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Stoney Richards — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:02:29 GMT

Is there a saying that goes, "Life intrudes"? If not there should be because it seems whatever our hopes and dreams are we sometimes, well a lot of times let life intrude. The busy day to day of life simply gets in the way. It happened to me for sure. We go off on paths, and trails, and sideroads and before we know it we find time to let time get spent on other projects. Anyway, I'm back to submitting posts to this blog and even though it's been a while..i simply haven't had time. I know, the clamor has been deafening. "When will he publish again?" Ha! Well, anyway, i intend with regularity to publish at this site with hopefully meaningful or entertaining posts to keep you on your path which as we all know ain't the easiest thing to do. Easy to write about. Hard to do

Just...you know the rest.

Stoney Richards — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:21:00 GMT

We've all heard the phrase, "Just Do It." It really says it all in making your dreams come true. I can't talk about this enough because we all do it...uh before we get to doing it.

You know the scenario;

We have a dream. Ah, this is what I'll do.

Then the mental bargaining begins. Let's do something basic. I'm going to get a new car.
Okay, having said that, then, well, "I really can't afford a new car. Maybe an inexpensive new car. Actually my old one is still pretty good. What if something happens and i can't pay for it? Maybe a used car. Well that's a great car but this one will be good enough."

Don't do that. DON'T DO THAT!

Be responsible. Figure out your budget. Will you have to save to get a new car? Yes, probably but it can be done. Maybe a new Kia but not a Ferrari. Now if you want the Ferrari, you are going to have to figure out how to have a couple hundred thousand dollars of disposable income. Maybe another dream to support that dream. Or maybe a lease. Maybe there is a dealer willing to trade services to allow you to drive the Ferrari on a limited basis. I'm going off on a tangent here but you see, you have to be a little creative but permissive. YOU have to be the one to allow yourself to follow your dream. Really, there are no roadblocks in the way. The blocks are all created by you and can just as easily be overcome by...YOU.

About Time

Stoney Richards — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:36:00 GMT

We've all heard the expression, "it's about time."

Unfortunately, when it comes to time we really have little say in the matter. One of the hardest things to wrap our dream filled heads around is the concept of time. When we state our dreams, we fully expect them to land on our lives doorstep within the next 24 to 48 hours. Right?

Patience is probably the first thing we should all dream about because it'll come when it's damn good and ready.

Our problem is twofold, patience and belief.

We may be willing to wait a bit for our dreams to come true but when they fail to appear we begin to doubt and eventually no longer believe. You know the process and so do I.

"I wanna' star in a hit movie."

There, you said it, you see it, it's on it's way.

However after a little while, nothing, a little longer still nothing and still longer.....

Soon we begin to wonder. Maybe not a movie, how about a TV show. Maybe just a part in a movie. Okay, an audition for a TV show. Well maybe, maybe it's just me. Hmm.

See how the dream changes. We don't realize it but we're sending out mixed signals and actually creating a nightmare of our own doing.

Create your dream. State it clearly. be patient and continue to believe it against all odds. In time, you will make natural adjustments that help make that dream come true. When we release our wishes to the universe we are not saying we understand how all this comes true because we don't. Believe and trust and know. Whatever changes are necessary will come from that....not arbitrarily from our own conciousness but from our UN-conciousness.

Roadblocks to Your Dreams

Stoney Richards — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:09:00 GMT

We've all been faced with putting together a plan and along the way realizing without anyone saying anything to us how "this plan could fail."
The fear creeps in. The results of our failure begin to add up and before we know it, we've done nothing...again.

For every plan there are a multitude of things that can go wrong and most likel will go wrong.
But consider this; do things go wrong or simply not as planned?

The scenario goes something like this; we plan, we try to follow the first few steps through.
The first time something goes "wrong", read, not as planned, we decide this just isn't going to work.

Have a dream, make a plan and then put it into action.

