Saw this quote in the photography prompt and had to re-post. My peace is definitely on this today.
“Let me, O’ let me bathe my soul in colors; let me swallow the sunset and drink the rainbow.” – Khalil Green
Tag: peace
A Time to Read
In Shreveport, it started off with a collection of rain drops. They took the opportunity to brave the cooling breath of the skies for a chance to taste the ground. Some of them managed to lick rooftops, light poles, and the hoods of cars; relaxing liquid bodies into the cracks of the earth. But others, others were not so lucky. For the clouds let loose its storage place of wind and paralyzed their bodies midair. They had not the privilege of melting before their frozen futures hit the ground, many of them solidifying into ice cycles and poor trees. You have been suckered into shedding your skin again in the beloved south. Not moments after you begin to bud, the once soft petal of flower must choose not to photosynthesize, but to hibernate more inside that place where flowers go when they do not yet exist.
But what of all of this?
While I do not enjoy the cold (at all) it is a great time to read. And after the glaring sun the crisp bite to the air is refreshing. It is the time to find a good book. To lock yourselves into your dwellings. To warm a pot of tea, hot chocolate or coffee. To curl your legs into yourself and bury both your body and mind into the warm and compassionate world of words.
Go
Go and bring back the depth of the sea
Go and measure the measure of wind
Go and bring back the weight of fire
Go and explain the secret to water
Go and bring back the day that is passed
Sea, wind, fire, water and the day are elements that you interact with every day and yet they are a mystery to you.
Think about this the next time you stress over things you cannot change.
Writing 101 – Assignment #9 – Breaks – When I’m Not Writing
I found it best to structure these assignments without introduction. It’s more engaging, I think if we just get right into it. For today’s assignment however, I suppose I can hip you to the rules. Since breaks are so important, like sleep that rejuvenates the body, we are to write about our lives when we are not writing, so here goes.
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Since I write full time I have equipped my day with a schedule to help to keep me balanced. As I mentioned in Assignment #6, I write best in the early morning. Though I do not publish a post until halfway through the morning, this doesn’t mean this is when I have begun writing. So I adjust my schedule so that my mornings are my writing time. When I’m not writing the direction of my day depends on what kind of day it is. But to keep me balanced and refreshed and to keep my mind clear there are a few things that never change from my day to day:
Biblical Study
Prayer and studying the scriptures is what keeps me refreshed and moving in the right direction so that I do not forget my purpose. As astonishing as it may be, there is something I love more than writing and that’s the word. I have to study my scriptures and keep my head clear. As one of my favorite sayings goes: “Don’t neglect the physical because you live on the physical, but do not neglect the spiritual because it is higher than the physical.” I begin every morning with a prayer before I do anything and I pray throughout the day (at least 3 times a day). This ensures my eyes are always open and my head is always clear. Mental stability and clarity is everything.
Household
Another major part of maintaining a balanced life for me when I’m not writing is managing my household. For the most part I’m a full time wife. Not that there are part time wives (who knows) but I’m a housewife to the fullest and it is something I take pride in because I happen to be good at it. Since I have the afforded luxury of working from home I see no reason not to keep a clean house. My husband’s career in Heating and Air Conditioning is very demanding so I make it my business to create an environment that keeps him happy. He’s Universally Certified which means he can work on anything for anyone and if he’s working nine, ten, eleven hours a day I see no reason for him to have to come in and do anything but rest. Of course, my husband is a very active person. He’s always finding something to do and he absolutely loves to cook so I don’t say this to say he doesn’t do anything. I say this to say that he has that option. This is his place of peace. My man’s place of residence should be nothing less than paradise.
Wine
So I went back and edited this post to include wine. Wine and Movie Nights with the Hubby is definitely a great time to relax for me. I have to wind down with a nice glass after dinner and a good laugh. Daily laughter / intimate and mind provoking conversation with my love and daily wine, it doesn’t get more refreshing than that.
Workout
I also enjoy working out which a) is a great way to renew my energy and b) something I’ve been admittedly slacking on. I suppose a trip to the gym is something I can incorporate into next week’s schedule.
Travel
Last but certainly not least is another one of my most dear past times: Traveling. My husband and I love to travel. There is something about going outside of your environment and smelling air that does not belong in your backyard that is very refreshing. Because I write full time non-writing days may still consists of things that are writing related. There are orders to fill, packages to send off, people to contact etc. For this reason, whenever I want to really break I have to exit the whole scene; I want to leave my element. A break for me is not merely a break from writing it’s a break from the city! Let’s hop in the car or on a plane and just go. If I go too long without some form of travel I’ll get agitated because I really need these breaks. Speaking of vacations, I’m looking forward to the end of the year where I’ll be leaving this city once again for a chance to explore new lands. Talk about breaks, I’m so ready for one.
#8: Respect Award
Thank you Lisa for paying it forward, as you always do, by nominating me for my 8th Blog Award, The Respect Award. I am truly honored about this award in particular because it’s something I strive to extend everywhere I go. I do not hesitate to give and it sometimes perplexes people but it is real. I’ll give you the shirt off my back if need be because that’s just the kind of person I am and its not fabricated. I strive to keep it real at all times and to give the same kindness and the same peace to everyone around me while at the same time remaining firm. I am kind but I am not naïve , thus discipline and firmness is just as critical to me as being a peacemaker only because these are the qualities of a good leader. In short, I appreciate you appreciating me and I hope that I can continue to display the same kindness to all of my bloggers in general; those who follow this blog today and on into the future.
Here’s a little history on The Respect Award:
The Respect Award was created by Robert Goldstein, who says:
“The “Respect” Award is my personal award for fellow bloggers who consistently reach out to other bloggers, offer support, are kind, struggle to understand differences in people, and who treat themselves and other people with kindness and respect. You don’t have to do anything for this award. You can choose to copy the Award Picture and give the award to the people who have earned your respect or you can do nothing. This is my way of saying thank you. You have earned my respect.”
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Fruits
#Ronovan Writes #BeWoW Weekly Prompt – Silence is Golden
I’m not sure what the suggested topic is for today, but I am excited to be back after missing last week. My positive contribution to Ron’s BeWoW prompt today is Silence is Golden.
I believe there is a time to speak, but I also believe there is a time not to speak. When it is not the time to speak, Silence is Golden. It is worth more than the most trusted opinion, more than the long list of facts, more than the careful strung words we tend to place between our teeth. Silence, when implemented in its time, is a most powerful weapon; it cuts through to the meat and shatters the bones. It ceases the need for a humble snack, or the need to taste your words twice. Most importantly however, it cuts down on unnecessary negative energy. I have come to keep quite on certain matters, not because I am afraid to speak on them, but because I do not desire to give it my energy in the first place. For whatever reason, we tend to realize the need for these things far too late, a lesson we know all too well, that is, hindsight is always 20/20. But that’s life, and what is our existence without these lessons? I have come to understand time as our most precious and most valuable resource, why waste it for the sake of words spoken out of season? Even a fool is considered wise when he closes his mouth and watches his words. Silence indeed is golden.
The PBS Blog 