Lynn M. Dixon's Blog, page 56

Are We Grateful?

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 speaks of comparing our lives to those of others.  He writes:

“When in disgrace with fortune and in men’s eyes.

I all alone beweep my outcast state.

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d.

Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least.”

Many of us have fallen into that unfortunate trap of thinking that other’s accomplishments outweigh our own. Certainly, during this season of family gatherings, we may find ourselves sizing others up and mistakenly thinking that they have achieved more than we have in our own lives.

Sometimes, our views may be cloudy and we may need to clean our foggy glasses and take another look. We often only see only what others want us to see. Sure we are happy for their gains and levels of comfort. But, are we seeing clearly?

Have we really sat down and counted up what we have accomplished in our own lives? Have we started by listing those really important items such as health, shelter, prosperity, love and employment? That last phrase alone is more than many people have in their possessions.

From there we can start writing a list of our personal gains and start with those things which we are most proud. Once we put that pen to paper, we write and write and write. We may pause and go on about some other business.

Then we remember some other huge blessing and we go back to add more. Before we know it, we have pages and pages of all of the wonderful things that our diligence and the Universe have brought our way!

Lynn M.

November 27, 2015

The Abundant All

Give thanks for the abundant all,

Gratitude helps you stand quite tall.

Honestly compare where you are,

Assess the mileage; see how far.

That you have come during the year,

On Thanksgiving Day, give a cheer.

Enjoy, the turkey, ham or duck,

Count it all joy. You are in luck!

Lynn M.

November 24, 2015

All in Time

“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work, your judgment will be surer.” Leonardo da Vinci

How perfect!  This is a great reminder from one of the most masterful artists in the history of mankind- Leonardo Da Vinci.  When I found this quote or shall I say, when this quote found me, I was feeling somewhat guilty because I was living like a couch potato.  I was channel-surfing though I knew that I should have been working on a particular book project.

The thoughts bombarded me about getting started, but I simply pushed them away.  I had an “I don’t care” attitude.  Yes, I know that there’s a deadline.  Deadlines have that name for a reason.  They refuse to be ignored or overlooked.

I silently wondered, “Had I lost my muse? Wasn’t I concerned that dollars could be going down the proverbial drain?”  And then, the master artist’s words appeared.  The Buddha says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

I was looking up relaxation quotes to attempt to justify my lazy state.  Then, Signore Da Vinci acted as a tender shepherd, quietly beaconing me towards his words.  He let me know that I was merely taking a mini hiatus.  I obviously needed some time to restore, renew and refocus.  Then, I could return to the work at hand with a new energy and in his words, with a “surer judgment!”   How comforting!

Lynn M.

November 20, 2015

 

 

 

Sheet Protectors!

The other day, I was using some sheet protectors to preserve some hand-written work that I had done. I thought of protecting or preserving those jewels and I aligned it to insulating our souls.

Our soul houses our deeply felt emotions that we attempt to hide from the world. In Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, We Wear the Mask, he reminds us of that human condition. Here are a few lines that I have borrowed from that prolific poem:

“We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes…

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise…

We wear the mask.”

Though we may smile through it all, that late night’s sleep or lack thereof, truly reveals or exposes our bare emotions. Those closest to us are privy to our fears, pains and concerns. That is when our cries, whines and battles with the adverse forces are most apparent. These are the ties that bind because those in close proximity know what a brave face it takes to continue on at the breaking of dawn as we face the new day.

We find outlets and forms of self-expression to serve as balancers so we can remain buoyant as we navigate those choppy waters. We might take a dance class, attend a ballet or concert. We may write, sketch, paint or go to a sporting event. Or we may simply take a stroll, power walk or jog. There are so many ways to refocus on the beauty of daily life itself.

We could have a good, hearty conversation with a trusted friend or loved one. They can help us put things into perspective that appear askew.  Or we may take to social media and converse with close ones in that format.

And oh! Never forget to add some music. It will always increase the brilliance of light during those times when things look dim. It could be rock, R&B, spiritual, jazz, classical or whichever type of music matches the mood or brings levels of delight.

Samuel Butler, a British poet, reminded us that “Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” We can find a myriad of ways and methods to put that loving shield around ourselves for those feelings of security. It is like being wrapped in special blanket or quilt made by the precious hands of a loved one.

Then, we can pull back the curtains on a new day and easily claim, “I’m good to go!”

Lynn M.

November 16, 2015

Producing Pearls!