What happens along the way is called the journey. You may find yourself pulled in a direction you never thought about. Be flexible. Once you start putting your dreams into action, you don't know how you'll achieve them.
You can imagine what you think will happen but without actually putting your plans into the real world absolutely nothing happens.

I run marathons. I never know how I am going to finsh 26 miles and 300 yards but I know I will finish. Sometimes the day is cold or it rains. There are those days when I really don't feel perfect and days when I fight like hell not to quit.
At one ill-planned marathon I collapsed and had to be brought to a tent for fluids. I got up after 45 minutes and finished the race even though it took me six hours.

You don't know what's going to happen. Do you think I imagined that happening to me? So, you have set-backs.

Recognize turns in the road as opposed to Roadblocks:Bridge Out warnings.

You're gonna'make it. You're gonna'.

"No" Dreams "No" Future

Stoney Richards — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:26:00 GMT

It's all about dreams isn't it? Well it's also what you do with those dreams.

Know that most anyone will be quick to tell you why your dream won't work. By the way, what are you doing telling someone about your dream without doing anything about it anyway?

You know what happens when you tell the whole world about your dream but do nothing about it?

Two things. Nothing happens and somebody probably steals your dream.

"No" is an easy thing for people to say to something they may have never thought about before. So, you must excuse a friend for telling you what you've been dreaming about is "just a dream."

"Some men see things as they are and say why; I dream things that never were and say why not," said Bobby Kennedy.

For you to have the perception and depth to dream a dream that doesn't yet exist is a bold action. Most people will not understand what you're talking about. Now, granted if enough people give you that confused Marmaduke look you may be way out in the refinements of your dream. Perhaps a little editing might be called for.

But if you've spent time putting together what you've been dreaming about don't let anyone stop you. As a matter of fact, once you start putting it into practice, things will begin to fall into place.
You meet people. You learn new ways to do things. I'm not saying that you suddenly receive no resistance. No, actually the road may get very tough in unexpected ways. But you have to have the dream formulated in your mind clearly enough and if you do you will be able to keep going.

Do it, do it, DO IT!

The Importance of Dreams

Stoney Richards — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:44:00 GMT

Dreams are really just an active form of meditation.

During meditation you may simply "watch" your thoughts go by. Sometimes though, one thought may take center stage of your thinking. Don't worry about it and don't worry about the importance of that vision.

We all think that we'll have the "aha" dream moment. We'll come away from meditation or sleep and feel that we have all the answers.

Sometimes, just letting the dream unfold is what your mind, spirit and body needs.

So don't waste a moment trying to figure out what the dream that made no sense means.
Whatever it was, it was necessary.

Enjoy the dreams you have

The Dream Recipe

Stoney Richards — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:22:00 GMT

We talk about dreaming of the perfect job or relationship but what about the perfect meal?
Yes, I have the perfect summer vacation recipe.
You like seafood? Lobster? Shrimp? Buttah?
Here we go;

Get some frozen, cooked lobster claws and some cooked shrimp(size matters)
Into a pot add;
Two tablespoons Olive oil (evoo)
A tablespoon of garlic (two cloves)
A rough cut stalk of celery
A rough cut Cubana Pepper (with or without seeds and husks depending on your heat preference)
2 cloves of a shallot
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup white cooking wine (or what have you)
1/2 cup of water
Cover and bring to a boil
Add one cut up Johnsonville New Orleans style sausage (brot)(for one person)
Bring to a boil ( ya' wanna see steam)
Add the lobster claws (3 for one person)
Add one tblsp of butter
Bring to a steaming boil (about 4 minutes if that)
Add the shrimp (four for one person)
Add 1/2 a squeezed lemon
Add about a half cup, no more, of Minute Rice
Replace the lid after each step and let this go about three minutes
Finish with a teaspoon of chopped cilantro, pepper and tablespoon of parsley chopped

Serve in a deep dish with the the broth and cold, cold Chardonnay or beer.
If you are able to make this outside and eat it outside or on a boat you will have tasted heaven.

The whole deal takes about a half hour from cooking to serving. Double all the ingredients per guest.

