But for the past 2 weeks, my heart just hasn't been in it. I'm sure that will change. However, for the moment, my spirit seems more focused on living, being with friends and family and loved ones, reflecting and existing and keeping life simple. Taking stock. I wonder if any other writers out there are experiencing the same thing just now.
Here are some wise words from a long-time bestseller that speak to this:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to break down and a time to build up.
A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to cast away.
A time to tear and a time to sew.
A time to keep silence and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time of war and a time of peace.
I hadn't written a word in 8 days until today, and I've had a pretty remarkable writing record this year. But last week's shootings stopped me in my tracks. I was still reeling from the Clackamas Town Center tragedy when the Sandy Hook school happened. It was too much to just go on. Even though I did not personally know anyone in either event, I felt the waves of grief, sadness, horror, and personal violation from these attacks as well as the attack on the children in China. They lived, but they will live with the stress of that trauma of having been stabbed by a wild man. Time was needed for meditation, reflection, sending peace out into the world. More time may be needed.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you are saying. I try to write at least daily, and in looking at my journals, projects, etc - I notice that the last time I "jotted down" was over two weeks ago.
DeleteTaking time for ones self is important ... but the time I spend writing is - in so many ways - taking time for me .. Know what I mean?
I think it speaks well of our world that so many people felt those events as if they had happened to us personally, even if we didn't know anyone involved. When we feel the sorrows of others as our own, no matter how far away they may be, then we humans are often at our best, and that kind of empathy gives me hope.
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