Today I want to share a tradition that I do every morning to start my day with Spirit. My morning reading puts me in the spirit of why I was given another day and it reminds me to take time to remember to keep the balance. I want to share a poem on this "Special" day and the thoughts of Sarah Ban Breathnach in "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy":
If, as Herod,we fill our lives with things, and again with things;if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life.
-Author Unknown
"Oh, would that Christmas lasted the whole year through,as it ought,"Charles Dickens lamented.Would that the spirit of Christmas could live within our hearts every day of the year."
But what is the Chritmas spirit?Perhaps the Christmas spirit, like the nature of the Beloved, is meant to be a Holy Mystery. Perhaps the Christmas spirit is our soul's knowledge that things, no matter how beautiful, are only things;that we were created,not always to do,but sometimes to simply be. Perhaps the Christmas spirit is a loving reminder that we must make time for the long, slow journey across the desert; we must take time to discover our star; we must honor the time necessary to brood over the coming of the authentic women we were created by Love to become. It has been said many times that our lives are gifts from God-that what we do with them is our gift in return. Today is the perfect day to remember this.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
Yes, may we remember the spirit of Christmas every day the whole year through but for today enjoy the moment as every moment of Joy! Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone all over the World! May the children capture the spirit of Christmas from each of us.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sharing Christmas Chicken Spaghetti
This was a wonderful response I got back from a best friend when I wanted to know how to prepare the spaghetti recipe she sent me for Christmas. Just had to share the love of Christmas and the Spirit of Giving!
My Question:
Thank-you...mmmm,mmmm...good! Now, does this whole process take place on stovetop or final touches...do you bake?
My Answer:
“all stove top. no baking. i actually haven't seen this done before so i'm going off chef notes. M's mom's recipe. but it is all stove top. basically cook the peppers onions and celery down and then add the soup chicken and other stuff to that. noodles separately cooked. then drained and added to the soup chicken mixture. add cheese once it cools. we got into a discussion about what 'cool' meant -- why -- how long - very interesting if a little nitpicky. but we're paralegals. we do the nitpicky. she basically sorted it out as a cooling down of the mixture so the fat in the cheese doesn't separate. serving it with garlic bread and salad...and a sofa close by to fall on when full. she's also making tomato basil soup. apparently because i worked half a day, i don't get to chop anything. Casey, on the other hand, is now chopping basil. hardly seems fair.”
1 hen, cooked and chopped
2 large bell peppers, chopped
2 large onions, chopped
4 or 5 sticks of celery
1 can mushroom soup
1 small jar pimento, chopped
2 tbsps chili powder
1 lb grated cheddar cheese
1 box spaghetti
Divide broth in half. Cook peppers, onion and celery in half of it until tender. Add water to rest of broth and cook spaghetti in it. To vegetable broth (containing onions, pepper, celery), add soup, pimento, chicken, chili powder and spaghetti. Cool a little before adding the cheese.
My Question:
Thank-you...mmmm,mmmm...good! Now, does this whole process take place on stovetop or final touches...do you bake?
My Answer:
“all stove top. no baking. i actually haven't seen this done before so i'm going off chef notes. M's mom's recipe. but it is all stove top. basically cook the peppers onions and celery down and then add the soup chicken and other stuff to that. noodles separately cooked. then drained and added to the soup chicken mixture. add cheese once it cools. we got into a discussion about what 'cool' meant -- why -- how long - very interesting if a little nitpicky. but we're paralegals. we do the nitpicky. she basically sorted it out as a cooling down of the mixture so the fat in the cheese doesn't separate. serving it with garlic bread and salad...and a sofa close by to fall on when full. she's also making tomato basil soup. apparently because i worked half a day, i don't get to chop anything. Casey, on the other hand, is now chopping basil. hardly seems fair.”
