Pawsibilities

Bona Fide Pawsibilities

We're Joining iTunes in April!

April 8, 2011

When you start any project you're not really ever quite sure where it will take you and Zooch has certainly been that kind of adventure.

We started out just publishing one illustrated paperback children's book to help kids and parents deal with grief.  Then, we added coloring books to the mix, and along the way we were offered a chance to animate  Zooch's tales.  So, off to the recording studio we went and recorded three complete screenplays with soundtracks.  They became audio books that are so cute and fun (if I do say so myself Cool) that they spawned a different direction with ebooks and now iTunes.

The overall goal is still to animate, but that takes a lot of time and money; right now we're emersed in the "lots of time, looking for money" phase.  It's all good though, because during this time I'm learning so much about the industries, processes, and tasks that will be involved.

But, that's kind of what Zooch is all about: patience, discipline, creativity and fun.  So, I move along taking one step at a time and watch it all unfold as life continues to amaze me.

Stay tuned, as they say, for more news soon!

hxr8rCTz

Tackling Life Head On

January 2011

Starting out a new year is complicated isn't it? We feel the need to set goals, do things differently than the last year, lose weight, get organized, find a lasting relationship, on & on & on...

I feel that I ended 2010 with such great enthusiasm that I'm not sure I want to change anything except keep on the same track and stay focused. 2010 was a year that was filled with friendship, tons of positive activity and growth that it would disturb the trend to set more goals on top of it.

So, with that said, let's tackle the whole reason Zooch the Pooch came about in the first place: understanding and dealing with grief. For children who don't understand loss to begin with, we need to deal with it head on and as it is, not to disguise it as something else.

Over the many years that I sold life insurance, I saw many children who were lost because no one would include them in conversations that were honest about the Uncle Joe who died or the neighbor who suddenly had to move to another state, or why the pet hamster is missing.

Children are just like adults; they want the truth. This isn't like talking about the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus, this is reality and they should be treated just like anyone else in the family and told what death or loss is and how to understand the feelings that arise because of it.

American's have a strange relationship with death. That's putting it mildly; we ignore, disguise, hide, deny our emotions and push them down until we are numb.

Bad idea.

When you suppress emotions they have to come out someday and when they do it isn't always pleasant or pretty and very often disastrous. Get in a support group, let the emotions out with others in a safe environment, so that you effectively deal with the stages of grief...you'll be glad you did. You will then be able to help our child much better and they will also be glad you did.

2011 will be filled with a lot of wonderful happenings and some that require that we take responsibility for the ones that aren't so wonderful and deal with them as mature adults assisting our children. Life is a whole lot easier when you tackle it head first. Try it you might like it!

In th end, it's just one man's opinion, mine.

Keith......

Bona Fide Pawsibilities

September 2010

If Thomas Voeckler Can Do It, So Can You!

by

Keith E. Renninson

Have you ever wondered where motivation comes from? As I have been preparing for a bicycle time trial series coming up in a couple of weeks, I've examined how my motivation fluctuates. Some days I have a lot of energy and am easily motivated, an on others I'm filled with the age-old "What am I doing this for?"

I remember as a child hearing my teachers tell my parents, "Keith is a good student when he wants to be." Today as an adult, I'm a good cyclist, and have the potential to be a good racer "when I want to be". So, why the ebb & flow of motivation?

I think many of us struggle with this problem in many aspects of our lives. Calling up the courage to be disciplined enough to: quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, work hard enough for a promotion, run a 5k or marathon, try skydiving, or simply make good honest choices in life. I wish I had an answer that would eliminate the "struggle" for you; all that I can offer is how I and others temporarily overcome it, push through it and still endeavor to do well.

This is going to sound silly, but one way I conjure up the necessary energy is to make myself an example, being a leader and have to perform because it's expected will make you step up your game. I don't want to be embarrassed, so it's easier to just do my best in front of people. I learned a long time ago that an audience always wants you to succeed, it makes them feel better about themselves. Plus, when I'm done I've once again successfully overcome the negative little voice that says, "What am I doing this for?" The result: I feel better about myself.

When you rise above the problem and place yourself in a position of authority, leadership or command you find a different energy emerges. Here's an example, during the Tour de France each year ace TV commentator Phil Liggett will inevitably mention how the wearing of the yellow jersey of the race leader brings a different energy to that cyclist...they ride harder, perform better and often raise their game to a new level.

A few years ago in the early flat stages of the race a young French cyclist, Thomas Voeckler, picked up enough time in a solo breakaway to take over the yellow jersey for the day. He wasn't particularly polished or pretty to watch because he had a very unique and almost awkward riding style, but that quirk seemed to make him more human. He hadn't worn the jersey before and was so excited. Thomas was so filled with energy that with great courage and effort he managed to keep it for several more days into the tough mountain stages.

