Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 417

S.T.A.R.T. – The Writing Circle

  In this month’s S.T.A.R.T. Workshop, I want to share with you a simple way to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys, and start writing.

Writing isn’t a solitary journey, it’s an invitation for friends to take a road trip together. I love writing, more importantly, I love what it can do in the lives of people. It touches both the reader and the writer in a profound way.

At the risk of getting a song stuck in your head all day, it is truly a circle of life. A person experiences something, they share it by telling their story. A reader reads about it, learns, adds their own journey to it, and then shares it again.

Of course not everyone has to read your story to make the telling of it beneficial. Journaling and diaries allow you to move what’s either trapped in your heart, or stuck in your head, to a physical place. Once written down, many times, you can leave it there.

Articles, and blogs are two way methods of communication that invite a conversation. Especially blogging, that’s the wonderful thing about modern technology. Input and output are no longer localized. People in Portugal and America can have a conversation almost instantaneously.

A life experience or story bottled up inside you can be like a stallion at the gate. He is kicking for the chance to run his course. What is inside you that may instruct someone else? Where have you walked that might prevent another’s missteps?

It’s at this point you hear, “But I’m not a writer.” Even if that’s true, you have something to contribute. The worst case scenario is that you have to have help crafting your words a little, but then most writers do. Name any famous writer, and they’ll give you a number. That’s how many times they had to edit what they wrote.

If you’re uncomfortable, but have an urge to transfer your thoughts and feelings, start a journal. You don’t have to keep a written one, although that’s fine too. It can be a text file on your computer, or a voice file on your phone.  

Now you’re ready to take the next step and share your writing. First, put it in a format that is sharable, preferably electronic in form. Don’t edit, just write. Then rewrite at least once, you do this, not for perfection, but to make you feel more confident when you show it to others. Next, it’s time to phone a friend.

Reach out to someone who’s opinion you value. For best results don’t select either your biggest fan, or your worst critic. Find that balanced voice who rests somewhere in the middle. Explain up front, that you need three things from them.  

First, you need to know what they heard when they read it. This tells you whether or not your message, or voice, is coming through properly. Second, where or what confused or lost them? Third, a general proofing of your content, another set of eyes will spot what you’ve missed.

If you don’t have someone that can help you with this, there are online tools that can help. You’ll be surprised how freeing, and how empowering writing can be. Complete the circle, write what you’ve seen, and share it. Share it with not just anyone, but someone who can appreciate how personal your journey is.  They know, because they’re on the road with you.

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Negative Eyes, Positive Lenses

  

I am privileged to know people who, in a very real way, are always positive. Their outlook is not the fake or plastic demeanor of a TV character, but that of a real, positive person who must deal with real problems. I myself, if not careful, have a tendency to view things in a negative way, but I realized that I don’t have to choose this. There is a work around for negative eyes. I call them positive lenses.

As a Christian, I know all will work for my good, however I battle with my flesh at times to maintain the proper viewpoint. One reason I prefer a positive outlook is because of the mindset it brings. Even though positivity isn’t my natural habitat, I much prefer it to worry.

The first positive lens is to establish reminders that help me view things through Christ’s eyes. This does two things, first, it still provides a realist’s logic to a situation, and second, it elevates my viewpoint. The Lord Jesus was both an optimist and a realist. He knew the cost, but also knew that He had the power to pay it. When you look at a temporary issue with eternal lenses, it gives perspective to the problem.

The second positive lens is the encouragement of those you value. Whether it’s friends and family, a mentor, a peer, or a pupil, they want to see nothing else than your success. Mentors and peers will have experiences that teach you how, and pupils will remind you of why it is important to try. Family and friends will see hope for you, even when your eyes are filled with tears.

The third positive lens is a future goal. This is something you want to accomplish that is just beyond the time table of your battle. Desire turns castaways into survivors, soldiers into heroes, and businessmen into billionaires. It may be a simple goal, but no matter the length, make it a little farther out than your current issue or situation.

Jesus said “I Am come that ye might have life, and more abundantly.” We don’t just have to live based on what we’re battling, we can look ahead to what’s waiting for us. If like myself, you struggle with a positive viewpoint,  let me encourage you. There is a way to reframe your vision.  

