By C. J. Stegall-Evans
I start most mornings out on my patio watching as night gives way to day; I am at peace as I listen to the world waking up; then the obnoxious bird starts his songs. This bird sounds like someone randomly dropping instruments down a flight of stairs.
This bird is so awful all of nature stops to listen; at first he just drowns out all the other birds but then they just stop. When the other birds stop the obnoxious (Oxi) bird seems to get louder as if they stopped to hear his delightful tunes (excuse my giving Oxi a male persona but I have big brothers and this is exactly what they would do).
Oxi is not satisfied to give the occasional concert; this bird practices his art almost every morning much to the chagrin of Mother Nature and anyone else with ears. After four years of Oxi’s pollution I decide: I don’t have to listen to this I have choices; I can go inside, wear ear plugs, or (sigh) make peace with Oxi music. I chose to make peace.
Since making peace with Oxi I have come to see the beauty in his awkward music. This morning when he sang instead of thinking how obnoxious, I just smiled. I have come to appreciate Oxi’s gift, after all it is a joyful noise.
To quote American Idols Randy Jackson “Dawg, you took that song and made it your own, dawg.” This bird really does have its own song styling, and it is going to make a joyful noise whether anyone wants to hear it or not.
Listening to Oxi’s song I begin to think perhaps we all should be like Oxi. Perhaps we all should practice our art for art’s sake. Perhaps we should find that voice that’s uniquely our own and sing our song, dawg.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Today is challenging in that I have written several articles to post, yet, I’m not putting them out for anyone to see because I’m not feeling it. In fact I’m feeling quite wordless today. Whenever the words don’t come or I am not pleased with what I have written I simply sit and continue to write.
This phase is not quite writers block but rather a time of reflection. This is a time when although I am writing it is of such a personal nature I cannot share it. I don’t like feeling wordless; it’s very isolating. Wordless or not I sit in front of my lap top and write; more than half the battle of being a writer is showing up, sitting down, and writing.
Writers should write even if they don’t feel like writing because everyone else who goes to work gets the job done whether they feel like it or not. Writing is an art but it’s also about discipline, a successful writer is one that shows up and gets to work.
So, even though I am feeling quite wordless this morning, I am grateful for the words that do come. I know that tomorrow is another day and I get to start again with new thoughts and new words.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
Welcome to the June 21, 2010 edition of lovely words. Please enjoy the lovely smorgasbord of articles in this edition; and show your appreciation to the writers by leaving a comment. Also, Dear Readers, thank you so very much for taking the time to peruse Writing as A Sacred Art and Lovely Words as always you are genuinely appreciated.
Books
Inspiration
Lovely Words
Alex presents
Thank You Quotes posted at
Home Life Weekly, saying, “Its nice to say thank you, so I put together a set of inspirational thank you quotes for you to read and enjoy”
Poetry
Writing
Writing Resource
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
So many writers struggle just to put words on a blank page. Writing seems such a simple task it makes one wonder why we pour out our life’s blood for it, spend hours obsessing over it, and years devouring the words of others.
Writers stand in the world, yet, apart from it. When we close our office doors we are tasked with squeezing truth through our fingers. This is no easy plight because for some writers simply sitting to write is a chore in itself.
Then there is the fear of the unknown: Who will read my words; will it be interpreted the way I meant for it to be understood; at some point in my life will my words come back to haunt me; will I inadvertently hurt someone I truly love?
Writers spend hours obsessing about writing because is our mark on the world. It says we were here; this is what we saw; this is how we felt; and sometimes writers tell us “this is how we want you to feel.” Some writers are rewarded for spilling their life’s blood and sadly some are not.
Those who are not rewarded and sometimes those who are may lose their way and turn to drugs and alcohol in order to get through life feeling the world’s pain, joy, hopes, and dreams. Writing is about accessing on a daily basis those feelings most people keep buried deep inside. Writing is walking through a world with a knife in your heart and occasionally running into people who feel the need to twist it.
On the other hand, writing is also about keeping the eye of a child and finding wonder in every flower. It’s about having the ability to relate to people you have never met. Writing is more than words on a page for some it’s a giving of all that we have (our words) and sharing it with the world.
Writers hungrily spend years devouring the words of others because it gives us hope. Hope that the power of our words can promote change. Hope that our words aren’t just something on paper to be thrown away. Hope that someone armed with only words matters in this world.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
C. J. Stegall-Evans
I am walking through Home Depot with blinders on trying to only buy enough supplies for the prototype of my latest invention (don’t ask). I am being very good until I spy a Topsy Turvy. A Topsy Turvy is an upside down gardening system.
If I can’t grow plants the regular way why on earth would I be able to grow them upside down? This is madness at its best. I try to walk away but at this point I am reading the package and become completely enthralled. I can see myself eating fresh tomatoes every day. I also look at several verities of tomato seeds; I am drawn to the Roma. I don’t buy any.
