In school we are taught writing is an art form. It is an adult form of coloring within the lines. Sometimes, you end up writing the perfect picture, the magic of words outlining every single image. Then again, some days the pen just seems to skip across the page. The crayons won’t stay in the pictures if you will, and you look down to see you colored an arm blue.
These are the days most writers claim writers block, or better yet, they find themselves completely creatively avoiding all forms of work to better their writing. Sometimes they find days turn into weeks and weeks turn into years. Looking up, they can’t remember which page they were working on and all the crayons in the box have melted over time. Sometimes, at this pivotal moment, writers give up. Some put their manuscripts away, only to be read later and some simply throw it to the wind, never to be worked on again.
People often say writers are not like other people. They are eccentric, they are odd, even a bit crazy, none of which I disagree, mind you; however the part I don’t believe is they are not like other people.
They are. They hold rejections personal, they get involved with the people they work with, (no need to point out they live in our heads) and deep down inside, we all think we are the greatest writer in the world.
What? You are a writer and don’t think that? Of course you don’t. That was simply a test- NONE of us think we are the best writer out there- we just think we are better than most.
See, it is that little piece that makes a true writer take the manuscript they put aside and start working again. It is that little element which makes the true teacher start volunteering at her kids school to help on Thursdays. They are the parts that bind us together. We are all the same. All groups of people tend to get into avoidance mode, no matter what their occupation. (Let’s hope brain surgeons stay on task for the most part) I proudly state when people ask what I do that I am a writer. Am I published? Well, not unless this counts, but I am a writer. What are you? What picture did you stop coloring years ago? Did you shove it in a drawer, or did you toss the dream away completely? Whatever you did, ask yourself if it is something you can ever go back to.
I believe it is never too late, however if you wanted to be a pro football player, then maybe we need to re-define pro. If it was something other than a pro athlete, are you ready to pick it up again? Even in a little capacity?
Maybe
Maybe not
Either way, are you doing something ? Anything at all? If not, why? See, this isn’t a dress rehearsal, it is the now. Start today- again. Make a commitment to yourself to do one thing this week toward your future goal. It doesn’t mean you are going to make it through med school by Friday, but do one little thing to push you closer. Just one tiny step. It will take you forward and that is the yellow brick road to your dream.
Why not? You can do it; you can do anything you put your mind to.
What is that you say? You want to be a racehorse jockey? Then again, maybe I was wrong…
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
A Night at the Carnival
Have you ever experienced the joy of a school carnival? Really, I am being serious, it is a magical place. Children all getting along, parents not killing children, teachers smiling at their toughest cases, even older brothers and sisters joining in. It is truly an experience that in unlike any other.
I sat watching tonight at such a carnival, held at a local elementary school. They had of all things a Karaoke booth. Now, to some of us, it is impossible to actually catch a note, let alone hit one on key. The idea of singing in public is almost as scary as arriving in North Dakota and finding a wood chipper waiting for you.
None the less, I sat and witnessed as a line formed of the future American Idol contestants. They belted out Taylor Swift song after song and missed the majority of the notes, but were braver than most adults I know, even after a couple of shots of tequila.
They held raw belief of doing something for the sheer fun of doing it, simply singing loud and proud for the joy of singing, children dreaming of what a future on stage would really feel like. I sat wondering where and when most adults lost that voice. Not the singing voice, listen at any stop light in the summer with the windows down and you will know that voice hasn’t gone very far, but the voice of fearlessness.
Another of the Carnival games was simply a jumping house rented from a local party place. Again, not one parent made an attempt to join in the bouncing free-for-all. Why? They even had chairs sat along the wall for parents to wait respectably for their children to finish jumping and playing. When did the idea of jumping up and down become beneath us? Now, for a few of you reading this, you are laughing out loud, because you know the idea went out the window as soon as you hit the age of 13 and were female, but for the rest of you, myself included, that is just a cop out.
So I have a challenge for you, take one day this weekend and do something juvenile. Anything. Find a trampoline and go jump for a while, hit the park and swing as high as you can, or you could even just color a picture, making sure to stay in the lines. So something fun. I know you want to, I can feel you thinking, ya-but this and ya-but that. Your right, ya-butt needs to have a little fun!
