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9/28/2025

We Don't Know

There has been some more change going on in my life. Nonstop actually. I could use some down time, for sure, but my higher power seems to be pointing me in a new direction. I'm not certain how it's going to roll out yet, but it feels good to me. And scary too. Just muddling through it all, taking some risks and such, which has been quite jarring in the past few years. I've changed a lot, to put it mildly, and much of it has to do with walking through fear.

As I've said before, "God is in the surprise." Yes, indeed. The curveball, the unexpected, and the like. God is right there, altering the course at times, in my humble opinion. And I can choose to recognize the divinity in it and "go with the flow," so to speak, or I can resist. Up to me.

I've been tunneling through a whole big suitcase of fear, man. And to folks on the outside, I'm sure it looks messy at times. Until now, I wasn't aware of my deepest fears and how they have been running my life. I've been scratching the surface, sure, but at the present time, I'm barreling into the depths of it. Or maybe I always knew deep down, but it hadn't hit the surface, and I wasn't ready to face it all yet.

Now I know. Or I think I do, ha. Truth is, I don't know. Neither do you. We don't know. There is something bigger out there than this whole human clown show. Take a look at some ancient mountains. Or the seasons. The sky, the birds, nature in general. Nature knows more than we do.

We don't know.

This fear has nearly wiped me out numerous times; I've experienced panic, continuous racing heart, endless bouts of tears (and laughter too), and a number of physical reactions that I won't dive into here. I've experienced panic and such in the past and so, I know better now how to navigate the beast. But let's just say PTSD is no fun.

But it is also a great teacher.

Straight through it. If I don't walk through it, it tends to resurface, aye. I spent many years pushing it down, running around in circles. Many folks do this. Some continue to operate on fear their entire lives. Look around. Everyone's scared. They might seem angry. They might seem depressed. They might seem hellbent on looking perfect. They might seem overly focused on work, a relationship, or a cause. It's all around. It's all fear. Politics, money, appearances. Oh shit, and the news. Fear.

Have I mastered it? Hell no, I'm a baby too. Just like you. But I'm growing stronger in my faith every day. As a human, "trying" is everything. XO.

Be gentle with yourself. And I will be too.

For those who can relate to such human fears or for those who have experienced trauma (I am convinced that's everyone), I am sorry you have to go through this, but I can empathize. And also, as powerful as it can be at times, the fear will eventually dissipate. Just hang on, if you're walking through it like me. Hang on. Love to you. Get a fucking teddy bear. I keep planning on it, but I think I'll nab one from the stuffed animal claw machine today. I am a master at that game, ha. If you think you can beat me, you're wrong, ha.

But fear hasn't wiped me out thus far. I keep moving, despite it all.

A battle with the inner self. And a journey to make peace with the inner self. As I always say, "Look inward." It is hard work to look inward. That's why most folks, including me, often grab onto outside stuff as the "cause" or "source." But eventually, the journey always returns back to the self. I have to take a look at my part, my way of being, my feelings, my actions and reactions. That is the only way I can truly process through life's more difficult scenarios and change.

Hard truth. But don't we all do it? We grab onto news stories, outside relationships, car issues, house issues, money issues, you name it. We blame other things or other people for sadness or present circumstances, and the like. For instance, I might tell the world that I'm afraid my car might break down. Or it might change, and I might start telling everyone I'm afraid of a job situation. Or I might focus on a certain relationship issue. Doesn't matter, because the real fear rests within a lack of faith and fear within myself. Because it's not the car. It's not the job. It's not the other person.

Nothing on the outside is driving the monster.

I am.

It's what's inside.

Grinning just now. Maybe this will help you too.

It's all unfolding as you are reading this, as I am writing this. We don't know the power of the "unseen." Hang on for the ride but remember to love yourself. And I will too.

I don't know.

We don't know.

But since we both don't know, that means we're in this together. And that's a beautiful thing.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

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9/21/2025

Hook

Good afternoon. Man, I'm tired. But I decided to create something anyway. I'm going to dig into poetry again before I start on a new project, I've decided...so that I can focus on details again. I wrote this just now. I had actually forgotten about the little scene until this moment, ha. Hope you like it. Hope happiness and love roll in for you, in whatever shape or form that comes. XO. Love to you, C.A. MacConnell

Hook

Once, seasick on the charter boat,
I crawled up from the cabin
just in time
to reel in an award-winning bass.
The captain shouted, Fry it up
and swallow it down whole
.
After the cheers and photo poses,
without a pause,
I threw the fish back
into Lake Michigan.
Damp and nauseous, I crept away,
slowly stepping down
into the boat’s dark lower level,
tunneling into my makeshift bed,
hiding under thin, white sheets.
Sleep never came to me.
There I was, alone, rocking
with the waves.
Here and there, I grabbed
the olive-green bucket
and threw up.
Wiping my mouth, grinning,
I cared not at all
about catching and winning.
Instead, I pictured the shiny,
glorious, divine, empty hook,
the release, the creature’s freedom,
the shocked, big people on the deck,
and all of their furious
faces.

C.A. MacConnell

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

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9/11/2025

Angels, Angels 2

 
Angels


Angels 2

Hi there. Thought I'd share some photos I took the other day. I took a couple of days off for once. I probably needed more, but what can I say...I'm better when I'm moving, for sure, both physically and mentally. I enjoyed my walks though. :) Trying to regroup, slow it down, be gentler. Like many folks, I struggle with PTSD, and it's hard for my brain to understand that a break doesn't mean losing everything. Rather, a break is OK. Alrighty then. Processing this truth.

It's hard for my brain to understand a lot of things! Ha. But I'm grateful for my tricky brain...it's creative as all hell. Rad.

