Dear Mom, Sweet Elaine

Written by Tom on December 5, 2011

What would I do if we had five more minutes together?

Part of me feels as though I would want to hold you and comfort you, but perhaps that would simply be returning to our final years together, when you were slipping away and all I could do, in my helplessness, was to keep you as comfortable and as carefree as I knew how.

But I think the truer desire, if I had five more minutes in your presence, would be for you to comfort me.

Tell me that you are okay–no, tell me more than that.

Tell me that you are experiencing a peace and joy unknown to humankind, that you now understand the entire structure and meaning of existence and that it is beautiful beyond understanding.

Tell me that there is a loving God, that you are blissfully happy and that someday, I will understand all of this, as well, and that everybody that I have ever loved will understand it, too.

Give me five more minutes of what you spent a lifetime giving to me: a sense of safety and a sense of purpose. And an unflagging belief that I was loved completely and without condition.

You were and are and will forever be a blessing to me, Dear Elaine, Sweet Mama.

May my gratitude ring throughout time, to the farthest edges of the cosmos.

I love you, Dear One. Now and always.

More stories from: Featured Story,With My Mom

Give Me Just Five Minutes

Written by Braiden on November 10, 2011

 One of the main premises of the Five More Minutes With website is submissions from readers.

So I think the writer’s exercise below, originally published last year, bears repeating.

Please feel free to send me your stories for possible publication!

Family friend Mabel Milson and me on the swing set at my childhood home. 

Many of you have told me what a wonderful idea you think Five More Minutes With is, but you are shy about writing for the site because you’re not a professional writer, or because you simply don’t have the time.

Today I’m asking for just five minutes of your day to complete a simple writing exercise. Writing exercises are a trick that professional writers use if they’re feeling stuck on a project or idea. By forcing yourself to write about a topic, it often starts the creative juices churning and leads directly into writing “flow,” one of the greatest feelings known to man.

Begin this five-minute writing exercise by finding a comfortable spot to write and getting out your yellow legal pad, iPad, or computer. At the top of your preferred writing device, write the following question: What would you say to a departed loved one, or a person or pet no longer in your life, if you had five more minutes to spend with them?

Next, set your kitchen timer or cellular phone alarm for five minutes from now.

Now ready, set, go. . .read over the question and start writing. . .

Write off the cuff and straight from your heart, and don’t be critical or try to self-edit. . .this should be like a conversation between you and the person or pet you’re writing to.

Let your subconscious work its magic. There’s just something very conducive about being under the gun and knowing you have just five minutes to write a piece that eggs on the mind, helping you to write quickly and well.

If your thoughts are flowing, set the timer for another two or three minutes and continue writing.

Now take a minute or two and reread what you’ve written. I hope you will be surprised and pleased with what you came up with, and more than likely you’ve produced a story ready for publication on the Five More Minutes With Web site.

If you’re comfortable, please follow the link above and post your story, or send it directly to me at [email protected].

I’d also love a photo of your loved one, if available, so please feel free to post or send one or two of those along as well.

In upcoming posts, I’ll share other writing tips on how to get into “flow,” so please stay tuned.

In addition to timed writing exercises, some writers respond well to visual or auditory cues. For example, quite often before I start writing FMMW posts, I turn on two OXO Candelas (smokeless, fireless “candles”) and place them on either side of my writing desk, as their warm glow simultaneously sends me into a place of calm and inspires me to think deep thoughts.

Other writers may be inspired by music. If you’re one of those, here’s the link to a Frank Sinatra tune that goes particularly well with the Five More Minutes zeitgeist.

Here’s what I said about that song in a previous post:

“After I received a recent Five More Minutes With Google alert, I followed an interesting-sounding link and discovered a recording of a“Frank Sinatra – Five Minutes More 78 rpm 1946 factory sample” that is simply incredible, the PERFECT song to match this site.

“The first 40 seconds or so aren’t nearly as compelling or to the point as the final two minutes, but the entire thing is a nostalgic romp through simpler times and softer days.

“The words go something like this:

“Give me five minutes more, only five minutes more,

“Let me stay, let me stay, in your arms.

“Here am I, begging for, only five minutes more,

“Only five more minutes of your charms. . .

