Especially during these days, when many of us are struggling with how to respond to life and all the changes challenging our culture and the world, the truth that artists have a duty to reflect the times seems incredibly important.
Creativity comes in different forms and mediums. I encourage you to mine those gifts from within yourself. That may mean painting, dancing, music, writing, building — simply creating something.
My contribution will be a book of poetry, to be revealed later in the year.
Yikes, I’ve told you what my goal is. Now you all know, and may periodically inquire about my progress.
2024 is groaning under the weight of all the happenings of the year.
Too many happenings to list here.
Are you groaning as well?
Here’s the cure…
Slip into your snuggly warm jammies, or comfortable sweats, grab a warm cup of your favorite steamy brew, take your preferred throw or blanket and settle in-front of the fire.
A big roaring fire.
Listen to the crackles as little sparks pop from the blaze. Watch the flames of the fire rise, rise to the sky or up the firebox.
Give your thoughts of the year to those flames.
Let the flames take the weight of 2024 with them.
Rising into the heights of the heavens, then dissipating in the air.
Allow the smoke to fill your nostrils like incense, purifying your soul.
Watch the flames licking the logs slowly turning the surfaces into glowing, red searing heat sources. Soak in this heat. Sit quietly and let the weight of 2024 escape from your body.
Soak in enough of the heat that you need to toss the blanket aside.
Quiet your mind. Think about the flames making the logs smaller. Let your stressful thoughts shrink as well. Breathe deeply. A new morning is coming. 2025 will arrive like a new babe. Welcome it into your life– Uncorrupted, Renewed, Original.
From the ashes of 2024, let something new be created in you this coming year.
Embrace the possibility of new beginnings. Wrap them around yourself like the blanket you previously tossed.
In the process of final edits, so this children’s story will be available soon.
If you want to be notified when the book is released, go the Sign Me Up page on my site and fill out the form. This book will only be available in a print copy.
In both Ireland and England, they spoke English yet it is so different from American English. I appreciated many of the differences and enjoyed laughs with others at confusion caused by some of those differences. I kept hearing about “biscuits and tea” and thought of “baking powder biscuits.” Eventually, I figured out “biscuits” means cookies, scones and similar desserts. One day, I read a section of Dream Glasses to the writer’s group and someone asked “what are cookies?” Much laughter ensued the explanation.
Ring of Kerry
In Ireland when foreigners move into a town, the locals refer to them as “Blow-ins.” Even when an Irish person moves from one town to another, they are considered “Blow-ins.” With that understanding I can say, we were Blow-Ins that had plenty to learn about life in Ireland.
Ireland’s culture is rich and deep. Wow! There are layers upon layers of history to create the culture. Pondering those eight weeks brings the realization of how much we learned, how many people we interacted with and how much those people impacted us. I learned how extremely similar we all are and yet how uniquely individual we are. It is amazing how we’ve each been created!
We’ve returned to American soil, with a part of Ireland in our hearts. We learned Christian leaders there, just like here, need encouragement and support of other believers. Those who shared what our being in County Kerry meant to them, richly blessed us; they found encouragement in our being there and look forward to our return.
Linda found friendship with a group of writers. Writers bond over words; over the emotions tied to those words; then bond over a cup of tea and shared laughter.
Before heading back to Colorado, we spent five days with family and friends in the Dorset, England area. That was an amazing holiday time — a time to share with another Christian couple the work God’s doing in Ireland and what we experienced; time given to us without the responsibilities of hearth; it was a time for our own thoughts to settle in our minds before landing back home; it was a beautiful gift.
In our ten weeks away, we discovered friendship as a result of daily living in the culture and enjoyed those whom we interacted with. The blessing of friendship is something we can each bring to the world surrounding us, every day we have breath.
The local writers group assigned the topic of “Day Dreams.”
This piece came from that assignment.
As a little girl, with bubble wand in my hand, I twirl.
The bubbles, like my day dreams unknown to me, rise in the sky.
My only fascination lay with watching the bubbles rise and marveling how high they went before they burst.
I shared this activity with my daughters and grand-daughters. To this day, I stop and smile when I witness a child partaking in this delight.
