Look On The Bright Side...

Even in more pain today... But I feel even awesomer!! (just made that word up...) Yesterday I walked 3 miles, and tonight I walked 5, while still eating healthy. So it's "go time" as they say. I probably used that out of context, but that's cool.

Life is going awesome. After months of being all-talk, I finally finished the outline for the 3 parts of my novel, which is what I struggled with for so long that caused me to put it off. I'm not so much looking for a publisher as much as I want to self-publish it. I'm not much for how that all works, but the last thing I want to do is sell away the rights to my intellectual property. Plus, there's an animated movie about it down the road. A friend of mine has agreed to help me write the screenplay for it. He's a great voice talent, and I have the perfect part for him if he does take any roles, a demon-possessed man!! I'm so encouraging! I would love to tell you more about the story, but I don't want to spoil it for when it is finished. So stay tuned!

I got two more gig opportunities today! They're both not until the fall, but I'm excited to have my calendar fill up. It's always weird for me to say this, because I can never picture myself in the past referring to the present tense, but I totally feel like a different person than I was even a month ago. A lot of great things are happening, but even in the bad times it's important to stay positive and look on the bright side. Anywho, I think it's time for bed. In the immortal words of Jane Curtain, "Have good night and a pleasant tomorrow..."

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Romans 15:5 - "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had..."

In Pain, But I Feel AWESOME!!

I'm in pain, but I feel AWESOME!!! Not only am I down another pound, but I just returned from my walk, which I originally planned to go three miles, and during the walk I pushed and went an extra two, making it five miles!! There were plenty of puddles on the ground from the rain, and my feet are covered with blisters, but it still feels AWESOME!!!

I also ate healthy again Monday, which I no longer feel much temptation to cheat. After so long it's not so hard, like anything you put your mind too, although I wouldn't take credit for this lifestyle change that seems to be heaven sent. I feel bad for a lot of my family who continue to eat unhealthy, without naming names. Thankfully, they don't follow my blog. I'm hoping when they see that even I can do it, they'll be encouraged to go for it as well.

I made some great progress on my novel today, working on the outline of the story, which actually helped in the plot and helps writers stay focused on each day of writing. I must give credit to reading "The Art of War for Writers", by James Scott Bell as an inspiration to do so.

Remember there is no such thing as a self-made man. Everyone gets to where they are with help from other people. As the old saying goes, "It's not what you know, but who you know..." For me personally in comedy I would have to say, even though he probably has never read my blog that Tim Hawkins actually helped get me going to being a better comic and where I am now. It was him and his brother Todd who manages him who gave me an opening spot for him in large churches, which helped me become a better comic for larger audiences. I also give credit to Jeff Jena (who I think has read at least one of my blogs) for helping me get started in the comedy clubs, where they WON'T laugh unless you're funny. Who's helped you get to where you are today? Have you ever thanked them?

Looking forward to a new day, and accomplishing more on this journey! Thank you all!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones

www.richjonescomedy.com

Hebrews 7:25 - “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

Hoping You Had A Great Easter Sunday!!

“That would be cool if you could eat a good food with a bad food and the good food would cover for the bad food when it got to your stomach. Like you could eat a carrot with an onion ring and they would travel down to your stomach, then they would get there, and the carrot would say, It's cool, he's with me.” - Mitch Hedberg

To everyone out there, I hope you had a wonderful Easter Sunday! I actually went hiking as planned. It was very fun. Even saw a few snakes, which happened to stay near the creek shoreline. Not sure what kind they were, but the picture above might shed some light for all you snake knowledgeable people out there.

I must say, my Mom is awesome! I was having a serious weak moment the other night as I watched her load up Easter baskets for my niece & nephew. The Starburst Jelly Beans looked so good, among other candy. Knowing I was having a serious sugar craving, my Mom happened to have some sugar-free hard candy, which is allowed on the South Beach Diet Phase 1 (which I'm currently doing.) So with that, I managed to avoid making a decision that seemed like a great idea at the time.

