By C. J. Stegall-Evans
When I went out this morning to see the sunrise, I was in such a rush. I had so many things to do I just wanted to catch a quick sunrise and go on with my day. Although, I wanted my sunrise quick and dirty but the sun just took its time.
The sun did not seem to know I had read, write and study because I have a deadline. The sun could care less about my deadline. It seemed to purposely come up as slowly as possible. I finally gave in realizing I could not rush the sun.
The sun seems to be a good metaphor for my life coming up slowly and shining bright. When I push, pull, and wrestle with life it doesn’t work well for me; but when I practice non-attachment knowing everything is as it should be, then I’m in a peaceful place.
These days I constantly remind myself to slow down and enjoy the journey; it’s all about the journey. While watching the sunrise my stress level went all the way down because I know in the end it’s not about deadlines it’s how we live our lives.
I don’t want to live my life stressing over deadlines. I would much rather be at peace knowing “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). I live with so much ambiguity that it would be nice to have a little more stability. For now my stability lies in the fact that I know the sun will come up tomorrow.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
Welcome to the tenth edition of Lovely Words also known as the April 26, 2010 publication. The tenth edition is a small, yet, welcome millstone of a project that truly warms my heart. What I love most about editing Lovely Words is I get to read the articles. I have found some of my favorite blogs and bits of wonderful information from the hundreds of submissions. Please enjoy!
Inspiration
Poetry
Writing
Isabella Smith presents
10 Important Writers Who Went to Jail for Their Work posted at
Online University Reviews, saying, “These 10 listed in the article endure an atrocious and unwarranted fate for the supposed “crime” of expressing themselves. Please take some time to explore these other stories as well – doing so will open eyes to the disgusting acts intended to squelch justice that tragically characterize everyday life for millions of men, women, and children across the globe.”
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
This is one of those rare weeks when I am so overbooked I am averaging approximately four hours of sleep per night. I still get up and write for at least an hour before I officially begin my busy day. This morning I thought I should spend that hour sleeping but my fingers wanted to write.
I remember that success is mostly a due to persistence, just showing up and getting the work done. Besides, who actually needs sleeping when I can actually write about it? As much as I love to write right now I only dream of sleeping. If I were sleeping I would dream of sleeping.
I know you are thinking she got of early to write about nothing; but that’s the thing about a writing practice, you write even when you don’t want to. You capture your sleep deprived ramblings in hopes of maybe mining something from it for a later project.
After this week it will be easy to write about a sleep deprived character. A writer puts a piece of him or herself in everything they write. Writing sleep deprived adds an extra layer to who you are as a writer.
Will I book a week like this again? Absolutely not; but I am taking the experience and learning from it. I am learning to appreciate the slow pace of my life just a little bit more. I am learning why people forget to look at the sunrise.
I am also learning that I love to write even when rambling on in a sleep deprived state. Most of all I am learning to just write no matter the situation and what and see what unfolds.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
I have had a to do list since I was in my teens, I refuse to call it a bucket list since I plan on being around a very long time. One of the newer items on my to do list is to cast off a message in a bottle. A message in a bottle is as romantic as writing letters. A message in a bottle makes one dream of exotic locations or far away ports where the bottle may wash up.
The most recent message in a bottle story I read was of a light house keeper named Anne Hernandez. Her story made me suddenly feel the way I feel when writers die; as if there is something missing in the world. As if humanity has lost a special bit of something. I guess I hold a special place in my heart for people who communicate with the written word.
Anyway, I have made a listing of some of my favorite message in a bottle articles. Please feel free to post or email any you may have.
Anne Hernandez’s Message in a Bottle
A Message in a Bottle Mystery
A Message in a Bottle Returned
A Message in a Bottle Lands in Africa
A Message in a Bottle Painting
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Lately I’m either working so much or sleeping in (on weekends) that I don’t take the time to appreciate the sunrise. This morning I step outside for a few moments at 7:00am and realize I have missed quite a few sunrises. I wonder what was so important that I could not take fifteen minutes to watch one of Gods greatest creations.
I rarely get so involved in the business of life that I don’t take the time to indulge in the simple pleasure. I’ve come to my computer almost every morning and working right through sunrise. I take a step back and remind myself that even though next week includes impossible long days I still need to be outside when the sun comes up.