What great recipes have you dreamed up?

Lemme know how you like it.

Dreams Come True...in Time.

Stoney Richards — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:18:00 GMT

It was years ago but I was fascinated by the song, a number one hit from Gordon Lightfoot called the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
My friend from Australia, Jaan Torv taught me to play that song, long into a winter night in Cleveland Ohio. Even though "we got it' on the guitar it didn't have that special ring on mine. It did on Jaans and I noticed that he was playing a Takamine guitar. I'd never heard of that before that night.
Since then, I'd played on my Gibson Epiphone but it didn't have that ring to it. It sounded like a ships bell which fit nicely into the song.
So, years go by. I'm playing my guitar always hitting that song but never with the same results as old Gordon and Jaan Torv.
So, I'm looking for a new guitar with plug-in capabilities and I put a call in to my guitar store.They call the other night and say, "we have a used Takamine I think you should see and play."
Off I go.
The instrument plays like a dream. It has a tuner insatalled and EQ and all kinds of geeky guitar player things. I buy it.
I get it home, plug it in and start playing. Even my loving wife who didn't beat me up over the price says, "that sounds nice,"
My son comes home and plays it a bit pronouncing it "sweet."
I settle down here in my studio and start playing. It strikes me...the Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald.
The A sus, the E7 and the G all ring out loud like a ships bell.
Gordon Lightfoot, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Steve Wariner, all Takamine boys.
I read online that Gordon hisseff' says they way he got the ships bell sound in the song was with the Takamine that has the lively strings. I realize I'm sharing a sound with my Canadien idol eh. That's how music goes.

How Dreams Become Reality

Stoney Richards — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:43:00 GMT

I started this with the phrase, "We're All Daydreaming on the Way to Work." And believe me there's nothing wrong with that.
But eventually we have to stop dreaming and get to doing, otherwise, well you know.
And many times we ask or think about what we'll do when opportunity presents itself and we have a wonderful plan.
But many times, opportunity presents itself when we least expect it. As Hamlet said, "the readiness is all."
I was out for my daily run Saturday and for the longest time I was dreaming about a new running route because frankly, I was getting bored. I like to run long distances so there are only so many routes I can run before they all look the same to me.
So here I was on Saturday, a nice six miler when I saw a path, a trail and I wasn't sure where it led. Now, I hate dead ends and trails that lead to nowhere but I thought and remembered what I had been dreaming about. Here it was, a new route. I took it. It turned out to be wonderful. A beautiful trail that went along a pond, through the woods and ending at a horse barn close to where I normally run anyway. It was exhilirating. And on my way home. I thought, if I had resisted that trail, it was a dream coming true, and I would have denied that to myself.
The readiness my friends, is all.
You will get what you dream of and ask for. Be ready when it comes.

Live Your Dreams

Stoney Richards — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:12:00 GMT

We lived in Los Angeles for a good many years where everyone said they were an actor. Yet, really, there were really just a few thousand actors in LA and many of them worked and supported their families. The old excuse that "you can't make a living as an actor" is false. I knew many who called themselves actors, who had talent but all they did was wait for the next job to come along before doing anything. They did a fine job on the set but when that was over they went back to waiting and complaining that..."you can't make a living as an actor."
On the other hand I had friends who were actors who always seemed to have an active project in hand. Writing, producing, directing, teaching and managing another job many times. To me they were truly actors and if you look at people like that you can see a good percentage of these actors are working. I now live outside of Hollywood and I still work as an actor.
The point is this. Do what you say you are.
If you are a writer, don't wait for a publishing deal. Write. The same for actors or a computer IT person for that matter.
Daydreaming is an active process.
If you state your dreams, you'll accomplish a lot more, if you act on those dreams. Do something that works your dream to reality.
If you want to lose thirty pounds and you sit on the couch, telling your friends on the cellphone that you're going to lose thirty pounds, uh, how many pounds do you think you'll lose...ever?

Um Hmm. Get busy. Someone commented to me that they didn't have time to daydream let alone create some new reality.

