Category Archives: Writing Projects

Things I’m working on

Excuse me! This is my seat!

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This last weekend I attended a Heroine’s Journey writing program. The program is designed for women, to help them identify where they have come from, what they have overcome and who they have become. All the while you accomplish this, you learn skills to improve your writing. It was an amazing, intense and crazy wonderful weekend.

The following is one of the writing prompts used during the weekend. Some of you may already recognize me in some of these chairs and some of you may learn new things about me.

Thank you to all the beautiful ladies who made the weekend so special! You know who you are….

Excuse me!  This is my seat.

Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is reserved for one who has endured hardship inflicted by others and recognized that to stop the abuse, you have to take the control away from the other person. Sometimes that is accomplished by putting space between you and the other person and sometimes it is accomplished when you recognize you only THOUGHT they had control. This person has learned forgiveness, both for themselves and for others.

Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is for one who has learned you must determine for yourself the things that are important in your life and live for those things. Not to spend your life just collecting things others say are important. This seat is for someone who sees the beauty of the world around them without thinking they have to own it.

Excuse me! This is my seat. This seat is for one who has struggled against the control of others trying to hold them down and recognizes that only happens if you allow it. This seat is for one who has learned that sometimes you have to shut a door to find freedom, and remembers God never closes a door without opening a window.

Excuse me! I believe this is my seat. This seat is for one who has worked for another. Has spent much time and effort developing and creating things for another’s benefit. This person has learned to work with different people in different situations to accomplish the goal or task at hand.  This person has learned to plan, both for the benefit of their employer and for themselves. This person can also determine what is important to self.

Excuse me! This is my seat. This is for one who has been given the gift of love and recognizes it is not something that just comes along any day. This person has learned to cherish the gift, accept the freedom and responsibility that comes with receiving and giving this type of love.

Excuse me! I believe this is my seat.  This seat is for one who has learned to treat herself with gentleness and forgiveness. One who accepts her weaknesses and knows her strengths. One who knows what things will bring healing to her soul and who wants to help others find that healing also.

Excuse me! This is my seat. I am a woman. That does not mean I know everything, it means I’m okay with me.

Sometimes 24 Hours Makes a Difference…….

Light Hearted Living..., , , ,

Yesterday……

October 3, 2013

Today……

October 4, 2013

Same view yet totally different.

It is amazing how little it takes to change how things look.

I find these views so much like our perspectives on life. We don’t always realize when they change. The important things are still there. They always are. Sometimes they are hidden from us.

Find something to enjoy today!

Happiness! Where is it?

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While reading “The True Secret of Writing” by Natalie Goldberg, I came across the following statement:

You don’t do happiness. You receive it!

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this thought. It resonates with who I am and how I live.

Does it speak to you, or do you have other thoughts about happiness? I would enjoy hearing from you.

The Games Continue…..

Light Hearted Living..., , ,

She’s Back! The brazen hussy chipmunk decided to visit our deck again; the deck where we grow tomatoes and herbs for our enjoyment. This time my hunter man was home. He got his weapon and was ready for action. The chipmunk avoided positioning herself in a good shot area. The goal is to hit the vermin not a piece of glass or a shop door. She dodged behind and between the potted plants. She was at the end of the deck, ten feet above ground. We were sure we had her trapped and simply had to wait for a good shot. Not so! Standing on the edge of the deck, she looked around and then she jumped over the edge. We could not believe it! We headed toward the edge and then heard “Kerplunk”! We expected to see chipmunk splat, but instead she was running for the rocks. The fact she survived the fall was more surprising to us than the fact she jumped from such a height.

Fast forward 24 hours and we looked out the window to see said chipmunk stretched out on our cement umbrella base. Who knows if this was a cooling position on the cement, a sunning position, or an announcement of ownership of the deck? The hunter and I headed outside again. The critter appeared a little confused, running to hide behind patio storage boxes. We moved the boxes and the chipmunk ran. I chased it thinking it would run to the planting area and dodge in-between the pots. Surprised again! She raced right up to the end of the deck and jumped. There was no hesitation she just jumped. Gone again.

