The Cycle
quakes fell colonies
life wrecked with deaf ideas
feel beyond defeat
his is my entry for this weeks Haiku Poetry Challenge FEEL and Tremor.
There are details in the prompt on how to write a Haiku.
© 2014-2023- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Progress for Reason
the journey’s purpose
to reach the destination
never stop searching
his is my entry for this weeks Haiku Poetry Challenge PAUSE and Trek.
There are details in the prompt on how to write a Haiku.
© 2014-2023- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
On the Hook
temptation brings strength
to those who resist the hook
you may miss your chance
his is my entry for this weeks Haiku Poetry Challenge STRENGTH and Tempt.
There are details in the prompt on how to write a Haiku.
© 2014-2023- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Exit Wounds?
doors, pathways to change
life, love, art, happiness
open wounds and close minds
his is my entry for this weeks Haiku Poetry Challenge DOOR and Open.
There are details in the prompt on how to write a Haiku.
© 2014-2022- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Haiku Poetry Prompt Writing Challenge Useful Links.
Thesaurus: Charge, Reason.
HowManySyllables.com
Thesaurus.com
The Guidelines are simple.
Not sure how to write a Haiku? Click HERE for a quick How to write Haiku Poem in English Form with links to articles for other forms of Haiku.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
With the end of the world being predicted almost daily, it’s important we recognize there are good things happening in spit of it all. I truly can’t stand how the media thrives on negativity, and not just in regards to politics. Therefore, what I’ve done is searched out sites that share positive news. You might think all you would have to do is google for these sites, but you would be surprised at how many sites either no longer exist or or basically abandoned for years. I even clicked on an article dated this year for a list of sites and some of those listed were inactive.
What better site to begin our journey to good news than with;
What is it?
Although based in the USA, the Good News Network brings us stories from around the world ranging in topics from energy solutions to environmental issues, and from mental health recommendations to just plain feel good news, because sometimes all you need is a smile. It appears to be updated on a daily basis.
What is it?
A UK based site that pulls news from around the globe, Positive.News lists as their categories; Society, Economics, Science, Environment, Lifestyle, and Perspective. As you can see, you have plenty to choose from. There are definitely some inspirational articles on this site and it’s updated daily.
What is it?
I’m not certain where this site is based out of, but it brings news from around the world. The site is updated daily and has much of what you would expect but also has Funny Clean Jokes, Videos, and Pictures. A great visit.
What is it?
Updated every day, Yes! Magazine has articles with a bit of depth to them that will make you want to do something about the world. I’m looking forward to getting in to this one myself.
What is it?
Not really updated every day but what it does give are good articles, depending on what you are looking for. It has everything from the planet to individual good work and inspiration. I found it interesting that it was founded by the daughter of the American-Israeli businessman and founder of Carnival Cruise Line, Ted Arison, Shari Arison, who heads the family’s philanthropic organization.
What is it?
Good Black News was founded by Harvard Graduate Lori Lakin Hutcherson who is not only the Editor-in-Chief of GBN but also a TV writer and producer along with other writing ventures around the world of print. There are 19 categories along with subsections for ease of navigation, with recent articles being on the landing page. The site is updated daily and it really looks like a professional site. I already subscribed to receive updates in my email.
What is it?
Our Better World is a site dedicated to the Asian community and is well represented by people from various backgrounds. You really need to check the site out for the categories they have, ranging from Diversity & Inclusion to Friendship & Family, and from Migrants & Refugees to Wonder Women. The site seems to be updated frequently, if not daily. There definitely appears to be great content.
If your cultural group isn’t represented like a the Black and Asian communities, it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Of course going through all theses sites it’s a good chance I missed a lot. If you know of good ones, and I mean POSITIVE news, leave a link in the comments and I can add it to the list here for all to see.
Catch y’all later.
A great inspirational story.
When I decided to take a little break that turned into an over one-year break from active blogging, I intended to reenergize mentally and emotionally. I’m a blogger that started this adventure without boundaries in place. What that means is I was open to everyone who seemed to need help. And I got plenty of people showing up.
Of course, I kind of asked for it because I seriously put myself out there with my personal struggles. I shared history and current factors that led me to where I am now, or rather where I was then. But I made a mistake by shutting down entirely during my break and distanced myself from my blogging friends.
Amazingly I don’t think that I forever pushed some very important people away. Since my post last week, I’ve received comments and messages welcoming me back and some ‘you were missed’ sentiments. That was a big relief. Now I just need to become active visiting around the neighborhood without becoming addicted again.
One of the things that made this blog be anything that it might be is poetry. I never wrote poetry with maybe the exception of a handful years ago and then I started a blog. As I roamed around followers’ blogs I found poetry. It was then I decide I would give it a try and it became the biggest outlet for a lot of things going on inside of me. Shortly after learning what a haiku was I started a monthly haiku challenge. It’s been going ever week without fail since with week 200 coming up shortly. I even kept it going through a hospital stay and a tornado where I ended up evacuating my home to travel to a hotel for safety. That last one happened twice.
