(Issue #654) Introducing The WeTones!

Posted on November 16, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

This blog has an underlying theme of community building. Community as a Safe Place to Land evolved from posts about dialogues, collective monologues, collaboration, energy vampires, leaders, flibbertigibbets, and more.

This post presents an alternative perspective on the importance and impact of creating a space where others can be authentically seen, heard, debated, and respected.

Allow me to introduce you to The MeTones and The WeTones.

The MeTones have a difficult time not talking about themselves, ever. No matter what the topic, event, or issue, they immediately consider themselves the gift in the room. And, they have to make sure you know it, ad nauseam.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

Maybe you’ve come across a MeTone on social media. Someone shares a post about something, like an illness. Jake responds, “So sorry to hear that. But it ain’t nothing like my issue…” Later that day, Jake meets his friends for their monthly lunch. After exchanging greetings, the conversation shifts to a monologue by Jake, as it often does.

If Jake had a band, an apt name would be Little Jake and the MeTones. You see, most things (everything?) are about Jake. It’s hard for him to go 2 or 3 sentences without saying “I” or “me” or “my”. You probably could list a few MeTones you know. (Go ahead…pause for a moment. Do you know any MeTones?)

The WeTones, on the other hand, live for listening, sharing, and having authentic exchanges. They recognize the people in front of them as the gifts in the room. Sure, they add personal information as appropriate, but they keep coming back to the other people. Not for narcissistic reasons but out of respect.

A few examples.

Long-time close friend and professional musician, Mike Shackelford, hosted our community’s Songwriters Night for over twenty years. When he took the stage at these events, he always focused on supporting the person standing at the mic. This created a musical safe place and community treasure. Roy Peak followed Shack and serves as the host. He, too, has a master skill of placing others first. They foster a WeTone culture.

Roz, a neighborhood friend known for her gregarious nature and ready smile, has a talent for conversation. This is central for WeTones. While Roz isn’t shy about sharing her opinion, she will engage you in a real dialogue. It’s about the group. It’s about connecting. It’s about the others in the room. Introducing Little Roz and the WeTones!

Our previous dog, Roxie, and I served as a pet therapy team for about five years. We traveled to hospice facilities, the local hospital, schools, and the Jacksonville International Airport. Our visits were never about me; the focus was on the people. They wanted to love on Roxie—and she truly enjoyed that! The main point was the people in the room. Many times, as people rubbed Roxie’s belly, they began talking about their own dog, their illness, their joy, or their anxiety. The visit was about them—a moment to pause for smiles, comfort, and peace. WeTones!

The WeTones build bridges for collaboration and support. Who are your WeTones, and how can you help build a WeTone culture?

~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

  • My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is availablein eBook and paperback formats. Click here.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. The accompanying videos could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

All photos by Steve Piscitelli (©®)

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in Life lessons | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

(Issue #653) If I Only Had Six Months to Live

Posted on September 14, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

At times, the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we live contradict one another.

[Note: Before you leave this post, check out the video link at the end.]

One exercise I did with my students and national audiences was to ask them to list their top three life priorities. Then they’d list the three things that took up most of their time week in and week out. When they compared the two sides, they often found there were disconnections between the stories they told themselves and the stories they lived.

We can easily get caught up in the “noise” around us.  Those people, things, or issues that distract us from our priorities are more than likely what we have allowed into our lives.  The wrong things end up pushing the right things to the side.  We end up doing a lot of stuff—but not the right stuff.

Sure, emergencies arise or life intrudes. But if the result is (more times than not) that the things on the priority list are pushed aside, then, maybe, they aren’t the priorities like you think they are. Perhaps they are what you’d like to do, but what you ultimately do reflects your priorities.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli. The Growth and Resilience Network.®

I was reminded of the above as I recently read three books.

