Uphill idealist

Whisper image found at Photobucket . My blogging friend Mary reminded me of the importance of paying attention to what voices we listen and take direction from. Sometimes, I too struggle with the voice of perfection in my own mind that never seems satisfied or content with any of my efforts. That voice is an impossible task-masker to work for. This voice says - that use of time was wasteful, that project would have been better if, that dream your dreaming is not practical, this life of yours would only be better if you would have... You get the idea. This voice of negativity is one that most often is only an occasional whisper, but there are times it still shouts to get my attention. Thankfully, I have some good earplugs. :) There are other voices that tell me different things, encouraging and hopeful things and I believe that these voices are the ones that God uses to help me press on in the journey of life. These voices of light are the ones that bring me back to the path my feet a...

Image found at Future Media Taking a step into uncharted creative territory is always a double-edged sword. There is the risk of criticism and the question of ability or talent on one side, and the reward of connecting an idea, thought, and life experience on the other. In fifth grade I had a teacher who took the double-edged rick of teaching her students to excel. In the midst of her great effort, she taught me that I had a distinct voice in what I wrote. It's because of her early teaching about poetry and literature that I still write today. To tell the truth, writing is something that has saved my life, many times over. Thank you for teaching me that I have a unique voice Mrs. Hodak. On days in my childhood and adolescence when I was incredibly sad: like when my sister passed away at the tender age of fifteen, when my family was numb with grief, when I thought that life would have been better for my family had I been the one that had died; writing gave me place to safely express...