I’m an amateur at best when it comes to the rhymes and all of that, but I do think I ended up a nice level before I stopped cold turkey. Why do I bring this up?
Now I am finding it a struggle to do what was once my favorite thing to do on my blog. It’s as great lesson in even if you have a talent for something that if you don’t keep practicing you can lose it. I also stopped writing fiction and for an author with a book available on Amazon that hurts so deep I can’t even describe it.
I get an idea to write a piece of poetry or a story and before I can even pick up a pen or get my laptop going something clicks inside of me and the engine shuts down. Now as I attempt to get back into those good habits I once have I’m going to need to break with the old ones I’ve developed and that is the biggest piece of advice I can give anyone that is a creative.
You need to pick a creative space that is dedicated to your art, no matter what that art may be. Don’t allow any sedentary activity into that space. Why? You get an idea and then you go to that spot or you head to hop on your bed with your laptop and what happens? What happens is your body and mind slip into the habit that takes place most often in that space. You won’t even realize that is what’s happening.
For the longest time my bed was my writing space because it was the only place in the house that I could use, but I did an excellent job of writing and filling my days and evenings with creativity. Then during the break my little space in the house, I called my own, became a place for watching movies, reading books, taking naps, and simply resting while Fibro Flares did their thing.
Now I am rewiring my mind and body to be back to the olden days of blogging and writing books. Writing these posts each week are what you might call baby steps. I don’t advise forcing yourself into a creative space all at once. If you do you will end up so frustrated, you might just give up entirely.
So, if you are suffering from a decrease in blog output or other creative endeavors, see if you’ve hijacked your creative space for other things … then hijack it back, but in a nice and easy way.
See y’all next week.
The power of positivity. In order for it to change your life you have to understand a few things and apply it across the board.
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.“ That was the verse I was given to study upon. Not a lot to go on there and of course I did as I always do and went to the book itself and read the verses leading up to and following it.
“12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” James 1:12-18
That’s a lot to throw at you but I liked it. It’s something I’ve reminded people from time to time when things have looked bad and they’ve looked weary at church. This always leads into questioning about what good is happening in life. The bad things can be powerful because they can loom large. One reason problems can be large is because we give so much power to things. It’s like when you have that one favorite TV show and you MUST see it every week. Then it gets cancelled. You feel it’s the end of the world. But then what happens? You find a new favorite.
But sometimes big things are big things. You still can’t let them control your entire life. The worry about them affects the other areas. Eventually that one thing ends up destroying everything else.
You know, some people like to use that old idea of a grain of sand turning into a pearl when they talk about how an irritant can bring about something wonderful. Well, that irritant is in one spot, it doesn’t move around to all areas of the oyster. The oyster lives a fine and happy life with a pearl.
It’s a struggle to work against the negative. Or it can be. Put with practice, focusing on the positive, you end up having the positive weed its way into the negative areas. It’s always better to go into a job interview with a good and positive attitude than a negative one.
Ronovan
Romans 1:16
“9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.“ (James 3:9-10)
One way to change your life is to change your mind. One sign of a changing mind is a changing tongue. Years ago I was a swearer. I wasn’t a major profanity person but I used some language. And yes, I was a Christian then too. Then I found out I was going to be a father so I made the decision to change. If I was going to tell my child to be a certain way, shouldn’t I be the living example of that way?
To do this I made certain to not fill my life with things that were filled with what I didn’t want. I changed my music listening, reading, TV viewing. No, I didn’t become a fanatic about it, but I did make deliberate decisions. An example would be TV. If a show happened to have a bad word in it as part of a scene because the scene was emotional or something, okay, I got it. If the whole show was laced with it, and had scenes that sensationalized things it shouldn’t, I stayed away.
The same thing went for music. Although for that I mostly went to Contemporary Christian music. I like it. I still listen to my old 80s music for fun. And there are some music acts I like even now. But I still heed my initial parameters. And let me tell you, it is sad when you hear a song with a good beat and then they start in with the language or sexist or derogatory content.
You can’t be two minds on a matter or it comes out in your language. If you give lip service to a subject you will get found out. People like to think you are what you are. No, you are what you turn yourself into. It’s been over a decade since I made myself a promise to watch my language. I continue to fulfill that promise. I’m still cautious of my viewing and listening indulgences. I figure if I’m not participating, that’s one less vote, so to speak, for that type of content.
Do you think you can change your life by changing your mind? Can you change your views of the world by changing your mind? Pick something this week that you know you shouldn’t be doing or saying and work at altering your life by finding out why you say that and then stop. For me, I found that by not having all those music and TV influences I was able to easily stop using language, even when people around me at work were using it. See what you can do this week.
