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Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

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MISSING The BEAT? Jun 16, 2009
I recently wiki'd a certain Ricky and found that at the age of 3, his dad left his mother Elsie. As a boy Ricky was stricken with a severe case of appendicitis which put him into a coma. Then as an adolescent, he was so sickly that he spent 2 years in the hospital. He was never able to finish grammar school and would be forced to follow a limited diet of foods for the rest of his life. But don't be so fast to feel sorry for this poor Richard, for unlike so many of us, and despite these disadvantages, he found that one thing he was supposed to do in life. In 1962, he replaced Pete Best as the drummer for an up-and-coming band called "The Beatles." Now known as Ringo Starr, Ricky made millions of dollars, was adored by millions more, married a supermodel, had children and grandchildren and remains one of the most respected musicians of all time. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

THE TAP DANCE OF LIFE: May 26, 2009
Ever have days when obstacles seem to place themselves in front of your weakest parts? Days when your complaints multiply like fleas, and storm clouds blot out the sun? Days when it seems impossible to get up and go? Recently, while signing books at a local café, my eyes stumbled across a quiet, yet awesome sight. A man rolled by tapping the tip of his red and white striped guide stick on the sidewalk in front of his wheel chair. He didn't say a word. Likely, didn't even know I was there. Yet, he filled me with inspiration. Those complaints I'd been nursing dropped from my body like dead fleas. Tap Tap Tap, how about you? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

INNER PEACE IS CHEAP: May 18, 2009
I may have told you this. Here in CA we have a 211 phone service for folks in need of food or shelter.. I called 211 to order a box of biz cards. That way, when street people ask me for money, I can hand out the 211 card instead. I don't have to feel guilty about pretending I didn't see them. I don't have to feel used if I give cash. And 211 has services that may help them get back on their feet. I encourage you to see if your area has something similar. The other day, a fellow was at the curb with his cardboard homeless sign and dirty hands. I reached for the 211 card as I stopped for the light. But, for some reason, I felt like giving him a dollar bill -- so I did. Boy that felt good. Maybe he'll blow it on beer or drugs, I don't know. But I do know it feels so good to give. It changed my mood for several hours toward the positive. Gave my day a lift. What's that worth? Why are we such tightwads? Even from a strictly selfish perspective, a small donation reaps high yields in the quality of life department. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

BASSic INSTINCT: May 11, 2009
His fingers on the fret board move like spider legs. He can commit to memory a whole show worth of songs in a day if he had to. But he can't read music. And for that, TJ has felt insecure. Recently, he's been subbing for the regular bass player in a band gigging around Chicago. Since this bassist reads music, TJ referred to him as a "real musician." But because the band members urged the leader to make TJ the regular instead, TJ finally realized that sheet music, while a powerful tool, didn't define the musician. Heart was even more important. A love for the sound, a feel for the tune. Simply enjoying the groove. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com Just this year TJ said to me, "You know, I've always thought they were the real musicians, that I was some hack. I was so impressed that they could toss the sheet music up and play the songs without any prep or practice. But the problem is, they're not really playing the songs, they're just playing the notes." What a beautiful metaphor for living. How many of us are lost without our sheet music? Are we merely following instructions -- playing the notes of day to day life? I challenge you to listen for the natural rhythm of your day, feel for it, find it, then enjoy the groove.

THANK YOU! You've Helped me DONATE BOOKS to SCHOOLS! May 4, 2009
Just this morning, I was able to donate a class set of 15 books and a full-period reading/writing presentation to nearly 100 students at Kenmore School in Baldwin Park. They absolutely loved it. All thanks to a benefit signing event last week in Arcadia. And a lucky school will receive a similar donation because of another benefit signing event I held yesterday in Monrovia at Nano Cafe. If you'd like your local school to receive such donations, have a teacher or PTA person contact me. If you know of a local business that would love to help out schools by hosting one of my signing events contact me also. 1-800-767-7186. Oh yeah, as part of my "Circle Earth" Day newsletter offer, I was able to donate 11 books to various High Schools. Again, a big THANK YOU to all who bought books for themselves, or hosted my signing events, thereby making these donations possible. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

MY EARTH DAY GIFT: Apr 22, 2009
God, I love this planet. How about you? Folks are planting trees, some picking up litter, some just using less water. Me? I'm asking you to join me in donating books to school libraries. You purchase my 2009 book CIRCLE EARTH in the next 36-ish hours, I'll match by donating a signed copy to the school library of your choice. The book, besides being a brilliant read, inspires while fostering an appreciation for our cozy little blue planet. So enlighten the youth of America while picking up a great book for yourself -- I'm even paying shipping both ways -- and I'll include your name in the "Donated by" inscription. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

GOOD TEACHERS are GOLDEN: Apr 15, 2009
Here in California the district has been playing games with teachers' jobs. Arnold broke a promise to education early on, and now teachers are being asked, again, to bare the brunt of money poorly spent elsewhere. Where is the wisdom here? When we cheat the next generation out of a quality education, we end up spending money on law enforcement and prisons. Indeed, if teachers cuts need to be made, then cut them based on quality of their work and not tenure. Let us not rejoice because one excellent teacher retired early so that a mediocre one could keep a job. It is the inspired teacher that makes the difference, not standardizes tests and not bloated unions. There I said it.