1 hen, cooked and chopped
2 large bell peppers, chopped
2 large onions, chopped
4 or 5 sticks of celery
1 can mushroom soup
1 small jar pimento, chopped
2 tbsps chili powder
1 lb grated cheddar cheese
1 box spaghetti
Divide broth in half. Cook peppers, onion and celery in half of it until tender. Add water to rest of broth and cook spaghetti in it. To vegetable broth (containing onions, pepper, celery), add soup, pimento, chicken, chili powder and spaghetti. Cool a little before adding the cheese.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Cinderella’s Fantasy Christmas
The month of December can be some peoples saddest time of year. On every television channel one is reminded of what Christmas is suppose to look like. The model Christmas is what every child wants to have mirrored in their home but that is not the case for a lot of household’s in America. Especially, this year is one of the hardest financially for families in a long time. Lost jobs, lost homes, lost families, lost hopes and lost dreams is something that most Americans are recognizing this year. Sure we have had some great things to happen to restore hope but not enough that there aren’t some real sad realities still lurking behind a lot of household doors.
The television sets of America are airing shows that remind us of families gathering in homes of their childhood days, people exchanging gifts, people sharing holiday feasts, and everyone enjoying each other through the opening of presents, singing of carols, and all of the other festivities that are customary from generations past. I’m hearing from families that are still losing jobs, trying to figure out how to pay the rent, light bill, buy groceries for every day of the week (not just a holiday feast), make the car payment, get enough gas to make it until next payday, trying to figure out what else to cut out to live off one paycheck instead of two not to mention taking care of their health in order not to have to take a day off work(God forbid)!
Now if you never knew these holiday celebrations firsthand in America you’re probably faring ok, because you won’t relate to the child that feels like the step-daughter Cinderella who is just waiting for someone to come along and rescue them for a fantasy Christmas. I was a child that never experienced the Christmas spirit as a child because my mother had to pay all the excessive bills of winter and she was deprived of the festivities as well because of poverty. I think we pass on what we experience as children.
Sometimes people try to create customs with their children that they didn’t get to experience. Do they do this in hopes that they can capture a feeling that they never experienced? Can one really pass on a feeling that they never identified with as a youth? Can you get water from a dry well?
Maybe the spirit of Christmas for someone that didn’t experience it as a child, lays in the service of giving at Christmas to the less fortunate. Since the reason for the season is giving, then maybe for some the feeling of Christmas comes through gratefulness. Maybe when one can reflect on how grateful they are regardless to how things appear, then the spirit of Christmas is captured. Just maybe Christmas is not the same experience for everyone. Sometimes one may have to create their own authentic spirit of Christmas. Giving of oneself at a time of year when others have lost all hope can create a feeling possibly that will surpass every expectation of a Cinderella Fantasy Christmas.
Maybe this year would be a good time to reach out to someone less fortunate and create a feeling of good cheer. Feel free to create your own kind of Christmas outside of traditions and TV Fantasy. After all, the reason for the season is; giving! The giving of yourself, your time and your unconditional love is irreplaceable. Have a Happy Holiday creating your own realities!!
The television sets of America are airing shows that remind us of families gathering in homes of their childhood days, people exchanging gifts, people sharing holiday feasts, and everyone enjoying each other through the opening of presents, singing of carols, and all of the other festivities that are customary from generations past. I’m hearing from families that are still losing jobs, trying to figure out how to pay the rent, light bill, buy groceries for every day of the week (not just a holiday feast), make the car payment, get enough gas to make it until next payday, trying to figure out what else to cut out to live off one paycheck instead of two not to mention taking care of their health in order not to have to take a day off work(God forbid)!
Now if you never knew these holiday celebrations firsthand in America you’re probably faring ok, because you won’t relate to the child that feels like the step-daughter Cinderella who is just waiting for someone to come along and rescue them for a fantasy Christmas. I was a child that never experienced the Christmas spirit as a child because my mother had to pay all the excessive bills of winter and she was deprived of the festivities as well because of poverty. I think we pass on what we experience as children.
Sometimes people try to create customs with their children that they didn’t get to experience. Do they do this in hopes that they can capture a feeling that they never experienced? Can one really pass on a feeling that they never identified with as a youth? Can you get water from a dry well?