  • Julie McFadden’s Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully. A hospice nurse, McFadden explained that her patients had a terminal diagnosis and (typically) about six months to live. They received palliative care as they transitioned toward their final breath. A question the patients (and their families) had to face was how they wanted to live those remaining days.
  • Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Doctor Gawande examines how medicine needs to move beyond treating for mere survival to fostering a good life. At one point in his book, he states, “How we seek to spend our time may depend on how much time we perceive ourselves to have.”
  • Pema Chodron’s How We Live is How We Die. Steeped in Tibetan teachings, Chodron’s book title succinctly states her premise.

So, this got me thinking, if I were told I had six months to live, what journey would I choose? What would my priorities be? Would they be different than what they are now? Would I feel more urgency to put aside the noise and embrace the peace? What would I do differently? What would I do the same?

Activity

At the top of a piece of paper, write If I Only Had Six Months to Live. Draw a line down the middle of the page. On the left side, list those things you WOULD DO; the actions, people, practices, etc. that would rise to the top of your priority action list. On the right side of the page, write the things that rise to the top of what you WOULD NOT DO; those things you would do your best to avoid at all costs. Perhaps, like me, you will continue to add to and edit your lists.

As I look at my lists, I’m reminded of well-set boundaries and limits and whether I’m paying attention to them in my life. My WOULD DO and WOULD NOT DO lists reflect these.

While this may seem like an esoteric exercise, I find it reminds me to focus on what is healthy, kind, and nurturing—for me and others.

Video recommendation for the week:

This video has risen to the third-most-viewed video on my YouTube channel.  I conducted the demonstration about 13 years ago in one of my classes. It is an excellent metaphor for how we can let other agendas crowd out our goals.

The video comes to you in three parts: (1) the setup; (2) the problem; and (3) the conclusion and lesson.  Listen to the observations and thoughts from the people participating in this video with me.

Classroom teachers who may be reading this blog: Consider this as one way to introduce and/or reinforce the concept of priority management to your students. You could actually show it in three segments: pause the video after each segment, have the students write a reflection, and then conclude with a group discussion.

Office managers, consider it a reminder for your team to focus on the right stuff.

~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in boundaries and limits, Life lessons, Life's purpose, lifelong learning, Mindfulness, priorities | Leave a comment

(Issue #652) Knowing It Without Knowing It?

Posted on August 10, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

A frog in the well knows not the ocean.
~attributed to a Japanese Proverb~

A few months ago, Laurie introduced me to one of her aqua fit classes at our gym. She raved about the workout she got in those 45-minute sessions. I was a bit skeptical. I knew I could get a better workout on the cross trainer, treadmill, or stationary bike. After all, I could see the class on my way to the cardio machines. All the participants rippling the water with their hands and legs. I knew I was headed for a better workout.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

Until I decided to go to the pool one Saturday morning and participate. By the end of the class, every part of my body had been pulled, pushed, stretched, and challenged. When I dragged myself from the pool, I didn’t feel like I knew I would feel. True, the cardio machines provide a different type of exercise. Still, the water calisthenics gave me a new routine to test my muscles more than expected.  Experience provided me with other information.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

This got me thinking about how easy it becomes to wave off something that makes us uncomfortable, or we don’t care to do. Like:

  • I’ve never had that breed of dog, but I know how they all behave.
  • Hey, I read it on my social media feed. I know it’s accurate.
  • Well, she’s registered with that political party, so I know how she thinks. No need to talk.
  • Why call my doctor? I already know the answer.
  • He shared what his church told him. Therefore, he knew it was the truth.
  • My last book didn’t sell many copies. Why write again? I know what will happen.
  • Find a trainer? Never used one. Never will. I have my routines. I know what to do.

And you can fill in other examples that you’ve heard or used. I know I can for myself. Sure, there are variations. And sometimes, we might intuitively know something that helps us navigate. Or the other person or group tells us or shows us what we need to know. Maybe.

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

And many times, what we know might not be what there is to know.

~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

  • My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is available in eBook and paperback format. Click here.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in Choice, Community, conversation, Critical Thinking, Life lessons | 2 Comments

(Issue #651) To Know History, We Need to Read History

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

One of the lessons I built upon was the importance of reading,
understanding, and evaluating different viewpoints.
That involved reading, listening to, and discussing various ideologies.
Critical thinking was, well, critical!

