“Today. You have a choice. You can choose to worry when life confronts you with it’s challenges. Or you can choose to live your life. Taking care of what you do have control over. Yourself. Your actions. What do you choose?” Lance http://www.jungleoflife.com/2008/11/18/dont-worry-be-happy/

“Self-esteem is not based on what you give your children, or on flattering words. It is based on an attitude of acceptance of who they are, and encouragement for the effort behind their actions.” Corey http://www.parenttolaunch.com/building-your-childs-self-esteem.html#more-156

“And readers too want to experience that very same instant result with your content. They don’t want to waffle through mountains of information. They want a nice, quick bite to begin with.” Sean D’Souza http://www.copyblogger.com/ramen-noodle-content/#more-1417

“Sometimes it takes courage just to get out of bed and face another day. It takes courage to look in the mirror. Courage to look at the checkbook balance, the Visa bill, and the unpaid stack of medical bills piling up in the corner.” Wendi Kellyhttp://lifeslittleinspirations.com/collecting-courage

“Even when bugs move in, appliances threaten to die, and the kids act squirrelly, there is room for laughter and love. (And even if you can’t quite find laughter and love in the moment, you can trust they haven’t left for good—they’re just taking a little break.)” Kristen, commenting at Writer Dad. http://halfwaytonormal.com

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I am more confident and happy with myself today than I have ever been. I am no longer looking for happiness in all the wrong places. I know it’s not found in house square footage or shiny gadgets. I know it has nothing to do with what I have and has everything to do with what I am. Choosing to live on less today has made me feel full of more. More love, more appreciation, more creativity, more peace, more time, more space.” Emily http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/11/25/unexpected/

“I’m making my life an open book because I’m sick of being the only one who sees it.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/17/i-didnt-know-if-youd-do-it-or-not/

“There isn’t a kid on the whole planet that doesn’t love squishy white Wonder Bread. So naturally, it’s your duty to BAN IT from the household at all costs. Only serve Dempsters Ultra Colon-Blow Fibre-Bread, made with 28 kinds of grain, including chunks of actual hay, topsoil, and un-shelled sunflower seeds.” Deep Friar http://deepfriar.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/how-to-suck-all-the-fun-out-of-your-kids-childhood/

“One trick I’ve practised is to take an opening sentence from another writers book, and construct a possible plot from it. You too could try using other authors opening sentences as a springboard to unlocking your own creations.” William Meikle http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/archives/112

“When you start your new business, especially one in an area of high competition like writing or design, you need to think beyond the product you sell. Before that product hits the virtual world shelves, you have to decide on the image you’re going to portray to the public.” Harrison McLeod http://menwithpens.ca/what-do-you-selli

“Today’s women have daily to-do lists as long as their arms. It’s difficult to concentrate on deepening friendships—or even developing them—when our idea of fun is crossing items off that list. Also, those endless lists make us feel alone even in a crowd. Women need each other, but often it takes special effort to form those connections.” Sandra Aldrich http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2008/11/interview-for-one-womens-friendship.html

“When you sit down to write a blog post, what’s your purpose? Are you just trying to fill space so your blog doesn’t go without being updated for more than 24 hours?” Jason Katzenback http://www.copyblogger.com/purposeful-blogging/

“I’m a freelancer now. I thought I would feel more free. But I’m still mostly a workaholic trapped inside corporate skin. Only difference now is I’m the one trapping myself there.” Amy Derby http://amyderby.org/1

I would say that I enjoy the feeling of my pen scratching at the surface, but mine breaks straight through it, digging all the way down to the core of the issues that I’m not afraid to expose.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/10/who-the-eff-is-matthew-dryden/

“They have choices. They have leverage. They have freedom. All because Jerry and his wife decided to turn off the CSI reruns and look into diversifying their income streams.” Naomi Dunford http://ittybiz.com/why-were-broke/

“ Just recognizing that I’m not — and don’t have to be — self-sufficient all the time is feeling really weird and vulnerable. So I’m practicing the art of the ask.” Havi Brooks http://www.fluentself.com/blog/update/sigh-of-relief-edition/

“The key is to focus on mistakes, or what not to do, instead of focusing only on what to do.” Brian Clark http://www.copyblogger.com/what-not-to-wear/

“Ninjas are like cockroaches. For every one you see there are a thousand you don’t see. “ Jenny the Bloggess http://thebloggess.com/?p=688

“There are no accidents” Ugway from Kung Fu Panda (I know it’s not from a blog, but it found it’s way into my journal this week.)

