Writing Exercise

For those of you who like to write now and then, here is a little exercise to get you started!

Take 5 minutes and jot down 3-5 things you have been thinking about lately. (This can be anything, such as the change of seasons, aging, frugality, or your recent challenges with modern technology.) Now pick one.

Take three sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 paper and a pen, and go somewhere that you would not normally write. Just start writing and don't stop until you have filled three pages! Neatness, grammar, paragraph breaks, and punctuation are not important!!! What you write might be random thoughts related to the topic you chose. You CANNOT do this wrong! So get going! HAPPY WRITING!

Later come back and put what you have written on the computer. Tidy it up a bit and put connected thoughts together. Just see what you might come up with. Consider sharing with me what topic you chose to write about.

In a few days, I will share with you what I wrote!!

Re-entry

Before our plane landed, my mind began making a mental list of things I needed to do upon returning from our vacation on the coast of Oregon. Unpack. Start the laundry. Call the kids. Reply to emails and messages. The mail would have to wait until Monday. Oh, yes, buy some groceries. I could think of dozens of things that would need my attention and energy once I made re-entry back into my normal life. Nevertheless, I was happy to return home.

It wasn’t long after we pulled in the driveway that I headed to the back yard. I delighted in the sweet fragrance of the roses that started blooming while I was away. And even though it was early June, I picked five ripe tomatoes from my garden.

Later as I unpacked my suitcase, I reveled in the thought that tonight I would sleep in my own bed with my own pillow. Yes, it was good to be home. Trips are great, but there’s nothing like coming home---even if returning means that I face my reality of many things to do.

While I was away, I also pondered the possibility of re-entry into writing (and blogging). I’ve been sidetracked with life (and Facebook) to say the least. And perhaps discouragement has taken its toll. Often I have wondered if what I write even matters at all. But I’m once again remembering why I write: for the joy of it! And to possibly bring encouragement to others. So, this is my attempt to relish both my return home AND my re-entry into writing---spilling words on the page.

(c) Marlene Depler

Remebering Why I Write

By Marlene Depler

I crawled in bed at my normal bedtime, but for some reason, I couldn’t sleep. (This happens to me occasionally if I have had caffiene or my mind is preoccupied. However, I hadn’t had any caffeine and my mind wasn’t racing.) After lying there for quite some time, I decided not to fight it. I slipped quietly out of bed and went downstairs.

Maybe I would find something on TV to watch while I waited for the sandman. But Ray had shut the DVR off in preparation for going away for a few days. I didn’t want to mess with it since I am technically challenged. Then I guess I’ll find something to read, I thought.

So I crawled in my wing-backed chair, put my feet up on the footstool, and picked up Julia Cameron’s book, Walking in This World: The Practical Art of Creativity. I opened the book to page 230 where I had left my bookmark and began reading.

The words and phrases began to leap off the pages and into my heart. I was reminded that creativity (writing for me) is a “spiritual and not an intellectual transaction.” God is the Creator, and in turn we are intended to create. Through it we touch “the divine and allow it to touch us.” “When we let God be God and work through us, we experience both a sense of serenity and excitement.”

I lost track of time as I began to remember the joy of writing—of creating with words. Somehow I had lost the delight of letting words, thoughts, and ideas tumble out of my head and onto the page. Why?

The next page hit the nail on the head. Julia said,

The ‘market’ is the golden calf. When we worship it, we deaden our souls, risking, over time, our attunement to the work that would move through us. Commerce has its place, but that place is not first.

I could relate to that for sure. And frankly, I was weary of the constant reminder to “know your market” and many of the other shoulds of writing. The business side of writing had taken its toll of me.

Focusing to much on the marketplace combined with personal loss had nearly extinguished my love for writing. Now I could feel it come rushing back. It was exhilarating. I remembered some of the things I had written for sheer joy. When I thought about it, the things I had written from the heart were the pieces that ended up selling the best. Yes, I indeed must write—and write what I WANT to.

I wouldn’t have missed this “creative high” for a few hours of sleep. I thanked God for this unexpected reminder. I slipped back into bed filled with anticipation and delight and promptly fell asleep.

The next day while we were traveling, I wrote a draft of a poem—something I hadn’t done in a very long time.

Yes, I must not lose heart in my creative adventures. Creativity makes life itself an ART!

(c) 2007 Marlene Depler (permission must be obtained to reprint or reproduce in any form)

Mid-summer Slump, Time for a Little Umph!

A butterfly enjoys my zinnias!

My bed of zinnias. I cut these for indoor bouquets.

My greenbeans will soon be ready!

This time of year most gardeners get a little weary. If you are like me, you are not as inspired right now as you were in spring and early summer. Early on we can't wait to get outside, get our fingers in the dirt, poke a few seeds in the ground, and plant our flowers. But then our enthusiasm gives way as summer wears on and the temperatures soar. We find a plethora of reasons NOT to work outside---anything to escape the heat.

Over the years, I've found that just when I start to get weary of yardwork is the exact time to give it one more push. So I have been out weeding, deadheading flowers, and fertilizing my potted plants. As we move into August, this last bit of "umph" pays off with more blooms and a nice garden. So another few hours out there sweating profusely---then I will rest a bit. I know I will be rewarded for my efforts.

As I think about it, life is often the same way. Many endeavors such as education, jobs, marriage, and raising kids are started with great enthusiasm. Then over time we often tire of the energy these things require.

I started writing several years ago. I began with gusto! My excitement was obvious to all who knew me. As time has gone by, that excitement has waned, and I am less inspired about writing. I am wondering if this might be the time for me to invest with a little more umph. A little spirt on energy might get me through!

How about you? Is there something that you need put your shoulder into? Could it be that the dividends of a little exhertion physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually might be worth it?