We had another wonderful, culturally filled date night at Signature Symphony at TCC tonight courtesy of Mark and Margaret Watson. Mark plays the French Horn for the symphony.

This weekend was the season kick-off for the symphony and it was a fun-filled night. With special guest conductor Michael Rossi leading the symphony, Michael along with the Signature Symphony present George Gershwin’s Americana. Michael has made debuts with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony and the Orchestra Sinfonia de Xalapa as well as an international debut conducting the opera Plácido Domingo and the Chinese National Opera Orchestra in Beijing.

The night started off with the Cuban Overture and then led into two Ella Fitzgerald songs Nice Work If You Can Get It and The Man I Love sung by Charlotte, NC Jazz, soul singer Nicci Canada who voice was soulfully gorgeous. She went on to sing Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm, Summertime, He Loves and She Loves and Someone To Watch Over Me.

I was pleasantly surprised when Ron Raines came out to sing. I watched Ron play Alan Spaulding on The Guiding Light for many years and am a huge fan. He was charismatic, funny and had a wonderfully smooth tone in his voice. He sang songs like Foggy Day, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Our Love Is Here To Stay, That Old Black Magic and Someone To Watch Over Me as well as a Cole Porter Medley. Ron has been playing “Daddy Warbucks” on the Broadway revival of Annie.

Tonight was an amazing night and the symphony sounded astounding. I said this in an earlier blog, but we are so lucky to have such culture here in Tulsa. Tulsa is a culturally sound city and it will continue to remain so as long as we get out there and support the arts. This looks to be an amazing season of Signature Symphony at TCC. Go to SignatureSymphony.org to get your tickets for this upcoming 2014-15 season.

Have a peaceful night!

Johnny Bryan Ward

What have we learned about the business aspect of writing a book and then publishing it? The answer to that question is we are still learning, but with each day we find a new adventure, a new lead, a new possibility to push the dream forward just a little more. The main thing we have learned is none of this is possible without you, the reader. Everything we do is genuine, but we try to make sure what we do is relevant, current and something the reader would find interesting.

Tomorrow will mark 6 weeks since we launched the website and the social media for the book. Since then, things have just taken off in ways we had hoped it would, but honestly didn’t expect until much further down the road. Yesterday evening around 5:00pm we reached 15,000 views to the website, with this evening hitting 15,700 viewers; an amazing accomplishment considering this is coming from an unknown author, whose book is due out in the next month or so.

How did we do this? Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and what you are doing is the first thing. The second is having people around you who know how to fill in the gaps for you in which you have yet to learn and then researching everything you can on every aspect of the business. I also would have to say not being afraid to take a risk, not letting an application like Pinterest, Twitter or any other stop you from going out and working on it until you have it figured out. A lot of this, actually the bulk of it, is trial and error.

The next thing is building hype about your project. This shouldn’t be too hard to do if you believe in it yourself. When you have committed to something, put your heart and soul into it, then it shouldn’t be hard for you to actively talk about it. By actively, I mean every day. You have to be present in social media, putting something out every day, talking about yourself, your life, your project. You have to not be afraid to let people in but you do have to grow a thick skin because not everyone will believe in you and your work the way you do.

The first time someone said something negative about my book I was inwardly crushed. The first thing that went through my mind is you don’t get me. But that was pride and ego. Not everyone has to get you and not everyone has to get your work. It would be nice if they did, but reality is a mean bitch sometimes. But stay strong and keep moving forward. If you believe you are putting out something meaningful to you, then eventually others will also see it. Not everyone, but that is ok.

This is one of the exciting things about writing, whether it is literary work, screenplays, self-help or even blogging. You have genres in which you can choose to write and you can switch in and out of those genres as the story ideas come and go in your mind. If you are like me, you have two or three ideas for a book each day. Time and reality doesn’t let me write like that, but keep a journal of those ideas so they are not lost.

So get your laptop out, turn your desktop on or put pen to paper. It doesn’t matter, just get to writing. Learn your social media apps because they will be your best friend when it comes to getting the news out about your published book. Never give up hope and never let a story stop you in your tracks. If it isn’t working, set it aside and move on to something else. You never know, two years from now that story may spark something within and you can pick it back up and start where you left off.

This is the fun part of writing; the creative process. But creativity doesn’t have to stop with the writing process. Channel that creativity into your social media campaign. Put yourself out there. If you want to build a business in writing you have to not be afraid to be vulnerable. I don’t say this lightly either; it still crushed me when I had someone unlike my Facebook author page. But again, it is a lesson in growing a thick skin.

Have fun, be creative and let you inner voice shine!

Have a peaceful Friday night!

