READ,WRITE & LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Tag: #LiveYourTruth

  • 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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  • Paulo Coelho and Small Miracles

    E.G. Kardos

    Several years ago, soon after my first book of my fantasy trilogy was launched, Paulo Coelho responded to an email I sent him with a note of “congratulations and success”. Talking about small miracles, I was in awe. 

    Coelho happens to be an author I hold in high regard and who has inspired much of my writing, especially in my trilogy, The Elias Chronicles.

    Coelho has authored numerous books, but the one that captured my heart was The Alchemist. It was given to me by a dear friend who felt it was important for me to read. I had never heard of the author or the book at the time. Now, I recommend it to all. It is a story of believing in yourself and following your dream.

    More Small Miracles

    Months later, I sent Coelho a follow-up email. Would I be lucky again and hear back from this known author around the world. I was amazed to hear from him once, but would I hear from him again? 

    Celestial bodies aligning in the night sky, planets, stars

    The stars and planets must have been aligned, as I did hear from him once more. With a short note, he sent me a copy of a story that he wrote that was being published in many journals around the world. 

    Photo by Prayoon on Adobe Stock

    Again, I was overwhelmed by his gift to me. His generous action and the simplicity and power of his story inspired me to write Blessing the Poor.  A holiday story, which I plan to post in December. 

    Here’s What I’m Thinking

    The book that was given to me by my friend years ago, and Coelho’s generous acts, are testaments of why I believe the way I do; we must take time and value each moment of our lives. But then, we need to do more. We must take it upon ourselves to inspire others to reach for what is good in them and around them. 

    Not only should we dream, and we should dream, but it is what we do with our experiences that counts much more than the dream. Dreams are just that, dreams, but our experiences make us who we are.

    In Coelho’s last message to me in 2008, he ended by telling me, “The Warrior of light concentrates on the small miracles of daily life.” I decided to learn more from his words and read what I found. I contemplated this phrase.  

    Photo by Alban_Gogh
    pilgrim, pilgrimage, desert, wanderer, walk, nature, sand, landscape, dunes, sunset, spirituality, peaceful, spiritual quest, ai generated

    These are my takeaways

    • These small miracles are found in our ability to find beauty and appreciate it. Finding joy and fulfillment can be found in the sublime and the mundane. This, I would say, is always found in the moment.
    • Gratitude need not be for receiving abundance, but for the sliver of good that may pass us by if we are focused on our desires.
    • The “Warrior of Light” finds beauty in others as they nurture their light within them.
    • The “Warrior of Light” isn’t always successful, but in failure, they find the light.
    • We are all intuitive creatures, and when we open ourselves to the voice within and look to the powers of the universe for guidance, regardless of our spiritual beliefs and practices, wisdom is not too far away. 

    I must remind myself to acknowledge the small miracles of daily life.

    What are your takeaways?

    You may enjoy these articles: Be True to Yourself: The Amulet: Journey to Sirok, The Meaning of OUR Life, Follow Your Heart and Live Your Truth, Magic in a 

    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 Fantasy Trilogy: Saving the World One Book at a Time

    ,

    E.G. Kardos

    Writing a fantasy trilogy can be tricky. Writers and readers of fantasy think through many questions. Here are a few: does the reader have to start with the first book to make sense of the second and the third? Should I write the series so, if a reader chooses, they could start with the second, or even the third book before the first one? As a fantasy trilogy, should all the stories be clearly connected…a continuation…or just the hero’s next quest?

    These are valid questions for a writer –and a reader. In my fantasy trilogy, The Elias Chronicles , a reader can start with any book as each is a stand-alone story. Saying that, I think to appreciate Elias’ journey and his development, I’d start with the first book, The Amulet: Journey to Sirok, and then read the second and third in order, The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok and The Elixir: Journey On.

    As a fantasy trilogy, each book is connected as the stories follow the one before. Saying that, I include just enough of the previous storyline so the reader can easily get into the story and begin to connect with the main character, Elias.

    What’s this Fantasy Trilogy About?

    Without giving away any spoilers, in The Amulet, Elias learns all about himself by way of a journey he must take to truly understand who he is.

    In The Rings he realizes a friend is in danger but before he can find him, Elias must harness the powers he uncovered in the first story to not only save his friend, but he learns he must alos save a community that has been ravaged by false promises.