As a teacher, I enjoyed the connections I helped students build in the classroom, on campus, and within the community. When I taught 7th grade, I organized a model United Nations where my students “represented” the nations of the world. In 9th grade, they took part in a model Constitutional Convention. One year, they participated in a Mock Court process. Each of these learning experiences involved research and critical thinking.

One of the assignments my AP US History students completed was The Presidential File. In this project, they identified what they believed were the top domestic and foreign policies for each administration (and explained why). They also rated each presidency on a scale of 1 to 5 and had to justify their scores. There was no “right or wrong.” Instead, they needed to base their reasoning on historical evidence.

From a critical thinking workshop I facilitated in San Antonio, TX.

My students consistently performed well regardless of the event or task. Even in college-level classes, our discussions required careful and thoughtful dialogue. On the first day of each semester, I encouraged open discussion, urging students to express their opinions, regardless of political or social views. I expected civility and for them to support their positions with evidence, reasoning, and critical thinking, rather than simply claiming, “Well, it’s my opinion. So it cannot be wrong.” Some students found this challenging, while others thrived. Overall, the conversations were lively and engaging.

I was fortunate during my 33-year teaching career. I had great mentors and, for the most part, demanding leaders. One of the lessons they reinforced was the importance of reading, understanding, and evaluating different viewpoints. That involved reading, listening to, and discussing various ideologies. Critical thinking was, well, critical!

Could we review every piece of evidence related to a specific issue? Of course not. However, we did try to discuss different perspectives. I hoped that my students would take what they discussed with their classmates and apply it outside of the classroom, and hopefully build bridges.

To understand history, we need to read it. After reading, we should discuss and critically evaluate what we’ve learned. Then, we can apply our insights to our ideologies. What do we need to tweak or change altogether? What has been confirmed? Are we truly listening, or just adding to the noise of collective monologues?

~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

  • My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is available in eBook and paperback format. Click here.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in community development, Connection-Disconnection, conversation, teaching and learning | Leave a comment

(Issue #650) Fahrenheit 451

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

What lessons or warnings did Bradbury present?

Re-reading Fahrenheit 451  left me shaking my head. Was this book really written in 1953? (Rhetorical question. It was.)

Bradbury wrote about censorship, interactive TV, people connected to technology rather than each other, drive-by shootings, ATMs, caller ID, and the push (demand?) to minimize critical thinking and demand adherence to governmental thought.

Was he reacting to his times, predicting the future, or just a storyteller? Something else?

Consider these quotes from the book.

  • “Nobody listens anymore. I can’t talk to the walls because they’re yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough, it’ll make sense.” ~Guy Montag (protagonist)

    *What do you think the walls refer to? What is Montag complaining about?

  • “And in her ears the little Seashells, the thimble radios, tamped tight, and an electronic ocean of sound, of music and talk and music and talk coming in, coming in on the shore of her sleeping mind.” ~Guy Montag

    *What are the Seashells? Do you see any modern-day reference?

  • “With school turning out more runners, jumpers, racers, tinkerers, grabbers, snatchers, fliers, and swimmers instead of examiners, critics, knowers, and imaginative creators, the word ‘intellectual,’ of course, became the swear word it deserved to be…A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man’s mind. ~Captain Beatty (antagonist)

    *What is Beatty saying about schools and books?

  • “If you don’t want a man unhappy politically, don’t give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none…Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs or the names of state capitals or how much corn Iowa grew last year. Cram them full of noncombustible data…Don’t give them any slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up.” ~Captain Beatty

    *What is Beatty proposing?