Johnny Bryan Ward

I was so moved and so proud of this young man's video, speaking out on behalf of a boy who had just come out to his parents, and as you saw in the video did not turn out well for the boy. All too often this happens and it is such a shame. I am a happily married gay man, who is in love and would not change a thing about who I am or the path I was put on. I do not believe that being gay is a choice, it is all I have ever known. 

The latest study by the Williams Institute showed that 19.3% of youth in out-of-home child welfare placement (foster care and residential care) identify as LGBTQ youth who are twice as likely to be mistreated in a foster home and twice as likely to like in a group home as opposed to a family foster home. 

This is unacceptable and quite frankly alarming. I was a lucky man who grew up in a loving family and this same family stood by me and loved me for the man they knew me to be, not by my sexual orientation. Just as I did not hold their sexual orientation against them. To choose violence and throwing your child out like garbage because they tell you who they truly are, who they are in their heart and soul, well to me the parents are the garbage and shame on them. 

As a young kid growing up in a rural town in Oklahoma, I carried this knowledge with me that I was gay, that I was different and yes, I had the fear of what would happen if people found out. I had my fair share of people calling me gay, queer, fag and such growing up, but it made me stronger; I didn't realize it at the time because it felt like my life was ending but in hind sight, it was a huge growing phase for me. I learned to be strong. 

Not everyone has that opportunity and for various different reasons. So please, educate yourselves, your family, friends and neighbors. Don't continue this string of hate, ignorance and inhuman actions. Show compassion, empathy and reach out to all of those in need of support. Gay isn't contagious, but compassion can be, kindness can be. I love the saying "be the change you want to see in the world."

Go out and change the world.

You can read up and follow the very couragous man, Chris Thompson, in the video SupDaily06 on YouTube, SupDailyCrew on Facebook and @SupDaily06 on Twitter.

Have a peaceful night!

Johnny Bryan Ward

@SupDaily06 #LGBTQ #PFLAG #FosterCare #Disproportionality #homophobia #equality

Today kicked off the National Suicide Prevention Week, with September 10, 2014 being World Suicide Prevention Day. I cannot think of a better week for us to began a dialog about mental health and depression. So many people are affected by this each and every day and it seems like such a waste for us to not acknowledge and talk about what we can do to help shed light in hope of helping to prevent another suicide from happening.

Suicidology.org shared the following warning signs:

International Association for Suicide Prevention posted on its website that 800,000 people die each year from suicide, which equates to around 1 suicide every 40 seconds. IASP also posted on it's website:

Please educate yourself, know the signs and don't be afraid to reach out to loved ones, friends or a stranger and let them know that things can get better. Know the hotline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Step up and do what you can. You can find resources available by visiting www.iasp.info or www.sudicidology.org.
#NSPW #MentalHealth @AASuicidology @IASPinfo #suicide

Clay and I spent date night last night soaking in some culture with dining and dancing. But we left the dancing to the professionals. The Tulsa Ballet's TBII kicked off the internationally-acclaimed ballet company's 2014-15 season off brilliantly with TBII: On Your Radar, three very different ballets. 

The first was Napoli, choreographed by August Bournonville, which had a fun, yet historical feel for the Italian themed story. The dancing was spot on and amazing to watch. The dancers had a way of drawing you in and the costumes were gorgeous.

The second was Fourth Wall, choreographed by Norbert De La Cruz III, and this one was just spectacular to witness. It was unlike any of the ballets I have witnessed thus far in our 8 years as season ticket holders with Tulsa Ballet, but I was very excited to see this contemporary, fun and intelligent ballet spring to life in front of us. When the curtain lifted and you saw chairs stacked up on one another, I instantly knew this was going to be something interesting. 

To me it was a look into the life of a dancer/performer where for the most part you see very poised dancers in gorgeous costumes giving you their rendition of a classical ballet. But it had a mixture of fun, spirited and witty satire to it that made you remember that these dancers are human beings first, giving you a performance meant to entertain you. After hearing the question and answer session afterwards hosted by Alfonso Martin, with the guests being able to ask questions of choreographers Ma Cong and Norbert De La Cruz III, that you got the true sense of what Mr. De La Cruz was thinking when he created this ballet. 

De La Cruz, a graduate of Juilliard School of Dance, had created this as his solo for the school. It was here in Tulsa, that he added the second act which had people on the edge of their seats. He explained that he struggled with extreme stage fright and for him the Fourth Wall could be anything to anyone, a way of protecting oneself and still be the artist you were created to be. Bravo! 

The third ballet In Formation, choreographed by Tulsa Ballet veteran Ma Cong, held true to form for this brilliant dancer and Tulsa Ballet resident choreographer. It was beautiful, intense and driven by the haunting music which fueled the ballet. I can honestly say I have never been to a ballet created by Ma Cong that I didn't fall in love with. He is a genius, contemporary, but still true to the art of ballet. A must see.