    In Book III, The Elixir, Elias has been called to protect the elixir that if it lands in the wrong hands could bring destruction to the planet. What is the elixir?

    As each book is truly a stand-alone story, Elias goes from self, to community to saving the world and….

    …after all, it is fantasy…but aren’t we all trying to save the world in our own way?

    This story best described by this quote by  Joseph Campbell.

    “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.”

    Please read Chapter 1 of The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok. Enjoy!

    “…Elias is a character we can all connect with, as he has a good soul and always strives to do right… things like choosing kindness and good over evil…the storyline is a bit unpredictable, which is a welcome relief from a lot of fantasy writing out there right now…I would recommend this book to people who like fantasy stories with lots of fun characters and cool settings…”  

    ThisKidReviewsBooks.com

    1

    From the Crevasses

    The moment had changed time and space forever. The serpent no longer slithered inside, but for now, Elias knew how it had lived and died. 

                Alone, he stood atop the mountain of Sirok. His crusade had been long, but it was now over. As he stood tall, he savored his sweet victory for only a moment as it was time to return to what was familiar. It was time to move on, but he knew his experience with the serpent was now a part of him forever. 

                With only the sounds of a breeze that kicked up the sand where he stood, he looked at the dark and infinite early morning sky. Ribbons of faint light picked up the colors of the Earth and began to fan out. It was like a magnificent painting. The shades of night tinted the light of the morning and then pulled apart so that the darkness faded softly out of sight. 

    He bowed his head and slipped the amulet back around his neck. He knew all too well what it meant when he felt it against his chest. Smiling, he had thought of the exact time he had realized its worth—when it had saved him. 

    Elias scanned the area and let out a sigh. He saw the dragon’s sword on the ground, partly covered by debris, and

    then he grabbed its grip. He looked it over. Suddenly, the wind whipped up, and it forced him to look away. That’s when he saw his sword. Unlike the other blade, his sword stood upright and pierced the Earth. He gripped the hilt and pulled it from the ground. He held it high and looked at the long metal and thought about the force it commanded. These twin swords that once had unleashed an incredible power were nothing more than two cold steel blades. He sealed them away in the compartment at the base of the arch just as his grandmother had instructed him when he prepared for his journey.

                With the toe of his boot, he poked at the dying embers of the campfire. He scooped up the sandy soil of Sirok, covered the coals, and stomped out the edges of the fire. Still feeling the surge of confidence that came with his victory, he felt grateful the fight was over. Elias knew it was time to go home.    

    As he sucked in a heavy breath, he began to descend the crooked path on the rough terrain to journey home. His faithful dog, Cimbora, was at his side just as he had been during his adventure. Elias no longer feared the Sarkany, the evil dragon, as his fears he would find now lay elsewhere. He hoped never to return to this mountain. Elias’ head was full of thoughts of his family. He had left them many weeks ago when he felt he had no choice. His Papa had made it clear to him that there was no place for artists on a farm. Elias’ grandmother, Nattymama, had prepared him to search for the sorcerer, Zoltan, to help him uncover a peace that he would find only in his heart.    

    No sooner had Elias turned and walked away; than the ground trembled. Elias stopped. He looked back, and he saw nothing, but still, he paused. Something was there. He just knew it. He looked around but saw nothing unusual. He turned and continued his descent on his path toward the village. Cimbora, however, stood frozen about fifteen steps behind Elias. He stared at the smoldering campfire. He jerked his head, and then he trotted to catch up with Elias. He stopped once or twice and turned to look behind him. Cimbora sniffed the air. Before long, they were far enough down the mountain and could no longer see the camp.

                The crevasses in the ancient stones that surrounded the campfire tore open and made each gash deeper and longer. A cold wind whipped from them and swept over the dying embers. Too cold to be of this Earth, more wind streamed out from the rock fissures at the top of Sirok, where Elias had been just moments before. The wind spun itself, caught dirt and grit, and pulled in the cinders from the almost-dead fire. 

                The wind now lofted gently around the warm coals as the charm was now in play. Once again, the embers sparked into a flame. The flame hesitated briefly, but it flickered in reds and

    blues as the wind all but diminished. 

                The flame became a fire, and the fire became an inferno.

