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Spiritual: February 06, 2008 Issue [#2214]

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Spiritual


 This week:
  Edited by: larryp
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value.
~~Stephen R. Covey


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Letter from the editor

I believe who you are spiritually determines not only your inspiration for writing, but also your motivation for writing. Do you know why you write, your purpose for writing, or what you want to accomplish in your writing? The answers will be different for each of us, for we are all individuals with differing motivations and goals. Have you ever written down your personal mission statement for writing? I prefer to refer to a personal mission statement as a 'personal articulation statement.' I believe that a person needs to hear himself/herself say the things as they write them; saying and writing these things personalizes and affirms them.

I recently, at the age of fifty-eight, wrote my personal articulation statement. One of the things I wrote down was my desire to publish at least one book of poetry. This is the first time I have heard my voice say this, as well as the first time I wrote it down as goal. In doing this, I was stilling all the old voices that said I wasn't good enough. I think, as creative writers, it is easy to write in the creative realm, but it is more challenging to write our personal mission statements or goals. The reasons for this may be fear, self-doubt, or feelings of insecurity and inadequacy – I use these examples because they are things I have faced and still confront in my life. One of the best ways to silence these 'enemies' is by writing down a personal mission statement.

In writing a personal mission statement, concentrate on your strength. My strength, in writing, is poetry. I continually strive to improve my knowledge and skills of the art of poetry and to share what I learn with others. When I wrote my mission statement for writing, I focused on poetry. I try to improve skills in other avenues of writing, but my 'strength zone' is poetry. When writing a personal mission statement, focus on one main goal and concentrate on improvement. Forget the past; silence the old inner voices, the voices of friends who discouraged you, and the rejection slips from publishers. Focus on the future.

A personal mission statement requires introspection, self-analysis, and written expression. Rather than being something that is produced in 5 minutes, a personal mission can takes weeks, even months, to complete. The process of writing the statement is so important as writing will help clarify your inner-most thoughts and feelings. You will come to a greater understanding of who you are, what you are about and what you value.
http://www.iwillchangeyourlife.com/2007/08/09/how-a-personal-mission-statement-c... -- This link provides suggestions for writing a personal mission statement.

Other helpful links for this task:
http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/Leadership/mission.htm
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/09/12/why-you-should-write-things-d...

The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure that as soon as you set them, you immediately begin to create momentum. The most important rules that I ever adopted to help me in achieving my goals were those I learned from a very successful man who taught me to first write down the goal, and then to never leave the site of setting a goal without first taking so form positive action toward its attainment.
~~Anthony Robbins

Afraid lest he be caught up in a net of words tripped up, bewildered and so defeated – thrown aside – a man hesitates to write down his innermost convictions.
~~William Carlos Williams

It is never too late to be what you might have been.
~~George Eliot

Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.
~~James Bryant Conant

Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others.
~~Habakkuk 2:2

Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed.
~~Michael Pritchard


Editor's Picks

For your inspiration and reading enjoyment

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 Dear Me, 2008 Open in new Window. (E)
My writing goals for 2008. Ambitious, yet fun.
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Each writer should find the way that is most productive and fulfilling for him/her.
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Ask & Answer

Wren Author IconMail Icon
Thanks for this interesting newsletter.

The questions from Les Parrot yield some very revealing answers. To connect the idea of a high maintenance relationship to my spirituality, I'm reflecting on how much that relationship came between me and God. The criticism and resulting self-doubt kept me from developing a talent I thought I had, or at least had a deep desire to try my hand at.


Wren - thank you for comments. I think this is what stirred me to write on this topic.

Pen Name Author IconMail Icon
Dear Larry,

I THOUGHT I might be the "subscriber" you mentioned, and I was right! My "high-maintenance" relationship describes more than a few members of my family! As I read "do you respond by eating more," I stopped mid-chomp on a piece of pizza.

I must remember that there are people who care about me, who take the time to call. Even though my friends all live far away, they are still friends. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that my neighbors are not welcoming, I will cherish and return every call and e-mail from my long-distance buddies. And I do have a friend locally. Even though she is only 16, (and I am 37) she understands me and likes me without judging me. Thank you for your newsletter reminding me that my prayers for supportive friends may have already been answered.

Sincerely,
Lois


Thank you Lois for sharing a bit of your experience.
If not for the encouragement I received from my wife, I most likely would still not be writing.

faithjourney
Thanks so much for your newsletter on friendships. It was a word in season for me. Recently, I just found out somebody I thought had been my friend for several years doesn't trust me - not through her words, but through her clear actions. I'm completely puzzled as to why this happened. I've never done anything to betray her trust and have tried to be a good friend. Right now I'm just disappointed that she doesn't know me better after all these years. What can I do? Move on, I suppose, despite the fact that I am shocked and very disappointed in somebody I thought I knew. Thanks again for some encouragement to help me see the path clearly andn know it's time to move on! Yes it stings, but I'll survive. At least it's clear who my real friends are right now.

Sherri
I think your experience is one that most of face at one point in our life. It is here that we must struggle hard to keep going. Thank you for your comments.

COUNTRYMOM-JUST REMEMBER ME Author IconMail Icon
I read with interest Les Parrot's eleven questions on whether or not a relationship is helpful or detrimental. I found I answered "yes" to many of the questions. That's not good, and I hope to do some changing, although at this point I am not sure just how. Perhaps a support group is just what I need, along with some serious prayers -
Thank you for an excellent newsletter. You continue to inspire!
Countrymom


Julie - unhealthy relationships do drag us down and they are always easy to escape. I pray that you fine the appropriate way.




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