The Space Between The Waves

At the surfside coffee shop things were already hopping as another beautiful day rolled in. The kind of place where the morning sun slips through the blinds, casting slow-moving lines across the tables… like time itself easing into motion. There’s a booth in the corner where the light always hits just right. Darla pours the coffee without missing a beat, while Fred stands over the grill turning bacon, the sizzle filling the room with its own kind of morning sunshine. Fred once told me he joined the Army, and when he got out—with most of his family already gone—he walked up to a ticket counter with a hundred bucks in his pocket and one simple question… “How far will this take me?” “Pensacola,” the man said. “That sounds perfect,” Fred replied. That was 42 years ago. Some folks spend their whole lives waiting for the right moment… others just buy the ticket. He set a plate down on the counter, looked up, and said, “You’ve got to be bold. Courageous. Do your best to choose the wisest path you can… and then go after it. Be it. Who knows… you might even convince yourself along the way.” Truth is, in any given moment, we’ve got two choices… step forward and grow, or step back and stay right where we are. Most things in life feel difficult… right up until the moment you do them. And then you realize, it wasn’t the world making it hard… it was you holding back. So go ahead… pass the sugar and a little sunshine today. Have a fantastic Tuesday, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between the Waves podcast, an

It’s been said that excuses are the ugly sister of success… and which one you choose to spend your time with will almost always predict your outcome. New adventures are a funny thing, they’re equal parts exciting and a little scary. They keep you on your toes, pulling you forward while testing how much you really want something different. But sometimes, we find ourselves just waiting… waiting for something good to happen. Like somehow the delivery truck of luck and happiness is supposed to just pull up out front and drop it off at our door. And when it doesn’t, we wonder why. The truth is, wanting change and creating change are two very different things. I remember a time standing at the edge of something new, knowing full well I needed to take a step forward… but also realizing how easy it would be to stay right where I was. Comfortable. Familiar. Safe. The Ancient Tiki Leaders believed that if you truly believed you could reach your destination, you would… and if you believed you couldn’t, you wouldn’t. Because in the end, your actions decide the outcome. Remember, you can’t discover new adventures by waiting for them to discover you. And if you’re not willing to step outside your comfort zone, don’t be surprised if you stay exactly where you are. Have a fantastic week, everyone, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes every day.

There’s a lady down by the pier who, every morning, sets up a small stand along the path that leads to the beach. Flowers and roses of all kinds, laid out in simple bundles like little pieces of sunshine. She wears a floppy beach hat, sits under a faded umbrella, and keeps a small canister of coffee beside her. “The coffee is free if you buy a rose,” she’d say with a smile. One time, on what I like to call a “lost weekend”, which I highly recommend when you get the chance, I stopped and asked her why she does it every day. She looked at me, without hesitation, and said, “Making one person smile can change the world… maybe not the whole world, but their world.” Then she added, “Maybe the man who buys the rose gives it to someone… and she wears it in her hair all day. You just never know where it goes from there.” Right or wrong, she always made me smile whenever I saw her… and I guess that was the point. Because the truth is, you can change someone’s day anytime you want. A small act, a kind word, a simple gesture… something no one else may ever see. And in doing that, you just might change your own day too. Remember, kindness travels farther than you think. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes every day.

It is said that life is an echo… what you send out comes back, and what you sow, you reap. It’s one of those universal truths, simple to hear, but not always easy to live. You are, in many ways, a reflection of your predominant thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions. The truth is, the universe isn’t here just for you… and you do carry a responsibility in what returns your way. It responds, but it also watches. It waits for you to get things started, to take that first step, to set the tone, to put something real out into the world. I remember sitting quietly one morning, watching the tide roll in and out, thinking about how effortless it looked. But even the tide follows a rhythm… a pull… a force greater than itself. And yet, it still has to move. The Ancient Tiki Leaders looked to the stars and moons for guidance, reading the skies for direction… but they also understood something deeper, they knew we hold the key to our own outcomes. They once wrote, “Why would the universe send you good things if you’re unable to appreciate the goodness already in your life?” Deep but true. Because it’s not just about thinking positive, it’s about living it. It’s about your energy, your presence, your willingness to see the good, even when it’s small. Remember, send out the right energy, and like a boomerang… it finds its way back and helps keep the good vibes going. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and [Tiki Man Radio]

One day your world gets smaller… and a little quieter. The things you used to fill your days with don’t seem to matter as much. People scatter to the winds, routines change, and the noise that once surrounded you slowly fades. You don’t even notice it at first, but little by little, like an eroding shoreline, it shows up out of nowhere. Maybe it’s a morning where you wake up and don’t feel the rush. No need to chase, no need to prove, no need to keep up with anything but the moment in front of you. It’s in that moment you take a deep breath… and smile. Maybe even laugh out loud for no reason at all. Because somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, you climbed the mountain. Not the loud, celebrated kind… but the quiet one. The one built on lessons learned, storms weathered, and roads you didn’t think you’d make it down. And standing there, looking out over it all, you may not fully understand how you got there… but you know one thing for sure, you like it. There’s a peace in that place. A confidence. A knowing that not everything needs your attention anymore. Remember, sometimes life doesn’t get bigger to get better… sometimes it gets simpler. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing & The Space Between The Waves Podcast, and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes every day.

I think one of the most overlooked things that truly leads to everything is a sense of purpose. There are countless benefits to giving your best effort and pursuing life with dedication and diligence… yet sometimes, it can feel challenging to keep pushing forward. They say hard work pays off, and it’s true. If you want to be good at something, you have to practice, practice, practice. And if you don’t love something, then don’t do it. We all know those people who seem to walk around with a cloud over their head. They think the world is out to get them… yet somehow, they also seem to be the lucky ones, always getting something for nothing. I’ve always believed you should never be proud of rewards that come purely from luck or good fortune. But you can absolutely hold your head high and be proud of accomplishments earned through hard work. And truth be told, many times that hard work has put me in a position where luck or good fortune could find me. When you reach a crossroads, choose wisely. Destiny can take you down the hard-work highway toward the city of success… or the laziness highway toward the city of failure. Remember, the difference between being lazy and working hard is a lot like the difference between waiting for miracles… and creating them. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing & The Space Between The Waves Podcast and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes every day.

