Writer's Block

W R I T E R S B L O C K - - - To write creatively one must write daily, at least 20 minutes... a day... every day. 20 minutes isn't that much time, however... and I say this with some seriousness (is that word?) to be able to write 20 minutes every day can sometimes be challenging. It is especially challenging when writer's block sets in.

I am faced with that today, right at this moment. I have a number of thoughts whirling about my mind (some would call that ADD) however, I call it creativity.... the real trick is to capture one thought then expand or write one's feelings/thoughts/about it. Sounds simple? Not really.

Some thoughts whirling around in my mind... God, children, family, swimming, work, exercise, beauty, love, loneliness, death, life, the lost, the forgotten, friends, birds, money,.... and these are just a few of the things whirling around. Talk about overload! Wouldn't you say?

Which brings me to something I use to practice, but have not in a very long time. Meditation. Meditation quiets the mind, focuses the body, mind and soul. It takes practice, daily practice, just like writing. Begin small - 20 minutes a day and soon you expand to 30, 40, even 60 minutes a day.

So perhaps this writers block has brought me back to meditation, and how beneficial it can be. Actually an interesting and round about way to come to that, buy hey, I got there.

I expect as my meditation practice grows so will my writing. Just like a ripple in the water, small at first and larger as it expands. Now that certainly is a good start. Yes indeed, I'd say it's a good start.

To my fellow writers, family and friends, I wish you many blessings this day and every day.

Barney (aka Patty)

It's all in the "hat"

It's all in the "hat". Seriously, didn't you know that? A hat can change the look of an outfit, add an air of old time charm, mystery, or elegance (to name a few).

There are any number of hats. Fedora hats.... a classic. A time of elegance and grace. Cowboy hats... oh the old wild west, the new frontier, Eureka... there's GOLD in them there hills. The Gangsta hat.... tilted slightly disguising the wearer just a bit. There are so many hats.... Top hats, wide brimmed hats, floppy hats, pillbox hats, large, small, and then there are the Derby hats. Don't get me started on that.

Hats can be an expression of one's self. A hat can simply be worn to protect ones self from the damaging rays of the sun, and sometimes a Hat can be a gentle reminder of what truly is important in life. Case in Point....... read on

A particularly busy day at work I happened upon an elderly man. He had a gentle demeanor about him... very tall, I'd have to imagine in his younger days quite an ominous presence, now bent over slightly. However his presence was gentle and kind. As I assisted him I could not help but notice his "hat". He was sporting a baseball hat... and his hat said it all.... in big bold letters across his hat it read TRY GOD.

At that moment I smiled, time to stop, time to refocus on what really matters. Now what that is may be different for you than it is for me.... however, when you find yourself feeling hurried, anxious or even stressed.... think of the many expressions a hat can portray... and think of the hat that said it all... TRY GOD. I say "Indeed Try God!"

Blessings to you my family and friends.

Barney (aka Patty)

To Forgive

To forgive, easy to say, but is it easy to do? Sometimes not, sometimes yes.

This day I try to forgive whomever burglarize our home. What an invasive feeling. The anger welled up inside of me, how can someone so callously break into a persons' home, and take what they feel? Things taken, although stuff, it is stuff that I have worked very hard for... some will take years to be replaced. It makes me sad, and it makes me angry. To work so hard, and have someone just come and take what is not theirs. I pray.

I try to pray for whomever did this, that they find it in themselves to "stop" what is wrong, to turn to God so that God can redeem them, guide them.... perhaps they can fix the wrong they have done. I pray, every day, it is hard. It is hard knowing someone came into my home, broke in, went through our things, .... the house feels wrong at times.

I pray, so I can forgive, let it go, not to forget, but not to hold on to the anger, the fear, even the sadness. Pray for those that wrong you, pray for those that hurt you, pray for healing, pray that you can forgive.

I turn to God and ask him to help me do just that.

Blessings to you my family and friends.

Barney (aka Patty)