Impromptu Living

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by: Gary Szenderski

Impromptu Living

The Power of Now

A Sixty-Word Short Story: *

Frank was keenly aware of the nature of storytelling. He understood its power to influence others; to create lasting memories and to change the way he saw life. Humans are wired to tell and absorb stories, and Frank knew that getting the story right, would make a profound difference in what would happen next. He retreated into meditation and smiled.

And more…

Over the last few months, I’ve been attempting an impromptu lifestyle, trying to be more open, non-judging, less rigid by practicing the discipline of meditation and being grounded in the now. Like Frank in our story, I’ve experienced many smiles that result from the peace and clarity that meditation provides. So, this gets said, and as a sort of disclaimer, I’m not an experienced Guru, sitting in a lotus position all day expecting to levitate anytime soon. I’m not even sure I’m doing it right, but I am seeking the higher aspirations and outcomes that can evolve from reaching a higher frequency of thought and consciousness. In other words, I’m connecting the dots in my life with new patterns and stories not yet been told but surely felt.

 

In my work and in teaching I’ve discovered that our own individual story is always in a state of flux. In fact, we all will craft stories to explain past events and rationale so that our actions make sense, albeit in a past tense perspective. This is a very orderly and human way to function. What we say should match what we do and vice versa. And that’s great for reliving and explaining the past but does little to change our future. The future doesn’t know what our story to tell will be because we haven’t lived it yet. The only place to write that next chapter is now because the present is the only fertile place where true change can occur. And that’s, in my view, the power of meditation, and why Frank and I are smiling.

 

I don’t know about you, but for me, even though I feel blessed, there are some things still missing in my life and some dreams yet to be realized. Meditation enables us to connect to the quantum mechanical field where all things are possible and serendipity resides. In a sense, it’s a wishing well backed by scientific method and placed in time and space where we can release our dreams and desires, trusting that the universe will make it happen somehow. It’s a sure bet we can’t do it alone and that’s why we’re created to be able to access a greater power that can orchestrate an infinite number of events and opportunities to give us what we seek.

 

So far, I’ve noticed a difference in how events and people have been entering my life lately and I’m surprised pleasantly that practicing being impromptu and unrehearsed – not forcing a point of view but being open to the possibilities – brings out more of the real me. It’s still a work in progress but I like where this story’s headed.

 

The Final Thought: If we knew we wouldn’t fail, what would we do? The answer is the central plot line for a new story, one that only we can write.

 

* The Premise (Opening short story): Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com

 

Szenzone – Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. For back issues or to receive this publication directly please email [email protected]  © Gary Szenderski 2025 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly.  Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.

 

 

Reinventing Ourselves

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By: Gary Szenderski

Reinventing Ourselves

A Sixty-Word Short Story: *

For as long as Debbie could remember, she had approached her job and her life with great purpose and process. She knew what she wanted to do, and she had a way to get it done. This formula had served her well but lately she was feeling bored and suddenly recalled the famous quote: “The less routine, the more life.”

And more…

The quote that Debbie recalled in our story comes from Amos Bronson Alcott, a 19th century American educator, writer, and philosopher. The subject of routine is interesting to me because on one hand by doing the same thing over and over and repeating a formula or process it allows us to accomplish more. Being repetitive and following a game plan typically translates into being more efficient. I know that all of us have our routines and perhaps we don’t even think about them too much and so we tend to simply be going through the motions. After some time, the brain wires itself so that we can actually become unconscious of what we’re doing. This frees up space in our mind to think about other stuff as we methodically join in with the generations of multi-taskers all around us.

On the other hand, what are we missing? Good question. I guess the simple answer is opportunity. Whenever we replace one mode of operation or disengage from a habit, we’ve formed we open the door of change. This door is incredibly wide with lots to explore once we enter. Change is the driving force of reinvention and the catalyst of personal growth. Without change we can’t grow. This is our nature and if we set out to try something new, different, or even scary we activate our inner compass, and this allows our heart’s desire to emerge and come into focus. Focus is what gives us our sense of purpose. Focus energizes. Focus clarifies. Focus activates. Focus sets the GPS toward our future.

When is the best time for us to recalibrate, repurpose, reprogram, and reinvent our life? The simple answer is anytime we’re ready. For me, that time is now.

The Final Thought: When we embrace change, we embrace the unknown, but we activate an internal guidance system that removes the fear and replaces it with courage.

* The Premise (Opening short story): Always 60 words. No more. No Less. For more stories like this and information about my books, please visit www.szenzone.com

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Thank you for being a loyal reader. Below are links on how to learn more about my books and how to create positive change in our lives. For previous postings and information and book reviews go to www.szenzone.com Other links to reach me appear below. Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. © Gary Szenderski 2026 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly. Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.To subscribe for free, email me at [email protected]

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Our Lens

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by: Gary Szenderski

Our Lens

A World in Focus

The lens that we see our world unfold through has a great many settings. From close-up, i.e. being in the weeds, to long shot, the big picture as in “bird’s eye view. Depending on what we want to see, we make the appropriate changes in our personal lens to enhance our perspective on whatever the current subject is. For example, a general will position themselves high above the battlefield so as to see the whole of the engagement, to better direct the troops where they are needed and to also see the enemy’s position and its strategy. The actual battle however can often only be won in the trenches where a high degree of close-in focus is required.

I think these are pretty good metaphors for living life, as life can sometimes be a battle. For many of us we tend to gravitate to one view over the other as our personal default because we find comfort in a particular point of view. We all have experienced encounters with people that prefer to be “in the weeds” where micromanaging and myopia reign and also others that like the view from the clouds where life isn’t quite as messy. And of course, there are many who can slide between the two effortlessly choosing the right frame of reference for the task at hand. It’s all very subjective and is the foundation for what we choose to believe.

I share all of this because I’ve been practicing both ways of thinking to better understand how to craft a new mantra for the next chapter of my life and have been searching for an anthem that can encapsulate my own personal vision. My source for this exercise includes personal observation, reading and my favorite – music. In a Zen-like way which emphasizes enlightenment by means of meditation and direct intuitive insights I’ve gravitated to a brief melodic stanza from my long-time favorite, Dan Fogelberg in a song called Nether Lands. It goes like this:

High on this mountain, the clouds down below, I’m feeling so strong and alive. From this rocky perch, I’ll continue to search for the wind and the snow and the sky. I want a lover, I want some friends, and I want to live in the sun, and I want to do all the things that I never have done.

Find a story, or a song or a person that helps you find and connect to your inner voice, the voice that believes that anything is possible, the voice that believes in you and always has.

The Final Thought: When we believe that something is real, it is. When we believe that something is true, it is. When we believe we can accomplish miracles, we will.