I win! Don't like it? Too bad!

The other day, I received my box of signed +Mark Tufo books. Pretty groovy way to kick off my day. But it gets better. You see, I am busy editing Zombie Fallout 7. So all you Tufo fans need to brace yourself...more Talbot goodness is on the way. And here is the coolest part...I get to read it first!

Now, don't ask because I will not share one morsel of what lies in wait for the legion of fans. But it got me to thinking about how lucky I am. Every once in a while, a moment occurs that reminds me of my fortunes.

I have managed to overcome a great deal to reach this point...and I have earned it. Nothing was just given. I have had to battle to get where I am. And trust me, there are some who are beside themselves because of it.

I really am at a good place in my life. Sure, the books could be doing better, but every writer will tell you that (and mean it). Yet, so much has happened in the past two years, and most for the better. People have come to accept my flaws and allow me the chance to go forward. Sometimes, I get these very nice email and am speechless. They come from strangers who have read my posts, read my work, and decided that they will take me at face value (special thank yous go to Selina Maeder and Debra R. Johnson) . And trust me, what you see is what you get. And then there are some friends who have known me since I was an obnoxious teenager...AND THEY STILL LIKE ME! (Jamie, Val, Mike)

I have made some amazing friends the past couple of years (Vix, Greg, Catie, Rhonda, Wanda) and found some support from my peers and comrades (Mark, Armand, John, Suzi). Sure, there have been those who still feel the need to fan the flames of hate. But now they just make themselves look stupid. They don't know me, and will probably never take the time to try and get to know me. Truthfully...their loss, not mine.

Tomorrow, I run for a great cause. Later this year, I will be editing an anthology where all the proceeds go to the V Foundation for cancer. I have some remarkable talent contributing to that book. 

You see, it does not matter where you have been. It matters where you are going. There is a world full of good people...bad people... The culture we live in now likes to really hammer home the bad. I say it is time we start to celebrate the good. Change happens one person at a time. Stop slapping others down and offer a hand. You may never actually see the results of your good deed, and THAT is what makes it so special.

So, this weekend...be nice to each other.

Oh yeah...and watch football! It is NFL kickoff weekend.