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Junkyard Wisdom Book

Junkyard Management, Junkyard Wisdom Book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

ChatGPT

Have you used ChatGPT yet? It’s an amazing tool. Here is a quick example.

I asked “What is junkyard wisdom™?”

Now keep in mind the phrase didn’t exist until about 2009. And it’s been exclusively used by me (I hold the trademark) or reviewers of my work. It took me a few years just to figure it out myself.

ChatGPT’s answer came in ten seconds and was shockingly accurate:

Junkyard wisdom refers to insights and practical knowledge gained from experiences in difficult or challenging situations, often those found in everyday life. The term “junkyard” suggests a place of discarded or …

Junkyard Wisdom Book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

Want a Free Chapter of my New Book?

My new book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, will be released June 2nd! The publisher has generously agreed to release one chapter early, and it’s completely free.

Well, almost completely. I need your email address, but that’s all. Enter it below and you’ll be redirected to a page with the free chapter! And it’s one of my favorite chapters, so I hope you enjoy it. It’s a PDF so you can download it if you wish. Please do remember it’s copyrighted, of course.

Obviously we hope this freebie entices you to buy the book. But if not, well, okay I …

Generosity, Junkyard Wisdom Book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

Another Podcast?

Do we really need another podcast? Yes, yes we do. I’ll explain.

Junkyard Wisdom was released in 2016 just as the world was turned upside down by the surprising election results. What I’ve found in the five years since is that writing — books, blogs, articles, etc. — can quickly become out of touch with the changing world.

Some things stand the test of time, and I like to think most of my writing is still highly relevant. But that doesn’t mean its value is as evident as it might have seemed when it was written. Language changes, as do …

Junkyard Wisdom Book, Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt, So you think you're a writer?,

Coming Soon!

Great news! I’ve signed a contract to write Junkyard Wisdom Rebuilt for release in 2022! I’ve been working on this book for some time now, and it’s exciting to see it come together.

Books capture a moment in time, and my first book Junkyard Wisdom came out just as dramatic change was beginning in the world. Over the last few years we have witnessed many world changing events, including a tumultuous Presidency (no matter your take on Trump, you have to admit it was different!), hurricanes in Belize, a coup in Myanmar, another coup in Thailand, and of course Covid-19. …

Junkyard Wisdom Book, Random Thoughts,

Pigeons, Easter, and Hope

Pigeon Monday!

For years I’ve wanted the Monday after Palm Sunday to be called Pigeon Monday in honor of Jesus flipping tables in the Temple. Yes, I know it’s silly, and I realize Hallmark isn’t ready to jump on the bandwagon. But the story has always made me smile because Jesus clearly had it in for the traders who specialized in pigeons.

On the Monday after what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus entered the Temple grounds and unleashed some fury. It was always one of my favorite Bible stories when I was a kid. The vision of the Messiah …

Junkyard Wisdom Book, Philanthropy,

Awaiting Hunger

St. Augustine wrote, “Christ is the bread, awaiting hunger.” This was in the context of communion, but like a good junkyard project I want to tear it apart and put it back together in a different context.

The quote reminded me of something from my first book. There was a season in my life when things were going exceedingly well. Everything was clicking. It was like I had no worries at all. No “buts” here, it really was just a great season in life.

As I was driving one day and thinking on this — somewhat smugly I suppose …

Junkyard Management, Junkyard Wisdom Book, Leadership,

What’s Wisdom Got To Do With It?

Apologies to Tina Turner for hijacking her song title and making it worse, but the question of the day is why junkyard … wisdom?

Everybody understands the junkyard piece, at least they do when they read my bio. I grew up working Saturdays and summers in our family’s wrecking yard – aka junkyard – and it shaped my perspective on the world. I see life through the prism of a family business that bought junk and sold parts.

But how does wisdom fit into this perspective?

Wisdom is elusive to define. It is many layered, showing up in …

Junkyard Wisdom Book, Philanthropy,

The Soul of Money

This post was something I wrote years ago for my friend Mark Scandrette when he was exploring what the soul of money might be (long before a book of the same name by a different author was released). I’d somehow lost this article and was surprised to come across it again! It struck me as important because it foreshadows so many of the themes of this blog, my writing, and my Junkyard Wisdom Belize trips. It’s not exactly what I would write today but it still touches the core of my heart and passions. So it felt right to post …