“Give me five minutes more, only five minutes more.

“Let me stay, let me stay, in your arms.

“Awww, come on!”

Today I’m begging for just five minutes of your time in order to produce a story for Five More Minutes With. . .

More stories from: Featured Story,With All My Loved Ones

Living Life as a Daymaker

Written by Braiden Rex-Johnson on November 7, 2011

Five More MInutes With Clouds

Part of the inspiration for Five More Minutes With is that we should live each day as if it were our last, for none of us really knows how much time we may have left.

With that principal in mind, I’d like to introduce you to a little book that changed my life in all sorts of positive ways when I first picked it up shortly after it was published back in 2003.

I spotted the book as I was window-shopping my way along Seattle’s First Avenue in Seattle toward Pioneer Square, one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. In the window of a large Aveda salon and spa, I spied a cute little square-format book whose robin’s-egg blue cover boasted the face of a handsome 30-something man with kind eyes, gorgeous wavy hair, and a toothy smile.

The book was entitled, “Life as a Daymaker: How to Change the World By Making Someone’s Day.”

For some reason, although I’d never set foot in that particular salon before, I went in and began perusing the book, which was written by David Wagner, a world-renowned hair sylist (founder of the Aveda spas), artist, entrepreneur, educator, author, and “Daymaker.”

I quickly discovered that the principal behind the book–make someone else’s day and you’ll make your own–was one I’d been trying to incorporate into my life for years. I don’t know where I picked it up, but probably from my mother.

Mom, Grandmother, and Braiden Rex-Johnson

Mom, Grandmother, and me

With her sweet Georgia accent and natural beauty, that was one southern belle who never met a person she didn’t like or couldn’t charm. And her life motto was, “Live each day gloriously.”

Wagner’s book poses the simple, yet intriguing question: “Why have random acts of kindness when you can have intentional acts of goodwill?”

Since its publication, the book has sparked the  pay-it-forward“Daymaking” movement–a philosophy for living that has captured the hearts of many individuals who aim to change the world–one person at a time–through simple kindness.

In upcoming posts, we’ll explore ways to incorporate “daymaking” into your own life.

But in the meantime, ask yourself: How can I make someone’s day and, thereby, change my own?

More stories from: Featured Story,With My Grandmother,With My Mom

God Stories

Written by Braiden on January 18, 2011

I am long overdue in bringing to the attention of the Five More Minutes With audience God Stories, a Web site and book written by former CNN investigative reporter Jennifer Skiff.

In one of those “chance” encounters in life that seem to be pre-ordained by the powers that be above, I first heard about Jennifer last October when I was having lunch as part of my other life as a food-and-wine writer. I was at a culinary conference composed of high-powered women in the food, beverage, and hospitality fields, and ran into a buddy of mine I’d first met at the Greenbrier Food Writers Symposium years ago and had lost touch with in the meantime.

As we caught up on our lives during the ensuing years, I told Carolyn about Five More Minutes With.

Carolyn got a surprised look on her face. “I need to tell you about a friend of mine, Jennifer Skiff,” she exclaimed.

She scribbled down Jennifer’s Web-site URL and e-mail address. Once back in my hotel room, I went to the God Stories site and immediately fell in love with it.

Not to mention her book–“God Stories”–a collection of inspiring first-person accounts of miracle-like encounters with God.

Jennifer’s second book is sure to touch the hearts of all animal lovers. “The Divinity of Dogs: A Collection of Spiritually Enlightening Canine Interventions,” will be published soon.

As inspiration, here’s a short video featuring Jennifer’s own dog.

More stories from: Featured Story,With My Dog

Leaving a Mark

Written by Braiden on September 9, 2010

The Eurodam’s trail in the ocean

During our summer trip to Scandinavia and Russia, we enjoyed three days at sea, when there really wasn’t much to do other than relax and enjoy each other’s company. A novel idea!

While walking around the various decks of the ship, trying to familiarize ourselves with all its offerings, I noticed the trails of water the boat left behind. . .the beautiful patterns and colors the trails formed.

Do you think about the legacy you will leave once you are gone? Will your time here on earth be as ephemeral as waves on the water or will your presence and actions have a more powerful meaning?

