Theres a lot being made of love this week. Romance is the order of the day. But this is the truth of LOVE. Give it. Receive it. Treasure it.
What It Really Means To Love
blogging
Sweet Silence
Inspired by a moment my family silently sat together, in a room, each of us doing our own thing…
We sit in silence. Not in the silence of tension. But in the silence of contentment. Content in our own little worlds, in the imaginings of our minds and the creativity of our hands. Our worlds in orbit basking in the warmth of connected hearts. We sit in silence.
My Apologies
“We apologize.” I was a moody preteen, testing boundaries…and my parents had just apologized to me. I remember feeling as if the the earth had shifted. I remember thinking “what kind of trickery is this? Is this a joke?” But it wasnt. They recognized that in their commitment to love and care for me they didn’t always get it right. They were correcting course and letting me know my feelings were valid. *Mind blown* That apology laid the foundation for apologies to come as I matured in acknowledging my own shortcomings and taking responsibility for my actions. That apology also taught me what an apology should be, recognizing non-apologies (“Sorry, not sorry”) and knowing when to walk away.
Let’s be reminded to never underestimate the power of a genuine apology- the power in giving one and the power in recognizing one.
Absolutely Adoring Alliteration
Depending on my writing mood, some days I’m too wordy and other days I’m not even sure my sentence conveys a complete thought. But no matter my mood, I often journey to the magical, mesmerizing world of alliteration. The challenge to find the perfect combination of words with just the right lyrical flow is endorphin inducing for me. A little weird? A writer thing, perhaps?
Here are a couple of informative takes on the subject: Love it or loathe it? and Reasons to use (which also highlights the amazing Gwendolyn Brooks and her poem We Real Cool)
Here’s to honing the habit of harnessing the power of words (too much?) Happy Writing!
It’s a Wrap!
And so it has begun…the year in review, recaps and reflections. Looking to the new year with anticipation, resolutions and goals. Tis the season for marketers to bank on our regrets and mirror our motivations. We hope and pray 2020 will usher in a better version of ourselves.
Here’s to grand plans and taking small steps. Here’s to big wins and lessons learned. Here’s to peace and unity, confrontation and truth. Here’s to open doors and closed ones too. Here’s to making the most of every moment and in the words of that Cristy Lane country classic…taking it “One day at a time sweet Jesus!”
Happy New Year friends!
No Day Like Today
Wow it’s been literally years since I’ve posted. I thought I might make a New Years resolution or a holiday declaration to jump back in but I figured there’s no day like today to start anew. A lot has changed in the world of blogging in my absence and I realize I’m probably way outdated here. But my goal is to simply write and for now I will do just that.
Been reading…She’s Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst . It has actually been a catalyst for my return here. Her honest words of encouragement spoke to the girl who used to sit for hours filling notebooks with stories and poetry, who sometimes daydreamed about sitting on a talk show couch to discuss her latest work (thanks to Oprah’s Book Club). She spoke to the woman who has filled journal after journal with musings, stories and essays, who keeps picking up the dream but allowing life to knock it down again. A great read if you’re pondering “where do I go from here?”
Been writing…A few months ago I joined COMPEL , an online community of resources, training, and support for writers. I also entered my first contest there, for an opportunity to write a devotion for Proverbs 31 Ministries (you can read an excerpt over at Barnabas Blessings). I was commended on my title but encouraged to work on my lead in. I would be lying if I said the criticism didn’t sting a bit, not because it wasn’t valid or constructive (which it was and very kind); but simply because I’m human. In the far recesses of my mind existed a small shimmer of hope that someone would read my submission and say “She’s got it!” But, c’est la vie! I have work to do and life goes on. I’m just happy to say that I tried. I took a step toward my goal and that’s all that really matters.
The journey continues. Write on friends!
Little Things
It’s late and I hear the pitter patter of rain drops (at least that’s what I think it is or it could be my mind playing tricks on me). The hubby and kids are asleep and…uh…I need to be right along them. But it’s been a crazy week- full of pesky coughs, serious bronchitis, yucky mucus, yo-yoing fevers…you get my drift. This “nurse” needs some pampering and about 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. But here I write, my kind of therapy, a way to organize my jumbled thoughts and peer through the fog. And because I think most parents and/or spouses can agree that sometimes being “nurse” is a thankless job, I end the night with a smile remembering my son’s python squeeze and sweet smile saying “I appreciate you taking care of me, Mommy.” *Tears* It’s the little things that make this tired Mommy’s heart glad. Happy writing, friends!
Love and Adoration
Can I just gush a minute? About Jesus you ask? Well of course, He is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. My life without Him, I don’t even want to imagine! About my hubby and kids? Well I love them madly, they are my motivation, my home team, we are the four musketeers, one for all and all for one. But right now I want to gush about the thesaurus! Yes, one of the greatest inventions of the English language. Can I just say how many times this little resource has unblocked this writer’s blockage. Looove it!
So to address my blogging absence…LIFE. Nothing major, just the day-to-day, rolling -with-the-punches life of a wife and mom, who also returned to work outside of the home (because what moms do inside the home is no less work, just a different motivation and rewards). I’m also back in the saddle over on my Barnabas Blessings blog so be sure to take a peek there for some encouragement. I’ve been waxing poetic more than usual since taking a Modern Poetry class on Cousera so I’m intrigued to see where it will take me. And although I’ve been absent here, I have been writing, I have a composition book full of “stuff,” now to figure out what’s fit for public consumption and what may be for my eyes only.
Lastly, I’ve been doing ALOT of reading! Yay! Reading is my ultimate relaxation, like Calgon take me away type relaxation. I’ve discovered so many great authors and books to share. The latest is Digging to America by Anne Tyler.
Apparently I’m really late to the game considering Anne Tyler’s first novel was written in the 1960’s but I’m excited to catch up on what I’ve missed. Digging to America is one of her more recent offerings (2006) and I love the characters. There are interracial, intercultural and international relationships that make it an engaging read and even better, it’s set in my stomping ground, Baltimore. I’m two thirds of the way through and recommend it to anyone interested in issues of family, immigration, adoption, and love in the “twilight years.” Curious? Happy Reading!
Attitude of Gratitude Day 30
While this is the last day of the month and officially the last day of the gratitude project, I know that gratitude is a daily exercise, whether written or spoken. Gratitude keeps life in perspective. No matter what the day brings there is always something for which to be grateful. So today I’m just grateful for life, the great, the not so great, the triumphs, the failures, the little things. God is good and I am grateful for this life He has given to me.
Attitude of Gratitude Day 29
I’m grateful for nosy neighbors. They may be an occasional nuisance but when it really matters I’m grateful to have watchful eyes looking out for the good of our neighborhood.
Barnabas Blessings 