Walk Into the Future

Category: poetry

  • Book Club 2025

    “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man that never reads lives only one.”

    (George R. R. Martin)

    My Walk into the Future in 2025 is defined by a new level of intensity in multiple phases of the walk.

    I have chronicled my race calendar and the desire to challenge myself more in that area.  My desire is to test myself and see how much improvement I can make with my running program.  I almost called it a hobby, but running is a legitimate part of my life, and I don’t know what the world would look like without my 5 am runs.  I guess I would know how to sleep in like normal people if I wasn’t a runner. 😊

    My writing has remained consistent and I’m always looking for new content to add to the blog.  I’ve tried writing prompts and suggestions from my tree branches but 99% of my content comes from just living life. There are weeks when I found unlimited inspiration to write and others where I don’t write at all.  This used to bother me, but I find it’s easier not to force content and let it come to me when it’s time.  I must remember to keep my eyes, ears and thoughts open to receive inspiration and be ready to lay down the tracks that will become a new blog post.

    My friend John Crowe and I have formed a two-person book club that focuses on leadership topics.  John lives in Oklahoma City, and we share new books via text message.  We normally critique each book via text or a Teams call.  John has a curious mind about leadership, and he keeps me inspired to find new ways to enhance my leadership program.  Authentic Leadership is my foundational leadership style, but a true leader never stops learning so my book club work helps me grow and expand my knowledge base. 

    I view 2026 as a big year for my leadership consulting work and the exploration we are doing now will enhance how I work and partner with clients in 2026.

    Here are some of the titles we have explored in book club so far:

    • Team of Teams / General Stanley McChrystal
    • It Worked for Me, In Life and Leadership / General Colin Powell
    • Conquering Crisis, Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them / Admiral William H. McRaven
    • The Positive Dog / Jon Gordon
    • The Power of Positive Leadership / Jon Gordon
    • Leaders Eat Last / Simon Sinek
    • Be The Unicorn / William Vanderbloemen
    • The 5 AM Club, Own Your Morning.  Elevate Your Life / Robin Sharma
    • The Light House Effect / Steve Pemberton
    • Proverbs (daily)

    I am still looking for new books to add to the list to finish the year out strong.  Send me a book suggestion and I will explore for book club. 😊

    What book are you reading right now?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

    (Garrison Keillor)

  • Seaway Drive Bridge

    My Walk into the Future allows for numerous adventures I can share with my readers.

    Most of these adventures have something to do with travel for races and simply enjoying life.

    One of my newer adventures is leveraging the Seaway Drive Bridge as part of my race preparation.  I’ve written about this bridge briefly in a few blog articles.  There were days when I dreaded seeing or crossing the bridge in my training program.  My mindset saw this part of my training as a chore.  I decided to flip my mindset in 2025 and embrace the bridge as part of my regular training program.  I stopped dreading the bridge and started finding new ways to incorporate it into my race preparation.

    Most training plans call for runners to complete hill repeats to prepare for races.  There are no hills in Fort Pierce but there are several bridges. I began leveraging the Seaway Drive Bridge to complete my hill repeats last year.  The simple view is I would run from the west side of the bridge to the east side.  I take a short rest on the east side and then head back west.  Up and over, then back again—simple concept.  My goal most days is to repeat this process 10 times before I’m done.  One time over the bridge is approximately .75 miles.  I’m never concerned about time but need to get over and back to complete this workout.  I leverage the hill repeats on Sundays because Saturdays are for my long runs.

    I also incorporate the Seaway Drive Bridge as part of normal runs between 4 to 6 miles.  This is a good way to test my endurance as I start and finish these sessions with bridge incline work.  Some of my best run view photos have been taken at the top of this bridge.

    The results have been positive.  I completed the Nashville Half Marathon this year with minimal leg soreness.  I have also been faster with my race times this year.  I attribute both outcomes to added hill repeats to my training program.  No more days of avoiding the bridge—I’m excited to get my bridge repeats in now and will add more for future training sessions.

    What have you been avoiding that may help you move forward?  Time to get your hill repeats in!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • Poetic Flow: Life

    Photo by Nur Yilmaz on Pexels.com

    Living the life I lead

    Has more depth than it seems

    Daily flexibility to pursue my dreams

    Regardless of where they lead or seem

    To take me

    I succeed

    This life I lead

    Allows for unlimited adventures on my timeline

    No need to delay gratification while I move forward in the world

    Basic tranquility and happiness

    Allow me to live this life I lead

  • Poetic Flow: Control (Repost)

    Life’s limitations can only limit what you allow

    You have control over all circumstances

    This I will avow

    The simplicity of life will make you see

    The things most important can be

    Right in front of you

    But you have to stay true

    The vision you have requires additional work, time and effort

    Put the past behind

    Start to remove the limitations from the process and let the simplicity of life

    Guide your path

    Calvin Williams

  • Poetic Flow: Control

    Life’s limitations can only limit what you allow

    You have control over all circumstances

    This I will avow

    The simplicity of life will make you see

    The things most important can be

    Right in front of you

    But you have to stay true

    The vision you have requires additional work, time and effort

    Put the past behind

    Start to remove the limitations from the process and let the simplicity of life

    Guide your path

    Calvin Williams

  • Poetic Flow: Living Life

    bunch of small flowers on a book
    Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com

    The enemy within causes a majority of problems

    Thoughts provoked by fear

    The anger is near

    Constant give and take

    What type of life to make?