    ♦ ♦ ♦

    I hope you want to read more…

    You may enjoy these posts: Be True to Yourself: The Amulet: Journey to Sirok, “A Hero Ventures Forth…” Life May Be Imitating Art, Why Fantasy is a Good Read

    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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  • Stepping Into Worlds that I am the First to See

    E.G. Kardos

    Stepping into worlds that I am the first to see before all others and being the first one to meet those living there is a joy unlike anything else I’ve experienced. This, to me, is inspired writing, and I want to share this joy with an invitation to readers. 

    Reading fiction opens a gate to other worlds, whether in the distant past, the here and now, or light years from now. 

    Fiction creates a path that unites us with a story’s characters; in best-written fiction, those characters resonate with us. Why?

    Somewhere in our lives, we have felt the same deep emotion as the character, shared some quirky behavior, wondered the same thought, or had the same experience. Perhaps we identify with the character’s misgivings or flaws and feel a connection.

    Reading fiction makes us think and feel differently.

    This is why I read. Why do you? If you don’t read so much anymore, pick up something you’re interested in and start today.

    Stepping into Worlds of Writing

    As a writer, I dig into a part of me that many folks seem to have misplaced over the years—my imagination. As we get older, it seems to me that our creativity wanes. I’m not talking about “old age”, I am talking about when we grow up and become overly serious. Maybe you are like me and cherish your imagination and lean on it throughout your day, and I think this is a very good thing.

    When I write, I pull from inside of me a new land or a place never thought of by anyone else. Maybe it’s a place that seems real or one found in an enchanted forest but the bottom line—it’s new and different as we see this place through our own filters. Our mind makes sure it is.

    This, to me, is inspired writing, and I want to share this joy with an invitation to readers. 

    You’ve Got to Have a Reason

    What’s my reason for writing? Simply, I am drawn to illuminate the human condition. Without judgment, light pierces the darkness and is freeing. It allows us to explore what it is to be human. I weave these themes into my works of literary fiction and fantasy.

    This is why I write. Why do you? If you don’t write, start today with a journal, a note, or a sentence that captures a moment in your day. It can be a text to yourself! Write anything that means something to you.

    Words Spark a Whole new World Inside

    If you are here reading this post, you probably appreciate the written word at some level. I’m fascinated with books as they transport us, give us an escape from the out-of-control world, or give us a moment to ourselves to stir up our imagination.  Maybe you’re here to gain a different perspective, or to learn something new to spark something inside you—hope so.

    So Where Does this Idea of “Living Your Truth” Fit In?

    To me, it’s like your fingerprint–your truth. The only person we are with 24/7 from the day we are born until the day we die is, obviously, ourselves. Who we are—who we really are—is our truth. Deep down there is no escaping our truth as it is unique, beautiful, and soulful. It is why you are you and as unique as your fingerprint. If you strive to be true to your core and are trying your best to live authentically, reading and writing is a kind of fuel that moves your personal journey forward.

    If you read or write from this point of view, you become the story.

    The books we enjoy are written by authors who live their truth. Each word is selected with care. It’s easy to see this in each sentence and paragraph they choose. They capture the soul of a character and share them with us. I count myself among the lucky. They allow us to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell the story.

    It’s easy to get sidetracked, but that comes with being the “flawed character” in my own story.

    If you appreciate fiction, you will agree with me that the “best” characters are flawed. I happen to be the “best” character to lead my own personal quest.

    Cutting of Harp Strings is a literary novel and is all about living your truth. My fantasy series, The Elias Chronicles asks the questions we all think about- who am I? What should I do with my powers? What’s ahead for me? Whether it is literary fiction or fantasy, my books are about what it is to be human with all the emotions that make us who we are.

    Stepping into Worlds – More Worlds!

    This blog may include reviews and mentions of books that inspire. As an author, I will share more about what I have learned and still learning. I will share thoughts, observations, reflections, musings, and stories that help me on my own journey to live my truth. This informs what I read and write. You may find it helpful or entertaining as well. If you value the idea of living your truth as well as reading or writing, I hope you find a flash of inspiration in my reflections.

    You may also like: It’s Created by the Mind & Why Read Fiction?

    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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    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.

  • Love is a Strange Thing

    E.G. Kardos

    The sun is setting over a field of tall grass

    “Love is a strange thing, and I yearn for it once more. I don’t need to give it much thought, I just need to give it sunlight and space to grow–to run in a field of tall grass and be free.”

    Photo by Victoria Prymak

    This is a quote from my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings. It is perhaps my favorite quote from all my books. Apparently, it is appreciated by others too.

