Spiritual: January 07, 2009 Issue [#2820]
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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

With the new year come new chances, and new opportunities. Sometimes you need to be brave to go for them. This week's Spiritual Newsletter is about courage...

kittiara


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Letter from the editor

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.
Seneca

With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.
Nair, Keshavan

Trust that still, small voice that says, "This might work and I'll try it."
Mariechild, Diane

Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage.
Nin, Anais

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Roosevelt, Eleanor




First of all, I’d like to wish you a very happy New Year, and if you celebrated the holidays, I hope you’ve had a wonderful time.

Despite my somewhat grumpy Newsletter of last month, I did have a surprisingly good time over Christmas and New Year. I was rather anxious about the amount of people who came to visit – I’m not so good with crowds – but after about a day I found myself enjoying the social aspect of it all. Like other writers, I can be a bit of a loner. It’s easy to exclude myself and hide away in my own little world and in my imagination, as it tends to be a better place than the reality the world has to offer. This is not always a good thing, but socialising, for me, takes courage.

I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but I do have plans for 2009. New Year's resolutions can be all too easy to break, but plans don’t have to be attached to certain dates. I find it hard to change my life as the clock strikes 12, whilst plans I can put into motion whenever I feel ready. I have a whole year to complete them, after all. This does have a downside, because with an entire year ahead of me it’s easy to procrastinate. This year I decided to not do that, and last night I sent in two applications for voluntary positions.

They’re both out of my comfort zone. Both include outdoors work, and, of course, both include socialising and working with other people. One is a conservation position, which ties in with my aim to do more for the environment. One involves working with animals, from feral cats to retired farm animals. I haven’t got much experience in either of these jobs, but I’m willing to learn. I’ll easily admit that I’m already a bit anxious about it all... but I can’t always let fear get in the way of living my life and trying out something new.

The choice here is simple. I can continue on the path I am on, safely tucked away, secure in my hiding… but that gets boring after a while. On the other hand, I can step out of my comfort zone, learn something new, meet new people and do something good. The experience and confidence gained might lead to something else that’s new and exciting… I’d never know if I didn’t try.

I think the same applies for many other aspects of life. Writing, for example. If you always stick with what you know and are comfortable with, you might miss out on mastering a new style or genre. You might limit your imagination and creativity, and you’d never know what wonderful items will remain unwritten.

If you’re hoping for a promotion but never dare to take that one step further in trying to obtain it, you might be passed by again and again. If you’re too afraid of flying to step on that plane, you might never witness the wonders of the world. If you have a dream but you tell yourself it’s never going to happen, it probably won’t.

Daring ideas are like chess men moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.
Goethe


Life is short. You don’t have to take big, impossible steps to achieve a goal, if that’s too scary for you right now. You can start small. One step at the time can be just as brave, and have just as big an impact. It’s taking that first step that matters…

kittiara


Editor's Picks

 
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Recipe For Happiness Open in new Window. (E)
A multi-cultural recipe. If you have other versions of it, please e-mail me.
#589053 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


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#1066136 by Not Available.


 The Light That Leads Us Through Open in new Window. (E)
a poem written to inspire
#1507628 by Julie Natale Author IconMail Icon


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#1491315 by Not Available.


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 SAM TAKES A STEP Open in new Window. (E)
A true and inspiring story of an army veteran on my paper route many years ago.
#1023685 by WordsDoMatter Author IconMail Icon


 Charity Shops On Saturday Open in new Window. (E)
heartwarming story about a lady who discovers something of great interest
#1493532 by Tricia Archer Author IconMail Icon



And, of course, if you have any plans for this year, this contest might be for you:

 
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Dear Me: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
What are *your* goals for the new year? Think it over, write a letter and win big prizes!
#597313 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon



 
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Ask & Answer

The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!


weeowl flying free! Author Icon - Yuletide Greetings! I too am struggling with the holiday spirit. This time of year is always difficult for me due to missing the way it once was. I miss my big family, yet I realized since my Granny died it's just not the same. As I discovered on my Grandpa's 90th birthday, the people I used to be so close to are now strangers. I felt very out of place...like I'd just woken from a coma or something. Now, I celebrate with my bright and shiny niece and nephew and my immediate family. I choose to be happy.

Thanks so much for your feedback! I am sorry to hear about your grandmother, and can understand how difficult the holidays must be. I'm glad you've found a wonderful way to still enjoy them, and I hope the recent holidays were a happy time for you *Smile*.

~~~

Tompot Author Icon - Kittiara finally someone else who shares my point of view! I live in a home where Christmas is very Commercial based. Makes me feel uneasy.

It's sad that less people each year really think about the real meaning of Christmas.

Happy Holidays guys.

Thanks so much for your feedback! Yes, it saddens me as well. Companionship and the simple enjoyment of spending time with loved ones is the most important to me. And I'd rather receive something small and thoughtful than something chosen because it's expensive and impressive.

I hope you did end up enjoying the holidays *Smile*.


~~~

Incurable Romantic Author Icon - Wonderful piece on love, and the holidays, Kitti! Merry Christmas!

Thanks so much for your kind words *Smile*. I hope you had a lovely time as well!

~~~

I wish you a wonderful week, filled with inspiration *Smile*.

The Spiritual Newsletter Team:

Sophurky Author Icon, larryp, kittiara



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