Have you ever received something anonymously from someone? It could have been an encouraging note or some money during a difficult time. Or maybe someone in the line at Starbucks secretly treated you to a coffee before disappearing without a word.
If you have, you know how special it can be.
There's a strange humility that comes with giving anonymously. When credit can't be given, a certain pureness accompanies the action. It also releases the individual receiving the gift from obligation to respond somehow. There are truly no strings attached when we give in this way.
They just get to enjoy the gift for what it is.
Whenever I've received something anonymously from someone, it creates a very unique feeling inside of me. It brings comfort to my soul and causes me to think of others as well. It's like a knee jerk reaction to give. The desire to do the very thing that was done for me sort of takes over. Can you relate to that?
Note: If no one's ever done something like this for you, worry not!
You Can Be The Change!
(The world around you is waiting.)
The best part about giving anonymously is the creativity that comes with it. There are no limits on how to deliver the gift. And this is when things get really fun! But if you're struggling with knowing how to start, begin by observing the world around you. What needs can you meet? And better yet, what creative ways can you meet those needs?
And we can't always know the needs of those around us. But that doesn't mean we can't still bless them with an encouraging note or a thoughtful act. Or even a kind conversation (which doesn't need to be long in length). And when we step out in this way, its affect on the person can be powerful, carrying on into unknown places and situations.
I'd like to share some stories with you. These are fictional pieces
I've written and range from 1,500-7,000 words in length. They consist
of many different themes and were a joy to write. It is my sincerest
hope that you find enjoyment in them as well, flaws and all!
So go make some coffee, find a little nook, and dive on in.
T H E G R A S S E S O F W I S D O M
Brandon Salisbury June 27, 2017
There once was an Ox who lived in the wild. He was happy and free, and enjoyed roaming the breezy hills in careless abandonment. The Ox treasured the ground beneath his feet and the life that came from it. Stories of its significance had been passed down for generations in his family. They were some of his favorite. And much like this one, they often spoke of something deeper than the stories themselves.
I'd like to share some stories with you. These are fictional pieces
I've written and range from 1,500-7,000 words in length. They consist
of many different themes and were a joy to write. It is my sincerest
hope that you find enjoyment in them as well, flaws and all!
So go make some coffee, find a little nook, and dive on in.
U N D E R T H E W A T E R
Brandon Salisbury July 16, 2015
When I close my eyes, I can still see her on the dock. I see her feet dangling above the water and her gaze set downward beneath its surface. Of all there was to enjoy at the cabin, she preferred this the most. It wasn't uncommon for her to spend an hour or more there at the lake. I'd sometimes see her through the window and she looked like a painting, always so still. This was my sisters favorite place to be. Her name was Caiden.
"Sister's for life," we used to say. I was only ten when she was taken; she was six. The investigation took its course, but her body was never discovered. It carried on for a time and some friends of my parents even organized search parties to search the forest. I knew they wouldn't find her, though. And to be honest, I don't think Caiden wanted to be found. I knew the day would come when the investigation would be over and it'd be quiet again. And it was so.
I'd like to share some stories with you. These are fictional pieces
I've written and range from 1,500-7,000 words in length. They consist
of many different themes and were a joy to write. It is my sincerest
hope that you find enjoyment in them as well, flaws and all!
So go make some coffee, find a little nook, and dive on in.
T H E D E C I S I O N
Brandon Salisbury March 20, 2017
From the heat of the tropics to the cold of the
office, John found himself at the end of a deep and engaging assignment.For the first time in his life, both
confusion and clarity sought for a place in his understanding.He questioned the world around him in a way
he never had before.The journey ahead
would not be easy, but there was no other way.
"We had been surveilling the doctor over
the last six months," said Peterson."With the peculiar activities surrounding his life, and the initial
report that turned us onto him, we felt that it was necessary, if not
imperative, that he be surveyed."
"The report concerning the girl?"
asked a man from across the table.John
looked down at his hands on the cold, steel surface.He folded them and then answered the
question."Yes, Rebecca
Clark."He could see her face in
his mind.
"Can you tell me more about that?"
asked the man.John nodded.
"It had been reported to the police department
of El Tigre that Dr. Kron had put a spell on Miss Clark, a foreigner who'd been
living in the city over the last five years, working with disabled
children."
"Venezuela?"