    As a writer, it’s incredibly rewarding when others share a quote or excerpt from my book. They, of course, cite where they found the quote and name me as the author. Sometimes people will mention this in a discussion or post it on their social media. This shows me that others, and not just me, appreciate the quote. Among the throngs of authors, I see this as a major “win.” 

    Quite frankly, it’s exhilarating.

    A few weeks ago, however, I discovered that this quote was used on a social media account, and not only did they not cite my book or me, but they used it as a personal quote – verbatim. Sure, I know this wrongfully goes on all the time, but it was a real shocker for me—at least give me some credit I thought. I was steamed. 

    I mean this is my work and it depicts the soul of my novel—my soul.

    It felt like someone reached into my chest and pulled out my heart. Was I overreacting? Maybe. But I don’t think so because a writer chooses their words carefully. Words matter as does their arrangement. It’s like the notes of music. This novel, too, was thirty years in the making.

    I politely contacted the person and asked them to credit me with the quote. I didn’t ask them to remove it but to merely cite me. That was about four weeks ago, and it is still up as if it is their quote.

    But you know what?

    The very day I contacted the person, I decided to think differently. I decided that it was okay— not that I wanted to continually encounter this situation, but because this person was so captivated by my words that they wanted to use them for themselves. 

    Because of this shift in perspective, I immediately felt good. It was weird – like magic and I felt a surprisingly warm feeling wash over me. I imagined they might have read the book, and this passage had landed in a spot in their heart where they wanted it to remain close. They wanted it to be part of who they were. Then I thought…

    Doesn’t every writer love when their readers become one with their story? I do.

    In a way when I read the quote in light of this event, it grew a hundredfold. It became my elixir – and the reader’s as well. 

    Here is the full quote found in my novel. If you use it in some way, and I hope you do, please let folks know where you found it.

    “It’s a maze—life that is. Sometimes, for moments here and there, it appears otherwise with clean lines and crystal facets. Not often. Life is more than what I thought. And I knew this all along but wasn’t willing to believe in myself—to believe me. Aiden showed me, but it was for me to act. Love is a strange thing, and I yearn for it once more. I don’t need to give it much thought, I just need to give it sunlight and space to grow—to run in a field of tall grass and be free.” 

    … to believe in ourselves….

    You may like: A Little Known Zen Story on Friendship

    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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  • Coming-of-Age or Bildungsroman or Both? A Separate Peace Comes to Mind

    E.G. Kardos

    Coming-of-age or bildungsroman? When you hear the word “bildungsroman” what’s your initial thought? You probably have a good idea of what “coming-of-age” means in literature. For most, bildungsroman is not a term we use or hear regularly. If I had to guess, very few people know much about it. I was among this group until a few years ago as I used the term coming-of-age broadly. However, there are distinct differences between coming-of-age and bildungsroman novels.

    The origin of the genre is German, where the word “bildung” means “formative” and the word “roman” means “novel”. Since bildungsroman novels are among my favorites I know plenty of others appreciate this genre. However, it is safe to say that most of us might not recognize the term so I thought I would share some thoughts. 

    So what is a Bildungsroman? 

    A bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story highlighting a young person’s psychological and moral development. Typically written in the first person, the protagonist shares their journey to maturity. 

    You might say that sounds like just another coming-of-age novel. A bildungsroman is always a coming-of-age story whereas not all coming-of-age novels are bildungsroman. A bildungsroman delves into themes of self-discovery and the search for identity. A protagonist’s inner journey including their values, spirituality, and understanding of the world is always a part of the bildungsroman.

    A bildungsroman delves into themes of self-discovery and the search for identity.

    Coming-of-Age versus Bildungsroman

    A coming-of-age novel is a broader designation that oftentimes refers to any novel in any genre that explores the experiences and challenges of a character’s journey from childhood to adulthood. Coming-of-age stories emphasize growing up or coming to terms with the world. The operative phrase is coming to terms with the world. The way I look at it, in a bildungsroman, the protagonist is coming to terms with their view of the world that is found deep within them. As an actual genre or sub-genre, depending on who you talk to, these stories specifically focus on the protagonist’s psychological and moral development.

