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.
Writing Prompt: Advice to someone with a broken heart
Maybe you weren’t meant to stay.
Perhaps there were complex layers your heart couldn’t comprehend,
And in your quest to become savior you would instead become prey.
“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.
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!
I’ve always been intrigued by family sagas. And this novel delivered on so many levels. It’s a Palestinian family’s story spanning generations and the globe. From the Six-Day War to the invasion of Kuwait, the story is narrated through the lens of multiple family members. This novel was a reminder that no matter our differences we all share the human experiences of love, joy, loss, grief, and the search for a sense of belonging. A family and story that resonates long after the last page.
Inspired by wise words from my brother Alfonzo Jones II
Subtle lies
Masked as comfort
In cushioned cages
We become prisoners
Worshipping at the altar of safety.
But Freedom calls to
Leaps of faith
Flights of fancy
Walks on water
Courage under fire
Depths of valleys
Heights of mountains
A Life in full bloom
With the holiday season in full swing, I’m thankful for a Thanksgiving spent at home. With family stretching to the south and to the west, holiday travel is often a given but this year, there really was no place like home (and extra sleep).
Of course thoughts of the holidays don’t always elicit warm fuzzies and good cheer. So what if we opted out? Opted out of obligations that steal our peace. Opted out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we shifted our focus? Changed our perspective? What if we dared to do something different? What if our “yes” was genuine and purposeful? What if our “no” was kind but firm and free of guilt. What if we intentionally set the tone and atmosphere of our space? What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…
Be grateful. Be at peace.
Happy Holidays!
“No Left Turn”
I’d seen this sign regularly on my drive into the office. I assumed it meant I couldn’t make a left turn onto a particular street. For months I made right turns and drove side streets until one morning I noticed two cars making the forbidden left turn. My internal traffic cop was appalled so I decided to take another look at that sign. Upon further inspection I realized, that while the placement was confusing, that sign was not meant for my lane of traffic. So what’s the point?
How are we reading the signs in our lives? Are we adhering to signs that were meant for someone else? As a follower of Jesus, I know God has a unique plan and purpose for my life. But if I’m not careful I can misinterpret or altogether miss the signs He provides. As a writer, I have to adhere to the signs that direct me to authentic creative expression. Where are my energies best utilized? How does my creativity best flow?
Here’s to paying attention and correctly reading our signs.
Barnabas Blessings 