Meanwhile, “So what happened?” I asked a man who was telling me a story about his former life…or what I like to call “another chapter.”He paused for a second, looked out past the water, and simply said, “I got on with my life.”You can’t spend your whole life chasing one big thing, because life isn’t just one moment, it’s made up of a bunch of smaller adventures. And if you ignore those along the way, you might just end up with nothing at all.We sat there for a while after that, just letting it sink in. Because the truth is, a lot of us do that. We put everything into “the big win,” the one moment we think is going to define it all. And in the process, we miss the little things…the everyday wins, the people, the experiences…all the moments that actually make up a life.That doesn’t mean you stop dreaming big. It just means you don’t forget to live along the way. Take the trip. Have the conversation. Try something new. Appreciate where you are while you’re working toward where you’re going.I've spent a lifetime going, seeing and doing amazing things and sometimes people give me grief over not doing it even more now, they have no idea and that's okRemember, maybe the real story isn’t just in that one big chapter…it’s in all the pages leading up to it.Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio.Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, somewhere along the way in life, I came to a realization…one that doesn’t usually show up early, but sure makes a difference when it finally does. The key to happiness isn’t what others think about you…it’s how you feel about yourself. I remember a time when I’d measure everything by outside noise, opinions, approval, expectations. Like standing on a dock waiting for someone else to tell you when it’s okay to cast off. And the truth is, if you live that way long enough, you’ll always be tied to someone else’s shoreline. But something happens when you stop listening to all that and start paying attention to your own compass. You realize not everyone is going to understand your path, and honestly…they’re not supposed to. Their opinions are shaped by their journey, not yours. That doesn’t mean you stop learning from people or shut the world out. It just means you stop handing over the steering wheel. You start trusting who you are, what you’ve learned, and where you’re going, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Remember, at the end of the day, peace doesn’t come from approval…it comes from alignment. Being okay with who you are when it’s quiet, when there’s no audience, no applause…just you. Stand a little taller, trust yourself a little more, and don’t let outside voices rewrite your story. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, I’ve come to believe that everything we do, and everyone we meet, finds its way into our lives for a reason. Not by accident, not by chance…just part of a bigger picture we don’t always see in the moment. I remember sitting at a quiet little marina one afternoon, watching boats come and go, when a conversation started with a complete stranger. Nothing planned, nothing expected…just a simple “how’s it going?” that turned into a story I didn’t know I needed to hear. Funny how that works. Because sometimes the lesson isn’t loud or obvious. Sometimes it shows up in passing…in a quick conversation, a missed opportunity, or even a wrong turn that leads you somewhere better. And if you’re paying attention, really paying attention, you start to see the pattern. We’re all teachers in some way. Some people show us what to do…others show us what not to do. Some bring encouragement, others bring challenges. But every single one leaves us with something, if we’re willing to accept it. The hard part is trusting it. Trusting your instincts when they nudge you in a direction that feels uncertain. Taking a risk when it would be easier to stay comfortable. And not sitting around waiting for some big miracle to show up and do the work for you. Because more often than not, the “miracle” is already in motion…it just looks like a small step, a quiet moment, or a person crossing your path at just the right time. Remember, stay open to it and pay attention to the moments, the conversations, and the people. There’s a lesson in there somewhere and always look for the teachers, they're real. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, what if we all had a coin to flip each morning? One side says “Be Miserable,” the other says “Be Happy.” You wake up, flip it, and whatever it lands on, that’s your day. Sounds ridiculous, right? But the funny thing is, a lot of people are already living that way…they just don’t realize it. I was sitting at a little café spot once, watching people come and go. Same sunshine, same breeze, same view…but not the same experience. One guy walks in already frustrated, complaining about everything before he even sits down. Meanwhile, another person sits just a few stools over, smiling, taking it all in like it’s the best moment of their day. Same place…different coin flips, or so it seemed. Truth is, there was no coin. What there was…were habits, perspectives, and choices made long before that moment. Some people wake up already deciding the day is going to be heavy, already expecting the worst, already carrying yesterday into today. Others decide, even if things aren’t perfect, they’re going to find something good anyway. Without even knowing it, we flip that “coin” ourselves every single morning. It’s not always easy, and it doesn’t mean ignoring real problems or pretending everything is perfect. It just means choosing not to let every little thing decide your direction. It means realizing that while we can’t control everything that happens, we do have a say in how we show up for it. Remember, maybe don’t leave it up to chance. Don’t hand your day over to a flip of the coin. Make the call yourself. Cheers to a better day. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, there’s this thing people do…could be former employees, friends, or even family…that always gets under my skin. That idea that something is “impossible.” Truth is, most things only feel impossible right up until the moment somebody goes and does it. There are struggles in life that can seem overwhelming, no doubt about it. Situations we walk ourselves right into, and then convince ourselves there’s no way out. But if we’re being honest, it’s not always the situation that’s impossible…it’s the decisions that led us there that make it feel that way. Now sure, there are things in life that are truly out of our control…a burning building, a storm you didn’t see coming, or a sickness that changes everything. Those are real, and those are different. That’s not what I’m talking about here. What I’m talking about are the moments where we stand still…when we know what needs to be done but choose not to move. When fear of failing keeps us from even trying. When we convince ourselves it’s easier to stay stuck than to risk the climb out. I once knew a guy who sat in the same place for years, talking about what he was gonna do “one day.” Had the talent, had the opportunity, even had the support…but what he didn’t have was the willingness to take that first uncomfortable step. And over time, that “one day” turned into “maybe someday,” and eventually into nothing at all. Impossible isn’t always a wall…sometimes it’s just a story we tell ourselves to justify standing still. And the truth is, most of the time, the way out isn’t easy…but it is there. It starts with one decision…then another…then another. Remember, maybe don’t focus on the whole mountain. Just take the first step. Change one decision. Try one thing differently. Because what feels impossible right now might just be waiting on you to prove it wrong. Have a wonderful day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.          