Maybe the spirit of Christmas for someone that didn’t experience it as a child, lays in the service of giving at Christmas to the less fortunate. Since the reason for the season is giving, then maybe for some the feeling of Christmas comes through gratefulness. Maybe when one can reflect on how grateful they are regardless to how things appear, then the spirit of Christmas is captured. Just maybe Christmas is not the same experience for everyone. Sometimes one may have to create their own authentic spirit of Christmas. Giving of oneself at a time of year when others have lost all hope can create a feeling possibly that will surpass every expectation of a Cinderella Fantasy Christmas.
Maybe this year would be a good time to reach out to someone less fortunate and create a feeling of good cheer. Feel free to create your own kind of Christmas outside of traditions and TV Fantasy. After all, the reason for the season is; giving! The giving of yourself, your time and your unconditional love is irreplaceable. Have a Happy Holiday creating your own realities!!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE…PETS?
Here I am again, wondering if I’ve made the right choice about a pet. Two weeks ago a co-worker was talking to me about the beautiful pups she was trying to place for her son. It just so happened that I had been looking online for about two months at pets and my heart was just longing for a furry little critter to love. My children say that it’s just a phase for me and if I just pass it by, it will fizzle out. I guess I don’t have a very good track record of sticking out the hard part, the training…whew, speaking of training, one of these little girls (puppies) just farted. “OMG, could you warn somebody please I am screaming in my mind!” To say that they passed gas would be just too mild for what I have to tolerate while typing my thoughts out in my journal.
Now, where was I? Oh yeah, wondering about the pet choice thing! I try to look at the reason I wanted a pet to determine if I will make it this time through the training part. I remember thinking how good it would be at this time of my life to have a best friend in my corner while I gracefully age into this phase of my life at 53. I don’t mean to say that I feel old or anything, it’s just a time of reality checks about what I do like and don’t. I really don’t care much for the phoniness of parties or clubbing anymore on a regular. A private party every now and then is ok. Even a night out on the town sometime is ok but in this North Carolina town there is not much going on anyway.
Pets can be very entertaining but they also require a lot of attention and responsibility. For example, I get up at 3:00 am in the mornings to go to work and I try to be quiet as possible to not awaken my partner. Now, I have to be concerned if these new babies of ours will go back to sleep after I leave for work. My partner and I work different shifts. She tried to tell me that this was a huge task I was venturing into but I don’t think I knew just how much was involved. Don’t get discouraged…I haven’t thrown in the towel yet and she doesn’t want me to either! (She’s the puppy person anyway…I’m learning…it was a compromise:-)
The first thing I experienced after getting our new babies Tobi and Cami was the trip for shots and deworming at the vet. We met three other pet lovers while we were there and we all wooed over each other’s babies. This reminded me of my proud mothering days and that was a little scary. Was I wanting to return to those days of great responsibilities or is it possible that my children made me feel worthy of life and now I wasn’t able to find a reason for joy in my life? That’s deep and maybe I will ponder that over the next few weeks. I have questioned in the past whether or not people were buying pets to replace human relationships that reflect their flaws to be addressed. I have also given thought to the idea that at a certain age you no longer want the overall analysis that is required in a human relationship in order to grow.
I remember reading about the relationship between Shirley MacLaine and her dog Terry in “Out On A Leash”; I was overwhelmed with the joy she received from her furry friend, unconditionally. I loved the idea that through their eyes one could see the spirit of nature and the simplistic gratitude of sharing their lives together in boundless love. I have always been a hopeless romantic but never actually experiencing it other than behind a big bucket of popcorn, a Coke, some tissue and a good mushy movie. I am hoping that I can have this kind of experience with our new babies. I have had to learn about sticking to something long enough to see the benefits through my most resent relationship for the last seven years with my partner. I figure that in order to experience what I felt from reading about Shirley and Terry I will have to go through some things to appreciate the “Nature of Reality and Love”,( taken from, “Out On A Leash”).
While I think of unconditional love, I also am listening to my doctor’s diagnosis…, “You have a fracture and I think you’re going to have to wear a boot for a while. Luckily the bone is not broken”, she smiles while asking me, “Now, tell me again what happened!”