Photo by Steve Piscitelli

1953? Fiction? Warnings? Lessons? Resonance?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

  • My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is available in eBook and paperback formats. Click here.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in bullies, censorship, Critical Thinking, curiosity, Education, education reform, ethics, fear, ideologies, Personal growth, question skills, Teaching, teaching and learning, truth, wellbeing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(Issue #649) Lessons from Third-Graders

Posted on May 4, 2025 by Steve Piscitelli

I started collaborating with five students who quickly reminded me I still have so much to learn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week marks ten years since I retired from teaching. I was fortunate to be in the classroom for thirty-three years: middle school (2 years), high school (9 years), and on the college campus (the rest of the years).  While my “stage” has become smaller over the past decade, from the classroom and national speaking engagements to quieter activities in our beach community, my why remains to help forge connections, make a positive community difference, and continue to share and learn.

And that’s where the Little Pink Building and five remarkable third-grade students come into this story.

The Little Pink Building (aka, Atlantic Beach Elementary School) is down the street and around the corner from our home. In its 86th year of operation, A.B.E. has become a community treasure. The energy level, classroom engagement, teacher creativity, and community support caught my attention the first day I entered the school’s front door.

Earlier this year, I connected with Kim Gallagher, Principal of Atlantic Beach Elementary School, and Kristen Edwards, an ABE third-grade reading teacher (and the school’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year), about volunteer opportunities. Within a week, I started collaborating with five students who quickly reminded me I still have so much to learn.

At our first meeting, THE FABULOUS FIVE  (the name I gave them 😊) introduced me to the energy level I seldom experienced in teaching older students. As one of my college friends might’ve said, “These students were on fire!” Every. Day!

They wanted to write a book about ABE. Yes, a book. Third-graders.

What evolved was a timeline of significant events (that they chose) in their school’s history. Over the next three months, we met once or twice weekly to work on their project. We walked through several steps of the book-writing process: brainstorming, researching, writing, editing, collaborating, disagreeing (respectfully), revising, proofreading, finishing, and learning. They conducted the research. We visited the local Beaches Museum to examine its archives for A.B.E. information. The students added more items and deleted others.

For the final product, each student chose a few of the agreed-upon events and wrote a three- or four-sentence description of them and why they were important. The final product reflected their thoughts, research, and creativity. While I established a few guardrails for the project, I left them to develop and bring it to fruition.

Eighteen pages and thirteen events later, they presented their timeline, Legacy of Learning: Fun Facts About Atlantic Beach Elementary School, to their principal and teacher. During this presentation, the students shared five key thoughts: 

*WHAT was their work about?

*WHY did they decide to do this project?

*HOW did they do the project?

*What WOW (exciting, educational, entertaining) moments did they have during the process?

*What’s NEXT (for their project and themselves)?

What a pleasure to work with THE FABULOUS FIVE!  I loved their energy, camaraderie, desire for answers, and critical thinking. They did not disappoint. I am grateful.

They could teach us adults a few lessons. Are we paying attention?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

  • My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is available in eBook and paperback formats. Click here.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in mentoring | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

(Issue #648) “I Don’t Want Him Fired, Damn It…!”

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Steve Piscitelli

And so begins the journey of Professor Cole Fitzgerald
as he battles outside forces and his inner demon.

Set (mostly) on an inner-city college campus, The Voice in Your Ear tells a gripping story of deception and retribution as the bullied stand up for inner peace, professional respect, and community visibility.

Here are the first few words of my soon-to-be-released novel:

“I don’t want him fired, damn it! I want him dead!” The Senator pounded his oak conference table, and the coffee spewed from his visitors’ cups.

“You don’t mean that,” Doyle Bartley stammered. “I mean. I mean that would be an extraordinarily bad thing to do. Kill someone. Extraordinarily bad. Extraordinarily.” His thin-fingered hands shook as he raised his coffee cup to his pale, skinny lips. Halfway up, the coffee was sloshing out. Pat Turkle reached across the table and steadied his president’s hand.

“Doyle, of course, Senator Wackenslong doesn’t mean that.”

“Really? I don’t? So both of you want to spend the next 20 to 30 years in prison? Trust me. Neither one of you is built for doing time!” He mashed the unmute button on his office TV’s remote and pointed toward the wall. “Look at this!”