Meanwhile, there are times when the world just doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense… like everything’s spinning a little faster than it should. You ever notice how some people seem to cut corners, bend the truth, or fake their way through things… and still come out ahead? Yeah… it happens. But here’s the part you don’t always see… it’s never enough. There’s always something else they’re chasing, something missing, something that never quite settles in. Because the truth is, when you build something on shaky ground, eventually you run out of places to stand. Now, it’s easy to get caught up in that… looking around, comparing, wondering why not you. But that’s a slippery road… one that quietly trades your peace for something that was never meant for you in the first place. Happiness isn’t something you find out there… it’s something you build within. And you can’t build it if you’re focused on everyone else’s life instead of your own. So here’s the shift…Focus on what’s real, what matters. Focus on what you can control. Because the moment you start believing in your own direction… things begin to change. Write this one down somewhere you’ll see it: “I refuse to let what I did, didn’t do, or should’ve done control what I’m about to do.” Control the fear… don’t let it control you. Remember, when life feels like it’s spinning a little too fast… don’t hang on in the back, move up front, hands high and own the ride. Have a fantastic week everybody, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, the highway signs above flash, “WARNING EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”… and I can’t help but smile, like that’s not already part of the plan. Because that’s where curiosity takes over… where you start connecting dots you didn’t even know you were collecting. Just around the next bend, the sky changes, the road stretches out a little different, and somehow it all lines up, the sunlight, the moment, even that big ole yellow moon hanging low when you least expect it. Do you believe everything happens for a reason? I do. Maybe not in the moment… maybe not when you're right in the middle of it. But give it time, and one day you start to see it, all of it, laid out like one of those old folded maps people used to carry. The kind that never folded back the same way twice unless you really knew what you were doing. On paper, the trip never looks that far. But the journey… that’s where the miles add up. And those warning signs? They’re real. Expect the unexpected… but don’t let it throw you off course for too long. Because when you stop and really look at it, the unexpected moments, the detours, the delays, the things you never planned, those are the very dots that connect everything together. You can’t see the full picture without them. You can’t understand where you’re going without honoring where you’ve been. So maybe it’s not about trying to control every turn…Maybe it’s about trusting the road. Remember, your life is the trip. Fold the map up and tuck it away for a while. The unexpected doesn’t always mean something’s gone wrong… sometimes it means something better is just ahead. Have a fantastic weekend, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, there are things you keep that mean nothing to anyone but you… could be big, could be small… sometimes it’s just a memory. Hanging on a rusty nail, changed by the passing years, through warm summers and cold winters, it just stays there… quiet… as a reminder of days that once felt endless. Most folks who’ve been to the Tiki Bar walk right past it without a second glance. Just a label that reads “Shakespeare 1897”… an old measuring pouch for your catch, with little pockets for lures and line. Something you’d wear on your side while fly fishing the day away, maybe keeping a trout or two if luck was on your side. But to me… it’s more than that. It’s early mornings by the water before the world woke up, it’s the sound of boots in the gravel and a tackle box snapping shut and laughter carried across the shoreline and stories that got a little better every time they were told. It’s a piece of my childhood… handed down, worn out, but never worn off. And maybe that’s the thing about the stuff we hold onto…It’s not about what it is… it’s about what it carries. Because somewhere along the way, those simple moments became the ones that mattered most. The ones that shaped us, slowed us down, and reminded us what life feels like when you’re really living it. So if you’ve got something like that… don’t hide it away. Let it hang where you can see it and remind you. Let it take you back… even if just for a minute. Remember, it’s the little things that hold the biggest stories. Because sometimes, looking back is exactly what helps you move forward. Have a fantastic Thursday, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, one of the last pieces of advice my dad ever gave me wasn’t some long speech… it was simple, almost like a quiet clue, “Take care of yourself.” It caught me off guard, because we always ended our calls the same way… “I love you.” I remember exactly where I was that morning… what I was doing… caught up in the corporate world, busy, distracted… and honestly, far away from where I should’ve been. Funny how the simplest words can carry the most weight later on. The Ancient Tiki Leaders always hinted that living well was the real secret to life… and the truth is, only you know what that looks like for you. Here’s a little clue… it has nothing to do with money. Whatever you’re facing right now, setbacks, failures, doubt, or even people telling you what you can’t do, don’t let that noise settle in. Success isn’t about proving them wrong… it’s about proving to yourself what you’re made of. Everything else tends to fall into place after that. And those moments when you feel pushed right up against your limits… that’s where the real you shows up. Don’t fool yourself into believing you can’t. Keep telling yourself you can… and then back it up. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t just slowing down… sometimes it’s pushing forward, believing a little more, and choosing not to quit. Have a fantastic Wednesday… and take care of yourself. See you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Goooooood Morning Everybody Happy Tuesday, rise and shine. Meanwhile, she sat in the living room as the morning sun spilled across the floor, soaking it in like a hummingbird in still air, a suitcase resting quietly by her side. One last look around, not at what she had done, but at all the things she kept putting off. Funny how life can feel like a fast ride, she thought, always moving, rarely pausing long enough to notice what’s slipping by. She reached for the kitchen towels, smiling at the frayed edges… “Should’ve replaced these,” she said out loud, more to herself than anyone else. But the past had already said its piece, and there wasn’t much use arguing with it now. It was time to go. By this time tomorrow, she’d be rolling down Highway 1 with the windows open, chasing that warm coastal breeze, maybe pulling into Alabama Jack’s for oysters and a cold beer, letting the salt air remind her what living feels like again. You know those moments… right before dawn, when everything is quiet and your thoughts get a little louder than they should. That’s when the worries creep in, bringing along all the “should have,” “could have,” and “what if” thoughts. They can make the whole world feel heavier than it really is. But here’s the truth… most of what we worry about never comes to pass. We just let our minds drift to the worst-case scenario because it’s easier than stepping forward into change. Remember, dawn doesn’t just bring light… it brings opportunity and a chance to do something different. A chance to stop waiting. A chance to finally change the things that have been sitting in the back of your mind. Because if you really want to change… you will. Have a fantastic Tuesday, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, it’s easy to get caught up in the stories we tell ourselves… the ones that feel real simply because we’ve thought them over and over again. But not everything that feels true actually is. She sits at a little corner café just outside the busy tourist streets, watching the world move by. Life happening in real time all around her, yet her thoughts drift in and out like waves, trying to make sense of it all. With both hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, she pauses… not to look back, but to take in the moment right in front of her. The morning light pours through the tall windows, filling the room with a quiet kind of warmth. The sound of breakfast on the grill, the low hum of conversation, the steady rhythm of a new day getting underway. And in that moment, something shifts. Maybe it’s not about looking behind or trying to figure it all out. Maybe it’s about seeing clearly what’s right here… right now. Life isn’t happening somewhere else, it’s not waiting in another time or place, it’s unfolding in the small moments we often overlook. When you stop measuring where you’ve been or where you think you should be… you start to notice what’s already in your hands. Remember, this moment is yours… don’t miss it chasing something that isn’t here. Have a great day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes

Meanwhile, musicians are funny creatures… driven by the love of the music and the excitement of that next song, the one that just might change everything. Maybe it finds its way into a movie, maybe it becomes a song that helps someone through something… maybe. Let’s face it, it’s true what they say… a musician will drive 200 miles in a van with $2,000 worth of equipment for a $150 gig. I know plenty who have, and they’d do it again without thinking twice. Tip jars have always fascinated me… or maybe it’s the way they’re viewed. Some nights, that jar becomes the scoreboard. Was it a good gig? Was it worth it? Should we come back? The time slot, the crowd, the energy in the room… somehow it all gets measured by what ends up in that jar by the end of the night. But here’s the part that doesn’t always get talked about… Some of the best nights don’t show up in dollars. They show up in the connection between a song and a stranger. In the quiet moment when a room actually listens. In the smile from someone who needed to hear exactly what you just played. That’s the real currency. Because long after the tip jar is counted, and the gear is packed back into that van… it’s those moments that stick. The ones you can’t measure, the ones you didn’t expect, the ones that remind you why you started in the first place. Remember, don’t let the scoreboard define the experience. Sometimes the real win is simply being there, doing what you love, and sharing it with whoever’s willing to listen. But always fill the Tip Jar, it brings back the magic especially now! Have a great day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes

Meanwhile, funny thing about cycles… one day, the things that once bothered you the most don’t even cross your mind anymore. Down at Chix on the Beach, Kim is working her magic in the kitchen, serving up She Crab Soup and snow crab legs like it’s just another day in paradise. I’ve always loved the history of that stretch of sand, where the old Sun-N-Fun Bathhouse Grill once stood back in the 1950s… a reminder that everything has its time. She said some of life’s biggest frustrations come when we don’t realize we’ve crossed into a new chapter… or worse, when we do realize it and fight to stay in the old one because it feels safe and familiar. Kind of a transition boundary into the next phase of my life. And she was right. One day, that person who used to take up so much space in your thoughts… becomes just a passing memory. The things that once got under your skin fade out so quietly, you almost don’t notice they’re gone. That’s the nature of change. When you start to accept the season you’re in, instead of resisting it, something shifts. You begin to lean into it… even if it feels uncomfortable at first. And yeah, it can be a little unsettling stepping into something new, but that’s where the growth lives. Dates are sure sign, they come and go and yes even you forgot to remember, oh well. Remember, when you realize the change of a transition … don’t fight it. Make peace with it. Let it carry you forward into whatever comes next. Have a great day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes

Meanwhile, when I was a young boy, our family would make the trip to Myrtle Beach to spend a week soaking up the summer sun. My mother’s love for the beach found its way into me early on. As the years went by, I started to explore more on my own, a little spending cash in my pocket and the freedom to wander. Built in 1954 during the height of the beach boom, Sea Mist Beach Resort felt like everything a beach resort should be back in the late ’70s. These days, it may not carry the same shine, but back then… to me, it was a palace. Out front, there was this little snack shack that served hot dogs with names you didn’t forget—The Lazy Jane, The Junkyard Dog, The Hot Italian… and my favorite, The Carolina Slaw Dog. Foot-long, of course, with a Double Cola and a side of those sneaky fries. Music from America and The Beach Boys would drift through the air, mixing with the hum of summer, while the ice cream stayed just as cool as the place itself on a hot Carolina afternoon. It’s funny how things change as you grow. The hill you once ruled like a king somehow gets smaller. The house that felt larger than life doesn’t quite stretch as far as it used to. And even though the same orange paint still lines the railings and walls, that old “palace” looks a little different through older eyes and sadly is not what it once was. But memories… they have a way of taking you right back. Back down that sidewalk, past the snack shack, to a time when everything felt bigger, safer, and full of life. Remember, memories may fade around the edges, but they never truly age… and for a moment, neither do you. Hold onto those. Have a great day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes

Meanwhile, when I was a young boy, our family would make the trip to Myrtle Beach to spend a week soaking up the summer sun. My mother’s love for the beach found its way into me early on. As the years went by, I started to explore more on my own, a little spending cash in my pocket and the freedom to wander. Built in 1954 during the height of the beach boom, Sea Mist Beach Resort felt like everything a beach resort should be back in the late ’70s. These days, it may not carry the same shine, but back then… to me, it was a palace. Out front, there was this little snack shack that served hot dogs with names you didn’t forget—The Lazy Jane, The Junkyard Dog, The Hot Italian… and my favorite, The Carolina Slaw Dog. Foot-long, of course, with a Double Cola and a side of those sneaky fries. Music from America and The Beach Boys would drift through the air, mixing with the hum of summer, while the ice cream stayed just as cool as the place itself on a hot Carolina afternoon. It’s funny how things change as you grow. The hill you once ruled like a king somehow gets smaller. The house that felt larger than life doesn’t quite stretch as far as it used to. And even though the same orange paint still lines the railings and walls, that old “palace” looks a little different through older eyes and sadly is not what it once was. But memories… they have a way of taking you right back. Back down that sidewalk, past the snack shack, to a time when everything felt bigger, safer, and full of life. Remember, memories may fade around the edges, but they never truly age… and for a moment, neither do you. Hold onto those. Have a great day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes

Meanwhile, there’s something about a chilly morning on the road that makes a warm cup in your hands feel like more than just a drink… it feels like a moment. Funny how something so simple can become part of your rhythm, something you didn’t need once, but now you wouldn’t go without. Across the room, someone sits quietly with their tea, content in their own routine, reminding us that not everyone needs the same things to feel whole. The door swings open with that familiar little chime, and a voice cuts through the calm with a cheerful good morning and an order that feels like tradition more than choice. And just like that, life moves along in its own steady way. Somewhere in all of this is a simple truth… the best thing you can be today is yourself. Not a version shaped by someone else’s expectations, not a reflection of what you think you should be… just you. Time has a funny way of stretching and folding in on itself. Some days feel like they linger forever, while others slip by before you even notice they’ve begun. Pieces of yesterday show up in today, and hints of tomorrow are already quietly taking shape. Remember, stand where you are, grow how you’re meant to grow. Like a lone pine rising strong among a forest of oaks… not out of place, just different in all the right ways. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio and The Space Between the Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

“being a little salty goes with the territory,” he said, sitting at the Original Oyster House in Spanish Fort, out along the low-lying Mobile Bay Causeway… a place well worth the stop if you’ve got time to just chill. Now in that setting, “salty” means you’re enjoying some of the best oysters this side of Gulf Shores… maybe even New Orleans, depending on who you ask. There was a time I spent a couple days a week there whenever I was in town… back when life moved a little slower and conversations seemed to last a little longer. But somewhere along the way, I started thinking… sometimes being “salty” isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it just means you’ve drawn a line. When your patience gets tested, a little edge can remind people, and yourself, what you’re worth. Sure, life will hand you moments that leave a bitter taste… things that stick with you longer than they should. And while everyone handles that differently, there comes a point where holding onto it starts costing more than letting it go. Because the longer you let something live rent-free in your head… the more of your time it takes with it. So maybe it’s time to step back, grab some good oysters, a cold drink, and remind yourself… that thing, whatever it is, just isn’t worth it anymore. Remember, a little salt adds flavor… but too much can ruin the whole dish. Stand strong, know your worth, and keep moving forward. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