Yeah? Really?

Take fifteen minutes and spend that fifteen minutes on your plan, your dream. Actively.
Enjoy the day...and don't forget to daydream.

Multi-Task Daydreaming

Stoney Richards — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Please dismiss the vision of meditation or daydreaming as a passive activity. Yes, many sit, lay or assume a yoga position to let the rivers and streams of their minds flow.
I run.
Running is my meditation.
As a matter of fact just this morning on my morning run I went through my favorite woods that lead to a beautiful and peaceful forest. When I run I like to keep my heart rate monitor on to make sure that I'm getting a good training run as well.
So, off I go along the trail that kicks in about a mile and a half of my morning five miler. Now, the trail gets a little steep here as it winds up and into a pine forest along a little pond.
It's beautiful but this is also where I usually check my heart rate monitor for what turns out to be the highest reading of my run.
Today though, I was on a...well, a dream. Deep in thought. My legs churning mindlessly, no stress and no strain. I guess just out of habit I turned to my watch expecting to see my reading at about my maximum heart rate.
To my surprise, I was nowhere near it. I was as relaxed on the outside as I was on the inside.
So don't think because you're busy, that you can't dream.
Washing dishes, riding a train, going over a spreadsheet. Your mind is capable of things you never thought possible. And that's why. You never thought them possible.
Dream on.

To Dream is To Fly

Stoney Richards — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:05:00 GMT

We've had a nest of robins under our deck all spring. We watched the family build the nest, lay the beautiful blue eggs that appeared one morning and then heard their endless chirping as mom, dad and no doubt uncles and aunts brought food to the nest. It of course was all leading up to this big day. One of the little guys made it out of the nest and onto our deck, standing on the ledge for the longest time. Today was the day he was going to fly. I watched him looking around, at me, the sky, his family not too far from where he was. It was a new world. He was still furry, not much of a tail and from my point of view and it looked like it would be a rough take off. After hours of posing and probably hoping this would end, off he went, kind of a dive as opposed to a flight into our woodpile. There he sat, his heart beating visibly. He hopped down...flew a bit more and sort of got what the hec he was supposed to do.

It's always a big day when you realize your dreams. But when you've dreamed your dreams into reality it's time to take that leap.

Fly well.

The Dreams of an Everyday Housewife

Stoney Richards — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:31:00 GMT

There is an old country song called the Dreams of an Everyday Housewife. I think it was Glen Campbell who had this out years ago, maybe 1967. Well, we don't often hear that term "housewife" anymore but the scenario of the song is still true today. There are people at home, although maybe now, working from home and not so concerned with "housework" who have dreams. The woman in the song has dreams too but she's so busy that she just keeps doing what she does and therefore never realizes her dreams but it's okay because, I guess, her house is clean.
The point is this...don't let all the seemingly important day to day crap get in your way. Get out and live your dreams.
Don't be an idiot and be irresponsible. You can't walk out of your house, leave the stove on and the kids crying and the iron on high to sing an afternoon lunch with your guitar in a bar. You can't leave your responsibilities to go out and do a script read at night while the kids are alone. But you can plan and prioritize and make room to move closer to your dream day by day.
Even the big weight loss progams ask that you"give us six weeks and we'll guarantee" whatever they guarantee. It takes time to realize your dreams but don't forget to take the time to make the time to make your dreams come true.

Dreaming about How To Get Where You're Going

Stoney Richards — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:10:00 GMT

Someone asked me, "What's with all the dream stuff?"