More stories from: Editor's Notes

Give Me Just Five Minutes: Writers’ Tips Continued

Written by Braiden on August 5, 2010

Something as simple as lighting a candle or listening to a particular piece of music can help a writer enter the state of writing “flow”

In my previous post, I described a timed exercise–writing about a topic for a specified period of time–which somehow causes the brain to react quickly and well. I also promised I’d share additional tricks writers use to get in “flow,” that elusive but wonderful feeling when the thoughts and words are flowing, almost as if from a higher intelligence or being.

So while some writers respond well to time constraints (think of reporters who can only write when they are on a deadline), some writers react well to visual or auditory cues.

For example, quite often before I start writing FMMW stories, I turn down the lights and ignite two OXO Candela Glow rechargeable lights (smokeless, fireless “candles”) and place them on either side of my writing desk. The candles’ warm, ivory-colored glow simultaneously sends me into a place of calm and inspires me to think deep thoughts.

Other writers may be inspired by music. If you’re one of those, here’s the link to a Frank Sinatra tune that goes particularly well with the Five More Minutes With zeitgeist: “Frank Sinatra – Five Minutes More 78 rpm 1946 factory sample”

Even scents can trigger memories. Sometimes when I buy Star-Gazer Lilies, their heavy, musky scent reminds me of funerals I’ve attended. That scent sends me into thoughts of those I have loved who are now departed.

So whatever trick(s) you use to enter the state of flow, I’ll hope you’ll use it/them today, be inspired to write a story for FiveMoreMinutesWith.com, then share it with our FMMW community.

More stories from: Featured Story,With All My Loved Ones

Majestic Mt. Rainier

Written by Braiden on July 26, 2010

On the way to the Sea-Tac Airport to catch the plane for our recent summer vacation, as we drove along Interstate 5 in an Orange cab with a friendly, turban-clad Indian driver, we noticed how resplendent Mt. Rainier was that particular Saturday afternoon.

Inspiring Mt. Rainier

Although the cabbie undoubtedly thought we were crazy, I whipped out my trusty Leica D-Lux and attempted to snap a usable photo from within the confines of the vehicle.

Spencer grabbed the camera from me as the driver switched lanes and the mountain was in better view from his side.

And while not perfect, here’s the shot we came up with. . .an inspiring shot of “the mountain” when she was gloriously “out.”

Do you take time each day to appreciate the free and glorious things that Mother Nature has to offer us?

More stories from: Editor's Notes

Sunrise, Sunset Continued

Written by Braiden on July 22, 2010

My previous Editor’s Note showed sunrise shots taken from my airplane window en route from Seattle to London during our recent summer vacation to Scandinavia and Russia.

Sunset from the Eurodam

So today I offer up the obverse of sunrises. . .several sunset shots taken during a sunset dinner at Tamarind restaurant aboard our cruise ship, the m.s. Eurodam.

Sunset from the Eurodam

I love the way the sun sneaks behind the clouds on the horizon and turns a warm pink.

Sunset from the Eurodam

Then falls completely away as the sky bleeds to purple.

Have you enjoyed a sunset lately?


More stories from: Editor's Notes

Sunrise, Sunset

Written by Braiden on July 20, 2010

During our summer vacation, I most enjoyed taking shots of the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that presented themselves along the way.

Delighted to share some of those special sunrise views with you today (taken from the airplane window!) and in coming posts.

Sunrise from the plane going from Seattle to London

Fluffy, cotton ball-like clouds shot from the airplane window going from Seattle to London

Hammerhead clouds taken from the airplane window en route from Seattle to London

Have you taken a moment to look up into the sky today for inspiration and sustenance?

More stories from: Editor's Notes

The Birds

Written by Braiden on July 12, 2010

The Birds Photo

I love to shoot photos of unexpected subjects. And nothing was less expected than the site I witnessed while walking along Elliott Avenue North just outside of downtown Seattle.

When I looked up, I spotted this coven of birds converging on the telephone wires. I wondered aloud to Spencer why they chose that particular patch of wire. . .why not another area to perch?

But we must remember that birds flock together. . .there is more power in them as a group than individually.

We humans might take a lesson from the birds. . .we are not alone, there is power in numbers, we are a community of like-minded birds, er. . .people!

More stories from: Editor's Notes
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