In the midst of the world going a little crazy, it’s the small things that still have a way of making you smile. You just have to slow down enough to notice them. I was standing in line not too long ago, half paying attention, when someone quietly paid for the person behind them and walked out like it was nothing. No announcement, no credit… just a simple act. And just like that, you could feel the mood shift. That’s the thing about paying it forward… it’s not new, it’s been around forever. But somehow, it still catches people off guard in the best way. One small act of kindness can change someone’s entire day… and the ripple effect of that can reach people you’ll never even meet. We don’t always get to control the big things going on around us, but we can always control how we show up in the middle of it. You, too, can hold the door, buy the coffee, share a smile… whatever it is, pass it along. Because you never know how far it might go. Remember, a little kindness travels a long way and may very well travel back to you when you need it the most. Have a fantastic weekend everyone, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Meanwhile, there’s a small word that carries more weight than most people realize… “no.” Somewhere along the way, we were taught it’s a bad thing, that it disappoints people or makes us miss out. So we say “yes”… even when we don’t mean it. But the truth is, saying “no” isn’t rejection… it’s direction. Every time you say “yes” to something that doesn’t feel right, you’re quietly saying “no” to something that does. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is simply be honest, with yourself and others. So if something doesn’t sit right today… trust that feeling. Remember, every “no” said for the right reason is a “yes” to the life you’re trying to build. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

As a traveling man, I learned early on that the faces and places along the way start to feel like chapters of your life. Even though there’s probably a mailbox somewhere with your name on it, these little pockets of the world somehow feel more like home. I rolled the window down crossing over the Corey Causeway, the breeze carrying that mix of salt air and sunshine as sailboats drifted across the water. People tend to lump it all together—St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington, but if you slow down, each one has its own rhythm, its own story. Later on, sitting at a small beach bar, I met a couple from Ohio celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, frozen cocktails in hand and not a worry in sight. “We’ve been coming here for 20 years,” she said with a smile—and I believed her. At one point she leaned in and said something simple, but it stuck… “You know, I had to learn how to be happy.” And she’s right… we all do. Happiness isn’t something that just shows up one day like a package at the door. It takes work. It takes letting go of things that try to follow you from one chapter to the next. It takes choosing, sometimes over and over again, not to live in the weight of what was. Because if you spend all your time looking in the rearview mirror, you’re bound to miss what’s right in front of you. And the truth is, people who haven’t found their own happiness yet… well, sometimes they don’t know how to help you find yours. That’s not always their fault, it might just be all they’ve ever known. But that doesn’t mean it has to be your story. Remember, keep your eyes on the road ahead. Let the past stay where it belongs, and give yourself the chance to see clearly what’s waiting for you next. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

The magic of winning can be a long road, and more often than not, it’s defined by what winning means to you… not what it looks like to everyone else, and that part matters more than most realize. Out on the edge of a quiet marina, just after sunrise, there’s a guy most mornings working on his boat long before anyone else shows up. No crowd, no applause, just the sound of tools clinking and water tapping against the dock. To most, it doesn’t look like much… but to him, that’s winning. True winners don’t just chase the finish line, they fall in love with the work it takes to get there. The early mornings, the setbacks, the days nobody sees. That’s where it’s built. Because if you depend on what others think, winning can feel pretty short-lived… like a wave that comes in fast and disappears just as quick. You’ll always be chasing the next one. But when you define winning by your own growth, your effort, and the way you carry yourself along the way… that’s something that sticks. That’s the kind that stays with you. Now sure, if you’re a race car driver, you probably need to win every now and then… or someone else might be driving your car next week. Remember, winning is showing up, staying the course, and becoming a little better than we were yesterday. Go after it your way and you'll always be winning. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

She grew up on a tiny island with her grandmother, who opened a little café and named it one evening while watching the sunset over a glass of red wine with friends… “Something with class,” she said. Now her granddaughter carries on the smiles. When the door opens, it’s announced by the soft jingle of a bell above it, a simple sound that somehow makes the whole place feel like home, followed by her warm, familiar “Good Morning.” Inside, conversations drift like the tide, and dreams are spoken out loud as the surfboards lean quietly toward the rising sun. As we get older, we really do need less and less. A lifetime of collecting things slowly turns into a lifetime of letting go. Those drawers, shoeboxes, and forgotten containers full of memories begin to lose their meaning over time… little treasures once held close, now just things left behind. Treasure lost, treasure gained, I suppose. And those defining moments we all have… they shape us, slowly sculpting who we are becoming, one choice at a time. If you find yourself making that list, good versus bad, should I or shouldn’t I, chances are, you already know the answer. Sometimes we’re just trying to talk ourselves out of it… or push it off for another day. Some say dreams are nothing more than thoughts being filed away in some far corner of the mind. But dreaming big is a good thing… as long as you follow through. Because the sculpting of your life comes from you. Shape it, mold it, turn it into the life you want to live… and maybe throw those lists away once in a while. Remember, one day, you’ll look up and realize, you’re not just watching the surfboards reach for the sun… you’re right there with them. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

One of my favorite things to do is drift down to the beach early in the morning and take a long walk along the shoreline. You know the routine… finding that perfect little spot where you’ll set up camp for the day. The smell of suntan lotion already floating in the breeze, the sound of the waves rolling in and slowly creeping their way up the sugar-white sand. There’s an old saying that you never know what the tide might bring in, and that saying probably came from mornings just like that. When the beach is quiet and revealing itself after the night, sometimes you’ll see someone slowly walking along with a metal detector, hoping to uncover a little treasure the tide may have left behind. And in a way, life works the same way. Finding your life’s real treasure isn’t always about what you discover out in the world. Most of the time it’s about what you uncover within yourself, your purpose, your passions, and the things that truly matter. Every victory and every setback teaches you something. Both are part of the tide that shapes who you become. Just like the ocean that washes the shore clean every day, life has a way of washing away the things that no longer belong, reminding you to look inward instead of outward. Remember, life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them… embrace them. Let reality be reality and let things flow forward the way they’re meant to. Who knows… today might just bring in a little treasure of its own. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Spring has sprung once again, another season quietly changing places on the calendar, and somehow the passages of time seem to show up in mysterious ways. One minute you're going about your routine and the next thing you know you stop and think… wait a minute, has it been a year… or five… or even ten? Funny how that happens. Sometimes it sneaks up on you when you're cleaning out a spare room, digging through a drawer, or opening an old box in the garage that hasn’t seen daylight in years. Suddenly you're holding a photograph, a ticket stub, or some little souvenir that meant the world at one time. To anyone else it might just look like clutter. But to you it was a moment… a story… a chapter of life. And while those memories never truly disappear, they slowly find their place on the shelves of time. That’s part of living. But every once in a while, just like spring cleaning the house, it’s also good to do a little mental cleaning too. Letting go of the things that no longer belong in today's chapter. It’s funny how the mind works. Sometimes those old moments sneak back in through a dream in the middle of the night or a random thought during the day, and that’s when it really hits you… yes, it has been that long. But that’s okay. Remember, spring cleaning isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about making space… for new memories, new chapters, and whatever adventure may be waiting around the corner. Out with the old, as they say. And sometimes letting go turns out to be one of the best things you ever did. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