Much Respect
Ronovan
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.“ (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Sometimes you need to go to the book itself when you’re given a verse to read for the day. So I did, and read what led up to this statement by Paul to the Corinthians.
I like Paul because he’s not afraid to talk about his own failings, although he keeps his main failing, the ‘thorn’ in his flesh a secret, he still admits he has one. So what does the verse mean?
I look at myself as an example. I have Fibromyalgia which is also known as Chronic Pain. I have Chronic Fatigue, migraines that are always present, with variance in intensity, light and sound sensitivity, a sleep disorder, as well as spinal problems and other health issues. Why do I even look at those weaknesses in delight? Or perhaps the insults I’ve received at times?
Because with the help of God, those weaknesses, insults, and persecutions didn’t stop me from doing something I’ve dreamed of for decades. In fact, because of those weaknesses I may have accomplished my goal of becoming a published author.
I took what life gave me and worked with it. I didn’t say that because my life isn’t the norm, that I couldn’t accomplish something. Even today I don’t know when I will sleep, when I will be awake. Sometimes I sleep three hours out of 48 and I will turn that into something useful in writing. What better way to describe sleep deprivation than being in it?
Anyone can brag about something they’ve done. But boasting about a weakness is something else. Overcoming hardships to be normal or even being extraordinary is something to talk about, but it’s mainly something to look to and realize help was given along the way. God directed me to write a book, or a few really. Within three months of an accident that changed my life forever, I’d written a book that I am about to shop to agents. I shouldn’t have been writing anything, but I had this need inside of me to challenge myself to accomplish something I’d never done before, write a romance novel. So it turned out to be a coming of age novel more than a romance. I still did it.
Having that helping hand to guide me, to support me, to lift me up when I fall backwards, is something that I know I can rely on and makes me more fearless in what I do. I am not afraid of weaknesses or failures. I use them.
Much Respect
Ronovan
Click the underlined, blue links to visit the haiku of each poet. All poets, please remember to visit the prompt throughout the week so you can visit those who enter later than you do. We all need each others support. You are missing some great haiku.
Annette of Annette Rochelle Aben with a message many need to hear these days, and the days to come, titled Winds of Change.
Sandra “The Wild One” Daffodil with Native, do a twist on the prompt and winding up with a unique idea.
Ruth of Image & Word came up with Deadlock about a alternative to the present to get to the future.
FLOrida Borne of Two On A Rant. Okay so it’s really Floridaborne but I like calling her Flo and pronounce Borne as Bornay yes, I like being weird. She gives us How a Writing Frenzy Feels, with an original photograph that taken during extreme winds.
Jane of Jane Dougherty Writes, yes the author, gives us the Trifecta this week.
Xenia of Whippet Wisdom, yay another dog with blog who lets its owner post sometimes! Fresh Winds Whisper Peace and I believe it with a photo of dogs on a beach. Can’t beat that. Pulling out the puppy card always gets attention.
Srivi, The Piscean me, has Messy Hair! this week. And I do mean messy.
Nato of Chasing Life and Finding Dreams ended up being Always with me this week. I love how she keeps me in her thoughts long after I’m gone. (Sigh.)
Alice the Boomerang Zone queen speaks straight from the headlines of the week with Orlando Massacre. Need I say more?
Judy, the published poetess of Edwina’s Episodes pipes in with Flying Forth. Yes, it’s a weird title for it but I made it up. That happens if you don’t name ’em. 😛
Bill gives us Renewal. Not sure if I like the haiku or the description of what he was doing at the time of thinking of it better.
Ken from RIVRVLOGR came up with Fresh Wind. OOOoOOOooO all deep and romantical.
Mira who sometimes can be found To Wear A Rainbow wrote for us this week my lover… Another romantical one.
Ritu over at But I Smile Anyway apparently is sending a message that Wind seems to be Awakening her Hayfever. Don’t wonder about it, just click and read.
Willow of Willowdot21 says too much to be said in one title. Three haiku with some nice images to match.
Leara of LearaWrites enters the fray with Dragonfly At Dawn. Wouldn’t that make a great book title?
Clarence speaking through his PrairieChat gives us his Summer Dreams.
Marie from The Syllabub Sea and Fresh wind. And more romantics going on.
Colleen the Silver Threading Fairy Whisperer wrote Summer Awaits. Considering where she lives, the weather can’t make up its mind what it wants to do.
Mira on her They, You and Me blog with first rain going all nature on us.
TJParis gives us Prayers in the Wind on his la vie est trop courte boire du mauvais vin blog. Um, you need to go and read the photo description for this one.
Jacqueline of A Cooking Pot and TwistedTales wrote Wind of life this week. Three tales with the same twisted theme.
