I've decided to play golf. Lots of my friends play golf so I figured I might as well learn the game. How hard can it be? Right? 
Turns out, it's a lot more difficult than I thought. I always do my research before I begin any project, so taking up golf wasn't any different. I found that not only is this a challenging game of skill that requires some math ability (angles, distance, wind velocity, etc) but can also teach the player a great deal about life. I was intrigued.
It seems that many writers have focused on the values of integrity, honesty, fortitude, patience, and many other significant virtues that the game fosters in people. But I think there's even more to it; a mindfulness and a spiritual side, as well. For the sake of this blog, let's define spirituality as not only a set of attitudes and practices that are designed to make us better, kinder, and more compassionate, but also something that helps foster self-knowledge and growth. Golf may look easy, but it's not. It requires deep concentration and excellent body coordination, a "true test of mind-body integration." This is similar to meditation where the both the mind and the body must be stilled in unison. Mindfulness is being present in the moment. Golf requires the player to be present in the moment. If a player's mind wanders off, it will produce poor results. Life is very much the same way. Living, and playing golf, in present moment awareness brings greater fulfillment and joy.
Golf also provides an opportunity to commune with nature. This, in itself, can be deeply spiritual; the tranquility and peacefulness of the golf course, its natural beauty with abundant, lush greens and sparkling waterways. There's even wildlife to be enjoyed...birds chirping and the occaisonal squirrel that scampers by. (Personally, I think that there should be a few frogs in those ponds, but that's just me and fodder for another blog.) All this serves to relax both the mind and the soul. It makes you glad to be alive.
I've even read that playing golf will show you where you're attached in life and still need spititual growth. Golf is a kinder, gentler game than, say, hockey or football. You don't often read about golfers getting into altercations with each other that result in bloddied and battered bodies. The players are polite; it's far more Zen or Buddhist...certainly not the Holy Wars or Crusades. I bet if golf had been around 2500 years ago, The Buddha would have had at least one "green jacket." 
Fully prepared with more knowledge than I had expected, I'm anxious to get out onto the course and take a few practice swings. I now understand why golfers say that playing golf on Sunday is their church. It really can be an uplifting and spiritual experience. It has the added benefit of being fun, too. And I can't think of a better way to spend my weekend. 
See you back on Monday.
Fore!


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Today, I'm going to let Ralph Waldo Emerson write most of this blog. Perhaps that's cheating a bit, but I came across a quotation from this amazing essayist and poet that left me croakless. It's something that I want to share with you and I hope you'll pass it on. This is, to me, the best description of success ever written.

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...this is to have succeeded."

The next time you feel like a failure, or simply feel that you aren't contributing enough to the world, please reread these words. Real success isn't measured by money, status, or things. It's defined by who you are as a person. To give love freely, to nurture young children, to respect nature, and to show genuine compassion to others...these are the hallmarks of a successful human. 

Having a pile of money in the bank won't make you feel nearly as good as seeing a smile on the face of someone you've helped. It's a priceless treasure. Go be successful today. Doing something ordinary, like hug your kids or wave at your neighbor, and you'll be one very, very extraordinarily successful person!

"Into each life, some rain must fall." These famous words were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and are part of a poem entitled "Rainy Day." He used rain as a metaphor for the clouds and sadness that everyone must endure as part of living life. If we don't experience the bad, how can we know what is good? I get that.
But, what if we looked at the rain as something else; something powerful? Rain could then become a metaphor for all that is right in the world, instead of all that is bleak and dark.
We all know that each rain drop is part of a cycle. The rain falls bringing needed water to all living things, then runs off into the streams and rivers which, eventually, flow into the ocean. Perhaps our thoughts could become like those single drops of rain. Individually, they don't accomplish much, just as a single drop of rain isn't enough to water a plant. Collectively, however, those rain drops will bring relief to a dry and thirsty garden.
By working together, through meditation and positive thinking, each of us contributes to making the world a better place. We add to the small streams created in our neighborhoods, communities, and countries. Those streams then flow into the larger stream of the collective world consciousness. 
Negative thinking, like too much rain, can wreak havoc on our planet. The occaisonal bad thought doesn't mean much, but when they become a daily occurrance, these thoughts join forces with all the other negative thinking in the world and become a damaging force; the very way heavy rains cause flooding and destruction. Kind, gentle, and loving thoughts for the health and well-being of our planet are like the soft, spring rain that makes the seeds sprout and the flowers bloom. Every positive thought can and should be harnessed. 
The next time it rains, see the joy and hope that it brings. And if you're tempted to seek shelter, don't. Instead, go out in the metaphorical rain and become one of those droplets. Your thoughts will co-mingle with the thoughts of other like-minded humans. In time, that little stream will  become a river; full, powerful and certain to alter the course of history for all living things.  And that is, I believe, the best way to change our future. Thoughts are powerful.  Don't waste yours.