We often hear of people who sink deeply into their work to keep themselves busy during painful times in their lives.  It is what sustains and comforts us when we are facing disappointment.

I am currently Anne Rivers Siddons book, The Girls of August.  Towards the beginning of the novel, one of the characters is unable to have a child.  She and her husband are heartbroken and they decide to delve deeper into their careers to “keep the pain at bay.”

Oftentimes careers or work, so to speak, can serve as that sure antidote to those personal upheavals and emotional storms.  Going to greater lengths to excel can give us a sense of success in other areas of our lives.

It is comparable to the agitation that an oyster or mollusk deals with when it is fighting to protect itself from foreign objects.  “When a grain of sand or other irritating substance gets stuck between the oysters mantle and shell, the oyster secrets nacre.  This shiny substance coats the grain of sand and over the years, it forms a lustrous pearl.” (enchantedlearning.com)

Similarly, when we are feeling agitated with the hand that has been dealt, we, too, may pour ourselves into some other forms of self-expression.  The mindfulness given to that work helps to avert those feelings of deep melancholy.

These outlets can keep us afloat and offer us an anchor or a new lease on life.  It meets a need and before we realize it, we have created something that is quite masterful.

Many songwriters, painters, poets and authors can attest to this fact.  They often create from a dark place of their own souls.  They were merely trying to move into a brighter space and found solace by using their unique skill or craft.

Their work happened to resonate with others and without even trying, they found a new audience. Gems are easily recognizable because emotions are universal. How majestic!

Lynn M.                           November 12, 2015

Aha Moments!

We cannot experience all of life, so we listen to the wise ones and heed their warnings.  And then, there are those guideposts that come through avid reading or viewing of media forms. If we encounter a new or unusual situation while on our journeys, our memory may be jogged.

We remember a character from a book who was meeting similar perils.  Then we have moments of recognition and there is that aha moment.  We say, “Oh yeah.  I read about this or I saw that in a movie.”

Most books change or alter us in some way.  They allow us to get peeks into lifestyles or subcultures that are new to us. By the time we reach the last page of a work, some new point–of-view has emerged and we look at things differently.  Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at, change.”

Promptings from reading and observing media forms can serve as safety nets. We don’t have to travel too far down into a dark abyss.  We clearly see the red flags that make us yield, change directions or put our motions in reverse. Or we may stop and turn left or right onto another path or roadway in life.

In Jane Austen’s Emma, Emma and those close to her are surprised by the secret engagement of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill.  His stepmother said, “Much, beyond impropriety!  It has sunk him; I cannot say how much it has sunk him in my opinion.  So unlike what a man should be.”

But Emma doesn’t want to jump to conclusions.  She said, “Let us wait, therefore, for his letter.  It may bring many extenuations.  It may make many things intelligible and excusable which now are not to be understood.   Don’t let us be severe; don’t let us be in a hurry to condemn him. Let us have patience.”

The older people used to sing, “It will all make sense by and by.”  Emma’s willingness to wait and hear the whole story was an aha moment for me because clarity comes with full understanding. Sometimes, we too must wait for all of the mysteries to unfold.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a couple of autistic children.  Seeing the movie Rain Man came to mind because I could see these children’s brilliance in distintive areas.  I thought of the beloved Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) who had an uncanny ability for memorizing numbers, though he could not function independently.  I silently nodded as I recognized this slice of life and said, “Oh yeah” as I observed these children excel in their comfort zones.

We can in no form or fashion experience all that life holds. Yet, reading and taking note of the available media forms offer us those guides as we travel through uncharted waters.  Those aha moments remind us that we have previously seen or heard about something that we are now witnessing.  This awareness keep us on the straight and narrow path as we proceed with greater insight and caution!

Lynn M.                           November 9, 2015

Sprinklings!

When I think of those who are successful in teaching or in any endeavor for that matter, I think of a recipe for a cake.  To be truly effective, more is needed than sheer intellect. Yes, it is a vital for a person to be knowledgeable and cognitively astute.  That can be compared to the flour because it is the most essential ingredient before baking a cake.

That person should be trained in the field in order to be considered an expert.  Certain degrees or certificates are normally required to get hired for that position.  That’s like adding the eggs, milk and pinch of salt to the cake flour.

But where does the success come in?  Why are some so much more accomplished than others?  Why do others excel or stick out at a neck’s length ahead? Those people have probably incorporated a holistic approach. Whether it is in teaching, cooking, or whatever career choice, those who do extremely well have learned to add a sacred age-old method that never fails.

