Light and Talent

The new year is right around the corner. Like most Americans ,thoughts enter my mind of the things I'd like to change, add or delete from my life beginning January 1st. Start running again, read more, spend more quality time with God, love on my family better, see my friends with regularity, develop my creative voice ...

In today's paper, which I never read, I saw this under the Letters section, Today's Thought: "Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you." ~Henri-Frederic Amiel

On this particular day for the whole of my adult life, my mind automatically reviews the previous 364 days and how I've spent my time. Then, as always, three days later we enter the new year. How will I spend my time for the next 366 (it's a leap-year in 2008) days. Yes, we are given a gift of ONE MORE day in 2008. How will I embrace that gift?

If I take to heart the thought from Henri-Frederic, I should take serious advantage of the light I am given and take responsibility for the talent that has been entrusted to me.

What talent has been entrusted to you? Maybe, deep down, you believe it's the art of writing. Or the desire to sit before the canvas and paint the images that bubble up from your heart. It's possible that you are not sure what your talent is. But know without a shadow of doubt that you do have a talent and it's waiting to blossom from within you.

Two thousand eight is a few days away. It's my prayer that each of us treat the light we have with care and intentionally nurture the talent that has graciously and specifically been entrusted to us. Happy New Year!
~deAnn

What's Christmas All About?

Here's a little something to get you in the Christmas spirit...watch this little video: Christmas Rant on Grovefilms.com.

In all seriousness, Christmas is more than sending pretty cards, picking the perfect gift and baking a load of sweets. We've already been given the Perfect Gift. Remember? Take time this season to be still and fully aware of His presence. Jesus: He's what Christmas is really about...

May your Christmas be filled with His peace & His love and may 2008 be a year of discovering God in new, creative and soul transforming ways.

(the) Write to Know

A lot of my childhood is a mystery to me. My sister will say, "hey remember that time we..." and I have no idea what she's talking about. My memory is terrible.

Although, through writing about the few childhood memories I do have, other memories that were locked away in the depths of my mind spring to the surface as if being provoked. Before I know it the little unknown gaps in my history are discovered. Sometimes it's exciting and other times it's a bit frightening, as I recall a memory that is not the happiest. Nonetheless, I write to know (to know me more fully).

The beauty of writing such things of one's past gives others the a window into the life that made you who you now in the present. I had this experience just last week. I was writing a post on my personal blog when a past post caught my attention. My son, who's 15, was sitting near me and I asked him if he'd like to read this particular post. I left him with the laptop, reading a portion of my history and I went upstairs to check on my other son. When I returned to the living room, my son was sitting on the sofa with melon sized tears rolling over his cheeks. "Mom, I'm so sorry. I had no idea! I'm sorry..." were his words after having read about the day my step father passed away due to cancer.

My son learned something intimate about me in that moment. He had heard me talk of my step father and how cool he was and that he died of cancer. But in reading my account of that painful day, my son had a picture painted for him in his mind that brought that simple story to life, with skin and bone. He experienced, in a way, the sorrow I endured. Write so others will know.

I love the journey of writing about my past. I never know where it will take me. And I'm learning to share my writing (posts) with my boys and husband. They live with me, this woman that they "see" ~ but how well do they actually know me? Really know me, know the life that formed this me that they see.

Writing your life is recording history as you recall it. Go on a journey through your life and let writing be your vehicle. Then share the destination with those you love. Write to know. Write so others will know as well.

Enjoy the ride!

Inspired to Write

Inspiration. We can find it anywhere. Everywhere.
But often we don't recognize it. Or we do recognize it but we're too busy to stop, take it in and then release it through our favorite creative means. We think, "wow, that is cool! I'd like to write about that. But I'll do it later, when I have more time."

More time.
Does that actually ever happen? More time?
It would be so nice if we could walk up to a vending machine, insert a quarter, press button B5 to purchase more time. We are given the gift of 24 hours each day. I find it easy to fill it with "stuff" instead of exercising my creative muscles.

If I'm really honest, I have time. I don't need more. I need to be a better steward of the time I am given.

Writing is my passion. Writing is healing. Writing is spiritual. God speaks to me though the creative avenue of writing.

When I don't make time to write, my life suffers. My well-being is compromised.

God's creation is full of inspiration. I want to recognize it then react creatively. No excuses.

It's always the right time to write.

Some Good News!

Well, I'm happy to report that the damage is not severe at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. I haven't gone inside but from the outside the roof looks good. The clock face on the bell tower was lite up nicely this morning! I'm not sure what the deal was but the fire trucks were here until near 11pm last night. They took in big fans to clear the air of smoke, I'm guessing.

The photo here of the bell tower with an amazing sunrise was taken early last month. The sunrise was mesmerizing, always changing and always becoming more vivid. This is just one of many shots I took that crisp morning.

Okay, now for writing related things. I hope that you can steal time this holiday weekend to write. If anything, after Thanksgiving dinner (if you aren't ready for a nap) write about that experience. What was served, who cooked, what family members were there, what was the relational dynamics like, did you eat at Cracker Barrel instead? Oh my...that has the potential to be a very interesting piece of work. I'm going to take my laptop to my in-laws house on Thanksgiving. The stories from that experience will certainly be worth writing about!

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Celebrate all the good that is in your life!
~deAnn

Fire at Bethlehem United Methodist

This evening around 8:30 PM fire trucks from several departments arrived on the scene at the location of our writing gatherings, Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown. My heart sank when I saw smoke coming from the the front near the bell tower (see photo). I threw on a baseball cap, jacket and shoes (among others items of clothing) and headed out to see what I could see.