Who would have thought a chipmunk we could be involved in training chipmunks for the miniature circus?

Breaking Up With Writers Block…..

Light Hearted Living..., , , ,

Note:  I have recently turned to some writing prompts to get back to the practice of writing regularly. You may or may not find this humorous. Please feel free to share your comments. A recent prompt was 

It’s time for you and Writer’s Block to part ways. Write a letter breaking up with Writer’s Block, starting out with,

Dear Writer’s Block, it’s not you, it’s me …

It is time for me to be honest with you. I don’t like myself when we are hanging around together. Liking ones self is essential to personal satisfaction and happiness. When I’m around you, I don’t accomplish anything. There are so many things in my head I want to get down on paper, or things I’ve started knowing I need to revisit and refine. I find myself thinking, “I can’t!” instead of thinking “I can!” You make it too easy for me to settle for thinking “someday I’ll get back to my writing”. I’m a happier and more fulfilled person when I think, “I can!” We just aren’t compatible. I have taken the liberty of packing your stuff and have even booked a hotel for you in town. With your personality and way with people, I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding someone else to hang around with. If you find yourself bored in town or with no companionship, hop on the train. Enjoy the scenery and the ride. I’m sure things will work out for you. Best of luck to you. I’ve got things to do.

Bye…..

What’s the most important factor in any relationship?

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None of us are an island to ourself. Our relationships to others impact us. How are your relationships impacting you?

 

Survival War Games

Light Hearted Living..., Things to ponder...., ,

I need my hunter home. I spent the best part of the day protecting our patio tomato plant from a brazen chipmunk hussy who thinks she can sneak from one end of the long deck to another to eat the fruit of our labors. I see her scamper past the patio door. She hears the door open and freezes, looking first to the right and then to left. Her dilemma – where to go? To the left is a drop-off, to the right is a solid wall, and to the rear is another drop-off. Oh, my! The only way out is to zigzag back the way she came, with me chasing her. Racing off the deck, she jumps to the walkway then leaps off the wall and scampers under the island deck. Safe again! We have played this game for hours today, and she wins once again. Or do I? Our tomato plant is still unharmed. Or so I think….

I do not see her again for some time so I return to my work. Later I look out the front door to find an entire branch from our patio tomato lying at the threshold. She did not even bother to eat the fruit, just left it by the door to wither in the sun.

When the hunter arrives she will have more than I to face. His aim is good. He has nurtured and protected this tomato plant from the wind and extreme heat. I do not believe he will be willing to surrender the plant to the chipmunk. I believe the rules will change! Let the games begin…..

What does living a life of faith look like?

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A friend asked, “What does living a life of faith look like to you?” WOW, what a powerful question. I think the answers to this question are as unique as the people to whom it is asked.

For me, living a life of faith means living my life in such a way that the love of Christ is reflected to those around me. Some days, I do accomplish this better than others. Yet the truth is, God intimately knows me, knows my weaknesses and loves me! Loves me, just as I am. This is a powerful truth to grasp and because of this truth, I can start fresh after I have failed. To me, living His love means I need to accept others where they are; I need to not judge others for their shortcomings; I need to be able and willing to speak of His work in my life; I need to attempt to bring a piece of heaven to those around me. Each of these efforts is not to bring glory or praise to me, but to draw others closer to the love of Christ in hopes that they too will experience a personal relationship with him.

What does living a life of faith mean to you?

Half full or half empty. You decide….

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glass_half

I saw this on our son’s refrigerator. I think it solves the debate of if the glass is half full or half empty. For me, I always thought my glass was half full. I appreciate this changed perspective! My glass is full! This leaves me free to simply keep filling my mind with positive, encouraging, loving thoughts — and leaves no room for the negative things that attempt to creep into our minds. I hope this will challenge you to think about your life and thoughts.

Oh Happy Day…..

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Here is a challenge for you (and for me…..)

Appreciate and be grateful for today, (and every day) as it is a precious, unrepeatable gift. You will not have another opportunity to live today, so live it well!