It Is What It Is

"Enlightenment begins with acceptance, without judgment of "what is". This is known as moving into Isness. It is in the Isness where freedom will be found." -- Neil Donald Walsch
 
This was posted on Facebook. I love it. All its "isness". And I love that word!  Isnessssssss  It just rolls right off the tongue.
 
What I really like about this little reminder is the idea of acceptance with out judgement. As a writer I think that is really important. Especially for us "upcoming" writers who are still working their way through platform development and, well,...getting published.
 
It can be tough sometimes to remember that becoming a successful author is a lot of hard work and time consuming. When you work alone and don't always get good feedback if you get any at all, the urge to get really distracted or just quite all together can be very tempting.
 
We judge ourselves too quickly and sometimes need a little kick in the pants to get us up and going again. It's nice to remember that you can accept the way things are without having to attach harsh criticisms. We do this for a reason and keep on doing it. That has to mean something. Hell, it means something to us and that is all that should matter.

I Heart Mom

Photo by Mary Duvall (AKA Mom)

Once and great while I get the urge to put together a poem or two. They are what they are. I like them because they are my own little stories. Short captions of what matters to me and that is really the point isn't it?

 Well,... I heart my mom. We have be through one hell of a  ride together. But there it is. Down the rocky road paved with good intentions and I wouldn't want anyone else to help see me through.




I live, because she has lived.

I breath, because she has given me breath.

I laugh, because she has shown me joy.

I sing, because she has built for me a stage.

I fall, because her cradle is a safe place to land.

I climb, because she has laid a ladder before me.

I go forth, because she knows when to push me.

I run, because she knows when to let go of me.

I fly, because her spirit has filled me.

I love, because she has loved me.

I am, because she is.

I live, because she has lived.

The Power of a Good Picture Book



Photo by Maisie Duncan

I haven't posted a picture in a while. As I was looking for just the right one, I stumbled upon this one I took with an old point and shoot in Afghanistan. I love this picture. The girls were all given books depicting photos of women in their own culture who had taken steps forward and attained positions of power.

A large majority of the Afghan population is illiterate, especially the girls. So to have this book with photos of strong women, showing it was not only okay but vital to push the bounds of expectations was incredible. To be part of the experience and to watch these girls glimpse into what could possibly be their future was truly humbling. What a difference a book makes.

It is a nice reminder that what we do can have tremendous benefits not only to our checkbooks but in the minds of others. A wonderful thing to keep in mind when I sit down at my desk.