“Do you want the theatrical version or just the blur vision of events”, I say while laughing. “It was Monday after Thanksgiving at 8:30pm when I had just chastised Cami for peeing on the carpet for about the 10th time! I put her along with Tobi in the kitchen and put up the baby gate, it was a little “time out” tactic. I decided that I would get me a piece of sweet potato pie for the movie. Coming back across the gate my left toe caught the top of the gate and the comedy began…the pie went one way, the plate went one way, the fork went one way and I went the other. Tobi ran behind the trash can just shivering from all the noise…Cami came up to the gate crawling on her belly as if to say, “are you ok mommy”! Between the crying and laughing I took down the gate when I was able to get up off the floor to pat her on the head and say thank-you for loving me unconditionally. I had to coax Tobi out from behind the trash can before she was sure it was safe and then I loved on both of them. Well Doc, that’s my story”, I said still laughing as I retold it. I was asking God, “what was the message in it all”, when I realized, it’s only with animals that we get to experience instant forgiveness and unconditional love regardless! Did I make the right choice in getting pets? I think so but I think I have a long way to go in knowing for sure the benefits. To my furry loving friends along with Shirley MacLaine and Terry, I hope I can write a book one day about everlasting love and furry memories. I think I’ve got a good start!
PS: I'll have a week at home to think about this experience and time to bond with my furry babies. Stay tuned to hear the stories as they unfold in my awareness. It will be interesting to say the least. Good writing material, I'm sure...hum...maybe they are my writing angels...just a thought:-)
Now, where was I? Oh yeah, wondering about the pet choice thing! I try to look at the reason I wanted a pet to determine if I will make it this time through the training part. I remember thinking how good it would be at this time of my life to have a best friend in my corner while I gracefully age into this phase of my life at 53. I don’t mean to say that I feel old or anything, it’s just a time of reality checks about what I do like and don’t. I really don’t care much for the phoniness of parties or clubbing anymore on a regular. A private party every now and then is ok. Even a night out on the town sometime is ok but in this North Carolina town there is not much going on anyway.
Pets can be very entertaining but they also require a lot of attention and responsibility. For example, I get up at 3:00 am in the mornings to go to work and I try to be quiet as possible to not awaken my partner. Now, I have to be concerned if these new babies of ours will go back to sleep after I leave for work. My partner and I work different shifts. She tried to tell me that this was a huge task I was venturing into but I don’t think I knew just how much was involved. Don’t get discouraged…I haven’t thrown in the towel yet and she doesn’t want me to either! (She’s the puppy person anyway…I’m learning…it was a compromise:-)
The first thing I experienced after getting our new babies Tobi and Cami was the trip for shots and deworming at the vet. We met three other pet lovers while we were there and we all wooed over each other’s babies. This reminded me of my proud mothering days and that was a little scary. Was I wanting to return to those days of great responsibilities or is it possible that my children made me feel worthy of life and now I wasn’t able to find a reason for joy in my life? That’s deep and maybe I will ponder that over the next few weeks. I have questioned in the past whether or not people were buying pets to replace human relationships that reflect their flaws to be addressed. I have also given thought to the idea that at a certain age you no longer want the overall analysis that is required in a human relationship in order to grow.
I remember reading about the relationship between Shirley MacLaine and her dog Terry in “Out On A Leash”; I was overwhelmed with the joy she received from her furry friend, unconditionally. I loved the idea that through their eyes one could see the spirit of nature and the simplistic gratitude of sharing their lives together in boundless love. I have always been a hopeless romantic but never actually experiencing it other than behind a big bucket of popcorn, a Coke, some tissue and a good mushy movie. I am hoping that I can have this kind of experience with our new babies. I have had to learn about sticking to something long enough to see the benefits through my most resent relationship for the last seven years with my partner. I figure that in order to experience what I felt from reading about Shirley and Terry I will have to go through some things to appreciate the “Nature of Reality and Love”,( taken from, “Out On A Leash”).
While I think of unconditional love, I also am listening to my doctor’s diagnosis…, “You have a fracture and I think you’re going to have to wear a boot for a while. Luckily the bone is not broken”, she smiles while asking me, “Now, tell me again what happened!”