After you are done with your juvenile task, take a moment and think about how it felt and vow to do it again. It seems silly I know, but really I believe youth is a state of mind and why not get your mind back there as often as possible? Who knows, maybe you will be belting out Karaoke at the next school Carnival.
I sat watching tonight at such a carnival, held at a local elementary school. They had of all things a Karaoke booth. Now, to some of us, it is impossible to actually catch a note, let alone hit one on key. The idea of singing in public is almost as scary as arriving in North Dakota and finding a wood chipper waiting for you.
None the less, I sat and witnessed as a line formed of the future American Idol contestants. They belted out Taylor Swift song after song and missed the majority of the notes, but were braver than most adults I know, even after a couple of shots of tequila.
They held raw belief of doing something for the sheer fun of doing it, simply singing loud and proud for the joy of singing, children dreaming of what a future on stage would really feel like. I sat wondering where and when most adults lost that voice. Not the singing voice, listen at any stop light in the summer with the windows down and you will know that voice hasn’t gone very far, but the voice of fearlessness.
Another of the Carnival games was simply a jumping house rented from a local party place. Again, not one parent made an attempt to join in the bouncing free-for-all. Why? They even had chairs sat along the wall for parents to wait respectably for their children to finish jumping and playing. When did the idea of jumping up and down become beneath us? Now, for a few of you reading this, you are laughing out loud, because you know the idea went out the window as soon as you hit the age of 13 and were female, but for the rest of you, myself included, that is just a cop out.
So I have a challenge for you, take one day this weekend and do something juvenile. Anything. Find a trampoline and go jump for a while, hit the park and swing as high as you can, or you could even just color a picture, making sure to stay in the lines. So something fun. I know you want to, I can feel you thinking, ya-but this and ya-but that. Your right, ya-butt needs to have a little fun!
After you are done with your juvenile task, take a moment and think about how it felt and vow to do it again. It seems silly I know, but really I believe youth is a state of mind and why not get your mind back there as often as possible? Who knows, maybe you will be belting out Karaoke at the next school Carnival.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I guess it is time to go live....
For the longest time I have been in resistance to telling anyone about my blog. I mean, really, why would anyone want to read about me? Furthermore, why would anyone want to read about my life? I am a boring normal person, with normal problems and normal excitement. What makes me special?
It wasn’t until a dear friend of mine explained to me the normalcy’s MADE me special. (Trust me, I am still not convinced.) But, low and behold, here we are- posting a blog entry that I will be inviting everyone to see, read, and respond to.
Wow, the entire concept of going live is a bit unnerving- so I tried to imagine it as an exercise I did a few years back…
We were doing a ropes course for personal growth. The next obstacle was a tree. Seems harmless enough, can’t chase you. (And if it did think of the story you could write?)
I digress-
So we were standing in front of a harmless tree in the great outdoors, being one with nature, breathing the fresh air, admiring the treetops and small birds that flew in between. But wait- what is that? Why it looks like a trapeze bar- I noted there were no small well dressed people in tights near me, nor an elephant or tiger in sight. So what, pray tell was a trapeze bar doing in the middle of the woods, you ask?
It was at then we were informed the exercise involved trust. Not typically one of my strong points, but I tried to keep an open mind, as well as a small eye on the mystery bar above me.
They explained that we were to climb the tree, stand on the 2”x2” platform then face the trapeze bar. Take a deep breath for this next part, we were instructed to jump into mid air and grab a hold of the bar.
Now, to clarify any and all preconceived notions, I am not, nor will I ever be athletic. I have an issue with gravity. The issue is it is very attached to me, there for sky diving and such activities are not on my bucket list.
The instructor asked if he had any volunteers. I heard someone step forward and immediately say they would go first. I looked around and swallowed rather hard when I discovered it was me. Well, I just volunteered in front of at least thirty people, I had to now actually climb a tree.
Honestly, you don’t want the details, they weren’t pretty, but the moral of the story is I did it. Was it easy? Keeping the thought of plummeting forty feet to my death, or at the very least a broken arm from the fore front of your mind, then yes- it was a cinch.
Today, I find myself on another platform, ready to grab out to the awaiting trapeze bar. My mind is swimming, my heart is racing, but in the end the words are the same as they were that day. My spirit is saying: Just Jump.