“What really prompted me to join Men with Pens were dreams of World Domination. A team that works well together can get far more done than any individual and can do far more than another team that doesn’t work well.” Charlie Pabst http://menwithpens.ca/interview-with-pen-man-3-charlie-pabst-goes-naked

“At the exact moment I achieve internet domination, all of the bad ex-boyfriends are going to show up with the baskets of dirty laundry and the skeletons and everything that I’ve worked so hard for will be snatched from my grip and I’ll be left huddled in the corner of my shower, alone and naked and crying into a bottle of Jack Daniels – and I don’t even like Jack Daniels.” Jessica http://www.loveheylola.com/2008/11/it-could-really-be-any-member-of.html

“So I’m tossing nickels at it but they’re all bouncing off and rolling away and that’s when I realized that I’m standing in the street throwing change at a dead snake like it’s some sort of performing monkey with an accordion. “ Jenny the Blogess http://thebloggess.com/?p=534

And because Matthew Dryden rocked my world with a post that echoes of my favorite writer’s deepest thoughts, go check out The Writers Are Ultra-Violent. But be forewarned, it’s a little graphic and definitely not G Rated. http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/13/the-writers-are-ultra-violent/

My favorite quotes this week:

“If your leap is an act of love, even if you fall on your face, you will have felt as though you have flown.” Hayden Tompkins
http://persistentillusion.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/the-courage-to-leap/

“Too much drink lowers our inhibitions, but too much broadband can heighten our bravado.” Tim Brownson http://www.adaringadventure.com/blog/wordpress/uncategorized/the-keypad-is-mightier-than-the-sword/

Seriously, who hallucinates about dictionaries and small men fighting over vocabulary? Apparently, I do.” Zoe Westhof http://www.zoewesthof.com/http:/www.zoewesthof.com/blog/geeky-to-the-core

Don’t be afraid to ask for what your time and expertise are worth. Your plumber or doctor don’t give discounts because of economic conditions, and neither should you.” Jodee Redmond http://freelancewritinggigs.com/jobtips/?p=19

“If the world is filled by those who can, and those who can’t as well, then those who can should KNOW they can, then HELP OTHERS to excel.
If NONE of us are stronger, then how can we give assistance, to those of us who life’s seen fit to offer some resistance?” Sean Platt/Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/writing/bright-ideas/

“I am about as handy with tools as a blind monkey in a straight jacket.” Blogger Dad  http://www.bloggerdad.com/handyman-i-am-not/

“I am drinking an Italian Soda (raspberry and lemon flavor). I face away from the center, feeling more exposed than ever. I often peer over my shoulder to see if anyone is watching me write these words. It’s weird, it’s weird, it’s hot in here. No, not like the song, but like there is the passion and determination of a thousand writers and other artists boiling from the center outwards.” Matthew Dryden  http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/11/04/us-election-day-means-no-readers/

“Within the last year, I’ve dreamt outrageous dreams of leaving my job and living a new, more rewarding life. I’ve also dreamt of earning a living by creating things of value, and then inserting them into my own agenda.
The first part of my dream has already come true.  I have absolutely no doubt that the rest of the dream will also come to be a reality. In fact, it’s already starting to happen.

I urge you – dare to dream – about what’s possible.  Buy into the story you create for yourself, then fulfill it with happiness and success.” Dave Fowler, guest posting at Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/bloggers-i-heart/jolly-good-then/

It’s been a wild week here in Blogopolis. Here’s my G-rated summary.