    Although there are others, the major difference between a coming-of-age and a bildungsroman novel is that the protagonist mostly grapples with external challenges. In a bildungsroman the protagonist’s challenges are deep inside of them regardless of where they are in the physical world. Although in some coming-of-age stories, the protagonist struggles with internal issues, their loss of innocence may center more around relationships, sexual awakening, death and mortality, family issues, or social justice concerns.

    The Structure of a Bildungsroman

    • Loss – the protagonist endures a profound emotional loss
    • Journey – because of their loss, the character embarks on a journey. The journey can be physical in nature, metaphorical, or both. They search for answers to what gnaws at them with hopes to better understand the world and how they fit or must navigate in that world.
    • Obstacles/conflict and growth – But as the story continues, like forcing a square peg in a round hole, the protagonist makes decisions that are not always the best. They eventually, willfully or not, resolve themselves to accept society’s ways. 
    • Maturity/enlightenment – Psychological growth and change lead to, maturity. Many times the protagonist helps others who are on the same journey.

    Although I have found the same books on lists for both bildungsroman and coming-of-age novels, the following, I feel, seem to be good examples of bildungsroman novels:

    • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
    • A Separate Peace by John Knowles
    • Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
    • The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
    • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
    • Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
    • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

    What do you think? Are all of these books bildungsroman? Coming -of-Age? What books would you add to the list? Which ones would you remove?

    A Review of Sorts – some of my brief thoughts: A Separate Peace by John Knowles

    One of my favorite books in this category is A Separate Peace. I first read it at age fifteen and it made an indelible impression on me. It inspired my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings many years later. 

    The novels I love evoke strong emotions and provoke thought. A Separate Peace does this for me as I experienced each moment alongside Gene during a poignant period of his life. He navigates a friendship—a love—that is difficult for him to understand. I know he would do anything for a “do-over” and I empathize with him and Finny.

    Gene, the protagonist, tells the story of when he was a boy full of jealousy and self-doubt to an adult who learns from his mistakes and finally accepts the consequences of past actions.

    With World War II as a backdrop, Knowles compares and contrasts both societal and personal loss of innocence. Gene struggles with his complex relationship with his roommate, Finny, as the immorality of war casts a shadow on all they do.

    A good book is worth reading many times, and I have done just that. Each time, I learned something new about this once-in-a-lifetime friendship. Like all relationships, it is full of joy and pain. Knowles was a master at lulling us into what seems to be a simple and innocent adventure but is, in truth, a deep and dark journey within. It reminded me that we must always search for the truth. Finding it, however, can be elusive; we may hear the voice within, but listening to it is another matter.

    I hope your next read is a bildungsroman. I hope to hear from you.

    NOTE: This is a great source for more information on writing – Master Class

    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

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    All Posts

    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.

  • The Time We Have

    E.G. Kardos

    “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

    ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

    The Time We Have

    If you have read any of the books or watched any of the movies, you may agree that The Lord of The Rings is a powerful saga. Yes, I said it—saga. Tolkien was masterful with the entirety of the story but what I find wondrous is that all the bits and pieces along the way are full of flavor and are stories in themselves. They are powerful all on their own. 

    The quote above is part of a brief conversation between Gandalf and Frodo. If you haven’t read the books or watched the movies, you may still appreciate its depth as it is rich with meaning whether in or out of the story.

    These fifty-one words are all about humanity’s age old divide between those who seek power and those who seek to live the life they were meant to live.

    The powerful, many times, feed off the destruction of their own making only to disrupt humanity to, well, gain more power. I’m in the camp that power based in love, compaaion and insight lifts humanity.

    Each sentence in this quote is revealing. this is how I look at it.

    Frodo says… I wish it need not have happened in my time

    Although Frodo is a Hobbit, he expresses a very human feeling we all, at some time feel. Every so often this feeling results from a natural phenomenon like an earthquake or a hurricane, but most of the time, it results from man and his intentional actions. War would be a big one as would dehumanizing those who are not like us.

    History is full of men who overreach to claim power and control. By doing so, those who seek to live their lives the best they can and how they see fit are whipped into colossal, turbulent waves. They get caught in the wake of the murky froth of the power-hungry and their dark and self-serving decisions. 

    Humanity and everything about how we live is dualistic. We have good, so there is bad; we have love, so there is hate; we have the rich, so we must have the poor, and so on. Power without love, compasion or insight exists to prey on the weak…the poor…or those deemed as unworthy.

    What is imagined in the mind can become a reality.

