It's Okay To Dream

Don’t be afraid to dream, big or small. Distance yourself from negativity and surround yourself with positive people. There will be setbacks and disappointments. Positive-minded, true friends will help you through rough patches and rejections. Whenever possible, hone your craft, practice, rehearse, and study the path you’re about to take until you’re fairly comfortable. And most importantly, believe in yourself and learn to turn rejections into your greatest motivation. I remember getting my first rejection letter years ago. Sure, it hurt. But, I kept writing. Don’t let anyone stop you from dreaming. Dreams give us hope, and hope keeps us going. – Randolph Randy Camp (Photo: Me making a point to an independent producer about one of the main characters in ‘Wet Matches’) Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Tell Your Story

Tell Your Story… Don’t let others define you. There are some who are counting on you to quit. The moment we quit is the moment we allow others to label and define us. I was always a ‘school boy’, a book nerd, and I certainly was taunted and teased for it. I remember being laughed at and mocked when I used to tell others about my stories and dreams. My horticulture teacher, Ms. Birdie West (R.I.P.), was one of my favorite teachers back in Spotsylvania County because she was instrumental in building my confidence. “Randy, you’ll get there,” Ms. West would often tell me. In a world where people are getting some sort of joy out of demeaning others, we must never give up on ourselves. It’s mid-August 2025, and earlier today I was informed that four of my books will be published as hardcover editions worldwide. (I wish Ms. Birdie West was still with us so that I could share this moment with her.) We need to be proud of ourselves and never be afraid to express who we are. Don’t be afraid to tell your story. If someone else can benefit from your story then you must tell it, no matter what. And don’t let a rejection letter discourage you. Matter ‘ fact, make good use of that rejection letter by using the backside to outline your next project. – Randolph Randy Camp

Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Keep At It

Finish what you started. Some days are better than others. Keep at it. There were times when I felt like throwing in the towel but I kept at it. Keep chipping away at your goals. In the photo is the plaque mentioned in my previous piece ‘Between Friday and Monday’ (see the full article on LinkedIn.) – Randolph Randy Camp More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Don't Ever Give Up!

Keep taking baby steps toward your goals, and no matter what, don’t ever give up. Hands down, my all-time favorite children’s book have always been ‘The Little Engine That Could’. And still today, after all these years, this book have gotten me through some pretty rough moments. Keep striving! (Photo: May 2025, Moore Memorial Park, LITTLE FREE LIBRARY honoring my daughter Dr. Randie Danielle Camp, near Iowa State University in Ames.) – Randolph Randy Camp

Stand For Our Kids

Words such as dismantling, deleting, or dissolving should never be associated with the word education. Words such as promote, empower, expand, encourage, support and bolster should be the words linked to education. Whether at the national level or the state level, our education department is vital to the strength of our nation. We lead by example and when we, especially at the federal level, defend and fully support our public educators and many vital educational programs, it shows that our government have placed great value on our kids’ future and their education. A strong America starts with a strong education system for every child, rich or poor. Any politician or elected official who advocates for the dismantling of the Education Department, at any level, is leading us in the wrong direction. – Randolph Randy Camp

Keep Pressing On: Defeating Self-Doubt

Self-doubt and discouragement can slow us down, even stop us altogether. During our talks, Randie would tell me how searching for the right words would be so daunting at times, especially when she was working on her dissertation. But Randie wouldn’t give up. On page 209, a line from a great book my grandson Noah and Amy Popillion had given me a few months ago made me think of my conversations with Randie. “No need to be afraid of yourself when you write.” That’s the quote and encouraging advice from Steve Zeitlin’s book ‘The Poetry of Everyday Life, Storytelling and The Art of Awareness’. Even though I’m an ‘old man’ now, I still enjoy being a student and that’s why I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m still growing and learning. Life can be very challenging. We all get discouraged but please don’t let it stop you from completing your tasks or goals. – Randolph Randy Camp

What God Gave You

I hope that 2020 will be the year where your dreams are realized, or at least, you will start making baby steps toward your dreams. God gave each and every one of us something special. I realize that not everyone's been dealt the same hand. Unfortunately, sometimes we get dealt bad cards in life. Regardless of your situation, no matter how deep your hole may seem, please remember that there's always a way out. I know that it's hard to just get up and out of bed sometimes but you must find a way to get up n' move.


Ever since I was a little boy I had this crazy dream of writing stories and writing my own book one day. Sometimes I would get discouraged but one day during story time at my elementary school, I heard the inspiring story of 'The Little Engine That Could' for the very first time and from that day on, I kept dreaming and writing with a renewed sense of confidence.


Today, as a writer, one of my greatest joys is getting an invitation for a classroom book talk session. Whatever your passion, keep believing in yourself, keep dreaming and honing your craft. You never know where or how far your dreams will take you. Let what God gave you get you to where you want to go. - Randolph Randy Camp


More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Finding Strength: Coping With Grief

When you look at some people and see them smiling, I swear, you might be surprised to find out that there’s a whole lot of pain and grief hidden underneath that smile.


Not to get too technical, but within the several stages of grief, I’m definitely far from the upward turn. However, during my conversations with Melinda (who’ve been grieving in her own way for quite awhile now) I’ve been able to learn a thing or two and gather some strength.
Coping with the loss of a loved one is one of our toughest challenges. Melinda has been hit by this very issue, and although it devastated her, I must say though that I’m impressed by the way she’s able to find her ‘moments’, her little moments of strength.


With the loss of my grandson Anthony recently, I, myself, found a bit of strength during my conversations with Melinda. I’m nearly sixty years old, and it’s kind of amazing how this young lady has impacted my life, especially as I’m currently going through these stages of grief.
And once again, I would like to thank all of you who’ve been supportive (in any such way) as myself and our family are still coping with the loss of my grandson Anthony.


If you’re currently going through the stages of grief, I hope that, somehow, you too, are finding your little moments of strength. – Randolph Randy Camp

You're The One

Regardless of your age, your status or title a lot of you are Angels to some of us, even if you’re not aware of it. Sometimes, in our darkest moments when we feel like throwing in the towel, it’s amazing how someone else, at the very same time, is looking at you as if you’re the brightest light they’ve ever seen. Whatever you’re going through right now, high waters or low waters, just remember that you could be the Angel who is keeping someone else going. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Education: The Priceless Tool

It’s back-to-school season again and this can put a financial strain on a lot of families. Over the years, many non-profits, charitable and religious organizations have helped to relieve some of this financial burden from families by giving away free backpacks and other common school supplies.
Education is the most valuable tool you can equip your child with. I believe this wholeheartedly. My family was economically poor when I was coming up, but education made me rich in so many other ways, and it has opened so many doors for me.

Volunteering and working within the social field and the juvenile justice system over the years, I’ve personally seen the tremendous impact of a kid having a positive attitude towards school versus a kid who doesn’t. As I often say, “It’s better to pick up a book than a gun.”

When a kid stays in school they make better decisions, and, as mentioned before, so many more doors will open for them. Let’s do whatever we can to keep encouraging our youth to maintain their positive attitude towards school and their education.

If you know of a family in need and could use a free backpack and other school supplies, please check your local area for agencies and organizations participating in these Free Backpacks – School Supplies Giveaway Events taking place soon.  – Randolph Randy Camp

*(Note: If you reside in the Des Moines area, please check out the Free Filled Backpack Event at Polk County River Place on Saturday, August 3, 2019, or go to http://crossministriesdm.org/school-giveaway/  for more details.)