross some imaginary goal line on our divided childhood field of dreams. These deep, reminiscing instances always bring warm, fond recollections.

With this newly committed adventure abounds other enlightening experiences. I am referencing as well, those continually recurring, familiar brilliant radiant flashes of streaming bright Light. It serves as an illuminated path of pursuit necessary to cast words on the page within my new wonderland of frolicking word sleuths.

Because that former, unrecognized and sequestered writer in me finally surfaced from a deeper space and kept calling this undiscovered stranger to the surface — scratching and clawing its way in pursuit of the truth and finally appeared in my day-to-day existence — I now find myself constantly holding onto that ever inviting, flipping tail of another roaring tiger of sorts and not letting go — not even for an instant! This other big cat that can be found casually strolling about my mountain top reserve of creativity is a highly observant, wise old predator that frequently emerges atop that next highest peak as it comes into view or is found quietly resting within the secluded serenity of some heavenly valley, playfully laying in wait to pounce on me at its most opportune moment. It is difficult to anticipate when and where He will show up next. I’m ever vigilant.

It presents itself as some spiritual musing alien from some great, far away distant Kingdom. It keeps taunting me to hold firmly onto its imaginative tail that continually hypnotizes and mesmerizes my senses. There I sit or stand, held spellbound by watching and listening to its constantly clicking metronome. Tick, tock, tick, tock… This is its ever chanting, embracing call sent in perfect rhythmic time as it moves back and forth — pulling and drawing me ever closer.

I find myself constantly chasing after this wonderfully engaging creature and grasping wildly to embrace its often times fleeting, elusive spirit. This magical entity constantly engages me to follow along with its spontaneous galloping jaunts and then with its insistent gall; further challenges me to hold on even tighter for the ride of my life. Who does this teasing, creative and wise spiritual creature think he is? God?!

From these prompting engaging calls to action I find myself unavoidably steadfast and persistently attached to this overwhelmingly pure Source. It is an immediately recognizable beaming presence spun from an abundantly grand creative entity that I have become committed to follow and intently pursue with extreme dedication — no matter the cost.  I risk it all in total obedience to its summons. This is a flashing lightning bolt of infinite energy I am ruthlessly persistent to contain. Miraculously I have somehow been able to capture its essence to Light my way. Its energy can at times be overpowering and impressively difficult to contain — but I do so obediently from its frequent musings and dutifully run head first through each open door that it comes to create. This magical gateway that miraculously appears always leads me to experience more wonderful new life adventures. I have been entirely smitten, bitten, punched, spun and cajoled as I am taken by its enticing attraction. It is ridiculous and ludicrous folly to resist its calming charm. I am helplessly weak to repel its captivating enchanting call, no matter how hard I try. It has ensnared, engulfed and consumed me wholly and completely. It’s simply become heaven… right here on earth!

So now, some of my literary agent acquaintances and friends, along with some of the many fellow scribes I have come to encounter along this newly discovered path and many others too, who have strongly urged me to “get out there” and create a following and platform to launch into the world’s fast-paced social media feeding frenzy — can now rest in the fact that I have officially staked a claim on my little surveyed piece of cyber space in this abundant Universe of infinite possibilities.

Whatever moves me, I will comment about. Whether it be this storyteller that has now surfaced in my life or involves my extensive background in athletics, my fields of prior vocations amid the law enforcement community, sales and marketing, fund raising, construction and to newer vistas showing up on my horizon of growing experiences tied to the entertainment industry, the literary world and other entrepreneurial ventures — you will come to read my comments relating to these and whatever else may surface in my life. It has become quite a walk to remember and spawned — A Beautiful History.

I will speak to my committed faith that grows from a love so great and limitless that no religion on earth could invade or diminish it. I am fully committed to its spiritual presence and the supernatural power that it unleashes and exudes. Its energy is without bounds and infinite as it soars aloft, flowing gracefully within its heavenly element at Light speed. When you come to feel the power from the magnitude of its gentle embrace and hold steadfast to an unwavering and unyielding relationship with its Source, the world that you have always known soon changes. It then becomes a serenely beautiful playground of security for safe passage and a much revered, hallowed ground where you will remain forever.

With it appeared a new vision I have come to realize from gazing through these new pair of shiny, gold rimmed, crystal clear spiritual spectacles. The acuity is piercingly sharp. For me, it was something I had always searched for and hoped to find, but failed to realize. That is until it just showed up unannounced when I opened up that inviting door one day and this cosmic traveler finally placed that magical key in my heart, turned it and released the abundant riches from some ancient, lost and buried — long forgotten, Indiana Jones like treasure.  It was then that this precious gift was placed in my waiting hands. It is simply amazing what you will see when you ultimately discover those magical glasses and place them squarely on your face for the very first time!

Those who know me quickly identify that I am about relationships first, above all else.  To me, relationships are What Matters Most! Without defined relationships in our lives, we would be some lone island disappearing from view amidst a turbulent sea. That would be unfortunate as no ship nor its crew of inquisitive life seeking sojourners would be lost from the magic of hope to catch a fleeting glimpse of those distant, far away shores. I am a people person through and through. Pushing up people inspires me. I love to interact, learn, grow and glean great joy as an ultimate giver while I intertwine with the human element — especially those who know what it means to live life first, from the inside out. These are like-minded spiritual sojourners and my life’s confidants bound by a supporting axle that continues to carry this grand human wheel that rolls across this worldly expanse we call home. This spinning, tilting, ever evolving pale blue dot — God’s ultimate creation — Earth.  So…

I guess, HELLO WORLD!

What a special gift this is to have been invited into your sacred hall of grand, curious enchantment. I am touched that you have allowed this unknown, casual cyber space sojourner to pass through your inviting open door. Thanks for guiding me with a helping hand to cross over its threshold and then kindly ushering me to take a seat at your honored table.  Let’s enjoy this wonderful feast together as new friends shall we? Then let’s see what shows up during our shared discussion!

Thanks for being that engaging and curiously inquisitive “unsuspecting” stranger — a caring and receptive host that so graciously allowed me presence within your revered sphere of worldly influence.  I so hope to see you standing on that enchanting precipice of enlightening discovery the next time I climb to those lofty heights and then take that curious dive into my new found pool of wonderment and uncertainty.

Blessings to you all!!