Julia Karr's Blog, page 20
October 24, 2011
Monday Musings - Choosing to take the high road.
Many of you know that one of my quotes to live by (from James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan) is - " Always be a little kinder than necessary ." Sometimes that's not so easy to do.
When feelings are hurt - either intentionally or not - we always have a choice. And, barring the intentional, abusive hurts - which are never okay - it's much easier to go with knee-jerk reactions. Getting to the high road is not always easy, but I'm pretty sure it's always worth the climb!
I was headed to an out-of-town event this past weekend and along the way I stopped for gas and checked my email. Where I had been expecting to hear something to add to my joy, instead, I received just the opposite. Shall we just say that - thankfully - the hotel I stayed in did not have free internet access (can you believe that?!) Anyway, I was glad it didn't, because no way was I going to risk typing out a response on my cell and besides that - I was at a complete loss as to what to say. (Talk about writer's block! lol!)
On my trip home, I had plenty of time to think - and my thoughts eventually lit on being the person I want to be - not necessarily the person I am. That meant that if I were to respond, I had to do it with unconditional love in my heart - which comes in part from recognizing that no other person can make me feel any particular way. It is always my choice as to how I will ultimately feel. And, more than anything - I want to be making decisions that allow me to feel good about myself. Not in a selfish, snotty sort of way - but in that peaceful way where I know I am honoring and respecting myself and others through the words I speak and the actions I take.
This morning I was finally able to respond to that email in an unselfish, loving manner. I did not discount my own feelings, but laid no blame either. And, more importantly, I was able to hit 'send' with a clear conscience and open heart.
Again, the high road is always worth the climb it takes to get there!
I hope your Monday is full of joy!
October 21, 2011
The Friday Five
1. How when I let my writing sit for a minute, and do something mundane - like take a shower - suddenly I get the epiphany whammy - and realize the story is going to take a whole new direction.
2. That in life, like in writing - sometimes I think something is a certain way, when Bam! - it isn't. (I'm not sure I always like this... especially when it makes me question my feelings/intuition.)
3. I am a terrible packer for trips! I totally over-think what to bring. That does not mean I over-pack, far from it... I am a one carry-on & a (large) purse kind of gal. Maybe that's what makes it so difficult! O.O
4. I love, love, LOVE talking with teens about books, writing, and ideas. Man! They are The. Best.
5. How important quiet, introspective time is to me. If I let my mind go spinning around about something & get all OCD about things - I can't accomplish anything. But, sitting quietly and contemplating metaphysical ideas - that soothes, inspires, and refreshes me - and also gets me out of the hamster cage!
What's up with you this Friday? I'd love to know!
October 18, 2011
Did we read the same book?
I did a library talk last night with the fabulous Saundra Mitchell for Teen Read Week. A teacher had brought one of her classes who had all read XVI together for class. The kids (all high school seniors) were engaged, asked lots of thoughtful questions, and had fabulous comments to make. (Can I just say it was the best night ever?!!!) And, one of them explained what the teacher had done with the assignment. They had to read 3 chapters a night and they had questions they had to answer every day. These were not the typical "why did so-and-so do this thing? what's the hidden meaning?" Nope, they were questions more along the line of what do you think this character was thinking when this happened? Did you agree with what he/she did? Etc.
Aside from the fact that several of the kids said XVI was the first book they'd ever read all the way through (how great did THAT make me feel?!!!) -- one thing that was obvious was that even though they all read the same book - it meant different things to each of them! Here are some examples:
1. One girl said a lot of girls she knows are already having sex and she doesn't feel ready to. She really identified with my MC (Nina), since that's Nina's thing -- in a world where being sexual at 16 is the norm, Nina's not ready to do that.
2. One guy identified with the book's portrayal of the police. He even commented that cops had come to his house once after a robbery and they left it in similar shape to how I portrayed Nina's house after the cops searched it.
3. Several of the audience identified with XVI's "Big Brother"-type government portrayal.
So - they all read the same book - but it was definitely individual to each.
Now, this is not a new thing - that the reader reads the book they want to, not necessarily the book the author wrote - but I loved seeing it up-close & personal!
Have you ever read a book and discussed it with someone else who'd read it and you've both come away with different ideas of what the book meant? I wonder...
cross-posted from The League of Extraordinary WritersOctober 14, 2011
The Friday Five
2. Seriously... Mozart is transformational. I swear he transcribed his music from conversations with God.
3. How awesome is it that through modern technology we can enjoy great performances from the masters, like Sandor Vegh & Radu Lupu?
4. Challenges are good - they stretch you to aspire to and achieve more than you thought possible. (More on this one later!)
5. Okay - last Mozart comment... just listen to the 5:10 mark on the above as a moment that gives so much joy! And, of course, in the beginning, at around :43 ... OMG, it gets right into one's heart with a sweet, poignant pull.
I declare today a Mozart kind of day!
October 13, 2011
"Ah, Bach"
Sometimes you just have to have the classics to inspire!
October 4, 2011
October 3, 2011
September 28, 2011
September 26, 2011
September 23, 2011
Friday Five
1. Mozart or World Music festival? Ummmm... Mozart wins!
2. Yesterday's Daily Thought was "To change your life: start immediately, do it flamboyantly, no exceptions." ~William Jones
I like this thought -- a lot. I see some flamboyance in my very near future --- and will admit to an immediate change in something when I woke up this morning. More later...
3. I love the relationship between Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway in the Inspector Lewis mysteries on PBS. They are so different, yet they interact in a realistic manner as would friends/colleagues who come from such disparate backgrounds. It totally works!
4. There will be butternut squash soup this weekend!
5. My Edward Gorey Mystery! coffee mug is broken. Waaahhhhh!!!!!
What's up on your Friday?