What you dream about is what you want to do.
You know, your dream vacation, your dream job, the house of your dreams?
We dream it but the trouble is we don't do it. If you can dream it, you can do it.
So, I say, spend time daily, daydreaming. You most likely won't have a clue how to get that two masted sailing schooner, or that wonderful walking trip through Europe or that perfect little outfit for your daughter but if you keep dreaming about it, eventually you'll come up with a plan.
I'm not talking about wishing.
Gee I wish I had peace of mind. Good luck and keep wishing.
When you dream about something eventually you'll see yourself in that dream and dreams become reality.
Lose your dreams and lose your mind says the Rolling Stones song.
Here's an example.
I run marathons. I love the 26 mile 300 yard distance. I've run seventeen of them all over the United States. A lot of people say to me, "Well I couldn't run a mile let alone twenty six."
Here's the truth. When I started running over twenty five years ago neither could I. I started by...are you ready...running around my block. That led to a half mile, a mile and before you know it, well let me say I knew it. It did take quite a while and a lot of hard work and discipline.
But the point is, a goal comes to you when you put one foot in front of the other. That's how I run the marathons. One foot in front of the other, running toward my dream.
Take some time to dream today and come one step closer to your reality.
Your comments are always welcome.

We're All Daydreaming...some Better than Others

Stoney Richards — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:52:00 GMT

Here's an experiment in seeing your dreams come true. For the sake of science, make up a goal that doesn't have to be real or anything that you might really want to do. (Let's not mess with our dreams)Make it pretty fantastic though. Say for example, "I'm going to win an Academy Award."
Tell that to some people. Most will look at you with a disguised look of pity. Others will laugh out loud. Some will say you're crazy and others still will ask how you plan to do this.
The point is, I doubt anyone will say, "Terrific. I know you can do it. Is there anything I can do to help?"

The reason for this experiment is to show you that when you've made up your mind to do something, to pursue your dream, it's your plan. No one shares in it because they have no idea what you are talking about. They have nothing against you and they're probably a little sympathetic because they think you're crazy! There are people who will come to your aid as you work your plan but initially the response may simply be, "Whaaaat?"

So, have your dream, make your plan and don't let your first action be to tell somebody about it. Make your first action to put your plan in effect by something you do that will advance you toward your goal.

You can tell a thousand people that you're going to be a millionaire. Until you put your first dollar in the bank though, you're not a single step closer to having that million.

Think about it. Dream about it.

Daydreaming or Working

Stoney Richards — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:36:00 GMT

My good friend Dona Cooper who is an accomplished author and television writer once told me that when she was sitting at her desk, staring out the window, hands clasped in her lap, some of her colleagues would walk by and say, "Hey Dona, ya' gonna' get any work done today?"
Her reply, she told me was always the same.
"I'm working right now. Don't bother me."

What looked like total inactivity to passers-by was comlete concentration by Dona on what she was about to write next , as soon as she got it all worked out in her head.

Daydreaming?
Yeah probably but not a bad thing. We are supposed to dream at night but think of the value of being able to dream a little during the day while you are able to then put what perhaps you've "dreamed up" into action.

With a problem, a project or just prior to a conference call, sometimes just sitting still and letting thoughts form about what lies ahead can lead to solutions, creative ideas or just peace of mind.

And if you want to take it a few steps farther try a sign on your door that says, "Do Not Disturb. Daydreaming!"

Daydreaming About You

Stoney Richards — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:38:00 GMT

What do you want to do? What do you want to be? Well, you can't be anybody but yourself but who is that really?
People spend a lot of money trying to figure that out. But one little exercise I've always found helpful and one that's a lot of fun is collecting about a half dozen pictures of yourself as a kid. There seems to be something in us between the ages of eight and twelve that many times is a clue as to who we want to become. I don't mean who we manufacture but who we really are. By looking at those photographs many times you can see the artist, the builder, someone more happy in groups, or more of a loner, a leader, a happy person, a more intuitive individual. If you have the photos, take a look at them. See yourself emerging.
Which pictures do you choose? You'll know which ones are really you. Don't edit. Don't try to go for a result. See what you come up with.

Perhaps your search will be inconclusive but even if it is it will still inspire you down another path of discovery. Take this first step. If nothing else, you'll have a nice snapshot thumprint album of your childhood.

You are probably happy with yourself as you are. Marvelous. We all become something but is that who we really are?

Take a look. Keep Daydreaming on the Way To Work.

