Ghost?! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Muse made me do it …
The Ghost of a Thousand Lives
Where is the crown that makes you king?
Where is the sword that shines of courage?
Where is the stare that froze a thousand fires?
Where is the fire that melts an iceberg heart?
Where have you gone, the eyes cannot see,
If not but a speck of the brave, nor a sunshine ray,
In the depths of the soul, the hero is lost,
All that remains … the ghost of a thousand lives.
Photo by M. Diaz
Dear Child,
Find me in the stillness of your soul, in the nature of things, their purity, their essence. Find me in the song of the day, the sounds of a new beginning, the voice of a start as pure as the essence of your soul. Dear child, find me in the time, the seconds, the hours… find me in the voice of the unknown yet to be revealed. Find me, but most of all, find yourself, for there I reside.
This post was inspired by a postcard that my husband received in yesterday’s mail. It was a promotional card for buying your own mausoleum. The card is truly cute and kind of happy for such death talk. It is colorful and direct to the point, and I thought that the message was delivered in a smart sassy way and pushed the right buttons – family – significant other – guilt. The words Always and Alone are written in a fun aqua font so talking about the creepy topic is not so creepy, and that leaving the ones that you Always loved Alone to take care of the arrangements, is taken care ahead of time. This marketing card is going to get noticed for certain – look at me, I’m writing about it on this blog. It stands out from other too serious and “party of life poopers” promotional/marketing ads for funerals and mausoleums. The funny thing is that my husband and I have not even reached the age of 50 yet. But this got me thinking. Once you are over the hill, society starts thinking of your funeral, assisted living or nursing home care, life insurance, reversible mortgages … and so on, the promotional/marketing literature keeps on coming, because this is how you are seen, with just a few steps closer to one of those alternatives.
This got me thinking some more – do I view myself in the same light? The answer to that question was a bit conflicting and this is why. I, for certain, don’t feel closer to a mausoleum or a nursing home, on the contrary, I feel young, healthy, and with much yet to live and do. On the other side, realizing that I passed forty and fifty is in the horizon, brings a sense of urgency to my projects and things that I want to accomplish before hitting the mausoleum or the nursing home. I have read more than once, that starting a writing career in your forties, is starting a bit late, and for that matter, any other ventures that may require time ahead of you. I have never agreed with that philosophy. I think that each one of us goes on a journey, and the time is right when the time is right, and opportunities abound at each bent of road. The important thing is to follow your call, live your dream, and love what you do, but do it – no matter what age you happen to be.
I resent being told what to expect at any age, and I don’t like to be told what to do about it either. I am far from a procrastinator; however, I believe that there is a time for everything under the sun, and the sun keeps shining until my last breath – and that is when I would become the Mausoleum Writer.
Here is a picture of the Happy Death Card.
The front of the card.
This is the back of it. I hid the business name, but you can see the sense of urgency, the pretty and happy font, and tons of marketing psychology in between the lines.
We had a good chuckle. Do you think that you are too old for a writing career?
This shot was taken in a very lonely road going outside of Sapa in north Vietnam. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“Chances are you won’t make it.” – I consider that phrase the worst and best motivator.
Why? Because it can motivate you to fight against the odds, inspire you to prove them wrong, and fuel your heart; but on the other hand, it can take all that away from you, demoralize you and send you to the bottom of the barrel. It is true that many times, it depends on where it comes from – on who said it; however, the attitude you choose is up to you. Either fight back and hold on to your dream or sink to the bottom.
Ah, but is not that easy. When you hear that phrase after many trials and failures it becomes heavier, and your beat up vulnerable heart and spirit has weakened to a point where you think that you have no strength to prove them wrong, to fight against the odds or to keep holding on. It is very different if that was said to you when you started your journey, isn’t it? All fresh, with tons of energy, exuberant and smelling of soon to be success, drunk on the juices of the big dream cocktail and ready to fight against the odds, prove them wrong, and hold on with your teeth if necessary. What happened?
