Guest Blogger: Marlo Hamrick

one There is always another option.  There will be times when you think you're stuck forever.  There will be times you think things are set and there is nothing that can change the course.  There is always another option.  There's always another choice. When you think your back is against the wall and the only way out is the one you see in front of you, you're only seeing part of the picture.  If you turn your head you'll see another way, or there will be a hole in the wall you can climb through or a ladder to the roof.  You aren't trapped.  You have another option.  And sometimes you need people you love to help you see what the other option is.  There will be another option.

two Make things.  Make music.  Make art.  Make waffles.  Make clothes. Just make: Something.  As humans, we have a need to complete something.  We like to feel accomplished.  Making things meets this need.  It is easier than getting a degree or climbing a mountain, though these accomplishments are good too.  Keeping your hands busy keeps you out of trouble, calms your mind, and keeps you from getting Alzheimer's.  Things you make will last longer than things you buy.  Supplies to make things are fairly cheap, especially if you factor in that you get to enjoy the making of the item, and then get to enjoy the item itself.  It doesn't matter what you make.  Make whatever makes your heart flutter.  But, make things.

three Pity City: There are no houses there, just hotels.  Sometimes things don't go right.  Sometimes things are lousy.  There are times to be sad and times to cry.  But, those times don't last.  You can't mope forever.  When things are lousy, you're allowed to go to Pity City.  There are parties there, but they're not much fun.  As we've seen: there are only hotels in Pity City.  You can't move there.  While you're there, you're allowed to wallow and sit in the feeling-bad-feeling.  Just remember the slogan of the town: "Pity City: A nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there!"

Marlo and my son, JT, went to school together at East High in the International Baccalaureate program. I got to meet her when she was still a baby and then many years later, I got to meet her dad as he rose quickly to the top of the Accordion Players Pool in Wichita, KS. The Hamrick family has brought much goodness to this world and I am honored to get to share some of that.

copyright 2010 moemasters/marlohamrick