It wasn’t until a dear friend of mine explained to me the normalcy’s MADE me special. (Trust me, I am still not convinced.) But, low and behold, here we are- posting a blog entry that I will be inviting everyone to see, read, and respond to.
Wow, the entire concept of going live is a bit unnerving- so I tried to imagine it as an exercise I did a few years back…
We were doing a ropes course for personal growth. The next obstacle was a tree. Seems harmless enough, can’t chase you. (And if it did think of the story you could write?)
I digress-
So we were standing in front of a harmless tree in the great outdoors, being one with nature, breathing the fresh air, admiring the treetops and small birds that flew in between. But wait- what is that? Why it looks like a trapeze bar- I noted there were no small well dressed people in tights near me, nor an elephant or tiger in sight. So what, pray tell was a trapeze bar doing in the middle of the woods, you ask?
It was at then we were informed the exercise involved trust. Not typically one of my strong points, but I tried to keep an open mind, as well as a small eye on the mystery bar above me.
They explained that we were to climb the tree, stand on the 2”x2” platform then face the trapeze bar. Take a deep breath for this next part, we were instructed to jump into mid air and grab a hold of the bar.
Now, to clarify any and all preconceived notions, I am not, nor will I ever be athletic. I have an issue with gravity. The issue is it is very attached to me, there for sky diving and such activities are not on my bucket list.
The instructor asked if he had any volunteers. I heard someone step forward and immediately say they would go first. I looked around and swallowed rather hard when I discovered it was me. Well, I just volunteered in front of at least thirty people, I had to now actually climb a tree.
Honestly, you don’t want the details, they weren’t pretty, but the moral of the story is I did it. Was it easy? Keeping the thought of plummeting forty feet to my death, or at the very least a broken arm from the fore front of your mind, then yes- it was a cinch.
Today, I find myself on another platform, ready to grab out to the awaiting trapeze bar. My mind is swimming, my heart is racing, but in the end the words are the same as they were that day. My spirit is saying: Just Jump.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The slower we move the faster we die- make no mistake moving is living*
Forgetting about so many things seem to be the trend of today- I haven’t updated in almost a week and here I sit wondering why no one is reading my page…hmmm-it is a mystery-
This week has been filled with ups and downs, in and outs, even overs and unders. Needless to say, I am ready for spring break- of course, aren’t we all? Wouldn’t it be great if we were 10 again and spring break simply meant no school and and outside world filled with endless possibilities?
But then again, why is it we can’t celebrate as adults? WE are in-charge now- no one is telling us when to go to bed, when to turn off the T.V. and most importantly if they are, well then maybe you need to do some internal conversations with yourself.
I am in awe of the number of adults I know that have given up entirely. Don’t we grow up waiting for the time that we are in control of our own lives, only to be bogged down with excuses and regrets? I believe in life liberty and the pursuit of YOUR happiness- that, by definition is whatever you want it to be-
In that pursuit of MY happiness, I find a great form of reflection in my favorite form of art- Movies- Ah yes, the cinema has captured some of the biggest and most touching things we as humans have ever experienced. In some ways a life can be completely defined by movies- look at John Hughes- he defined an entire generation.
So in my love of movies and their true reflections of life, I have two I am going to talk about today. One is currently in the theatres, while the other is out at your local Redbox- (or netflix if you will)
I firmly believe quotes are life changing speeches that stayed in the dryer too long. (Not that there is anything wrong with that)
“Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack. I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life... start with the little things…” *{Up in The Air}
Think about that for a second- how many of us carry extra things in our backpack that are a) not ours to carry, or b) really not needed? Think about it if you would set down the back pack- how would that feel?
Large novels and books have been written about the subject- one of those is something about packing light, but how many of us read these, think they are wonderful- and set them down never to be picked up again? But when George Clooney says it on a 40 foot screne, we tend listen. Sometimes.