I asked a fire police if the fire was contained but he said they couldn't find it - but there was lots of smoke. Well, it's 9:50 PM and I can still hear the rumble of ladder trucks out side my bedroom window (see other photo). My heart is sad as that building is a work of beautiful art. I pray that the damage is minimal. I didn't see them carry hoses in to extinguish the fire. Maybe only handheld extinguishers were enough, that is if they found the source. The clock in the bell tower is dark. No light on it's face. I've never seen that in the 6 years I've lived here. It makes me feel lonely. I hope it's reassuring bells sound at ten o'clock. If not, the night will be eerily silent without its hourly dings.

Please keep Pastor Roger, his staff and congregation in your prayers as they sort out what happened and deal with repairs and such. I will keep you posted as more info comes my way.

Thank you for your prayers...this makes me so sad.

~deAnn

Chase It Down...

Have you ever said this to yourself, "I need a whole weekend by alone in order to really write."

Really write, what does that mean exactly? If we write every other day for for a few minutes, that doesn't count as real writing? Can you consider that any time you write it is REAL writing? (Is there such thing as fake writing?)

Maybe it's not real writing because it's not profound or perfect. Think about that for a long minute...

Any writing is real writing.

It does not need to be flawless. It doesn't have to be all tidy and complete either. Writing is the art that blossoms from your life experiences. Is your life flawless? How about tidy and complete? Neither is mine. So release the pressure to create amazing award winning pieces of work. Instead just write.

Spend a few minutes on the page. Don't worry about perfection or about finishing it. Write because you love it. Write because you are a storyteller. Write because you have a voice and have important things to say. Write because you were created to create. Don't attempt to do it perfectly. Perfection steals your voice. If an idea passes through your mind - chase it down. See where it takes you.

Now that is real writing. And you are a real writer. How about that? :0)

Heading for the Hills!

Our Gathering last night was small but powerful. I have some things to share about last night but right now, I'm packing up and heading for the hills! A friend and I are going "cabining" (like camping but in a rustic cabin). I'm expecting this weekend to be a huge chunk of solitude where the hibernating writer in me can emerge with confidence and dance around freely. I can't wait! It is a rustic cabin, no running water, no bathroom, but there is electricity. So I can plug in my laptop to write and write and write. However, there is no cell reception or WiFi - so I'll update this blog with thoughts of last night's gathering when I return on Sunday, hopefully thoroughly refreshed and ooooozing with creativity. Or I may just sleep the whole weekend, which sounds lovely as well. :0)

I will share one little quote from last night's discussion - "Metabolize injury into art" Julia Cameron from The Right To Write... The thought is to take life's difficulties or pain and digest them (through writing) into art. Think about that - try it - and see what happens. More later!

Have a super weekend ~ deAnn

A Writer's Lament

Did you ever have one of those days, the lazy kind. The ones that you think "awesome, there is nothing pressing on my calendar so I can sleep in, work on my painting, cuddle up in my favorite chair with an inspiring book and the perfect cup of coffee."

Oh, the things you will accomplish on such free days!!! Yeah right. That is so not true. Not for me anyhow. Saturday was completely unstructured, something rather foreign to me. The only plan I had was to spend time being creative. And I did. Kinda. I creatively changed positions on the sofa as I perused the hundreds of channels on digital cable. Finally finding a movie worth watching. I creatively fixed up my hair and made myself look somewhat presentable for a public appearance at Lowe's. Not that you need to be all gussied up to walk the aisles lined with toilets. We didn't purchase the toilets we went there to get, but I have beautiful new lighting fixtures in my bedroom now!

It's really funny, well sad actually, how all the "free time" I had to scratch my creative itch this weekend only to do things that are less than creative. Now it's Sunday evening and I wish I took time to write something worth reading. Instead, you are left to read my lament about how undisciplined I am. Am I the only poor soul longing to expose my creativity but instead allows laziness and life to suck the creative juice right out of me?

Do you ever have those days??? They stink, huh?

I am looking forward to waking up to a new day, a day where I will embrace the creative me and will not run from her. I pray that day is tomorrow...

October Gathering Recap

Wow, what a GREAT gathering we had. We missed those of you who couldn't make it. I wanted to highlight some of the things from that night.

1.) Many of you are familiar with LW's Journal of Grace. Well, they are reformatting it to reflect personal stories of how LW's mission statement is being lived out. They also want to have a spiritual formation segment and a place for poetry and such. So, Andrea is looking for writers, people who can meet up with someone, interview them and write a "story" - something personal, not a factual report. And she would like to have writers who can contribute poems, short stores and reflections. Andrea would do all the leg work of lining up who to interview and set the deadlines. I'm really excited about this. If you are interested in more info, please email Andrea at aunger@lwccyork.com. (she's in great need of heartfelt writers and we have them in our group!)

2.) A collaborative project is underway. At our last gathering I posed the question for free writing: "If/when I wrote/write a book, it would be..." The responses were amazing! Many of you have outlines written already, book titles, chapter titles, etc. It's awesome! When we were sharing what our books would be about, Carolyn and Lauren had the same passion for a book theme. So, they are currently working on the details to pull it together! It's very exciting to see how God took their individual vision and brought them together! Divine Synergy!!! I look forward to seeing their book published!

It seems that everyone there that evening; Jane, Kim, Deb, Lauren, Carolyn has an idea or focus for the book they desire to write. Some are further down the path than others. Carolyn said about writing her book, "It will be something I do 'someday.'" Well, ladies...what is holding you back from making that "someday" be Today???

Okay, I think that was it. There have been a few days between today and our gathering, my mind is not as fresh. If I forgot anything, please let me know!