Great chefs, good teachers and historic leaders often understood that it takes much more than know-how and formal training. They have added the antidote to failure in their recipes of success. And what is that?

They have sprinkled in a generous, caring spirit of love.  This is the sugar or honey added into the fold of the batter for that tasty cake.  It puts the yum in yummy and it is sure to put a smile on the faces of those consumers, students or followers.

Their enthusiasm poured into the mix spills over the bowl to bring joy to many unsuspecting faces. Yes, the business acumen is there. Check.  Yes, the skill, training and education are there. Check.   But what fires others up and gets them really engaged? It is goodwill.

Sprinkling in a tad more love is like adding a little bit more sugar to get a truly delicious cake.  And, if  those gifts are shared with more zeal and heartfelt sincerity, happier outcomes are guaranteed!

Lynn M.

November 5, 2015

Dear November!

This is the month of Thanksgiving,

Time to assess. How’s that living?

Harvest time. Plenty piled quite high,

Fruits of labor, earned with a sigh.

Colored foliage; maybe snow,

Thanking the good; seeing it grow.

Shorter days; holidays are near,

Gatherings spent with those most dear!

Lynn M.

November 2, 2015

Paces!

I recently wrote a short novella called A Continuum:  Tyre and Phoenix.  It is a brief look into this couple’s first year of marriage.  Time scoots by as they further connect and get to know each other’s ways and habits.  Its speed reflects the pace in which people move in 2015.

Trains, buses, cars and planes.  Texts, Smartphones, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to name a few social media forms that people use to communicate with others.  Everything is quick and it represents the sign of these times.  Our lives move in rapid motion as we touch bases with our loved ones in a variety of ways.

Encounters and conversations may be deep and meaningful but we rarely have the opportunity to savor what has transpired or have long periods of reflection.  We live on the fly, so to speak, and we modern-day writers often create in that same hurried fashion.

I thought of this as I read Jane Austen’s novel Emma. Her characters in Highbury ease through life in unhurried paces.  They walk, take promenades and spend inordinate amounts of time in each other’s company.  They have a chance to really study each other and delve into the other’s makeup, disposition and see those character flaws.

Consequently, writers of that era lived in a slow environment and they could sit down and recall small details about what they had either seen or imagined.  Their days were long and uneventful.  They had the time to develop the people in their stories and tell about their clothing, customs and lifestyles.

I have been reading and reading Emma and I thought it would continue as a long exposition about these townspeople.  But about 200 pages in, something happened.  The slow movement picked up for me and it finally became a page-turner.  I had to see how this tale would end, but by the time I got to this point, I felt as if I knew all of the players quite well.  My interest was piqued when people started making unlikely choices as they selected partners.

But for those of us who write in 2015, we have to work as fast-paced scribblers.  We must become like the messenger in Macbeth, who brought him news in the heat of the battle.  Macbeth said, “Thou com’st to use thy tongue: thy story quickly! (V, iii).  Nowadays, we must get the story out quickly as we juggle the other pieces of our lives in this high-tech age!

Lynn M.

October 30, 2015

Conscientiously So!

“People who feel good about themselves produce good results.” When I saw this line from the book The One-Minute Manager (Blanchard & Johnson), so many thoughts flashed across the screen of my mind.  I thought of the word conscientious, which I had not heard in some time.

But that statement from this small yet powerful book rings true on so many levels.  People who have healthy self-esteems normally want their surrounding world to mirror their perceived images.  They care about how they look and take the time to adorn themselves to a level that brings personal comfort. They align their attire to match their polished manners, gracious etiquette and tranquil poise.

These wise people know when they don’t know something and will unhesitatingly refer to a reliable source for valid information.  They ask the hard questions and delve deep enough to understand what they need to do to further advance their knowledge on any given subject.

And very importantly, they care about the work that they produce.  They often have high standards and will continually check data, correct, edit or modify until they have reached a sense of personal satisfaction.

Many types of artists operate under these domains.  To others, they may seem to be temperamental, high-strung, picky or overly meticulous. Some may label them as hard to please, but they have a picture of the finished product in their minds and know how it should look in its final stages.

Slipshod, rushed or messy work will never be acceptable to them.  Those people have a strong sense of self and they would never settle for less than their best efforts.  The dictionary defines conscientious as (a person) wishing to do what is right, especially to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly.

Many supervisors wish that they had more persons of excellence on board.  When they have these winners on their team good results are guaranteed!

Lynn M.

October 27, 2015