Biography
Long Bio
CARY T. KELLEMS – is a husband, father, retired IBM IT Architect, and reluctant cat-lover. A Distinguished Toastmaster and prolific public speaker is known for his energetic storytelling style; he has given over 100 presentations to various groups. As both a speaker and a writer, Cary draws on his experiences growing up in a military family, coming of age as a young man living in Southern California, and working as a technology professional to weave captivating stories that illuminate the human condition. He is one of the co-authors in the Rough Writers 2019 Anthology: Moments in Space & Time and Rough Writers 2020 Anthology: A Field Day for Creativity. Within each of Cary’s stories is a seed of self-awareness. Please read his work as an encouragement for you to take up your pen and slay your own inner obstacles.
Book Description
“Life is full of lessons,” says Cary Kellems, “but was it only me that got Professor Murphy for this class?” Cary recalls he was not always the best student, but the assignments that Professor Murphy metered out were downright difficult. And to exacerbate the situation, when bad things happened to him, he took it as a dare to double down and stubbornly continue to repeat his last mistake, always expecting a different result. His life was in an infinite loop of mistakes with never a reflection of why bad things kept happening to him. Now, Cary has chronicled his personal epic fails and how they painfully brought him towards enlightenment. Sometimes comical, sometimes heart-shattering, these experiences inextricably taught him important life lessons
Blurbs
“In his book, Cary combines the wisdom of Brene Brown, Vivek Murthy, Lao Tzu, and Albert Maslow in his own engaging and humorous manner.” Cynthia G.
Cary T. Kellems relates experiences in life to Murphy’s Law. Lessons in life abound and the author tells vivid stories where he has discovered things about himself and about life in general. Each chapter is told with vivid descriptions and flare. Mr. Kellems writes with an artistic skill that helps the reader relate to each experience presented in the book. I found myself writing down the quotations that began each chapter in order to refer back to them later. Every quotation precedes a valued experience from his childhood to the present day. There is humor, sadness, and great depth incorporated into his book. This reluctant cat lover talked about two cats that snuck into his heart and how they filled their household with their unique presence. A trip to Alaska in his youth offered a peek into his sense of adventure and his penchant for risk-taking. I highly recommend taking a journey into his book of life, lessons, and enlightenment. – Bobbi
“The stories are written so descriptively, I feel as though I am in each story. Throughout the day, memories of the scenes pop into to my mind, like the nylon kite string mess and the early morning newspaper route. I love the early mornings too and I can imagine him out there, alone but feeling that morning magic, the quiet except for the newspaper landing on the porch and startling a rabbit or a cat … “. – Kathy
Interview Questions
- Why are personal stories so important to one’s long-term well-being?
- How does one get started telling their own story?
- How can one tap into their creativity, become their own Muse?
- How has writing helped you?
Book Excerpts
Chapter 1 – Float or Swim
“I attempted to push off the bottom, but the weight of the wave felt like the burden of ten thousand drowned souls. Those death thralls fertilized my fear. Their perishing panic became my panic, and I started to struggle like a caged animal. I mindlessly beat myself against the wet bars of an invisible cage.”
Chapter 2 – An Old Friend
“Fear dined on my immaturity and made my heart ring in my ears. I panted for air as I whirled around, desperately searching for a way home. Fear only watched and smiled. It was the haunting smile you’d find on the face of a broken clown figurine.”
Chapter 12 – The Wanderer
“You crest the hill, and the morning sun momentarily blinds you to the vast mountain meadow that fills your horizon. The forest of hemlock and white pines protect the swaying grasses of this valley. Beyond this meadow, distant granite peaks invite you. But there is no trail. And you must decide. Stay the course or?
You stride forward into waist-high grasses that tickle your legs with each step. Without a path, you wander toward the wonder that awaits just beyond that granite horizon.”
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