My Philosophy Evolves

The more I study, observe, reflect, pray, live, the surer I am that there's this greater understanding of people.
`
It transcends organized religion, judgment, morals, values, opinions, beliefs, lifestyles, choices, circumstance. It has more to do with broad spirituality, a certain awareness. A kind heart, and open mind.
`
It's an understanding that will beget acceptance and love, regardless of our differences, yours and mine.
`
I'm not saying I've attained this understanding. Or that I fully grasp it, even. It's bigger than you, bigger than me. But I feel like I've seen glimpses.
`
When one I loved was dying, and his hereafter was imminent.
`
When I met someone who was different from me, in most outward, conceivable ways, and I enjoyed being with him anyway. Because I saw that there was no right to wrong, no bad to good, no my way to his.
`
When I accepted that another woman is no better than me, no worse than me, though we spend our time in such opposite worlds, with opposing morals and pastimes. I will love and celebrate her anyway.
`
It comes down to more than I can take in with my own eyes. You know? Because not everything can be explained away in black and white, categorized as yes or no, placed in my treasure box or yours. Who am I to imagine otherwise? To think I'm privileged with belief, or that I have an advantage through my lifestyle?
`
When I embrace it, this way of thinking and trust, I feel most right in my heart. With God. In the world.
`
What do you think? What's your philosophy?
`

`
`
picture by p.j. mcadie at flickr.com

Thanksgiving

Look closely. Do you see them? The fingers of God? They reach thick and full and bright through the clouds, stretching toward that which is His. The land, every thing upon it, near, far, breathing, not. You, me. All is His, and He wants to touch, warm, remind of purpose and beauty. Call out His existence.

`

I watch for and eagerly await those fingers. When I see them, and it's often if I'm looking, I know He's not far, not really. And I know He sees me, too, insignificant as I am from His highest perch. But I am. And you are. Each of us in this great big, hurting, beautiful, brilliant, lacking world.

`

We are.

`

For this, I am thankful.

`

`

This holiday, what are you thankful for?

Tuesday's Stuff and Things

So it's Tuesday, a typical, unremarkable weekday, and it's time once again for Stuff and Things. Can you believe it? Where do the days go?

Being part of a community of like-minded writers rocks. I love sharing my thoughts and ideas with others who understand the process and drive (and even those who aren't writers but appreciate it nonetheless), and I really enjoy the network I've been able to build. Thank you all for being a part of it.

I love beautiful, crisp fall days, when you can open the windows, air out the house, and freshen your soul. There's something nostalgic and stirring about the colors, the smell, the feel. What do you like about fall?

I bought an old quilt over the weekend, with fabulous muted colors (some so pale you have to look closely), that I'm hoping to use on my bed someday soon. The only problem is that one of the stars virtually exploded at some point in the past, and the quilt batting is visible. There are women I can ask about repairs, but I dare not wash it in my machine and damage it further. I just need to figure out what to do that's not cost prohibitive. Any ideas? I also need to lay it out in the sun to freshen it just a bit. Any other suggestions?

Just when I think my writing goals are headed one way, inspiration sends them another. When I think I can only fit so much on my plate, a spot opens up for something on the side. Do you find the same?

And God is awesome.


What's going on for you today?

***

In response to yesterday's post about the Omaha Lit Fest I attended, Joanne asked, "Can you share any specific themes/tips/advice you might have learned there?" I'll collect my thoughts and check my notes, and that shall be tomorrow's post.

Versatility

Wow. I have to preface this post with a quick blurb about a book I'm reading. It's called When God Winks at You; How God Speaks to You Through the Power of Coincidence. Rather self-explanatory, and you'll see how it fits with my post, like hand and glove, in just a bit. Wow, it's that cool.

Versatility, and how it works for writers, is something I've often wondered about. And now talk of a foray into non-fiction has made me wonder if one writer can try too much? I ask because I've done essays, columns, fiction, children's (my picture book has 6 publisher rejections, though I haven't revisited it in years), and now I want to try non-fic. But can a writer only think they have talent to pull off so many kinds of writing? Or it is common that writers dabble in lots of things? I heard awhile back that a good writer should be able to write anything. Is it true?

Here's where I ask you to remember my post yesterday, where I was trying to determine what path to take with my writing. And I mentioned I was looking for a sign from God about the right direction.

Okay, now on to what I'm so amazingly blown away by. Are you ready? I sat down here at my computer, minutes ago, having typed versatility into the blog post title box. It's not uncommon for me to pull Merriam-Webster.com up, even when I know a word, to give myself a concrete basis for the concept whirring in my brain. So I did that with versatility. Here's what came up, example sentence exactly as it appeared online, bolding mine for emphasis.

Main Entry: ver·sa·til·i·ty:

the quality or state of being versatile

(a writer of great versatility)

Really? I felt a small prick at my soul and continued with my post. And then I came to the word foray. Another instance where I know the word, have used it many times, but wanted to see what Merriam-Webster had to say.

Main Entry: (2)foray

2:a brief excursion or attempt especially outside one's accustomed sphere
(the novelist's foray into nonfiction)

Oh, holy goodness, are you kidding me?! THIS is the answer I was looking for. THIS is God winking at me. I'm blown away, stunned, humbled. Amazed. Wow.

Can I just say it again? Wow. How's that for a sign?