Reflections of an Urban Gentleman Vol. 1: A Collection of Heart-Felt, Personal Journal Entries Assembled over a Lifetime

By R.J. Macck

Experience an insiders view into a poignant collection of personal expressions & reflections created and assembled from over an entire lifetime.

Imagine having the opportunity to truly remember how you saw the world and felt over 4 decades.
Picture, in your own handwriting, personal notes to remind you of those quiet thoughts, hopes and fears that led you to be the person you are today; or,
Envision how your personal perspectives would have changed, matured or evolved over those years. Imagine what you might find What changed and, what had not!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493122202

R.J. Macck

R.J. Macck was born and raised in the Midwest, is a first-generation Northerner and, has lived in several states over the years. He received his Masters degree in Business Administration and has worked in corporate America for 30+ years. Interestingly, he has also been actively writing in journals and creating rhythmic verse for over 40 years! His creative, artistic side has always been a part of his expressiveness. His love for life, deep introspection and willingness to express his feelings has been a hallmark for as long as he can remember. Ive traveledd to various countries and continents, yet the collaborative journey I took with Hannah to jointly create this book has been one of the more interesting and meaningful trips Ive embarked on in a while. They say, words matter With that in mind I say this: I dont have a desire to live forever. However, my hope is something good comes from my words that does. Hannah Rasmussen Rhodes was born and raised in Denmark, but today call the mountains and deserts of the American West her home. She was formally trained as a mathematician and computer scientist, and today earns a living as a management consultant. However, her desire to express her awe for nature has led her to photography. She has traveled a great deal and photography has enabled her to engage, experience, and explore. Her photographs become gifts for reliving and treasuring every adventure Believing, as Hans Christian Andersen did: To travel is to live! I have used photography to express my emotions throughout my life journey, and I am thrilled to have RJs rhythmic verses adding a new dimension. It is my hope that you will share my love for our magnificent natural world traveling through my photography.

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by R.J. MACCK.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013919416

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4931-2219-6

      Softcover       978-1-4931-2218-9

      eBook            978-1-4931-2220-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/14/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

143005

Contents

INSPIRATION

• Destiny

• Sun and Moon

• Untitled 10-16

• An Even Keel! (10-6-77)

• Reality Realized

• To What Degree… for What Purpose?

• The Truth of the Matter

• Life

• The Way

• My Thought is…

• The Wind versus Sky

• God is my Friend

• Sadness—Unknown

• Time (Less)

• I Think of You

• Paradise Dream Reprised

• Touch What You Feel

• Advice to My Nephew

• Time(Less)

• Not Afraid 2/13

• I Have Often Longed

ROMANCE

• We are One My Thought is of You

• The Maze of My Heart, The Key to My Special Place

• Live, Love And Laugh

• I See Things in You

• You May Choose Not To Answer…

• You may choose not to answer… Reprise

• Begin My Days… End My Nights

• Sweet Dreams Baby

• A Love Lonely Dinner

• Get Your Rest Baby

• Lost in Love 2/18

• Smile for Me My Valentine

WARMTH

• Sometimes the Rules Shouldn’t Apply to Your Dreams (10-14-12)

• I Feel, Therefore I Am! I Matter! 9-9

• Somewhere Deep Inside 9-9

• I Wonder Sometimes 11-12

• Horse People

• Hope

• To Know Me

• Mom part 1

• Beauty Is

• I am a free man

• I Woke Early

• I Am Not You

• Like the song goes… when I dream I dream in color

• I’m glad to be with you baby

• Thoughts from YOUR Friend, Lover, Love and Companion… A question to MY same

• On So Many Levels

• . . . Then Who’s Taking Care of You?

• A Thought Came To Me

• The Eyes Have It…The Eyes Tell All

STRENGTH

• A Note to Self 10-12

• What Does it Take? 10-14

• Self Critique

• Trying

• Secrets… We All Have Them

• Strength

• Alone

• Recapture—The Color of Memories

• The Way of the World

• A Little Chit-Chat

• The Art of Silence

• Love 1/Fear 0

• The Man in the Mirror Part 2

• Lighting Passion

• The Future Lies in Our Hands

• Know That I Stand by You

• We Choose Each Day to be Strong

• By My Side

• Being in Charge 12/30

GRACEFUL

• I Do Because I Dare

• Dream Baby… Dream On

• Set the Stage 9-7

• Answers—Anyone See Any Answers?

• I Changed Perspective

• Paradise Dream

• About Me…

• That Swagger

• Love Is…

• You Light Up My Heart

• How You Travel the Road

METRO

• Write ’em Down

• The Staff

• Sweet Dreams Comfort

• My Sweet Dreams

• A Smile for You from Me

• By the Way You Remind Me…

• No Place Like Home

• We Can be Unique at Times

• I Dream of a Better Time 5-17

• A New Start for an Older Man 10-12

• Untitled (8-14-77)

• Untitled 10-13

• Untitled (2-26-78)

• Untitled (6-12-78)

• Untitled

• Now

• Succeed (4-6-77)

• In the Cavern Hole (4-6-77)

• My Thoughts (4-24-77)

• Untitled

• Untitled (5-3-77)

• To Become (5-3-77)

• Guidance (5-23-77)

• Transformation and Change (5-24-77)

• A Light Load (5-24-77)

• She’s Lovely 5-24-77

• She’s Lovely Part 2—I Recall a Yesterday

• Thinking, Reflecting, Concluding (6-4-77)

• Good Morning World

• Summer Breeze (6-23-77)

• The Miracle of Maggie… The Magic of Her Mom [From Stepdad’s Point of View]

• The Miracle of Maggie… [From Mom’s Point of View]

• Waking Dream Part 1 My Question

• Waking Dream Part 2 Your Reply

• Strength

• Took A Step

• Untitled

• The Trouble Shooter

• The Pressure Mounts

• I Can’t Keep Running

• The Awakening

• Misdirection

• The Balance

• Thoughts of Peace

• Calvin… Remembered Through His Mother’s Eyes

• Special Relationship

• Our Sound

• Sunny Days

• The Yummy in My Tummy…

• I Dream Of A Better Time

• Set the Stage 9.7

• I Think Therefore I Am! I Matter!

• What Does It Take? (10.14)

• Boyish Desires Of The Night

• No Matter What

• I Was Thinking…

• Belief

• Thank You Precious

• Untitled

• Lighter

• So You Love Me…

• Untitled

• A Way With Words

• A Way With Words… Yes, Indeed

• 6 Of 12 Or, A Half A Dozen Of Another

• I Intend

• Attending To Your Needs

• Suns Stars—Live Life List

• Yes, It is True

• Sharing a Little Magic… It’s a Choice

• Know This Rainbow

• Where Are You? What Are You About?

• Keep It Real Baby!

• Reflections of Where I am… My Place

• How Do I Feel About You? And, How Do You Feel About Me?

• Change is Coming, Only the Strong Survives…

• Be… .

• Catalytic Converter

• For the Best

• I Have A Passion…

• I Am RJ… Let Me Roar

• Assessment of My Higher Causes

• Excellence in What You Do

• Value

• Infinity/Soul

• To: Light, Life, Love

• Positive Motion

• I Need to Be

• Seeking Answers

• Longings… Of A Former World, Another Dimension

RISE

• The Essence of Survival

• Sub-Plots Piece Me Together

• Love Lost Lust

• Sometimes the Rules Shouldn’t Apply to Your Dreams (10-14-12)

• The Resounding Cause (8-1-77)

• If Asked

• Freedom Friendship

• Smiles

• One Selfless Love