I am grateful that when I am getting off balance that reality sets in to pull me back on course. My connection to nature is what makes me feel alive. I enjoy working and I am fortunate that my work is also my passion but I have to find my balance and not get lost. I have a lot of opportunities at my fingertips and its challenging to figure what’s really right for me; so for now I’m juggling.
I have such a small, quiet, peaceful life and I can’t let anything change it. Taking the time to luxuriate in the sunrise is part of what makes me, me. I think for most of us life comes barreling at us and before long we forget those things that were important to us. Sunrise is important.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
Welcome to the carnival of information that is the April 12, 2010 edition of Lovely Words.
Inspiration
Lovely words
Olivia Davis presents
50 Places to Find Literary Criticism Online posted at
Online University Lowdown, saying, “Students of the literary arts in need of some excellent supplements to their education or simply hoping to sample the extensive range of available ideas can hop online and connect with experts, fellow collegiates, and hobbyists to participate in discussions about poetry, prose, and the venues writers use to convey them.”
Poetry
Writing
Zen
Laura Grace Weldon presents
Lament of an UnNerd posted at
Laura Grace Weldon, saying, “Technologically backward? Time to make peace with your UnNerd status, or at least find humor in it.”
Technorati tags:
lovely words, blog carnival.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
If you haven’t guessed it, I love writing and I love writers. I was doing research online yesterday and ran across the name Don Murray. Don Murray is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and writing teacher who passed away in 2006. Those of you who regularly read my blog know I believe the greatest gift a writer gives other writers is their words.
I enjoy the writings of those who are no longer with us. I also enjoy reading about those who are no longer with us because for that moment in time as I am reading they are alive. Every few years I read Death Be Not Proud so that Johnny Gunther can live again. I guess I’m reading Murray’s articles so he can also live again.
I look at the pages and pages of Murray’s articles and am convinced that anyone who continues to write will have a compilation of works (sounds easy enough). I am in awe of the sheer volume of Murray’s work and I will strive to work a little harder and a bit longer every day.
In reading Murray’s words I perceive glimpses of a life well lived. How can you be dead when your words are still alive? Murray reminds me to do something with my life. That something does not have to be anything extraordinary, just something that matters. I think we all come into this world to make a difference in some way.
Murray made a difference as a writer and as a teacher; but most of all through his writings we know he made a difference as a human being. Most of Murray’s writings are about simple everyday things that when you string them all together it comes out as life. He also writes about the tough things such as his wife’s illness and death, being alone, getting older, giving up his power, and living compassionately. Murray wrote his last article on a Friday and died on Saturday. We should all live so long, well, and passionately.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Lying in bed I begin to dream. In my dream someone is running after me. I am running away from whoever is chasing me but I am also running to find myself and wake me up. I want wake me up to remind myself that I don’t have to be chased; I have it within me to change the situation. I need to remind myself that I am both the dreamer and the dream.
I wake myself up in the dream and I am keenly aware that I am dreaming. I cease running and myself and I stop to enjoy each other’s company. I tell myself that she has more control over our life than she could begin to imagine. She tells me to stop running and turn around and meet life head on.
I tell her “I am only running to find a space in life that works for me.” She tells me to stop and make a space in life that works for me. She tells me it’s time to plant roots and grow that I have been running much too long. I listen but I am still uncertain she sees the big picture after all I woke her up. She says “I wasn’t sleeping; I was waiting on you to catch up.”
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Even when I don’t feel like writing I still enjoy thinking about writing. I like the way the words flow in my head as if they are a kite. These words have no direction they simply flow back and forth. They don’t seem to mind whether they are brought forth on paper or left to float for all eternity.
They know they are inspiration a gift meant to be felt more so than written. Sometimes they are not words at all just a Zen feeling that beckons one to be aware of this beautiful world in which we live. Their job is to make life light and easy for the writer even when life is not light and easy.
Although these words appreciate their floating existence they are not afraid to do the heavy lifting, especially when the writer has no words. On a rare day when these words have their way they meander about and slowly devour the blank page. They feel life, not the way humans feel life but rather a slow dreamy existence. They feel free.
They are not only freeing themselves they are free the writer. They are freeing the writer from those common thoughts as to how words should be put together. Who says you have to have a plot or thesis just write. Sometimes, don’t think, put your fingers to the keyboard and see what develops.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design