"Yeah."
"And what was this supposed 'spell' that
had come over her?"
"In the report,” answered Peterson, “it
stated that the two had engaged in a loud, verbal confrontation over
Kron’s conduct towards a waitress at a cafe she frequented.” He then began to
speak in another language - possibly more than one - at which, she stopped
responding altogether.The report noted
that she became quite passive at this point and sat down in her chair.She then positioned her head downwards
towards the table and upon Kron's exiting of the building, she stood to her
feet and followed him out, rather despondent."
I'd like to share some stories with you. These are fictional pieces
I've written and range from 1,500-7,000 words in length. They consist
of many different themes and were a joy to write. It is my sincerest
hope that you find enjoyment in them as well, flaws and all!
So go make some coffee, find a little nook, and dive on in.
Note To Reader: If you'd rather listen to this story, please Subscribe to this blog (top right). I've created an audio-version as well & it's exclusive to my Subscribers!
A D V E N T U R E S W I T H K Y F A Brandon Salisbury June 10, 2014
There she sat, out in the green grass. The sky was perfect and the
clouds, wonderful. Great, big trees were all around the girl. They
were full of vibrant life. Little critters could be heard rustling
through the bushes nearby as the songbirds sang. The smell of lavender,
vanilla, and some sort of citrus filled the air. It was a pleasing
aroma.
Annabel spent a lot of time here; in fact, it was her favorite place to be. Her feet were bare and she was free. The cool, lush grass was soothing to her skin. She laid back into its soft embrace and gazed into the sky above as entire worlds of magical enchantment built themselves into the clouds. Their creative brilliance is surely beyond ours. She could see puppies and kittens in them. They also held the faces of people she knew and even places she had been. Her home was there, too... a not so distant memory.
She breathed it all in. Annabel was safe here - secure. She began to swoosh her arms and legs through the heavy blades of grass as one might when making an angel in the snow. There wasn't a care in the world to concern herself with in this place. Fascination gripped her mind and her imagination was the one thing it needed: permission to explore. No one could take this away from her, and harsh words literally could not be heard. It was as close to perfect as perfection could be for an eight-year old girl.
Annabel began to hum a tune into the air. It was a song that she and her father had created. She wasn't worried about singing the words because the melody alone was able to fulfill its duty. But as she lay there, restful and at peace, there came a sound from the trees. A stick had been snapped. She turned her head to look, but the tall grass blocked her vision. Sitting up just slightly, she rested herself onto her elbows. "Kyfa?" she asked. "Is that you?" There was no response. Now sitting fully upright, she called again. "Hello? Who's there?" But still, there was nothing.
I'd like to share some stories with you. These are fictional pieces I've written and range from 1,500-7,000 words in length. They consist of many different themes and were a joy to write. It is my sincerest hope that you find enjoyment in them as well, flaws and all!
So go make some coffee, find a little nook, and dive on in.
T H O U G H T S F R O M A S H I P A T N I G H T Brandon Salisbury May 9, 2014
Time: 12:08 a.m. Date: 07/30/1941
Location: Somewhere in The Arctic Ocean
Destination: Moscow, Russia
I've often wondered what would happen if I fell
overboard?
As I stare into the waves below, I get this
eerie feeling in my stomach just thinking about it.And with the storm in the distance, I can't
help but wonder what might happen.I'm
sure I'd survive the fall (I've jumped from higher).But what would happen next?
Of course, I'd begin to shout for help, hoping
for someone to hear me.But even if they
had, how horrifying a thought of my cries being dismissed to the wind.I can see it now, a family shutting the
bedroom window and carrying on with supper.I suppose my best bet would be if someone had heard me from the deck.Actually, I take that back.Someone seeing the incident would secure my
greatest chance of being rescued.But on
a night like tonight, I really don't find that likely.I mean, the wind is really going right now –
the kind that blows hats off and dresses up.I’ve only seen a few other souls out tonight and that was an hour
ago.If I fell right now, I'm sure it’d
go unnoticed.
I recently traveled to a city in the south of China to reunite with some of my dearest friends. It had been a year since we'd seen each other and we spent the time catching up and making new memories. But little did we know, something special was awaiting us in the karst hills outside the city.
Something we'd never forget...