Sometimes we could all use a small vacation of our own… one where you quietly disappear from the road and the changes that seem to roll in on cue every single day. There are many lazy beach towns like Laguna Beach. I’ve spent more than a few quiet days there in silence, just listening to the rhythm of the Gulf and letting the noise fade away. With a short walk in the early morning light, you can find yourself at Thomas Donut & Snack Shop, a famous little “secret” spot that only the ones in the know truly understand. You have to get there early while the fresh ones last. There’s something about standing there with warm dough in your hand and salt air on your face that makes the world slow down a notch. When you allow yourself to get lost for a few days, you often find your way back… back to you. And pretty soon, the things that had your mind on overload don’t seem quite as heavy. They’re still there, but they’re clearer, more manageable, less tangled. Sometimes we all get a little drained and need a recharge. That’s why the first rule of electronics is simple: restart, refresh. Refreshing your mind, body, and spirit is essential for sustained growth. It means letting go of stale ideas, resting when you’re weary, and welcoming new perspectives that spark creativity again. A refresh is your opportunity to reframe your purpose and reengage with what truly matters. Remember, you can’t change who you are, but you can change what you allow to live in your head. You can refresh what you’re thinking about. You can open the windows, let the fresh air in, and clear the room upstairs. Have a fantastic day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing, Tiki Man Radio, and The Space Between The Waves Podcast for more good vibes.

The old man sat in the corner booth of the Sea Side Coffee Shop, sipping black coffee in the standing-room-only little café. One by one the line grew shorter, everyone grabbing their cup of sunshine to go, while he stayed put… writing something on a napkin. It was a long trip home to The Tiki Bar that morning. I was in a hurry to go, but not in a hurry to get going. Some days are just like that. I’ve always thought the world shifted a little sideways when men quit wearing hats. I noticed his was resting beside him on the seat. Being last in line, he glanced up and said, “Dolores will bring you coffee if you’d like to have a seat.” I thanked him and sat down across from him. He kept writing as she brought over a small pot of coffee and an extra cup. The place had quieted down, and the ticking clock on the wall suddenly seemed louder than before. “I’m 84 years old today,” he said without looking up. “Writing a note to my grandson. He graduates college this week.” We talked about life. About travel. About the way time moves faster than you expect it to. The kind of conversation that only happens when neither person is in a rush. He folded the napkin carefully, stood up, put on his hat, and handed it to me instead. “Safe travels,” he said. I watched him walk outside and disappear down the sidewalk before I unfolded it. The advice read: You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are often suggestions. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never apologize for it. Go against the grain. Refuse to conform. Take the road less traveled instead of the well-worn path. Laugh at adversity. Leap when your heart says leap. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in. Signed, “The Old Man.” I asked Dolores if she knew him. “Never seen him before,” she said. Funny thing about life, sometimes the message isn’t for who you think it is. There are signs everywhere pointing the way. You just have to slow down long enough to notice them. Remember, living on your own terms is a gift. Use it wisely. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

There’s no doubt you’ve looked at someone before and thought, “Man, they’re just lucky.” Some people seem to catch all the breaks. Right place, right time. Everything just falls into place. But here’s the biggest illusion, thinking successful people are simply lucky. Luck has a funny way of showing up for people who are already in motion. The explorer who decides to sail won’t find treasure every day. In fact, he’ll probably find a whole lot of empty water and useless terrain first. But he’s far more likely to stumble across a beautiful island than the person who never leaves the dock. The same is true in life. The one who shows up. The one who tries again. The one who makes the call, starts the project, takes the risk, that’s the person who seems “lucky.” Not because luck favors them… but because they increased their chances of finding it. Sitting still feels safe. Taking action feels uncertain. But movement creates opportunity. So if you want a little more “luck” in your life, raise your sails. Make the move. You can’t discover new shores if you never leave the harbor. Remember, luck tends to find those already in motion, time to make some moves. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

I wish I had learned earlier that it was okay to be different. We don’t all need to fit into the same mold. Quite frankly, imagine how boring that world would be if we did. There was a time when blending in felt safer. Safer to agree. Safer to not stand out. Safer to dim your light just enough so nobody noticed you were shining a little differently. But here’s what I’ve come to understand, the very things that make you feel “different” are usually the things that make you valuable. Your perspective. Your quirks. Your dreams that don’t make sense to anyone else yet. You have your own set of characteristics, skills, stories, and goals that no one else on this planet carries quite like you do. That’s not by accident. Embrace them. Don’t apologize for them. Don’t shrink them to make someone else comfortable. Spend time discovering what lights you up. Lean into the talents you may have ignored. Try something new just because it brings you joy, not because it earns approval. Remember, the world doesn’t need another copy. It needs the original version of you. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

There was a time when she felt like she always needed to be in a relationship, moving from one to the next, dragging the baggage of the last mistake right into the new one. “Those poor guys never had a chance,” she laughed. We were sitting at the World-Famous Wreck Bar in Fort Lauderdale, watching the mermaid show through the large portholes that look into the hotel’s pool from behind the bar, the whole place resembling the inside of a shipwrecked Spanish galleon. A must see if you’ve never been. She went on to say the best advice she ever received was this: Be in a relationship with yourself first. Know what you want, and what you don’t want. Stop being a people pleaser and start embracing your own values. “I don’t look for the next mistake anymore,” she said. “I don’t make mistakes. I make choices. And most importantly, I’ve learned to be me… and I’m okay with all of it.” Words to live by, as a mermaid swam slowly past the glass. Truth is, we’d all be lucky to learn that lesson sooner rather than later. Being comfortable with yourself and your own space can take time, but it is time well spent. Remember, the relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for every other one in your life. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