“Do you want the theatrical version or just the blur vision of events”, I say while laughing. “It was Monday after Thanksgiving at 8:30pm when I had just chastised Cami for peeing on the carpet for about the 10th time! I put her along with Tobi in the kitchen and put up the baby gate, it was a little “time out” tactic. I decided that I would get me a piece of sweet potato pie for the movie. Coming back across the gate my left toe caught the top of the gate and the comedy began…the pie went one way, the plate went one way, the fork went one way and I went the other. Tobi ran behind the trash can just shivering from all the noise…Cami came up to the gate crawling on her belly as if to say, “are you ok mommy”! Between the crying and laughing I took down the gate when I was able to get up off the floor to pat her on the head and say thank-you for loving me unconditionally. I had to coax Tobi out from behind the trash can before she was sure it was safe and then I loved on both of them. Well Doc, that’s my story”, I said still laughing as I retold it. I was asking God, “what was the message in it all”, when I realized, it’s only with animals that we get to experience instant forgiveness and unconditional love regardless! Did I make the right choice in getting pets? I think so but I think I have a long way to go in knowing for sure the benefits. To my furry loving friends along with Shirley MacLaine and Terry, I hope I can write a book one day about everlasting love and furry memories. I think I’ve got a good start!
PS: I'll have a week at home to think about this experience and time to bond with my furry babies. Stay tuned to hear the stories as they unfold in my awareness. It will be interesting to say the least. Good writing material, I'm sure...hum...maybe they are my writing angels...just a thought:-)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
When Is the Right Time...You Will Know!
Do you remember the conversation you had with the woman in your life about your first time? Was it your mom, your mom's best friend, your aunt, a girlfriend or your grandmother? Either one of them probably said the same thing, while trying to pretend they were not shocked at you asking the question, and especially asking them!
What do they say; they were asking themselves most likely? How does any responsible woman answer a young lady with this question when they know that this one choice will change their whole world as they know it now? Just as much as we know it can be the most precious moment, it can also be one's biggest nightmare. If the young lady is not mature enough psychologically to handle what comes with it emotionally it can change the course of her life.
It has been said that boys do not mature in the same way as girls when it comes to the first time. I don't claim to know that as a fact but from experience I can speak a little bit about girls. I've been told that sex for a boy can be all about the idea of conquering a quest but for a girl I know that it is more of a sense of belonging within a commitment that is mutual in retrospect.
This is not an action for the faint at heart or for all the wrong reasons. Such as; I'll show you mom or I can do with my body, what I want to or because someone tells you that they love you. Loving someone is about respecting their boundaries and decisions; love does not ask one to compromise their values. If you decide you want to wait and your partner moves on, then you know it's not the kind of love, you thought was there.
These are the kind of things we hope we can say when we are asked “the question” but most of the time we are caught off guard or, we are asked after the fact. I remember someone telling me that I would know when the right time would be… but when it comes to love the answer still remains the same… you will know!
I have still been trying to figure out after all these years, how… you will know? If I could tell someone the answer to that I could write a bestseller and create a seminar to take in millions of dollars because everyone would be there to avoid all of the emotional drama of relationships. Sorry to say… it's not that simple. Love is… so many things to so many different people.
If you go to your religious organizations, they can give you a list of things in a person that qualifies what love is. If you look for those qualities within yourself or others you probably will never find love, because that measure of love is hardly ever within one person. We are always working on something in our lives on that list. If you use that measure to determine whether you yourself are ready for love, you may be waiting a long time. However, if a lot of the list exists in your character already, the question would be; are you willing to work with your self and your partner through the other areas of concern to develop the love that you desire. To develop something real and enduring can be a long process. The ground that she will have to cover has to be recognized as areas that she can’t see in a moment and will have to endure to get to the desired result. That's why it is not good in my opinion to rush things, because in reality, it is a long journey.
This love thing is a lot bigger than it seems and its not a simple yes or no answer; therefore, think long and hard about how to answer the call or even to receive it. My best advice is to remember grandma's advice...you will know!
