One thing great about starting with a "clean slate" is the chance to start over and decide what kinds of friends you want. 

It's not that you don't have friends you want to keep from your previous life, because of course you do. But you do have a chance to cull out those "convenience friends," the people who you associated with but really didn't have anything in common with. 

For me, coming here to Aspen is a lot like someone from another planet going home after visiting an alien world. You finally find people who speak your language. There's no need for translation. 

I honestly had no idea this would be the case when I came here. I just knew it fit some of the criteria I was looking for: a beautiful place where people lived a healthy life out in nature and a cooler climate where I could sleep more soundly under warm covers. 

So it was most definitely serendipity (a happy accident) to find so many "quarters" to treasure. And we need to surround ourselves with like-minded people now more than ever.

A lot of us are asking what we should do with the evil we're confronting. Do we cross our fingers and hope he'll change? (Highly unlikely). Do we pray? Look for "common ground?" Fight back? Hide? Build a bomb shelter? Prepare for "the end?" 

Each person will have to choose for themselves. As I said in my 3-part plan, we each need to use our strengths, talents and skills in whatever way we think makes a difference. Sometimes that's using force, sometimes it's using your voice, and sometimes it's finding a more subtle way to wake people up in time. 

I love this Carlos Castaneda quote so much it's in my Reasons Why book. 

As we look at so many people in power having no heart, all we can do is find our own center, our own path.  

Mine is in Aspen.

When you read this, what was your first reaction? What feelings did it generate? Were you curious? Anxious? Something more visceral, perhaps?

It comes as no surprise that the world is about to change in a profound (and likely profoundly disturbing) way. What does that mean? And how might it relate to my experience here in Aspen? 

It means that we will face new experiences. Some confusing, some shocking and some frightening, maybe even horrifying. 

If you look at this quote (from my DUET stories novels), you'll see one of my philosophies about life. It's a quote designed as a counter-point to the expression, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins."  (That would be someone else entirely. We all know who).  

This quote indicates that the reason we're here on this planet – especially at this time – is to explore new experiences. And the purpose of that is to learn. 

The following verses from my children's book, "Sometimes I Wonder," can help explain:

We decide on our lessons
The paths we will take
Awards we might go for
And mistakes we might make

For life isn’t easy
And not always fun
But easy is boring
Like games always won

So we set up our challenges
And mountains so high
To test our endurance
And reach for the sky

It doesn't much matter
If we get to the top
What matters much more is
What we do when we stop

You heard it here first: New band name:
4:44 and the Supermoon

I woke up at 4:44 this morning, the super moon blinding my face through my bedroom window. 

To see the meaning of 4:44, click here:

http://sacredscribesangelnumbers.blogspot.com/2011/09/angel-number-444.html

And to learn about the Super Moon, go here: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/11/13/super-moon-in-taurus-unleashing-our-gifts/

The Jungians are reacting to this election, too, letting us know that the "collective shadow" has been released. 

While it is horrifying – it is not that surprising. If you're paying attention, that is. The number of synchronicities I've experienced in the past few days is beyond comprehension. The shift is accelerating. It's like the Earth is shifting it's axis and only some people will be able to hang on. 

We all have a purpose. Now is the time to tap into it. 

Wishing you love and light on this mystical day. 

Brownell

I have tried to avoid talking politics on this page. Not because I'm afraid to voice my opinion (if you follow me on Facebook or know me personally you should know that about me). But because I didn't want to "tarnish" this page with negativity, even when I might have been facing a crisis. 

Today I am finally clear on what to recommend as a 3-Part Plan. 

First, make sure you and your family are as safe as they can be. Yes, that might include moving. I am as thankful as I can be that I live here, what I'm calling the Switzerland of the US. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful, insightful, liberal people.

Second, enjoy life as much as you can for as long as you can. 

And Third, use your talents and abilities to make a difference in any way you can in the time you have left. For me that will be writing meaningful stories and movies (and hopefully blogs).

I'm not a pessimist. I believe "good" wins in the end. I just might have a different perspective on what "the end" means. 

And even if I'm wrong, then how is this a bad plan either way?  

Sending love and light and praying for peace.