We’ve all stood at the crossroads of life before, those defining moments where you chose something harder over something easier, stepped out in faith instead of comfort, or learned a lesson the long way around. Looking back now, those moments don’t feel random. They feel like bookmarks in the book called “You.” Markers in time where something shifted. Where you grew. Where you realized you were capable of more than you thought. Funny thing about crossroads, when you’re standing in the middle of them, it feels heavy. Uncertain. Sometimes even lonely. But once you move forward, you begin to see that the choice itself was shaping you more than the outcome ever could. Mistakes? Those aren’t chapters you tear out. They’re highlighted passages. Proof that you were living, trying, stretching. Some days can feel like a decision day, and this is when you trust the growth that’s already behind you. You’ve already made it this far. Keep turning the page. Remember, the story is still being written and pay no attention to the dust in the rearview mirror that just means your moving forward. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Sometimes overcoming obstacles can feel like an endless stretch of roadblocks, one after another, testing your patience and your resolve. Other times, it’s nothing more than a little debris in the road, something you simply steer around without much thought. The difference isn’t always in the size of the problem… it’s in your approach to it. You have to be willing to adjust the sails when the wind shifts. Sticking to a plan is admirable, but refusing to pivot when it’s clearly not working can keep you stuck longer than necessary. I’ve seen people light up with excitement over a new idea, full of passion and certainty, only to hit the first bump and fold like an old grocery bag, as if the journey was supposed to be smooth from the start. The ones who eventually succeed aren’t the ones who avoid challenges. They’re the ones who stay committed to the ultimate objective. They stay anchored to their “why.” That deeper reason, the purpose behind the goal, is what keeps you steady when things get uncomfortable. When you forget the “why,” you drift. And when you drift long enough, you don’t just face obstacles… you become one. Ownership is power. If you take responsibility for where you are, you also keep the power to change it. Persistence keeps you moving forward. Adaptability keeps you from breaking in the process. Don’t overreact to the small stuff, and don’t let fear of mistakes freeze you in place. Growth has always required a little courage. Remember, never forget the “why” you started and adjust when needed. Stay steady and keep going. Have a wonderful day… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Somewhere in the background I can almost hear someone ordering a Piña Colada… and just like that, your mind drifts somewhere tropical and warm. It’s funny how a song, a smell, or a simple thought can transport you. Waves of motivation, that’s what a good vacation feels like. Reset. Recharge. Refill the tank. I always thought that would make a great song title… and now that I’ve thrown it out to the universe, we’ll see what happens. But here’s the real thought for today… Workaholism is real. And I have friends who suffer from it, poor souls. Some of it comes from pressure, some self-imposed, some external. But when you never truly unplug, you slowly drain your energy reserves. And if that goes on too long, burnout isn’t a possibility… it’s a guarantee. I once sat on a work call about “well-being” and preventing burnout. Ironically, one of the people on that call admitted they were on vacation with their family, at Disneyland, of all places, and still felt the need to dial in for 30 minutes. I remember thinking… if we can’t unplug there, what are we even talking about? Listen, ambition is good. Responsibility matters. But if you can’t step away, even when you’ve earned the time, something’s out of balance. Vacations aren’t a luxury, they’re maintenance. Time off isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. And if you ever see someone walking down the beach glued to their phone answering emails… you might at least consider tossing it gently into the ocean. They need help. Remember, one of the most important benefits any company gives you is paid time off. Take it. Use it. Protect it. Because when you come back recharged, everyone wins. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Happenstance and twists of fate sometimes feel like they’re one and the same. Life has a funny way of unfolding. Certain moments happen so strangely that we sit back and wonder how, or why, they were even possible. Some people believe we get “passes” in life from time to time. Moments where something small shifts… and it quietly changes everything. The story of someone who forgot their wallet, turned around to go back home, and missed the accident ahead. The sudden urge to grab a glass of water in the middle of the night… and missing the tree that crashes through where you were just lying. Little moments. Small interruptions. Big outcomes. Things that make you pause and ponder. For those who’ve experienced it, those twists of fate feel very real. A second chance. A redirect. A reminder that not everything is random. But here’s the important part… The “should haves” and “could haves” of your life don’t matter anymore. That moment is over. That lesson has been delivered. What matters is what you do next. If you spend all your future trying to rewrite the past, you’ll only waste today. And today is where your power actually lives. Remember, learn from the past, absolutely. But stop reliving it. All that does is steal your peace and stress your spirit. Take the lesson and be grateful for the pass and move forward wiser. Have a fantastic weekend, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Painted on a boat sitting at Pier 5, standing out among the much larger boats, were the words: “Loyalty is a lost cause.” It caught my attention. The merits of loyalty are often debated. Anyone who has ever been hurt by someone they considered a true friend can tell you loyalty can feel like a double-edged sword. When it’s broken, it cuts deep. But anyone who has ever truly needed someone, and had that one person show up without hesitation, knows loyalty is one of the most valuable gifts in the world. As valuable as it is… it can also be rare. Too often, people take this rare gift for granted. We assume, “Surely they would never do that.” And sadly, sometimes they do. People forget, people drift and people choose convenience over commitment. But don’t let that make you cynical. Loyalty is alive and well. As you move forward in life, you start to recognize the difference between the pretenders and the real ones. You learn to spot the players. And you learn to deeply appreciate the few who stand steady. Remember, you don’t earn loyalty in a single day. You earn it day by day. And true loyalty isn’t negotiated, it’s a character trait. The ones who have it give it freely, without keeping score. So choose wisely. Be wisely chosen. And value the rare ones in your circle. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

somewhere between where you started Monday and where you hope to be by Friday, reality usually shows up. And sometimes reality looks a lot like failure. We’ve all been there… feeling crushed by it, wondering if it’s even worth continuing. A missed opportunity. A business idea that didn’t take off. Unexpected problems that shake everything you thought was steady and even the small daily setbacks that quietly chip away at your confidence. It’s easy to feel like quitting when things don’t go your way. Trust me, I’ve been there more times than I can count. And I’ll be honest, failing flat-out stinks. It hits hard, and It messes with your confidence and makes you question your direction. But here’s what I’ve learned… Failure isn’t pushing you backward. It’s positioning you forward. You’re not failing down, you’re failing forward. Every setback teaches you something. Every wrong turn eliminates an option and every disappointment refines your path. It’s like testing a theory, when something doesn’t work, you’re actually narrowing in on what will. Growth rarely feels good in the moment. But looking back, it almost always makes sense. Remember, failure isn’t the end of the road, it’s part of the journey. The most important thing you can do is fail forward. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

there’s this old way of defining you by asking a simple question: Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer that age-old question about positive thinking is supposed to reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself and whether you lean optimistic or pessimistic… or at least that’s the theory. Well, I like to believe the glass is always refillable. And not only that, you get to choose what you fill it with, and how much of it you pour in. That doesn’t mean I ignore life’s less pleasant situations. It just means I try to approach them in a more positive and productive way. Expect the best to happen, not the worst. Handle what comes with confidence instead of fear. If you tend to have a negative outlook, don’t expect to become an optimist overnight. But with practice, your self-talk can shift, less self-criticism, more self-acceptance. Over time, you may even find yourself becoming less critical of the world around you, too. Right or wrong, we are who we are. But when your state of mind leans optimistic, you’re better equipped to handle everyday stress in a constructive way. Remember, don’t let the little things steal your peace. Speak your mind. Say what you mean. Then move forward without dragging yesterday behind you. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along with Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Early Friday morning at Gulf State Park Pier, the world was just beginning to wake up. The movers and shakers appeared quietly from the darkness, rods in hand, coffee steaming on the railing beside carved initials that read, “Janice and Tom Forever.” I couldn’t help but wonder where they are now. Funny how “forever” can sometimes be a short time. Was it just a summer romance? Or were they here celebrating 25 years together? Who knows. But carved into the railing of that old pier, their moment still lives on. It’s not a bad thing to leave your mark. No matter how it turns out. We all define our existence in different ways: through the hearts we touch, the memories we create, the compassion we show. The real footprint isn’t in the wood or the sand. It’s in the people around you. And that kind of mark lasts longer than we think. So here’s to Janice and Tom, wherever they are. Thanks for the smiles you left behind. Remember, life is rarely a simple choice between light and shadow. It’s a constant balancing act between highs and lows, wins and losses, beginnings and endings. Live it well, my friends. Live it well. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.        