SMOKING TAILS: Mar 18, 2009
Years ago I had a pony tail. I endured some name-calling, but it was my right. I was entitled! Then one day, playing basketball, I turned my head and a sweaty bundle of hair smacked me in the nose and mouth. For an instant, I felt contempt for whoever had let their hair grow so long that this could happen. Gross! I was shocked to realize it was my own hair. How many others endured my disgusting sweaty hair in their face? That's when I clipped it off. Now I keep a buzz cut. When I was a kid people smoked a lot -- my aunts, my uncles, my siblings, strangers at the next table. I watched the smoke go into their bodies. I liked to watch it swirl out of their mouths. Kids who smoked were supposed to be more cool than me. The smoke looked cool, but not the kids, and certainly not the smell. Then in my twenties, my musician brothers would invite me to their bar gigs. I loved to see them play, I hated the smoke. It burned my eyes, stank, made the air taste bad. I'd leave my jacket outside overnight because it reeked. I tolerated smoke because I thought I had to. And I didn't get angry at those who smoked because it was their right, their choice, and they didn't realize how negatively it affected me. Back then, the majority expected non-smokers to deal with the problem, so I did. Isn't it amazing how public sentiment can change? Now smokers are starting to feel forced to do the unpleasant thing: walking 100 feet from public buildings, resisting the urge to light up in a crowd or at the open air café. I just wanted to say THANK YOU ex-smokers and THANK YOU considerate smokers! I am so impressed! You're efforts are inspirational & compassionate. You remind me to scrutinize my own behavior, to consider others liberally and presume entitlement conservatively. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

SNOBBERY: Mar 03, 2009
What kind of snob are you? I'm a coffee snob. I get beans from around the world, tweak my grind, vary my steep -- even roast my own. But all of this changed with the sip of a cup. I was visiting my mother out of state and woke up before she did. I raided the pantry, closet, even refrigerator looking for something coffee-like. Horror of horrors, she was a tea-drinker. Finally, in the basement, I found scarcely five scoops of pre-ground coffee left in a 1 gallon tin from Costco. I had no idea how old it was, nor even if it might make me sick. In an unusual act of old-food faith, I gave it a go in the drip coffeemaker my mom kept for "company." And to my surprise, it wasn't half bad. In fact, it was even sort of almost good. How could that be? How could I accept this new information. I'm a self-respecting coffee snob! And this is generic, pre-ground, store bought, coffee, who knows when it was ground or where the beans came from. But the fact of the matter remained -- I liked it. Such a small thing, but in "accepting" this newly brewed information, my world view grew. How about you? Are you more likely to except or accept? What kind of snob are you? What technique, object, class of peoples, law, philosophy, religion, art or food do you think you have earned snobbery rights over? Be honest, is there something you think you know so well that you won't even try the thrifty alternative? Have you walled out alternative thought? Have you pigeon-holed, defined people, defined yourself even and thrown away that younger more open mind? Has your own expertise isolated you from a juicy new experience? I know it's embarrassing to admit it to yourself. I'm quite embarrassed that it took a can of generic coffee to put a crack in the illusion of expertise I'd been fashioning like horse-blinders around my head. Isn't is interesting that the more expert we become, the more our views narrow. I dare each of you today to step out of your safe circle of "known" answers and try a sip of the unlikely. And if it tastes bitter instead of sweet, try another unknown next month anyway. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

EMPOWERING: Feb 16, 2009
The electricity went out at the airport yesterday morning - no checking in, no security scanners. People stood in line confused. Later, the problem resolved. And after my flight, I sat down for dinner with my family at an "Olive Garden" in a city 1500 miles away. The lights went out there, too. How eerie. We used our cell phone LCD screens to read the menu. All for naught, as too many appliances in the kitchen required electricity. Despite romantic strawberry-mounted birthday candles, alas, the eatery could not feed us and were forced to bid us adieu. We ate elsewhere. How we love our electricity. How it transforms our lives, our ideas of work and play. Even defines our outlook on life and world. Without it, we stand in line dumbfounded. That's a lot of power. Save for the last century or two, and old Ben playing in the rain with kites, electricity has been a power to which people were consistently oblivious. For thousands of years, generation after generation walked right by it, or through it. At the risk of sounding a bit "new agey," I propose to you that there are many such "powers" around us, available to us, but untapped. Looks like oil may be on its last leg, yet we hold to that leg like a child to the limb of its parent. Have we forgotten that playing in the rain with kites eventually adds up to checking email, flipping on big screens, lighting up airports? Oil is useful, electricity is powerful, but if you really want to energize your life -- act on your curiosity, take a careful risk, and fly your kite under storm clouds every once in a while. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

