Tag Archives: writers block

Conflicted Thoughts On Thanksgiving

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When I sat down to write about Thanksgiving for today, I drew a blank. This has never happened to me. Past stories on this day have ranged from Norman Rockwell to how holidays are hard for those who have experienced loss.

When I did start to write, it quickly wound its way into something you don’t want to read and I shouldn’t publish. It started with the whitewashing of the first Thanksgiving story and meandered all the way into my scathing disapproval for how it’s more a day of national gluttony than a day of thanks.

I cut out all the juicy parts but you get the gist.

Except that isn’t what this blog is about and that isn’t why you’re here. Do me a favor though. Take a few minutes today to broaden your perspective and google “how indigenous people view Thanksgiving.”

Meanwhile, I am grateful today for my family and friends, for my little cat Scout and for the job that allows me to give him the lifestyle he believes he deserves. I’m grateful for my warm home, for fresh produce from the grocery store and and for all things in nature – even some of the creatures I don’t really like but that are vital to our ecosystem.

I am grateful for the ability to travel and adventure some and for having a camera on my phone so I can freeze time even when my good camera is at home.

I’m grateful for books and the authors who write them as well as for the small businesses across America that give our communities character. I am grateful for the wisdom to know when it’s appropriate to publish a diatribe on a national holiday and when it’s best to start again. I’m also grateful for a country where free speech allows me to decide that for myself.  

I’m grateful for lots more things including all my readers – particularly those of you who leave comments or contact me privately to chat about that day’s story. I truly enjoy hearing from you even though I have been struggling to keep up my end of the conversation lately! Things will be calmer soon. 

With that in mind, I would love to know something you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving. This isn’t a happy day for everyone, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but an exercise in gratitude makes the world seem brighter. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, friends!!

Yanking Your Hand Back

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There’s a poet named Iain Thomas whose poems and quotes periodically appear in my social media feeds. This one speaks to me the most of all I have read:

And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.

The rest of the world has an agenda and it rarely aligns with your own. It’s up to you to guard yourself, your heart and your priorities.

Everywhere I look it seems there is a ton of work to be done. The things I consider important often get pushed to the side because the wishes, whims and procrastinations of others take me by the hand and lead me astray.

I suspect I’m not the only one who has this experience but it does feel lonely sometimes.

A quick google search for Mr. Thomas revealed little about him as a person but did produce several videos of him in interviews and speaking on various topics. One was on overcoming writer’s block, a problem I experience from time to time. His advice was simple: write something anyway.

If writing is making you anxious, write about what’s bugging you. Just start putting down words because, even if they’re not the right words, any words will propel you toward your goal.

While he speaks specifically about writing, this is stellar advice for any situation. It doesn’t matter if it’s right. Just do something to get you moving in the right direction.

In other words, whatever the obstacle – a mental block or the world’s interference. Yank your hand back and start moving in the direction where you want to be.