“Kindness is the silly puddy version of the never-ending gobstopper. It stretches and stretches and never loses it’s flavor. Even a small amount of kindness can alter a person’s life. So, next time you think you don’t have anything to contribute, please remember kindness. It’s cheap, accessible, and it doesn’t take much of a brain to use.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/dear-posterity-i-was-here/

“I don’t remember sex being as torturous as this.” To which I responded: I don’t think writing is hard, not at all.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/10/29/no-really-writing-is-just-like-sex/

“I want to look at my position through a pair of well rested eyeballs rather than the blood shot blobs I’m currently seeing in the mirror. “ Dave Fowler http://www.teachmychildrenwell.com/2008/10/24/i%E2%80%99ll-sleep-when-i%E2%80%99m-dead/

“It’s a tactic of capitalizing on a person’s inability to control what they say. Silence is the ultimate nullifier of otherwise strong points of reason. No matter how solid the logic, all arguments will fail when given the silent treatment.” Oktober 5 http://oktober5.com/2008/what-to-do-when-someone-says-something-stupid/

“My favorite vanilla pudding taglines are the ones that promise to “deliver results.” Or even better, “results-oriented.” (You aren’t even saying you’ll deliver them. You just think about them a lot. Oh good.) It’s verbal wallpaper. No one knows what this means, and no one cares.” Sonia Simone commenting at CopyBlogger http://www.copyblogger.com/tagline-mystery/

Your blog is not you; it’s not your identity. If it crashes and burns that doesn’t mean you do too. We all want a successful blog with people lining up to comment and pay us homage (I know I do anyway), but it’s really not life and death. Keep some perspective. Go all out to achieve your goals (you have got written goals, right?), but don’t stay attached to the results. Not only will that mean you keep a sense of balance, but conversely it will make you more likely to achieve your aims anyway.” Tim Brownson, guest posting at Problogger http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/10/27/the-psychology-of-blogging/

“Write about three things constantly: your topic, your thoughts, and yourself. Almost everything you write should have at least a little of all there of those blended together.” Chuck Westbrook http://chuckwestbrook.com/great-content-no-readers/

It’s been a heck of a ride on the blogging roller coaster this week, thanks for hanging on tight.

“Occasionally, one is lucky enough to get “an expert” to write a Guest Post.  This Post, written by Artur Urbanski of http://artursattitudes.blogspot.com, is so much more than luck:  it is Artur’s story of living what we consider “history” behind The Iron Curtain as a boy and young man.  For decades, Western Society has been trying to trade on truths and fictions of what REALLY happened in countries under Soviet Rule.  Artur’s story is NOT a “Guest Post.”  It is an HONOR – one for which I cannot possibly thank him enough.  I am certain that readers will agree.” Rita’s Digest http://bloggrrl.com (NOTE: This is Rita’s note about an AMAZING series of posts by Mr. Urbanski. These are must-reads!)
“Once you feel inspired by basic elements, don’t stop. Release your imagination and figure out how to make the elements you’ve discovered unique.” Harrison McLeod  http://menwithpens.ca/artistic-creative-proces

“It would be a shame if a great story were not shared, if it went to the grave with you, for we are a race of storytellers.” Brett Legree http://6weeks.ca/2008/10/24/viking-fridays-tears-in-the-rain/

“If I was a mugger I’d use vines to swoop down on my victims because that would be very entertaining and they’d feel like they were getting something for their money” Jenny AKA The Bloggess  (This is like the best title ever written!) http://thebloggess.com/?p=677

“Find your own voice. Flaunt it like a bright pink feathered boa. Get naked, wrap your arms around it, and take it to bed. “  from :How Three Drag Queens in a Bus Lead to Better Blogging by James Chartrand http://www.copyblogger.com/priscilla/  (Okay, maybe this one gets the all-time greatest title award. I can’t decide.)

“Communication problems happen because you don’t like what the other person has to say” Corey http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/listen-up-how-honest-communication-can-save-your-marriage/

Have a great weekend everyone, catch you on Monday!