Debra on her author blog D.B. Mauldin came up with a fantasy of fiction I wish were true. Oh the agony a Windward Dreams.
Shida the 876LoveR likes to frolic in the Summertime.
Janice, nature’s best friend over on Ontheland, wrote four haiku with the title of Fresh Winds.
Oneta of Sweet Aroma wrote Evening’s Peace. Man, I need this to happen. The big boy is dragging as he writes this. Been on the go the last couple of days. Summertime for me means less rest, more fatigue, and being cook and entertainment coordinator for my 11/12 year old son, B. Okay, so he entertains himself mostly but I hate him sitting alone so I stay with him and we do stuff.
OBA of The king’soracle gives us I broke the old cycle!
Maria at Doodles and Scribbles wrote Ildio, a haiku of inspiration and peace.
Melissa The Aran Artisan gives a cultural lesson with Native sean nós singing on Inise Mor.
Lizi of Quilted Poetry and Springtime Songs, a nice take on the word wind.
Tolulope from Ruby’s Polaroid wrote Ocean Dreams. Just the name is good enough to be great and I haven’t even read the haiku at this point.
Denis visits from Haiku Hound. Charlie appeared to be enjoying the day more than Denis in this photo of their Windy Memory.
Khor from Project Prose wrote New beginnings, an inspiration for those needing a lift to their lives.
Clarence visits one more time from PrairieChat with Bellicose Boasts. So that’s why we get all those storms in the South that time of year. Hmm.
Scott writes Scents over on TheHouseOfBailey. Yeah, she let him out again. I like the two sentences here. One of somewhat peace if you think of it that way, and the other one instilling a bit of fear.
Tricia of A Creative State of Mind gives us Summer Song. Now, I have to say, some of these things in the image can drive me insane, but those made by a true musical ear can be very nice.
Sri of Naa Prapancham,My World… wrote Afresh. I like how so many people went with fresh outlooks on life. A very positive week.
Dependable R. Todd from A Flash of Fiction showed up with The Promise, with something that should bring some memories of you to many of us. It even gave me a little flash. Which if you know me, you know a flash of memory is a good thing to have. Thanks, dude.
Greg of Nagrij Writes the Hits You Never Knew Existed (Yes, that is the name of his blog.) gives us Oil Spill. So there went the positive outlook on life. 😀 Very descriptive in so few words. Worth the visit and read.
Vashti and The Writer Next Door. The writer that lives next me doesn’t look anything like Vashti. Thank goodness, or I would never end up writing. Anyway, this author writes What If Mother Nature Wanted A Fresh Start?
Florence from Meanings and Musings writes Climax. She has a refreshed view of life after a trip of destiny.
51
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The difference two years can make in a persons life is beyond imagining. Blogging can end up being many things in your life. For me, it was a way to begin having something to do, something to wake up and ‘work’ at. For a man who’d worked his whole adult life, it was unusual to find himself in the land of nothingness, although in truth, I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. Amnesia can do that to you. It’s odd to think about what you do and do not remember.
I never had expectations from blogging. Maybe I wanted people to read my work. Originally this was to be a Christian site. With the first post it became a writer’s site. I still try to keep it along the lines of Christianity in tone and demeanor, but as goes a Christian life astray at times, so goes a blog post as well.
“When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.” John O’Donohue
When I first began blogging I wrote some of the darkest poetry I’ve ever put pen to. I couldn’t write like that again if I were paid. It’s not in me. I’m a happy person now. I’m content with most of my life. I think friendship and having people care about me has changed me a lot.
I don’t dwell in the land of self-pity any longer. I don’t check in to depression hotel. I used to have a buy two nights get the third one free deal with the DH. Now, I don’t even get junk mail or spam for specials.
I’m so content that I have a hard time writing poetry at all. That may sound odd, the thinking being that maybe I would be able to write happy poems, but really it’s that I just do ‘think’ about things because they all go well right now. Well, maybe not all. When those things don’t go well now, they are even worse than my old bad days. Now I know what good is like so the bad moments are that much worse. However, I know there is another way of life than sadness.
My rebirth began two years ago, in June. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back now I can tell it did. Two years later and it’s as though life has taken an even bigger leap into the good zone. By all rights I should be depressed at this moment, but I’m not. Things are good, real good. The outlook on life is good. Confirmations have happened. Affirmations. Other ‘tions’ I’m sure I can’t thing of at the moment.
Love is a wonderful thing to have. Rebirth in almost every way can be seen as the results of love, caring. If you need a new life, look for love. Love’s the best medicine you can find.
You can check out the other Rebirth entries HERE, on SilverThreading.com, Colleen Chesebro’s site, my other half for the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge. This was her week to come up with the theme.
© Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com 2016
I generally like to do multiple quotes either as a list or to weave through a commentary on Wednesday to go with the Writer’s Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge or #WQWWC. This week, what with all that’s happened recently in Orlando, FL here in the US, I stumbled across one quote I felt pretty much sums up how America is.
“You know Americans are obsessed with life and death and rebirth, that’s the American Cycle. You know, awakening, tragic, horrible death and then Phoenix rising from the ashes. That’s the American story, again and again.” Billy Corgan
The sad thing is, the lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins is right. But the American story needs to do away with some of those repetitive chapters, and do so soon. It may take some ugly steps to do it, some things most of us will just not like.
I’m someone who has to do things and be on the side of things and told I’m just not right a lot. It’s difficult, but I’m okay with it because I know it’s the right thing.
You can check out the other Rebirth entries HERE, on SilverThreading.com, Colleen Chesebro’s site, my other half for the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge. This was her week to come up with the theme.
© Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com 2016
Sometimes when I put together a post for some sort of challenge, I just include a list of quotes or try to link them together in some form. The form this time is simple. I’m not going to express how certain quotes are about writing or one subject.
You ever see a quote and it speaks to you? As I was putting together a group of quotes this week for my other site I ran across several that did just that, spoke to me, in different ways. All talk about Inspiration.
“Being a father has been, without a doubt, my greatest source of achievement, pride and inspiration. Fatherhood has taught me about unconditional love, reinforced the importance of giving back and taught me how to be a better person.” Naveen Jain (Founder and former CEO of InfoSpace.)
“Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you’re positive, good things happen.” Deep Roy (Indian Actor born in Kenya)
“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation.” Eileen Caddy (Spiritual teacher and new age author.)
“To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?” Queen Elizabeth II (Queen of the United Kingdom since 1952.)
You can check out the other Inspiration entries HERE, on SilverThreading.com, Colleen Chesebro’s site, my other half for the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge. This was her week to come up with the theme.
© Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com 2016
Quotes can do a great many things. One is to make you think. You can think about yesterday, today, or tomorrow. The quote determines what path you take with those thoughts of yours. Which reminds me of this quote:
“I learn from thinking about the future, what hasn’t been done yet. That’s kind of my constant obsession.” John Cale
I like to focus on quotes that impress me about the life of being a writer, even if the original intent wasn’t there, and regardless of who said the words. Okay, maybe I do have a bias at times.
Take this quote as an example:
“Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” Claude Monet
Obviously Monet was not talking about writing, but substitute the word “words” for “color” and you have my life. I create a new book idea at least once per week. The torment for me is captured with these words:
“I can’t read all the books I want to read, I can’t watch all the phenomena that interest me in the world. The work calls me, and sometimes I wonder whether this is an obsession and I should drop it, or it’s a necessity I’m obliged to fulfill.” James Hillman
The problem is not so much the question of whether or not I have an obsession with words or if they are a necessity. They are both. My problem is this:
“The creative habit is like a drug. The particular obsession changes, but the excitement, the thrill of your creation lasts.” Henry Moore
Some have a more negative view of obsession. I suppose even when channeled toward the arts.
“Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming back and back and back to the same question and never get an answer.” Norman Mailer
You might think Mailer is a great one to pay heed of, but no two people are the same. Perhaps with him, he just didn’t know how to channel obsession or perhaps his obsessions were not as healthy as writing. Writing isn’t only an obsession to me.
“Writing is my obsession, my passion. My relationship with it is one of the most complex and agonizing and richly vexing that I have in my life.” Julianna Baggott
But the truth is,
“The trade of authorship is a violent, and indestructible obsession.” George Sand
“Writing has to be an obsession – it’s only for those who say, ‘I’m not going to do anything else.’” Lorrie Moore
If you think about what a writer does to create a 300 page book, there must be obsession involved. Even those books that turn out not so great are the results of an obsessed mind, a fevered mind devoted to this world inside the imagination.
I can identify with the next quote:
“I’ve been called many names like perfectionist, difficult and obsessive. I think it takes obsession, takes searching for the details for any artist to be good.” Barbra Streisand
Add insane, nuts, crazy, and a few choice words to the list and you pretty much have my name calling in hand.
But you know what?
“What moves those of genius, what inspires their work is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.” Eugene Delacroix
Writing isn’t easy. To finish a sandwich is one thing. Even to finish reading a book is something. But to finish writing a book? How hard is it for you to finish reading a book sometimes, even one you love?
“I need my natural laziness to be counteracted by obsession in order to do anything.” Vikram Seth
I could sleep all day, and watch old movies all night. Yes, I live on an odd time schedule, even though mornings are my most creative times.
But laziness, uncertainty, and all those other things that get in the way just won’t stop a truly obsessed writer.