OH YEAH - I just remembered. The coffee bar at LW is looking good! The faux wood flooring is in and looks fabulous. The carpet was put in today. It's coming together nicely. We'll have art on the walls. Art created by those in our own congregation. I'd like to have a little booklet with writing pieces to have on the tables in the coffee bar. It would be a collection of poems, short stories, reflections, etc. It could be a nice booklet for people to take home and contemplate the thoughts expressed. So, I'm beginning to collect writing pieces for this little publication. (Which will be published every 9-12 weeks). Please email me at droe@lwccyork.com if you have something you'd like to share. Do not be shy! Send me your work!!!

Okay, now, I think that's all.
May each of you live in the full knowledge of God's love for you and sense His presence every day.

grace & peace,
deAnn

New Voice

I have an exciting announcement to make! Kimberly has created a blog and I've just added the link under "voices" ~ please check it out. And take a look at the others if you haven't checked in lately. It's aways neat to know that we are reading each others posts.

It's been a busier month than I expected and that has cut into my creative time which ultimately leads to fewer posts. That bums me out. I am hoping for a jumpstart this Thursday through our gathering, (that always inspires me!) and I'm praying for better discipline on my part - to just do it. Just write. I know it's a struggle for all of us to make time. You can ask my family - when I don't take time to write, I get cranky. Does that ever happen to you too? How are you affected by not being able to create?

Being a Copy Cat...

I've been so happy with the interaction with the Me in We blog for this fall's sermon series at Living Word Community Church. So much so, that I am going to be a copy cat (wait, can you really be a copy cat when the idea was yours to begin with? haahaa). However, my questions will pertain more directly to spiritual life & the disciplines in light of writing or other creative pathways. So, here is the very first one ~ I hope you enjoy the more interactive Reflective Souls.

How does writing (I am including journaling) impact your walk with Jesus?


To respond, please click the "comment" link below this post.

9/30 Writing Happiness

"There can be no unsuccessful writing if it opens up the passion buried in the script of your unique self. Good writing blesses the writer's soul. Then it will be good for the reader's soul." Kent Ira Groff, Writing Tides

Writing Prompt~

Take a moment and recall a time of happiness in your life. It could be when you were a child, feeling the freedom that a bicycle can bring. Or as a teenager with that first real boyfriend. Maybe it was a family vacation, a mission's trip or camping. Whatever it is...as God to guide you to the happy memory you are meant to recall. Dig into your life and find that special time and write about it. However, here's the trick...write in third person ~ as if you are observing the action. Fill up one full page or continue until you feel finished. Take a minute and read over what you've written. Reflect on how that story makes you feel. Did hidden memories surface that surprised you? Enjoy this exercise as you go deep soul diving... deAnn

Sept. 24 ~ Weekly Writing Prompt ~ Memory

Writing takes time. And it takes courage. This week create a space to sit down with your favorite writing utensil and journal (or computer). Ask God to join you, to bring to your mind what He has in store. If something ouchie comes up, keep writing with the full knowledge that God is with you, His presence is there and He will hold your hand. The hand you are not writing with, of course :0) Enjoy this time with God as He leads you to an unknown destination ~ deAnn

Memory Is Imagination
Memory is an aspect of imagination. For writing, memory is one of your most important tools. But you don't need an excellent memory to use it well. A single phrase, am image, a fragment of a story, one object from the past is enough to spark the creative, intuitive mind. Especially rich are incidents and images stored away that you aren't sure ever actually occurred; dreams or stories someone has spoken of so many times that they're engraved as past realities. No matter what their source may be, memories are doorways to new pieces of writing.

Memory is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. One memory sparks another. Each time you write from memory, another fragment filed in that ninety percent of the human brain that science doesn't understand slips into consciousness and a creative shift takes place.

The Prompt:
Begin with the phrase "I remember" and start writing. If doesn't matter whether you stick with one memory of list several. You can retrieve memories from as far back as childhood to as recently as yesterday. If you get stuck just keep repeating the phrase "I remember," in writing, until something else forms in your consciousness. Don't even be concerned with the authenticity of the memory, just record whatever comes to you. Don't stop until you have filled two pages.

"Memory is a Net" ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

(this exercise is an excerpt from Bonni Goldberg's book "Room to Write" ~ page two.)

Weekly Writing Project

Warm Up First ~
Before you go out for a run, you must stretch and warm up those muscles to avoid cramping. Same with writing...you must engage your writing mind. In this warm up exercise you will write a short paragraph on each of the following words. No need to prep for this. Just do it, as Nike exclaims. The purpose is to work on your power of description, a necessary tool for every writer. Have fun!

1. sunflower
2. snow
3. flat panel big screen TV
4. hiking boots
5. wedding dress
6. smell of gasoline
7. deli ham
8. concrete sidewalk
9. a campfire
10. pumpkins
11. fresh brewed coffee
12. being nauseous
13. barking dog
14. tears
15. a humid day

Ready, Set, Write ~
Write for 30 minutes each day this week. Make up a story and roll with it for seven days. Maybe write about a childhood memory and add to it each day. Maybe describe what you will wear daily, why you chose that outfit and how you feel when wearing it. Be creative. You can write 30 minutes about the dreams you had the night before! Just write for 30 minutes. This is the beginning of a good habit.

Homework! Did She Say Homework?

Last night was our first gathering at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. What a beautiful old building. We opened with a time of silence and reflection in the stunning sanctuary. The evening sun illuminated the rich colors of the stained glass windows. Peaceful doesn't fully describe the experience.

In the course of our time together, I asked if a bit more direction (not structure, too harsh of a word) in the writing process would be a help or hinderance. Those there said they would benefit from the incentive. So, I will be posting weekly writing prompts each Sunday. Feel free to use your blog as a place to write as others can comment with feedback.