This season looks as if Tulsa Ballet is going to be yet another wonderful, amazing and ground breaking season. Even thought TBII is a Pre-Professional Ensemble created by the Tulsa Ballet, they have filled it with some amazing dancers who are under the direction of Tulsa's very own Alfonso Martin, who along with Ma Cong, retired from the Tulsa Ballet after the 2012-13 season. 

Tulsa is very lucky to have such remarkable culture thriving in our city and if you have not bought your tickets for this show, TBII: On Your Radar, or any of the upcoming season of Tulsa Ballet, you had better get on it. This is a world class ballet company and one not to be missed. 

You can visit TulsaBallet.org for more information. 

#tulsaballet #onyourradar 

The most beautiful woman I know is turning 65-years-young today and I would not miss this opportunity to write about her. This beautiful woman I am referring to is my mother, Colene. She is one of my biggest fans, an amazing, loving mother, nana (soon to be great-nana), wife, sister, aunt, daughter and friend. She is my “Every Woman” and definitely deserves all the happiness this day and every day brings.

I can honestly say I have never known a day in my life where I didn’t feel loved. This lady, even when she is mad at you would love you so deeply that you never felt unloved. She has known her days of hardship, triumph, failure, loss and wins and to my knowledge she has taken it all in stride, showing humility and getting back up and trying again. As I am typing this, I realize now where I get this trait of persistence even in the face of possible failure from my mother.

Earlier in the week you heard my story about my grandmother, Louise Ward, and I had mentioned the “ladies” in my life that have shown me how to love, cook and strive to be a good human being. My mother is on the top of that list. She comes by it honestly, because the third lady on that list is my other grandmother, Emma Crum, my mother’s mom. When I think about my past, my childhood and these women who have shaped and formed my opinions and outlook on life, the thought which comes to mind is these ladies are/were the epitome of love. I don’t think about the items they bought me, I remember the love they have shown me and continue to show me.

When I look back on my journey in life, especially coming out and getting married to Clay Finck-Ward, I had apprehension that these ladies in my life might turn their backs on me, but I can honestly say, shame on me. Never in my life have they ever shown me in any indication that would happen. Love, love, love is what I have been shown. They held true to those words and continue to love Clay, me and our family we have together. I am a blessed man in so many wonderful and amazing ways.

So today, I honor you mom. I honor you for being who you are, for loving unconditionally, for being brave, strong, stoic and for staying true to who you are at all times. You are my hero, my role model and if I can be a small fraction of the human being you are then I am doing good. We love you with all our heart and soul and I speak on behalf of me, Clay, Nataya, Nathan, Lupe, Steven and our unborn grandchild. We hope you have the most amazing and special day.

Your son,

Johnny Bryan Ward

We have been eagerly awaiting this holiday weekend. I know many of you have. What is different for us this holiday weekend, as opposed to our regular weekends is WE ARE GOING OFF THE GRID! Yes you read that correctly, we are going rogue. Well not really, but we are going to be without wireless and internet service the entire weekend. If we want to have those “luxuries” we will have to drive 16 miles into the nearest city.

We are going camping (yes tent and all) in Missouri and I am actually on the road now as I type this. It is a beautiful place and I hope to get some pictures to share with you all, but no promises. I plan on getting some much needed relaxation, take in some reading, maybe some writing and lots of fun with some friends meeting us there, and also making some new friends along the way. Life is such an adventure and if you aren’t living it to the fullest, then get up and do something about it today. Make the most of your day!

When we return to the technology world, we plan on diving head first into the book launch plans. I also have a series of blogs I have been developing which I hope you all will find interesting and entertaining. I guess the journalist in me is wanting to come out and play. It has been way to long.

I plan on bringing you some of our favorite cultural events and activities in Tulsa area and also from the Northern Cherokee Pow Wow next month in Clinton, Missouri. I want to tell you about mine and Clay’s lunch with the Prince of India, Manvendra Singh Gohil, which turned into almost 8 hours of talking non-stop and lots of laughs as we learned more about him and he about us. He is an amazing man and I look forward to telling you more about his amazing causes and our interesting conversation about the full moon and how India uses the lunar calendar year (you know that is right up my alley, as the books are full moon related).

I am also excited to bring you blogs highlighting some of my favorite organizations from my “Causes” page on the website. They are near and dear to me and I will do what I can to fight to make sure these organization get the attention and respect they deserve for their efforts towards making awareness forefront and making the world a better place for all. Please go to the “Causes” page to read up on these spectacular organizations. The blogs will be covering LGBTQ issues, Bullying and Mental Health awareness, just to get us started.

I also want to let you in on my adventures and fumbles in writing. It has been a very interesting and exciting time for me to take up living my dream of writing. Remember, right now it is all on the side, but the goal is full-time. So join me on this adventure and watch me follow my dreams! I also will be bringing some highlights of trips, family and the upcoming grandchild. Yes, you read it correctly. We are going to be grandfathers, or GBoo as we like to refer to it.

