Thankfulness

I suppose it's only natural to be thinking along thankfulness lines at this time of year.  I love the fact that we live in a country that has set aside at least one day a year for being thankful.  It comes at a good time, I believe, considering Christmas is the next holiday.  When I think of all I am thankful for, material goods are not what comes to mind.  Like most of us, I could always use a nicer this or a newer that, and I am thankful for the things I have, but the true, deeper thoughts of thankfulness revolve around relationships. 

When I think of the love and support I receive from the close relationships I have with others, I become extrememly thankful.  It helps me keep things in perspective when shopping for Christmas gifts.  I tend to look for something that will express my thankfulness for what those close to me have given throughout the year.  I look for that thing that demonstrates in a tangible way the often intangible gifts they've given me. 

This past weekend I found a beautiful, soft, colorful and warm winter scarf that made me think of someone near and dear.  I bought it for her because to me it represented her soft, warm, beautiful heart, and I could picture her smiling as she wrapped it around her neck to stay warm this winter.  The thought made me smile.  I knew it would look beautiful on her, that it would meet a need, and be both practical and pleasing.  It wasn't expensive, it wasn't couture, but I knew she would love it, and that's all that mattered.

I used to think the more I cared for someone the more I needed to spend on them to prove my love.  I've grown up since then.  It's not the volume of presents under the tree that matters.  It's the abundance of love and thankfulness with which they are given that will touch the hearts of those we love. 

I remember many a Christmas morning as a child looking for the tinfoil-covered shoebox that meant Grandma had once again made her special holiday fudge.  That was always the box I opened first, happily indulging in the rich, nut-laden homemade goodness as all the other presents were passed around and opened eagerly.  To be honest, I can't remember a single gift I received in my childhood that meant as much as Grandma's fudge.  I'm sure I received many wonderful things ~ toys, books, new clothes, dolls, etc. ~ but I don't remember them.  I do, however, remember Grandma's tin foiled box of love. 

If you worry over the amount of money you have to spend on gifts this year, if you are concerned it's not enough, the presents won't be fancy enough or there won't be enough of them under the tree...don't.  Just do what you can to show those you love how thankful you are for them.  Make a card that expresses your joy at having them in your life.  Bake a batch of cookies or homemade fudge.  Draw a picture, write a poem, or give a "coupon" for a task or service you will provide free of charge.  Write a note or letter and simply tell someone how they have influenced your life in a positive way.

Remember, it isn't the dollar amount you spend that matters, it isn't the name on the label or the expertise with which it is assembled.  It's the amount of heart you put in to whatever you give that shows how much you care.  Do it now, this year.  Don't wait to tell someone you love how thankful you are for their life.  It just might be the best gift you could possibly give.

God bless you ~ cpwritergirl

Maumelle Writers Conference 11/7/09

Last Saturday I spent the best $25 I can remember.  I attended my first writers conference, and got so much more than my money's worth!  This particular conference was presented by the Maumelle Arts Council.  I wasn't sure what to expect, never having been to such an event.  I assumed I would meet other writers, glean a few tips on how to improve my writing skills and perhaps, if things went as I hoped, learn a little more about the steps necessary to move me further along the path toward a full time career as an author. 

Which caused me to wonder, what do I call myself and does it really matter?  Author or writer, what's the difference?  When in doubt or in need of clarification, I rely on good old Mr. Webster (or nowadays, Dictionary.com) to help me out:

Author–noun 1. a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.
2. the literary production or productions of a writer: to find a passage in an author.
3. the maker of anything; creator; originator

Writer-–noun 1. a person engaged in writing books, articles, stories, etc., esp. as an occupation or profession; an author or journalist.
2. a clerk, scribe, or the like.
3. a person who commits his or her thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing: an expert letter writer.
4. (in a piece of writing) the author (used as a circumlocution for “I,” “me,” “my,” etc.): The writer wishes to state….
5. a person who writes or is able to write

Hmmm, sound pretty interchangeable, don't they?  This is one of those debates that can rage on endlessly and never, in my opinion, change a thing.  You may call me a writer, author, storyteller, poet, journalist or scribe...it doesn't matter to me as long as I have the freedom to express myself in words of my own choosing.