Only later did I realize my day dreams rode on those bubbles. How many dreams did I let escape? Did they really escape, or simply hitch a ride on a star?
As an adult, the night sky and its stars captivated me. I love how the night lights sparkle and shine against the dark velvet.
Drifting Clouds
I moved west and in the high, dry mountain air found the stars more numerous than previously imagined. And they appeared much closer. In fact, close enough to reach out and grab. I began to see the connection between bubbles, stars and my day dreams.
Now I envision my day dreams found protection in the stars until such time as I could gather them back to myself. In the safety of maturity and greater self-awareness, I’m learning which dreams to toss back to the stars for another time or person to claim. With fresh eyes and new appreciation, I’ve reclaimed some of those day dreams. As they unfold and develop, I change and grow.
Now I recognize that day dreams and dreaming keeps one alive and vibrant.
My advice to you: Hang onto your dreams!
Do you still dream?
Are you finding any of your old dreams returning to you?
This was the scene during worship yesterday. The weather was the best we’ve experienced since we were here. Such a beautiful Sunday gift.
Sunday morning worship
We’ve settled into some routines. I meet with a local writers group on Thursdays. They introduced me to “Poet’s Corner” which is a long-standing group that writes more than poetry and only meets on Bank Holidays. I’ve attended two readings with this group. I appreciate the weekly group welcoming me and letting me become part of their group; their patience as I try to develop “Irish Ears” (sometimes I have a better understanding than other times); I’m encouraged by the different writing styles and the freedom of verse expressed. Last week after everyone read we did something new for me. We told a story. One person starts with whatever they want and at some point just stops and the person next to them picks up the story. No one knows where this will go. Talk about sparking creativity on the run! It was fun, it was a good time, and we all laughed. …and no. No one wrote the story down. It all moved quickly.
I’m attending an evening study with Tom and he’s attending several others besides. Our circle of contacts continues to grow. Along with that growth is the growth in our understanding of the culture. Sometimes I feel like I understand so very little. But I’m becoming more aware of things I don’t know.
God’s grace abounds as He keeps bringing people into our circle willing to enlighten us or share a meal or their life with us. Our days are flying by (Yes, we each keep making this statement). But it is true. As we become more involved, we recognize more things we could do. We will build a list for future trips and opportunities.
When it comes to negative thoughts and self-talk, we have to fight back against those things.
Steven Furdick’s book, Crash the Chatterbox may be a good resource if you struggle with this type of negativity.
Furdick wrote the book to help people understand how they can battle the negative thoughts and lies filling their heads and hearts and instead turn to God promises and truth.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others if they will work through the questions in the back.
There are a several statements that stood out to me:
…it’s not just what this chatter says that makes it dangerous. It’s what it keeps us from hearing.
…mistakes are inevitable but disrespect is inexcusable. And ingratitude is more than a misdemeanor.
…gratitude allows us to disconnect discouragement at the power source by choosing to call God good in spite of our situation.
Because we write alone, learning to share one’s work is a big step. Taking the risk, has big payoffs.
This was last night’s Carbondale Writer’s Group. Each one of us has a totally different writing style. One never knows who will be there. I find the encouragement, support and energy of the Carbondale Writer’s Group to be a huge blessing.
I experienced one of those moments on January 18th, when I slipped and fell while shopping and broke, not one arm – but both of my arms. With one elbow broken and the other shoulder fractured life slowed.
I have time to reflect on the blessings surrounding me. Beauty encircles me and resides within each of us. Family, friends and my beloved hubby are needed to help me achieve nearly everything.
God heals in many ways. Healing is a daily transformation that happens one step at a time. I’m confident His healing power is at work in my body.
From the 23rd – 25th of December Dream Glasses is being offered as a Free Kindle Book. This is my gift to you, my friends and followers. Dream Glasses is a women’s lit or young adult readers novella about a woman who finds herself and her dream.
New to the publishing world, the best way to find my book is to go Amazon, and then search in the books area for DREAM GLASSES by Linda L Flynn. This book is part of the Rosethorn Series. Once you download the book, it’s yours. I hope you’ll enjoy it. After reading it, please take the time to leave a review on Amazon.
Journey to the Heights 