Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Humility and Chapter 5...

This last chapter: Humility and The Rick Wyatt Story should be the capstone to the entire book. I have mentioned in other writings that... “the attainment of Humility is certainly a life’s triumph...” The storyline is classic where two sets of individuals contrast the others belief and use of the humility virtue. The protagonist, Rick Wyatt, is tested to his limits regarding personal convictions to his “cause.” Chapter five, the last chapter of Character Happens! should do the best job in creating the needed inspiration to change lives. It is my hope the Humility story will be a fitting end to the book.
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 4:16 AM 0 comments
Labels: , ,

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

...link code to books website




The above icon is a link to the Character Happens! book website. I have created this link for those individuals who asked for a link to paste into their sites and blogs. Should you want to place this icon into your sites/blogs (or know someone who might be interested), then by all means you not only have my permission, but my blessing. Thank You, Garry M. Graves

I have posted this "link code" on an invisible page on the books site:
http://characterhappens.com/miscpage.html
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 10:12 AM 0 comments
Labels: ,

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

...an incredible email...

...below is a copy of an email my dear friend George sent to 27 of his dearest friends and family. Needless to say, I'm honored that he thought the book merited such attention...to his closest people. Thanks so much George, you humble me. --gg

Dear Friends,

Because I know you to be "of character", I want to share with you a soon-to-be-published book that I think you would enjoy. The writer, Garry M. Graves, is a long time business associate and dear friend who is not only "a character" but is one "of character". Garry has a wit that allows him to make non-offensive (sometimes) points and observations about how one should conduct himself within social and Christian disciplines. I invite you to click the link below in order to gain some insight about Garry and his book. If you agree that it will be, not only a good read, but an important reminder as to how we should live and interact with others, I hope you will share this and the website link with your friends of character (and maybe some who need a character boost).

Best regards,
George F.
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 4:03 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

...the FAQ Page on book's website...

...the FAQ page seems to be the most looked at page this week. Every time I get a question from someone or think of a question myself, I post it on the FAQ page. Sometimes I wonder if it’s such a good idea...exposing everything for the sake of complete transparency (thinking this is the better marketing strategy). There will always be “some” questions that have a potential negative effect or interpretation or capability of offending some; group, sub-culture, religion, gender, blond-haired people, blue-eyed people, etc., etc., etc... Nevertheless the FAQ page is currently posted and may be a critical element to the marketing of the book. Also, it further describes who I am and my mindset...as skewed and opinionated as it is. Here’s the link: http://characterhappens.com/faq.html
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 10:17 AM 0 comments

Monday, October 5, 2009

"Comments" Page is UP!

...the books site needed a "Comments" page. I discovered it needing this page when I read some of the nice comments from the buyers of the book on the "PreOrder" page. Take a look, read the nice comments and comment about the comments, if you so desire. --gg
http://characterhappens.com/comments.html
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 5:15 PM 0 comments

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Chapter 4 complete..."Compassion"

...getting closer. Chapter 4 is complete (Compassion and The Mark Hightower Story). Given my belief of “less is more” when it comes to compassion...this story probably is the most heartfelt of all five virtues. The protagonist (Mark) is taken advantage of in most every instance of his life. You know the type person...the one who dismisses the insults, the dis’s and the character assassinations with ease, like its water running off a duck’s back. Until the time spent with his golf buddies who “clue him in” on how damaging his expression could be to his financial future, Mark was content on being a door mat. His understanding and perception of himself and by others when confronted with future episodes requiring compassion changed one day...and he’s better now for it.

The expression of compassion is a thin-line to draw and should be recognized as a distinctive and honorable character trait. Nevertheless there are limits. The building of an individual’s self-worth is very much dependent of their dispatch of compassion...to others and to themselves. It’s a difficult lessen to learn for many individuals but one certainly advantageous in knowing. Do you know someone? Are you that someone?

I look forward to your reading the complete story of Mark Hightower and his episode in dealing with the virtue...compassion.
Posted by The Remembrance Tree at 7:37 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

What are "The 5 Most Important--But Fleeting Virtures?"

Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion and Humility.

.....this is a portion of the "introduction" or prologue to the book (not yet completed)...email with your comments.

The books title; Character Happens! The 5 Most Important—But Fleeting Virtues, describes my belief these five important virtues (Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Humility), are sporadic in use and diminishing in personal character. The books message is in recognizing this “fleeting” nature and from that reinstitute a more virtuous choice in your decision making.

The paradox of the two words; Character Happens, with another two words: “S### Happens”* (decorum prevents use of actual word) is not without merit. My belief is that observed human character is much like, well...s###! This kind of observation can be disconcerting at times. So confusing that society can hardly make the distinction between the two words and there obvious different meaning. Individuals make virtuous and un-virtuous choices/decisions for innumerable reasons, both consciously and without deep thought. If we postulate; can an individual make a 'more' virtuous choice in life’s decisions should they want to do so? Answer—perhaps. How does one 'reinstitute a more virtuous choice' into their personal makeup...making the response more automatic? Answer—practice. With a concerted effort at 'practice' I believe...an individual might just develop a more 'repetitive' decent response...much like grooving a golf swing.

I love golf. I think the game is like no other. The five stories that make up Character Happens! have a golf storyline. Some readers may not be able to relate to the game of golf or its vernacular or for that matter, why people...a large number of people...love golf. Too bad! You should try it sometime...because it’s more than a game...it can be a life experience. The golf course environment alone is enough to put most people at ease.

Golf is a game played by the individual as opposed to being a member of a team, like baseball. Baseball has umpires who enforce the rules of the game. In golf you are the umpire. Because of this unique method of enforcing the games rules—golf is a “hotbed” for testing the players character...their honesty, their integrity, their courage and sometimes their compassion. And, because all golfers started from knowing nothing about the game; like how to swing, how to putt or chip... they also learn of humility. Now doesn’t it make perfect sense that a book about character would juxtaposition a storyline with the game of golf? Anyway, I thought so.

There are five stories, one for each virtue. The book has six main characters that make up a group of what I call 'golf buddies.' The storyteller, Spencer Madison, in reality is me. Well, somewhat like me...as I have a better golf game than Spencer. The five others vary in age, gender, education, religious beliefs and definitely personality. The 'binder' of the group or what brings them together; golf.

The reader will hopefully discover in their own lives a similar incident with one of the story’s in Character Happens! If not, that’s okay too...as the stories are earnest while humorous, carefree yet compelling. And, I believe each chapter or story makes a 'point' in this wonderful, wacky, dynamic world in the 21st century.

The stories are fictional as are the characters. Names, personalities or incidents are fictional and in no way resemble or refer to a living person. I’ve used paraphrasing of many authors’ ideas and concepts and have referenced them in a special section. Because of these references and the specific genre where the book is to be found, it’s categorized as a non-fictional, personal development book.


*...sorry for the language but this word best describes the thought I want to convey. In Forrest Gump the term was used to describe situations that happen to all people for no particular reason.