    The above neutral statement is easily corrupted when the cunning manipulator is searching for a “treasure” that benefits the few. If only those who sought power also sought good.

    Gandalf follows his statement and says…So do I

    These three words show empathy. The experienced and wise wizard has seen much in his long life, but it is with his experience that his empathy flows naturally. More importantly, it is soothing—it is healing.

    He is reafirming in these three words. He offers, as all good teachers do, a broder view with what he says next.

    …and so do all who live to see such times. 

    We search for answers — for perspective. As long as humans have roamed the planet they have, from time to time, created devatation. The wise teacher reminds young Frodo (and us too) that we are not alone. 

    But Gandalf goes on to say…But that is not for them to decide. 

    When we realize that most of us feel the same way, our imagination, too, may shape what is next. With the hard truth, Gandalf moves Frodo away from taking a turn into self-despair as self-despair is exactly what the powerful want from those they wish to control.

    He helps Frodo to focus when he says,

    …All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

    When outside forces suffocate us, will we find the spark within us to take charge of our next step…and then the second step… and then…

    Simply, we are not alone. We always have help. We always have hope. And with that, it is us who decide what to do with the time that is given us.

    …you may also like, It’s All Created In 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.

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  • It’s Created by the Mind

    E.G. Kardos

    The reality that we navigate daily appears to be, well, real. On the surface, wouldn’t you say that we can count on it? It’s here to last, right? We certainly can’t mistake what’s fake for reality. Oh really? Man certainly does mistake “what is fake or made up” for what is real. It’s hard to miss this one as it is a daily occurance, but that’s for another post. As far as “counting on reality” or reality is “here to last”, I’m just not sure of that either. Suffice it to say, humans shape reality like it or not. I think Plato hit it on the nose when he said, “The reality is created by the mind.

    My leaning on the subject is that “… Nothing lasts forever but the Earth and Sky… “ as the rock band, Kansas, wrote and sang in their hit, Dust in the Wind. Great song. So that’s the way I lean. Unless it is the Earth or the sky, I’m not so sure we can count on it or that it’s here to last. After all, very few physical and nonphysical realities that man has originated have truly lasted. Humans are pretty good at making new tools over time and those in power create social constructs–some last for a while.

    Photo by Michelle LeBlanc

    Created by the mind

    Reality, both in physical and nonphysical reality (like social constructs), is the product of the minds of humans over the millions of years. Other than what comes from the natural world, everything else started as an idea in someone’s head—good or bad. It’s all fantasy until we take an idea and build it.

    Cell phones don’t grow in the wild.

    Just an aside…man has been an expert on how to create a war, but not so good at creating a reality that eliminates them. Perhaps we are still lacking in some areas. This is a little heavy for this post, but it is a clear example that man creates his own reality–for himself and everyone under his control.

    My family and I like to go to the mountains and escape from the craziness of life. On a recent trip I remember sitting on the cabin’s porch in an old rocking chair. I was looking out to the mountains, the stream and a setting sun. A thought popped into my head. I thought that everything that was in front of me was truly real and untainted. As that thought became louder in my head so did another.  Where I sat and all behind me (the cabin and everything in it) was only “real” because man had a thought and did something about it. For example, he might have said, “I want to sit on something other than the ground.” From that, came the first chair. It suddenly became real – it is now part of reality. Fast forward to cell phones–same thing.

    I still think that the sky, the mountains, and the stream are my reality of choice but I assume they don’t measure up for some folks. It’s what I value. The stuff we own, not so much.

    Taking a stake in what’s created by the mind

    The communities we live in didn’t just happen. Someone or some group thought about what they wanted to do, and they built it—urban, suburban, and rural. This all seems very obvious. I remind myself it’s fine for others’ reality to enter our life as that is how it is and our hope is that others’ intentions are good. But we should have a stake in our reality. In other words, we don’t have to be penned in by others’ reality everytime we turn around.

    One way to give us some control of our reality is as easy and as enjoyable as reading and writing. Both of these are solitary activities. So take control of what is real for you, and one way to do this is when we read or write.

    What?

    When we read fiction—any kind of fiction—it transports us. We to to another land—could be London in the 1880s, the Congo in the 1940s, a million light years in some other time or in a different parallel world to right now. 

    Wherever it takes us, it is for sure, taking us away into a reality of our choosing.

