I've had this poem in my mind for the last week and finally decided to find and post it on http://ontatteredwings.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/letting-go/. I wrote it back in 1998 when I struggled with the ending of a relationship. Yet the poem fits other instances of surrender going on in my life today. I hope someone else out …
Coming to grips with our humanness.
Recently, I awoke with a statement running through my dream, "Coming to grips with our humanness." In the dream, I saw one of my students holding the small green and navy blue airplane he gave to me a couple of weeks ago. The airplane propeller has a rubber band attached and my students love to wind it and then …
We choose our own subjugation.
Why are you not giving yourself permission to live? What is it in you that refuses to pursue your potential? What do you dream of doing that if only________were not in your way, you could? Recently, I pondered these questions while thinking about someone I care about who is fearful of pursuing her dreams. Her situation reminded me of …
This is family. This is church.
In a lower-income neighborhood by the school where I teach is "The Neighborhood Impact House." A local church* provides a cozy family environment with homework help, arts and crafts, music lessons, sports activities, a community garden, and a kid-friendly bible study. Children and youth flock to this home, and I go more for the gifts of …
#59 Weaving Life Stories
I say I trust God, but then I'm all over my unanswered questions like a kitten on a ball of string. Playful, yes, but often obsessive just the same. I want direction presented straight up, but my Creator seems more interested in weaving life stories. Daily, I sift through memories in an attempt to create meaningful prose. In …
Writers: Gardeners of the Soul
Recently, I visited Sarah Heden's blog and read her pensive words, so timely for my personal experience as a writer aspiring to publish: "The process of creating, whether it be art, music, poetry, or story, requires a certain amount of bravery.  Bravery to look yourself in the eye and acknowledge the weakest parts of yourself.  But …
Reconciling with “the Day Job”
Many of us artistic types envision working all day at what we enjoy. Our fantasies consist of becoming the next famous writer or musician or painter. We toy with the idea of traveling the world dispensing our wisdom and talents to those who listen with the fascination of children gazing in toy shop windows. Then we crash …
In Search of my “Desire Line”
Recently, I read an insightful article titled, "The Key Elements of Writing a Good Memoir" by author Adair Lara http://writersdigest.com/article/elements-of-an-effective-arc/. The author's approach to creating a narrative arc simmers in my mind as I seek to craft my memoir: "The first step in drawing an arc is to answer this question: What did you (as the …
My Little Asian Beauty returns soon…
My daughter will return home soon after working in Seoul, South Korea for over a year. Select this link to read the entire post located on my creativity blog http://refrainfromtheidentical.com/?p=2159 I can barely contain myself at the thought of hugging her once again. I miss her so much.
JoDee Luna Art 