The next time you are approached with “the question”, remember… how much do they “really” want to know or do they just want to get the shock reaction from you on the Richter scale 1 to 10. Once you have determined their reason for asking you, then you will know how to proceed. Most people have made up their minds already out of curiosity, the first time. If that is the case, give them the old grandma line. If they are young and borderline, then you can spare them a lot of grief, depression, abandonment issues, low self-esteem problems, etc… go for the jugular and be honest ladies. Spare no misery and share the real deal that making the decision way too soon can lead down a road of a lot of hard knocks. These knocks can be postponed until they are mature enough to handle the fall and get back up, ready to move on to another battle.
If all else fails with your young teen, let them learn on their own, because some people just have to go to the University of Hard Knocks. Remember, there will come a time in their future that they will have to pass on to the hard heads in their lives, grandma's advice… you will know!
What do they say; they were asking themselves most likely? How does any responsible woman answer a young lady with this question when they know that this one choice will change their whole world as they know it now? Just as much as we know it can be the most precious moment, it can also be one's biggest nightmare. If the young lady is not mature enough psychologically to handle what comes with it emotionally it can change the course of her life.
It has been said that boys do not mature in the same way as girls when it comes to the first time. I don't claim to know that as a fact but from experience I can speak a little bit about girls. I've been told that sex for a boy can be all about the idea of conquering a quest but for a girl I know that it is more of a sense of belonging within a commitment that is mutual in retrospect.
This is not an action for the faint at heart or for all the wrong reasons. Such as; I'll show you mom or I can do with my body, what I want to or because someone tells you that they love you. Loving someone is about respecting their boundaries and decisions; love does not ask one to compromise their values. If you decide you want to wait and your partner moves on, then you know it's not the kind of love, you thought was there.
These are the kind of things we hope we can say when we are asked “the question” but most of the time we are caught off guard or, we are asked after the fact. I remember someone telling me that I would know when the right time would be… but when it comes to love the answer still remains the same… you will know!
I have still been trying to figure out after all these years, how… you will know? If I could tell someone the answer to that I could write a bestseller and create a seminar to take in millions of dollars because everyone would be there to avoid all of the emotional drama of relationships. Sorry to say… it's not that simple. Love is… so many things to so many different people.
If you go to your religious organizations, they can give you a list of things in a person that qualifies what love is. If you look for those qualities within yourself or others you probably will never find love, because that measure of love is hardly ever within one person. We are always working on something in our lives on that list. If you use that measure to determine whether you yourself are ready for love, you may be waiting a long time. However, if a lot of the list exists in your character already, the question would be; are you willing to work with your self and your partner through the other areas of concern to develop the love that you desire. To develop something real and enduring can be a long process. The ground that she will have to cover has to be recognized as areas that she can’t see in a moment and will have to endure to get to the desired result. That's why it is not good in my opinion to rush things, because in reality, it is a long journey.
This love thing is a lot bigger than it seems and its not a simple yes or no answer; therefore, think long and hard about how to answer the call or even to receive it. My best advice is to remember grandma's advice...you will know!
The next time you are approached with “the question”, remember… how much do they “really” want to know or do they just want to get the shock reaction from you on the Richter scale 1 to 10. Once you have determined their reason for asking you, then you will know how to proceed. Most people have made up their minds already out of curiosity, the first time. If that is the case, give them the old grandma line. If they are young and borderline, then you can spare them a lot of grief, depression, abandonment issues, low self-esteem problems, etc… go for the jugular and be honest ladies. Spare no misery and share the real deal that making the decision way too soon can lead down a road of a lot of hard knocks. These knocks can be postponed until they are mature enough to handle the fall and get back up, ready to move on to another battle.
If all else fails with your young teen, let them learn on their own, because some people just have to go to the University of Hard Knocks. Remember, there will come a time in their future that they will have to pass on to the hard heads in their lives, grandma's advice… you will know!
