Part 1: To Write or 'Write' ... Right?

I’m sure you, like me, have written a lot of things. And perhaps similar to a lot of what I have done.

When I think of all the writing I’ve done, I’ve written a lot (in somewhat chronological order, except for my poetry which I started at about age 18 or 19):

notes
cards
correspondence
diaries/journals
projects
book reviews
essays
critiques
reports
assignments
presentations
exams
resumes
letters (including a number of political and editorial)
applications
forms (such as for employment and for research grants)
medical/scientific research papers
job evaluations
stats
meeting minutes
year-end reports
articles
proposals
synopsis
blurbs
advertisements
endorsements
testimonials
poetry (including some limericks and odes, and attempts at haiku)
scripts (of monologues and dialogues)
lyrics (including rap – that was fun!)
children’s story (or two and my foray into an adventure story/book in grade 3)
a workshop
emails
press releases
taglines/captions
a blog

... and ideas (for poems, stories, books, business cards and businesses, jokes, and even for my dream). Does broadcasting, instant messaging, and texting count? ; } And I hope to add at least one book to this repetoire, one day...soon?

I’m always communicating as we all do. Obviously, other than with body language, I do so with words, verbally or in written form. However, I also occasionally experiment with telepathic communication. Does anyone else? ; ) (Just curious.)

Words, these words, where do they come from? Do they just pop onto the page? Are they forced from my fingers onto a computer or page? Are they imagined or projected onto another’s mind like a screen, or not? Do they appear seemingly out of nowhere, like magic?

I used to struggle - actually still do - a lot with finding the right word(s). LOL. This is one example. Should it be ‘word’ or ‘words'? (Actually in this case, I think it’s both!) The right words or phrase to capture the essence, the feeling, the emotion, the experience. I endeavour to capture perfection in doing so. But I can also write, and have written, in the flow.

Sometimes though, I don’t capture words on time, especially when in the flow as happened with my blog. In one instance, I accidentally erased an inspired piece of prose - it was a masterpiece - before I could transfer it to my blog. Ouch! That hurt!

I used to think that I didn’t think these words, but I must. However, they usually ‘show up’ as one word. Yessss! One. Word. Only. One...word. Sometimes though, a phrase or a few lines from the etheric realm (or wherever) grace me in the form of poetry. This is so erratic in comparison.

For the most part, I don’t “force” my poetry unless, say, I’m at a poetry workshop and my mind is blank. Or when I sit down to write a bunch of poems which I did one day (and one day only!). Otherwise I write poetry or snippets of it (only) when inspired.

Yet for me, words come intuitively, a lot. They come to me like books. Books show up without me having to hunt for them. But with words, I don’t see nor hear them. I just ‘get’ them claircognizantly. It is immediate, spontaneous, out-of-the-blue, from the ethers. And at times, I have a vague sense of the definition and consult a dictionary or computer!

Despite this, I’m not a perfect writer. By no means. I’m honoured to be favoured or graced with this passion and am extremely grateful and appreciative of that.

Gratitude (though sometimes with an accompanying 'knowing' smirk on my face) also occurs when, oftentimes, I think or ‘get’ a word or phrase before it tumbles out of a person’s mouth, whether a speaker, colleague, family member, or friend - anyone for that matter.

I also appreciate occasionally hearing music or a beat in terms of writing lyrics or in the case of my one-time rap tribute.

These experiences make me realize that intuition is really at work and I am truly inspired in those moments. I LOVE when that happens!

Does anyone else experience any of this? I’d really like to know, truly! And pray tell, what are your experiences with words? And writing? I’d love to hear. : ) Please ... and thank you, kindly.

Blogging Switch

p.s. I just saved a new posting which I had accidentally saved in my drafts before my posting entitled 'Your Heart's Desires.

Thus, please read 'Passion into Action' which is below it and was meant to be posted today. It is my first attempt at using video on my blog and I do hope you can all see it. Make sure you see it in its entirety. It's worth it!

Hopefully soon and/or once I get technie enough, I'm hoping to switch my blog over to another site. In the meantime, I am open to your feedback - what do you like and what can I improve on? Feel free to make suggestions on how I can better the look and feel of my blog.

If you do make any such comments, I may save that feedback, elsewhere, as notes to refer to and delete it from the blog postings or not depending what it looks like. I'll see how things go. Thanks kindly, in advance. : )

Your Heart's Desires

"What is the cost of not fulfilling your heart’s desires?" That was the question posed by a facilitator at the Women’s Spirituality Conference I attended about a month ago and her question struck me deep.

Actually the concept of heart’s desires was first introduced to me by a man I met a number of years ago who asked me, “What are your heart’s desires?” Let me tell you, I’ve been contemplating that question (though in different words) for a very long time even before meeting him.

So I ask you, what is the cost of not fulfilling your goals, and, more importantly, your dreams?

For me, a question that I find relevant is: "What is the cost of not speaking my truth? Not being true to myself: true to my essence, my pure light of being, my Christ consciousness (as some would say)?" You could ask yourself similarly (if you wish, of course!).

I also ask myself: "What is the goal of life if not to fulfill your calling, your path, your journey, your mission? Sharing your talents and gifts with each other and ultimately the world?" At least, that’s the way I see it.

For example, a part of me would like to have a place of my own. I don’t mean just living on my own (as I do now), but to truly have a place that is mine. And with things that represent me, but again more importantly, for stability and peace of mind., at least in terms of not having to move from place to place, time and time again. I mean how many moves and people’s time and energy do I want to invest in that?!

I’m not in want of a huge place. I wouldn’t even want such a home unless I was rich and could afford a maid and/or gardener! Just enough room for my stuff and to move and dance freely. That is all, all I ask for. Is that too much?