    Pulling one way, then the next

    The pendulum of life continues to swing

    What might tomorrow bring?

    Thanks to my Walk into the Future blog readers for a great 2024! I’m looking forward to 2025 being the best blog year yet. Stay tuned for more travel, fun and training articles. Guest bloggers will make a few appearances in 2025 as well! 😊

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! See you in 2025!

    Irie!

  • Key Largo (Repost)

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    “Come to the Florida Keys, where sweating like a tourist is a rite of passage”.

    (#MeltingAway, #KeysLife)

    My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to seek and find new adventures in my life.  The concept is to enjoy life at a relaxed pace but to always move forward.  I need to remember why I created the blog name and make sure I follow through daily.

    Took the relaxed pace concept to heart when looking for my next adventure.  What better place to find relaxation than the Florida Keys. 😊

    I am a native Floridian but never ventured down to the Keys before.  I’ve thought about it a few times but never acted.  My thought process was it was too far to drive but I never put anything into Google maps to see the distance and/or drive time.  Told you I didn’t put much effort into this process. 😊

    Google maps identified the northern Key (Key Largo) was a three-hour drive from my house in Fort Pierce.  Key West was much further but I never had a desire to get that far south.  Decided to focus on Key Largo and plan a trip down around the 4th of July.  I took an extra day of vacation time so I could beat the holiday traffic and be in Key Largo before the fireworks started and people crowded the area.  Mission accomplished on both ideas.

    Didn’t know much about the Keys but wanted to get down to explore and experience something new.  I’m a huge Marriot fan so booked the Courtyard right off US 1.  This location put me right next to a marina with boat tours and several nice restaurants with fresh fish on the menu. This location allowed me to walk to multiple places of interest while in the Keys.

    Made my way over to Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant and Bar on my first day to people watch and get fresh fish.  Walked by the African Queen boat tour area on my way over.  Didn’t know they had boat tours, but this was a popular attraction in Key Largo. 

    The next stop was Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill which was a lively spot with music and great western views.  They had outstanding drink specials and the largest shrimp I have ever seen in my life.  Highly recommend this spot if you love shrimp, great sunset views and cold drinks with a kick. 

    The Caribbean Club was identified as a spot for great live music.  I was the most Caribbean person there and the band was an old school classic rock outfit.  It was still a great little spot because they had outside chairs sitting right next to the water.  The sunset views were better here because of the pawn trees—used them to frame a few of my pictures.  Visited both places two days in a row so they had a very authentic vibe.  Watched 4th of July fireworks from the Caribbean Club and enjoyed every second of the show.

    The Key Largo Princess glass bottom boat was my next adventure in Key Largo.  Saw the boat go out when I first arrived and was curious where it was headed.  It’s a simple tour where the boat heads out to a coral reef and circles so passengers can get a great view of the sea life.  The ship’s crew warned that some folks get motion sickness below deck while they circle.  I didn’t believe them but had to head back upstairs because I started to feel weird.  I was fine once I got back on the top deck and enjoyed the rest of the boat tour in the open air.  We saw tons of fish, sea turtles and nurse sharks on the excursion.  Great way to end my first venture in the Florida Keys.

    Where are you heading this summer?

    Irie!

  • Key Largo

    original_d1574fcd-98ce-40e7-b607-9e844696316c_20240704_202952

    “Come to the Florida Keys, where sweating like a tourist is a rite of passage”.

    (#MeltingAway, #KeysLife)

    My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to seek and find new adventures in my life.  The concept is to enjoy life at a relaxed pace but to always move forward.  I need to remember why I created the blog name and make sure I follow through daily.

    Took the relaxed pace concept to heart when looking for my next adventure.  What better place to find relaxation than the Florida Keys. 😊

    I am a native Floridian but never ventured down to the Keys before.  I’ve thought about it a few times but never acted.  My thought process was it was too far to drive but I never put anything into Google maps to see the distance and/or drive time.  Told you I didn’t put much effort into this process. 😊

    Google maps identified the northern Key (Key Largo) was a three-hour drive from my house in Fort Pierce.  Key West was much further but I never had a desire to get that far south.  Decided to focus on Key Largo and plan a trip down around the 4th of July.  I took an extra day of vacation time so I could beat the holiday traffic and be in Key Largo before the fireworks started and people crowded the area.  Mission accomplished on both ideas.

    Didn’t know much about the Keys but wanted to get down to explore and experience something new.  I’m a huge Marriot fan so booked the Courtyard right off US 1.  This location put me right next to a marina with boat tours and several nice restaurants with fresh fish on the menu. This location allowed me to walk to multiple places of interest while in the Keys.

