I open waymaker and caress the pages. I begin to read, and Ann’s words resonate through my soul: “When everything stills, you can see your reflection, see into the depths of your soul, see the contours of things.”Ann Voskamp Her words still my angst, calm the turmoil of doubt. “This is why I want to publish more …
Cocoon yourself to Create
Sometimes life circumstances set us aside, and we find ourselves holed up at home: Caring for the sick Helping family Battling illness Managing home-improvement projects ________ (insert your reason here) Our normal running around turns into staying put. I’ve been thinking a lot about how what cocoons us also creates opportunities for art. "Chrysalis" by …
Are you a crossover creative?
Are you passionate about your art form; and yet, have another one calling to you? If so, you might be a crossover creative. Crossover A point or place of crossing from one side to the other. The process of achieving success in a different field or style. Perhaps you’re a writer who longs to dabble …
10 Best Practices for Balance
Are there any other creatives out there who struggle with balance? I sure do! I imagine my efforts to hold onto all that I love as if they are balloons tied to strings that I'm grasping: I found this reflection in my book, Refrain from the Identical: Insights and Inspiration for Creative Eclectics, and thought …
The Feral Cat of Inspiration
Inspiration is like a feral cat.It stalks around in the shadows.You never know when it will grace you with its presence. When you're trying to catch it,inspiration slithers away. But when you give up the chase,inspiration comes and finds youwhen you least expect it to. It's a waiting game.An idea starts to form in the …
The Blessing
I carry the blessing in my writing journal, tucked inside the front cover like a hidden treasure map. My father penned the blessing and gave it to me at a time, unbeknownst to him, when I really needed encouragement. I was struggling with what my life’s purpose was all about when his blessing came: “Hi …
Planting Seeds of Hope
Hope grows in the most unlikely of places, searching out souls huddled in darkened corners of despair. I know, I’ve been there, and hope found me. So, I want to plant seeds of hope: Hope made possible by the gift of God’s grace. The surety of His trustworthy nature. His promise to never leave or …
The Ringing of the Bells Poem
Have you ever felt desperate for grace? Just a whisper from heaven to calm your angst? The assurance that everything is going to be ok? The Ringing of the Bells puts into words and images this cry of the heart. https://youtu.be/76NskJoH4m0 If troubles were akin to a turbulent sea crashing upon the coastline, perhaps we …
When Change is in the Air
Have you ever grown discontented and didn’t know why? You couldn’t quite put your finger on the reason your mood darkened or you suddenly felt constrained, uncomfortable, itchy for something. I sure have. Often this odd annoyance occurs well before change knocks on the heart’s door or peeks in through the window of our thoughts. …