READ,WRITE & LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Month: June 2025

  • Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, and a Moment of His Time

    E.G. Kardos

    Our life is all about moments. We string togehter our moments and that is our life. We hope we have more good moments than not, but all of those moments no matter what make us who we are. I try to remember my moments that made a difference for me like the one I had with Bill Moyers .

    That one moment — and it was just that, a single moment — that I have never forgotten is when I received a message from the late Bill Moyers,  (June 5, 1934 – June 26, 2025).

    Photo from the ap

    Reaching Out to Bill Moyers

    I wrote to Bill Moyers assistant inquiring if he would be interested in accepting a copy of the first book in my fantasy trilogy, “The Amulet: Journey to Sirok”. It didn’t take long before she responded, sharing with me that he would be happy to receive my book.

    I sent him the book with this email:

    August 4, 2017

    Dear Mr. Moyers,

    I am very honored to have this opportunity to not only send you my book, The Amulet: Journey to Sirok, but to tell you that The Power of Myth and Joseph Campbell inspired me to write it. I have read the book several times, as well as other books by or about Campbell, but your interview style and questions bring great clarity to the vastness, and sometime complexity, of mythology. Thank you.

    My book takes a new spin on the Hero’s Journey as I feel I have written it for our time. This is a time when stereotypes are been thrown to the wind and, those who have their eyes open and looking forward, are embracing humanities beautiful differences.

    I would like to urge you to read my story. I hope you can sharewith me your thoughts. Please share with (assistant’s name) that I appreciate her warm and inviting response to me.

    Thank you for your consideration, and I hope for only the best to come your way.

    Warmly,

    Ed Kardos

    Ten Days Later, Mr. Moyers Responded

    Aug 14, 2017

    Dear Mr. Kardos:

    Thank you for your generous words about THE POWER OF MYTH and for your book. I look forward to reading it.

    My best to you,

    Bill Moyers

    There are many other articles written about Bill Moyers that reflect the generous and powerful impact he made during his lifetime, but what I found profound was the moment he gave to me. It was both generous and powerful.

    Most folks of his stature, and those with far less stature (and we all know who they are), would have dismissed my original email. But in less than two weeks, Bill Moyers not only accepted a copy of my book, thanked me personally, and, according to his assistant, “took the book home”. There’s so much packed into these moments.

    He validated my place as a writer.

    I meant it when I shared with him: “I have read the book several times, as well as other books by or about Campbell, but your interview style and questions bring great clarity to the vastness, and sometime complexity, of mythology…”.

    Those “questions” that brought “great clarity” made all the difference for me

    My Take on The Power of Myth

    The Power of Myth explores how universal themes and symbols in myths provide insight into our humanity. This includes our relationships with others, the powers of the universe, and ourselves.

    The “Hero’s Journey” is analyzed and clearly demonstrates that following one’s bliss has been essential to humanity since our earliest thoughts and will remain so as long as we exist. In other words, myths are just as important today as they were long ago.

    As the Hero’s Journey is central to my work, I have read this book and a dozen others about Joseph Campbell’s work many times. I recommend this one in particular because of Bill Moyers’ contributions.

    Mr. Moyers made numerous contributions during his lifetime in many areas and we are better off because of him. What a wonderful man.

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • If You Were Able to Talk to Your OLDER Self

    E.G. Kardos

    Have you ever wanted to talk to your older self?

    I frequently hear the question: if you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Intriguing, but why ask this question or for that matter, why give it much thought?

    After all, we can’t do it — never. 

    A figure sits, contemplating in a surreal setting.

    The allure of the question lies in the supposition that we are now wiser; if we could just have a moment back, say from twenty or thirty years ago, we would be able to share our new found wisdom with our younger selves and we would benefit from it. I get it, really I do. Yep, I’d love to be able to do it.

    But after some thought I realize it’s just never goning to happen. So I’ve come up with my own twist on this notion. 

    Photo by Europeana

    If you were able to speak to your OLDER self, what would you say? That’s something we can do…well in time.

    We all have valuable experiences that we can share, however, not many folks don’t want unsolicited advice no matter how wonderful we think we are. However, we probably don’t, and won’t, mind listening to ourselves so let’s share it with ourselves a little down the road.

    No matter how old we are, we have had experiences — both good and bad. Events in our lives have shaped us, bothered us, have even played with us, and at times, questioned our very being.

    If we ever reflect and allow for even a modest amount of introversion in our lives, we learn. 

    We may learn, but we don’t always remember or practice what we learn, as it may be crowded out by the everyday and mundane activities that can overtake the best of us. So, write it down! Keep it tucked away and pull it out and share it with our older self. Your older self will appreciate it as we know it comes from a special place deep within and meant to make our lives more fulfilling down the road.

    We Don’t Know When

    You’re in the present for goodness sake, and your future may or may not come, but be ready for it as your older self wants to hear from you.

    Since the past is gone, I say don’t waste your brain power on what you’d tell your ghost of the past.

    What would I say to myself when I’m 67 or 75 or 85 or…? You may be younger than I and may wonder what you might say to the 25, 30, 45, or older you. Whatever you end up saying, it is relevant and important as it meant something to you “back when”. It shows how you thought and how your mind worked. It is a memory that is just yours and it’s worth remembering and repeating, especially to yourself.