“You cannot write a book unless it is totally inhabiting your imagination and you are totally engrossed with it. Which is a kind word for obsession.” Kate Forsyth
Another way of saying it is,
“The work is a calling. It demands that type of obsession.” John Pomfret
Art is a unique profession, writing included. We are our own bosses. Some like to say we create fairy tales and make believe worlds. People don’t realize something about writing.
“When you’re working for yourself and your own obsession with finding the truth, you’re at your own mercy.” Errol Morris
You see, if a writer isn’t writing honestly, if they are putting words into the mouth of a character and they don’t ring true, everything falls apart, and they are labeled a terrible writer. Writing is a dangerous profession, a gamble.
But as the saying goes and it is so true,
“I read in order to write. I read out of obsession with writing.” Cynthia Ozick
When it all boils down, I can say this,
“I only have one obsession – not to be boring.” Michel Hazanavicius
You can check out the other Obsession entries HERE, on SilverThreading.com, Colleen Chesebro’s site, my other half for the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge. This was her week to come up with the theme.
© Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com 2016
For the “Change” theme of the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge this week, which I chose, I wanted to share one of my favorite verses.
“2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2a)
A lot of people stop at this point in the reading. I’ve heard this partial verse preached on a number of times, but I always have my Bible out to read further. You see, I understand something many preachers don’t preach about.
The writings of the Bible were done as letters, not books, chapters, and verses. One sentence leads into the next. I like what some pastors say, if you see a “Therefore” in the Bible, it means it’s “there for” a reason. With this verse, you look at the next sentence.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2b)
Now that your mind is not polluted by the goings on of the world, you will be able to see for yourself the truth of God’s will. Polluted is a strong word. However, I’m not certain what other word to use when I think about what happens when the TV, movie, and music influences begin their work on an individual. Tiger Woods didn’t become a sex addict by watching Bugs Bunny or Andy Griffith. He became corrupted by everything around him that fed his ego and appetites.
In the Bible there have been headings added within the created chapters. This can break up meaning at times.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)
Here you see a continuing explanation of the Romans 12:2a. Paul is reminding us that even with the renewing of our minds, our new unpolluted selves, we are still not higher than anyone else, and are only as good as we are by the faith God has given us.
We need to be on guard to not allow the pollution in. We worry about the ozone layer, climate change, and landfills, but we care little about the one true unique resource on earth, ourselves. Each of us is unique. You could have a twin and they are not exactly like you even if they look and sound like you. Perhaps they even walk and move like you do, they are still not exactly like you.
You are thinking unique thoughts. Those thoughts can be for a good reason or not. Not every thought needs to be for the betterment of the world. Dreams and fantasies exist to help our minds cope with a world that is not like we are.
There are people out there who hear the word Christian and automatically think of stereotypes brought about by a small, but visible/vocal minority. It’s kind of like when they have that local on the ground interview about a robbery or natural disaster and for some reason the news reporter picks the most illiterate and socially inept person they could find to put in front of the camera. That’s what happens with Christianity. We end up with the vocal and media seeking individuals representing us.
Christianity is a personal thing. One on one. It’s not a group think, or a group mind thing. It’s not the exact same thing for any two people. My thoughts differ from others in my own home. I have a more understanding nature than some. I look at things below the surface and don’t pass judgement. Yes, I will say something is bad when I believe it is bad. Beating a child is bad. If you say it is good, then I think you have a problem. If you say that it might be okay for the society that person doing the beating lives in, then I say that society is bad. If that is being judgemental, call me guilty. I generally take things on a person by person basis.
Change. Do you want to change how you think, what you think, what you think is acceptable? Renew your mind, however you want to. Hit your reset button about what you think is acceptable. I’m not saying become a Christian. I’m saying reset your humanity button. Do you watch porn? Do you look at images on the internet? Do you watch or listen to things promoting degradation of women? More than likely you do and don’t even think you are. That means you support it.
The rest button is a hard thing to do. You’ll hit it several times. But eventually—eventually, the habits you develop from your intentional training of your mind will lead to a permanent change in your heart as well.
You can check out my other Change post on the prompt post HERE, as well as seeing links for other entries.
© Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com 2016
“The sweetest of all sounds is that of the voice of the woman we love.” Jean de la Bruyere
“One is not born a woman, but becomes one.” Simone de Beauvoir
“If you cannot inspire a woman with love of you, fill her above the brim with love of herself; all that runs over will be yours.” Charles Caleb Colton
“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.” D.H. Lawrence
“When in a relationship, a real man doesn’t make his woman jealous of others, he makes others jealous of his woman.” Steve Maraboli,
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” Steve Maraboli
“After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her.” Mark Twain
“Woman is sacred; the woman one loves is holy.” Alexandre Dumas
“A living poem” had always been the words that came to mind when he tried to describe her to others.” Nichols Sparks
“If a man hasn’t what’s necessary to make a woman love him, it’s his fault, not hers.” W. Somerset Maugham
This has been my participation in the Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge this week with the theme of Wisdom. I’m the host over there this week, and I picked the theme. I believe searching out inspiring quotes about women is the wisest thing I could do.
