Category: Just thinking out loud

As summer makes it’s final hurrah and kids start back to school, September has always felt like the beginning of the end to me. It’s the start of the last quarter of the year, it’s the season that takes us from color and warmth, to colder days, longer nights. That’s not always a bad thing, just different. I love each and every season, but if I had to choose one, it would be Autumn. That in-between season takes the earth from the heat of the sun and the life of the trees and flowers, and changes them in one final burst of glorious reds, oranges, yellows, browns and sienna’s and gently buries them back into the earth to hibernate, sleep and get rested for the next season that will bring them life again. So the cycle goes. New birth, vibrant life, waning moments and death. The great cycle of life. Death, burial and resurrections.

I wonder if we could ask the trees if they want to live forever, what their answer would be. I am fairly certain that it would be far different from us humans. The wise oak tree would say, “my roots grow deep and true, and the branches that spring forth from me carry the leaves that give shade and protection to the earth. But after giving shade and protection for a season, they know they’ve done their part and it’s time to let go. They fall to the earth, knowing that one day soon, their seeds will grow once again and bud on the branches in the Spring, and the next generation will provide shelter, shade, beauty and protection to those who sit under her. We are okay with time we’re given…we do our part, play our role, and let go when the season is right so we can go back into the ground, and come back again. So don’t fear when you see the tree with no leaves and the harsh winter that keeps the harvest buried for a time. It won’t always be like that. We’ll be back.”

Just thinking out loud.

Pam

Someone who knew what they were talking about once said, “don’t use a $10 word when a nickel one will do just as well.” That quote was sent to me the day after I told someone that I really wanted to be a writer. A year later, when I admitted to him that I had been working on the same story for almost a year, he forwarded me another quote that said the following: “Good is the enemy of great.”

I had to take a step back and try to figure out what that one meant. For me, that short quote is saying, don’t settle for “good”, when it can be “great”. I have tons of stories that are good. Many of them are REALLY good. Guess how many have been published? One. A short, short story about a young Amish girl who had big dreams but lived in a community stuck in their ways and traditions. Reviews from many of my stories have been returned with statements such as “great potential,” “lots of heart and warmth.” Some even said, “left me with more questions than answers”, or “felt as if it just ended abruptly.” And the one I loved the most? “Don’t leave me hanging. Where’s the rest?”

I’m a great starter. The beginning and the middle are fun, exciting, satisfying and easy for me to create. My problem? One of my problems? Coming up with an ending. How do I wrap it up? Tie up the loose threads? Have the happily ever-after? I need something different. A different approach. Not just the guy got the girl and they ran off into the sunset…Or the Hurricane that destroyed everything in the town, was re-built and relationships restored. There are a million stories out their on the shelves that tell the same story, but have different names and addresses. I need to venture out their with something unique, but not crazy. Or maybe crazy is OK, but not insane.

I tend to write how I talk. I also write about things I hear about. Other people’s stories that I hear around the lunchroom or while standing at the coffee bar in the cafeteria. It gives me ideas. Then I realize that everyone’s life story is a little different, but really they are all tied to the same story line. Love, loss, heartache, fear, sadness, pressure, temptation, love, loss, heartache…it’s a circle. Whether its loss of love; loss of money and things; the heartache of death or sickness; the temptation of power; the realization that we need each other and we all have faith in something. The search; the mystery; the wonder of things seen and felt for the first time…All of our stories have a general theme or thread that is kindred to everyone else. We’re searching for something more; something stronger; something better. Yet deep down, most people just want love. The love of a spouse; partner; friend; child. To know beyond anything else, that they are loved by someone out their in this vast universe. So, yes, “good can truly be the enemy of great.” God is good, but He’s also great! That’s the only person I know that truly has both. Sometimes we settle for good, when in some areas of our lives, we know we can be great. I personally don’t know if my “greatness” will show up in my writing one day. It might…I know it’s possible. Being a great writer isn’t my ultimate goal. I love to write, simply for writings sake. I love putting my thoughts into words and those words having an effect on someone. Isn’t that the point?

So my title today is “Change Matters.” I am going to start making some changes in my life. Nothing monumental. Just start off small and steady. The three that I’m going to start with are these: Get Up – (I sit too much); Show Up – (I could easily become a recluse in my 60’s); and Get to bed before midnight – this is self explanatory. I’m a night-owl. Always have been. That needs to change. I’ll get back with you when I start seeing some results.

When you know you need to change a bad habit that you’ve formed over time, (lots of time)… the process won’t be easy. That won’t stop me…I’m ready to make a few changes. Wish me luck.