There are a number of blogs that I visit on a daily basis for inspiration and a good story or two. Tayari Jones' blog is one of my first stops and recently she had a post on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron that really piqued my interest.
My spirit, creatively and otherwise, has really been missing over the last several months and I thought this might be the answer to some prayers.
So I went out and bought the book and began reading it. Now, I'm not normally one who reads all of the forewards etc. to a book because I like to formulate my own views and just jump into a book. For some reason I read the Introduction and everything else at the beginning of the book and my curiosity was further raised.
Why was I so impressed? Partly because there were a number of references to God and your spirit and recently issues of spirituality and faith have been popping up around me. It's as if God has been pulling me toward Him in a number of ways.
So I decide I am going to take this journey with Tayari and guests. This is a twelve week course meant to bring your Creative Spirit to the forefront. In the first chapter there is a discussion of your champions and members of your "Monster Hall of Fame". The Monsters you might have guessed are those who have injured your spirit, and made you doubt your abilities.
I don't know if I was lost in the clouds somewhere at the time, or maybe it was the illness of my dear friend that left me preoccupied and unable to focus - but initially I couldnt' really put my hand on a Monster.
Throughout my writing career I have been fortunate in that my family has supported me and most everyone around me has offered some sort of support, never any real negatives. Yet, after further evaluation I remembered the Publisher from hell. I was working for a local weekly newspaper and the publisher and I did not see eye to eye on my writing style. At the time I was younger and more egotistical than I am today and I didn't give his opinion any weight or credit. He was very negative in his criticism and I felt it was more personal than professional so I brushed it off.
Not long after this I collaborated with some friends to start a Youth Magazine, but when that didn't pay enough of the bills I was offered a job in government where I remain today. Looking back on that time in my life I believe that subconciously I let the publisher into my head and I began to question my abilities, and this attributed to my inability for a number of years to actually sit down and get serious about my writing - creatively or non fiction.
If you're having trouble recognizing your Creative Spirit, pick up The Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self - I promise you will find something in there to help you.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Farewell my friend, my sister - I'll miss you!
I'll See You On the Other Side
Spankee, I woke up this morning around 3:30 a.m. with an uncontrollable cough. It wasn't hot, the normal cause for these fits, but it persisted for about a half hour before I could return to sleep. Of course I then overslept and decided I'd take the day off. I was a little congested so I took some Sudafed Sinus and went back to sleep around 8 a.m.
I didn't know at the time, but around the time I was fighting the cough you were making your transition. You were finally at peace and the suffering had ended.
So I ask, "Were you saying goodbye, letting me know that you were now totally at peace?" I know you can't answer, but I am going to take this as a sign, and say that you were sending me your positive thoughts because that's the type of person you are.
Really though, I think it was God at work. See He knew I was having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that your time on earth was coming much sooner than anyone expected.
Just so you'll know, I'm holding up pretty good. I know that you are in a better place and that your spirit and the memories of our sisterhood will always be with me, but it's hard already not being able to pick up the phone and run something by you.
Poochie and I were sitting around reminiscing today and we kept saying how 38 years is so young, but as I think back over the last few years I would have to say you achieved a number of your dreams and your experienced a lot that many of us will never have the opportunity to enjoy.
Rest easy my Sister, my friend, and I'll see you on the other side.
I didn't know at the time, but around the time I was fighting the cough you were making your transition. You were finally at peace and the suffering had ended.
So I ask, "Were you saying goodbye, letting me know that you were now totally at peace?" I know you can't answer, but I am going to take this as a sign, and say that you were sending me your positive thoughts because that's the type of person you are.
Really though, I think it was God at work. See He knew I was having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that your time on earth was coming much sooner than anyone expected.
Just so you'll know, I'm holding up pretty good. I know that you are in a better place and that your spirit and the memories of our sisterhood will always be with me, but it's hard already not being able to pick up the phone and run something by you.
Poochie and I were sitting around reminiscing today and we kept saying how 38 years is so young, but as I think back over the last few years I would have to say you achieved a number of your dreams and your experienced a lot that many of us will never have the opportunity to enjoy.
Rest easy my Sister, my friend, and I'll see you on the other side.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Yippee!!! Yahoo!!! Bears vs. Colts in Super Bowl!!
I can't contain myself. I have just spent the day enjoying some really good football and being a witness to history in the making. For the first time in the history of the National Football League two black head coaches will lead their teams to the biggest game in football.
Congratulations to Lovie Smith who, with the early win, became the first black coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl and to Tony Dungy. Both men coached a helluva game, particularly Dungy waging the biggest come back in the game's history!
Congratulations to Lovie Smith who, with the early win, became the first black coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl and to Tony Dungy. Both men coached a helluva game, particularly Dungy waging the biggest come back in the game's history!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
How do you define a happy marriage?
During a recent conversation with a 20ish young man I suggested that he needed to begin looking to the future. Staring at me blankly he questioned, "What do you mean. I'm always looking and planning for the future. If you're talking about marriage - that's out. I can't name three happy marriages."
