Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Delving deeply

You know that old saying, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"?  I've heard it attributed to many people, so am not going to bother with crediting here.  It's the concept that I'm focusing on, more than tracking down who said it first.

I began blogging in September 2009, and thus opened up a whole new world for myself.  I've been a writer my whole life, and began actually making a living with writing nine years ago.  I enjoy the writing process as it applies to virtually any and all applications.  It shouldn't have surprised me, in light of this, how much blogging would sink into my very soul and fill me with such joy, but it was a bit of a surprise.  A happy one, most definitely, but still a surprise.  With blogging, I don't have to answer to a client's demands - I write what, when, where and how I choose, on any topic that pleases me.  My focus is wide ranging and the more I write, the more topics and categories I find of interest. 

Most recently, I wrote a blog post about the very common occurrence of grief, sadness and depression during the holidays.  It turns out that that article was very positively received, which I wasn't sure whether to expect originally.  The fact that it was embraced so immediately and fostered so many wonderful follow up comments has encouraged me to begin thinking more deeply about where and how to apply my writing skills.  One dear friend even mentioned liking the fact that I've chosen to write about some of the more difficult topics, the ones that aren't always so pretty or pleasant to contemplate.  This friend (her name is Jane) went on to compliment the approach and treatment I used in that particular blog post, which prompted me to begin pondering.  If you've read any of my blog over the months, you'll know that that's all it takes to get my brain spinning and thus...a blog will be born. 

For the most part, the overall tone of my blog is uplifting and positive.  I feel that those things can be accomplished even while writing about topics that might not always be the most flashy or entertaining to read about.  There is value in writing about challenging subjects because it gives others a bit of a spiritual nod, a written word that places a consoling invisible hand on their shoulder and lets them know that they're not alone in how they're feeling.  I'm learning that perhaps I have a gift in this regard, to write in a therapeutic approach and manner, and it is one I want to pursue, delve more deeply into and hone.

The title of this blog is Healing Morning, and I am bemused and quite happy with the fact that as I continue to grow as a writer/blogger, this title continues to be appropriate.  Yes, I have always been a writer, this is absolute truth.  My healing abilities, which I began to consciously nurture at an equally early age, are quite clearly entertwined with my writing.  One is never very far from the other.

As a writer and a healer, what a fascinating ongoing journey I'm experiencing...this process of continually being greeted by heretofore slumbering facets of my various abilities.  So much is happening with my writing as a result of venturing into the world of blogging - relationships, opportunities, business ventures and partnerships - things which I would honestly never have even thought to dream of for myself, yet they are showering down into my life in such abundance that at times, I admit, my head spins. 

Rather than being overwhelmed, I'm opening up with my full heart and enjoying each new moment.  Where all of this will lead, I have no idea.  Currently, I'm in the midst of a new project with my partner Marty, with Authentic Blogger on Facebook that is remarkable to me on a personal level.  When I dream, I am never afraid to dream large.  However, I honestly don't think it would have ever occurred to me to imagine such a reality as the one encompassed by Authentic Blogger and the resulting response it is getting in the Facebook and blogging world.  So, who knows what the next thing will be?  All I can say is that life is giving me quite a ride, with all of it tying into my love of writing. 

There is always a purpose at hand in our lives - perfect order, Divinely guided, if we but choose to pay attention and live consciously.  I am noting, with gratitude and enjoyment, how so many things are falling into place in this regard in my life.  The immediate impulse is to label it, corral it, and perhaps start to attempt to take control.  I'm resisting that impulse and just letting it be - not the easiest thing to do, let me tell you!  This is not to say I'm sitting meekly back, waiting on life to unfold with no energy or input on my part.  To the contrary - I doubt anyone could ever describe me as meek!  I am putting a great deal of energy into this whole process. 

As Universal Law so beautifully presents to us, and is also mentioned in many Holy Scriptures...the Bible, the Torah, the Talmud, Buddhist tenets....putting conscious and joyful energy into something you truly love, with sincere intent and request, produces an eventual return of energy tenfold or greater.  I feel myself standing on a high precipice, with whipping winds of change approaching....all the by-product of this delving more deeply that I have been working on so assiduously most of my life.  I am curious, a year from now, where I shall stand, looking back on this month of December 2009 that has been so full of new chapters, friendships and discoveries.  So, yes, life has been happening in the most delightful fashion while I've also had focus in many other directions. 

4 comments:

  1. Dawn, this is a very interesting blog post.

    I just started looking at your blog on Tuesday... but hopefully I'll get to peruse your posts some more soon. AB is getting so much activity so fast that it's going to take me a while to give time to each of the new folks I'm meeting, especially since I don't want to take any time away from my old bloggy friends! I tend to need a LOT of time to soak in what I read and consider a good bit before I write a comment. I prefer meaty, thoughtful comments on my own blog, so I try to give those same types of comments to others.

    Anyway, back to your post - this is so interesting how writing has been intwined with all your life and is part of the way you help others heal. I have noticed the same healing quality to many writing relationships of mine whether through blogs or personal emails or the in-person writing groups I've been a part of. Thanks for sharing some of your writing journey here; I'd be interested to learn more about how that's changed and developed. Writing has always been a big part of my life too, though what I write now is far different that the type of writing I've done in the past (both content and genre). I used to be a literature student and write mostly analysis papers, except for the journals and some creative work I did on my own. A little over a year ago, I was out of college and started tech writing... it's a totally different animal! A few months later, for various reasons, I started blogging; it has been a wonderful experience for me too, and I've noticed like you that many of the people who follow my blog and whose blogs I follow often are dealing with the same issues or have the same general struggles. In fact, it's startling how many times I'll be perusing blog posts for the day and notice they all have a common thread...and then feel compelled to add my two cents to the discussion :-)

    I do believe God can use any tool or method to reach His people and create a true body that encourages each other and works together. As long as we are grounded in His Word, our words amongst each other can accomplish so much... I think of the early church being so held together by the letters of the apostles as they discipled their young brethren.

    Glad to hear so many threads are tying together in your life and praying that all these events are leading you in the best path for your life!

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  2. Ruth, thank you for taking time to write such a thoughtful comment here! I understand about finding a balance with old and new bloggy friends; I'm struggling w/ that as well since I prefer to actually read and absord as you do.

    I'm a tech writer in the real world, but am currently between contracts - I usually freelance. This past year has been really tough and I've been out of work more than being employed. From a tech writing perspective, I do a lot of gov't contracting work w/ environmental engineering, nuclear physics application, warehouse management in industrial genres, sales & trainng manuals for retail mgmt, HR manuals, policy & procedural manuals, health and safety. Basically, I write for whomever needs my skills! Knoxville is a small town with that typical insular mentality and the freelancing market has narrowed and dried up w/ the economy tanking. I'm praying that will change soon.

    In the meantime, I'm focused on the blogging world and AB with Marty. It keeps my mind active, broadens my writing focus, gives me more things to add to my portfolio and resume and is just plain fun! With luck, it will lead to some sort of money making presence in some as yet unknown way - maybe someone will spot my work and contact me w/ an awesome contract!!! That's the hope!

    Back to AB and catching up on discussion board issues w/ Marty for now. Thanks again for the lovely comment!

    ~ Dawn

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  3. You're very welcome :-)

    It sounds like you've had a really wide range of tech writing experience. Sorry to hear you're having trouble finding work now, though; I'll be praying for you! It would be very cool if AB leads you into a new job! Thankfully, I have steady work; it's a small company, but it's still afloat for now, despite the economy.

    Talk to you later.

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  4. Ruth, thanks so much for the support and encouragement about the work situation. I'm happy for you that you're in a stable and secure work environment. I actually landed a small contract a couple days ago for a local group that owns several restaurants to do some social networking writing. Not a lot of money, but it's forward momentum occuring after such a long period of things being stuck in such a virtual logjam! It will also give me another point for my portfolio and resume, so I'm happy. See, your prayers along w/ everyone else's are working already!
    I appreciate you very much!

    ~ Dawn

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