Weighed myself last night, and it seemed I lost another pound. Will keep you updated in more detail. My cravings for unhealthy food are mostly gone. Following some great advice, I've been doing a lot of other things, which I love and it's kept my mind off of eating so much. I have a show this Saturday at the Bell Hop Cafe in Bellbrook, OH. Sharing the stage with me will be comedian, Jeff Woodroof, (a very funny individual), and his wife Deanna Woodroof, who will be performing her musical talents. Should be an awesome show!

Hope all is well with everyone... Believe in yourself! God believes in you, and He can't be wrong...

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Luke 19:9 - Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

A Season...

You might notice I switched my Facebook profile pic to my kindergarten school picture. Funny thing about that is in that photo, I only weighed 40 lbs. This would eventually lead my parents to take me to the doctor regarding my weight. Let's just say he was a GOOD doctor!!! Hoping that made you laugh. I've actually done that joke on stage, and gotten great laughs, and in some cases they had to think about it too long which ruined the joke.

It was a RAINY Good Friday to say the least. I was going to do my 3 mile walk, but actually cut short after one mile, because the thunder and lighting was really close, and seemed to get worse as I kept going. I am happy to report though I have lost 5 lbs since Monday!! Thank you to all who have encouraged me!

No really big plans for Easter, which is sort of odd, because I've always done something it seems. I noticed yesterday that Dan "The Beast" Severn, UFC Legend is returning to my area next month. I'm excited about attending the show he'll be apart of. Dan is a really awesome guy, and was gracious enough to do a plug for my comedy the last time I met him. It was an honor to hang out with him after the last show, and hear his insight on life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.

Speaking of which, I've failed to mention this yet, but I made the first round of the World Series of Comedy Competition for Dayton, OH! www.theworldseriesofcomedy.com The competition's finals are actually in Las Vegas. Not sure if I'll make it that far, but it's great for networking, and to potentially get work in comedy clubs. I submitted a video to get picked for the competition, and was fortunate enough to make the top 40 comics for the show at Wiley's Comedy Club. If you're able to make it, I'll be there Wednesday May 4th for the first round performance. It's funny because I only know 3 comedians in the Dayton competition. There's so many entrants from other states coming to perform there.

Still eating healthy. I try not to do it, but I find I get preachy at my family for not eating healthy, when I am eating healthy. Anyone else experience this? Most likely I'll blog tomorrow, but in case some unforeseen reason causes me not to, have a happy Easter!!! God bless!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones

www.richjonescomedy.com

Ecclesiastes 3:4 (To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven) "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,"

Trudging On...

And so it goes, I'm still here. Hoping everyone has a happy Easter Sunday, should I not blog again before then. I called my Mom & gently broke the news to her I didn't want candy in my Easter Basket, which wasn't easy considering she usually puts my favorite in there, Jelly Belly's. Come to find out, she wasn't even going to make me one!!! At least that's what she said. I feel slided. Oh well.

No big plans for Easter. Pretty much just going to church, and possibly hiking depending on the weather. The forecast calls for rain this weekend. If it does rain on Sunday, it would be kind of ironic that it's a reminder of God's greatest wrath (so far) on planet earth would fall on the day celebrating His greatest triumph.

Today I walked 3 miles which felt great! Mixed with a great diet, I'm feeling much better than I was even a month ago. I continue to work on my first novel. I'm finding a lot of great advice from author, James Scott Bell who wrote a book on Plot & Structure. Of course, I seem to have misplaced my book, so I just reserved one from the library, till I find mine.

I think my prayer life is better than ever these days. Of course it could always be better. One challenge I've enjoyed I actually read about years ago from the founder of 5 Minute Walk Records (a Christian Music Label), Frank Tate. "If you spend five minutes a day talking to Jesus like you would a friend, He would become your friend. I know it sounds weird, but I challenge you to give it a try. The next time you're bummed, lonely, scared or frustrated, go for a five-minute walk and talk to Him like you would a friend. Tell Him exactly how you feel and what you're thinking."