BRINGING HOME THE BAILOUT: Feb 3, 2009
Stimulus, 'love that word. It's nearly 1 trillion dollars isn't it? I sure could use a little bailing out -- how about you? Here's an alternative plan -- tell me what you think. We've got roughly 300 million people in the US. I've heard it conjectured that with 1 trillion you could give every US citizen a million dollars. That's not accurate. I did the math, we'd each get only 3 grand. Nice, but not enough to jumpstart things. Still, think I, the thought is workable. I researched census data and learned that we've currently got 100 million households in the US, of which about 40 million have at least one kid. So let's just call those families. If we targeted the most deserving (working hard, paying taxes, responsible, etc.) and most strapped (lowest income, hardest hit) quarter of all US families, we could identify 10 million recipients of the stimulus moneys. I'm saying 25% of all US families could be lent 100,000 dollars right now. Immediately, no waiting. Make that a no-interest loan with strings attached. For one, they must use the first 5grand to pay for a government financial consultant who would straight-away renegotiate any burdening predatory loans, etc. Banks would be energized by this move and start loosening up. The more banks loaning, the more projects on hold become off-hold and new jobs pop up. Even if families engaged in some frivolous spending, it's still spending. No application process, the families would be picked via tax and credit info already available. So, what do you think? Isn't it time we try trickle-up? Am I nuts? Shortsighted? Naïve? Do you find my Stimulus plan stimulating? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

HIGHER RESOLUTIONS: Jan 2, 2009
More passionate about your 2009 resolutions or pixel resolution on your TV? Isn't it interesting that both types of resolution aim to improve image definition. How would you define your image? I used to resolve yearly, but I found my memory completely inept. Once a year resolutions just ended up clumsy, unwieldy and all-too-easily forgotten. Works better for me to daily resolve, in each tough decision, in daily temptation, each conundrum. So, I didn't spend anytime thinking up resolutions for '09, just continuing the life- long journey of improving the 3-D image in the mirror. Towards that goal, I find it helps to turn off the HD image on the TV. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

LATE GREATS that DIED in 2008: Jan 2, 2009
Speaking of TV images, news shows have been honoring famous folks that died during the past year. Slick montages each host a series of sparkling faces that, despite their great acts, momentous gifts, or massive fortunes -- are now dead. The celebrity is not a god after all; for even you and I, right now, have more than these late greats. We have life. Mere humans, they were courageous enough to seize their lives. They can no longer share their gifts. But look, we live, we can share ours. -- What's your gift? How will you share it? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

SPEAKING & WRITING: Jan 2, 2009
"My gift is my song and this one's for you." Okay, so I didn't write that particular line, but besides songs, my gifts are great stories -- stories that aim for the heart and soul. Stories in book form or in the telling. Speaking of speaking, I'll be speaking at schools in the San Fran area this month, and Chicago next month. So if you'd like me to stop at a school or organization nearby, contact me, you'll get my presentations at a discount. As for my next book, I'm going to focus on another non-fiction adventure book or Rodney III ( to complete the trilogy), I haven't decided which. Ah, a whole new year -- what a beautiful thing! Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

STUFFING YOUR FACE WITH STUFFING?: Dec 2, 2008
I pigged out! My gf's brothers are both chefs. They cooked us up a seafood Thanksgiving: seared scallops, shrimp gumbo, smoked trout and salmon (just for starters), cranberry streusel cake and pumpkin pie (for finishers). Boy, we eat well here in the States! We've got it so good, we don't even know how good we got it. Back when I was teaching in Kenya, the school fed high school students corn meal and cabbage everyday. Friday was meat day. Do you realize that you and I eat like kings and queens? We feast everyday, yet we complain about the silliest things. We squander our good fortune on worries over which the rest of the world would laugh at us. Thanks giving -- why is that so hard for us? Why does it seem as though the more we have, the less grateful and gracious we become? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

TAVERNOUS: Dec 2, 2008
Speaking of eating well... my gf and I like breakfast cafes & diner dives. In a nearby cute-a-as-a-button town, there's a restaurant off the main drag that looks way out of place. The windows are darkened by drawn curtains and despite the word "Cafe" on the sign, the structure barks "tavern." One day last year, we decided to brave it, crack open that heavy wood front door. Through the dim light, we could see a bar full of men turn and look our way. Two steps in we stumbled into the billiards table, the Corona Extra lamp above it swayed with our bump. My gf (the only female in the place) gripped my arm as we slipped into the nearest booth. I nodded "hello" as if I belonged. They nodded back, then returned to their beers and banter. We ordered, ate and absolutely loved it. We've been back several times since. In fact, just Sunday we paused to reflect on how spooked we'd been of the place that first day. Isn't it funny how easily we all get scared off? Ever wonder how many treasures you'd walked away from, due to your imagined fear? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

