Be Thankful

Date: 2018 December 17

APOK News

We are officially one week away from Christmas, and two weeks away from 2019. As life speeds up around the holidays and everyone makes time to get together the calendar speeds past.

I must apologize for not blogging last week. As you will see below in the post “Be Thankful” there has been a lot happening and I missed the opportunity to get my post out. Recent events have also changed what this blog is about. However before we get to that, movement in the APOK News department is as follows;

• Consultation with Promotional Expert – gained guidance to help APOK and APOK Derailed enter 2019 on solid footing.
• I’ve been getting requests for DERAILED clothing, and have been working with another artist from Screenmachine Promotions. I would like to thank Veronica for her help. The designs are amazing. I have been fanning out the mock-ups through FACEBOOK to get feedback on what everyone wants. We may have a couple very cool options that will be available soon.
• Revision #27 of APOK Derailed continues as promised and will be done shortly.
• The Publisher has provided revised versions of the back of the book write up along with the author bio…stay tuned to FACEBOOK for those as well.

All the best,

Mike

 

BE THANKFUL

Hustle and Bustle mixed feelings? Coping with loss? Struggling with life’s demands? How can we enjoy the flame of life when living under water?

Since the age of ten, I have been learning to cope with difficult situations. At that time, the life of my mentor, best friend and grandfather slipped away. I couldn’t understand it then, and I still don’t know why bad things happen to good people. Since that time I have been subjected to many life altering events including the week my first novel was released. My aunt, who had helped me with APOK, was taken suddenly, never having an opportunity to see the finished product.  

In the last month, my family has experienced two deaths, there have been serious life threatening issues identified in two others and I have friends in pain from the sudden loss in their family. My heart goes out to all those who have lost someone near to them, and to those struggling through difficult times.

While I don’t have the answers to the Universe, in my time circling the sun I have developed one method that has helped me breath when the weight of the situation was squeezing the air out of my lungs. This method requires simple daily work. Although simple, this method isn’t always easy, however it is effective.

Be thankful. It may sound weird, funny or strange. After all, how can I be thankful when bad things happen? It’s not easy, but for me it’s essential. As a police officer I find it’s so easy to get caught up in negativity. Rarely we deal with people who are happy or at their best. Ninety nine percent of the job is dealing with negative situations. So being thankful can be a struggle.

In order to combat the influx of negativity I routinely remind myself of everything I am thankful for. In the matter of a loss of a loved one. I am thankful for the time I had with them and how they added to my life.  

I needed to come to grips with; Life is full of obstacles and it doesn’t discriminate. Bad things happen to everyone under the stars, the rich and poor alike regardless of sex, age, or religion.

It’s natural and it is intelligent to examine and learn from each situation. What I mustn’t do, is allow “WHY ME?” to set in. Continued self-pity will only guarantee that the pain will endure and it rarely provides the mental strength to move on and see the good remaining all around.  

Since discovering this simple yet difficult method, it has brought me out of a very dark place and keeps me on track. As all people, I succumb to life however when feeling down, I make sure I make time to be thankful.

Depending on the situation, in the beginning, “Being Thankful” is extremely difficult. The more you practice it, the easier it becomes and it is something that can truly change life.

As this Christmas season approaches, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and I wish that you are able to enjoy a moment of peace and be thankful.