How to Become a Virtuoso Guitarist

Duane

By Duane Hewitt A virtuoso guitarist will ultimately combine the highest degree of skills in a range of musical abilities that include precision, speed, musicality, technique, knowledge, ear training, listening, discipline, talent and growth. (It is understood that each term used here refers to musical skills.) And so the road […]

Help for Those in Need: Links and Resources

Duane

Needing Help and Having Somewhere to Turn By Duane Hewitt – with the help of many! At various times in our lives, there comes a point when we all need help. Sometimes we carry burdens that are simply too much to bear. Suicide, fear, pain, anxiety, depression, job loss, homelessness, […]

Literature – what’s the point?

Duane

Literature – what’s the point? By Duane Hewitt Literature might best be described as written works of longstanding merit; particularly where the value lies in beauty of language or emotional effect. The term literature often applies to fiction that is notable, but literature also encompasses nonfiction, poetry, journalistic works, or […]

PTSD: Risk and Resilience Factors

Duane

PTSD: Risk and Resilience Factors By Duane Hewitt Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can strike anyone, from young children to the elderly. A simplified definition of PTSD is the stress that follows being witness to or experiencing a terrifying or traumatic event. It is most often associated with war veterans and […]

Exercising and Advancing Consciousness

Duane

By Duane Hewitt Our brains are true powerhouses that are capable of far more than we may understand. These dynamos store what is likely unlimited information, process experience and thought, induce imagination (and all it encompasses), operate the human body and its many complex processes, are the key to identity, […]

How to Think

Duane

How to Think By Duane Hewitt We’re expected to do it all our lives. From our earliest time of learning to our later years it is engrained in us that this is something we must always do. Doing it well can be extremely beneficial to us. Doing it poorly can […]

I shall not live in vain

Duane

By Duane Hewitt If I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain;If I can ease one life the aching,Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robinUnto his nest again,I shall not live in vain. Emily Dickenson (December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886) In her […]

When Angels Weep

Duane

When Angels Weep By Duane Hewitt We humans must surely give angels reason to weep. From our treatment of one another, to how we treat life on the planet, down through the ages with crime, war, violence, our efforts to control one another, and all the cascading things we do […]

Hope and Hopelessness

Duane

Hope and Hopelessness By Duane Hewitt If there are things in this life that are worth dying for, then there must be equally great things worth living for. The most critical time in any battle is not when one feels spent and exhausted, but when that same person no longer […]

Our Need for Touch

Duane

Our Need for Touch By Duane Hewitt As feeling, physical beings we have a need for touch. Touch, that is, good, feeling, sensitive touch that is not hostile or threatening, calms. It soothes. It can excite us as well as quell any discomfort within us  Our skin is the largest […]

Coping skills: Finding ways to survive

Duane

Coping skills: Finding ways to survive By Duane Hewitt Coping is crucial to us all. Whether we deal with an angry and difficult boss, have financial problems, are going through a crisis on account of Covid-19, or are facing life challenges like cancer or the death of a loved one, […]

Aging Well

Duane

By Duane Hewitt The thought of aging might be distressing but we needn’t equate aging with a slow demise to death. So many of the things we fear about aging have become almost clichéd, but there are things we can do to age well. Keeping our minds active: No matter […]

Suicide – When pain exceeds resources to cope

Duane

Suicide – When pain exceeds resources to cope By Duane Hewitt Have you ever thought about suicide? Are you thinking about it now? Please take a moment and read this first… Talking about suicide shouldn’t be unsettling. What is disturbing is that it happens at all. People feel driven to […]

An Apology to Our Readers

Duane

By Duane Hewitt We owe an apology to each and every one of our readers. We’ve been slow to add new articles and links as promised. The blame for this for the most part goes to the pandemic. Here in Toronto, it has been an unending series of lockdowns as […]

Alien Disclosure: An event or a process?

Duane

By Duane Hewitt If you’re waiting for that special day of disclosure concerning UFOs, aliens, and extra-terrestrial life, stop and take a look around you because we have been increasingly inundated with the strong likelihood that such life exists and that it has long been visiting earth. The fact is, […]

Meeting your destiny

Duane

By Duane Hewitt We all have some kind of destiny. And it is true that for many of us there are various destinies that we are to have as we move through life. So what is it that makes us feel we either have or have not met our destiny? […]

The Science of Attraction and Desire

Duane

By Duane Hewitt A more appropriate title for this article might be “The emotional triggers of desire.” But some background to the actual science of love and attraction will be referenced, so please read on. Just what is it that makes us “desire” another? Such desire can encompass a number […]

Teen Suicide

Duane

By Duane Hewitt If one was to comb through the Internet looking for statistics regarding teenage suicide, the evidence of suicidal trends in young people is beyond disturbing. It’s daunting. And it isn’t a callous approach to the topic. On the contrary, it’s one of several starting points in an […]

Lovers, Married, or Just Friends?