THOUGHTS OF THANKSGIVING: November 24, 2008
"How do you feel about this? Schools decorating with smiling Pilgrims and Indians on T-day? My gf and I were brainstorming this controversy based on a recent news story of a Native American mom objecting to her daughter being subjected to such offensive costuming. Admittedly, woefully ignorant of the 1621 first Thanksgiving specifics, I did a little lazy internet research and found myself reading of an Indian named Squanto who seemed to be the star of that story (actually he's the star of a '94 Disney movie as well -- maybe I'll rent it Thursday). Fascinating history really, but, like so many things in life, there was no obvious conclusion to help me form my opinion about the current controversy. So... I open my mind to your thoughts. What do you think? Are we mixing gratitude and insult with such decorations? Interestingly enough, I learned, such Indian decorations aren't all that traditional, appearing on the T-Day scene post-1900's. As with most holidays, isn't it human nature to forget history anyway? Despite the best efforts of the media to remind us, how often do we plan to consider MLK, or Columbus? Truth is we're simply planning for a day off from work. Do you ever hear somebody saying the following? "Whewwww, without Squanto and the help of the other Indians we would have never been able to grow a stalk of corn, or fish for eels. We would still be living in the hull of the docked Mayflower starving and fearing famine." No, we're not thinking that. I'm not. In fact, most of us can't even trace our North American ancestries any time near the 1600's or anywhere near Plymouth, be they Indian or not. So, how is it that we came to feel so much ownership over the holiday? And, are the historic origins even necessary to its celebration? I think these questions are as delicious as turkey with cranberries and stuffing. I'll leave those answers to you, however. Instead, I'm going to offer up just one possible compromise to the current school decoration controversy. Let's ask the kids. Isn't that what school is for? Kids. Ask them how they would resolve the controversy. We might all be surprised by the questions they ask to gather information. Ask questions, give a project, and responsibility -- these are much better ways to teach than squeezing all of humankind's acquired knowledge into standardized tests that bind the hands of excellent teachers in hopes of shaping up teachers who simply don't like to teach. (But, I tangent.) Ask the kids to figure it out. That's what the pilgrims and Indians were doing at the time anyway. They were afraid of each other, and yet were in the precarious position of benefiting from each other. And as best I can tell, those signing peace treaties and carving turkeys at that moment in time sincerely wanted constructive relationships. Unfortunately, as often happens, a few selfish bullies end up messing things up. Even Squanto became corrupt with his elevated status. Perhaps, the real message then is to be thankful for relationships with those we love and those who would be enemies. Peace anywhere is fragile, be it between countries or family members. In the presence of peace anywhere, gratitude certainly is in order, on a daily basis, on a moment by moment basis. Unfortunately, given our disposition toward taking things for granted, the government has had to declare one day a year to remind us. I'm glad blood rivals sat down and shared a meal way back in 1621, I'm saddened that the peace didn't last, I'm angered at the ones responsible for that and I'm distressed so many died as a result. But, I have people that love me, good friends, and the chance to seek peace with my enemies. I'm thankful. In fact, I think if Squanto and the Pilgrims are looking down from "Englishman's Heaven" they wouldn't waste time trying to explain history. I think they would simply say, "Look at you, you're alive. Everyday is Thanksgiving Day for you." Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

PAIN IN THE NECK?: November 18, 2008
I picked up a beautiful new guitar at a garage sale for 10 bucks. Well, there was one flaw. The neck was broken -- cracked. Often guitar necks can be unscrewed and replaced -- not this one, it was a one piece guitar -- hence the low price. I had no idea if I could fix the neck, I also didn't know if the electronics were any good. But the paint job was beautiful so I took a risk. I asked my older brother who used to put guitar parts together as a kid and I asked my nephew who's an expert in fine furniture construction. To my surprise they both said to glue it. "But there's a great deal of tension from the taught strings," I cautioned. My nephew responded, "Wood glue stronger than glue." That sounded odd, but I followed his instructions, glued, clamped, waited, and shock of all shocks -- it worked. What a beautiful instrument it is again! Are you hip to my little analogy here? We are all beautiful instruments. But some of us are so broken we've given up on ourselves. My advice? Before you resort to selling yourself at a garage sale for 10 bucks to some hack guitarist -- try a mend. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that healed wounds are stronger than unscarred flesh or spirit even under pressure. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

HAPPY NEW PRESIDENT: November 11, 2008
I watched the election results at a wine shop in Arizona with some good friends. I returned to Pasadena, California on Sunday after 10 days touring between LA and Phoenix with my books. I've now got 9 titles on the table. "Please Don't Step on the Ants" always proves to be the biggest hit. But my latest book "Circle Earth" enjoyed a worthy debut. It's the only non-fiction title I have and the only one that's hand-bound by the author. A signed copy will be worth millions -- right? At first, I felt nervous about its personal nature, but I'm starting to relax a bit. How about you? Do you feel more at ease when talking fiction? How often do you share stories about yourself -- experiences or people that changed your outlook, your heart? Is it embarrassing, because in doing so you must admit that your perspective had been impaired for so long? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

My NEW '09 BOOK is NOW available: October 2008
(non-fiction, ages 19-99) "CIRCLE EARTH: A Man, A Journal, A Sketchbook, And the circumference of the planet" Yeah, I know it's a big title -- it was a big adventure! Come with me around the world. I'll make all the arrangements. I'll carry the backpacks. You just curl up on the couch. The book contains over 75 illustrations in pencil or watercolor, and 175 journal entries in prose, poetry and song that bring you along with me while I travel through 25 countries in 365 days. I made a circle around the Earth; the journey made a kinder, more open person out of me. Come, be moved too. Pre-order it by Oct. 10th and I'll throw in my OCEAN & FLUTE CD free, both will be sent out by Oct. 15th. www.RossAnthony.com/book Also don't forget, my ROSS ANTHONY PRESENTATIONS Have students in your area been inspired by my presentations? If no, email me the name of a local school and I'll contact them. www.AuthorIllustratorSpeaker.com