Realistically speaking though, I am just over 50 years of age. Do I really want to put all my money into a home paying for it the rest of my life? And who knows how long I could live in it and/or take care of it anyway.

Furthermore, I believe my path is contrary to an ordinary, more common or popular way of life. That is why I think I need to live by example when I live my dream. This is important to me. And this is why I feel I’m not "supposed" to own a home. I believe it’s not conducive to my Higher Self or my calling. (Though who knows, I could be wrong!)

I believe my soul would rather live my higher calling, and in essence, that is to be of service to people. Within this is my dream that I would like to fulfill. This requires me to concentrate my attention and energies to it. I wrote about it – my dream – in my first two blogs and would love for you to read them. Besides, otherwise this posting could be a lot longer! ; )

So, what are your heart’s desires? What would happen if they were fulfilled? Or not? How would you feel? Ponder these questions till my next posting and I’ll do the same.

Contests and Competition

I HATE competition! Ok, strong word I realize. Perhaps you prefer detest, despise, loathe or the like. No matter, because hate is the word that accurately describes my feelings about this issue.

Why do we live in such a competitive world where the fastest, most beautiful, sexiest, popular individuals are determined to be superior than others? And thrive or seem to.

Where did competitiveness originate? Did someone invent competitions (and thus the spirit of competitiveness), and, more importantly why...what's the point?

We are bombarded with the competitive spirit daily – through sports including the Olympics, award shows (like the Oscars), talent shows (like American Idol), etc. – in the media, especially on TV and even the internet – look at the list of friends on people’s Facebook page online. Do some people really have 500 friends or more?! I mean, really!

Even though I know a lot of people through various employment, volunteer, education, and community and social events over the years, I still don’t have to have – or want – tons of so-called friends on Facebook or any other social media for that matter. (Perhaps if I had my own business, I might care to have a wealthy network of contacts, but that’s an entirely different matter.)

I can hardly keep up with a few friends in terms of my busy schedule, yet alone emails. I used to love email when it first came out. What a novelty! Now I face the daunting task of choosing which ones to open up and answer. Who has time for that?

The race to compete starts as young as childhood being compared with siblings or relatives or friends (at home); through spelling bees, grades, scholarships (at school); growing into adolescence with peer pressure through friends, social status, clothes; and into adulthood with family, earnings, promotions, assets (house, vehicle), and 'toys' such as technology to cite some examples.

Another example of competitions are contests, that sometimes directly fuel the spirit of winning.

I recently entered one for the ‘Best Conversation Ever’ to have the opportunity to chat with someone of your choosing. Five Canadians would be chosen to win. (On a side note, aren’t we all winners for one reason or another, even in the game of life?)

This is what I wrote: Who immediately came to mind to have the best chat ever with is President Obama.

I would love to, be honoured and delighted and thrilled to speak to this amazing man.

What makes President Obama tick, other than his beautiful wife and children of course!?

How does he make decisions? What inspires him? How does he keep so amazingly calm and steadfast amongst tumultuous storms in political and worldly affairs?

What kinds of books does he love to read? What does he write other than the books he wrote?

I'd also like to discuss spiritual matters, matters of the heart, that are at the core of everyday life, like peace.

During his inauguration, Obama exuded such a quiet and gentle strength that oozed out of him as poise and confidence. His speech was eloquent, yet simple and sincere. I was SO happy when he became President even though I didn't know anything about him. It was just something that I noticed, that I felt.

When I remember, I pray for him and his family. Now, I don't normally do this for Presidents! But Obama, well, he is an exception indeed! And I would love to speak with this wonderful man, this exceptional human being.

Now I know my writing was not the best or would even be deemed as popular (at least in terms of votes) as I wrote this rather quickly, realizing it was the last day of the contest and I was on a relatively tight deadline having other commitments that day.

And I also know that I didn’t say what the true spiritual matters were that I wanted to discuss as I didn’t feel right or ‘safe’ enough to express online. Instead I wrote ‘peace’ as neutral ground. What I felt compelled to ask about was his knowledge of the ‘new kids on the block’ so to speak, including his children most likely.

This contest where I could interview him and ask such things ended up being more of a popularity contest as you needed to acquire (or score) as many votes as possible. I certainly didn’t expect to win this on such a basis. Well I’m not running for President so why should I care for votes or popularity! I just want to speak to the man: wasn’t that the (initial) intent of the contest?

Nevertheless, unbeknownst to the judges and viewers (voters/deciders), I know my heart was sincere and pure in my asking. I mean, not only for the reasons I mention, but I really don’t have any idols in terms of media and the like (that I can think of). Well other than Oprah perhaps, but more for her ability to influence and make a difference in other peoples’ lives for the better and on such a grand scale. Obama would be the only other person that I consider truly inspirational on such a massive level in terms of worldly influence.

Speaking of which, when I was in grade five or six, I started reading biographies of famous people after my teacher read the story of Harriet Tubman. As a result of these stories, I remember thinking that one day I wanted to be famous. Ha! Who was I kidding? I realize now that is not necessarily what I wanted, though I thought it was at the time (and for the longest time).

What I really, really, truly wanted was (and still want is) the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives: a big difference, a major one that would rock the world. (Okay I may be getting a little carried away here. You get the point.)

I’m still waiting to accomplish that, wondering what natural talents and gifts I possess that I can utilize to establish (profound) life-altering changes for others. Instead, for now (and for most of my life), I end up walking a lonely road taking the road less travelled by (as in Robert Frost’s poem) in order to try and achieve this. I’m still pondering as I do my best to pursue the guidance of my spirit. And contests, especially popularity ones, won't necessarily help me.

What are your views on competition? And who would you want to speak with and why? (No, just kidding. I don’t expect you to answer the latter question. That might appear to be combative or antagonistic, i.e., competitive in nature! ;)