For
some time now, I've had a fascination with the unknown. I love the
idea of pioneering... exploring... making discoveries. It's the reason
I long to see Alaska. It's partly why I enjoyed the latest King Kong
movie. It's why I liked C.S. Lewis'space trilogy and John Eldredge's writing in the The Sacred Romance.
And it's probably the reason I own three Timex Expedition wristwatches.
(that and they're just cool)
In
short, I love finding new things... and that there are still
things to be found! And this doesn't have so much to do with discovering gold or lost cities or that which is grand. It's more about a person seeing something for the first time or tasting some new taste - things like that. It's about the individual experiencing something foreign or new to them.
And that's where our story begins...
We had set out to find the exact location pictured on the back of the Chinese 20
yuan bill. I really wanted to get a shot of the twenty with the scenery blurred
out behind it. And I'll just say this now...
I never did.
But somewhere along the way, we did happen upon a trail we thought might take us there. So we parked the scooters and ventured
out on foot. And it was so beautiful! The views actually confused my mind as they were foreign to me. Some of the trees looked tropical and others didn't.
It felt like a mixture of Thailand and my hometown.
But after a while of hiking, we considered turning back. The trail seemed to be never-ending and it was all downhill. Getting back would be more strenuous and we had already spent a couple hours on the scooters just getting there. We were tired, it was hot, and it was a long way back. So we decided to hike to the next bend to see if it matched our little map (the twenty). And if not, we'd turn around.
But instead, we saw something wonderful!
There was this little pool way out in the middle of nowhere! And the turquoise-colored water looked so inviting. But we weren't sure if the water was okay for swimming so I went down and smelled it. And since there were no suspicious odors, I jumped in! And man did it feel good! The others made their way down to join me.
"It's not even a pool, but we're making it a pool." - John Cossey
It honestly felt like we had made some major discovery that would change the course of human history. With everyone in, we couldn't get over the fact of what we had just found. We laughed and we splashed and we kept talking about how special it was. And it really was special. This experience with the pool ended up being everyone's favorite part of our trip to Yangshuo!
And if you wanna know the coordinates, well, go and find them for yourself! :)
Here's A Video Of Our Trip!
This experience proved to me that you really don't know what you're going to discover when you venture out into the unknown.
If you're anything like me, you love listening to music but have a hard time finding new stuff. And once you've finally found something worthwhile, you listen to it way too much and it gets old.
Well that ends now.
I recently set out to create a massive playlist of the sounds I like. And through apps like Spotify, it's now possible to discover new artists that, otherwise, you would have never known existed. That said, I spent hours and hours following rabbit-trails to find new music.
And now you don't have to!
(you're welcome)
My goal was to create a playlist of great music that wouldn't easily get old. And I've added over 800 songs already (50+ hours of music). So if that sounds interesting to you, come on over, follow the playlist for updates, and share the love!
It's
been said that those who travel will change the world. Actually,
wait.... no one ever said that (or at least not to my knowledge, anyway). But I
suppose it's still true in some sense.
And this is sure: travel will definitely change you.
I've had the opportunity of traveling to many different countries throughout my lifetime. I spent the last four years living in Mainland China and currently reside in Hong Kong. After finding so much value in my experience abroad, I stayed.
Here are two posts I wrote regarding my time in the Mainland. They are separated by four years of time and are each special for different reasons. The first speaks of initial impressions and the latter of personal reflections.
When it comes to travel, people usually tell me why they don't do it... the most popular reason being finances. But in my experience, there are ways to travel cheap (even when it comes to flights). For example, I once traveled from China to the Philippines for a dollar and only paid the tax ($60.00USD). Another time, I traveled from America to China for only $350.00USD.
I promise you that good deals are available to you as well!
And yes, airfare will probably be the most costly part of your trip. But you can't afford to let money keep you from the invaluable experience of exploration. Simply, look for ways to save and start saving for a trip now. Or do what I did and move to a country of interest.
My employer paid for my airfare! (and much more)
Here's something I quickly realized about Asia... once you're here, it's much, much cheaper to travel between countries. So if you want to see a lot in a short time, come to Asia. During my time in China, I visited 3-4 countries every winter. And for two months of travel time, I always spent between $1,500-$2,000USD.
It's a sad thing when finances come between a person
and the potential of a great adventure!
Here's why...
