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