Brownell

Today's topic will be the Five Stages of Grief: 1. Denial and isolation; 2. Anger; 3. Bargaining; 4. Depression; 5. Acceptance.

Elisabeth Kubler Ross's breakthrough theory is like so many great world-changing insights. It's like a "blinding flash of the obvious." Something we already knew but didn't know. We weren't able to articulate it, but when we see it, we exclaim, "Eureka! That's IT!" 

This theory is most often applied when someone is dealing with death – usually someone else's, but sometimes their own. And sometimes it's something bigger. 

The worst of course is when it's something out of our control. In that case, Anger and Bargaining are futile. Depression is depleating. So all you have is Acceptance and Denial. 

I told some friends last night that I wanted to change the name of Aspen to "Denial." So I can tell people "I live in Denial." There really is no place better (at least for me) than to live here – the Switzerland of the United States. Beautiful, liberal, loving, intelligent, well-educated and charitable. 

I just wish other people I care about could find their safe haven, too.

I don't know if you can see the image in this photo – but the headline of this post should explain what it looked like – and how it felt – for me on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

And even though I'm not ready to laugh, this song's lyrics fit the emotion.

Today is election day in the U.S. And this election is one of the most contentious in history. The subject for today's post isn't about the candidates or my views, though. It's about how different it was voting here in my newly adopted home. 

I know things are different this election year. That some places have voting booths with punch-card systems and others have written ballots. Some places mailed out ballots and allowed early voting while others made you wait until election day. 

Well here in Aspen/Pitkin County they had what I think is a perfected system. They mailed out ballots over two weeks in advance. And you could mail them in, or in my case I could take the 5-6 minutes to walk to the voting office and put it in the designated box myself in person. 

Yet I ran into a glitch. I went online (another service provided by my new, wonderful home town) and found out that my vote had been rejected. Eeep! I went to the voting office again and talked with someone there and found out that it was because they needed to get verification that I did, indeed, live here. I wasn't just visiting. Thankfully, it was straightened out and not only does it say online that my vote was accepted, I also got a text message confirming as well.

How great is that?  

I have a confession to make. I love soup. All kinds of soups. Or at least all kinds that fit my pescaterian diet. 

I also love "The Happy Page" on Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/itsthehappypage/  And their website:

http://www.lastlemon.com/

The authors/artists – by Lisa Swerling (Author), Ralph Lazar (Author) remind us of all kinds of things that can make us happy. Lovely, inspiring messages to uplift us – which we can all use. 

People ask me all the time why I chose Aspen as a place to live. After gesturing to the magnificent beauty of my surroundings, I also point out the cooler weather, which affords not only a more restful sleep at night but also an excuse to make a variety of soups. So far this winter I've made Creamy Potato, Shrimp Gumbo, Tortilla Vegetable, Clam Chowder and Black Bean soups. 

I'm not sure I'm as pure as Ludwig would want me to be, but I do love it. 

One of the greatest compliments I've ever gotten was when someone told me, "Brownell, you're the busiest person I know, yet also the most accessible."  

I loved that. Just as I love the quote for this post. I didn't know it was from Lucille Ball until I looked it up. That makes me love it even more. She was so much more than a talented comedienne and icon. She was a brilliant, driven businesswoman. 

As I look back on the 130+ days I've been here, I reflect on my accomplishments and progress. Have I achieved as much as I would have wanted to? What got in my way? What do I wish I had done by now? What do I want to do in the next 130 days?

While I'm not a "beat myself up" person, nor am I a "checklist" person, I do like to get things done. It's one of the things I love about my single lifestyle. Very few disruptions from things/people out of my control. So, as I look back, here's a quick top-of-mind list: Write a blog (almost) every day; Exercise (hike or walk) at least 6 days a week except during or just after the hospital trips; Start and work on a new book to come out in the next few weeks (more on that later); Meet quite a few new people; Trip to Taos and Santa Fe; Diligently fight evil on Facebook; Manage a great group on Facebook; Attend Aspen Film Festival; Write song lyrics; Co-Found the Aspen Screenwriters and Playwrights group. I'm sure there are other highlights to mention as well (like moving to a new city). 

Not bad, actually. And yet this past week has been that much more productive. Check in with me in 130 more days.