Some things are new for me as I navigate this part of my life. Everything is new, really! But, what's good about all of it is that so many joyful things are rolling in as well. It's been quite a mix, quite a journey, deep as all hell...and hilarious at times too. When I think about all I've been through in the past three years, it's really amazing, all of it.

I'm so proud of RECOVER WILDLY:  DAILY SPIRITUAL ESSAYS FOR SURVIVORS. I'm proud of all of my books. I've been getting some awesome feedback on this one, for sure, and I'm glad it's helping some folks. It's definitely straight from my heart and my experience. And let me tell you, it's been a wild ride.

My life, my writing, my photos, my songs...all of it is teaching me how to better love myself and others. And of course, I have some great cheerleaders as well. 

Hope you get a chance to check out my books! And I hope this day is peaceful for you. 

I'm not sure if this is true, but I saw that there's going to be a new Dances with Wolves movie. If this is true, I want to be in it. That would be a dream come true. I saw the first damn film five times in the theater, all by myself, because I didn't want anyone to distract me, ha. I was so focused. And I can't tell you how many times I watched it at home. I know all of the words. It's annoying to watch it with me. I've also read the book. Anyhow, if you're hiring, I'm in. I do have 20 years of horse experience, so there's that, ha. I'm chuckling. I think I'm late, but it can't hurt to try.

Have a great evening. Thank you for being here. <3

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

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9/09/2025

First Red Leaf

 


Awesomesauce. My friend Lana says that a lot, ha. I love it, and I love her. And I love this photo. I took some more cool shots today. I'll share them with you soon.

I hope you have found/find everything your heart desires. I have some issues, sure, like everyone does, but my heart feels really good and true right now, in this moment, and that's what matters to me most. I am supremely grateful for those who support me...I have been and am really lucky.

And I am grateful for you too.

Thank you to all those supporting my books. I'm getting some amazing feedback on RECOVER WILDLY. And I sold out of THE HOLE at my last book signing! Rad. Don't forget to leave a review.

I plan on having another book signing. Stay tuned for details. At the moment, I'm resting my brain some.

Have a great day. Can't wait to work on some new songs and new books.
Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

9/05/2025

Little Pushes

Yesterday evening, I was with a group, and I was tired as all hell, feeling quite a bit of physical pain, and I was in a hurry to return home and meditate (meditation, movement, distraction, and crying help the pain the most) and then, something came over me. Even though I was pretty set on my "get home" mission, I turned around, retraced my steps, and approached a certain woman, briefly mentioning that I always liked what she had to share. She thanked me, and it was a simple, warm moment, aye.

And then, as is my Thursday night routine, I headed over to the quickie mart to pick up some ice cream and cookies. Well, as I turned in the driveway, an enormous SUV backed up...or should I say...barreled out of its parking space, missing my car by about a millimeter. If I would've pulled in one second sooner, the entire side of my car would've been toast.

I lost my breath. And then it came back, as breath tends to do. My car is my livelihood...since I do deliveries. I grinned a little, thinking about the timing and my luck.

I thought about how earlier, something came over me. Something told me to pause, to speak to that woman. If I'd chosen to leave without following my hunch, my car would've been out of commission later -- a definite mess of a wreck.

But was it luck? Or was it a little, special voice meant for me? I choose to think that it was my heart protecting me. Or God, if you will.

And it reminded me to pay attention to those little pushes, messages, feelings, and hunches.

Sometimes, I get so caught up in my routines, my overthinking, and my anxiety, that I fail to hear my heart. I lose track. Of course, I lose track. I'm a flawed human being haphazardly dancing around in this wild world, just like you. And some days, it seems like there's no damn roadmap, for sure, ha. Just little old me and my hands. Just little old you and your hands.

Grab the fuck on for the ride, as scary or joyful or overwhelming or hilarious as it may be.

We're all reaching out...looking for something or someone to hold onto. Yes. Every moment of the day. Look around. Everyone's tiptoeing around the planet with tools they learned from other flawed humans. And what a mess that is at times. And what a wondrous miracle that is at other times.

A spider web is perfect. And we are not. But when we love, we create a perfect web. That's all we have to do. That's the solution. We get lost in the wind, but the web is there, waiting for us to add on or rebuild. OK, maybe I just got hilariously lost in that terrible metaphor. See, I'm not above cracking up at my own writing.

Anyway, you get the drift, ha. Help build that damn web, if you can. And I will too.

Life is about love. Love. Simple as that. Learning to love the self. Learning to love others. Scraping away all of the bullshit one layer at a time, if we so choose, so that we can help ourselves and help one another.

Pay attention to those little pushes.

Have a great evening. I'm speaking tonight. Strangely, it's a place where my great Grandpa was one of the founders. Everything's connected.

And now, after I just wrote to you, I think I can harness this physical pain and make it there tonight. XO. See, we're in this together.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW

P.P.S. Need writing help?
 M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

Howdy. Do You Have Your Copies Yet? XO.

 

Hi there. I've had a challenging week! Here I was with my buddy yesterday. Just sharing something from my life. <3

Do you have your copies of my books yet? Click on any of the covers below, and it'll send you to a description and purchase info. Or, go here.

I'm excited about how folks are responding to my 2025 creation, RECOVER WILDLY:  DAILY SPIRITUAL ESSAYS FOR SURVIVORS. Mostly, I'm thrilled that it's helping some people. My first nonfiction book...and it's been quite a journey getting it out there. We've been so close to number one in Inner Child Self Help on Amazon, and we've been creeping down closer to number one on the general charts with all of my books. Rad. Thank you so much to all who are supporting my art. Here is my author page. More to come! 

Again, click/touch any of the covers below! Love to you, C.A. MacConnell






P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW

P.P.S. Need writing help?
 M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins UniversityOver 30 years of experience in all genresYou name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

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