Friday, October 23, 2009
ADJUSTING THE SAILS
“I am just sick and tired of this teacher! Every time I think I have written a good essay, she just complains about the structure of my sentences or the punctuation as if the way I talk is not correct”, Sherri says to herself standing in the foyer of the house while hanging up her coat. “What's wrong baby”, grandma says reaching out to hug Sherri. “Grandma, I am sick and tired of Ms. Smith! I can't write anything to please her no matter how hard I try”, she says. How did you ever get beyond your teachers “know it all” attitudes! Well honey, I had a loving grandma just like you waiting on me to get home to stroke my heart and remind me just how great I could become. She always reminded me that God had a bigger plan for me than any man or woman could imagine. Now mind you, I think the teachers are part of God's plan to help us realize just how big the plan is. Maybe it's the humor of God to use them to push us hard enough that we will surpass their vision for us.
I remember one time I had a professor in junior college in a refresher English course that would push all my buttons, no matter what! There were things I learned from her that I still use today. I ran into her about five years later in a grocery store, and she asked me if I had published anything and if I was still writing? I said yes and that I still think of some of the things she mentioned in her class. She told me that I inspired her to get back to her writing and she was working on getting a memoir into print. I blushed with amazement that I inspired her! That's when I heard a voice in my head; God's voice to me was that this would be my calling. I would be guided from within to inspire others through writing.
So grandma, you're telling me that I could be an inspiration to Ms. Smith. Yes, you could be honey. Take your time and try to let her in to see how she wants you to present yourself through your writing. Sometimes a teacher is rediscovering their passion through your love of writing. Remember, they are trying to prepare you for whatever you say is your desire. Okay grandma, I'm going to try your way! Good, I think with a different viewpoint, you will get different results. Now, tell me what has you on edge today?
It seems that every time I turn something into Ms. Smith she finds something wrong with my sentence structure or punctuation! Who made all the writing rules anyway and why is there only one way to get it right? There is a whole world of people that speak the way I do, so why can't I write the way I talk? When I change everything to suit the English teachers it doesn't even sound or say what I want to say to the people I'm talking to! Grandma, how did you get to write the way you wanted to?
Well honey, first I discovered who my audience was and how I didn't want to sound. That was by years of being in a job of running after stories that weren't about what I wanted to talk about, but it did pay my bills. I came to a point in my life, where the one position for the best reporter/writer was not worth the effort, because their goals kept changing. That was when I decided it was time to take a leap of faith and determination to do what I really wanted to do, which was write books about people's lives.
So, grandma, are you saying that I should focus on what I really want to do? Yes baby I am, however, you have to lay a good foundation to hold up those big dreams of yours. What are you having a challenge with? My teacher wants me to try my hand at fiction. I don't know if I can write a story that's not based on facts. Yes you can honey, just think about all the stories that happen around you every day and write about them with your own characters turning the story around the way you can imagine it. Be creative with the resolution. So, you mean in the same way that you have always told me to write my own life story the way I see it or the way I would like to see it in order for it to manifest. You've got it honey! Just let it flow and then you can polish it up in the rewrite. Your teacher gives you the tools to create your stories, but you are the one that creates the magic. Remember honey, the teachers will come and go as you need them in your life. You have the task of figuring out the lesson they bring to you and mastering it. So grandma, do you think I can become a great writer like you one day? Honey, I think you will become even better, because you will build upon everything I share with you of my journey.
Thank you grandma, you have been a big help. I will give my teacher a chance to show me new things so that I can expand my experiences to reach potentials, I might not even be aware of. That's my girl! Now, you are mastering the secret of not allowing anything to stop you from obtaining your goal. You may not be able to change the wind but you can adjust your sails. By the way honey, can I read your essay when you finish. I would be honored grandma!
The End
I am dedicating this serving to my wonderful teenage grandchildren to never allow anybody to steal their dreams...no matter what...their Master Plan is for them to discover and fullfill. May they always just "Adjust Their Sails"!
I remember one time I had a professor in junior college in a refresher English course that would push all my buttons, no matter what! There were things I learned from her that I still use today. I ran into her about five years later in a grocery store, and she asked me if I had published anything and if I was still writing? I said yes and that I still think of some of the things she mentioned in her class. She told me that I inspired her to get back to her writing and she was working on getting a memoir into print. I blushed with amazement that I inspired her! That's when I heard a voice in my head; God's voice to me was that this would be my calling. I would be guided from within to inspire others through writing.