Now it takes me to a movie playing in theatres now- Seriously, you have to go see this movie- it is moving amazing and whatever you do- DON’T try and find out what it is about- it will ruin your entire experience-
“Gandhi said that whatever you do in life will be insignificant. But it's very important that you do it… If you could hear me, I would say that our finger prints don't fade from the lives we've touched.” {Remember Me}
Now let’s look at that for a second- how could you possibly not get a few goose bumps when you read those two? Seriously? These are powerful thought provoking ideas-
I guess the moral of this entry today is LIVE- by whatever means you choose- just LIVE-
If you are lucky enough to be doing what you love, celebrate-
If you are lucky enough to be loving who you are with, celebrate-
If you are lucky enough to be living at all, celebrate-
I don’t mean through a Trump sized party, I mean look up at the sky and down at the ground and be THANKFUL that you are here-
And always wear sunscreen-* { Chicago Tribune, written by staff writer Mary Schmich}
This week has been filled with ups and downs, in and outs, even overs and unders. Needless to say, I am ready for spring break- of course, aren’t we all? Wouldn’t it be great if we were 10 again and spring break simply meant no school and and outside world filled with endless possibilities?
But then again, why is it we can’t celebrate as adults? WE are in-charge now- no one is telling us when to go to bed, when to turn off the T.V. and most importantly if they are, well then maybe you need to do some internal conversations with yourself.
I am in awe of the number of adults I know that have given up entirely. Don’t we grow up waiting for the time that we are in control of our own lives, only to be bogged down with excuses and regrets? I believe in life liberty and the pursuit of YOUR happiness- that, by definition is whatever you want it to be-
In that pursuit of MY happiness, I find a great form of reflection in my favorite form of art- Movies- Ah yes, the cinema has captured some of the biggest and most touching things we as humans have ever experienced. In some ways a life can be completely defined by movies- look at John Hughes- he defined an entire generation.
So in my love of movies and their true reflections of life, I have two I am going to talk about today. One is currently in the theatres, while the other is out at your local Redbox- (or netflix if you will)
I firmly believe quotes are life changing speeches that stayed in the dryer too long. (Not that there is anything wrong with that)
“Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack. I want you to pack it with all the stuff that you have in your life... start with the little things…” *{Up in The Air}
Think about that for a second- how many of us carry extra things in our backpack that are a) not ours to carry, or b) really not needed? Think about it if you would set down the back pack- how would that feel?
Large novels and books have been written about the subject- one of those is something about packing light, but how many of us read these, think they are wonderful- and set them down never to be picked up again? But when George Clooney says it on a 40 foot screne, we tend listen. Sometimes.
Now it takes me to a movie playing in theatres now- Seriously, you have to go see this movie- it is moving amazing and whatever you do- DON’T try and find out what it is about- it will ruin your entire experience-
“Gandhi said that whatever you do in life will be insignificant. But it's very important that you do it… If you could hear me, I would say that our finger prints don't fade from the lives we've touched.” {Remember Me}
Now let’s look at that for a second- how could you possibly not get a few goose bumps when you read those two? Seriously? These are powerful thought provoking ideas-
I guess the moral of this entry today is LIVE- by whatever means you choose- just LIVE-
If you are lucky enough to be doing what you love, celebrate-
If you are lucky enough to be loving who you are with, celebrate-
If you are lucky enough to be living at all, celebrate-
I don’t mean through a Trump sized party, I mean look up at the sky and down at the ground and be THANKFUL that you are here-
And always wear sunscreen-* { Chicago Tribune, written by staff writer Mary Schmich}
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Who knew time could go by so quickly?
It has been an amazing week (or so) since I wrote last- I considered putting my daughter in school, I took up biking for health, and thought about taking a full time career, but in the end I decided it was best to simply best to just go shopping.
It is amazing how shopping for a new skirt can actually provide more stress than just living without it- at least for me.
As far as my mini life crisis, ( I see to have them regularly) I survived with little more than a bit of buyers remorse over a $20 skirt. I have to say, I can live with that!
It has been an amazing week (or so) since I wrote last- I considered putting my daughter in school, I took up biking for health, and thought about taking a full time career, but in the end I decided it was best to simply best to just go shopping.
It is amazing how shopping for a new skirt can actually provide more stress than just living without it- at least for me.
As far as my mini life crisis, ( I see to have them regularly) I survived with little more than a bit of buyers remorse over a $20 skirt. I have to say, I can live with that!
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