I get my Topsy Turvy home and think this is an impulse buy, and how quickly can I get it back to the store? I look at the monstrosity for a few more days and decide to keep it. I could attempt to grow tomatoes and if it does not work who would know; I know you won’t tell anyone.
However, I did tell my mother who is plant-lady-extraordinaire (Her house looks like a jungle and I’m expecting Tarzan to swoop in at any minute and scoop her up) about my wild idea and she reminded me of what I always tell others, “Your words have power.”
She suggested I call myself a “plant grower” rather than a plant killer. I have noticed the older my parents get the wiser they become, funny, I remember them being dumb as rocks when I was a teen. But I must admit I was a lot smarter as a teen than I will ever be at any given point in my life.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Ideas are the things of which dreams are made; it’s the only real magic in the world. Merrian-Webster.com defines ideas as “something imagined or pictured in the mind.” Ideas start from within and it takes a courageous person to bring them into fruition.
Usually when people have brilliant ideas they take them for granted or just brush the aside because the idea comes from within them. I recently read that everyone has a million dollar idea. These very people are usually amazed when someone has the same concept and makes a success of it.
The key is implementation; just thinking up an idea does not get it off the ground and running. The idea has to be thought about, written up and brought forth in a functional form. People usually stall in implementation because of that old voice inside their heads that says they will fail.
There is nothing wrong with failure. The true failure is in not trying. Someone much wiser than myself one said “the more I fail the closer I get to success.” So what if you fail; you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and on the next great idea.
Ideas are given to humanity for a purpose, we are to use them. Ideas can change your life. Ideas have changed all of our lives. Remember, there are lessons to be learned from failure and it makes the sweet smell of success even sweeter.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
Welcome to the June 7, 2010 edition of Lovely Words. Life should be quiet and simple therefore this cozy volume of Lovely Words is especially pleasant. Please enjoy!
Inspiration
Poetry
Writing
Writing Resource
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
After you have put in the time and actually practice writing on a daily basis what makes you a writer? A while back I thought a writer had to credentialed to consider him or herself a real writer. But, after I received my credentials I still did not feel I could call myself a writer.
It took a few years for me to realize I am a writer because I write. It’s as simple as that writers write. Becoming a proficient writer requires time and practice as with any profession, but the title of writer is what you bestow upon yourself.
Writers observe the world and provide commentary. They inform, entertain, and provide a general sense of the temperature of the world around them. Writers are the artist who feels the world’s pain, injustice, and joy.
You don’t need anyone’s permission to become a writer you are a writer because you practice, you feel it, and breathe it. Writing is a wonderfully crazy, obsessive profession that is often not easy for those who are more social to understand.
Writing takes a lot of discipline and hard work which to others looks like you are sitting around doing nothing. Writers are readers in fact capable writers may read more than they write. Writers are chameleons who get lost in their task and must constantly work to stay grounded.
Of all the jobs I have had, and I have had many, writing is the most fulfilling. It seems all of life has prepared me with the experiences needed to succinctly (I love that word) express my feelings to others in a relatable manner. Writers see beauty in words; writers see beauty in life, but most of all writers write.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
Julia Cameron, author of The Right to Write, suggest writers keep a composition book on their nightstand and upon rising, begin to write. Do not bother to think just write three pages without putting your pen down.
I enrolled in this practice many years ago and found it no less than transformative. It’s transformative in that it keeps you writing on a daily basis and also wets your appetite for writing. It infects you with the writing bug every day.
It is the reason I share my warts and all practice with you; a lot of what I write on this blog comes from or is inspired by my three pages. I think the primary reason this practice works is because in our lives we are always in control of everything and this gives us permission to let go.
Writing is about letting go and allowing the words to come out however they want, knowing you can refine it later. Transformative writing is letting go knowing everything will be okay. It gives you the confidence to go from writing everyday to becoming a writer.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
By C. J. Stegall-Evans
In the next few weeks I have to decide if I am going to return to fulltime employment or write fulltime for another year. It’s not like I would be returning to a labor camp, I am a teacher. After a few weeks of thoughts and prayers it finally dawned on me, how could I be happy going back to work fulltime if I considered it a rat race.
It does not have to be a rat race I can take my peace with me wherever I go. I can apply for only the jobs I truly want and let destiny take of the rest. If I don’t find a job that works for me I am perfectly fine continuing with my current lifestyle.
In fact my current lifestyle is so simple and peaceful I’m almost afraid to do anything to shake that up. I only step outside of my comfort zone because I realize that’s part of the way we learn and grow as humans.
I find learning and growing in groups with others endlessly fascinating. It is true I am not interested in a part of the rat race but I quite interested in staying connected to the human race.
© 2010 C. J. Stegall-Evans (All Rights Reserved)
Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design