Friday, May 26, 2017

Flashback Friday: Breaking the Silence

           **It's the last Friday of the month, so 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. You can still find a list of previous and current participants on his blog. The month of May sort of just vanished for me, and it seems my priorities have been shuffled around more often than not the last few months. I thought this post was an appropriate reminder for me. When I posted this, I had just come back after not posting for a year and a half. The blogging challenge I mentioned was the 2015 A to Z Challenge. I had no idea what I was getting into when I wrote this post, haha, but I'm glad that I got involved with the blogging community. Reading this again reminds me how much I enjoy writing (and learning) and I'm sorry for my blogging negligence lately. I know that I don't want to repeat a long term blogging absence, so I'm working on budgeting my time a little better. And now, the flashback post...**


Breaking the Silence (originally posted February 19, 2015)

           It has been quite a long time since I last posted anything.  I feel as though time has been against me, but I haven’t really been busy, at least not busier than normal.  I guess I’ve been sort of stumped for writing ideas and I really haven’t felt like writing a lot lately.  I have not even been journaling as much as I used to.  My creative side does not want to allow this to keep happening, so I am beginning again.  It is about time I dust off this old “pen” and take it up again.  With a new year already well underway, almost 2 months in, to be precise, I have felt inspired to make my own resolutions.  There have been many inspirations over the last couple months prodding me back to writing.  I recently finished a Bible study in Colossians which helped renew my prayer journal.  I came across a Great Courses catalog last month and ended up ordering some courses, including a couple on writing.  I’ve watched 2 lectures from one course about the way we structure sentences, and it has been enjoyable so far.  I’ve felt inspired in other areas as well.  I have always been excited about learning new things, so getting these courses has been encouraging.  I have also been studying Mandarin Chinese with Rosetta Stone, which has been tough but interesting.  I have been reading fiction on a more regular basis again.  All of this has helped me to feel renewed, inspired, and ready for some positive new beginnings/changes in my life.

This may not sound interesting to you.  Maybe reading, writing, learning, and Chinese sound too boring or too difficult.  My point is this: do whatever it is that inspires you.  Seek out ways to renew your interest in life.  Seek God above all else, because He is the ultimate source of inspiration and redemption.  God doesn’t want us to mope about in a pity parties about the state of our lives, our economy, or our country.  We need to go out and make the most of the time that’s been given to us. 

I hope to write more often.  In fact, I’m thinking about participating in a blog challenge and I will provide more details if I do decide to take part. I also hope to make a few changes and updates to this blog and those will come as time allows.  Until then, it has been nice to come back and I hope those of you who read this will enjoy whatever comes next :)

14 comments:

  1. I think it's really impressive you tackled all of those unique things.

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    1. Alex, looking back 2 years ago, that was a good time for me. I'm working on bringing myself back to that level of motivation in writing and learning.

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  2. Did you continue studying Mandarin? I think blogging is kind of like a muscle. If you keep working it, it gets stronger. Glad to see you pop up in my feed today.

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    1. Liz, I'm glad to be back :) I made it through the first unit of Mandarin (there are 5 or 6 units in level 1), but I never got much further. I tried to pick it back up a couple months ago, but it appears I may have to back track to remind myself of all I've forgotten.

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  3. I always wondered how learning a language through Rosetta Stone would be. Hubby and me have talked about the benefits of learning Spanish, considering where we live. I think its cool you made an attempt at Mandarin!

    betty

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    1. Betty, Rosetta Stone is definitely different from any other language software I've used. It's immersive approach is unique and I think that if I committed to 30 minutes a day as it suggests, I'd probably recall a lot more. I still remember some of the nouns I learned 2 years ago.

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  4. Great post! I've been floundering a bit, so it was nice reading this flashback. I love the idea of doing what inspires you… :)

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  5. My mother really enjoys those Great Courses. She's done quite a few.

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  6. I sometimes take extended breaks from my blog. Then, either I start to feel that urge to write my thoughts or the April A to Z rolls around, and I hop back on the merry-go-round. I did not realize Twitter handle Elizabeth was you at first! I don't know if I do it right or not, but I've been doing it a lot as of late.
    Visit me @ Life & Faith in Caneyhead. 😉

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    1. Barbara, that's ok, I know I don't know what I'm doing, but some of those quotes and memes on Twitter are fun to read :) Blog breaks are nice, but I find myself missing my blog after a while.

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