  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: windac
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"I learned that you should feel when writing,
not like Lord Byron on a mountain top,
but like a child stringing beads in kindergarten -
happy, absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another. "
Brenda Ueland
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"Writing is the best way to talk without being interrupted."
Jules Renard
Writing first became significant for me in the form of a letter. An immensely personal and emotional letter, written some 30 years ago to the husband I was about to leave. It was of the utmost importance that he understand the reasons behind my decision. A letter was the only way I could convey to him just how painful and turbulent our lives had become, a situation well beyond my control. Day to day discussions of said turbulence just didn't cut the mustard anymore. Anger or confusion would inevitably muddy the waters, denying us any hope of forward progress. Always one step forward, three steps back. The end was no longer near. It was here. The letter spoke what was to be my pardon from marital hell.
Seven years later, the urge to write again came to the forefront. This time a poem. A poem marking yet the coming of another emotional ending. I spent days agonizing over this one, short, six-line ditty. It had to be perfect. It had to convey my feelings exactly the way my heart felt them. It was given to the man in my life at the time, matted and framed with silk daisies. This was the very first poem I'd ever written. It remains untitled, and I share it with you now.
Hold me...
help me forget the painful yesterdays.
Touch me...
remind me that we have today.
Love me...
today, tomorrow, always.
In hindsight, I see the immense desperation. In hindsight, I know that he was not the least bit worthy of my affection, or of my agony. But at the time, it was earth shattering, all encompassing stuff. And, as shameful and hurtful as the relationship felt, I learned far more about myself than I could have any other way. Even this, maybe especially this, is something to be thankful for. After all, it was but another layer to add to the person I've become.
Fast forward another two decades. Poetry entered my life again, this time in the form of witty, rhyming pieces given to co-workers, friends and family members on birthdays, baby showers and the like. Light hearted pieces intended to provoke smiles and laughter. Around this same period, one lasting almost two years, death laid a dark shroud over our little town and our lives. Poetry now became a way to uplift, soothe and encourage those who'd lost a young loved one in a myriad of tragic and unimaginable ways. Ways that ranged from suicide and drowning to car accidents and cancer. LIfe no longer made sense. It seemed that innocence had been replaced by spiritual and emotional chaos everywhere we looked.
After the murder of my step-daughter and her baby, our family stood on the precipice of a dark, deep abyss. It was all we could do just to hang on to an ever thinning thread of hope. The darkness pulled. We pulled back. This was a true, real life tug of war, but with devastating results if we failed to pull hard enough. I questioned my faith, wondering how God could allow such barbaric and brutal acts. Of course, it wasn't God's fault. It was free will, cowardice and a lack of God that opened that dark door.
Were it not for faith we would not have survived. Were it not for writing and this site, God only knows where I'd be. Writing was the way I dealt with my own fear. My own darkness. My own mortality. Writing was the gift God gave to me so that I might learn more about Him, myself, and all things spiritual. Writing was an avenue to freedom. The freedom to purge all that was festering inside. It was the avenue leading the way to sanity, and all that was good in the world.
"For me, writing is exploration, and most of the time,
I'm surprised where the journey takes me."
Jack Dann
This all points, in a round about way, to the question of being able to call oneself a writer. There are some who would say that to be a writer, one must be published. There are some that would scoff at what we do here. That our words on paper have no value, no meaning, simply because it's not published. That all we do is share our words with other like-minded, amateur, wannabe individuals. We put our hearts and souls into doing what we enjoy, yet most of us remain unpublished. Does this mean that we are not true authors? Are we simply deluding ourselves into thinking that we are?
