tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post8345082723209307607..comments2024-03-23T08:15:22.317-04:00Comments on Smithellaneous: Turn Off Twitter. And Don’t Clean The House.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-50702671158226354782012-01-03T19:57:29.971-05:002012-01-03T19:57:29.971-05:00How interesting! Just last night I spoke to a dear...How interesting! Just last night I spoke to a dear friend about making time in her life to allow for a creative outlet, in her case learning to paint wit oils/acrylics/water colors and about the renewal and refreshment that comes to our spirit when we allow our creative energy to burst forth! <br /><br />I garden...God taught me about sowing and reaping, the truths that HE grows things...I only tend them...yet I reap the flowers and veggies!<br /><br />I craft...what joy to have a craft night for a few friends that have never done crafts or had put it in the archives of their lives...how sweet to see a 10 y/o SO proud of his accomplishement (FYI - the ages range was 10 y/o - almost 70!). Laughter, stories,<br />communicating, relationships.<br /><br />I cook...I live alone...so I learn new recipes and have a few girls over and make them feel special (and use them as guinea pigs for new recipes!)? Homemade bagels! Who would've thought they are so easy to make?!<br /><br />I believe we all have a need to be creative in some form. Whether it's the art of cooking...or, like Becky, write verse and music that touches the soul as she bears her own (not to mention her written words without music!).<br /><br /> When I look around me, I can't deny the creativity of God, so it's not that far of a leap to believe He placed a creative urge in each of us! However, as Ms. Lamott said, we have to make the time to figure out what they are and then practice.<br /><br />Uhhhh....great article! Sorry, got a bit wordy.Guerrina in CTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-6964075503693881472012-01-03T17:46:20.387-05:002012-01-03T17:46:20.387-05:00Years ago, when my daughter Jessica was stillborn,...Years ago, when my daughter Jessica was stillborn, I wrote, and wrote and ... I used it to expel the horrid sadness that took my life into darkness. I contineus to write until the miracle birth of my daughter Rachael Lynn. I stopped writing, but so enjoyed reading the wonderful writings and artwork of my sweet Rachael. When Rachael died 3/1/2003, I tried to write again, but my ability with words couldn't touch my sadness. I am still struggling, all these years later, to find release. Writing helped me with the loss of my Jessica, but nothing, so far, has touched the pain of my Rachael's loss...maybe someday.katmayohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264484985774641720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-75397710502370881992012-01-03T13:56:45.656-05:002012-01-03T13:56:45.656-05:00Pre-Script: The following 'comment' is wha...Pre-Script: The following 'comment' is what happens when a literature major reads a blog that concludes by asking the reader what they think about a piece of writing. I apologize in advance . . .<br /><br />- - - - - -<br /><br />This made me think of an article Louis Bromfield wrote in 1955, one that my grandmother must have kept and has since photocopied and mailed to me multiple times. Entitled 'What Matters Most,' it begins "If, in this country, we have indulged in one great and fundamental error, it is to confuse the things of civilization and the spirit with the material products of our mechanical age."<br /><br />Though Bromfield's message is more general and Lamott's is focused on the art of writing, it stuck me that the core of both pieces is so similar despite being written nearly six decades apart. Since Bromfield's writing, the distractions of modern life have only worsened. I occasionally wonder what we're missing, using Facebook instead of letters, text messages instead of phone calls, even (dare I say it) blogs instead of face-to-face discussions. It's wonderful to be able to keep in contact with people who would otherwise probably drop out of our lives or perhaps never enter them in the first place, but the connections are so often superficial.<br /><br />I've considered giving up these things, and though I'm not Catholic did give up the internet outside of work for Lent last year. Of course, I reverted back to my old habits immediately afterwards. It never occurred to me to give something up in order to specifically make time for something else, however... I think I'll give her mandate a try. Figure out some daily or weekly chunk of time that I can free by neglecting something, and replace it with concentrated writing efforts. I work best with specifics, so I'll figure out a plan today -- what I'll do without, and how long I'll commit to the test run. <br /><br />Suddenly, this sounds like fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-57483845198914458372012-01-03T10:51:15.688-05:002012-01-03T10:51:15.688-05:00I like your writing better!I like your writing better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-2339162711228312432012-01-03T10:29:07.838-05:002012-01-03T10:29:07.838-05:00Even in her discussion of the importance of findin...Even in her discussion of the importance of finding time to write, this lady WRITES . . . with such import, such magic, laced with good advice. <br /><br />I must admit that for me writing is just something I do when the mood hits. I am not obsessed with writing. I don't HAVE to write. In fact, I have spent years avoiding writing because I don't deal well with the positive feedback I get. I simply don't get it...so how in the world could I possibly recreate it? <br /><br />I do believe that people who have to write...who live to write...must, simply must, set aside time to do it each day. It is a craft to be honed and what better way to sharpen that gift than to keep at it. <br /><br />I believe we are all writers to some extent. We all have a story to tell. We all have an innate need to communicate (although I could retract that comment if I focus only on my husband!). We all want to connect. And isn't that what writing is...communication that is formed from a need to connect, to share, to purge private thoughts and common threads that bind us together?<br /><br />I am so glad that you started your blog, Becky...that you took your love of writing and made that leap to be vulnerable and exposed via the printed word. You have done so much to exemplify the personification of faith, family, and fun.<br /><br />How can we ever thank you enough???<br /><br />Hmmm, I guess a written note would suffice, huh? :-)Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661749227670056682noreply@blogger.com