This week’s summary of the best of blogopolis (in my opinion at least, and since I’m paying the Blue Duck bills, the remote control is all mine, hahahaha) has two parts. One is this snazzy compilation below, second is the Blog Action Day Summary from earlier this week. Please feel free to browse both while many bloggers (without OCD) take the weekend off. And just a warning, after this week’s Life with no regrets, Ive been feeling pretty sentimental, so most of these excerpts are about life, not building your business.

The Best of the This Week’s Quotes

“When we write, we discover what’s inside us, bubbling beneath the surface, about to erupt. By getting it down, we’re learning about ourself. E.M. Forster said, “How can I know what I think, till I see what I say?” Word. When we write, we discover what’s inside us, bubbling beneath the surface, about to erupt. By getting it down, we’re learning about ourself. E.M. Forster said, “How can I know what I think, till I see what I say?” Word.” Writer Dad’s guest appearance at Remakablogger. http://michaelmartine.com/2008/10/09/blogger-biographies-writer-dad/

“They’ll tell you things like “Don’t be mean to commenters”. That one really gets on my tits. Sometimes I get assholes on here. If I want to tell them they’re an asshole – that’s my choice. Heck – I even had some idiot show up on here once claiming that blowing up the Twin Towers was an entrepreneurial act. What was I supposed to say? “Great idea – I really admire those entrepreneurs who blow up buildings and murder innocent people.” ?? You will not make money from a blog by being nice to assholes. Assholes don’t visit you to buy and even if they did, you wouldn’t want them as a customer.” Cath Lawson http://cathlawson.com/blog/2008/10/13/making-money-from-a-blog-mistakes-to-avoid/

“I would be lying if I didn’t admit to being scared. Fear nips at my feet and lurks in the shadows, its venomous tongue giving voice to my self doubts. “Who are YOU to think you can write? Everything good has been done. There are no new ideas, no new ways to say things. You suck. Just give up.” But I can’t. There is too much riding on this. This is my earliest dream – to create.Blogger Dad” http://www.bloggerdad.com/

“I love writing. It’s harder than breathing, but easier than doing the dishes.” Sean Platt, http://writerdad.com/writing/on-being-a-chooch/

“In a sugar-rush from a bowl of Captain Crunch, Clark Kent’s Lunchbox hit me. Really, my blog has been like having a child grow up. It was born and I named it, then the next ten months were spent just babbling, drooling and learning how to walk, which is to say I was still figuring things out, but I was growing too.” Ron Mattocks http://www.bloggerdad.com/eight-questions-interview-with-ron-mattocks-of-clark-kents-lunchbox/

Life Happens

I’ll be taking a couple of days off to care for a sick family member out of town, but hopefully I’ll still be able to sneak in a few posts for your entertainment. (We wouldn’t want anyone going through Blue Duck withdrawal, now would we?) But, I may not be around as much to read and join in on the lively discussions that are sure to materialize this week.

This is one of my favorite songs. The lyrics seemed appropriate for Blog Action Day.

I have been stunned by the amount of terrific content gong out today on Poverty for Blog Action Day. For a quick Yellow Pages of the best I’ve found today, read on.

• Amy encourages us to get off our kiesters.
• Sean talks about Daddy Destitution.
• Matthew Dryden will rock your world with a tale of true poverty.
• Namas Daisy speaks from her heart about the tragic silent famine.
• James talks about how recession is good for entrepreneurs.
• Oktober Five blogs about his personal form of poverty.
• Mary blogs about affirmations and poverty.
• Dave Navarro hits us where it hurts with “The Poverty Snowball What is Your Life Worth?”
• Wendi Kelly inspires to get involved with Do It Anyway.

If you have a Blog Action Day post, please leave a link below. I’d love to stop by and give it a read.

Thanks to everyone above for participating and contributing to such a worthwhile cause.