The journey happened. It is all part of the journey, the trials, the failures, the tiredness, the broken heart, the broken dreams, the broken spirit … Until you understand that all is part of the journey, you won’t be able to keep going. It is the path that takes you there, but only you can follow it.
Creativity – Characterized by originality and expressiveness; imaginative (American Heritage Dictionary)
Appreciation – Recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Looking at those definitions, one can see the close relation between the two words. When we create something, whatever that may be, we put ourselves into that project; we give much effort, and there is a sense of pride in the very depth of our artistic soul. Many times, we are so proud of our work that we want to share it with the world, or with friends and family – many times, there is no feedback, many times, it seems as if no one is listening. There is no appreciation.
And that takes us to the definition of appreciation and why a bit of appreciation goes a long way. Artists/writers are emotional and very creative people, whether they show it on the outside or not. Lack of feedback or appreciation can weaken the artist’s spirit. It may seem as if a vortex has swallowed his/her precious efforts and no one seems to notice. What’s worse is that the artist/writer identifies with his/her work so deeply that lack of appreciation translates into lack of esteem/love/appreciation towards the artist-persona, or the human behind the work or piece of art. Therefore, we as writers/artists tend to suffer when our work is ignored, not recognize or praised, and we may fall into artistic self-pity or worst, depression and lack of motivation, which can only lead to artist or writer’s block and the false belief that “we are just not good enough.”
Next time you are feeling so low in relation to your art or writing, think of why you are feeling that way. It may be that you are lacking a bit of appreciation from the ones who matter most, or even from yourself. If others fail to verbalize appreciation for your work (many times this is the form of appreciation that we pay close attention to or notice the most), then look at the image in the mirror, smile, and know that whom you see is capable of much, much more, and has an eternal creative spirit that wants to keep going.
Namib desert dunes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Isolation – To cause to be alone or apart … (from the American Heritage Dictionary)
Inspiration – The excitement of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity … (see American Heritage Dictionary)
When we look at the common definition of these words, it is easy to see the relationship between being isolated and becoming inspired. One can lead to the next or may cancel the other.
Sometimes, it is necessary to remove yourself from the daily grind for a while and look for solitude, to isolate yourself, to be able to reconnect with the source of inspiration.
Sometimes, too much isolation can kill inspiration. This happens when isolation has led to boredom or lack of excitement, rendering the mind and soul victims of lethargic existence.
While a dose of separation from the world is good from time to time, an overdose will kill the spirit, which needs a flow of the senses, a flow of ideas, to create and rejoice on its creation/inspiration.
Isolation can fuel inspiration in short doses, but it can kill creativity when it becomes self-imposed for long. A bit of both is refreshing to the soul.
Have you experience this relationship between the two? Feel free to relate your writing or artistic experience.
English: American author Stephenie Meyer at the Twilight premiere. November 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
What prompted this post was an old vampire movie that I was watching last night. These days, when I think of vampires, Stephenie Meyer comes to mind, and Dracula of course. Then, I thought of how her quiet life became a frenzy of writing one book after another, short deadlines, one movie after another, many interviews, galas, tons of huge book signings, all marketable Twilight paraphernalia … and so on. The more I thought about it, the more I agreed with my inner self that I wouldn’t want to be in those shoes. Why? It seems so exhilarating and who doesn’t love the spotlight?
The answer is me, and I am sure that there are some writers who love their quiet lives and privacy, and would not like the type of success that brings all that frenzy with it. I am not anti-social, I like it quiet, and I love my privacy. I love to give when no one is looking – that is my overall style. Where is Stephenie Meyer today? Probably very busy with new projects and the current ones, as well as dealing with the comet’s tail left behind. God bless her, as it takes a lot of energy and patience to handle that kind of spotlight.