I was left to ponder the thought of what defines a happy marriage from an outsiders perspective and do I know three happily married couples. I do know more than three couples that I would consider happily married, but does that mean that they are effervescently bubbly, always pawing one another, groping and kissing? No, but their interactions are usually loving and exhibit an overall affection for one another.
That is not to say that at some point in their relationship they have not hit a rough patch. I would say that is what a marriage and any serious committed relationship does. You have good times and bad times and pray the good outweighs the bad.
You may roll over one day and look at the person laying next to you and wonder "How did I get here?" Because on that particular day the person you have vowed your life to has taken you to a place you don't want to be and you are not very happy with them. This condition may persist for a day, two and maybe even a week or more.
However, at the end of the day if LOVE is what brought you together you will roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty as you work to rectify the problems.
What are your thoughts? Do you know how to define a happy marriage?
I was left to ponder the thought of what defines a happy marriage from an outsiders perspective and do I know three happily married couples. I do know more than three couples that I would consider happily married, but does that mean that they are effervescently bubbly, always pawing one another, groping and kissing? No, but their interactions are usually loving and exhibit an overall affection for one another.
That is not to say that at some point in their relationship they have not hit a rough patch. I would say that is what a marriage and any serious committed relationship does. You have good times and bad times and pray the good outweighs the bad.
You may roll over one day and look at the person laying next to you and wonder "How did I get here?" Because on that particular day the person you have vowed your life to has taken you to a place you don't want to be and you are not very happy with them. This condition may persist for a day, two and maybe even a week or more.
However, at the end of the day if LOVE is what brought you together you will roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty as you work to rectify the problems.
What are your thoughts? Do you know how to define a happy marriage?
Monday, January 08, 2007
Go Bucks!!!!
Today is the day of reckoning for The Ohio State University Buckeyes! For the entire season they have been ranked No. 1 and tonight they must defend this ranking! I am pulling for the Bucks to tame a 'Gator or two!
Here in northeast Ohio we are especially proud because about 1/3 of the players on this Buckeye team hail from this portion of the state - not to mention the fact that the dynamic duo Troy Smith & Ted Ginn, Jr. are from right here in Cleveland!
Make us proud and bring home the trophy!!!!
Here in northeast Ohio we are especially proud because about 1/3 of the players on this Buckeye team hail from this portion of the state - not to mention the fact that the dynamic duo Troy Smith & Ted Ginn, Jr. are from right here in Cleveland!
Make us proud and bring home the trophy!!!!
Are Men from Mars/Women from Venus?
This question has been lingering in my mind recently for a number of reasons, but probably first and foremost because I found an old CD by Koffee Brown aptly tilted Mars/Venus. The underlying theme of this album is relationship drama - from infidelity to trying to make the love thing last.
Everything is summarized in an Interlude at the end where the male half of the duo states, "There is no us til we understand we and I understand you and You understand me." That in and of itself is the key to a relationship.
Let's look at fruit - if you have a whole apple and you cut it down the center you now have two halves. Well in life it is just the opposite, you have two halves that come together and pledge themselves to one another forming the whole apple.
As I listen to various people on a personal note as well as radio show hosts and television shows about relationships it appears that we as a people have lost our way in becoming one. We bring individual lives into a relationship, yet don't see a need to alter them in honor of that whole unit. We are putting our individual pleasures or experiences in front of the unit we have pledged ourselves too.
My question would be "How do we prioritize outside interests for the goodness of the whole unit, or how do we meld the two?" Any thoughts?
Everything is summarized in an Interlude at the end where the male half of the duo states, "There is no us til we understand we and I understand you and You understand me." That in and of itself is the key to a relationship.
Let's look at fruit - if you have a whole apple and you cut it down the center you now have two halves. Well in life it is just the opposite, you have two halves that come together and pledge themselves to one another forming the whole apple.
As I listen to various people on a personal note as well as radio show hosts and television shows about relationships it appears that we as a people have lost our way in becoming one. We bring individual lives into a relationship, yet don't see a need to alter them in honor of that whole unit. We are putting our individual pleasures or experiences in front of the unit we have pledged ourselves too.
My question would be "How do we prioritize outside interests for the goodness of the whole unit, or how do we meld the two?" Any thoughts?
New Year, No Resolution - Just A New Outlook
It's the Double 07! Is that a good thing, or just a continuation of the previous year under new cover. Well that all depends on the slant you want to use.
After a tumultuous start I have decided to take a positive slant - the 007 is going to be a good year for me! It's got to go up 'cause 06 was a mutha-shut your mouth.
This year I hope for this to be a more active space with interaction, dialouge and feedback - so if something moves you, please take the time to let me know what your thoughts are - good, bad or indifferent.
After a tumultuous start I have decided to take a positive slant - the 007 is going to be a good year for me! It's got to go up 'cause 06 was a mutha-shut your mouth.
This year I hope for this to be a more active space with interaction, dialouge and feedback - so if something moves you, please take the time to let me know what your thoughts are - good, bad or indifferent.
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