    Made my way over to Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant and Bar on my first day to people watch and get fresh fish.  Walked by the African Queen boat tour area on my way over.  Didn’t know they had boat tours, but this was a popular attraction in Key Largo. 

    The next stop was Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill which was a lively spot with music and great western views.  They had outstanding drink specials and the largest shrimp I have ever seen in my life.  Highly recommend this spot if you love shrimp, great sunset views and cold drinks with a kick. 

    The Caribbean Club was identified as a spot for great live music.  I was the most Caribbean person there and the band was an old school classic rock outfit.  It was still a great little spot because they had outside chairs sitting right next to the water.  The sunset views were better here because of the pawn trees—used them to frame a few of my pictures.  Visited both places two days in a row so they had a very authentic vibe.  Watched 4th of July fireworks from the Caribbean Club and enjoyed every second of the show.

    The Key Largo Princess glass bottom boat was my next adventure in Key Largo.  Saw the boat go out when I first arrived and was curious where it was headed.  It’s a simple tour where the boat heads out to a coral reef and circles so passengers can get a great view of the sea life.  The ship’s crew warned that some folks get motion sickness below deck while they circle.  I didn’t believe them but had to head back upstairs because I started to feel weird.  I was fine once I got back on the top deck and enjoyed the rest of the boat tour in the open air.  We saw tons of fish, sea turtles and nurse sharks on the excursion.  Great way to end my first venture in the Florida Keys.

    Where are you heading this summer?

    Irie!

  • The Poetry of Life (Repost)

    Poetry of Life

    (Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay) 

    The poetry of life moves me forward

    Towards the things that bring

    The happiness I need

    To fulfill these huge dreams that I dream

    Reaching out to help the next man

    Create and work towards a plan

    That makes the world a better place

    And one that stands to improve your stake in the race

    Let the poetry of life flow

    And discover the glow

    Of the poetic peace of living the life designed for you

  • Five Minute Thursday: Favorite Artist

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    “Music is the soundtrack of your life”.

    (Dick Clarke)

    The Walk into the Future blog is back to give a run to the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt.

    This writing prompt allows me additional flexibility to my writing program.  It provides a level of freedom where I can branch off and leverage a word or concept and then put a good five minutes to make a valid point or something others would want to read.  So here we go with another five-minute prompt.

    My fourth prompt for Five Minute Thursday is:  Favorite Artist.

    The Dick Clarke quote above is simple but is prophetic for me and my favorite artist.

    One word:  Prince!

    I’ve said multiple times that Prince wrote and sang the soundtrack of my life.  Maybe not in my adulthood but my teenage years and twenties resonated with every song that Prince put out.

    Most folks think Purple Rain was the best music Prince put out, but my soundtrack started a lot earlier than this musical masterpiece.  Dirty Mind (1980) and Controversy (1981) were my introduction to the Minneapolis sound and the genius of Prince.  I was fully engaged with his music when he dropped 1999 (1982) on the world.  I was hooked and remember my high school friends and I sharing the album—we would take turns bringing the album home and listening to the rock/funk/r&B sounds coming out of Minneapolis.  It was hard to believe that one man could play every instrument, sing every vocal note to include backup and produce at the level he did.  He introduced the band, The Revolution on the cover of 1999 but he was a one-man band up to this point.  I remember watching Prince on MTV for the Little Red Corvette video—he was very dynamic, musical and had all the dance moves.  The video enhanced his mystic and let us know he was a different kind of dude.

    I was into the music and the sounds of Prince then he dropped the Purple Rain soundtrack and movie in 1984.  It vaulted him into superstardom and then the world discovered my favorite artist.  I was already on the band wagon, so it was funny hearing other folks talk about Prince like he was a brand-new artist—he was not.  He had been building the soundtrack of my young life prior to ‘exploding’ onto the music/movie scene with Purple Rain. 

    My first concert was the Purple Rain tour.  My friend Anthony Simon and I got tickets to see Prince in the Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida.  Convinced my mom to take us and dropped us off so we could experience Prince live.  This was one of my favorite moments from my childhood because the live music was even better than listening to an album.  He performed all our favorite songs, and we sang along just like we were part of The Revolution.

    I saw Prince live 5 times before he passed away in 2016—still a sad day for me but I’m still enjoying the music and reliving my youth every time I crank up the music.

    I visited Paisley Park back in 2018 to walk the same halls as Prince and experience the place he made music later in his life.  This is still one of my favorite Walk into the Future adventures.

    I introduced my niece Jayla to the 1999 album earlier this year.  She started collecting vinyl and I found a local store specializing in classic vinyl.  Jayla’s favorite artist is Michael Jackson but still wanted her to experience the grand sounds of Prince.  She’s listening to the soundtrack of my youth, and I know she is enjoying it!   Go Jayla! 😊

    So, you’ve had time to think.  Who is your favorite artist and why?

    Irie!