    If we allow ourselves, we are immersed into the author’s version of those places, times and situations. But best of all, through their eyes we now live in this fictional space. We become part of the fabric of the tale. We are given freedom to interpret what we read. It is us who give the words shapes, color, sounds, smells, taste, and know how it feels in our hands or beneath our feet. What a gift the author has given us.

    Our self expression is created by the mind

    I encourage people to not only read but to write—or to express themselves in the manner that best suits them. There are many wonderful options for expression. Dance, painting, sketching, photography, digital art, and the list goes on.

    When we express ourselves, we become the master of our own reality as we are in control and we’re calling the shots. 

    When Plato said, “The reality is created by the mind”, I think he meant that the world is best lived when we seek its meaning. We have the capacity to shape what’s in front of us—not just to passively let it go by. It’s less about making a chair or a cell phone but it’s about using our imagination to help us understand what is happening around us, and to find the meaning in our own lives.

    There’s something about knowing that nothing lasts forever except the earth and sky. I say let’s try to understand where we live and those who live here. That reality speaks to me.

    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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  • Follow Your Heart & Live Your Truth

    “Be You” or “Be Your Authentic Self” 

    Cliché? Not at all.

    E.G. Kardos

    “Just do you” and “It’s nobody’s business but yours” are phrases that we hear and, at best may be well intended but are grossly superficial. If it were that easy, we wouldn’t live in a world of raised eyebrows from followers mostly cut out of the same mold. I say, follow your heart!

    If you strive to be your true self, you know the value of “following your heart.” 

    Although some may think that following your heart is the same as following your dream, they are very different. 

    Dreams are something outside of us that we aspire to be or have. I may have a dream of getting rich and living in a castle. I might dream of being a high-powered lawyer, CEO, or a movie star. I’ll admit, these aspirations are exciting, but they aren’t who we are.

    Sometimes dreams can lead us to make some very unsavory choices. We may cut corners or end up stepping on a few folks to get to where we want to be.

    Dreams, many times, come from wants and desires.

    But when you follow your heart, your dreams come from a different place inside of us. That place inside of us is who we are at our core. When we are true to our core, our dreams are all about what’s most important to us,.

    These dreams are more than wonderful. They are spectacular, joyful, and true to what and all about us. These dreams emerge from our authenticity. 

    When our true self ignites a dream, it can never be misguided.

    “It is simple. By following your heart, you will find your fortune. Your dream matters not, as many dreams are driven by something other than one’s heart.” 

    “Oh, I see,” Elias said with no real conviction as he only heard half her message. Knowing he did not hear the truth in her words, she knew he would have to learn this on his own.

    Nattymama speaking with Elias

    The Amulet: Journey to Sirok, E.G. Kardos

    Why is it difficult to follow your heart or live your truth?

    It’s true –we’ve got to learn this all on our own, but this is why I think we tend to shy away from doing so for three reasons:

    • Society—this is a big one. It’s not just parents or our family who may steer you away from being true to yourself, but society as a whole. We may experience peer pressure, what is deemed “acceptable” to a group, what others claim as “normal” or “fitting in” and it may be difficult to muster the courage to be authentic.
    • Fear is often internal, but anxieties mount as we think about following our own path. Will we lose friends? Or will we be successful? How about, will we be happy? What does my future look like? If I’m successful, I have a whole set of new situations to address and am I ready for that?.
    • Guilt—if we follow our heart, are we taking something away from someone else? Are we disappointing someone else by being true to ourselves? Maybe we begin to spend more time away from those who unintentionally pull us down. Or should we devote more time elsewhere and just give in and live a life the way that others think is best for us?

    There are many questions to consider.

    Social conditioning, fear, and guilt are strong forces to overcome. Sometimes, however, we hide our truth from others or even from ourselves. This is why it takes courage, a personal commitment, and a lot of time to make this journey.

    Fiction and Our Journey

    This is why I believe reading fiction should be part of our journey. Why? I remind myself that as a writer, the best prose written comes from “our truth”.  The best fiction authors dig down to there core and find their “truth” and share it with the world.

    We as readers benefit as the moments about which they write are full of color, emotion, and are real. We are there. The story is very human as we meet multi-dimensional characters. They are characters that could be you and me. That’s why the moment we read becomes our moment as if the book was written only for us.

    Fiction gives us an opportunity to see other perspectives and helps us to interpret our own path. I see a real connection. Do you?

