by Kari Diane Pike
There are way too many squirrels in my life! You know what I mean. I'm not talking about those adorable, intelligent, mischievous, destructive creatures with the beautiful bushy tails. I'm talking about distractions...the "I've set a goal and I'm driving toward it, but wait. Look over there! What's that? I have to check it out. That looks like so much fun"... kind of distractions.
Distractions take my attention away from the road and sometimes that means I miss a curve and go plummeting off the edge of the cliff. Distractions keep me from focusing on the best things and from achieving important goals. Distractions get me lost in uncharted waters without a sail or a paddle. Distractions can kill!
But distractions have a unique ability to become part of the solution. [Stick with me here as I struggle putting my thoughts into words.] As I've approached middle-age (which I consider to be about 60 - because I plan on making it to 120), I've looked back to see all the squirrels I've chased. It wasn't hard. All I had to do was open the closet and see all the unfinished craft projects as the boxes fell out and disgorged their contents across the floor. I felt like a total failure. I was going to accomplish great things! Where did I go wrong?
Days of pondering and praying and studying have given me a new perspective. In the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we read "O how great is the nothingness of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth. For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God" (Helaman 12:7-8). Verses 9- 19 continue on how the hills and mountains, the waters and the very earth itself obey God's every command. Verses 20-26 describe the need for mankind to repent and to "hearken to the voice of the Lord [our] God; for these are they that shall be saved" (Helaman 12:23).
Okay - back to those distractions. Every single one of my experiences has brought me to the place I am today. Did I make mistakes? Absolutely. Would I make them again? Not on purpose. The point is recognizing the lessons I learned along the way. What really counts is my effort to be obedient, to keep my covenants and to love and serve others. That scripture tells me that despite the fact that those rocks in my yard never achieved fame or fortune, they are greater than me because they are more obedient than I am. Fortunately, I have access to the greatest gift ever given - the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, my Savior.
The older I get, the greater appreciation I have for what the Savior did for me. As I walk life's path, He walks with me. When I see a squirrel and want to chase it, He watches over me. The squirrels are there to teach me how to choose. The paths they take me along, aren't always distractions from right or wrong, but experiences to help me grow. Squirrels can bless my life! When I make a poor choice and get lost and call out to the Savior, He guides me back. He allows me to experience the pain of mortality and the beauty of His creations. All He asks in return is that I remember Him and "hearken unto His voice" by keeping His commandments.
The Thursday before the Savior hung on the cross, He washed the feet of His disciples. He served them to the very end. Today is the Thursday before Easter - the day we celebrate His resurrection and life. I think I need to follow His example and go out and find someone to serve today.
hugs~
Apr 17, 2014
Apr 16, 2014
Banishing the Dogs
by H. Linn Murphy
What do these items have in common? The book "Pride and Prejudice", Veronica Mars, Tangled, the book "Rosencranz and Gildenstern are Dead", Psyche, Castle, Austenland, Ryan O'Shaughnessy's song "No Name", The Gilmore Girls, Inception, Jason Mraz' song "Won't give up on you", Pitch Perfect, Now You See Me, Jimmy Fallon's nighttime show, and Touch have in common?
In my opinion it's great writing. It's witty, engaging, entertaining, tells a compelling story, and gets to the truth, or the meat of that story. Everyone will have their own favorites which they like for various reasons. Our family quotes favorite movies, plays, songs, shows, and books almost constantly and are getting great at weaving these quotes skillfully into the conversation.
We also have our Dog-of-the-Year offerings. Almost every one of our "dogs" is on the list because of poor writing. They feature unbelievable situations, lame premises, cheesy, tired or trite lines, vacuous lyrics or wording, and plots which aren't.
Personally I don't understand these ventures which allow scripts or books to sneak through into the public eye badly done. We've all experienced those publishers who go through exhaustive measures to see that the books they put out are well written and grammatically sound. Why are movies, which cost their companies millions of dollars to make, so much more willing to accept a sub par screenplay?
I don't know about you, but when I see one of these dog-of-the-year movies or books, I re-write it in my head. I often do that with books. Sometimes the book has been fantastic right up until then end, when the writer seems to have come up against a deadline or run out of gas in some other way. I feel robbed in that circumstance. Then I go in mentally and re-tell the ending so it makes more sense.
It seems to me that often finesse and a well-written script go out the window in the interest of money and time. It also occurs to me that the rising generation of children are far less worried about perfection and doing a day's work for a day's pay and more inclined to do something fast and easy.
I'd like to suggest that we all lose with such attitudes. For us, the idea is to plunk our buns in the chair, crack our knuckles and get down to hard work. Don't put out less-than-perfect material. Polish until your face shines in your manuscript. Cut what needs to be cut.
When you are unable to find another thing wrong with it, when you can't re-tell the story in any better-distilled way, send it off in all of its resplendent, well-honed glory.
What do these items have in common? The book "Pride and Prejudice", Veronica Mars, Tangled, the book "Rosencranz and Gildenstern are Dead", Psyche, Castle, Austenland, Ryan O'Shaughnessy's song "No Name", The Gilmore Girls, Inception, Jason Mraz' song "Won't give up on you", Pitch Perfect, Now You See Me, Jimmy Fallon's nighttime show, and Touch have in common?
