JJ’s Muse

“Guard your heart, but don’t become a gated community”

- J Whyne (Dec 5th 2009)

Something to think about…

This is a theme/concept that I have been stewing on…

I think it was prompted by a talk I was preparing in which I referenced Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Need’ (Abraham Maslow)*

This theory of motivation, provides a mechanism for looking at human self/personal development and basically suggests that there are certain needs that all humans have, and that the higher ones are only met once the lower ones are.

I think my mind was particularly interested by the 4th level ‘Esteem Needs’, and what it might mean if those needs were unmet. Would this lead to your personal development being stunted, put on hold, arrested?

As I began by saying, I’m stewing on: Arrested Development…

*First published in 1943, and one of the most popular and often cited theories of human motivation.

This made up part of an encouragement to me some years back when I was berating myself for my faults and failings – annoyingly too often in the same areas.

The actual line was: “Janice, you are a work in progress”. Even just thinking about it now, makes me stop pause, accompanied by a contented sigh. You see it was such a relief to have those words so lovingly, and without judgement or consternation said. An affirming tone accompanied them, which made me hope for change.

Why have these words come to mind now? Because I read a similar sentiment  in a book I’m currently reading about leadership.

I believe the words: “work in progress” have much to say to those of the creative persuasion – whether related to the person, or the creations of the person.

Be encouraged!

This was the insight of a colleague as I bemoaned the fact that I had begun to watch Eastenders, and had in fact been watching episodes on BBC iPlayer at a ridiculous hour the night before.

She offered no middle ground, I was either ‘too serious’ or ‘dull’, or is that just how I heard and received it?

Ummm is the fact that it irked me a sign of me smarting at the existence of some truth? Ummm…

Perspective was a significant concept in a talk I heard today.

The speaker commented on how in his line of work, it was his responsibility to present people with a different perspective, giving them hope that things can be different to what they are or are presenting themselves to be.

Writers have that same ability.

Whatever your genre of writing, a part of your business is perspectives. – Presenting yours, the prevailing culture, world view etc

When you think about it, this can be a very powerful tool to wield, a skill to master, and a responsibility to not take lightly.

This week I experienced the sweet amber nectar of Friendship.

Hopefully we all have at least one friend who we value and knows values us. The kind of friend that you know you can rely on.

I am blessed to have friends like these, and this week, I had reason to value them even more.

I was out of town when I heard my Dad had a mini-scare which led to an overnight stay courtesy of the NHS. Continue reading

The line from a song that I woke up with this morning. – Not sure why as I can’t remember listening to it recently.

“I am the change I want to see” I mused on the words, and my first thoughts were, of the agreeing variety. I then went onto wonder what the connotations to this concept were… So I decided to do a google search on them, though I realise now I actually searched for: “I am the change I want to be”. – Maybe this was subconcious…

Anyway, only 3 results came up and they brought me to a video: Be The Change That You Want To See.

It interested me, so thought I’d share it with you. Let me know what you think of the idea of being the change you want to see or be.

Be The Change That You Want To See

The title of this post made up a key part of a story recounted to me by my Mum this afternoon.

She had been at her regular women’s group, and there had heard extracts from a book which tells the story of a New Zealand Christian couple who spent years doing missionary work* in China.

Before going to China ever entered their thoughts, they had felt that God had told them to bury the words ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t', and so they set about removing them from their vocabulary and mindset.

This choice became very significant, when sometime later they felt that God was asking them to go to China. Continue reading

I woke up at 5am this morning. I felt fresh and alert, and thought I could go for a run, so I did.

The idea for a run had crossed my mind last night, but no fixed plan had been made, and as I already was going to have an early start, I didn’t really think a run would be able to factor into my morning.  So I received my early rising as a gift.

‘Living in the Now’ – the title for this post. Last night I found I had saved this as a post title on the 11th May. Obviously I had had some inspiration at the time, but I couldn’t muster any recollection of what that was. – A moment now lost.

As a writer or indeed artist of any creative description, there is a real validity to living in the now. Writing down those thoughts when they come, recording those song lyrics, sketching out that drawing, taking that photo, pitching your idea to that chief exec…

Living in the Now can also be essential in capturing those moments of quality time with a loved one or a friend. I am all for planning. I am also for making the most of phoning a friend as you’ve finished early, are in the neighbourhood or they just ‘ran across your mind’. I’m sure you can all identify a time when you have capitalised on a moment like this, and the enjoyment that has come.

Look out for those moments today!

Yesterday I celebrated another year of life.

I’m not really one for celebrating birthdays, and I struggled in the run up to the day to answer the question that came from a few as to what I was going to do. My general response was that I wasn’t that bothered about doing anything in particular, happy to go with the flow and just see what offers came along.  I did, though,  sense that it should be marked in someway, and that it definitely wasn’t going to be marked by me hoovering on my birthday

When the day came, I enjoyed spending quality time with my immediate family. Continue reading