Also, at the gatherings I'll suggest a writing topic, something to focus on over the three weeks before we meet again. Bring this piece to the next gathering and we'll share what we've written. As usual, it is never mandatory to share your writing (or even to do the writing!)

We talked about "field trips" too, to places where inspiration is key. Like outdoors in a beautiful setting, to the Basilica near Hanover, or even to a crowed location where people are whizzing by busy attending to the desires of their lives. Different locations stir up different moods and this cultivates fertile ground for amazing discoveries through writing.

More free writing is definitely on our hearts as well. Ninety minutes each month we carve out this time for ourselves, to do what we are passionate about. But a special treat would be a day away from responsibilites, a day where all we do is write. So, I'll investigate finding a place for us to have writing workshop one Saturday. Part of the time could be free writing using prompts. The other part could be writing what is on your heart. Can you imagine it? A whole day to WRITE!

We are busy women. Constantly giving ourselves to our husbands, our kids, our employer, housework, bills, miscellaneous errands and ministry. We need "our time." A quiet and comfortable place to be. If you like to write or want to write - in the company of other women with the same desire - this group is the place for you.

This Months Writing Project: (a.k.a. "homework." Heehee!)
Think about your basement. Maybe it’s dark and damp, a hiding place for the things you can’t bear to throw out, but never use. Maybe it’s a beautiful well lit and organized room. Describe your basement and explore its contents through writing. Pay attention to all five senses. Does your basement’s condition reflect your living style? Would you invite others to see your basement? If so, who? If no, why? How does your basement reflect your soul?

Writing brings to life the images & reflections

that are hidden in the soul.

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 ~ "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

Be with Him. In stillness. Be brave and courageous. Wait patiently. Then write.

Solitude = Creativity

First off, I am so excited and even more grateful that Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown generously opened their doors to our writing group. And they didn't give us just any ol' room to meet in, they gave us their beautiful Parlor! It is way more than I was expecting! What a gift! It's a peaceful space that I know our group will enjoy. I can't thank the church enough - Pastor Roger, the Board and BUM Church community - THANK YOU!!
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I've talked in past gatherings about being more present in our surroundings, no matter where we are: in the check out line at Giant, pumping fuel at Sheetz, watching our child's school sports, as we walk from our car to the office on these beautifully crisp autumn mornings.

Writers, like other types of artists, see what others don't. We observe, ponder and contemplate then express what comes bubbling up from with in. If we don't see, if we don't consciously become more aware of all the rich LIFE that is happening around us and in us, we have no need to write.

Today during a time of prayer with my ministry team a thought came to mind ~ When God created the earth and all it contains, He did it in solitude. There were no cell phones distracting Him from His breathtaking creative expression. Our God sets the example and shows us the key to creativity. Solitude. It's in the quiet that we are able to reflect on what we see with our physical eyes. Through this time of reflection, God speaks to us in beautiful ways. Then we can't help but desire to create! To write about how He's speaking to us!or how we see His world. The scientific genius Albert Einstein said "the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." And he should know.

God created in solitude. We create in solitude. How well are you carving out time for solitude in your super busy life? God whispers to us. He's easier to hear when we sit with Him, quietly. He is longing to have us spend time with Him. What is He saying to you? How does He want you to express it?

He's speaking. Can you hear Him?

~ Hakarat Hatov ~

Now, I'm not Jewish. But I respect Jewish traditions. After spending time in Israel this past March, my interest has been piqued in really seeing Jesus as a Jewish man and understanding the cultural traditions. I ran across this article, passed on to me by a friend, and I thought it is worth passing on to you. It's about Hakarat Hatov which literally means "recognizing the good" in our everyday life and being thankful for it. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did...

Gratitude is a function not of how much we have, but rather of how much we have relative to how much we feel we deserve. The opposite of gratitude is a feeling of entitlement. The attitude of "I deserve it" turns every gift into a paycheck.

RECOGNIZING GOOD
The Hebrew term for gratitude is "hakarat hatov," which literally means, "recognizing the good." The secret embedded in the Hebrew is that gratitude depends not on getting something good, but on recognizing the good that is already yours.

Thus, gratitude is totally a feat of consciousness. It requires a "back to basics" mentality, becoming cognizant of all the rudimentary things we usually take for granted. No matter how much we lack, no matter what difficult times we are passing through, every one of us can find a myriad of things to be grateful for.

If you've lost money in the stock market, but you still have your children, you can be grateful.
If you've lost your job, but you still have your health, you can be grateful.
If you can't move your legs, but you can move your arms, you can be grateful.

THE OBJECT OF GRATITUDE
In addition to recognizing the good and experiencing what you have as a gift not a paycheck, gratitude requires one more ingredient. There is a fallacy which prevents many people from experiencing true thankfulness. Some think that thankfulness, like love, is a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, the way you feel when you've downed the second dessert of your Thanksgiving dinner. That good feeling, however, is not thankfulness, but satiation. It becomes thankfulness only when you realize that Aunt Rose toiled to make that apple pie, and you direct your appreciation to her.

Both thankfulness and love must have an object. True gratitude implies that I am grateful to the giver of what I have received. Gratitude without an object is like one hand clapping.

From a Torah perspective, all human beings are creatures. Life - and every part of it from the tiny hairs inside our noses to our thousands of enzymes - is a gift from our Creator. We are entitled to nothing. We are grateful to God for everything.

A RECIPE FOR GRATITUDE
Here, then, are the 4 steps to gratitude:
Recognize the good that you possess.
Acknowledge that it is a gift, not something you deserve.
Identify the source of the gift, whether God or a human being.
Express your thanks.