JURY DUTY: September 15, 2008
Yep, despite my plea of financial hardship (I'm my own boss) I found myself the very last juror picked from the pool. I wasn't even an actual full fledged juror -- I was Juror A2 -- the second alternate. I was required to hear the entire trial, but wasn’t allowed in the deliberation room. How frustrating! Sitting outside in that hallway it occurred to me that this is how some of us feel about our own lives. We've resorted to observation-only, to show up and watch the day unfold -- but no longer expect our own reflections to factor in. We've let life's trials render us so powerless that we've actually deemed ourselves alternative jurors. We've been waiting outside the deliberation room so long, we've become numb to the verdict. Point of fact, alternate jurors can be called at any time. As for your life, you can put into action your reflections any time you decide. You decide to decide. Your decisions matter, so I hope you've been paying careful attention to your actions. Will you consider all the facts rationally? Will you decide that you deserve to be set free into society? And if so, will that decision make society a better place? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

ROAST YOUR OWN: September 2008
I'm not talking about pot roast or even the old Dean Martin Roasts. I've been buying green coffee beans and roasting them on the stove in a skillet. It's simply a hypnotic joy. Sure, meditation alone is great, but in the end you haven't produced anything. Agreed, peace of mind is probably a very worthwhile product. Okay, not probably -- it is. But why not have peace of mind while sipping home roasted coffee? The little beans slowly brown from green as they sway back and forth in the pan. Sway and flip, sway and flip. Green to brown, sway and flip. They crack like popcorn. Sway and flip. Then they snap and crackle at you: "Take us off the fire!" Blow on them gently as you spill them from one bowl to the other. One bowl to the other. They cool with life's breath, your breath. Their light crusty skins take flight leaving beautifully browned, chocolate-color beans. Peace of mind and a fresh cup of coffee. Each day, arm yourself with one or the other .... or roast your own and have both. (Want a pound or 2 from my 30 pound bag of green beans this month? Write in.) Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

AmeriCAN-DO: August 2008
I'm building, by hand, my own scoring and binding equipment. And, sigh, purchasing other machines so that I can now, not only write and illustrate my books, but actually print and lovingly bind them myself. My 2009 book "Circle Earth" will be bound by hand (my hand) and available by October '08. It's a very satisfying feeling to create something with your own hands. In the face of daily news of destruction, perhaps creation is the cure. (Alas, I can't do it all on my own.) Ross-A-THON: Uhm, do you think my books provide "quality reading?" Independent TV & Radio stations hold telethons to "continue their quality programming." Well, I'm an independent writer, publisher, speaker with quality productions that couldn't flourish without you. Thank you, your book purchases keep me alive and writing. Of course, feel free to buy bunches more books for yourself and friends, but what I'm asking right now is for your mouth. Your word of mouth. Recommend me to speak at your local schools. Better & easier yet, simply email with the name of an elementary or middle school in your area. I'd greatly appreciate that -- they will too. I'll contact them to set up an inspiring presentation - share my passion for the written word - inspire the youth to read more and write better -- that sort of thing. To see details about my talks check out AuthorIllustratorSpeaker.com -- Thank you. Either way, contribute to the Ross-A-thon, simply EMAIL ME (use the contact form at authorillustratorspeaker.com) and leave a school name. That would sure help me out. THANK YOU! Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

NOBODY'S FUEL: July 2008
I get almost 70 mpg... but that's on my1-cylinder motorcycle (despite the fact that it's over 25 years old). In a car, I get almost 40 mpg, but okay, it's only when I'm driving my girlfriend's Prius hybrid. Actually she gets 45 mpg because she doesn´t use the cruise control. A visiting friend said he always gets better gas mileage than his wife even though they drive the same car. He said she darts about, whereas he is never in a hurry to bring the car up to speed. To save gas and cash, I've been changing my behavior. In my book-mobile van, in the city, I improved my mpg 15%. How? For the past year I'd making informal records of mpg based on local gas stations. Yes, there is a difference. Now I use only the station that gives me the best mpg. Second, I switched my radio to a classical station. The break from all those loud pounding commercials alone, made the change quite relaxing, and easier to curb my hurry. So, despite my unquenchable urge to get ahead of that slow guy in front of me, I've decided to simply enjoy the ride. I bring the car up to speed gently, and coast from half a block away to the oncoming stop sign or light. I've become that slow guy. And you know what? My drive times have increased marginally, my mpg has increased marginally, and I notice a great many more interesting things in my neighborhood. How about you? Have you been on cruise control in a stop and go life? Seems we're always so obsessed with BEING AT SPEED, that we forget to savor GETTING UP TO SPEED. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

