Dedicated to my mother…
Words on paper
absorbed in mind
create images
Brings to life
other places and times
Roots and wings intermingle
Twisting and growing together
Each trying to be dominant
The one who planted words and dreams
had deep roots and has left the earth
Yet she birthed the one with wings
Did she know what she planted
Do any of us
She marveled as she watched
the wings grow and develop
Did know she was thanked
…what sparks yours?
I’ve written earlier how Covid-19 has helped me establish some better writing habits, and it has. Yet the last two weeks provided some interesting self-learning opportunities for me. We traveled to California (via car), to spend time with family. This hasn’t been a trip for sight-seeing, but has allowed us to connect with some family members while staying in one location. A location different from our house. Everyone here has their normal activities, as do we.
Yet the environment differs vastly from home. The sights, the temperatures, the plants—I’ve found all these differences sparked additional creativity for me.
In the past, I’ve found traveling ignites creativity, or time appreciating natural beauty, or enjoying another’s art creations. Just spending quiet, uninterrupted time in a different environment from home provided an unexpected burst.
This gift of creative energy was a surprise, a very pleasant surprise.
A daughter commented that she’s heard other writers say that’s the reason they enjoy going to a retreat. I’d always thought one went on a writing retreat to remove one’s self from their routine and have more time. So like me to consider “time” as the limiting commodity. …and so, incorrect! I’ve enjoyed this “writing retreat” to work on multiple projects.
What fuels your creativity?
Pause.
Projects.
We are at home. Like many of you, really at home.
Perhaps for the first time in ages.
At our house that has meant projects.
House projects for my hubby.
Mostly writing for me.
This last week, I took on a project to remake an old family dresser.
The chest is sturdy, but made from an era when all wood furniture was dark.
Dark has become so foreboding.
It was time for a change.
I had a plan, however when I started sanding the finish from the old piece of furniture, the wood spoke something different to me.
Plan abandoned.
I kept on working.
As I was doing the finish coat, I found my mind wandering to memories of my father.
He was the one who introduced me to wood and with great supervision, would allow me to work with him in the basement.
Those thoughts bought a smile to mind.
For those of you who know me, there aren’t many times I speak of my dad.
My memories aren’t very pleasant.
In the last few years, I’ve been learning about how we can remake our memories.
Instead of replaying in your mind the same sad stories, stop those thoughts and replace them with more pleasant memories.
I’ve been working on that memory project for a few years.
It doesn’t change any realities, but it changes what my first thoughts are when thinking about my father.
This weekend wrapped up a remaking project and contributed to an ongoing remaking project.
It’s never too late to work on remaking…
In the midst of the current pandemic, we’ve found ourselves with more time at home. There has been a task at my house I’ve been saying “if I just had some uninterrupted time at home, I would get that done.”
So, due to the pandemic, I have time at home. I’ve found tackling the task difficult to do. Not because the task is so hard, I just lacked enthusiasm to start and stick with the project to completion.
It took me over a week to complete the project once I began. What’s interesting to me, is that I realize it was not a question time. The question proved to be motivation.
For whatever reason, I made cleaning my office/art room into something so daunting that I was avoiding even beginning.
I can say it is complete. I’ve been waiting to start a project in the room until I completed the clean-up. Now I’m able to begin creating something I want to do. Why am I not filled with a sense of satisfaction for cleaning up my work space?
Do you have a project or task that you’ve been putting off and can’t seem to do it?
And why?
I stand in the wind facing east.
The sea roars as the consistent waves roll in, one after the other.
The sky is huge with layer after layer of clouds cloaking the evening sun.
I feel small against the vastness of these forces of nature.
Yet, I look into the heavens and know that I’m loved beyond comprehension.
The words from Psalm 8 filled my mind this day.
Psalm 8 from the NIV Bible
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
I have questions today.
Please leave a comment in response to any of the questions. Happy New Year!
Do you read my blog because you too are a writer, or just interested in what I write about?
Either is good; I’m just curious.
If you write, do you have writing goals?
How to you track your goals and evaluate your progress?
Does this motivate you?
I use writing goals. It’s a process I’ve refined over the years. It started with generic lists for big projects that I seldom looked at and by the year’s end; I found I accomplished little. Not very satisfying!
My process evolved and suspect will continue to evolve.
It’s important for me to break down a project into tasks; this level of detail ensures things don’t fall through the cracks and provides a more accurate view of the work and time involved to accomplish the project. Making that simple change to my goals has allowed me to be more realistic in what I can accomplish.
As I contemplated 2019’s goals in creating my goals for 2020, I realized how frequently you, my followers have been part of the process. Thank you for taking time to read my posts, for choosing to “like them” or make comments. Those efforts encourage me, as a writer.
My hope for you is that as you reflect on 2019, you enjoy good memories.
I look forward to 2020 and hope my writing will bring a smile to your face,
or provide something for you to contemplate.
‘Twas the night before Christmas,
Not a creature was stirring….
Perhaps this is a night for reflection.
…a quiet night to sit by a fire, or simply on a couch
…a time to think of what is right in your life
…or to think on the things you might like to change
Christmas is special to me. I’ll spend this evening in my home, reflecting on Christmas’ past, and the people who’ve impacted my life. I’ll count my joys and blessings, and though I hold those things lightly, for me it’s important to recognize them.
I’ll wait for snow, like a child waits for Santa because that is part of the magic of my Christmas.
I’ll think on that time so many years ago when history was changed a child was born in a manger. Then I’ll think on the time I made his saving grace a part of my life.
May you enjoy the blessings of this holiday season and find joy in the coming year.
This whirlwind year is coming to a close.
Memories of people and places are swirling through my head like the winter wind blowing in snowflakes; looking to see where they will settle.
As the flakes blow in circles, memories of the year flash before me. Reflections of time spent with family and friends make me smile. Beauty within the world spins by in my mind’s eye.
God’s love has been obvious this year in so many aspects of my life.
The peace I’m filled with confirms the many things I have to be thankful for. Words and lists are inadequate to express all that encompasses these thoughts.
I wonder how my family, my friends, those I’ve met and interacted with this year, view 2019.
How do you regard this past year?
Fall is my favorite time of the year. It is the season that seems to recharge and energize me. These pictures provide a glimpse of the beauty we’re enjoying.
What is your favorite season and why?
We returned home to Colorado in early June. Since that time, we’ve been connecting with old friends and family. Anyone who has spent a large chunk of time out of the country may relate to the re-adjustment time when returning to your homeland. We’ve been living through this change process. Many of our discussions have centered about “when we will return to Ireland.”
As part of connecting with family and friends, we made a trip back to the mid-west and attended the church Tom was part of for many years. It was our first opportunity of speaking to a group about Ireland, our time there and the vision for the future. It was an excellent experience for both of us. Besides being energizing, this time identified areas where we need to clarify our vision.
We send a hearty “thanks” to the folks of New Hope for allowing us to share our experience and vision; for your interest in this work; and for reminding us that when with Christians, one is never far from family.
For more information about this mission, check out CelticMissions.org
Journey to the Heights 