When I met him, it was by chance in a quiet bar in 1940 Hollywood. I can still remember it as clear as if I were looking him square in those energy filled blue eyes right now.
He was a bit too shiny for the place, if that was possible, but no one seemed to pay him any attention. It was as though he was part of the furniture. He belonged there.
I slid onto a stool as Eddie walked up to take my order. “What’ll you have? Bit early for you isn’t it?”
“Just a beer today, Eddie. I got a date later.”
Bushy eyebrows rose and tobacco stained teeth showed behind thick lips. “Bring her by here, I’ll set you up nice.”
I smiled but didn’t commit to anything. Figaro’s Bar was fine for a few with the boys at night, but a dame didn’t belong here. I took the mug of amber liquid and took a sip. My smile was the show appreciation Eddie had waited for. He was one of the best in the business. He remembered what people liked, and I liked my beer warm. You can’t taste an iceberg. If I wanted something cold, I’d ask for milk.
Leaning against the bar, I checked the mirror that ran above the length of bottles and glasses. I didn’t see any of the boys around to talk with. That’s the first time I saw him. Like I said, he was shiny, shiny on the outside of a worn out inside. He had sheets of paper in front of him and the glass he had wasn’t for beer.
“Guy’s a writer,” Eddie said, following my eyes. “Comes in here around this time every day. Says it helps him escapes life. I asked if it was the wife, he said she wouldn’t be caught dead in here. I get the feeling he wishes she would be caught dead somewhere.”
I didn’t like the chuckle Eddie gave. Maybe it was the amusement in his eyes. He thought he was being funny. Death wasn’t something I played around with, even in jest.
There was something about writers that intrigued me. Writers were strange people. They could make you believe things by using words and nothing else. It was like magic without the tricks. Everything was laid out in front of you but you still got fooled. No film or sound effects, just words, and you would swear you heard explosions, music, and you felt the girl in your arms and smelled the perfume as you kissed her.
He saw me coming. I guess it’s hard to miss me, being a big six footer with red hair. Hollywood wasn’t overrun with my type yet, but I wasn’t ever mistaken for Leslie Howard or Spencer Tracey.
He laid his pencil down about the time I reached his booth. “Is there something I may assist you with?”
He had class. The man was educated for sure. Better, even than the people I met though my work, and I met a lot of people up and down the money living line.
“Eddie said you were a writer and I wanted to ask you something.”
He smiled and leaned back stretching his shoulders. “Have a seat and ask away. I might even answer, if I have one. Writers don’t really know much about writing. We’re too busy being in the middle of it to think about it.”
I slipped into the booth. “So, how do you do the magic that you do with words? How do you take something so simple and turn it into something people, thousands of people, will breathe heavy over rushing to turn the page?”
“Be a whore.”
That wasn’t what I was expecting. “A what?”
He emptied his tumbler and signaled to Eddie before answering. He laughed. “It’s an old joke between me and a friend of mine, Ernest. Write your guts out and lay it all on the page. That’s art, that’s writing. If you want to eat, then you add the tits and ass, the sex and crime the public these days want to read about.”
I remained silent. The illusion I had of a writer was gone in under two minutes. I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone sound so bitter. “Then why do it at all if you hate it so much?”
Eddie set another glass down filled to the rim with something dark and dangerous for that time of day. “I don’t hate writing, I hate money. I hate having to have money. Money ruins a creation, art. All it does is create demons and evil.”
“Then write what you want to and live different.”
A smile spread across the handsome face. “Too many responsibilities for that. I knew what I was getting into when I became a writer. Writing a novel . . . you become famous after you are dead. To make a living you write for the magazines or film. You copy yourself and repeat the process over and over again. What works once will work again. I still write for myself, for after my death’s success.” He tapped the pages in front of him.
I shook my head. I couldn’t understand why stay in such a business. “Looks to me like this job would wear you down, instead you still look like you’re enjoying it. Why not try something else? How do you find the ability to keep going?”
The man stared at the glass on the table, cupped between his hands. “You need to find the energy to keep going in any business. Where do you get the will power to keep going? Some think I find it in this.” He picked up the glass and took a sip.
“Do you?”
He set the glass back down and looked at me. “No. I find numbing escape from certain parts of my life. I will say that much. To the subject of energy when faced by time after time of compromising your work to make a living, I have one thought that comes to mind. Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.”
“Hey, Scott, telephone.” Eddie’s voice echoed in the quite bar.
“Excuse me a moment,” Scott said as he slipped from the booth.
As he went to the phone at the bar, I glanced over at the first page he’d been working on. Across the top was scribbled The Love of the Last Tycoon. Maybe it was going to be a movie or something.
