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This week: "I'm not very good, but..." Edited by: Fyn More Newsletters By This Editor
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"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."~~Albert Einstein
"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself."~~ Lloyd Alexander
"Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn."~~ C.S. Lewis
"I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries"~~ Theodore Isaac Rubin
"If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way."~~Mark Twain
"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand."~~ Chinese Proverbs
"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from."~~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."~~ Eartha Kitt
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."~~Mahatma Gandhi |
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There is nothing worse than hearing, "I know I'm not very good, but..." Why should one apologize because they are learning how to do something? Why take away from what has already been accomplished? It is more than many others have done. Writing is a learning experience that is open ended as one continues to learn, to grow as long as the person is a writer. There is no point in which one can say, "I know it all." There is always room for improvement, for editing, for revision. Absolutely, some folks write better than others, but that fact should never take away from one who is deep into the learning process and one who is working on their craft.
It bothers me every bit as the one who says, "My mother's best friend's teacher says it is good and I got an 'A' on it, so I know it is good!" and it has a comma splice, three misspelled words and is grammatically incorrect. Thinking you are better than anyone or worse than everyone are terrible mindsets to live in.
"I'm still learning." That works. One 'practices' medicine or the law. Same goes with writing. Would you ever hear a doctor say, "I know I'm not very good, but..." and not walk out the door...err...make that run? Writing is an art, a craft, and very much an ongoing process.
I remember talking with Robert Frost as a child. He told me that to his mind, "A piece is never finished...I always like to tinker with it. Problem is, my work is now so famous, no one lets me. So I do it anyway; just for my self." He was also the first person to tell me to let my work simmer and then go back to it. Imagine. Robert Frost taking the writing of a nine year old girl seriously. I didn't really even know who he was at that point, but my grandmother told me he was her favorite poet so that was good enough for me. Now I look back and think-- Robert Frost? Seriously? Oh if I'd only known then what I know now about his writing! But I still would have let him read my work. Just because he's a zillion times better doesn't mean anything. It is all about learning. I still am learning. I will always be. |
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workin nights says: I have to agree with your presentation about reflection. We send out signals in word and action and get a response. Then it is internalized and reflected in word and thought. Ultimately ending down a path of life that is the sum total of all the reflections we have encountered.
monty31802 writes: Great newsletter Fyn. Wishing you a Great New Year.
A lot can be said without a lot of words.
Thank you
troy ulysses davis comments: Love the Confucius on wisdom. The first three quotes were solid introductions. And last but certainly not least I appreciated the timing of the subject matter. Currently working my New Years resolution before declaring it. Keep up the good work.
NickiD89 adds: Your NLs at Christmas time are among my favorites. I love imagining your tree, each bough heavy with sparkling ornaments and precious memories. Taking the time to reflect and call forth whole memories from fractional thoughts is a practice you've reminded me to nurture. What a great goal for 2012! Happy New Year, Fyn
to you as well! :)
says: Thank you for the newsletter. All of us take moments to reflect on an earlier event. Sometimes we learn important lessons by doing so. Great work. Ann
LJPC - the tortoise writes: Thanks for the lovely NL, your thoughts on reflection, and especially your collection of quotes. I love reading them at the beginning of your newsletters. They're probably the most 'literary' thing I read all year!
rut roh! lol
spidey adds Great newsletter! I loved the quotes at the beginning, and I can totally relate to the message. This is a great time of year to reflect.
ellen_granger9 writes: WOW! This is one of the best articles I've read, in terms of meaning and depth!
Most of my works are based on allegories. Trying to look at an event from a different perspective makes it much more meaningful and valuable. I live by that rule! Thank You for sharing this.
Thank YOU!
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