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