The Pilgrims of the first Thanksgiving obviously traversed these four steps. They were grateful not for their high standard of living, but simply that they had survived their first winter in the New World. Deeply religious people, they felt gratitude to God. The first Thanksgiving feast was their way of expressing that gratitude to God.

According to Judaism, gratitude is the basis of everything: faith, joy, awe, and love of God. Only when we recognize how much God has given us and how little we deserve it, can we come to a place of faith and love.

Little wonder that a Jew is supposed to start every day with an expression of thankfulness for life itself, the recitation of the modeh ani. If you want to incorporate this small exercise into your life, here is how to do it:

Upon first waking up, as soon as you've turned off your alarm, while you're still lying in bed, say these words: "Modeh ani lefanecha Melech chai v'kayom, shehechezarta bee neshmati b'chemla, rabba emunasecha." In English, it's: "Thankful am I before You, living and eternal King, that You have returned my soul within me with compassion, abundant is Your faithfulness."

You'll notice that this single sentence incorporates all the ingredients of gratitude. It expresses thanks for the most elemental gift of all, life itself, to the divine source of life. There is no better way to start one's day. ~ Article by Sara Yocheved Rigler , of www.aish.com.

May your day be filled with a deep gratitude for all that God has given you, starting with His amazing and never failing love. May your mind race with images of all the people and reasons you have to be grateful in this very moment. Close your eyes and allow these images to surface in your heart. Thank God for each of them. Now move into your day with an attitude of much gratitude, sending little "thank you" prayers heavenward as you come across the "gifts" given to you.

Peace & grace be with you today ~ deAnn

Summer Shadows

Summertime is slowly drifting away. The shadows are growing longer. Schools begin week after next. Soon, we'll have little colorful gourdes on the vine in our backyard. Autumn is only a moment away. And I'm excited to see it again!

The summer months were very busy for me and my family. I had big dreams of getting a lot of things done and organized, books read and writing written. That didn't happen. Expectations not met. Summer is not my season.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I grew up in Northern California, not far from the Oregon border, where giant pine and redwood trees rule the landscape. They are beautiful, but the vibrant fall color splashed on the Pennsylvania hillsides takes my breath away! Ahhhh, the smokey scent from a distant chimney filling the cool air causes me to think about pumpkins - bright orange and lovely. I feel revived in the crisp air that surrounds autumn. I need that right now.

I look forward to the first day of school, as it ushers in a new season of life. Even with the busyness of school activities, there is a certain comfort with the routine. In a strange way, it's a time of slowing down. Preparing for winter's hibernation effect. Football games under the big lights and a full moon, my buns frozen to the aluminum bleachers and the smell of hot cocoa steaming from an insulated Thermos - warming my hands.

Creativity is beginning to brew deep within me, I can feel it...like a dull ache. Getting back in to a routine will certainly be good. I need to write. I need to design jewelry. The artist within is tired of summer hibernation and is ready to emerge fully!

Yes, as the perennials in my garden take the approaching season to rest and eventually fade away, I too will rest but, I will also blossom with a fresh newness - coming more alive than I have been all year long. Autumn. It's glorious...

The Cautious Writer

If a writer is so cautious that he never writes anything that cannot be criticized, he will never write anything that can be read. If you want to help other people, you have to make up your mind to write things that some men will condemn. ~ Thomas Merton, excerpt from New Seeds of Contemplation

The Work of Reflection

What does it mean to have a reflective soul?
(Go ahead, think for a moment and quietly answer it in your mind).

I have a digital SLR camera which I love more than chocolate. The lens, where it attaches to the camera, is small and sensitive. The other end of the lens has a filter protecting the delicate rounded glass. Many fancy filters are available that can be used for creative shots, such as a star filter, colored filters or a polarizer. These all affect the way light is captured for a particular artistic effect.

When you look through the eye piece of the camera, you see the world through a series of glass disks. With just a little pressure on the shutter button, the image comes into focus. When you're ready, snap the shot. As you do so light enters the lens, reflects off the mirror and lands on a sensor that in turn creates the image of your desire. You hope for the best. So you upload your pictures to your computer and anxiously wait to see if it has the beauty you tried to capture. Sometimes you are amazed at your nearly professional ability to create fantastic shots. Other times you can't hit the "delete" button fast enough, forever erasing that horrible image.

I see this same scenario in my life. My eyes capture a "scene" and in seconds it passes through my "filter" of beliefs, moods, hormones. Then it enters my soul and reflection begins. An "image" forms. Sometimes it's positive, other times it's one that I never wish existed.

Seeing, thinking and processing life's scenes is living out of a reflective soul. We don't let the moment pass without deep consideration and asking for God's wisdom in the midst of it. Through the Holy Spirit's guidance and the experience of our individual lives, we reflect more than what the human eye can see. We take in and then we project an "image" through our perspective which is unique and interesting. Doing this through the art of writing allows others to see the "image" also. From that, they start the process over again with their set of filters and lenses leading to their own active reflective soul.

We can't help but read someones writing or absorb a painting only to be lead on a journey into the interior of our soul. God longs to meet us in an intimate way and He often uses forms of artistic work to do so. Take time and sit with a "scene" - how can you express the reflection of your soul so that others can experience it as well?

God speaks to us through our work of reflection and He speaks to us through other's work of reflection. How awesome is that...

Read vs. Write

It's a struggle for me. I go into Borders for one thing - a new journal. I had a 20% off coupon for one item marked regular price. (Love the Border's Reward Card). I purposefully walk directly to the journal section, making sure my head does not bob left or right to see what else I could buy. I made it safely to the correct shelf without any "side trips". Trying something different I purchased a blue and green fabric journal, one with no lines on the pages so that when a creative image comes to mind - I can sketch it out. I do good - carry my journal, Borders Rewards Card, coupon and my check book towards the front of the store. Then it happens. It always happens!!! Quick, like someone has commandeered my body and I no longer had control, I saw the "reference" section becoming closer and closer until I was standing right in front of the darn shelf gazing up at the multitude of beautifully bounded paper.

Books on writing and the creative process. I added SIX more to my collection. Why does this happen to me? I reasoned with my self that these are books that have been on my book list for some time so while I'm here in the store already why not just pick them up! Buy them now, save gas. I am ridiculous.

How many books can one person read on the topic of writing anyhow. Don't they all says the same thing? Doesn't it just all boil down to just doing it - pick up the pen and allow it to meet with the paper. Funny how that is so hard to do sometimes. It's so much easier to write a check for books ON writing rather than getting to the hard work OF writing.

So, I have some great books in my writing library that demand my attention. Do I read them or sit down and actually write? I know what the answer is. I just don't know what I'm afraid of. I must read but I also must write. I can fill my head with the amazing content of every person's cool book on "the art of writing" but if I never make the time to practice writing, what good is all the reading?

Hum...

Now to fess up. I came upstairs about 30 minutes ago to read some of these new books. Then felt God say "Woman! Take courage and just write." That's when I put down the book, powered up my laptop and decided to write about how pathetic I am about not writing. I'm nuts, I know.
~deAnn

The Gifts You Give

I'm amazed at the wonderful pieces of writing that the member bloggers have created. It's a true sharing of your souls and hearts. Thank you for your posts! I enjoy them every time and get to know each of you through your words and experiences with God.

If you haven't had much time to check in on each other's blogs, please try to - it's a gift!!! I've had God speak to me on several occasions through your posts. Thank you!

The links to the Member's Blogs is to the left of this post and about half way down the page. ENJOY!

~deAnn

July Writer's Gathering

Monday, July 2nd we'll be our third writer's gathering and we will meet again at Butera, The Florist on Leader Heights Road in York. The time is 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and I hope you can make it. Should you know of a friend who might be interested in our writer's community, please invite them on Monday.

This gathering will be more of a group discussion will revolve around writing as a means to wellness and spirituality. As a group of creative women writers - group discussions and our involvement have much to offer one another. Carolyn will have her yummie Mint Water again.

I know this is the summer time and vacations are on our calendars, if you can make it to our July writers gathering, please email me at reflectivesouls@gmail.com this way we know how many to set up for.

Looking forward to seeing each of you again!
~deAnn

A Writing Prompt

While preparing for our trip to Northern California, I thought it would be fun to look through the pictures I took when me and my boys were out there visiting my family in 2005.

I ran across this picture of my son, Tyler, who was 13 at the time. This was his first look at the Pacific Ocean. As you can see the day was foggy and cool, as it usually is along the coast in the morning. Around 11:00 AM the sun is high enough to crest the bluffs and burn off the damp mist to reveal the brilliant blue sky.

I love this picture. Not just because it's my son! :0) But because it represents a mood or feeling, someplace each of us has been at one point in our lives. I wonder "What's going through his mind?" "What's he hoping to see out there?" "Is he overwhelmed with God's creation?" "Is he tired of sitting in the back seat of a rental car and is happy to stretch out his legs?" The mind of a thirteen year old.

Now, put yourself in this picture. Have you been there? Melancholy? Deep thought? Missing someone you love? In awe and wonder? What does the water feel like? How about the damp air filling your lungs with every breath?

As a free writing exercise, take 20 minutes or so to write about this picture. Not "about" this picture...but how it makes you feel. What memories does it inspire? Allow your creative side to run free. Don't stop the pen from writing. Don't redirect it's course. Allow it to take you on a journey - one where you don't know the destination. Have fun! Enjoy the creative process. ~deAnn

The Artist's Creed

I believe that my talents are a gift from God and I am to use them to fulfill His purposes in my life and for His world.

I humbly acknowledge and accept my gifts and ask to receive God's

vision for how I am to use them.

I ask the Holy Spirit to free me from self-doubt and self-absorption.

I pray this work will bring me into closer alignment with Jesus

as I seek to use my gifts and talents for His glory and to become

the whole and complete woman He intends me to be.

Goodius Intentionitis

I've diagnosed myself with this illness - goodius intentionitis. My soul longs to take quiet time, to meet with God through the gift He's given me, writing. But, doggone it! Life gets in the way. I have good intentions but rarely does that get me anywhere. Do you suffer with this disease too?

Good news! I hear there is a cure. Run away from home. Kidding, of course. That would be too easy. We are in the lives we have because God entrusted us here. So, to honor Him and the loved ones He placed into our lives, how do we find balance: take time for our creativeness to blossom and take care of the people and needs that demand our time? Seriously, I'm asking how do we find balance? (You thought I was going to give you some amazing cosmic answer to this life long question, huh?)

The fact is this will always be a struggle for us. We are women with jobs, spouses, kids, ministry, friends, houses, cars, bills, flower beds, hair appointments, cooking, dogs to walk, mother-in-laws, etc. So, we need to be intentional about creating space for God to reveal our artistic gifts and then develop them for His glory. If we aren't doing this we are hiding the light of our talents under a basket. Our artistic lights are to shine brightly on the hilltop! Don't be afraid to shine. God loves it when His creative kids have art for His fridge.

Monday, June 4th is our writers gathering, an intentional time to put aside the busyness of life, come together as a group of creative women, slow down, be fully present in our surroundings and allow God to reveal the gift He's placed in us.

Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world.
See you Monday and I'm looking forward to our time together!!! ~ deAnn

New Location for Gatherings

A big THANK YOU to Vince and Carolyn Butera of Butera the Florist for opening their beautiful flower filled shop for our Gatherings! This is very exciting to have a large space to accommodate our growing group of creative spiritual writers. But the best part is the quiet we'll have. Panera Bread is wonderful but a bit noisy for a writing group (we found that out last Gathering).

Google Map for directions or follow my directions: If you are heading West towards I-83 on Leaders Heights Road, their shop is on the left right before reaching I-83. Enter the strip mall's main entrance, go to the right towards the flower shop then park out front. Our Gathering will be after store hours so if you are running late take note that the doors may be locked. If you think you'll run late, please let me know so we can watch for you.

Since this is only our second Gathering - if you are planning to attend, would you please email ReflectiveSouls@gmail.com so I am sure to have enough handouts for everyone. I'll have extras too so if you have a friend who'd like to come at the last minute, bring her!

I hope you are having a nice May so far-I can't believe how fast time is flying by. See you soon!
~deAnn

Writing Exercise::Part One

I'm reading this great book (well, I'm reading some great books!) and it's inspiring me in several ways. I wanted to share an exercise with you. It's about "seeing" something with more than just your eyes.

Pick an object of interest (curling iron, wooden spoon, coffee maker, vase, lit candle, whatever.)
Sit with it, quietly and alone. Look at it - study it with your eyes. What color is it, not just "blue" but describe the shade of blue. Notice it's beauty or functionality. What is it's shape? What's it used for? Does it have a shine to it or is it matte? ~ But don't stop there. Run your finger tips over it - is it smooth, rough, cold, sticky? If it fits, how does it feel in your hand? Does it make any sounds? If so, is the sounds sharp and scary or welcoming? Smell it. Maybe it has no smell ~ note that too. No need to lick it, unless you really want to - I don't want anyone getting sick or injuring themselves.

The idea here is to slow down from your busy life and take notice of everyday objects that you take for granted. Really notice them. Now, take a few minutes, take a deep breath, relax and write what you see, feel, smell, hear, taste. Take time to fully describe this item.

You could be surprised at how much you could write about this item! Yeah, this may seem silly. But really, it's very helpful to engage your creative mind (which will be the second part of this exercise and will be posted next week.) Take a moment, slow down and really appreciate this item for what it means to you. As a suggestion, place this writing in a notebook that you can return to next week when we do part two.

The more we pay attention to little things around us, the more we see our world. In order for our creativity to emerge we have to be in tune with what's around us. This means we must quiet ourselves, be aware and allow our minds to engage with the simple things of life.

Oh, it's important to remember that you are not writing for anyone. This exercise is for you and only your eyes to see. So be open, be free, be honest with your writing!!! Let it all out! And more importantly ~ have fun!

News Flash!

Hello there - can't believe I figured it out, but I did...(woo-hoo!). Readers can now subscribe to the Reflective Souls blog and receive email updates of new posts. I'm so excited! On the left side bar you'll see a place to enter your email ~ try it and lets see what happens!

Creative Quotes - Love This One

"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. " Albert Einstein

Highlights From Our Gathering

Monday, May 7th was our first official Reflective Souls gathering. There were nine of us there and the synergy, as I expected, was amazing! What a blessing to be with other creative female minds who desire to develop their writing and in the process - unleash the artist within! Here is a little recap of our time together...

We decided that the main Reflective Souls blog is to be a resource ~ a hub of communication for the group. It will be a place of encouragement, motivation, links, gathering news, noted reading projects and the like.

We highly suggest that everyone start YOUR very own blog with blogger.com. (You must set up a Gmail.com account first.) Your blog will be a place for you to maintain and post your writing projects. Other group members will read your blog and make comments on your posts (encouraging suggestions, comments, and feedback). Also, if you seek out one or two individuals from our group who you’d specifically like their feedback regarding a post, you can send the post to them via email right from your blog.

Your blog will be linked from the Reflective Souls main blog. (Check out the links on the sidebar.) We will help you set it up if needed – it is easy and FUN! (I’ve become a blogaholic). If you are scared out of your mind about blogging. Let’s talk. We could come up with other solutions.

Our first Project is to write about how you experience or see God in the ordinary moments of your life. You can use metaphors, comparisons or what ever you choose.

I've created a blog called "Book Talk" and you see the link on the side bar. This is a place where you can post or comment on certain chapters of the book we are reading. If you weren't at the Monday gathering and need the username/pw - contact me at deann2@comcast.net.

Future Gatherings: We will offer experiential exercises that are sure to awaken your mind and allow the creative juice to flow from your soul into your hand and on to the paper. Our goal is that you'll be encouraged and excited to write more and more. But to do this well, we can’t meet in Panera with its noisy atmosphere. Therefore, we have a few other places in mind and will post the location on the Reflective Souls main blog before the gathering.

Quite honestly, Reflective Souls is for you, for all of us – so your input regarding your needs, ideas, thoughts and suggestions are incredibly valuable. Again, we want to reiterate that we are not professional writers with perfect grammar and spelling. We are simply a creative group of women who desire to deepen our relationship with God and with each other – and work the process of releasing & encouraging the writer within.

I am excited to be on this artistic adventure together!

~deAnn

The Potter's Hands

Have you ever worked with clay? I guess I did as a child but never as an adult. Last weekend at a Shalem retreat, I had the opportunity to work with clay, and wow, what an experience!

The clay – a dark grey block, irregularly shaped. Gripping it – unexpectedly cool – firm – now softening – becoming warm in my hands as I begin to work it. Pressing, squeezing, clutching it tightly in my grip, I leave an imprint on it as it leaves one on me, staining the ridges and lines of my hands and finding its way under my nails. Initially with force and strength I work the clay, but soon – quicker than I imagined – it becomes soft and pliable, malleable and workable.

As I form the clay into an initial shape, I soon abandon this plan for another. It becomes apparent as I work the clay that I have more than I need, at least for the initial part of this project. I tear off a piece, and then another until I reach a size that enables me to form it more easily into a vessel initially resembling a rudimentary vase. Choosing then to turn this tubular wide-mouthed form upside down, I place it onto one of the before discarded pieces. It now takes the form of a tower, planted firmly on a broad and solid base of rock.

Initially, working the clay takes strength, with my fingers pressing hard into its form leaving clear marks of influence, but as the larger shape is completed and my work moves to the subtleties of the piece, this changes. A light touch, a gentle stroke from a single finger, these are sufficient for smoothing a rough edge or unifying a place of irregularity. A hard press will mar the work and must be withheld. Likewise, in the piece of clay called Me, in the past His fingers have pressed necessarily hard into areas of my life needing re-shaping. During these times, His influence has been large and obvious, and I thank Him for this. Now however, He works in more subtle ways, almost hidden and imperceptible. His touch is gentle and loving, smoothing out irregularities and edges while adding details and qualities of beauty and grace. It is these, when complete, that will demonstrate the character of my Potter, that of imagination, creativity, beauty and love.

Jesus, forgive me for not recognizing the various ways in which your hands mold me – at times with strength and large marks of influence while at others with gentleness and subtlety that actually create the greater beauty. And thank you that You are willing to hold me and work me in your hands, willing to be stained and marked by me.

Getting Started

Deb and I are overwhelmed with the response we are receiving regarding ReflectiveSouls. We are blessed that other women have the same passion and we are honored to walk this new journey together with you!

Alright - Getting Started: There is a book that we would like you to purchase and it's well worth the money. It's by Brenda Ueland titled "If You Want To Write." It's a fabulous little book that, when I read it several months ago gave words to what God placed on my heart. I was inspired even beyond words and began a deeper search to unleash the writer that was held captive in my soul.

We are all created in the image of God - the Master Artist. Therefore, we too, are artists and must discover and encourage the artist within. Writing is my art and I believe it's yours too. Get a group of creative writers together and synergy happens. One inspires the other and the passion becomes contagious!!! Yes, pick up this book and read the first two chapters before our first Gathering on May 7th. I predict that you will be on fire to "create" just as I was - and bring your thoughts along with you and we'll discuss them at our Gathering.

Also, begin to collect your thoughts and place them in a journal - where is God at work in your life? Where do you see Him in the hum-drum of every day routines? How do you experience God and His love for you? Where do you meet Him? At our first Gathering we'll talk about how we all can contribute to the ReflectiveSouls Blog. It's our prayer that each of us, and those who lay eyes on this site, will experience God as we paint beautiful pictures with our words that describe our spiritual journeys.

Just a reminder, Deb and I are not professional writers - but just ordinary women who love to write and express our thoughts about God and life though the art of writing. The gift is that we draw closer to Him in that process. Join us. Let's create because we are His created. What a joy that is!
grace & peace ~ deAnn

What makes you think you can write?

"These were the words repeatedly playing in the background of my mind as I sat with pen in hand to produce a piece for our planned meeting in two weeks. What in the world did I let deAnn talk me into? To write a descriptive piece and share it with her for the sake of critique is absolutely insane. Science and medicine are my things, but I’m not a writer. I may be a thinker, teacher, speaker, or even journal-er, but not a writer! Okay, just pretend this is just like any other time you are writing in your journal. Just write! Put words on the page. Just describe what you see and prove to her once and for all that she’s wrong and the reality is that I can’t write anything worth reading."

This is where it began. Recording the description of a scene as I gazed out my window one morning led to Jesus speaking to me in a way that could have never been communicated as clearly nor as concisely as in that moment and in that way. This was more than re-discovering myself as a writer, a voice that had been silenced more than twenty years prior. This was about discovering the dialogue Jesus longed to have with me unique to the way he had made me as a writer and as an observer of his world. But the experience was incomplete until I risked sharing my writing with deAnn inviting her into my conversation with Jesus.

Today as deAnn and I with excitement create this blog, I do so with a desire to do more than write or develop my writing skills. I long to journey with you in the context of a community of emerging writers who are traveling together on the pathway of discovering Jesus. If you will risk yourself in going deeper with Jesus through your writing, through the spiritual disciplines, through building meaningful relationships with other women, then join us for an adventure that he promises to provide beyond all we can ask or think.

~Deb (a scared but willing writer)

Am I Really Doing This?

It’s funny, for as much as I love the craft of writing, trying to come up with something for my first post is causing me so much agony. One thing I’ve learned from years of placing thoughts, feelings and reflections into words, then sentences, then paragraphs is that it’s not easy! (And I’m having one of those moments right now!) Allowing emotions to flow from your soul through your hand and onto paper can be scary. Then the idea of sharing your work with others can be completely petrifying! I’m slowly overcoming that fear and this blog site is the way to begin. I know many other women who “dabble in writing” – expressing their selves only in the privacy of their pretty journals purchased at Borders. (Which I do daily & I love those journals!). But often as we write we discover epiphanies, these God-connections that deserve freedom from the darkness between the lined pages. That’s what ReflectiveSouls is all about. A community of women, together, walking the path with Jesus, encouraging one another to free the words that long to be known and develop the gift of writing through honest verbal contributions. Yeah, that is what I’m excited about and I hope others will be too! So, pick up your pen or power up your computer and let’s begin the journey…

~deAnn (a non-professional yet confessional writer)