“It is hard, and it is scary, but those things in life with the biggest payoff are often the ones that either hurt the most or take the most blind faith.” Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/blogging/scads-of-ads-not-here/

“I failed to realize that content is the soul of a blog. Learn from my mistakes and avoid it in your progression as a blogger.” Wei Liang http://abloggerblog.com/2008/10/lesson-10-quality-content/

“Humour and humility both recognise the foolishness of pretending to be something we are not. They both know that every person is a fallible, messed-up, beautiful human being – and that this is the reason to sing, dance and smile in celebration of being alive.” David~ http://beplayful.org/aspects-of-playfulness-humble-humour/

“Can we schedule in time for a nap or time for tea or time for meditation?” Wendi Kelly http://lifeslittleinspirations.com/my-dog-missed-the-memo

“My children will one day comb through my archives; I write for them.” Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/blogging/seo-i-dont-think-so/

“Discipline is having the time and guts to cut down what you’re saying so your readers don’t have to claw at your hair, trying to see what is going on inside your mind.” Matthew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/10/09/dont-even-bother-click-that-button-again/

“Blogs that just repeat information already published elsewhere are providing value that can be substituted. To put it another way, these sites are completely dispensable.” Dosh Dosh http://www.doshdosh.com/future-of-content-in-the-age-of-information-overload/

“Progress, it seems, is overrated.” Brett Legree http://6weeks.ca/2008/10/06/for-sale-one-dishwasher/

“Article rewriters will help you quickly change preexisting articles into brand new stories that have the same meaning, but are now re-written with a new style! As more and more people begin to publish on the Internet, the only way to get decent search ranks is by consistently adding unique content to your sites. Who has that kind of free time anymore? If only someone could do something, so I would not have to work so hard. We have heard your lamentable cries for help and in a furious rage of empathy with this laziness; our articles rewriter has created the ultimate tool to help.” From the website Bad Article http://www.badarticle.com/

“What if I say something stupid and you end up jumping off a bridge?”
“The level of stupidity only relies on where the bridge is located.” I offhandedly replied. Mathew Dryden http://www.matthewdryden.ca/2008/10/10/245/

“Pretty much anyone above the age of 17 is not free, and most of the people under 17 aren’t either. You are bound and tied.
There are the usual suspects. Kids, for example, never go away. You’re committed to them for life. Spouses are hard to get rid of. You’re not quite so committed to them — you can stop being married any time — but divorce ain’t exactly something you do between your manicure and your lunch date.” Naomi Dunford http://ittybiz.com/emotional-marketing-freedom/

“In our family, we use this word for hello, farewell, I’m sorry, and, you are absolutely correct. The actual, loose translation, going back to Sanskrit, is “I respect the divine in you, which is also the divine in me.” Namasté = Ethereal aloha.” Sean Platt http://writerdad.com/blogging/namaste/

“I wake each morning with purpose… to teach and to learn.” Daisy http://namasdaisy.com/

• “Zombies do *not* knock – it has to be someone else with a brain!” said the man, excitedly.” Brett Legree http://6weeks.ca/2008/09/27/they-live/

• “If you want your business to last, build it with your brains, not with your ass. If you want to end up with nothing but shit, stand near those who fling shit for advice. If you don’t give a damn what your life will be like in 5, 10 or 15 years, go fling some shit around.” James Chartrand http://menwithpens.ca/are-you-here-for-a-good-time-or-a-long-time

• “Children are not our accessories, they are our tiny, silent partners for two decades of our life.” Sean Platt, Writer Dad http://writerdad.com/children/behind-their-eyes/

• “A good idea is a good idea because it’s a good idea, not because it just happens to be Wednesday, or Halloween, or whatever the hell..” Charlie Pabst http://menwithpens.ca/are-you-here-for-a-good-time-or-a-long-time#comments

• “You don’t teach every child, you teach the one that is right in front of you at the time.” Janice Cartier commenting on WriterDad.com http://writerdad.com/america/i-said-stop/

• “Enjoy it while it lasts, fame is fleeting, but the Internet lasts forever.” Ferb from Disney’s Phineas and Ferb

• “Make. Your. Words. Count.” Harrison McLeod http:menwithpens.ca/feed-reader-heaven-or-email-hell

And just in case you missed it, there was one heck of a good discussion this week over at Writer Dad’s place. Head over there and catch up the debate, then add your two cents.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday!