The Christmas Spirit

I love this time of year, I love the lead up to Christmas. Not the frenzy of shopping, the baking, the decorating in the house, the tree, the parties, cooking the dinner on Christmas day. The general good will to all men. The old movies, Scrooge, and a Wonderful life . Welcoming the need to slow down unwind, and generally enjoy what we have been blessed with. Spending time with our loved one's, and reflecting on the past year,and  all that has been achieved. This year has been an exceptional challenge living away from family, I miss them so much, however we make it work, and make it special. The Christmas services here, are without doubt, unique, and instill in me the belief in Jesus Christ . So much goes on around us, but I believe he is my biggest, and brightest light throughout all adversity, and I cling to him . I welcome the new friends who hold him close, and thank them for their friendship, and prayers. Christmas, for me is about the possibilities, renewing our belief in something powerful, wonderful, and more important that anyone of us. It is the reason we exist, and I believe each and every one of us has a purpose, a dream we must follow, as it is God's wish. I believe he helps us every day, if we are open to his help, and guidance .

This is a quick blog in between the kids wanting to be fed, taking turns on the Wii Fit , which is hysterical or shovelling the snow. Needless to say not much is getting done in the way of real writing . I did connect with someone who is willing to help me in my research into music and recording and will give me some insight into forming a band and what goes on with rehearsals,creating music etc . So very excited about that . Also, need to follow up on another contact , a music teacher !!!! I have also decided that at the end of the school year I will look at attending some courses either on line or in community college in the fall of 2011. My youngest will be in first grade, and the money we have previously spent on full day kindergarten can be used to kick start my career and to help in my pursuit of becoming a novelist. Not much else to write, so I thought I would include a sneak peak, a part of my prologue, just to see what you thought !!! 

Prologue

"As I stand next to him watching, and waiting, looking at this great expanse that is the sky, with a sense of utter dread. I know this has been a vision, a recurring one for as long as I can remember. Only this time it is real! Night time, is somehow magical, mysterious, evoking a sensation of endless possibilities. Many things that happen at this time when the darkness takes over from the light are done so for that very reason, to remain hidden, clandestine or secret .We stand looking, as the glorious sun sets, the sky ablaze of deep bold colors, from strong violets, translucent fuchsia’s, bright oranges and dusky golden hues. It sets such a majestic painting that the old masters would be proud to name their own .This painting seems particularly special as we stand alone, it is just for us! Perhaps, to serve as a reminder of what we leave behind. Maybe, to give us courage to believe in what we are about to do. For what good is all this wondrous beauty, if there is no one here to appreciate, and enjoy it. "

Let me know what you think?  Does it make you want to know more ??? I will get back to it, when there are no distractions. I am going home for a couple of weeks as I need to visit my family, and so envisage a somewhat haphazard pattern of writing  over the next several weeks, writing when I can. When the soul and spirit combine making it possible. Merry Christmas and Happy New year

While there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.

Read more at Suite101: Dickens Quotes From A Christmas Carol: Ebenezer Scrooge, Bah Humbug and the Victorian Xmas Story http://www.suite101.com/content/dickens-quotes-from-christmas-carol-a169177#ixzz19LIkVIqI

It is the greatest medicine I know, having a good old laugh cures many ailments. it is good medicine for the heart and soul. So have a laugh xxxx

Family Matters and pleasant distractions

The last week has left me feeling as if I have been on the fast forward button it is good to have distractions.   I have been carrying on with the normal activities that are planned for this time of year buying presents, hosting a children's Christmas party, baking cookies for the cookie swap, and attending an ornament swapping party. All crazy but fun it is so good to laugh. However, all the while knowing I am getting nothing done with my writing . I have not written anything new now for 2 whole weeks .

Life takes over in so  many ways I am not the bubbly extrovert that are some of my many wonderful friends but I do love to get out of the house and have needed to have a change of scene as some of what life throws at you can be unbearable and stressful.  There is nothing you can do except go through this time.Try to stay sane and deal with what is thrown at you. You get through  but not without a few rough days that was last weekend . Living abroad it is an amazing experience, but when there are concerns about your family it is difficult to navigate the minefield . There is a constant yo/yo of  feelings, guilt and responsibility. You want to be there, do all you can, logistics get in the way. You cannot hug someone over the phone.

Anyway, when real life takes over, the writing stops.  I cannot sit and write when there are so many things to think about, my focus, my drive to create has literally been sucked out of me .I feel like a deflated balloon .I have not thought about the story for the last week at all . I have resigned myself to the fact, that it is an incredibly busy time, and refuse to add not writing, to my list of stress, so I let it go . Next week, I do plan to spend a couple of days at my desk, as I would like to try to achieve another chapter before Christmas takes over . I feel calmer this week, having decided to go home and visit my family in January. knowing that this life vest is there, helps to regain some sense of control and inevitably makes me feel better.

I love this quote I hear it mentioned many times and I feel it is particularly relevant to me at this time and I wanted to share it with you ,

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Reinhold Niebuhr ( American Theologian )

The Promise

The above is the title of my fictional book and it encapsulates many meanings to me. I have chosen it for this weeks title as a reminder to myself of the promise I made ,many months ago, which was to complete the book I had started to write over a year ago.I have been trying to follow my personal legend ,broaden my horizons, push myself to the limit, and endeavour to achieve something creative and wonderful.It is a process of learning at times painful, and emotionally challenging. But no matter what life throws at you, I realise you have to keep going, ignoring what ever else is going on or being said and just finish the task in hand.

With the Thanksgiving holiday, and my son's sixth birthday time has been limited to write so I have spent some time gathering research. I had a lovely evening with a group of teenagers, where we discussed several issues concerning the High school experience. It was a very interesting session, and very helpful, thanks so much for your time and input. I would like to do a follow up probably by email. I may  also have another avenue to explore for research into the area of music and in particular, experience with creating and the setting up a band, which I need to follow up on. This would be so beneficial to have.

Several years ago I had  ideas about writing a non fiction book, it was going to be based around the teenagers experience in high school and the pressure that is placed upon them,. How they deal with this, and the desire of the child / parent to conform to what is expected in today's American society. I have observed children from a young age being so regimented by sports after school activities that they don't get the chance to experience a normal childhood not the kind that I had. Times have greatly changed  and their are many arguments for a great debate on childhood and adolescence which I don't want to get into. I never started to write that book. maybe one day I will.

However the book I am currently writing deals with teenagers it is a love story that looks at the issues that are relevant to them and I hope offers another opinion it is fictional and so has the element of the incredible and unbelievable woven in but also touches on real issue's of sex, respect, and the choices they face at this age.My work maybe not as productive as I would hope over the next couple of weeks with Christmas,  but I will when I can continue to work as hard as possible to complete my book. I continue to have faith and the belief I can finish my .journey. Again I would like to say a big thanks to those who offer me support and encouragement .