Giving an idea wings

Before meeting with a friend for a coffee on Friday, an idea came to me as to how I could get my book into the hands of more readers.

The basic principle was for the reader to pass it on once they'd read it.

You know what an idea looks like in your head, right? It's vivid and it calls for your attention. If you don't give it your attention it fades, and sometimes I've found it can move onto somebody else who is more than willing to invest time and energy into it.

I can't remember the amount of times I've said, 'I had that idea,' but simply didn't act on it.

So the idea for my book came as an image in my mind's eye, and it looked like this: the book was opened on the first page and in it were the words, "Dear reader, once you've read this book, please pass it on to somebody you think will benefit from its message. With love, Gavin." And at the bottom was the date and the words, 'Book 1'.

I got kind of excited by this so I acted on it without delay (excitement is usually a clear sign that an idea deserves some attention). I got the only copy of my book I had, opened it up to the first page and wrote the words I saw in my mind's eye.

I then took it with me when I went to see my friend and gave it to her as a gift. I asked her if she would be interested in starting off an idea for me, 'to give my book wings,' I said. She was thrilled by the idea and said she would be happy to pass it on once she'd read it.

So - - - - in a short period of time there's going to be ten copies of my book floating around. I'm going to pass them onto friends to pass them onto their friends, who will pass them onto their friends.

I think it's a beautiful and rather organic way to spread the comforting message of the book - a message I believe in.

So if you do come across my book, Waiting for Wings - A Story of Hope, know that it has been given to you because the giver thinks you might gain something of value from its content. I sincerely hope you will then pass it onto somebody else for them to gain comfort.

Much appreciated.

G

Poem - 'Together'

Writing poetry is something I took up about two years ago. I never force an idea. If it doesn't come easily, then I don't write it.

Three nights ago, before going to sleep, I said to myself I wanted to write a poem to help people who have lost a loved one.

I woke up with the following poem ready to be written.

(I suppose that's where the term 'sleep on it' comes from).

Together

by Gavin Whyte

 I never thought I would say this,

So it is my hope that you believe;

But death is not the end,

It's just the way it's perceived.

We always dreaded that moment,

And I know we said it wasn't fair,

We had so many plans,

And life didn't seem to care.

But now I understand, you see,

Every breath is planned by our host.

We were together, love,

And that's what mattered the most.

We will pick up where we left off;

Time will become a thing of the past.

Eternity as one,

Me, you, together at last.

Farewell Letter by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I haven't updated the blog in a while, for the simple reason that I haven't felt like saying much.

What is there to say when one spends one's time looking and listening?

Words don't seem to come close to capturing the moment felt.

I got given the following link this morning and I felt compelled to share it. I read it out loud and it had a massive impact on me.

So this is it for this post. Short and sweet, but I hope the content of the link will make up for it.

Happy living, folks.

Remember to breathe deep and smile!

http://www.prrb.ca/articles/issue08-marquez.html