Throughout my journeys, I've learned so much about different cultures and the people within them. I've eaten some of the best foods I've ever tasted. I've had some of the most meaningful conversations on breezy beach-fronts and warmly lit patios. I've discovered how much I enjoy overnight bus rides and getting all snuggled into the little bed-seat-things. I've swam in some of the clearest of waters I've ever seen. I've witnessed joy on the faces of those living in devastating poverty. I've slept in crazy degrees of heat and soaking wet on cold mountain tops. I've seen rampant prostitution and the foreigners who pay for it. And I was even in a motorcycle accident once...
(Sorry about that, Sunneye!)
I've met people who saved lives during Typhoon Yolanda and saw the mass graves it left behind. I've created musical compositions on wavy boats rides with luggage and passengers falling into the aisles. I once chased an octopus through the ocean and witnessed it transform instantly in color from sandy-brown to black.
I've made some new friends like Sönke, here.
After arriving home from a trip to Haiti, I laid on my bed and began to sob uncontrollably. It was overwhelming to think about the tin shacks my new found friends were sleeping compared to what I had. In that moment, if I could've switched places with even one of them, I actually would have instantly. The desire passed through my mind as the tears continued to come.I did my best to embrace the moment and allowed it to sink in.
For me, it was a way of not letting their difficulties go on forgotten.
I remember being in the capital city of Cambodia during the funeral of their king. We found ourselves outside his palace as masses of locals meandered through the streets. Another time, I caught a fish right from the ocean with my bare hand and, in an attempt to surprise a friend, swallowed it whole right in front of her (it worked). I feasted upon a Stone Fish once as well, which is the most venomous fish known to man. And then there was the time I clung to the shell of a giant sea turtle and together, we descended downward into the sea. One time, I even stood face-to-face with a bear in the wild. It was on its hind legs looking at me and then suddenly began to storm through the brush. I honesty thought it was coming for me and began to fumble over my bear-spray.
(I quickly learned that you gotta have that kind of thing ready!)
I've repelled down waterfalls.I've explored giant caves. I was once in a semi-dangerous kayaking situation in the ocean with waves and rocks and jellyfish all around. Another time, a monkey jumped onto my back and I wasn't sure if I should try getting it off or not (I didn't). During an intense rafting trip through the Indonesian jungle, a crazy storm suddenly broke out with a torrential downpour of rain. Lightening began to shoot all around us and the thunder was so powerful you could feel it.
After Hurricane Katrina had struck in '05, I joined up with a team in an effort to bring relief to the survivors. I remember wandering off one day and found the sea. I stood at its shoreline. It was so quiet that it became eerie. There were no birds in the sky or rustling winds; no children at play or signs of life. A gloomy darkness had settled in on the horizon as the tides seemed to ebb and flow with sadness. As I observed the movement of the water, I thought of those who'd been swept out to sea, never to be seen again. I wanted to feel their terror. I wanted to know the pain their loved ones felt. I wanted them to be free.
I suppose, really, I just didn't want it all to have been for nothing.
Shoes and other belongings were scattered up and down the shoreline as well. I considered the lives that once interacted with them and it all seemed so temporal. My eyes began to wander to and fro along the once happy beachfront and were soon fell on something else entirely. There at my feet was a bone nestled into the sand. It was out of place much like everything around it, and alone.
Was it human? I wondered. Was it from someone's supper the eve of the disaster? Or was it just a dog-bone from the local pet-shop, on sale for a $1.99 and then... not? I would never know.
All I knew was that the shoreline was now its new home.
I could go on and on with stories like this, but here's what I'm getting at...
You really don't know what you're going to encounter as you venture into the unknown. But the journey is full of wildly wonderful potential and could change your life.
And lastly, I wanted to share a secret with you...
something I've learned in all of my travels.
If you travel solely for the sake of travel - for what you can get out of it - you'll most likely return home feeling tired and maybe even a little disappointed. But if you can shift the focus of your journey and care for others along the way, you'll return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It's funny how that works!
So what are you waiting for?
Go and experience it for yourself!
But before you do, check out this video first.
Some friends and I traveled throughout Vietnam and this is what happened!
My Stamps
Israel,
Jamaica, Thailand, Singapore, Haiti, Korea, Puerto Rico, Philippines,
Mexico, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, The Bahamas, Cambodia,
Tibet, Indonesia, China.