Duane

Lovers, Married, or Just Friends? How the two of you were meant to be together By Duane Hewitt It’s something you might find yourself wondering about at the beginning of a relationship, and certainly at the end of a relationship. Were you meant to marry this one particular person? Or […]

Acceptance

Duane

By Duane Hewitt Acceptance does not mean giving in or giving up. It means agree to, assent, approve and acquiesce. We can learn to practice acceptance regularly, on a daily basis. Such practice can ease our nerves and our very being. We might do this by learning to stop judging […]

Self-Harm: Symptoms and Causes

Duane

By Duane Hewitt The Mayo Clinic states that self-injury is not meant as a suicide attempt but more so as a harmful way of contending “with emotional pain, intense anger and frustration.” And there’s a cycle involved where, though there may be a temporary alleviation of the emotional pain that […]

Feeling rudderless in the wake of Covid-19

Duane

Feeling rudderless in the wake of Covid-19 By Duane Hewitt COVID-19 has left many people feeling rudderless. Job loss, financial problems, relationship break-up and divorce, violence – including domestic violence, daily reports of new spikes in Covid-related cases, business closures, seeing a toppling effect of services we once took for […]

Escapism – and why it can be good for us

Duane

Our need for escapism By Duane Hewitt We escape in fiction and fantasy primarily because from time-to-time we need to. There is no doubt that escaping through movies, online gaming, music, or a good book allows us to separate ourselves from truer realities, whether that be dull and dreary or […]

The Burning Question: Where Was God?

Duane

The Burning Question: Where Was God? By Duane Hewitt It may well be the most difficult and compelling question ever posed – and it was called out by none other than Christ in his most difficult hour: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”  (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” […]

Anxiety

Duane

Anxiety By Duane Hewitt Anxiety is like waiting for a thunderclap. Anxiety is an underlying current within you that prevents you from feeling true peace and relaxation. Even if you’re strong and healthy, anxiety is like having a taught rubber band around your chest or tension in your body. It’s […]

Finding Joy

Duane

Finding Joy By Duane Hewitt Our desire for joy is intrinsic to our natures. Joy gives us feelings of peace and contentment that can approach bliss. And joy can add longevity to your life while making that lifetime feel all worthwhile. When a person learns the various ways of practicing […]

Falling in love with someone you can never have

Duane

Falling in love with someone you can never have By Duane Hewitt For those who have never fallen in love with someone they can never have – congratulations. Consider yourselves lucky, because feeling a deep, passionate love for someone you can never have can be painfully difficult to live with. […]

Our need for consumer protection

Duane

Our need for consumer protection By Duane Hewitt Throughout our lifetimes we will consume an extraordinary amount of goods and services. Food, clothing, medicine, computers, technology… the list is virtually endless. Then there are the many services from which we benefit; all of which range from schooling and education to […]

Women – Our most precious gift

Duane

By Duane Hewitt “Women stand at the center of creation because women have been granted the incredible gift of bringing each of us into the world. And so women are creation.” – Duane Hewitt Where would we be without our women? Women are our most precious treasured gift: Their inner […]

Neuroplasticity – you are what you think

Duane

Neuroplasticity – you are what you think By Duane Hewitt According to something called “neuroplasticity,” it may be true that you are what you think – and the possibilities raise some very interesting questions that may yield a number of truly amazing benefits. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to […]

Changes

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittTonight enlightened starsCry out a reverie—Below a jaded moonHides all she knowsThe night who lay so stillCarries a secret by her willKnowing that past the lonely hillSomething has changedAn early rain begunAre the trees laughing?Or crying for a dayThey fear to come?The dawning wants to knowFrightened by […]

Maybe Then

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittOh how I need herWhen I still see herAnd I prayOh how I prayOur time togetherOnce gone foreverWill be backFor us againAnd if that time should comeShe’ll be the only oneAnd I’ll love that girl againSo let the times gone byCome back for one more tryAnd I’ll […]