Have you ever found yourself referring to those with money as privilleged? It's easy to do. It's the old us vs. them scenerio. Those with money have all the power; living in their ivory towers amidst luxury and opulence. While the rest of us struggle with all the problems of day-to-day living; working, paying the bills...trying to just stay afloat. It seems unfair.
But wealth is really a lot more than than just money. Wealth means different things to different people. About the only folks who probably don't understand this are the top 1% of the world's richest humans. There's no denying that having extra cash makes living easier. It does. When you no longer have to worry about your old car breaking down on the way to work, or how you're going to pay for the mortgage each month, live becomes less worrisome and more pleasurable. If you ask a person in Malawi or the Congo what is wealth, they will no doubt tell you that wealth means having enough food to eat every day, clean water to drink and bathe in, and medical care for their sick child. This is very different from what you or I might think of as wealth; a beautiful home, expensive cars, travel to exotic lands...
I think we need a new way to look at wealth. There's no denying that there should be a more equitable distribution of money. There are too many have-nots compared to the number of haves. Beyond money, we need to share resources, as well. Food, water, medicine, and education...to name but a few.
Many wealthy people are, I think, clueless as to what poverty means or even looks like. They've never experienced it first hand. It's not their fault they're rich. In many cases, the wealth has been passed down through generations. Some have worked hard to obtain their money, but probably didn't start off at the bottom of the wealth heap. And then there are a few Horotio Alger stories. Those folks know what it's like to be "dirt poor" and are usually pretty generous with their new-found status.
Education is key here. Perhaps those Ivy League professionals need a different perhaps kind of training; a coure on what it's like to struggle every day, just to get by. It would be an eye-opening experience for them, and one they'd not likely forget.
Wealth is a big problem in this world and I certainly don't know what the solution is. As a frog, my biggest problem is where to find the fatest bugs. Although my of my kind are in dire straits from disease, climate change, and vanishing habitats. But, again, these issues can be overcome through education and a willingness on the part of humans to protect their world and everyone in it. Everyone is the key word here.
In the long run, wealth needn't be about us vs. them; it should be more about using what we do have to help those that are on the rung below us. Whether you have a lot to share, or very little, there's somebody worse off who could you a little help.
Try looking at wealth a little differently; it starts with gratitude. And don't just point a finger at the rich guy and say it's all his fault. It's up to everyone of us to help when and where we can. See what you can do, on a personal level, to help level the playing field,,,just a bit. It's a funny thing about giving to others; when you do, you inevitably wind up being the one who is helped the most.

When faced with making a decision, are you a list-maker? I sure am.
It doesn't really matter if the decision is a big one, or something relatively small...I always make a list of the pros and cons. It helps me to see things in a concrete, black-and-white way.
I recently found two groups that I'd like to join. Because my free time is somewhat limited, I must choose which one would best suit me at this time. The first group is more subdued, intellectual, and a bit stuffier. The second group is, I think, more relaxed, creative, and may have more in common with me.  So, the question becomes, do I want to join a group where I might be pushed out of my comfort zone, or do I want to hang out with other creative-types?
My initial thought is to join the easy-going group. But, upon deeper reflection, I find that I do enjoy learning new things, even if it means being uncomfortable with certain situations. It won't be an easy decision for me, so that is why I depend on my lists to clarify things.
After I make my four lists, pros and cons of each group, I will let them sit and "marinate" for a while before looking at them again and making my final choice. As with most things in life, if it turns out that I don't like my original pick, I can always decide again. Life is a constant battle of trial and error. It's comforting to embrace this concept.
If you're not a list-maker, I hope you give it a try the next time you are faced with a decision that isn't immediately clear. It's always worked pretty well for me. It's something my dad taught me to do. I hold my prarent's life-lessons very close to my heart. Even though all of those lessons don't necessarily work for me, I appreciate the fact that they took the time to teach me. Not all parents do.
When you find solutions to everyday problems that work for you, don't hesitate to teach them to your kids. When they grow up, they'll understand that you did your best to teach them how to navigate the world they live in...even if they toss your solutions out the window and find their own way to do things. Kids will be kids, after all.
Have a great Monday and I hope to see you back here tomorrow.