The viewing public around the globe fell in love with this young man's positive, never-give-up attitude, each day crossing the finishing line with a big smile, fist pumping in the air as he had managed to keep it once again. He knew he would lose the jersey eventually as his big lead of time was slowly eroded, but he kept pushing, riding above his normal ability, smiling all the way, having a ball and endearing himself to cycling enthusiasts everywhere.

You can do this too. Raise your awareness of your own abilities; you know you can do more or better, and with enthusiasm when you "want to". Find the object of desire within you that elicits a high degree of happiness and passion; focus on it until you succeed and it will make you giggle with joy at the results. Be addicted to happiness in your life and in all things you pursue; the reward will be achievement, happiness and a zest for life you didn't know you had.

In the end, it's one man's opinion, mine.

Keith......

 

 

"How to Encourage Your Child’s Imagination and Dreams"

June 2010

For many adults it’s hard to remember those times long ago when we let our imagination run loose and dream the impossible all day long. For children it’s hard to imagine not doing that.

Sadly, over time we become jaded, don’t allow ourselves to dream and our imagination muscle gets more and more atrophied. As mature adults, we see the folly in most childhood dreams or the results of an overactive imagination. But (and this is a big but!) we shouldn’t forget how to do the exercise, and we should encourage our children to practice dreaming and imagining wonderful things that don’t exist or are just out of reach.

The adult practice of brainstorming is a form of dreaming and imagining.

Many of us learn as we grow to keep our dreaming muscle toned and flexible so we can implement it when we need to be creative. Writing this article is a perfect example.

These thoughts weren’t ready when I sat down to write. I didn’t even have an idea of a topic. My process involves sitting in a popular coffee shop in a bookstore and watching people until something inspires me.

Children get inspired by: a flower, a rock, a butterfly, a piece of paper and a crayon or simply a set of Legos®. The imagination in a child is a channel that’s always on; they don’t have to go to a coffee shop for inspiration, they just turn up the volume and play.

I would encourage you to spend time building that skill in your child. Give them encouragement to talk to you about their dreams; help them to express their imagination in any way that excites them; provide examples through your own activities, and then nurture the little seeds you plant.

As children age and discover that they can dream and imagine skillfully, and that ability will actually make them more attractive to teachers and employers, they will begin to understand the advantage they hold by developing their brainstorming capabilities.

After all there is dreaming and imagination in:

  • Math
  • Science
  • Art
  • Languages
  • Writing
  • Business
  • Accounting
  • Relationships
  • Medicine, and on and on and on!

When you watch your child play, you see them move from dream to dream quickly, effortlessly and playfully. This ability goes away as many of us become entrenched in our daily tasks that require concentration and focus. But, it doesn’t have to if we allow our lighthearted thoughts to rise to the surface as we work…find the fun in your work, find the humor in the seriousness with which we tackle jobs and look for ways to dream about new ways to do what we find boring or tedious.

Life is stressful. It’s not always easy to be playful. It’s an activity that takes practice, the more you do it, the easier it becomes and your stress will ease and you will be happier…which is the goal of life anyway, isn’t it? We all want to be happier, like we were when we were children.

So, I’ve come full circle; children are inherently happy, full of dreams and imagination and we want to return to that state when we get older…we just think we aren’t supposed to because we are “adults”, that’s a bummer dood J!

“How goofy is that?” says Zooch with a wry smile. Pretty smart, puppy eh?

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinion, mine.

Keith......


April 2010

There Is No Such Thing As A Coincidence and You Should Teach Your Children That Concept

by

Keith E. Renninson

That is a huge statement in this day and age. Most people have lost faith in God, or were never introduced to the religious/spiritual world. That’s sad, too, because we have so much to gain from spiritual confidence. Things happen because we get what we focus on. Focus on happiness and that’s what you get. Focus on hatred and violence and that’s what you will get too.

When you have confidence that choosing to act and live in a spiritual manner will bring you a life filled with love and abundance, you plan your life differently. You plan from a position of strength, not from a position of lack or need.

Once children accept this philosophy they begin to see the world as a place of possibilities and adventure instead of one that is based on fear and anxiety.

Of course, parents need to be living this philosophy for their children to accept it. You can’t talk the talk and not walk the walk as the old saying goes. Parents lead by example, that’s a given. Children will follow that example when they see a happy parent, approaching life from a spiritually confident place. Parents will see a new child emerge once this tactic is used, and a new relationship between them will be fostered; it will be one of love, cooperation and understanding.

Parents can start by not watching the news on TV, it’s filled with negativity, and by not allowing your child to watch TV that offers: overtly sexual enuendos, violence, anger, hatred, blood shed, rape, murder and overall negativity. These are powerful forces in children’s minds. If they see you accepting these things into your life as normal they will too. Obviously, that should not be your goal.

Provide a shelter for your children and let them be kids. They grow up way too fast in today’s world as it is, so don’t hasten it through bad so-called entertainment. Shield them from the dark side of life…educate them about it, so they aren’t suprised by it, but don’t let them have a steady daily diet of it.

