Perseverance

Or, The "Should I Continue?" Crisis Comes to Us All. (Info from a writers' conference, plus my thoughts) 

Whatever our vocation, there always comes a time when we think about quitting.  But, if you're an artist--whether you create with words, paint, clay, whatever--these times may be more frequent than for those in other professions.  Any frustration can trigger this question, but it almost always rears its ugly head when you just don't seem to be having any success, especially any monetary success.  So, let's explore perseverance a little. 

One thing that you need in order to persevere is life experience. Mine your life for material; trace the hand of God thru your life; journal about the things that make you "crazy" (whether it's crazy happy, sad, or angry); find your purpose in terms of your art. Live your life; take risks so that you have something to create "from". Be authentic and vulnerable, and outward-focused: in particular, if you're writing, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, write to help someone else; you're giving a voice to someone so that he/she doesn't feel alone; serve your reader/audience... 

We're persevering together, my friends.  May God bless you, your loved ones and your work today.

Darkness

I don't know about you, but the toughest mornings for me are those of late September through October, before we change the clocks again.  Monday through Friday, I get up at 5 a.m., but the sun rises later and later.  I'm busy during that time, maybe even with writing, and yet, those two plus hours of darkness wear on me.  Of course, when the light does come, at long last, it's so beautiful!  I often stop in my tracks to gaze at the sky, the glowing rim of horizon, the yellow, orange and fuchsia streaking the clouds, which greet the sun.

Perhaps that's part of the purpose of darkness in our lives, too--to help us appreciate the light.  I pray, dear reader, that you will experience a ray of light today and that the light will be filled with God's love.

Angels

Today is traditionally the day to honor guardian angels.  Maybe you don't believe in them, but I do.  I had an experience almost two decades ago that made me believe.  I didn't see anything, but I sure felt something.  I didn't hear anything with my ears, but I sure did within my mind.  It was powerful, but much too personal to share in a blog.

Regardless, I want to thank my guardian angel for that day, every day before, every day since, and every day that will be.  Angel, you are awesome!  And now, a challenge for you, dear friend/reader...one that I will share with you, as always...During this week, find a way to be an angel for someone else.  No need to try doing something big or complicated.  Your smile might lift someone's heart.  The way that you listen with an open mind and an open heart may touch someone.  Let's try it, together.

May your angels bless and keep you today and every day.

Growth

Whether we realize it or not, everything in our lives contributes to who we are and who we will become.  Some things may seem insignificant, like posting a blog entry.  Really, it's a little step in our formation.  God is working on you, training you for something.  He's giving you the grace to handle the challenge of this particular moment.  As you handle/face this task or challenge, you're developing the faith and the virtues you'll need to handle the next one.   Several years ago I heard that 75% of any task is good preparation.  Let's be grateful for how God is preparing us today, so that we can live more fully tomorrow.  I'm going ahead with you, dear reader/friend.

Referred Joy?

I'm sure that you've heard of referred pain.  Maybe you've even experienced it.  I did a few weeks ago when--out of the blue--my neck suddenly hurt, and a lot.  For a while, my slightest movement sent pain shooting through it.  The usual remedies--ibuprofen, ice, heat, rest--helped some, but not enough.  When I finally visited the doctor, he said that I actually hurt a muscle in my shoulder, my trapezius (I knew I shouldn't have swung from that trapezius).  That strained muscle was sending pain and stiffness into my neck:  referred pain.

An idea grew out of my experience.  We often share suffering, the physical or emotional trials that we have in life, and our friends and family often suffer with us.  (Compassion has its roots in words that mean "to suffer with.")  This is a sort of referred pain, too.  When we share our joys, they celebrate with us.  This could be called "referred joy."

But, there's something more.  I think that we also need to share something beautiful or inspirational with others in any way that we can, but especially through social media.  There's so much ugliness, so many negative messages--and some are lies or hoaxes meant to instill fear--that we need to share Beauty and Truth.  It will have a ripple effect.

My friend, dear reader, let's do this together today.  Let's share not only what is good or joyful in our own lives, but let's share Good in all its forms:  Love, Beauty, Truth, Kindness.  It could be something as simple as a smile that lifts someone's heart and mind, and brings them a bit of referred joy.  :)

Creating Peace

Last night I watched a video that really brought home to me the plight of people in the Middle East, especially those fleeing Syria.  Thank God that Jordan's king is keeping the borders open for refugees; and thank God for organizations like Caritas, which are helping them, too.

I was reminded that peace begins in the heart of every human being on earth, first and foremost with my own.  I need to focus on the truth that every person is my brother or sister in the human family.  Yes, some of those brothers and sisters do terrible things, and there must be punitive consequences; but violence should be a last resort, used only when every other means has been exhausted or proven ineffective.  Compassion needs to be extended to everyone, and efforts made to truly understand others.

I'm going to set the alarm on my cell phone to ring every day at noon, so that I can create peacefulness in my heart and pray for peace in the world.  I don't agree with all of John Lennon's philosophy, but I want to quote him here about my hope for peace:  "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.  I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one."

Thank you for reading, and have a peace-filled day.

I Have Returned

It's been a while, dear readers.  Sorry about that.  I'm hoping that the worst of our crisis is over, but who knows?

What a journey this summer!  I had to put many things aside and do many things that I didn't want to do.  Of course, there were also unexpected joys, like the extended visit of our Italian cousin.  She was much younger than me, and I thought that we would have nothing in common.  But, just the opposite was true, and it seemed that all we did together was laugh. 

As for my little sacrifices, they were worth it.  Nothing is more important than the people we love.  Still, I catch myself being selfish--thinking only of what I want to do, of how I'm criticized, etc.--so many times during the day.  Selfishness is such an easy, comfortable habit to slip into--like an old, tattered tennis shoe!

My goal is to perform tasks with joy, especially those things that my family needs me to do.  It doesn't matter how small the task, or how many times I've done it or re-do it during the day.  No matter that what I HAVE accomplished seems invisible to them and goes unacknowledged.  I'm really doing things for God, for the God who resides in their beautiful souls.  I need to do everything for love...for Love itself.

This means that everyone is dispensed, exempt from gratitude...  I love and serve them, God, for their/his own sake and not for a reward of any kind.

If you're experiencing something like this too, know that my heartfelt prayers are with you.  We're going ahead together.  Most of all, THANK YOU for your time and your reading.