Just as a good rain clears the air, a good writing day clears the psyche.
Julia Cameron, The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life
I spend a good portion of the day alone in the woman cave, the only sound the hum of the heater and the low drone of the essential oil diffuser on the corner of my desk. Maya comes in and out: sometimes hopping up on the loveseat to take a nap; other times curling up in front of the heater, mesmerized by the fake flame.
I am at peace.
I tend to some planning activities for a project I’m contemplating and, with that out of the way, pick up my camera. The bunch of Gerber daisies I brought home a few days ago is fading fast and I haven’t had time to capture many images of them. Today’s the day.
I position them, and assorted paraphernalia and camera gear, on the trunk in front of my north-facing picture window. The light reflecting off of the snow is lovely. I work peacefully and happily, thankful for these stillness.
In time, I return to my desk and process a few images. I enjoy this part of photography as much as the actual photo taking. It taps in to a creative part of me that I never knew existed for the longest time.
Later, satisfied with a handful of images, I open a blank document and start writing. I’m working on a piece for Story Circle Network’s One Woman’s Day, a blog I’ve coordinated since Its inception eight years ago. I’m handing the baton to another at the end of this month and want to write something about the transition.
Hours pass peacefully as I create with words and pictures.
And it is well.
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Thought I would share a few things I’ve come across this week that are worth taking a few minutes to read. Might make this a weekly thing.
I’ve been ruminating on the concept of peacemaking for months. That, paired with a conversation recently about how we have lost the ability to have healthy discussion with one another, gave me reason to pause at this short piece by Jeff Goins reminding me to use my words wisely and acknowledge the power they have to harm or heal. https://goinswriter.com/revolutionary-words/
Being an introvert in an extrovert world: a topic near to my heart. Here, Tim Challies talks about introversion and being obedient to God’s purpose for your life. https://www.challies.com/vlog/ask-me-anything-introversion/
I love this article by Chad Bird who suggests that “To lead a quiet life doesn’t mean we lower our expectations; it means we lower our eyes.” He’s talking my simple happy language when he says: “At the same time, we lower our eyes to see God at work in the underwhelming simplicities of ordinary, daily life.” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/joy-unaccomplished-life/. That’s the simple happy life.