Begin with looking above to Jesus, then to those surrounding you who love you, and third to what you hope to accomplish. You and I, can and will, correct years of negative vision. It only takes the proper corrective lenses of hope, commitment, and encouragement to see that the best is always before us. 

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The Importance Of Laughter

  Psalms 126:2

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

Laughter, it’s an undervalued medicine in the lives of men. Scientists have studied it, doctors have prescribed it, and hungry souls have craved it. Today Id like to share with you the importance of laughter, and some steps to add more of it to your life.

To begin with, why does laughter matter? According to studies, it can prevent heart disease by increasing blood flow and improves the function of blood vessels. Laughter enhances the immune system, as well as releasing endorphins to lessen pain. It combats anxiety, relieves stress, and relaxes the body.

Socially, it has been found to both reduce and resolve arguments. Teamwork is better when laughter is present. Scientists even agree that laughter, or the ability to make someone laugh, makes you more attractive to others. Laughter may seem unimportant, until it is absent in your life.

My first recommendation, seek out a happy person or group of people. You know someone who is always laughing and smiling. One who spills coffee on himself and laughs at the shape of the stain. I’m not referring to a silly person, but one with a positive outlook on life.

We all deal with sadness, many times as a result of tragedy. However this doesn’t mean that laughter can’t minister to you in times of pain. You may need a transfusion of it from a friend who has an over abundant supply.

Second, if you can’t find someone, find something that makes you laugh. A book from your childhood, a memory, even an old movie, a comedy that cracks you up. It doesn’t have to be intellectual, it doesn’t even have to be good writing. It just has to be funny. 

People either undervalue or overvalue comedy. They either look down their nose at it, or try and over analyze it. The fact is, Andy Griffith, Fonzie Bear, and Kevin James are funny. Laurel and Hardy aren’t Great Expectations, but they are great fun. A wiseman said, “A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.” The goal is to not to belittle your heartache, but to bring some cheer into your heart.

Third, do something that is completely lighthearted. What activity puts you in a place to where laughter comes easy? Whether it is miniature golf, or a trip to a local amusement park, it makes no difference. It doesn’t have to make sense, don’t overthink, just enjoy.

Fourth, do not feel guilty about laughter or seeking to laugh. The heart needs comfort, it seeks an environment where happiness isn’t a visitor, but a roommate. Your hurt is real, the event that caused it just as real, but that doesn’t mean you can’t seek some solace through your valley.

I struggled with how to end this post. Whether to be serious, or to do what I’ve championed throughout the article. So let’s end with a smile, and laugh at some silliness. As Cosmo said in Singing In The Rain…

Short people have long faces and 

Long people have short faces.

Big people have little humor

And little people have no humor at all!

And in the words of that immortal buddy

Samuel J. Snodgrass, as he was about to be lead To the guillotine:

Make ’em laugh

Make ’em laugh

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Hisbits: The Study Of History

  Canon fire, secret alliances, romance, and discovery, these are the events of history. For too long school children have been condemned to see it regulated as a memorization of dates. At some point, people turned one of the most interesting courses of study, into a boring textbook.

A handful have sought to change this. The writers David McCullough and Dorothy Kearns Goodwin are among them. Their books, 1776 and A Team Of Rivals have made adults aware that history never had to be dry and lifeless. Documentarians like Ken Burns, with The Civil War, sought to bring it to life as well. History is about our heritage, not a collection of times.

Rugged men and women braved the wildernesses of this, and other countries, to turn them into places where the ongoing generations could live safely. Kings fought wars over the destiny of continents. Men went to space to explore God’s intricate designs in the Heavens.

All of this is history, whether you remember a single date or not, you’ll never forget the lives involved. Stories such as how a German Prince fell in love with an English princess who went on to become of the most powerful rulers Britain had ever seen. The life of Victoria and Albert is not only fact, it’s one of the great love stories of history.  

Learn how the conqueror of France’s men discovered the key to unlocking Egypt’s mysteries. It’s a new way to view Napoleon. One more Hisbit, did you know he was born on an island called Corsica, and not on the French mainland.  

This should be the way both children and adults learn history. This is what our Hisbits articles are about. To share with PruittWrites readers a love of history at its most exciting. 

