M. M. MacLellanChristmas is history! My eyes had become attuned to our home in all its festive glory so initially the walls seemed bare when we “undecked” the halls. But as they refocused on the less-embellished décor - it was kind of nice. Our living room, which truly is a space where we live a cozy existence during these cold January days – well, not so much during the day….but after five, when I turn on the lamps and settle in for a spell….pick up a magazine…or scurry through the home shows on the PVR for some useful or inspiring tidbits.
I don’t like putting emphasis on “possessions”, but that being said - I am devoted to living a life surrounded by...things that are beautiful, meaningful, and that bring me joy. Mostly these “things” are tangible reminders of the dear hearts who know me well - and love me anyway. Gazing around the room, I count my blessings, grateful for the fine folks in my life.
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Daniel McMillanIn December of 2017, I finished the draft of my first novel. Yay for me, right? I then went through it and gave it a first edit run-through and left it for almost a month without even touching it. Yay for me again.
Why, you might ask, is that something to cheer for? Why is the fact that I have abandoned something I've been working on so diligently and for so long cause for celebration? The answer to that is a combination of a lesson learned and a newfound confidence in the writing process. And, the knowledge that the abandonment is only temporary. My first book, "On the Ashes of Our Ignorance", was non-fiction and written as a response to the questions I've been asked throughout my adult life regarding things I have studied since I was 11 years old. RENEE CRONLEYFiction’s greatest superpower, is that it teaches empathy. Empathy requires us to suspend our egos and see the world through someone else’s eyes. There’s a common misconception that empathy is instinctive, but it’s not—rather the capacity for it is inborn but it’s still a learned behavior. It’s not easily learned either; it takes practice and patience. But it’s important for navigating complex social relationships and responding to situations appropriately. Anyone who’s had to deal with someone high in narcissistic traits knows the devastation that ensues from impaired empathy. Empathy is the highest form of emotional intelligence. M. M. MaclellanThere are various things that lure me into a book and make it a favourite. Often it’s the sense of wanting to know more…about a topic, or a setting, or an experience…
A friend loaned me her copy of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. Not only did I looove the story. How could I not – a dab of dysfunction…a morsel of mental illness…a smidgen of the supernatural - and set in modern-day Salem, MA. Yes, I admit, I have a fervent interest in the metaphysical. I can absolutely relate to Stephen King who disclosed in his book, On Writing, “I have a love of the night and the unquiet coffin.” Yes, Mr. King….me too! RENEE CRONLEYMonsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.
—Stephen King Your friend is about to select a horror movie on Netflix; your reaction is… A) Are you crazy? I’m not watching that crap! At least watch it during the day and preferably when I’m not here. I’m serious, if you put that on, I’m locking myself in the bedroom and watching something else. B) Are you crazy? It’s not dark enough yet! At least wait until the sun goes down, then we’ll turn off all the lights and watch it before we go to bed. Daniel McMillanContrast is what it is called when you have something happen in your life that shows you what you don't want. It can come in the form of hard times, or a bad situation, or something as simple as a parking ticket. But these times are not a punishment or a test. They are in fact what the universe does to help you to learn something that you need to know.
Contrast in your life is presented to you whenever you need it, to make sure that you understand something. It can show you that you may be on the wrong path, or to remind you of something that you may already have known and may have forgotten. Contrast may also be presented to you to inspire you to action, or to behave in a different way. Jamie StoufferWhat is a parent to do when their child takes up with the “wrong crowd?” Behavioural therapist, James Lehman reminds us that when we believe others are negatively influencing our children, it may be true, but the reason he or she hangs out with the group is because they have something in common. It’s necessary to see our children as complete people which means accepting their positive and negative aspects. Laying blame for a teen’s behaviour on their friends without acknowledging that they have chosen them is unfair and will ultimately limit a parent’s ability to understand the reasoning behind their choices. “While your goal as a parent is to keep your child protected and safe, your child’s goal is to be with people who like him,” says Lehman. Jamie StoufferI assure you that it's not just you. Most parents feel frustrated, impatient and unable to understand what comes next at many points along the way. One of the greatest challenges in parenting is discipline. To discipline means to teach, implying that our children are learning something from our response to the situation. This isn't always easy and I frequently hear from parents who wish, after they had calmed down, that they had done something differently. renee cronley“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” —T.S. Eliot Poetry means different things to different people. It’s a special form of artistic expression because so much needs to be said with so few words. My favourites are the ones that engage the five senses and pack a sensory punch while maintaining form, cadence, and emotional appeal. I love the way a poem strikes the ear with the turn of a rhyme and its use of various literary devices. |
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