So grandma, you're telling me that I could be an inspiration to Ms. Smith. Yes, you could be honey. Take your time and try to let her in to see how she wants you to present yourself through your writing. Sometimes a teacher is rediscovering their passion through your love of writing. Remember, they are trying to prepare you for whatever you say is your desire. Okay grandma, I'm going to try your way! Good, I think with a different viewpoint, you will get different results. Now, tell me what has you on edge today?
It seems that every time I turn something into Ms. Smith she finds something wrong with my sentence structure or punctuation! Who made all the writing rules anyway and why is there only one way to get it right? There is a whole world of people that speak the way I do, so why can't I write the way I talk? When I change everything to suit the English teachers it doesn't even sound or say what I want to say to the people I'm talking to! Grandma, how did you get to write the way you wanted to?
Well honey, first I discovered who my audience was and how I didn't want to sound. That was by years of being in a job of running after stories that weren't about what I wanted to talk about, but it did pay my bills. I came to a point in my life, where the one position for the best reporter/writer was not worth the effort, because their goals kept changing. That was when I decided it was time to take a leap of faith and determination to do what I really wanted to do, which was write books about people's lives.
So, grandma, are you saying that I should focus on what I really want to do? Yes baby I am, however, you have to lay a good foundation to hold up those big dreams of yours. What are you having a challenge with? My teacher wants me to try my hand at fiction. I don't know if I can write a story that's not based on facts. Yes you can honey, just think about all the stories that happen around you every day and write about them with your own characters turning the story around the way you can imagine it. Be creative with the resolution. So, you mean in the same way that you have always told me to write my own life story the way I see it or the way I would like to see it in order for it to manifest. You've got it honey! Just let it flow and then you can polish it up in the rewrite. Your teacher gives you the tools to create your stories, but you are the one that creates the magic. Remember honey, the teachers will come and go as you need them in your life. You have the task of figuring out the lesson they bring to you and mastering it. So grandma, do you think I can become a great writer like you one day? Honey, I think you will become even better, because you will build upon everything I share with you of my journey.
Thank you grandma, you have been a big help. I will give my teacher a chance to show me new things so that I can expand my experiences to reach potentials, I might not even be aware of. That's my girl! Now, you are mastering the secret of not allowing anything to stop you from obtaining your goal. You may not be able to change the wind but you can adjust your sails. By the way honey, can I read your essay when you finish. I would be honored grandma!
The End
I am dedicating this serving to my wonderful teenage grandchildren to never allow anybody to steal their dreams...no matter what...their Master Plan is for them to discover and fullfill. May they always just "Adjust Their Sails"!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Letter to Whitney
It's 4 a.m. and I'm on my way to work, when I realized I haven't listened to your new CD in its entirety yet. Putting it in the CD player and listening to your comeback Million-Dollar hit, I am clapping my hands and crying at the same time with shouts of hallelujah, welcome home sistah! I can't even explain the joy in my heart as I listened to the soulful sultry lyrics coming out of my speakers because I have pumped it up a couple of notches! Suddenly, I realize I am riding through sleeping neighborhoods and out of respect I bump it back down a couple of clicks. I'm feeling your heart through the vibrations flowing from your lips. It's a soul to soul experience that feels like I'm right there with you. I'm at a time in my life as a woman of 53 years and I know what it's like to go through something. It doesn't really matter what the experience is or one's caliber of status in life, it’s all connected through the web of our interconnectedness just by the essence of our recovery. It's all about losing oneself in their journey to an experience that feels real in the moment but waking up one day to not even recognize the person in the mirror. The real joy is in the comeback. To be able to recognize in one's life that it is time to do it for me, is a realization in itself that it is time to rise up from the ashes, like the Phoenix. Real women do not stay down; they get up in their own time, with strength beyond natural vision. Unless you've been there, you can not recognize the experience. That's why we journey, to tell our stories. Many of us hear our stories through your music. I tell mine through my pen as my microphone. I feel you my sistah and I just want to shout out to you, welcome home, Whitney Houston!
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