Ode to Robin Williams

Every so often, a kindred spirit comes along,

To make us believe, that every one of us belongs.

He stands his ground, to be laughed at from afar,

Or is he just behaving, like he’s singing in his car.

Because the joys of laughter, are keen pleasures to delight,

He accepts the Almighty’s work, and shines them like sunlight.

Be it true, Bicentennial Man, that your words are meant to heal,

Thus every single one of us, in your presence we should kneel.

For it is you, oh great one, who persevered when few believed,

To blaze a path for brethren souls, where our dreams can be conceived.

We thank you for your brilliance, we applaud you for your zeal,

Kudos for all the memories, because you doubtlessly made us feel.

Rest in Peace, Sir Robin Williams, and no worries about lucky seven,

Because for sure you’ll keep them laughing, at the pearly Gates of Heaven.

Friends and honesty, do they match?

I was speaking with a friend this morning about telling your best friend something that’s true, but may hurt their feelings.  Or worse yet, may drive your best friend away, especially if they’re in a difficult place in their life.  Like my friend’s best friend, who’s responding to adversity with an eating disorder.  The thing is, with friends it’s oftentimes difficult to be brutally honest, especially if the truth is difficult to swallow.   And since the truth can be as painful to give as it is to receive, it’s always best to proceed with sensitivity and compassion.  For those of you who have seen my film, Boulevard Zen, you know that my character, Bobby D’Angelo, inspires others to overcome adversity while communicating the truth through example.  He uses the healing powers of yoga to help students deal with their depression, infertility, hypertension and anorexia.  So be sensitive with your truth telling, especially if it involves something serious and beyond your expertise.  And always encourage your friends to make that mind-body connection with some form of fitness, especially yoga.  So enjoy restoring your body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #77 – Restorative Legs, Core & Abs II  – R

Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck

‘Life’s a boulevard and sometimes you get stuck’ is the overarching theme to my film, Boulevard Zen.  Each of the characters uses yoga to overcome adversity in their lives. The kind of adversity that is like getting seriously stuck on a Boulevard, such as death of a spouse, a broken heart, depression, anorexia, hypertension, infertility, peer pressure and a party lifestyle.  All this with a PG-rated script that’s appropriate for the entire family. The chorus from the theme song, “Life’s Boulevard”, is especially inspirational:

Driving down Life’s Boulevard is no paradise
Open up your heart let it lead you day and night
Just do not dwell on things that can’t be undone
Keep pushing forward til the battle is won

Written by me and award winning singer-songwriter Erick Macek, and performed by Erick & Bill Jones, get your free download & watch trailers @ RichTola.com.  Enjoy – R