I've been invited to a formal diner party this weekend and I think my manners could use a little spit and polish before the big event. I always get confused as to which fork and knife goes with which course.The last fancy dinner I attended was given by Prince Charming; a Lily Pad state dinner to honor me, after I published my first book. That was a number of years ago and manners, like most everything else, tend to fade into distant memory if they're not used periodically. ​My mom raised Quigley and me to have basic manners at the family dinner table, but I can't remember her ever saying much about mutiple course and utensils.
Manners make one more civilized, I think. Land of Lily Pad has become more casual recently, and the froglets of today don't know how to act during meal times. I find the same thing true for you humans. Society has become less structured and ridged...that's not all-together a bad thing. A relaxed atmosphere does make people and situations generally more approachable, but when there are no clear-cut boundaries, it can leave you feeling confused and a little intimidated. How should I act? What should I wear? What will be expected of me?
It's this frog's opinion that manners are a way to bridge the divide. Teaching young people, from an early age, what is expected in situations not only gives them guidelines for proper behavior, but also instills in them a sense of self-confindence. They know how to act wherever life takes them. 
There are certain rules of ettiquette that should be mandatory everywhere, in every situations. The most important one is respect. When you are respectful of others, and of yourself, the rest of the rules will easily fall in to place.
Even if you don't have a formal dinner party to attend this weekend it might be fun, and helpful, to have a family dinner at home; complete with table linens and all. Invite everyone to participate in polite conversation, be on their best behavior, and definitely no cell phones allowed. Having an at-home "formal meal" every now-and-again is good for the soul. It makes you feel proud and grateful; it makes you feel grown-up. 
The Miss Manners of yesterday may be outdated, but the Miss Manners of today can help give humans of all ages a good "polish". It can help with everything from casual situations, to job interviews, and even State dinners...if you're fortunate to get invited to one. Personally, I think the world could use some extra manners these days and having a bit of polish will make everyone shine a little brighter.
My suit is as the cleaners, and I want to act as good as I'll look. It's time for me to hop off to the library now. I have a date with Miss Manners and I don't want to keep her waiting...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I've been doing a great deal of thinking lately about love. Humans seem to have a particularly difficult time with this emotion. You're careful who you love; it's reserved for those who look like you. But what about all those other people? Aren't they deserving of love, too? You never want to be the first one to say the words, "I love you" so often times, it goes unsaid.
Humans love cute animals, but not the ones who aren't cuddly and furry. What gives with that!? Snakes can be lovable. Frogs can be lovable. And what about the poor blobfish? He may well have been voted the ugliest creature on earth, but he still deserves to be loved and respected.
Love isn't an emotion that meant to be horded. Quite the opposite. The more love you give, the more love you receive. It's kinda cool that way. Couldn't we all use a little more love?
The thing that "bugs" me the most is how humans are lazy when it comes to romantic love. Very few people will look beyond the confines of their own neighborhood, or town, when it comes to finding their perfect mate. I call that settling. Perhaps your true love isn't on the lily pad next door...or even in the same swamp. What then? Yes, you can love thy neighbor, but that doesn't mean you should run off and marry them just because they're handy! There's something magical that happens when you find "the one" romantic partner that you were meant to be with. Do you still get that same same giddy feeling when you "fall in love" with someone who's best quality is that they happen to be convenient? Maybe, but I'm not going to risk it; I don't think I want to find out that badly. 
If you're out here looking to find love, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Anything worth having is worth working for. Especially love. And if you've already found your special someone, don't be afraid to tell them so. Ribbit it loudly...and often. Love is meant to be shared but, and like with most things, someone has to take the first hop. Don't wait around hoping that love will find you. It takes persistence; certainly it takes fortitude. Love doesn't come easy. But I know you're up for the challenge.
There's nothing on earth that's more important than love. We all know that, in theory, it makes the world go 'round. But honestly, I think it actually does. Don't be afraid to love others who are different; be they critter or human. Many of my close friends aren't even amphibians. Yet I love them dearly. Love isn't always simple. But it is kind. Be lovable and you will be loved. Now go find a blobfish to love...