The truth is, most of us won't be published, at least not outside the realms of this site. This is not a pessimistic attitude on my part, but rather a realistic statement. It's just the way things are. But in my humble opinion, if writing helps you absorb the blows of life, enables you to give comfort to those who are hurting, to entertain those who seek to be entertained, to enlighten those who seek to be enlightened, or to open doors of understanding that were previously closed, you are an author in every sense that matters. There are many reasons we write, and some whose importance outweigh the possibility of never being published. I would urge you to continue to strive toward your dreams and goals, regardless of rejection letters and stone walls. Do not be discouraged or disappointed if you are denied the honor of being published. The art of the written word means something. It leaves your indelible, unique mark upon the world whether you realize it or not. That in itself is quite the honor!
"Better to write for yourself and have no public,
than to write for the public and have no self."
Cyril Connolly
 Until next time, write on!
** Image ID #811949 Unavailable ** |
This poem is simple in form, but deeply inspiring!
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This is how I see God, how I 'hear' his voice (inside my heart).
#965417 by Kat12   |
This piece is a short monologue that's well worth the read!
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For those of you who don't "understand" or read poetry, you must take the time to read this one. It's unique and well worth the time.
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This poem is beautifully written with a pristeen flow, and crystal clear message.
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This is one of my favorite blogs. If blogging is your thing, check him out.
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Submitted By: lorijacobs
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FEEDBACK: I love this newsletter! The stories are great and it's nice to read good Christian articles. I also enjoyed your article about your computor. Not that this was a good thing that happened to it, but that when you set out to do something for God, sometimes the Devil tries to hinder or stop our progress. Keep up the good work and press on through adversity! God Bless!
Sincerely, Lori Jacobs
Thank you Lori! The computer is fine now, but being without internet access for a whole week was hard. Although, I did get 2 issues of the SNL done, and another started. So all in all, I'd say losing it for a bit was rather a good thing.
Submitted by: diana
We subscribe and come back week after week because it takes a village to
support a writer as well. You find inspiration in the most uncommon places and
writing.com is that place.
Thank you Diane, for sending encouragement our way!
Submitted By: Davy Kraken 
Feedback for Wind:
I consider myself an atheist, which probably makes me one of the more unlikely subscribers to the Spiritual Newsletter. Though the editorials may be religiously inspired, they tend not to be too "preachy," and I can usually relate to them in some way. On top of that, however, I seek to understand different beliefs. I think this world could benefit from a bit more understanding.
See? We just never know who's reading, do we? Thank you so much for responding Davy, and I hope you'll keep reading!
Submitted By: lillibet53
Thank you for this newsletter! I find it interesting how much variety there is on Writing.com and how open everyone is to differing viewpoints. I found the newsletter while exploring Writing.com after joining; and while this is the first issue I've seen, I know I'll be back for more!
Yea! Fresh meat!!  Thank you for responding, and I do hope you'll keep reading and submitting comments. WELCOME to writing.com lillibet! May you find the time spent here as rewarding, enjoyable and ahem... addicting as so many others have.
Submitted By: ridinghhood-p.boutilier 
I keep on reading the newsletter because the spiritual journey is one I have travelled all of my life and I want to hear from fellow hitchhikers.
While I have discovered some answers that work for me, I still have many questions, and a desire to know and to grow.
Hope the computer demons have gone far, far , away!
Yep, the computer demons have fled the coop and I hope they stay far, far away. Thank you ridinghood, for your feedback!
Submitted By: Come Fly with Me--Kiter
I subscribe and continue to read the newsletter because I value opinions and experiences of people outside my circle of influence. On WDC I find people who have many and varied views of spirituality. I may not agree with all of them, but I gain from them.
Good job. Write on.
Thank you CFwM - Kiter. I so appreciate the feedback!!
Submitted By: Puditat
Winda, so sorry for your computer troubles. How frustrating! A lovely fill-in editorial, and I will be interested in the answers to your questions myself. Though I suspect a large number of people just run out of time and hit the 'delete' button. I hope they prove me wrong though.
Hugs,
Puditat
Hey Puditat! I knew you'd respond cuz you're so dang nice! As you can see, more folks responded than I thought. Maybe they're really reading our stuff after all. Thanks hon, and (((hugs))) right back atcha!