We hope that you enjoy learning not so much the when’s of history, but the bits and pieces that are real life adventure and intrigue.

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iPainting: Gone Fishing

 This weekend Ashley and I are out of town, so I thought “Gone Fishing” was an appropriate Sunday Afternoon Art Post this week.  Hope you enjoy!

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The Sea Horse: Society Rules

  The Sea Horse, Armor, Carbuncle, Hyperbole, and The Brittish Rose all went.  Mimic was invited, but he sent a representative instead.  Each were summoned to the abandoned Air Force base just outside the city.  The land had been purchased recently by a shell corporation. Everyone knew it was a trap, but they were too curious not to go.  

Soon each faced a hundred men. They were subdued in an energy field, and suspended in anti-gravity chambers above acid tanks.  When the stage was set, their captor appeared to gloat.

“For too long factions have stolen the spotlight.  I am The Sea Horse’s nemesis, I am the criminal leader of this city, and I am tired of all of you.”  High Society announced calmly as he pushed the button that turned off the anti-gravity chamber.  Each prisoner was sent hurdling face first towards an acid bath.

Just as quickly as he turned it off, he turned it back on.  “What good is it if I kill you.  I want you to each know the rules of this city, the Society Rules, and I’m not talking about Mimic’s toy group either.”

“Stay out of my way. Do not anger me, and most of all, fear my actions.  Now that we’ve established this, you’re free to go. If you can figure out a way to escape.  Otherwise we’ll, we’re done then.”

High Society flew away as his henchmen filed out in trucks.  Sea Horse, having heard what he needed to hear, broke free.  Armor followed suit.  Hyperbole was never really there, it being one of his robot doubles instead of his holographic projections.  Soon, each was free of the death cell.

Once each man was loose, the robotic Hyperbole spoke to the group.  “He seemed different somehow.  Slightly unhinged perhaps.”  Armor spoke next, “Maybe the equipment that gives him his power has affected his brain. He’s angrier than I’ve seen h.”  

The Sea Horse shook his head. “This wasn’t insanity, and this wasn’t anger.  He’s as sane as he ever was, he staged this show for each of our benefit.  His goal wasn’t to kill or even capture us.  Society knew we’d escape, his goal was … to get us out of the city.”

Each rushed back to see what High Society’s real plan was.  All but Hyperbole, since he was never really there, he and Actrice escaped to their ‘appropriated’ yacht in the marina.  Mimic’s representative, Titanic, conferenced in his boss on the way.

It hadn’t even been 12 hours since Mimic had kidnapped the Mayor and threatened The Sea Horse.  Titanic knew his boss did not like being upstaged.  This High Society seemed to have skills, equipment, and manpower.  He would be an opponent to watch closely.

“High Society is planning to hit us, and hard.  He made it plain that he wants to run this city.  You are in danger, you need to evacuate.”  Mimic laughed.  “High Society is like all the others.  I do not fear him, if he wants a war, I’ll match his actions, move for move.”

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iPainting: The Bluegrass Trail

  

  I love digital watercolors.  They’re so delicate, and the hues are so soft.  This is an extra special, unscheduled, extra iPainting that we hope you enjoy. We call it “The Bluegrass Trail”.

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#CollageFriday: World Faces

   

 This #CollageFriday is a study of “World Faces”.

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PruittWrites Facebook Page

Hisbits: The Road To Pixar

  When I say Pixar, characters flood your mind. Andy’s toys, Sully and Mike, a super family in witness protection, and a house filled with balloons parade through your mental horizon. The funny thing is, it all started with a divorce, a failed computer system, and a fired artist.

George Lucas, Yoda’s Dad, was in trouble. His divorce was truly costing him his fortune. He made the decision to sell his computer graphics division to a friend. A computer guy who had just lost the company he founded, named Steve Jobs.

The company sold the Pixar Image Computer, mostly to the government and medical facilities. They did have one other buyer, the Walt Disney Company. They planned to use the system to modernize two dimensional animation. It would replace the need of having a separate hand painted image for every movement Mickey made.

It didn’t sell well unfortunately, even though they had hired a former Disney artist to showcase the system’s potential. John Lasseter, had worked on Disney classics such as 101 Dalmatians, and Lady and The Tramp. He had lost his job due to pushing computer animation, and making a few corporate enemies in his excitement for his art.

