Very Personally Yours: It sounds like the sign off on a letter addressed to friends and colleagues doesn’t it? Well, I guess that’s a good analogy for this post. I wanted to share thoughts from my heart with you, my reader friends. So, here goes:
This day began with a stretch, and a sleepy “Thank You” to God for waking me for another day of living. That’s the way I want to start all of my days – with fresh awareness of, and connection to, my God.
I am embarking on the next part of my journey as a writer. Unsure of where this is going … but absolutely sure that I do want to travel the path. I’ve been reading Robert Bensen’s book, Dancing On The Head of a Pen, and I am inspired again.
It’s been a strange interlude since the writer’s conference in April. I enjoyed it immensely, and felt so inspired. At the same time, I felt overwhelmed, underprepared, and intimidated by the publishing world.
I learned much, and met some wonderful people. I survived, and profited from some deep critiques. And I enjoyed strong encouragement. I also saw some great works – some that have me wondering what in the world I think I can add to the works that have already been done. Do I truly have anything of value to contribute? Do I have something to say that hasn’t already been said–-better than I could express it? Is there a need for what I write? Will anyone really read it, be moved by it (to laughter or tears), find encouragement in it, or even be stirred to think something new because of the words I put on a page?
Moving Forward:
I don’t have answers to all of those questions yet. But I will go on because of one answer I have found: Could I ever stop feeling that I must write? The answer is no.
Whatever this drive is, deep within me, I know that I can never stop trying to bring the stories, floating in the cosmos of my own inner-space, to the page. In writing, I can work to focus and refine these fleeting, shimmering, cognitive strands until they reveal a pattern and truth to me. And then, if it seems of value, I can prepare them to share with others.
Mr. Bensen described writing as a gift he received, and a call that he was given to. His words resonate within me. I recognized writing as a gift I received. But, I had never considered that I was given to it as well. Often I have expressed my belief that God doesn’t give us gifts, without expecting that we will open, and put them to good use. This rings true in Mr. Bensen’s statements, and it rings in my heart too.
I wonder, how many gifts are sitting on a shelf, unopened, because recipients were not able to recognize them, or to feel worthy of them, or to feel capable of making good use of them, or were too busy with the cares of day-to-day living to give themselves permission to explore. What treasures have we robbed ourselves of with our myriad ‘reasons’ to postpone the unwrapping and joyous exploration of gifts we were meant to use? And, how much have we robbed others of the treasures we could share, if we did fully give ourselves to the gifts God offers us?
Do It !
May I encourage you now … go to your closet, dig out that forgotten gift, dream, or unfulfilled longing. Recognize that it’s a potential gift, and treasure for your life. Blow off the dust. Unwrap this amazing thing that only you were given, in this particular form, and recognize that you are a gift yourself. Give yourself permission to explore. If you need support in assembly or operation… ask the giver. He’s got you covered. Thank God for your gifts. Feel free to talk things over with Him.
You can also share the adventure with those who love you, and would be supportive of your newborn-baby-steps, as you learn to dance. Do be cautious about putting on a recital for critics at this stage. Negatives, at this early phase of development, may be hazardous to your creative health. I would welcome becoming part of your cheering section. We’re on parallel paths. Feel free to use the comment section to share with me, and with other readers of this post, or use the E-mail (
co*****@ma************.com
) if you want to share privately.
I know I’m rambling a bit. I’m on a journey of exploration here. I’m so glad I have the freedom to allow my thoughts to wander – and to share them with others if I find clarity, encouragement, or comfort that might be useful to someone else.
Plans:
I am renewing my daily commitment, and making it public. I intend to write 600 to 1000 words, five days per week, as my daily writer’s discipline. Perhaps no one will ever see most of the words I write. That’s OK. Writing is my means of transportation for this journey of discovery through inner-space. It is my heart’s desire that others will see, and read, and be moved by, work that may gain that potential. I love connection.
I hope God will be pleased by my feeble efforts to unwrap and fully employ the gifts He has given me. But, whether or not anyone else shares these thoughts, I am a writer and I will write. I will use this daily discipline to complete the draft of my first book, and to explore development of others.
I will not be sharing much more of my current book-in-progress on these pages, but rest assured, I will be writing and re-writing feverishly behind the scenes. From here on, my weekly notes will document progress in other areas of my writer’s life. I hope that I will unearth at least enough ‘good stuff’ to feed a blog – about the journey. Thank you for sharing the adventure. My final thoughts for this post and my prayer for your own personal discovery is summarized in this reference:
EPHESIANS 1: 16-18 (New International Version)
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Blessings, Love and Laughter to you all,
Marge
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