“Paradise found,” he said, standing beside his car with shirts, signs, and handmade treasures spread across a small table just off the beach in Costa Rica. He was waiting on tourists to wander down the sandy path that led to The Monkey Bar, a hidden watering hole tucked back in the woods and a favorite among those lucky enough to find it. Although English wasn’t his first language, we understood each other just fine. To him, this was paradise. Every single day. “Just watch out for the monkeys,” he laughed. “They will steal your sunglasses.” As we navigate our lives, it’s easy to think paradise is somewhere else, somewhere we’re trying to get to. But sometimes it’s already right in front of us. Not just a destination, but a way of seeing. A moment. A laugh. A simple table by the beach. Remember, be mindful of the world around you and the opportunities it offers. Be present. Paradise often hides in the ordinary, waiting to be noticed. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

yep… you guessed it. Time just keeps rolling on, like the steady waves of life, an endless tide that never slows down and never waits. In all kinds of sports, trainers often teach athletes to go slower in order to go faster. It sounds strange when the goal is to win the race. But maybe that applies to life, too. We rush around like there aren’t enough hours in the day, yet when we handle each task calmly and carefully, we often finish sooner, and with a whole lot less stress. Still, that ever-moving clock on the wall, along with our own ambition, pushes us to speed up. “Time is the wisest counselor of all.” The ancient Tiki leaders used that reminder to affirm that time teaches patience, brings perspective, and eventually reveals the truth. Every day is a new adventure. You can shape it into something meaningful… or let it simply pass by. There’s no universal answer to “what now?” or “which way?” only you know that, because your path is uniquely yours. Remember, the way we experience time is very different from how a clock measures it. Moments can feel long or short depending on their meaning. Just don’t linger too long in a moment that’s already over. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Have you ever found yourself wondering where you took the wrong turn? Was it that fork in the road… should you have gone left instead of right? The roads can look the same. The scenery feels familiar, but something’s different. Déjà vu settles in, leaving you with that quiet feeling that you’ve been here before, and maybe you have. The ancient Tiki leaders used to speak of “mirrors in the sky,” a way of describing those visions of the future. That subtle nudge that says if you keep walking the same path, then A) nothing will ever change… or B) something eventually will, and not in the way you hoped. Sometimes, my friend, a change will simply do you good. Sometimes it’s long past time. I know I talk about change a lot, but it truly is the most consistent thing in our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not. You can ignore the signs. You can pretend not to see the warning lights flickering ahead. And maybe… just maybe… nothing will change. But what could possibly go wrong, right? Remember, growth doesn’t happen at the fork in the road. It happens when you choose a direction and trust yourself enough to take the step. Have a great day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes

Back on the other side of reality, the place where your hopes and dreams live before anyone else gets their hands on them, there’s a truth we don’t always like to admit. Have you ever been so excited about something you were about to do, a plan, an idea, a dream that lit you up from the inside, and you shared it with someone… only to have them shoot it down? “It won’t work.” “That’s risky.” “Be realistic.” Now pause for a second and go back to the beginning. Before you told anyone. Before the outside opinions. When it was just you and that spark. You were excited, you believed in it and you could see it. That feeling? That was real. The hard truth is sometimes people discourage you not because your dream won’t work, but because they don’t see themselves doing it. Maybe they can’t, maybe they won’t, and maybe they’re afraid. And sometimes it’s easier to lower your volume than raise their courage. But read this part twice: don’t ever let someone talk you out of your dream. History is filled with people who were told it couldn’t be done. Every breakthrough, every invention, every new path started with someone who decided to believe the voice inside instead of the noise outside. Remember, protect your spark, guard your excitement and move quietly if you have to, but move. Have a fantastic day, see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, roll the dice, and go for it, stop overthinking every single step before your feet even move. This business of worrying all the time? It gets you nowhere. Things are going to happen… or they’re not. Who knows? Who cares? Life has always been a bit of a mystery, and maybe that’s the point. I once saw it scribbled across the back of a boat in Pensacola, just sitting there rocking back and forth in the marina: “Paradise Found — No Worries.” The paint was a little chipped, sun-faded from seasons of salt air, but the message was clear. That boat wasn’t in a hurry, it trusted the tide. Maybe that’s the lesson for us. You can’t steer a boat that’s still tied to the dock, and you can’t move forward if you’re anchored to fear. At some point you’ve got to untie the lines, push away, and let the current meet you halfway. Remember, the worries of tomorrow never got anything done today. Action does. Faith does. Showing up does. So take the chance. Make the call. Start the plan. Say the words. Have a fantastic Friday everybody… see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

She wore white hats of every kind, big floppy beach hats, baseball caps with her long ponytail pulled through the back, even those crisp white Walla Roo hats with the black bands. Style? That girl had it. She never did breakfast, always brunch. Ten o’clock was just about perfect. Owning a flower shop with her crazy sister in Pensacola was the last place she ever imagined her New York law degree would lead her. But after her mom passed away, she came home to the beach house where, as little girls, she and her sister used to sit on the porch and plan their lives. Funny how those plans never quite work out, she said softly, passing a bowl of fresh fruit across the table. So is it really all a mystery? Are we chasing answers that don’t exist… or is it all unfolding exactly the way it’s supposed to? There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book. Those thoughts that needle you in the early morning hours, the “what ifs” and “should haves” they only hold you back. Make your move. Take the step. Get on with it. Remember, the trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away all your tomorrows waiting on a better day. Live today. Do what makes you happy. Laugh as much as you breathe. The tomorrow you wished for yesterday is here today. Have a fantastic day … see you on the radio. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes.

Back in the business world, I used to tell new employees, after the first day nerves, the half-answered questions, and that quiet “what am I doing?” moment, that there was absolutely no doubt they were going to mess something up. And that was perfectly okay, as long as we talked about it. Because that’s how we both learned. Failure always feels more public than success. We worry about it, try to avoid it, and second-guess ourselves when ideas don’t fit the mold. But the truth is simple: no real success ever happens without failure. Sometimes it’s one big stumble. Sometimes it’s a series of small ones. Either way, failure is part of the path. You don’t hide from it, you build on it, own it, and make it part of your story. Remember, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Follow along on Tiki Bar Publishing and Tiki Man Radio for more good vibes. #TikiManRadio #tikibarpublishing #escapethenorm