Again, I'd love to hear back from you.

We're All Daydreaming on Our Way to Work

Stoney Richards — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:24:00 GMT

This will be my daily blog. It's a title for a book I wrote a long time ago. The title came to me in a conversation with my good friend Bill Mayne in Nashville. I was talking to him on the phone about dreams and what we really want to do in life and I said,"Ya' know Bill, we're all just daydreaming on our way to work."
Bill being Bill, said, "Well theres a book title if ever I heard one," and the book practically wrote itself.
I didn't realize it then but it really was a precursor to blogs as we know them today. And since you really can't attach time to a goal what has evolved is this; a daily journal of thoughts, affirmations and maybe even some advice on becoming what we all want to be.
How can I know what you want out of life? I don't. But I do know that we all settle easily for what's put in front of us.
This is a guide for not doing that. It is a little spiritual GPS system to help you find a better route.
The message is this:
Pay attention to the things you daydream about. Those wistful dreams usually ending with a sigh and a return to the mundane signifies our complacency. I have dreamt about sharing this blog with you for a long time now. I thought it was going to be in the form of a book. I soon realized that doing that would simply be a snapshot from a certain point in time. No value. This, we can work through everyday. Things change, quickly. I say we because I want you to participate. Respond to these daily thoughts with your own.
But don't stop dreaming. I'll explain how your dreams can become reality. Just keep an eye on the road ahead

Is Susan Boyle the Essence of Talent?

Stoney Richards — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:46:00 GMT

It never ceases to amaze where inspiration can come from or where talent can be found.

I'm sorry but I never thought that Simon Cowell would be the key that opened a door to inspiration but if you've joined the five million and growing YouTube hits on a woman named Susan Boyle, you know what I'm talking about.

Turns out there is a show over the pond called Britain's Got Talent. You've seen the American version here or heard of it or ignored it.

So, yesterday 47 year old Susan Boyle steps onstage, not a exactly an American or British Idol, until that is, she sang. She performed I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables and absolutely blew away the panel, the audience and anyone who's seen her since. Both Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan were blown away by her "extraordinary" performance. Also on the panel Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, again people I don't associate with inspiration unless Demi has inspired you to flatten your abs to the shape of a smoothed out bedsheet.

I digress. Susan Boyle became a YouTube star last night, though I wonder if she'll go farther than that. Here is a woman that for 47 years lived alone or with her mother with that God given voice and now she's been heard in all her glory. Her 91 year old mother died a couple years ago and this never married, never been kissed woman, decided in a promise to her mother that she would make something of herself.

I've always rated most of these shows to TV carnivals. "Come see the strange and the occasionally popular"... but this woman sang with the voice of God.

And isn't that what talent is. We all have it to some degree. Let that light show. Do not be afraid. Do what you do. Show your talent. Find your voice, your moves, your very soul and you will connect with your creator.

What, you think we were created to sit and watch reality TV?

Todays Radio

Stoney Richards — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:40:00 GMT

What is todays radio? It's hardly magic and that's what radio used to be. Kids used to sleep with radios under their pillows. It wasn't the technology that we were in love with then, those transistor radios were damned uncomfortable. It was the talent. The DJ's. Those guys made you listen. Maybe they were hokey by todays standards but they weren't out of sync in the way you'd think you were out of sync if you looked at an old photo of yourself. At the time, you were cool. And that's what radio shows were.
The music and the era I speak of the the sixties through the early seventies and a good part of the eighties. Radio was able to, and still can create, a mood, tell a story or set the right stage for a hit song. I grew up in Detroit with Tom Clay and Lee Alan on the Horn and Robin Seymour and Dick Purtan and CKLW and WABX.
I loved those stations, those guys, those shows. I believe it can still be done today. Check back as soon I'll be offering one hour shows available for download or streaming. Dreams don't die and as Tom Shannon used to say on CKLW...the sun never sets on the steps of the Shannon empire. Never knew what that meant but damn I believed it! It's why I'm still doing major market radio today after 36 years in the business.