LOOKING FOR DIRECTION?: June 2008
Satellites hovering 12,000 miles above the Earth talk to me through my new GPS. They tell me where I am. "In thirty feet, turn left." I love it. I've become completely addicted to a thing called Geocaching. People around the world hide things. As you're reading this, there are quite likely at least 25 things hidden in the town around you -- waiting to be found. You may even be walking passed one or two of them everyday. Get a GPS, go to geocaching.com search your zip code and you'll see. Get their coordinates, punch them into your GPS, then simply walk. As you walk the GPS tracks your coordinates, keep walking till your coordinates match those of the hidden cache. I think I love this so much because it's a tangible metaphor for following your heart. Everyday in life we have so many choices, so many directions to choose from, our hearts are constantly pulsing information to us, but if we're not paying attention, we'll miss priceless treasures. Step by step, check the GPS. Beat by beat, check your heart. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS: June update 2008
At the Book Expo America this month, I picked up author Ray Bradbury interviews on CD. This morning, instead of listening to the news while I ate, I cut the news short. Shut it off. Click. No more news. And turned on this Bradbury CD. I cleaned up the house while listening. Wow. What a difference in my psyche this change in my routine made. I've always known that today's media's "NEWS" can stamp an imprint of the negative on my day. Still, I occasionally get drawn back into it -- like a great athlete who gets dragged down by a lesser player's trash talk. Or an innocent turned eavesdropper by syrupy gossip. I know better, but TV news writers are paid lots of money to make me think I'm missing out when I shut them off. They're very good at having me think I won't know what's going on without their multiple daily updates. I'm forced to consciously shake off the lure of their Cheshire cat eyes and remind myself the truth -- TV news doesn't really represent what's going on in the world. It only relates what's going wrong in the world. For every story about how someone was killed by a murderer still on the loose (be careful you could be next!), there are a thousand untold stories how someone was helped, inspired, celebrated (I say, be ready you could be next!). Instead of walking out into your day worrying about the few bad apples, we should be ready to encounter the hundreds of juicy red apples. We should be those apples. Bradbury wrote "Fahr.451" in 9 days, that's impressive and absolutely inspiring. What on the news inspired you today? Shut the news off, turn on something empowering and positive. Be a good apple. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

THE INSPIRATIONAL PERCOLATOR: May 2008
As you know, I've been getting into coffee. Not Starbucks, but buying the whole bean (International Fair Trade), grinding it myself and the final crucial step -- brewing it. Not liking drip makers, yes liking French Presses, been experimenting with Asian coffee/tea devices. You have no idea what a coffee snob I've become -- it's terrible. And all for what? Five cups a week? I can't have any more than that or it keeps me awake, and I value my sleep, over coffee. Anyway, been looking for those old style percolators -- the ones the grownups used when I was a kid. I remember watching the coffee pop-pop-popping up into that little crystal knob. I didn't even like coffee then, but I liked to see the coffee percolate, the clicking sound and the smell too. Anyway, this weekend at a church rummage sale, found one! Three bucks and I helped out a good cause, too -- terrific. I was so content, I missed the real thing. A lady came up to me and said, "Nice pot, but no cord." I opened the top to show her that the cord had been placed inside. Her smile fell to a frown, "Oh there's the cord, oh, now that's exactly what I've been looking for!" I didn't know what to say to her. Actually, that's not entirely true, I knew exactly what I wanted to say -- two specific things that perfectly contradicted each other. My heart wanted to say, ached to say, "Here, take the pot. I'll find another one sometime." But another part of me, (My brain? My elbows? My selfishness?) wanted to say, "I want it, I found it first!" I said neither. So there it was, this happenchance chance to make somebody's day and I spectacularly blew it. I missed an opportunity to give someday something they would use everyday and perhaps, everyday be reminded that a good deed was done to them. Maybe even prompting them to do a good deed to someone else after every cup of coffee. I blew it. I bought it, I kept it to myself. Not long after getting in the car, my heart berated me, so I circled back and looked for the woman at the rummage sale. I failed to find her. So now every time I hear percolating coffee, I'll be reminded of how I missed a beautiful opportunity to plant a positive seed. Could that have been the point all along? Perhaps, that small happening was meant to tie mindfulness to each sip of coffee I enjoy. A reminder to be all the more on the ready to listen to my heart for the next random chance to act kindly. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

INSPIRATIONAL SNORKEL: April 2008
Half sky blue, half ocean blue. That's what I saw through my goggles, sucking on air from my rented snorkel. The line between the blues -- a squirrelly one. My head just barely above water -- bobbing in the Bali Sea, between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Did you ever try snorkeling? Did you ever open your eyes underwater? Most of the time we look at the world from our own perspective. Our eyes always between 4 and 6 feet above the ground. So limiting. What amazes me about snorkeling is how wrong my initial assessments turn out about what's beneath the surface. Standing on the sandy beach of one of the islands of Indonesia, I looked out over the silky blue glistening ocean. It was beautiful, yes, but so same. Same from left to right. It seemed predictable -- at least from minute to minute. And it so perfectly hid everything underneath. An aqua blanket. You could guess what's below the surface and walk away, but you'd be so wrong. Dive in, get under the blanket and see for yourself. It's absolutely eye-opening. Perhaps equivalent to all that you learn in one year of college. Maybe each world citizen should be required to swim in the ocean. And countries too. Maybe there would be more peace if countries were required to swim with the fish along their coastlines. How about you? Ever snorkeled? Scratch the surface recently?