    Not There Yet

    I do my best to live my truth, but I’m not there yet, but it is the path I am on. So these are questions that guide me: 

    • In my own words, what am I like? What makes me who I am?
    • What do I think about when I’m alone? What’s important to me?
    • What is most important to me even if I don’t show it? 
    • What brings me joy? 
    • Lastly, what’s my definition of me?

    These questions have nothing to do with how others perceive me—or you. When we commit to a life we know that deep down makes us who we are, living our truth comes naturally. We’re not always able to do this as we live in an overly complex world and one that may not always be open to what our humanity offers.

    Think about it, humans decide what other humans should be. This is just deplorable. We have one chance at our lives and it isn’t for others to dictate who we are.

    When we follow our hearts and live our truth, we are overcome by joy, and we live a more inspired life. Like I said, I’m working on it. That’s okay because recognizing this and moving forward the best I can is the only way.  

    Here’s a related post about being true to yourself.

    What do you think?

    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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  • Seizing the Day

    The Write Stuff

    E.G. Kardos

    I attended an all-boys Catholic prep school in the 1970s. At that time, most of our teachers were monks who dedicated their lives to the Order of Saint Benedict. They were mostly older, stern men in black robes. Even though some taught Latin, “seizing the day” was not always top of mind.

    Most were very good teachers. However, looking back I’d have to say the teacher who inspired me the most happened not to be a member of the monastic order. He happened to be one of the few laymen who taught us—Mr. Storino.

    Our Introduction

    It was the end of August and marked the beginning of my sophomore year in 1975 when twenty-five of us, or so, filed into Mr. Storino’s English Literature class. He sat at his desk, nose down reading a thick tome.

    His classroom was on the second or third floor of a century-old building and as we learned in science class, heat rises—it was hot. There was no air conditioning. The large windows were raised as high as they would go letting in a periodic breeze here and there. 

    Moments passed and we continued to sit quietly as we heard classical music coming from an old record player. We didn’t dare say a word.  

    Colorful Posters

    His classroom felt alive and there was an energy–a vibe. It was unlike all other rooms in that old building. The other teachers were “old school” and probably didn’t see the value in creating a cool learning environment. Their classrooms were barren besides the occasional cracks in the plaster or a crucifix. But, Mr. Storino’s walls were adorned with colorful posters of Impressionism or Abstract art among many other provocative wall hangings. Against the walls were bookcases that overflowed with all kinds of books.  Sitting in my seat, I looked around the room and all I could do was smile.

    Letting the Words Take Us – Seizing the Day

    More than a decade before Robin Williams gave life to Mr. Keating in the movie Dead Poets Society, Mr. Storino was all about seizing the day—carpe diem.  He wanted us to grab hold of the words of a story and let them take us somewhere other than that old classroom in that hot archaic building. 

    For those of us who took advantage of his enthusiasm, and I did, we became equipped to appreciate the required tenth-grade literature with open eyes.  

    His assignments made us think—and feel. Mr. Storino wanted more from us than what most fifteen-year-olds typically wanted to give in class—being vulnerable wasn’t in a teen boys’ lexicon. 

    He talked with us, not at us. He wanted my thoughts on what I read? Really?

    Not until many years later, did I realize just how much he awakened me to literature. He inspired me in so many ways, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. At that time I began to realize it is okay to like, or maybe even love, literature and to seek it out.  I looked forward to his class where we could discuss The Metamorphosis, Brave New World, Catcher in the Rye, or… the list goes on.

    Time Presses On

    That was fifty years ago—wow! After that year, Mr. Storino took a position at a local public school, and I have not seen him since. Recently, I learned that he had a long teaching career and was heralded as one of the finest English teachers in his district. 

    Learning that about him made me feel even more fortunate.

    When my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings, was published a friend helped me to locate him. As if I were fifteen again, I was a bit shy asking him to read it, but he was delighted and read it at once.

    Since my best grade on any of my compositions in his class was a B+ (but mostly C+s if I’m honest), I was worried about how he would evaluate my latest work. However, I was pleasantly surprised—more like elated—by the “grade” and review he gave the book on Amazon.

    Teachers have so much to give. They have an awesome power and he played a major part in my love for reading and writing fiction.

    He is a true inspiration.

    Thanks, Mr. Storino!

    Who influenced you the most? 

    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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