Frogs have big eyes. It is said that frogs have the most beautiful eyes of any animal. I agree, of course, but it's not the size or beauty of the eye that's most important; it's what those eyes see that counts.
Personally, I don't see myself as successful...my books don't sell a lot of copies. But in the eyes of my family and close friends, I'm a huge success. To them, I'm another J.K. Rowling. That makes me feel like a million flies!
Creativity is a personal thing. Often, we creative types, don't fully see our gifts. We rely on others to see what it is that we're trying to express. So many times I've written pages and trashed them, only to have someone fish them out, read them, and tell me it's some of my best work. It's an odd feeling. Why couldn't I see it?
My friend, the Dharma Frog, has said that, "Every successful frog is a dreamer whom someone believed in." I never really understood these words until recently when I had the opportunity to encourage a young artist. He wasn't feeling very good about his himself, or his work. I told him I thought his work was good and showed great potential. Now my opinion is just that, my opinion, but I did see touches of greatness in his paintings. And I felt it was my honor, and duty, to tell him so. Upon hearing these words, he beamed like the brightest evening star. He needs some professional training, but what creative frog doesn't, when he first gets started? Humans do to, of course. 
Without some words of encouragement, my little friend might have just given up and the world would be a little worse off for it. My few encouraging sentencesmade him feel successful; that someone else could see his vision. Now he is spurred on to attend art school and master his craft. I say, "Way to go little Rembrandt!"
What are you looking at? Are you seeing creative greatness in those around you? Have you told them so? If so, good for you! If not, I urge you to see them as successful in whatever their chosen endeavor. Your kind words or gentle criticisms might be all it takes for them to go on and become someone truly inspiring; someone who will encourage others. It's a chain reaction that grows with time. Creativity is what makes this ol' world spin. And you can be a part of it. Speak up and tell others how successful they are. In return, you'll become successful, too. For it's not money that makes one successful; it's a sense of pride in one's words, deeds, and actions.

 Do you have a friend who lives some distance away? Both of you keep meaning to get together but, some how or other, the days turn into weeks and months, then years. After a while, you're lucky if you exchange greetings during the holidays. The intention to remain close is there, but no one seems to want, or has the time, to go that extra mile to make it happen. Friendships, whether new or old, require cultivation. They're like flower seeds that need tending to in order to grow and bloom. Without careful and thoughtful attention, they'll wither and die...just as flowers do when they are left without water and fertilizer.
This happened to me, yeterday. I suggested to an old friend that we get together for an afternoon and catch up. This frog lives in a swamp pretty far from here. My friend agreed and thought that meeting half way would be good. I thought so, too, until I realized that their version of half-way was really 3/4 and 1/4...in their favor. At first, I got angry and was about to email them to say I was busy when I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Perhaps I hadn't thought about the real reason my friend suggested a meeting that was closer to his swamp than mine. Was a time a factor? Maybe he was having trouble hopping a long way...
I didn't know the answers and I was being quick to judge. I decided right then and there that I would hop all the way over to his swamp for our visit. It wasn't about being the "bigger" frog; it was about wanting to see my friend. I was willing to go that extra "hop" to keep our friendship healthy and strong. And I know that anything worth having is worth a little work.
Do you have friends or family that you've put off visiting because of time or distance? If those people mean a great deal to you, you might want to stop procrastinating and just go and visit them. Life is short and friends enrich our lives. Friends are the true flowers that have a way of brightening up an otherwise grey day. Pick up the phone...or send an email. Let them know they're in your thought and that you MISS them! Make your plans, and then follow through. I can guantee you'll wonder why you waited so long.
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Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I believe that one of the best ways to honor this great human is to not only remember his inspiring words but, more importantly, to actively bring them to life, as well.
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." What matters most to you?
Is it civil rights? Religious freedom? The environment? Whatever cause you feel passionate about, get involved; do something about it.
For reasons that should be obvious, I actively support animal welfare; more specifically, helping to protect frogs and our habitats. But there are other things I feel strongly about, as well. And I do really try to do all I can to support the groups that benefit these causes. My friend the Dharma Frog has said, Less talk, more flippers." He's right, of course. Talk is cheap. It takes real guts, however, to roll up your sleeves and actually become engaged with your cause(s). The world is in a precarious position these days and it's up to everyone to pitch in and do their part to make it better, safer, and healthier for all living things.
There's a certain sense of inner joy and fulfillment that's derived from doing good work. And that's what I think Dr. King was saying. Life does begin to end when we become silent about those things that matter most us. We loose our voice. What we do, and what we care about, is important. Each person, and their contribution...no matter how small...is necessary for life to continue. Without activism, nothing progresses. We go backwards.
Honor Dr. King today and get involved. Volunteer, donate money, write an article for the newspaper that highlights the work your group does. It doesn't matter what you do, as much as it matters that you do something. The ways to contribute are endless and personal. Let's keep Dr. King's dream alive. Not just once a year, on the anniversay of his birth, but 365 days a year.