Don’t Stop The World

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittIt hasn’t all been easyThe troubles we out grewThe fears we hadNot all that bad or new—The love we had to guide usWould send the storms awayOur knowing thatAnd still we had to pray—(Chorus)Don’t stop the worldWe can’t let goUntil we knowWe’ve really made itDon’t fear the […]

Suicide: Surviving Death by Killing Self

Duane

Suicide: Surviving Death by Killing Self By Duane Hewitt If you feel you are in such emotional pain or anguish that you can’t stop thinking about suicide, then it may be time to take a bold new step into a new and completely different future. Rather than taking your own […]

We’ll Change Our Lives

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittMy love, we had our momentsWhen things just didn’t go our wayAnd there were timesWhen we didn’t thinkWe could face another dayBut we’ve grown much strongerJust by holding onWe’ll see tomorrowBefore our time is done—We’ll change our livesUntil we find a way to liveWe’ll save our dreams […]

How Could I

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittHow could IEver tell youThe words you should knowHow could IEver let onThe things I don’t showHow could I Help you to seeWhat I’ll never tell dear—How could I leave you?How could IEver let youKnow just how I feelHow could I Ever belong When you’re nowhere nearYes […]

Falling Through Time

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittFalling through time in our mindsYou and ICame down through the cloudsTill we foundOur hearts were spinning aroundThen we sleptTreasuring feelings we keptFalling through timeYour love and mineThis time we have will not endAnd so we touch againTime stopped as we found loveAll our fears were swept […]

Suicide – Arguments in favor

Duane

Suicide – Arguments in favor By Duane Hewitt Spoiler Alert: If you’re firmly set against suicide, be forewarned that this article raises some points concerning a person’s right to suicide. It’s tragic that we live in a world where suicide is frequently viewed as the only way out. And it’s […]

Our Mortality – What can we learn from it?

Duane

Our Mortality – What can we learn from it? By Duane Hewitt The topic here regards something you know very well: Our mortality. We’re all destined to die. So just what exactly are we supposed to do with that information? There must be some value to it. Does our mortality […]

Mankind’s Greatest Inventions

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Mankind’s Greatest Inventions By Duane Hewitt If you ever find yourself getting down on mankind, cheer up! As a race we’ve invented some pretty cool things from the wheel to the alphabet to the computer. We’re always busy inventing something new and innovative. The value of many of mankind’s greatest […]

The Purpose of Life

Duane

The Purpose of Life – breaking free of illusion and knowing your true self By Duane Hewitt What is the purpose of life? If we say it is to love and serve God, does that say enough about such a supremely vast topic? Is not more likely that the real […]

The Orchard, the Canary, the Guitar, and the Zephyr

Duane

The Orchard, the Canary, the Guitar, and the Zephyr By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ Each morning, The Canary would look out from the second floor window and dream as she gazed into the beautiful orchard. The orchard was something spectacular to the little […]

Sewer Rats

Duane

Sewer Rats: Case Studies from the University of Chicago [Departments of Life Sciences and Forensic Studies] By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ The first report concerning the sewer rats – of Chicago, no less – was filed by a graduate student of the University […]

Our Preoccupation with SEX! SEX! SEX!

Duane

Our Preoccupation with SEX! SEX! SEX! By Duane Hewitt Are we, as a species, obsessed with sex? Why? Current world population has us at 7.5 billion. But just 20 years ago, in 1997, it was a mere 5.9 billion. Back in 1950 it was a paltry 2.56 billion. We’re breeding […]

GRENDEL

Duane

GRENDEL By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 1997/2017 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ I will never forget the sound of their screams. Nor will I be free of those horrific and demonic visions: the carnage, the mayhem, broken limbs, shattered bone, the torn and ripped skin. Aye, and that was […]

What it means to be human

Duane

What it means to be human By Duane Hewitt If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re probably human – but have you ever considered just what that means? The following offers some thought as to what it means to be human. You can choose your preferences selectively […]

Exploding Pigs

Duane

Exploding Pigs By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ The first happened on May 13th. It was just outside the Arkham County Fair after a resident of the area, a certain Heather Skysdale, brought her newly crowned porker back home with her to the farm. […]

End Times – or just the same old thing?