. . .

The official release of The Voice in Your Ear is Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The eBook can be pre-ordered at its reduced price. The eBook will be “delivered” to your device on the release date. You will be able to order the paperback on September 17.

I also wrote and recorded a song with the same title (“The Voice in Your Ear”). Consider it the book’s “soundtrack.” You can listen to it on my website or my YouTube channel.

Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.

©2024. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in faculty unionization, imposter syndrome, inner critic, marginalization, visibility, white saviorism | 2 Comments

(Issue #647) Recording A Song & The Power of Friendship

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Steve Piscitelli

I think the true blessings of friendship involve candor, honesty, and compassion.

With one of my long-time friends, Billy Bowers, I made a “rough-cut” recording of my song “The Voice in Your Ear.” It serves as the “soundtrack” for my soon-to-be-released novel of the same title.

Billy B is a premier guitarist, a poignant songwriter, and a recording pro. When I told him I wanted to record my song, he said, “Let’s do it!”

Now, for those who have heard me sing and play guitar, you know I can be rather “polyrhythmic.” That’s a nice way to say I can miss or add a beat to a measure or more (when I’m not supposed to). Perhaps I’ll thud a chord or two (or more). Billy and another long-time friend, Mike Shackelford, helped me record two CDs of my music (2007, 2010). I’ve often joked that they kept me from hurting myself in the studio.

During a break at Eclipse Studios in 2010. Me, Mike Shackelford, and Billy B.

When Billy B and I got together for this latest recording, I asked him to play bass while I’d sing my lyrics and play my guitar. Short, simple, sweet! Well, almost.

We recorded my lyrics track. Billy added his bass. I played rhythm guitar—and I missed a few beats. Billy then added some percussion to help guide me. I missed a few more guitar beats. (You see where I’m going with this?) Finally, with a smile and gentle voice, Billy said, “How ‘bout I play guitar?”

In the recorded version below you will hear me singing the lyrics and Billy B adding the instrumentation.

Issue 582 of this blog examined the five stages of friendship. I think the true blessings of friendship involve candor, honesty, and compassion. A friend will respect your boundaries while helping you challenge them. At times, frankness might sting, but at those same times, a true friend is there to offer support, guidance, collaboration, and a path through whatever might be standing in the way.

He or she helps provide the harmonies and instrumentation as we move forward. A good friend helps to make the song better.