Have a peace night and a wonderful Holiday weekend!

Johnny Bryan Ward

I wanted to take this time to wish one of the most wonderful, amazing and influential women in my life a very Happy Birthday. My grandmother, Louise Ward, turned 86-years-old today. She is a remarkable mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and human being.

Some of the best qualities I have in my own personality I owe to her. She is generous, loving, kind, always has food to feed an army of people, including anyone who just might happen to drop by at a moments notice. For any of you who have had my cooking and baking, well, she is one of the three reasons I can cook. My mother is an amazing cook and my grandmother, Emma, who is no longer with us was also an outstanding cook. But all three of these women taught me love, which is the best gift any of them could have given me.

Not one day did I go through life not feeling loved. Even on my darkest days, I knew these women loved me. They wanted the best for me and even tonight, my grandmother made the comment that she hoped my book would do so well that I could quit my job and write full time. She knows how much this means to me and how long I have wanted this. 

She has been married to my grandfather for 69 years and they are still as in love with each other. To see them now, they still laugh together, cry together and share in each others joys together. They have shown us (their children and grandchildren) what true love is and how when you want something you have to put hard work and put effort into it, because it doesn't come free. This philosophy goes for your marriage as well. 

So I just want to take this time to honor my grandmother for all of the many blessings she has bestowed upon me and my family. I just hope that I have given her as much joy as she has given me. I look forward to sharing many more birthday posts about her with you in the coming future. I love you Granny so very much and am thankful daily to have been blessed with such a loving grandmother. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.

Have a peaceful night!

Johnny Bryan Ward

I am so moved by all of the Ice Bucket Challenges I see going viral on Facebook and I applaud you all for your involvement in moving forward the education of this horrible disease. You are hearing about this disease more and more and there is still not enough strides being made in research and education mainly due to funding. That is why this movement has been instrumental in capturing the nations attention and hopefully the world. The ALS.org Foundation estimates that as of today Ice Bucket Donations have reached $70.2 million. What an amazing testament to the caring nature of our nation.

I have an aunt who died from Lou Gehrig's Disease and her battle was not unlike the ones you hear being told all over the internet. Every family must feel some of the same feelings; how could this strike one of our own, someone we loved dearly and at a time when little was known about it. She slowly went from our beloved Aunt Peggy, to someone who was unable to care for herself and eventually breath on her own. 

We just cannot let this continue to happen to more humans. As a race we have to stand up and find a way to eradicate this. As with all movements, you have your protesters against the education, such as the Catholic Church speaking out against the donations going towards the forms of testing needed involving stem cell research which goes against their stance on abortion.

There are even states warning against the Ice Bucket Challenge due to severe droughts in those affected states. An argument can be made for both of the above scenarios, but what do you say to the person who has just found out they have ALS? Do you tell them their life isn't important enough, not profitable enough, too controversial to fight for a cure to save their life? I for one will not tell them that. I have watched this horrific disease rip the life from one of our family members and the devastation left after she was gone. I will take the challenge and I will donate the money. 

As a nation we have spent billions upon billions of tax payer's money on issues that had nothing to do with us. Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't stand up and fight for the people you love or the people who need your voice. Everyone's life is precious and it should not be left up to religious leaders or federal governments to dictate if we will work towards finding a cure for these rare and deadly diseases. Stand up with the rest of America and let you voices (and screams from the ice cold water) be heard around the world.

Have a Peaceful Night!

Johnny Bryan Ward

I have found myself struggling with burn out. Not from writing, which seems to be the saving grace in my work plan, short and long term. I have set goals for myself involving my current full time job and am working to make sure those goals don't move into the background. 

My current job is a stressful one, which has little thanks for little pay. I adore the people I work with, but find myself just not really feeling any passion towards it. I am a person who wants to give 100% at whatever I am doing, but I am struggling. I am having to dig deep to find renewed meaning in it. 

I have set a time frame for myself, a realistic one, for my writing career to take over full time, but in the meantime I have to make my current job work and for me to do that, I have to have a purpose and meaning for it. I do go in and fight the good fight, to be the unsung hero for the children of Oklahoma and quite frankly, when I am feeling down about it, I think about all the good I do for the children of Oklahoma and for the household they live in. 

Yes, it is a thankless job, but it is one that is meaningful and it you are in it for the thanks, then you will be waiting for quite sometime. You are more likely to get a "go to hell" before you get a thank you. That is just fine. I do what I do because I know the good I am doing. But it isn't my dream job and it isn't where my interest lie. 

So what do you do when you are struggling with burnout? How do you find it in yourself to dig deep and find your own motivation?

Please comment back because I would really love to hear from you.

Have a peaceful night!

Johnny Bryan Ward