If we equated sleepwalking to acting, I'd be one of the most versatile sleepwalkers there ever was. This next story demonstrates the vastness of my far-reaching abilities.
Denzel ain't got nothin' on me.
T H E D O G M A N
After the Gummy Bear story (click here if you haven't read it yet), it didn't take long for news of my sleepwalking to circulate among the community in Colorado. The stories were funny and they were fun to tell. But while they were growing in number, very few of them captured an audiences attention like this next one.
We were running a youth camp in the mountains and slept a hundred or so people in two giant tents. One was a circus tent and the other was for weddings. (And no, there was no special symbolism between the tents and our camp... I don't think. Actually, wait until the story's over and decide for yourself.)
I ended up in the circus tent.
Separating the guys and the girls, we packed in about fifty people into each tent. And at night with everyone asleep, it was quite challenging maneuvering around all of the bodies and bags and cots and shoes and phones and whatever else high school students packed around. There wasn't much of an order to where people slept or how they positioned themselves.
(Okay, maybe the guys tent was a bit circus-like.)
So if you needed to use the restroom or something, it wasn't at all easy getting around everyone without either hurting them or tripping over their stuff (and then hurting them).
And that was with a flashlight in hand!
But none of that mattered now. Night had fallen and my performance for Best Sleepwalker was well underway. This was the night I'd take home the gold. The stage was set. I straightened out my tie and gave my jacket a good tug.
I was ready to leave my mark.
Opening my eyes, I stood to my feet. And for the effect of it all, and to leave the best, possible impression on the judges, I left my flashlight behind. I would go it alone. So there I was, gazing out over a dark, chaotic sea of body parts and disorganization. But I wasn't sure just yet what I should do. And that was when my eyes found the one person in the tent who could secure my running for Best Sleepwalker...
The leader of the camp, Stan Pawkins.
The only problem was, he was at the other end of the tent! And that meant that everyone was now at the mercy of a sleepwalker - a professional sleepwalker, but still. I soon found myself stepping over faces and nearly crushing electronics. I tip-toed over this and inched around that. And like a pro, I neither tripped over cable or sleeping bag, backpack or the occasional wandering arm. It was flawless. And let me just say this...
Nothing could stop what was coming.
As I neared Stan's cot, I cleared my throat and tried out a few of the animal sounds I knew. For whatever reason, it seemed like a good direction to take the performance. I wasn't quite sure which one to use, but since I was good at thinking on my feet, I figured it didn't matter. And you should know, I've always had a thing for animal noises... and my chimpanzee isn't all that bad! But a hollering monkey seemed a bit dramatic for this event. I needed something a bit more likeable.
Like this little guy...
So I found Stan's cot and knelt down beside his sleeping body. At first, I just watched him for a bit, staring into his restful face. He slept like a baby. I can't recall how long this went on for, but I'm sure I took my time. Next, I positioned my face near his and, opening my mouth, sort of just went with the moment. The next thing I knew, I was making dog noises into his ear! And since everything was riding on this moment, I really gave it my all, panting away like a thirsty Old Yeller. It was beautiful.
I had never felt so alive.
Awaiting my 'that a boy!' or, at the very least, a nice pat on the head, I panted on like there was no tomorrow. But then I realized something... Stan didn't like dogs. He just sort of freaked out and got intense with me! But I didn't allow this to discourage the performance. Best Sleepwalker was still on the line and I used this to my advantage.
I stopped panting and put my tail between my legs. Slowly rising to my feet, I walked away like the saddest creature in the world. I figured I'd at least show off my crazy sleepwalking-over-people skills (and maybe make him feel bad... or jealous). Before his very eyes, I traversed once more over the sea of bodies, climbed back into my sleeping bag, and continued sleeping.
And my noteworthy performance was over.
The next morning, I was left wondering what might've happened had
Stan and I slept in the wedding tent...
I guess we'll never know.
Quick Bonus Story: On another occasion, Stan and I - and a few others - were staying at his sisters house in Missouri. I was on the floor next to Stan and he was in the bed above me. Someone else was in the bed with him and the other two were on the floor as well. Well, not long after I had fallen asleep, I guess I sort of flipped up from my back and onto all fours and was staring at Stan from the bedside. It really freaked him out and he and the other guy weren't sure what might happen next. But thankfully for them, nothing else transpired and I soon laid back down!
