[My apologies to my readers, I was unable to post this last night. Not only was I submersed in a pity party but my IPAD was being squirrelly.]
Happy Monday readers. We have made it through yet another weekend. I hope this finds everyone having had the wonderful weekend where they were able to pay attention to themselves not just rest and relax.
I know I did. Saturday, I went to a writer's conference. It was fabulous. But, had it not been for a friend of mine (Thank you, Cyndi), I would have completely missed out on this experience. For sometime I have been telling my friends about a book I have written. The process had begun several years ago and I had put it up several time. My friends had seen some of my poetry and many had been subjected to my humorous rantings through e-mails, but none had ever really seen my writings. That was until I started blogging. Over the course of the last months several people have told me how much they really enjoy my blogs. I was beginning to feel more and more confident about my craft. And, that is what this is a craft. This is my art. I am a painter of words. Like a painter I have to pay attention to details as it is through these details that readers become involved. It is what draws you to the work. But, it was not until I had the push from my friend did I do anything about it.
I spent the entire day with other local writers, many of which were already published learning the tricks of the trade. I went from thinking this is a dumb idea. I will never be published. To thinking....Hey this is possible. The day opened a door into a community of very creative people who were so warm and welcoming it was amazing. Everyone had tips and ideas on what to do. I felt like a sponge soaking up everything I could. At the end of the day I was saturated with not only information but hope.
Behenna's 5th point to becoming extraordinary is attention. Paying attention to ourselves not only helps distress from the week, it also opens doors to who we are. What we fail to do is look past the superficial things. Yes, it is great do get your nails and hair done. Don't get me wrong. I love to do these things too. I call these days my "Princess days". But, they don't help you grow as a person. They have no value in that realm. And, if we are to evolve into extraordinary people we have to on occasion exercise that part of us. Finding something you love to do is the first hurdle. I have friends who can sit for hours and scrapbook. They like to go to scrapbook workshops and classes. Some may see this as not only boring but a waste of time and money. Yet, this is their way of finding themselves. Think what history would have been like if Julius Cesar's mother had scrapbooked. Imagine what we could have really known. Scrapbooking in a way records history. These ladies are not just recording events, they are defining their hopes, dreams, and life through pictures and words. I also have several friends who quilt. Quilting is amazing ask someone who does it. Quilts often contain messages that many of us miss. We feel they are just blankets. Ask a quilter? Nay, Nay these are stories and works of love. But, the women who practice this craft are finding themselves just like I am. It is through the focusing on the end product that the beauty and the real message emerges. However, staying focused on our goals and paying attention to our inner self helps is difficult especially for those who like me juggle many things at once.
But it is not just paying attention to ourselves, it is paying attention to others. Being able to listen to others. Taking constructive criticism and turning into a positive is a wonderful ability. Having the ability to open our selves up to the world to critic our end product. True there are going to be some people who don't like it. My son, whom I love dearly, has never once read one of my pieces. To him this is a waste of time. But, to me it is who I am. And, it's sad that he is missing that piece of me. When I write, I write from my heart. Everything is out on the table. I invite comments and critiques. Hey, and if you don't feel like commenting on the blog, send me an e-mail.
In closing I challenge each one of you to take time this week to find something you are passionate about, stay with it (be persistent), keep a good attitude no matter what, reach out to those around you, and most of all pay attention to yourself.
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