 

Now, back to the conference!  From the moment the first keynote speaker, Ms. Darla Haas, began talking about inspirational writing I knew I was in for a treat.  I  recently discovered this to be the path the majority of my writing takes, and was eager to hear what she had to say.     

 

Ms. Haas, a wonderfully engaging speaker, shared that one of the definitions of  "inspire" is to suggest, to be the motivating but unnamed power behind.  I realized that to be the force behind another's direction, the reason they change something in their lives that ultimately makes them a better person, brings them more joy, more success, more fulfillment, is the heart with which I write.  Be it a poem, children's story, blog entry or romance novel, I find I am passionate about motivating others to be their best.

 

Whether my words are credited with that person's life-changing shift in direction is of no consequence -- hence the "unnamed power behind" part of the definition.  I just want to share something from my heart or life experiences that benefits another person in some way, whether it be to follow my example or run in the opposite direction.  I love the Catherine Aird quote "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning".  Either way, my life and words can have an effect.  I took copious notes, and knew within that first few minutes that I would come away with much more than I expected. 

Prolific novelist Laura Parker Castoro was our second keynote speaker.  Gregarious, bubbly, funny and passionate about writing, she shared practical, clear cut instruction on what I call the "nuts and bolts" of building a good story, urging us to give the reader 'a clear place to hang their emotional hat'. 

 

Workshops on various topics ranging from Writing 101 to the How and Why of Winning Poems and ABC's of Scene Writing were available throughout the day, coordinated by various local writers (or authors, if you prefer).  Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend every one, but gained valuable information from those I did attend. 

 

One of the highlights of the day for me had to be the impromptu, one-on-one conversation I had with Ms. Castoro after the author panel discussion.  The fact that she took time to brainstorm story elements--attitudes and possible motivation of various characters, internal and external conflict, expectations, actions and problem resolution--was invaluable to me, and I am forever in her debt.  If you haven't checked her out yet, you should definitely visit http://www.lauracastoro.com/.

 

All in all it was a wonderful day, a Saturday well spent on the way to fulfilling my dream of becoming a full time writer.  I look forward to my next conference with great anticipation, and recommend the experience to anyone wishing to further their writing career.

 

God bless you, and keep writing! ~ cpwritergirl

What we leave behind

When traveling, it's been said that what we bring along is not as important as what we leave behind; new friends, new memories and hopefully a trail of goodwill for people to follow. We all only get one chance to make a good first impression, and we may never know how our words or actions affect others.  I recently returned from a trip and I did indeed make new friends whom I now pray for and to whom I send uplifting text messages, because it makes us both feel good and serves to remind me of how universal the love of God is, and how miles cannot sever that bond.  I had the privilege of spending time this weekend with one of those friends, and I know we will remain friends for the rest of our lives.  That is a precious gift. 

I am endeavoring to manifest the love God has shown me to others, even those who have hurt me. Unkind or unthinking words can do great and sometimes lating damage if we aren't diligent to control our thoughts and conversations. True, it isn't always easy to repay evil or insults with blessing, but that is what I Peter 3:9-12 exhorts us to do: 'For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and keep his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good, he must seek peace and pursue it.' 

Seek peace, and pursue it...that takes work. When we are hurt our instinct is to react in anger and self defense, to either withdraw or to lash out at the one who hurt us to let them know how wrong they were, or how hurt we are. But if we take a moment to take a deep breath and think before we react, realizing that 'hurting people hurt people', we may see that the person who hurt us is not being intentionally hurtful, just human. Knowing that, it's easier to control our response and avoid perpetuating a cycle of hurt by responding poorly. Ann Landers said maturity is the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.  I think that's a great definition.

Here a few more quotes worth remembering:

"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be." —Grandma Moses

“It's never too late... never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.” —Jane Fonda

"I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." —Martha Washington

 

"Your own words are the bricks and mortar

of the dreams you want to realize.

Your words are the greatest power you have.

The words you choose and their use establish the life you experience." —Sonia Croquette