Submitted By: shanelle
I subscribe to this newsletter for the unbiased balance it brings to my life. I am a multifaceted person, and it's reflected in my writing. Depending on which area you click on in my portfolio, you might consider me a bible toting Christian which I am or a young woman living in a secular system succumbing to my thoughts and desires like a large percentage of the Earth's population. I subscribe because spirituality is hard to write about, defensive just thinking about, but it's who we are, all of us.
Great response shanelle! Thanks so much for taking the time to do so. It's readers like you, and the others who've so kindly responded that keeps me going month after month.
Submitted By: rmsalsman
Why do I subscribe?
Because I am interested in the spiritual opinions of other people. Occasionally I find those opinions in the newsletter. Mostly though I find religious opinion and that does not interest me.
Why do I keep coming back?
The answer is the same. I look for like-minded people who can separate spirituality from religion; who can separate creation from religion and who can appreciate the magnificence of creation and evolution of the soul.
I would think that the number of responses to the Editor’s Picks would be a more accurate account of the value of the NL.
Chanon
Thank you for taking the time to respond Chanon. Personally, whether it be a certain religion or belief system or not, I think that on some level we are all looking for the same things. Things like peace, understanding, guidance, hope, and something bigger than ourselves. Have we not all at one time or another asked the question, "Is this all there is?"
As far as your last comment, the editors have no way of knowing which highlighted items are being viewed, or how many times. We rely on comments from the readership which are not as common as one might think. Thanks again!!!
Submitted By: Kåre เลียม Enga 
The problem with fear? It cuts us off from the gifts of God, however we may perceive her . As an HSP (highly sensitive person) this has been a lifelong struggle that I rarely win.
Why not comment? I read. It reminds me; however, as a Bahá'í, I am not always moved to respond to Christian themes nor what I perceive as 'religious'. The reminders of our common sprituality are the gems I need.
So why do I write now? Because you so kindly asked ... .
Hi there Kare! It's so good of you to comment... gee, I didn't even suspect that you were a subscriber. Nice surprise! And for anyone who happens to have read this far, you MUST check out this gentleman's blog, if not his port. He is one of the most gifted poets on the site.
Submitted By: vivacious 
Well aren't you a dear for picking my blog! I'm  ing! Thanks muchly!
ƒarhana ~ Has Yummy C-notes! 's forum is outstanding. I'm thrilled you picked it for others to read and hopefully participate. I'll have to check out katybear's item next!
To answer your questions:
1. I chose this newsletter because I love to know what other people know about God and spirituality, but also how it can apply to my writing.
2. More often than not the message is what I need at that moment. I still get excited when it appears in my mailbox. I don't imagine that will change.
Hello vivacious! You're quite welcome... yours is on of my favorite blogs, and for good reason. Thanks so much for taking the time to send in comments!
Submitted By: PlannerDan
I'm pleased to see the loss of your computer did not hamper you from providing an interesting editorial. However, that isn't surprising because I know your talent and commitment to the SNL.
I respond because you are my friend and I want to support this effort. And I respond becasue I want to. Perhaps that is too simple a response. But, things don't always need to be complicated.
Howdy Dan! Simple responses work for me, cuz I'm just a simple gal. Thank you dear!
Submitted By: schipperke
I subscribe to this newsletter because I am still searching for answers. The newsletter and the links help me to think.
Hi Schip! Gee, I feel like this is old home week! So many familiar faces, and ones I didn't even know were out there! Thank you sweetie for responding!
Submitted By: johnmcc
You asked why I subscribe... I like the communication with other people of faith. "Where two or more are gathered in my name (paraphrased).." I also like the highlighted poems and stories by spiritual people.
Nice newsletter... sorry about your personal computer. Been there, done that.
John
Hi John! Thank you so much for taking the time to send comments my way. Yours has quickly become one of my favorite blogs as well. It's like a daily devotional, and it helps keep me revved! |
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Spiritual: August 09, 2006 Issue [#1197]
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