Grateful

An update

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Hello, and thank you for checking in!

I’ve been writing a lot of poems in my posts over the last several months. I hope you’ve been enjoying them. As I write this Wednesday night, I wanted to take a momentary detour.

I need to express my gratitude to everyone for supporting me. I used to do this every week in this newsletter, and I have been lax. I’m referring to each and every subscriber. I know you may not have time to read each post. I appreciate you just the same. I’m also talking about the amazing writers and creators on Substack who help to form the most productive, caring, cohesive, and genuine environment on social media.

This isn’t a lifetime achievement award ceremony, so I will stop. It’s simply essential for you all to know your impact.

It’s funny how we see ourselves compared to how we really are. I still picture the 30-something guy I was a long time ago in my head. I know better, especially when I try to do certain things I shouldn’t be doing. The other week, I saw myself in a video and recognized how much I look like my father now. That includes the belly. I’ve put on a few pounds here and there, but still see myself from that front-only bathroom mirror angle most of the time. Seeing that video affected me. My exercise program started a day or two later.

I wish I could say I’m down 20 pounds. I am not. I am down about five pounds, and I’m making progress toward losing the 20 I need to lose. I hear the chuckle in the crowd. I know 20 pounds is nothing, but I’ve had it for too long and carry it all in the same place. I also used to work out a lot, so this is disappointing. I have a plan, and I will finally get there.

I brought up the video because we aren’t always who we think we are. We get ideas in our heads, listen to what people tell us, and hold onto negative feelings. When I started this newsletter, I did it as an author. I have since found poetry pulling me in. I can’t say it’s a transformation. However, it does tell me where my heart lies.

I will still write my books. I am plotting portions of books two and three now. My publishing date for book two will undoubtedly be pushed back, but I will deliver a suitable follow-up to Book One, and then I will work on Book Three in the same manner. All the while, the poetry will continue.

Don’t be afraid to listen to your heart and follow your dreams.

I appreciate your continued support and enjoy hearing from you.

Take care of yourself,

Rod

The Activist Book One: The Inception