We also have our Dog-of-the-Year offerings. Almost every one of our "dogs" is on the list because of poor writing. They feature unbelievable situations, lame premises, cheesy, tired or trite lines, vacuous lyrics or wording, and plots which aren't.
Personally I don't understand these ventures which allow scripts or books to sneak through into the public eye badly done. We've all experienced those publishers who go through exhaustive measures to see that the books they put out are well written and grammatically sound. Why are movies, which cost their companies millions of dollars to make, so much more willing to accept a sub par screenplay?
I don't know about you, but when I see one of these dog-of-the-year movies or books, I re-write it in my head. I often do that with books. Sometimes the book has been fantastic right up until then end, when the writer seems to have come up against a deadline or run out of gas in some other way. I feel robbed in that circumstance. Then I go in mentally and re-tell the ending so it makes more sense.
It seems to me that often finesse and a well-written script go out the window in the interest of money and time. It also occurs to me that the rising generation of children are far less worried about perfection and doing a day's work for a day's pay and more inclined to do something fast and easy.
I'd like to suggest that we all lose with such attitudes. For us, the idea is to plunk our buns in the chair, crack our knuckles and get down to hard work. Don't put out less-than-perfect material. Polish until your face shines in your manuscript. Cut what needs to be cut.
When you are unable to find another thing wrong with it, when you can't re-tell the story in any better-distilled way, send it off in all of its resplendent, well-honed glory.
Apr 14, 2014
National Poetry Month
By Stacy Johnson
Warning: Picture Overload
This month has been full of new writing adventures for me. I've been trying my hand at poetry thanks to National Poetry Month and our sweet ANWA sister Stephanie Abney. She has been posting on her personal blog a different style of poetry everyday to celebrate the month. Go check her out at www.stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com and see what all my excitement is about. Each day includes instructions on how to write a different type of poem. My daily poems are on my Facebook page for the most part.
My oldest daughter was competing in her last cheer competition as an athlete over the weekend. She's been cheering since she was about six or seven years old and it has been a big part of her life doing Pop Warner cheer, Combs Varsity cheer and recently at AZ Fusion competitive cheer. She spent this year not only as an athlete but as a coach to a performing team. She is excited to start this new phase in her life coaching a competitive team next year.
We took five of our kids and went to Anaheim to watch her compete. We spent the morning on the beach with the kids before heading over to the competition. That will give you some background on the inspiration for my poems. For my two youngest, it was their first time on the beach.
Warning: Picture Overload
This month has been full of new writing adventures for me. I've been trying my hand at poetry thanks to National Poetry Month and our sweet ANWA sister Stephanie Abney. She has been posting on her personal blog a different style of poetry everyday to celebrate the month. Go check her out at www.stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com and see what all my excitement is about. Each day includes instructions on how to write a different type of poem. My daily poems are on my Facebook page for the most part.
My oldest daughter was competing in her last cheer competition as an athlete over the weekend. She's been cheering since she was about six or seven years old and it has been a big part of her life doing Pop Warner cheer, Combs Varsity cheer and recently at AZ Fusion competitive cheer. She spent this year not only as an athlete but as a coach to a performing team. She is excited to start this new phase in her life coaching a competitive team next year.
We took five of our kids and went to Anaheim to watch her compete. We spent the morning on the beach with the kids before heading over to the competition. That will give you some background on the inspiration for my poems. For my two youngest, it was their first time on the beach.
 |
Rhyming Poem
The look of joy on their faces
Makes me glad we took the time
To pack up a couple suitcases
And make a quick trip to Anaheim.
|
 |
| Haiku Anticipation First visit to the ocean What happy looks like |
 |
| Haiku Making Memories Laughing, playing, together Always worth the cost |
 |
| 5 W Poem Fourth oldest named Skylar Takes good care of his brother. Walking on Seal Beach Last Saturday Derek said he was freezing. |
 |
| 5 W Poem My adult Daughter competed for the last time At Nationals in Anaheim over the weekend. Now she's too old... |
 |
| Haiku Closing of a door Did what you love, now you coach Opened a new door. |
Apr 12, 2014
Breaking News - Announcing the ANWA Southwest Writers Retreat - June 25-28, 2014
by Cindy R. Williams
ANWA Southwest Retreat Chair
Theme: Follow Your Yellow Brick Road!
This is the incredible ANWA Retreat Cabin in
Show Low/Lakeside/Pinetop, Arizona
Take a look at the back!
The inside fire pit seating/writing area.
The back yard writing gazebo with electricity.
A closer look at the back yard writing gazebo.
ANWA Members, sign up now!
Click on this link: ANWA RETREAT Registration
If you have never been to an ANWA Retreat, you are in for a super treat.
The first day is a quiet/write day with NO distractions!
The 2nd day is another write day with a great writing class!
The 3rd day is a write day with another super writing class!
The 4th day we eat, pack and tidy up then sadly return to the outside world.
Evening critique groups and games - (only cool games, no lame games allowed.)
Food and housing is included. Tons of water bottles on ice. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite treat to share . . . and these treats are to die for each year! Meet other writers, create new friends.
~ A special surprise this year ~
We will be visiting author James Owen's writing studio in Taylor one evening with all the fairy lights shining.
All this for only $95
June 25-28, 2014
Wednesday - Saturday
If you have any questions, message me on FaceBook at Cindy R Williams.
(Please note; there are only 35 spaces available and registration has opened at
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