Duane

End Times – or just the same old thing? By Duane Hewitt In reading references to “last days” and “end times” in The Bible, a question comes to mind: Truly, how can we know what the last days are? Have we only just recently entered the last days? I’m no […]

Evergreen

Duane

Evergreen By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ “It’s beautiful,” said the man, as if in a trance, “truly, truly beautiful.” The couple touched and then took hands. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said the woman in an equally airy tone as she looked […]

The Terrible Thing

Duane

The Terrible Thing By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ In that place that falls between what is known and what is thought to be, and where humankind engages in those things that oppose what is morally right and good, is The Terrible Thing. No […]

Your Life Story – what can you learn from it?

Duane

Your Life Story – what can you learn from it? By Duane Hewitt Humankind has been telling stories since there was language. It’s through storytelling that we learn about ourselves. Whether by poem, novel, fable, or tales shared around the campfire, it’s by such discourse that we explore our history, […]

Promotional Writing Basics

Duane

Promotional Writing Basics By Duane Hewitt Promotional copy appears in many places – articles, newsletters, flyers, websites, advertising, and even business cards. It applies to banks, bands, corporations, dentists, law offices, and anyone who has anything to say in trying to get a message out. Writing good promotional copy is […]

The Hunt for James Frankel: The Man thought to be Wendigo

Duane

The Hunt for James Frankel: The Man thought to be Wendigo By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ There was a day, so very long ago now, when, as very young children, my sister and I climbed onto our grandfather’s lap one evening when we […]

Writer’s Life

Duane

Writer’s Life By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ A man sits in a little, barren room. He has slept badly but then, he always does. There is no bed, no couch, and nowhere for him to lay his head. So, every night he curls […]

Murder Confession of an Innocent Man

Duane

Murder Confession of an Innocent Man By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ “I plotted the death because there was nothing else left for me to do. The reason will become self-evident; and anyway, I am not normally given to lengthy discourse. If I were […]

Screen Memory

Duane

Screen Memory By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ Four men occupied the room. One – central to the purposes of the others – sat in the middle. The room was dimly lit; austere and without windows. It was bleak, save for the dark olive […]

WIND

Duane

WIND By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. _____________________________ The wind was fierce; relentless – and it blew nonstop; a wickedly persistent force that felt vindictive; almost evil. And it hurt, because along with the wind came those sharp granules of ice and snow that were […]

The Collectors

Duane

The Collectors By Duane Hewitt Fiction Copyright 2016 Duane Hewitt. All Rights Reserved. ______________________________ An apartment – small, bare, featureless; almost bleak: A man sits on a chair. He is positioned six or seven feet from the stove. Two men are in the room with him. One, a heavy set […]

Why we all need to laugh more

Duane

Why we all need to laugh more By Duane Hewitt Most of us may not give much thought to laughter, but there are very important reasons for laughter and why we all need to laugh more. Laughter is good for us in a number of ways, beginning with this: Laughter […]

Starting a business? Read this!

Duane

Starting a business? Read this! By Duane Hewitt If you plan on starting a business, you need to understand all the principles to ensure your success. Whether you’re starting a sole proprietorship to sell soap, a family business that will offer janitorial services, are planning on starting an automotive shop, […]

Writing Well II – In regards to style

Duane

Writing Well II – In regards to style By Duane Hewitt Writers sometimes have the view that, when developing their style of writing, it gives them license to break all the rules of writing. This is not necessarily true – at least not for good writing. Such a carte blanche […]

The Nature of Evil

Duane

The Nature of Evil By Duane Hewitt Those of us who see how our world is changing decade upon decade may be questioning what appears to be the proliferation of evil, both worldwide as well as in our communities. What’s going on? And what exactly is evil? In their book […]

Terrorism and hate crimes – How do we stop the evil?

Duane

Terrorism and hate crimes – How do we stop the evil? By Duane Hewitt How do we stop the rise of terrorism and deadly hate crimes that have become increasingly prevalent in our western world? Such heinous acts didn’t exist to such a degree previously, at least not like this. […]

Fly With Me

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittCome to meTake my handWe’ll touch the sunIn your armsI could stayUntil all time is done—We’ll take the nightAs dawn comes lightAnd run along the shoreAnd I could love you—Fly oh lady flyCome on and fly with meNow my lady nowCome touch the sky with meNow oh […]

Voices

Duane

Lyrics by Duane HewittSomewhere from the pastSomething keeps reaching out to touch meSomething in the darkCalls out my nameReaching out of timeSinging a haunting troubled rhymeLeaving a soft and saddened cryIt calls to meVoices from a pastI don’t rememberMemories of a timeI might have known Calling out to meVoices of […]

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