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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“Phase 1 Complete” was the words of the text my brother sent me at some random hour Monday am. This meant that the mixing had been done and the 5 tracks were ‘good to go’.
He then texted me Thursday to say he would drop off a CD and I waited in a mixture of fear and anticipation as I wondered what it would sound like.
Well, as I blog this I am listening to the track “Turn Your Eyes”, and I can truly say I am pleased with what we have done.
It’s all about getting it into the hands of somebody now, and at least one somebody is saying he’ll be giving them away like hotcakes so watch this space.
As a sidenote, the cold type whatever it was that wanted to land on me on our first day of recording, seems to have now taken hold. – Not impressed, but thankful that it was kept at bay so we could do what we had to do.
this was a comment from my friend’s Mum as they got her set for leaving the country for a year or two. – Classic!