Have family dinners, family spiritual time and family entertainment that brings good morals, values and virtues to the forefront of their thinking and you will have a well rounded child who will grow up strong of character no matter what life throws at them.

In the end it’s just one man’s opinion, mine.

Keith......

January 2010

"Inspiration Can Start With You"

by

Keith E. Renninson

Don't you find the Biggest Loser contestants inspirational? I can't watch that show without feeling compassion and empathy for those folks. You want to cheer them on at every difficult point and sometimes I do, shouting out loud at my TV (goofy, I know, but then no one sees me either :).

Isn't inspiration a wonderful thing? It gives us a way to find that deep down energy to push through the tough challenges in life and achieve like never before. "If they can do it, I can do it too!"

Who do you use as your inspiration? Is a relative you've always looked up to? Is a neighbor who does a lot in your community? Or someone who has battled an illness and won?

Whoever it is, it's important to have someone you look up to, who represents the things you hold dear to your heart, someone who would be proud of you and your accomplishments if they had the chance to see you in action.

As a child I had many heroes. Like most little boys in the 50's and early 60's I held in high esteem:

  • Actor John Wayne
  • Bodybuilder Charles Atlas
  • Race car driver Mario Andretti
  • Climber Sir Edmund Hillary

Of course, there were the fictional characters too like:

  • Superman
  • the Rifleman
  • the Lone Ranger (my personal favorite)
  • Sky King

Fictional or real, all of those men were strong of mind, character and of body who fought for "truth, justice and the American way". To a little boy that spirit set a benchmark, a foundation if you will, for me later as I went out into the world to make a place for myself.

Children today, whether boy or girl, need to look to those who will inspire them to great heights in their lives. We struggle to find them today, they don't seem to be as plentiful as in years gone by. There's no need to go into the lack of good morals among the famous in today's world, it's obvious in every headline or newscast about the latest celebrity to from grace publicly. But, even with that said "you" can be an inspiration.

What an opportunity for all of us!

My Dad has always been, and still is, a man of great strength and character for me to admire. Be that person for your child or the children in your life.

Let them see you do things that are honorable like: donating time for a charity, assisting at their school, helping the elderly across the street, being honest in small ways like always obeying the speed limit and never lying. Children remember these things, they make an indelible impression in their small minds that they won't forget; I know I didn't.

At the beginning of a new year and new decade I challenge you to become an inspiration to a child in your life. go out of your way to make those small and large impressions whenever you can; you very well could be changing a life for the better.

In the end, it's just one man's opinion, mine.

Keith......

December 2009

Welcome!

It feels so good to once again be writing a “Bona Fide Pawsibilities” Newsletter! I took sometime off from writing this column while I’ve been working on a brand new, next phase of Zooch the Pooch. Since our hero passes away in the original book, the game plan had to be re-thought; just how could Zooch continue? And, as it so often happens in life, a second chance came toddling down the road. An offer was made to figuratively go back in time and produce an animated short film of Zooch as a puppy. That goal is still very viable, it will just take a little longer to accomplish than originally thought.

However, along the way, the idea to turn the recordings of sound & voice tracks into audio books became a very plausible plan. The voice-over and engineering crew knew from the first recording session that we had a very special product. Our cast of outstanding character voices combined with fun, exciting, and touching storylines that we, as adults, enjoyed almost as much as the children who've previewed the audio stories. Those children who have listened to the audio-books kept asking to hear them again and again days later, so we confidently pushed ahead.

Now, with the launching of the new website “Storytime with Zooch” the first two children's audio books are available with a brand new coloring & puzzle book too. Each audio book will have it’s own coloring book as we move along, and the second one is just a few days away, so stay tuned. The third audio book is done and will be available in the next few days.

All of the products canl be downloaded right to your own computer where you can copy it to your MP3 player or to a CD to play for your children in their room or your car.

These new products continue with the original Twinkletopia, LLC mission statement:

"Through literature, art, and oration, we at Twinkletopia, LLC intend to share knowledge and personal experiences to assist, support, and educate others to develop the ability to make good choices and handle the difficult situations presented in life and death."

As we all move through life, lessons are learned and we continue to adapt and grow; this process has proven itself to me over and over with this project. I started this adventure with good friend Mike Kelley, who had written the initial manuscript that gave birth to our book “Zooch the Pooch, My Best Friend”. As time passed, Mike came to the conclusion that he needed leave Twinkletopia to focus on the important items in his life; his job and his growing family.

I will miss working with Mike on a regular basis, but I immensley enjoy what we have built together and wish to follow my passion with the project to see where it goes. I hope you too will find Twinkletopia's new direction and products to your liking, and will feel moved to tell your friends and relatives about our products and mission.

As Zooch always says, "Anything is Pawsible in life." You have to keep your eye on the ball, stay pawsitive and focused on the goal. This applies to children, as well as, adults. As an adult who still plays like a child, I love where life has brought me, and look forward with much enthusiasm to the future.

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinion, mine.

Keith......

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Keith E. Renninson

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