Post Disney, John Lasseter was given a different title to work at Pixar. The man that hired him wasn’t supposed to hire an animator. He began to make shorts advertising the system. One of the characters from it is now the mascot you see at the beginning of every film. They did something right in the midst of all of this, Disney finally asked them to make a movie.

The year they did, they had to sell off the hardware division and lost thirty people. John had spent his time learning technology from two of Pixar’s three founders, company president Ed Catmull and Executive Vice President Alvy Smith. He had also taught them about telling stories. The result was a movie called Toy Story, and thanks to Pixar’s Chairman Steve Jobs, they didn’t just work for Disney, they were now partners.

Success wasn’t all that followed, CEO Michael Eisner and a battle for power at Disney almost ended everything. Pixar was severing ties with Disney, largely due to what they felt was mistreatment at the top. Bob Iger, the new president, reached out to Walt’s nephew Roy and his friend Steve Jobs.  

A new agreement happened, Pixar was bought by Disney, and John Lasseter now ran the very animation studio that fired him. Since then you may have heard of movies like Tangled and Frozen, and Inside Out. What started out in chaos turned into a beautiful story. Insert a cameo by The company’s good luck charm and frequent cameo star, John Ratzenberger (Cliff Claven of Cheers), and you’ve got the makings of … well, you know. 

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Why Jesus Walked On Water

Recently my wife Ashley and I were teaching the KidsPoint class on Sunday at our church, Point Of Mercy. The lesson started off with the storm on the Sea Of Galilee, and Jesus walking on water. I love kids, and I love their questions. Their very first question was, why did Jesus walk on water? They wanted to know more than the fact that it was cool, they wanted to know what it meant to them. This post was birthed from that question.

You are a fisherman, your life is the sea. It can make you or break you. Spouses have become either wealthy or widows as a result of it’s actions. It seems that it is your master, until you see someone independent of it, even subdue it, and then watch them walk over it.

That’s what happened to Simon Peter, and the rest of the Disciples. It’s such an amazing event that we are tempted to stand and simply wonder, and we should. Like the children in our class, we should also ask what it means to me. Jesus didn’t just do these incredible things because they were cool. He did them to show those that left everything for Him, that He could take care of them.

Jesus, unlike the sea, was not careless, or selective of who received a blessing. The Bible says He is doesn’t respect persons, meaning He doesn’t play favorites. What He promised to one, He will give to all. Christ wanted them to realize that He was powerful enough to save them, strong enough to keep them, and had resources enough to supply for them. He also wanted them to know individually that He was kind enough to care for each and every one of them.

The Lord would trade His life for ours, water for vinegar, and unequaled agony for our freedom. Tweet This

He still wants us to know the exact same things today. He used and uses analogies that we can understand. Water had been used by God to teach for centuries. Now Jesus was on Earth, pictures paled in comparison to the real thing. He spent a lifetime showing others that He was The One that could quench their thirst, supply their needs, and overcome their problems .

At the Cross, He uttered two words, “I thirst”, knowing three things when He said it. First, that it was a fulfillment of Scripture. Second, that according to the prophecy, they would offer Him vinegar instead of water. An third, that it was one of the greatest ironies in the existence of time itself.

The Water Of Life thirsted for something. He longed to see His creation freed from the chain that bound us. Jesus had walked on water to reveal to His Disciples that He could not only conquer their sea, but their sin. Now at Calvary, The Lord would trade His life for ours, water for vinegar, and unequaled agony for our freedom.

Jesus walked on water because, according to the Scripture, only God can. Just as only He could span the chasm between a perfect God and a fallen man. Before the sea had robbed wives of their husbands, sin had cost God His children. He would cross anything, subdue anything, and conquer all to get them back. Today, He wants to do the same for you.  Jesus wants to minister to your need, to help you with your problem.

Whether you’re in the middle of a problem, or sinking under the weight of it, let Him help you with it today. Everyone needs to know that someone is both powerful enough, and cares enough to attend to their need. It’s an old song, but the perfect way to bring this post to a close. “When the waves are over your head, they’re under His feet.” You and I are the reason that Jesus walked on water.

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