Thank you, Billy B!

~~~~~

The official release of my novel, The Voice in Your Ear, will be Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The eBook can be pre-ordered now. The eBook will be “delivered” to your device on the release date. The paperback will be available for ordering on September 17.

You can listen to the song on my website or my YouTube channel. Or click the image above.

Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.

©2024. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in Friendship, inner critic | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(Issue #646) The Voice in Your Ear

Posted on August 11, 2024 by Steve Piscitelli

To all who struggle for inner peace, respect, and visibility.
May we find comfort in ourselves and with each other.

The quote above comes from the dedication page of my newest book (and first novel), The Voice in Your Ear.

The main storyline follows Professor Cole Fitzgerald as he confronts a corrupt college administration and an evil state politician. A reluctant leader of an intimidated faculty, Cole finds himself in a life-and-death struggle with the evil forces orchestrating financial aid fraud and student-athlete manipulation. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. The engaging cast of characters includes a rough-around-the-edges faculty union organizer, a no-nonsense radio show host, Cole’s eccentric aunt, and three determined students.

The underlying demon for Cole, though, is his relentless inner voice. Will he silence, confront, or learn from it? Or will the voice drive Cole deeper into darkness and despair?

Perhaps you, like me, have confronted that “little person” that seems to be sitting on your shoulder (or, maybe, both shoulders) whispering (yelling?) into your ear. At times, the voice is your cheerleader. Other times, it feels like a ball and chain.

The Voice in Your Ear is a gripping story of deception and retribution as the bullied stand up for inner peace, professional respect, and community visibility. The scheduled release date is September 17, 2024, for the paperback and the eBook versions.

As of today, you can pre-order the eBook on Amazon. It will be auto-delivered to your Kindle on September 17. If you are like me and do not have a Kindle device, no problem! Amazon provides a free app so that you can read the eBook.

The paperback version will not be available for pre-order. You can order it starting September 17.

To read more about the book go to www.stevepiscitelli.com.

BONUS: I also wrote and recorded a song with the same title (The Voice in Your Ear). Consider it the “soundtrack” for the book. You can listen to the song on my website or my YouTube channel.

Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.

©2024. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

Posted in Life lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

(Issue # 645) Impatience Revisited

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Steve Piscitelli

[NOTE: At the end of this post you will find information about my forthcoming (and first) novel, The Voice in Your Ear]

“One moment of patience may ward off great disaster.
One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.”
~attributed to a Chinese proverb~

In an earlier blog post, we examined whether impatience was virtuous or narcissistic. I finished that piece with these words:

Yes, impatience can move the needle for good. At other times, impatience might be a code word for unrealistic expectations at the present moment. We expend energy on negative reactions rather than positive responses.
We hinder rather than help. We falter rather than persevere.

Today, let’s examine how and may “impatience can move the needle for good.”

My father, born in 1913, has been dead almost as many years as he was alive. He was not the most patient person. Quick-tempered, he was not given to (much) circumspection.

As I thought back on my short time with him on this earth, I remembered two incidents (of many) from my childhood that I would place under the label of impatience. His, not mine. Two incidents that did move the needle for good.

Impatience and the bicycle

The first was when I learned how to ride a two-wheeled bike. I was in 1st grade and a bit hesitant (to say the least) on the bike. One evening my father quickly removed the training wheels and told me to get on the bike as he held it. Once my feet hit the peddles, he ran a few steps and pushed me down the sidewalk. From that day forth, I rode the bike without incident.

Impatience and Diving

The second was me learning how to dive into a swimming pool. Again, I was young and fearful. We didn’t have a pool at that time, so I did not have much practice. When I did have the opportunity, I’d stand on the side of a pool, bend at my waist with my hands down toward my feet, and drop into the water. Each time I looked like a coconut falling from a tree.

Plop!

One day as I got into my usual failing position, my father came up behind me, put his arm around my waist, and flipped me into the pool. And, it looked like a dive! I came out and repeated it (eventually) on my own.

Impatience and a Lesson

As I look back on those learning experiences, I’ve come to see a lesson. My father’s impatience with me failing over and over (and not looking like I was moving forward in his eyes), moved him to push me (literally) in the direction of success. And it worked for me. At least in those situations.

I am reminded of a quote attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr.,

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

In my case, perhaps I did take the first step but I sure as heck was not even getting close to the next step. Dad’s impatience could’ve yielded different results. But he took a chance and I moved forward and up that metaphorical staircase.

Impatience and My First Novel

Fast forward. By the end of this summer, I will release my first novel. While I have written fourteen non-fiction books, I’ve never had training in this kind of writing. My queries to more than 100 literary agents met with one rejection after another. I made many excuses as to why I should click delete and move on to something else. Finally, I pushed myself to go to the next uncomfortable and unfamiliar step. And then another. And now I’m close to a release date.

I still don’t see the whole staircase but if I remain at the bottom of the stairs, I never will.

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Stay tuned for my latest book, The Voice in Your Ear. I will post updates on its release (eBook and paperback) on my website.

And you can still order:

  • Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (2023, print and e-book). A non-scientific look at wisdom shared by seven-year-olds to people ninety and older. They answered three (simple?) questions about life. Available on Amazon. More information at the above link.
  • Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020, print and e-book). My dog Roxie got top billing on the author page for this work. Without her, there would be no story. Available on Amazon. More information at the above link.
  • Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. More information (including seven free podcast episodes that spotlight the seven core values highlighted in the book) at the above link.
  • Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) would serve to stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

You can find my podcasts (all fifty episodes) here.

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

©2024. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida

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