Scott rushed back to the table. “Sorry, I have to rush out.” He gathered the pages into a stack. “I completely forgot about a movie premiere I’m to attend tonight.”
“Oh, which one?”
“Something with Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas. I think it’s called This Thing Called Love or some such.”
He reached out one hand and I stood taking it. “Nice to have met you,” Scott said.
“You to, hope you keep that vitality going. Oh, and have a Merry Christmas.”
“You to.” He smiled, turned, and headed for the front door.
Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.
I guess that goes for people like me. I take hit but I keep coming back to be hit again or maybe dodge the punch next time.
Sitting my empty mug on the bar, I fished into my pocket. “Scott took care of you,” Eddie said.
“You’re kidding?”
“No, he’s a good guy, especially when he’s not around those society types. He likes being a normal guy. I don’t treat him like nothing special except keeping people out of his business when it gets crowded in here.”
“He was working on a book. I can see how this would be a good place to do that.”
“He’s good too.” Eddie stepped away to the cash register and came back. “Here, you can borrow this. And I mean I want it back. He signed it for me and everything. Got it?”
I did. I looked at the cover. The Great Gatsby
For more Writer’s Quotes Wednesday click HERE to visit SilverThreading.com, and check out the comments below for links to more #BeWoW articles. (#BeWoW stands for Be Writing on Wednesday, Be Wonderful on Wednesday, writing positively.)
Combining events across two blogs can bring inspiration. I’ve always been a quote person in my writings. Quotes naturally lead to positive thoughts, and positivity is what #BeWoW is all about. If we write positive words to share across the blog community, instead of rants, hatred, and veiled animosity that fools no one (check politics these days), we then promote a positive atmosphere.
Too many people get their kicks writing about junk. Too many people get their kicks reading about junk. I avoid junk as often as possible. One friend recently asked me to read a satire about Donald Trump in regards to his accepted role in the Republican Party in the United States. I refused. I waste no time with reading about Donald Trump, or any other candidates all that much.
“There exist only three beings worthy of respect: the priest, the soldier, the poet. To know, to kill, to create.” Charles Baudelaire
French Poet and essayist, Baudelaire named the three beings correctly, but these days each takes on a different guise. Those committed to revealing the world, bettering the world, and saving the world are encompassed in those descriptions above. If you are or know someone with those characteristics . . . respect them.
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Bryant H. McGill
It is difficult to discover what a person is without listening. We have conversations buy how often do we listen? You my have several exchanges but points are completely missed. Each side is colored by their own opinion and thus interpret the other side of the conversation with that opinion. We are often so wrong.
“I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.“ Edward Gibbon
By listening you discover a great deal. One is when not to waste time. If someone won’t listen to you, then move on. There is a give in take in the world. There are no time limits or deadlines to the understanding of opinions as long as each are actively attempting to understand.
“It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it.” Estelle Parsons
People are so concerned with obtaining respect for their own opinions or accomplishments they forget there are two sides of the situation in many cases. In order to obtain respect, you must give respect in return. I know that can be difficult when you perceive others as not giving you respect, that’s where listening comes into play . . . true listening.
“Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” Laurence Stern
For me, when I am well centered and focused on what is important in my life, I have a set of beliefs that allow me to respect myself and when I respect myself, I’m able to respect others more easily. When you can’t respect yourself it’s almost impossible to find how to respect others.
“As all human beings are, in my view, creatures of God’s design, we must respect all other human beings. That does not mean I have to agree with their choices or agree with their opinions, but indeed I respect them as human beings.” Stockwell Day
It can be tough at times to keep respect in mind. Sometimes you feel disrespected or ignored. Then when you are respecting you must push through those times when other people continue to ignore you, don’t listen to you, and disrespect you.
“I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.” Julius Erving
One thing to keep in mind is, no one has to like you. You don’t need like in this world. Society has because a click away from acceptance and popularity or depression and suicide. If we share something with people we look for a response. Since there is less and less face to face interaction, we now look at clicks for ‘likes’ on updates and posts.
“That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.” William J. H. Boetcker
People are going to disagree with you. The important thing is to stick to your beliefs. If you do that, stick to what you believe, you can always hold your head high. We all slip at times, but the important part is getting back up and moving forward and beyond whatever we allowed to influence our slipping in the first place.
“This world of ours… must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Looking around you can see divisions everywhere. People demanding respect by not giving respect. You respect us, we’ll respect you. That’s not how it works. You want something, you be something. Communication is one of the most important tools we have as humans, and one of the least utilized ones.
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” Lao Tzu
For more Writer’s Quotes Wednesday click HERE to visit SilverThreading.com, and check out the comments below for links to more #BeWoW articles. (#BeWoW stands for Be Writing on Wednesday, Be Wonderful on Wednesday, writing positively.)
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