Flashback Friday

            **It's the last Friday of the month, which means it's time for Flashback Friday. Participants repost an old post that needed more attention, that you're very proud of, that you think is still relevant, etc. It was hosted by Michael G D'Agostino, but he has opted out, though you can still find a list of participants on his blog. Today is also a day known as Black Friday, although the last few years, many stores have moved their sales to Thursday, which is a shame. If you're like me, you've given up on shopping in stores and have already snagged some deals online throughout the week. For those who are out and about: Stay safe and I hope you can still find some deals today! This post is from November 30, 2011.**

Finding Peace in the Chaos

Psalm for the Troubled Spirit

        In times of trouble, You are there.

You, O Lord, bring me friendships when I need them the most.

You encourage me when life is at its worst.

When I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, You give me more slack.

When I pray, You give me a peace that passes all understanding.

You are always with me, even when my heart isn't fully with You.

When I'm struggling or confused, Your Word provides me with encouragement and wisdom.

Even when the answer isn't clear, You still give me endurance to keep on the straight path.

Sometimes this world is a scary place and the future looks bleak, but You are still there.

Your presence is what truly brings me hope and peace in a chaotic world.

          So, as we enter the month of the December, let's remember what is truly important. Some people get depressed this time of year, but don't let circumstances bring you down. Remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas and that He is always with you; during the highs and the lows of life. Focus on the blessings in life instead of the negative things. Allow God's love and the comfort of friends and family to carry you through this month full of frantic shoppers, busy schedules, and stressful deadlines. If you get a moment, slow down and savor the magic of Christmas. Look at Christmas through the eyes of a child again. The snow, the lights, the beautiful decorations, the music, and most of all the love that comes from the hearts of those around you. Taking the time to find joy in the midst of pandemonium can help you to spread that joy to others, and maybe together we can shine the light that so often gets burned out.

Change is Coming

            I started writing out a fairly long post for today until I came to my conclusion and realized I cannot share it publicly, at least not right now. To sum it up, I was thinking over the last year or so and realized that I have not been handling things very well. I've allowed changes in my job to make too much of an impact on more important areas of my life. In my conclusion, I realized what needs to be done in order to reclaim my life. But first, there are a few steps I'll have to take to reach that point. If you pray, please think of my unspoken request in your prayers and pray that if this is God's will for my life that He will work out the details involved.

            In the meantime, I am trying to push myself back into the blogging and social media world. I've been lurking around most of this year without making very many attempts to connect with people. I do get tired of being a hermit, but like in physical conversation, online networking can wear me out. I guess I've taken my introversion to a new level, but really, once I get into commenting on posts again, it's not so bad. It is certainly easier than talking to people in person. I plan on eventually getting a new profile picture up and possibly changing my blog name, if I can come up with something. Until then, I have many future post ideas that are still lingering in my head, and writing my thoughts out today has helped me feel more motivated, even though I cannot share it all just yet.

 

*I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving! I will see you next week with my Flashback Friday post. *Have you ever come to a point where you know you have to make some changes in your life?

IWSG: Why I Love Writing

 

            Time for another posting with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, where writers can share their insecurities and encourage one another. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and we share our posts the first Wednesday of the month. The IWSG poses a question for us to answer in our monthly posts. Here is November's question:

What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

            I have been thoroughly reminded of why I love writing over the last few weeks. I was writing my story for the anthology contest, and once I finally got the plot working, I found the time to finish it. I have been in a slump the last few months and I kept telling myself I don’t have time to write. But, my actual problem was that I wasn’t making the time. Having a motivated purpose (i.e. contest deadline, topic I enjoy, journaling) makes the time blocks so much more apparent. Not that I don’t have something I could be writing during those times every day, but sometimes, I need an extra push.

            Anyway, back to the question at hand. What I love about writing is that it is a form of release and of expressing myself. As a socially-awkward introvert, I tend to hold up a lot of thoughts and feelings inside my head throughout the day. I have had many moments where I just have to unleash the anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness, excitement, joy, etc., or I might just burst. That is why I find journal entries, story ideas and starts, and prayers written or typed out everywhere. I use whatever paper or note-taking app is near me when the urge comes. I also love it when something comes together to a point that it’s worth sharing. I have a lot of ideas that seem interesting, but sometimes it’s hard to take them from my mind palace to the page in front of me; everything gets jumbled into nonsense. So, when those pent-up feelings actually produce something worthwhile, I do like to share the experience with others.

 

            Good luck to all those participating in NaNoWriMo! I’m not participating, but I will aim to write more often this month. I need to keep the flow going now that my short story is finished and submitted. Here are about 400 words written on November 1, so I’m off to a good start :)



Story of my life last month