    Here’s what I’ll say, at least for now

    Not only do I want to think of what I “might” say to my older self, I already know some ideas to share. By the way, when I use the word “you” it means “me”.

    • You were always hard on yourself and if you still are, stop it. Ease up old fella.
    • You always said that if you had the time, you’d travel the world, so do it–now.
    • You wondered if your life’s work helped anyone. Hell ya, you spent your work life in a field with a mission to better life for others, and the modest paycheck you brought home, you gave it to your family so that they could have what they needed, and then some, at the time.
    • So, what if you didn’t write the “great American novel” you sure have hell tried. Who else do you know even attempted writing a book much less finished writing one?
    • Bucket list or no bucket list, if you haven’t done everything you wanted, don’t worry about it but keep going.
    • The regrets that are floating around in your head aren’t worth spending time on. Don’t bog yourself down with stuff that could’ve been or might have happened if you had only done this or that.
    • Thank God you are not a perfectionist and did not live a perfect life. Have you seen those who are and how they lived? Sheesh!
    • Be who you are even if you couldn’t do it when you were my age.
    • Chill out, smile through it. I think older folks could smile a bit more–even you.
    • You ain’t in the 80’s anymore and that’s a good thing wheter you think so or not. It wasn’t as wonderful as you may remember. I know from personal experience even if you think otherwise.
    • How fortunate you are to have experienced love of and for another and for so long.
    • Your kids loved you then and still do so don’t even think about it.
    • You met a lot of people along the way, befriended some and they embraced it or not. They missed out.
    •  The decisions you made along the way were the best for that moment in time so that means THEY WERE the best decsions. so don’t do all that second-guessing.
    • Hey, I’m telling you these things because I love you AND I know what I’m talking about as I’m talking to you and your me—just my older me.

    So What Would You Say?

    If you liked this post, you might like: The Meaning of OUR Life, If You Can Text You Can Journal, The Time We Have.

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • The Gloaming: When Day Meets Night and it is Spectacular

    E.G. Kardos

    Ah, the gloaming. Twilight…the moment when the day dims its brilliance and welcomes the early shadows of its friendly rival, of sorts, the night.

    Madeira

    It’s far more than twilight, dusk, or the setting sun. There’s something more mystical about the moment known as the gloaming. I would say that this peaceful transition of power in nature is even magical. I’ve experienced it, have you?

    Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina

    Experiencing The Gloaming

    First you must be outside and it can be just about anywhere. I prefer where you can observe nature. It costs nothing, but if you’re willing, it just might open a door—a magical door. 

    First, clear your mind, or the door of enchantment remains closed. Be open to what your internal voice tells you. Your imagination will become heightened. You may even feel “as one” with your surroundings. As we grow older, we lose our natural sense of wonder.

    The Gloaming Begins…

    When does the gloaming begin or end? Pinpointing those exact moments isn’t easy. I would say that when the day’s clarity becomes muted and loses its luster, and displays for only a few moments blends of blues, purples, and reds, you know it’s the gloaming. It’s a feeling, too, and not a calculated moment that can be recorded.

    I love when the sun’s rays lose their intensity, and its light melts into the earth. This is the moment when only what we imagine comes alive. It is a magical moment, that is, if you permit it to be.

    After all, that’s what magic is…if you believe in it, you will be part of it.

    The magic of the gloaming is poetic…it is lyrical. The moment is enchanting as the fading light dances on the rocks, trees, or a pond, it stirs a sense of awe. The “what ifs” freely enter your mind. 

    The moment teems with the spirit we all possess as it tugs us into introspection. What we long for comes to mind as we look back on the path the day had to offer. Like that very day, we now loosen our hold of both the good and the bad that the day detailed and eases us into a smooth wholeness of the evening, where the once sharp edges are now softened.

    Lightening Bugs

    Where I am, in June and only during this month, I am joined by lightning bugs. Just think of their existence. I heard they have been around for 100 million years. It’s really pretty cool. Their flickering presence is unique, and it is dreamlike. They are a welcome guest as they are nothing less than magical.

    To their potential mate their luminescence is clear and attractive and is the door to future generations. To their predators, however, their light is a signal that if eaten, it will not fare well for the aggressor. Nature is wonderful.

    Our Thoughts are the Magic

    The gloaming sparks possibilities—some mundane and sensible, while others may be wild and untamed. Our thoughts are the magic. Our feelings float like a mystical aura, and we know there is much we cannot explain, and we are reassured that this is a good thing.

    In this vast universe, our knowledge is but a small sliver of what life is all about. As the years progress, we learn more, but we have a long road to travel before us if our goal as humans is to unravel every mystery. 

    There’s still time to enjoy the magic and mystery in each of us. I hesitate to attempt to dispel all that is magical in our lives and encourage others to consider the same. We just need to slow down and allow our minds to wander. We need the clarity of our future like the lightning bug, and subtly let it be known to our detractors that we are not to be messed with.

    I do write fiction, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.

    Note: An Old English word, gloaming, originated with the Scottish and has been used since the Middle Ages in English and Scottish literature.

    It you enjoyed this post, you may like: Stepping Into Worlds Where I am the First to See, The Meaninbg of OUR Life, It’s All Created By the Mind

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

    Latest Posts

    Most Viewed Posts

    All Posts

    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.

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