Great luck! I saw a flying a fish! Just a flicker that caught my eye as our little boat sped along a calm sea. It was about a foot or two long, it glided along the surface of the water for fifty yards. Half a football field! Why? Was it dodging a bigger fish's bite? Was it atmosphere snorkeling? That's what I think. It saw the bottom of our boat, but rather than judge us by that, it was brave enough to break into our world and have a look. I bet we weren't what it expected to see given just the bottom of our boat. I wonder if we were as beautiful to him as the schools of life in its world are to snorkelers. If fish can do it, why not us? How much wiser the amphibian? I dare you to snorkel. I dare you to swim in someone else's world before judging it by the surface. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

INSPIRATIONAL BAD NEWS: March 2008
The night before my Arizona Book Tour, my buddy and I were looking up at the underside of my book-mobile van. I'm holding the leaking brake-line as he's awkwardly attempting to rotate the new caliper snugly to it. Thankfully we figured out a better method for mounting the left caliper. 2 hours later we were ready to bleed the brake fluid of air and be done. That's when we discovered the frozen lug nuts on the rear wheels and if that wasn't bad enough, my spare tire (which holds on to the bottom of the car) was shredded. Yikes! So where does the inspirational bit come in? At that moment, the literal last hour before my trip we discovered a problem. We didn't have the parts or the time to fix it. Anyone would be bummed, right? And, in fact, we were too. But then it occurred to me how lucky I was to find that stuff out. I was lucky to have a friend helping me, I was lucky that he noticed it -- I might not have. And actually, if I'd brought the car in to have a real mechanic replace the calipers, he might have missed the busted spare. I pictured myself out in the Mojave Desert, dust up my nose trying to break those lugs free of a flat tire - only to pull out the shredded spare tire. Yikes. Thankfully, my girlfriend lent me her Prius for the trip! Wahoo. Anyway, forgive my trite summary, "Every bit of bad news, is simply good news in disguise -- waiting for us to find the wisdom to see it." Got 44mpg too! Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

INSPIRATIONAL BIT: Feb 2008
Having lunch at a Fast Food place that sat at the intersection of a fairly busy street and a one-way avenue, a man darts out the door in a startling rush. We all turn our heads and wonder what's happening outside. When he returned to the restaurant catching his breath, I asked him, "Are the parking police coming around?" He shook his head, and pointed out the window, "No, that guy's going the wrong way on a one-way street." After saying that, an older woman spoke up, "Wow and you ran out to tell him to he's in danger? You don't see that anymore. That was very nice of you."

I thought about that for a second. "You don't see that anymore." If that's true then it wasn't just the driver of the car that should be appreciative -- it was all of us who witnessed the good deed. We not only were shown an example of a good deed, but were forced to re-evaluate this notion that such good deeds just don't happen anymore. How about you? How often are you privileged enough to witness, perchance be inspired by a good deed? How often do you see someone accelerating in the wrong direction, but pass up the opportunity to be the one doing the good deed? Or could it be you're the one driving the wrong way obliviously? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

THE "THING" I WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS! Jan 2008
So I bought it a few days ago -- a coffee grinder! In November, I purchased Free Trade Coffee on the net from growers in Ethiopia. But no grinder. Finally, this week I ground it up and took a sip -- Wow, fresh ground coffee is so good! Not only that, but it brought back warm wonderful memories from my year in Kenya a decade ago. (That's why I got the Ethiopian coffee -- it's near Kenya -- and I was hoping the coffee would taste alike.) And with those warm memories came warm feelings of pride in myself for doing something bold, for learning as much as I was teaching and for the friendships I'd enjoyed back then. You know, the week I left Kenya, my students knocked on the door of my little house, crowded into my little unpainted concrete living room between the ropes of drying laundry and sang to me in multi-part harmony for almost 1 hour. A warm cup of coffee to such a warm cuddly feeling inside. Best to skip the former and go right to the latter. The grinder is secondary. It was the "Thing" I didn't get for Christmas, but what I did get was so much better -- warm wonderful times with the ones I love -- my family and my girlfriend and her family. Here's to hoping you're enjoying the warmth of those you love as much or more than the "Things" they gave you. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

LEARN by FAILING: Dec 2007
Just had an email conversation with one of my readers today that's worth repeating. I told her that I learned to be good at Scrabble by losing a lot to a guy that was a master. And she related it to her skiing experiences, and I quote her, "Once you stop falling, you stop learning.

INSPIRATIONAL BIT: Nov 2007
The tiles on my front stoop were coated softly with small white specks. The sun burnt a red glow around the eerily blurred shadows of trees and even me. It looked like dawn or dusk, but it was noon. The black and white crumbs peppered my motorcycle seat as well, I wiped them with my hands before riding to lunch. Ash. Ash from all the Southern California fires. I'm in the Pasadena area which is probably 30-40 miles from the nearest fire. But there it was ... ash. Some friends and associates from around the area have evacuated their homes, uncertain whether they will ever be able to return. An abrupt, beautiful, painful, reminder that all we build is temporary. That the house is not the home. And the fire that destroys it not half as potent as the fire that burns inside each of us. Are you tending more to the beautification of your house than your heart? Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

TUNNEL FIRES: Oct 2007
A major California freeway shut down last Friday night after a tragic fiery accident in one of its tunnels. My girlfriend and I, had planned to spend the weekend four hours North of LA in Sequoia National Forest with some good friends already up there. Thought at first the crippled 5 would toss those plans. Los Angeles is a valley surrounded by mountains and the 5 is one of only (3) major ways out. The other two would require a 60 mile detour and we were already maxing out our road time (9 hours round trip for 2 days). Turns out I knew of a little road that goes over the mountain to the desert. It took 1/2 an hour longer and was full of switchbacks, but it was many times more beautiful than the 5. At the risk of sounding schmaltzy, let me ask -- has there been some tunnel on fire crimping your plans? Ever consider how fortunate you are not to be in that tunnel as it burns. How about challenging yourself to find that beautiful detour. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

A Random Act of KINDNESS: Sept 2007
I was on my motorcycle (it's not a big one) at an intersection waiting for the light to change. Mine was the only vehicle waiting, and I happen to know this red light would never change because of the underground sensors -- not strong enough to pick up my little motorcycle. I hate it when this happens, I have to wait for a car to come over the sensors. But the lights began to change anyway -- how could that be? I turned my head fast enough to see a guy walking away form the pedestrian crossing button. He wasn't crossing the street, he must have walked out of his way just to press that button so the lights would change for me. I saw the back of his head as he walked away, he didn't even wait to see the smile on my face. What a beautiful thing.

So much negativity in the news these days. Broadcasters should.be ashamed of themselves for portraying the world as ugly as they do. Daily, millions of dollars are spent in the name of good and helping. Every day, in your presence, an act of kindness passes -- have you seen the one today yet? Each new day offers each of us a new chance to be the author of that act. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

ROSS ANTHONY WORKSHOPPING: Aug 2007
Last night I watched the International Space Station glide over the starry sky. A brilliant pinpoint of light slowly tracking like an ant along its trail. I spent about an hour looking up. Saw 5 other satellites and a shooting star in that time, camping in my van at a state park near Laguna Niguel, CA. I'm presenting a week long creative writing workshop here (in the city) for two small groups of energetic kids. We're all learning a lot, but my favorite session was Tuesday when I had them strip the lyrics from one of my songs and write their own lyrics to replace them. Then, of course, I played their new creations on my guitar. Went over well. Today we'll be writing 3 page screenplays. Maybe there's a Spielberg in the bunch. Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

BOOK TOURING: July 2007
I´m on book tour again -- in an internet café in Scotts Valley , California as we speak (that is, as I write and you read). Forgive me, I forgot to mention that in my last newsletter. I did have it planned, but I was so busy with so much going on at that moment that I guess, I half believed I wouldn´t be able to finish and go on a book tour too. Surprise Surprise. I finished enough. Anyway, this is a short one -- about 12ish days. I´ve already been on the road just about 7 of them -- travelin´ up the pretty coast of California from LA to San Fran. (I´m just an hour south of San Fran now.) So, if you live on the way and want me to stop by you call my 800 number. Otherwise, the van is holding up just great. You may recall that last year I too took my 1988 mitzubishi van on a 10 week book tour from LA to Chicago to Seattle and back. I love my van. I owe my van big time. Anyway, somewhere around Minnesota last year -- the van would sometimes sputter at 1900-2000 rpms -- very intermittently. It did that for the whole year. My mechanic couldn´t fix it, because, well, you know, it would never act up for him, so he didn´t know what to fix. Anyway, on a whim, I replaced the rotor the day before I left on this tour -- and guess what -- it hasn´t happened since. Is that cool or what? A $10 rotor I snapped in myself. Crazy.

Anyway, I´ll keep this short, just wanted to let you all know what was goin´ on with me. The weather has been ridiculously gorgeous, the state parks sweet (fell asleep at the edge of a babbling brook last night) and it´s always so good for my soul to meet all the new readers. Oh yeah, a reminder to you new readers -- don´t forget to type in your feedback at RossAnthony.com/books. Thanks. And the rest of you , don´t forget to enjoy your lives! Ross Anthony, RossAnthony.com

"If you like my newsletters, you'll love my books. Click the "BOOKS & MUSIC" link at RossAnthony.com, and order one or two of my books on that page. I'm doing this myself, there's no publisher, so if you buy books anywhere else besides through me – that doesn't help me stay alive and writing. Also check out my CD on that page – you can hear my music samples there too. Lastly, if you haven't subscribed to this monthly newsletter, you can do that there too! Or if you're simply uncontrollably inspired to make a verbal comment to anything you've read here, feel free to leave a message 24/7 at 1-800-ROSS-186 (1-800-767-7186). Thanks, btw, for browsing my little part of the internet. Enjoy the day!"
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