When I visualize a writing career, I see writing, readers, a strong sincere commitment to the readers, and more writing, and more writing, and more writing. Somehow, I wouldn’t want to include galas, craziness, and tons of attention into my writing dreams. Given that what happened to Stephenie Meyer is not the usual way things develop, and at such speed, however, she is a good example of what I wouldn’t want to experience in my future as a writer (and of course, I also want to make a living at doing what I love – the bills have to be paid).
Have you visualized your writing career? Are you published and experiencing it? How do you visualize your spotlight? At the flip of a switch or as a growing light with a dimmer? Which style suits you better – smashing Boom success a la Meyer or rhythmic success a la Coelho? Would you write for the love of it and for that one reader who has to read your book, or for fame? Do you write because you love the craft or with a future dollar sign/spotlight on the back of your mind (meaning becoming famous).
The answer to these questions will help you figure out what you want from your writing career and your internal level of comfort. Feel free to share your point of view.
Rainbow and Flowers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I don’t understand it when I happen to come across negative and plain disrespectful comments (not real reviews) about a new published book (or art work), whether from an old or new author. What puzzles me is that many times, these comments don’t seem to help in any way the writer or artist who made the comment. On the contrary, I think that this negativity hurts the writer/artist and paints an aura of insecurity or jealousy around the writer/artist. This could end up hurting the artist who might end up loosing many readers/fans for these reasons,
Keep it clean, keep it positive, keep it happy!
Thanks to Bardicblogger for nominating Inkspeare for the Illuminating Blogger Award – I am honored.
I have copied the rules for accepting this award from his blog and I am sharing them here.
Here’s the breakdown of the rules:
1. The nominee should visit the award site and leave a comment indicating that they have been nominated and by whom.
2. The Nominee should thank the person that nominated them by posting & including a link to their blog.
3. Share one random thing about yourself in your blog post.
4. Select at least five other bloggers that you enjoy reading their illuminating, informative posts and nominate them for the award.
5. Notify your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog, including a link to the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/).
So about me, I love vintage tools.
I enjoy many blogs, but here are five that I visit frequently and love.
1. Abominations
4. The Simple Life of a Countryman’s Wife
And of course there are so many more that I love to read.
I have never been able to understand the expression “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” It doesn’t make sense to me, and I always end up thinking “Why can’t I?” Although it may mean that you cannot have your cake intact or whole and eat it at the same time, referring to wanting the best of two worlds or wanting more than you can handle, or even having it both ways, a popular phrase, I still think that it is possible to have your cake and eat it too. It is all on the approach to whatever “the cake” means to you.
The way I see it, when we practice mindfulness, we can have the cake and eat it, one bite/moment at a time, and that makes a huge difference. When we multitask or want it all at once, the expression might make sense; however, when we learn to enjoy every bite, as tiny as it may be, we are able to savor the cake while appreciating it at the same time. Picture a whole delicious cake (your favorite), and take a whole chunk out of it, or many at once, it is not whole anymore, it doesn’t resemble the original cake. Now, take the same cake and with a spoon or fork, pick up a bit of frosting or ganache, and dig a little deep deeper, enjoying every bite. Now, look at it, it still resembles the original cake. You are having your cake and you are eating it too, one delicious small bite at a time, minding every bite. Apply this to life, the cake representing your dream or goal.
The above metaphor tells you that without celebrating the journey, things may feel a bit incomplete or hollow. I realized this later in life because I always thought that I was supposed to celebrate when I reached the pinnacle. It is what I was taught in school and how I was socialized – the journey doesn’t count. It is how most of us are raised and socialized. The way I see it now, without the journey and the celebration of it, the last stop, the pinnacle, may seem a bit empty once I arrive. I also know that the pinnacle is only one part of the whole journey.
We have a choice; we can rush eating the cake or we can eat it slowly and enjoy every bite while still seeing the big picture. Many times the journey is what makes the destination worthwhile.
Inkspeare 