While having brunch with a new friend today, I related my journey over the past decade and how the wonderful, guiding energy we generally pay no attention to, had brought me many life altering events. Indeed, the past 10-15 years have personally been ones of enormous change; sometimes invited and sometimes not.

Recently, the first glorious day of spring came and went, we had a tiny sliver of a new moon a few days ago, the snow has been replaced by green grass and showers, and Im writing a new article today. Life continues to move and amaze, no matter how small the occurrence.

I have always said the one and only constant in life is the presence of change. Im beginning to think I should amend that statement to include "the constant flow of energy for creativity". Although Ive never heard it said as a fact, I would imagine that mankind couldnt exist without creativity, besides, it would be really boring, wouldn't it?

Even people whom many would consider as negative have to be creative in their negativity. Can you think of someone or a group of people that arent creative? Criminals are always illegal, but often wonderfully creative. My Dad always laments that its too bad they dont put their creativity to good use, but to a criminal where would the fun be in that?

Creativity creates change, and change offers opportunity for more creativity. In the midst of that cycle another old adage springs to mind, Necessity is the mother of invention. Maybe I should look at change as a necessity of life, rather than, just as a constant in life.

Right about now youre wondering, where in the heck is he going with this?

Well, since nothing in life is static, one shouldnt expect to many things in life to remain as they once were. It would be nice if everything would stay as a fond memory, but we humans arent built that way.

Change is frequently looked upon as a negative by itself, when in fact, its generally very positive. Finding the good in a newly constructed shopping mall where deer or fox once could be seen isnt always pleasant. But to the hundred or so new employees who have found employment its a blessing.

Everything in life is designed to expand and growmassive trees develop from seedlings, streams swell to raging rivers from snow melt, one-man shops grow to thriving, prosperous businesses, and a struggling artist suddenly thrives on a new art form where only a charcoal drawing existed before.

Creativity is at its best is when its purpose is growth and joy.

Losing a close friend to a new job or retirement in a new city isnt easy either, but it opens the door for travel to visit them, and the possibility of new friends who move in where the old ones moved out.

Learning to allow the creative energy of our universe to work outside of our lives, just as we allow it to work within ourselves appears to be a good idea...don't you think?

Endeavor to find joy everyday in your own personal expansion, no matter how large or small; embrace the creativity, the change, the growth. View your world from the bigger picture and deliberately create change that improves your life and the lives of those around you.

In the end, its just one mans opinion, mine.

Keith Renninson

Keith E. Renninson is a native of Colorado. After a tour of duty in Viet Nam, he returned home and spent 30 years as a financial planner and insurance agent. He was a two-term President of the Mile-Hi Association of Life Underwriters and four-term President of the Kipling Sun Homeowners Association. He is the Chairman of the 2006 Tour de Cure bicycle ride for the American Diabetes Association in Colorado. Keith is also the current Vice-President of COBRAS (Colorado Organization of Bicycle Racing Seniors).

In 1995, he self-published his first book, ?The Pain & Joy of Love: A Collection of Poetry, Black and White Photography and Short Stories.? In 2003, Keith was the Editor of the Arapahoe Community College Art and Literary Magazine ?The Progenitor,? and in 2004-2005 the Editor of the Arapahoe Observer newspaper.

During eight years of the 1990's, Keith wrote his column, "Philosophically Speaking" for the Downtown Denver News.

In August 2004, Keith's essay "Compassion at Death's Door" was published by The American Legion Magazine and received worldwide acclaim.

When neighbor Michael Conrad Kelley offered they work together on his manuscript ?Zooch the Pooch,? Keith was excited and honored to be involved in such a worthy project. An illustrated children's book and parenting tool, Zooch was published in November of 2005 and is available on their website or at Amazon.com.

Mike and Keith are also professional speakers presenting their inspirational talk & seminar "Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life." They can be contacted directly for radio, TV and print interviews.

In December 2006, one of Keith's latest essays, "To Achieve Clarity in Life Make Meditation Part of Your Day" will appear in a new book "101 Ways to Improve Your Life" alongside notable authors such as Mark Victor Hansen of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" fame.

Keith formed Golden Years Videos, LLC with business partner Jeff Forman which produces exercise videos for senior citizens, and those unable to perform standing exercises. Always the exercise enthusiast Keith, wanted to provide a series of videos which would assist those in need of conditioning. You can see more about this at the Golden Years Videos website listed above.

In his leisure time, Keith studies philosophy, competes in American Cycling Association bicycle races around Colorado, loves to downhill ski, practices yoga, writes and climbs the Fourteener?s of Colorado?s Rockies.