Saw some good movies recently that I bought on DVD. The Chronicles of Narnia "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" was really good! Can't wait for the next one! Also, I really enjoyed Tron: Legacy! Thought I wouldn't but pretty much anything Jeff Bridges does I love (except that movie he did with Barbara Streisand.) http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Speaking of movies, I'm also currently working on my first indie film, titled eHahamony. Sounds funny doesn't it? I'm really excited because as of today, I have 6 wonderful comedians who've agreed to be apart of it. If you'd like more information on it, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/richjonescomedy/ehahamony

Also been challenged to get rid of a lot of things lately. It's been a very liberating feeling, and not to get too cliche', but to quote another great movie, Fight Club, "The thing you own, end up owning you..." & "Only after you've lost everything are you free to do anything!"

Gotta love it!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Proverbs 3:7-9 - "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops"

Great Things...

Never thought this journey would be more than just about trying to lose weight. Let me just say that my very walk with God has been tested since I took on this challenge last year. Through broken friendships and the backstabbing world of entertainment, there's so many people that seem to want to see you fail.

I find it ironic the Christian Bookstores have a "Self-Help" Section. Is that even possible? The Bible IS NOT a self-help book, yet many people look at it as one, with the stupid idea that God only helps those who help themselves. How can that be possible? I've even heard Uncle Jesse quote it on the Dukes of Hazzard!! If we could help ourselves then there would be no need for Jesus Christ to have ever died on the cross... period!!

With all that said, I'm finding not so much that I'm trying to be a better person, but I'm submitting my life to let God do it for me. It's amazing how much different those two ideas are. If you're trying to be a better person, it's almost as if you're taking credit for the results. If you submit your life to God, and let Him do it for you, there's a lot less stress, and you eliminate the idea that God loves you because you're a good person. He loves you, but not because you're a good person, because He created you in His own image. My favorite author, C.S. Lewis said it best, "The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."

I'm find a renewed responsibility to fall in God's mercy & grace each day. To forget what other people say, forget their actions & focus on the One who made me with a divine purpose. Vengeance is the Lord's, therefore it's not my place to try and "get back" at someone who may have done me wrong. I don't want to lead anyone astray, for I will one day be held accountable for my actions, as will everyone else.

It's kind of funny because lately, I've been a lot more serious around people, who would expect me to try and make them laugh. Personally, I think it's just where I am spiritually. I'm still working on my first novel, which will be awesome once I finish.

Physically, I'm feeling much better, eating better. I've backed off heavily on eating foods with a lot of sugar. Been drinking Power Aid Zero a lot more lately, which has also been better than overloading on carbonated beverages (I only drink Diet). A lot of great things are happening right now!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Psalm 126:3 - "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Building A Better Me...

While I haven't been as faithful to post these blogs, I would like to assure everyone I'm still alive. The journey continues to build a better me, while still moving forward towards my goal of being healthy & losing weight. A lot of changes have taken place in my life since last year when I began this blog. While some don't always seem to make sense at the time, they have definitely given me a new prospective. Currently working on a few projects. I'm entered in the World Series of Comedy, www.theworldseriesofcomedy.com

Hoping to at least get picked to be apart of the top 40 comics in Dayton, OH. It would be great for networking, and hopefully getting some club work. Also, had a lot of recent shows where I've met a lot of wonderful people. My first Catholic Montessori show went really well. They were very kind to me, as well as the recent Laugh All Night & Dayton Funny Bone shows which were a blast! Currently working on my first Indie Film. For more information on that please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/richjonescomedy/ehahamony

There's a lot of wonderful people in my life right now who are very encouraging! It's amazing how God speaks to you through those relationships. Moving forward I'm being a lot more diligent on this quest. God bless!!

Rich Jones

www.richjonescomedy.com

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."