No Fear of Falling/Failing

Quote of the Day:  Just what makes that little old ant, think he can move that rubber tree plant?  Anyone knows an ant - can't - move a rubber tree plant, but he's got high hopes.  He's got high hopes.  He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes.  So, any time you're gettin' low, stead of lettin' go, just remember that ant.  Oops! There goes another rubber tree plant.  from The Rubber Tree Plant Song (remember this was Shirley's theme song from the Laverne and Shirley show?)  The skating show I saw this weekend had an old-time TV show theme.  (Yes, my friends, the shows we watched as kids are now the old-time shows.)

{Sorry there are no photos.  Very unusual for me.  I sat next to a local professional photographer at the show and I'll link to her blog when the photos are available.  They will be worth the wait.}
My best writer-mama-pal, Roxane at Peace Garden Writer, sent me this article from The Urban Muse.  The writer challenges those of us who create to dare to take risks.  We need to write, create, paint, dream, and put ourselves out there with the same fearlessness whether we succeed or fail.  As I was reading that, I thought, it's not really whether or not that creation succeeds or fails.  To me, failure only exists when we allow those fears to keep us from trying, or to quit because of perceived roadblocks, feeling not good enough, or being rejected.  Any given work can be accepted or rejected, and even the rejection could be temporary.  All we can do is create what we are led to do, the rest is up to God and the creative universe.

I watched the local figure skating club's annual show this weekend.  I was a proud piano teacher.  Several of my students skated, and I loved watching them.  They have great rhythm, naturally! 

I feel a metaphor coming on...

We watched skaters from beginners to pro.  The beginners were so cute, I could hardly stand it!  They shuffled along, showed off their forward motion, and skating backwards.  They wiggled their hips to the song and did a few hand actions.  I whistled and cheered.  A few fell, but they all got right back up and into formation, and continued the routine.  I thought, maybe one of the first things they're taught is how to fall gracefully without getting hurt and feeling like failures, thus leaving the ice in tears.  No one cried.  No one quit.  Sometimes you leap and spin and land solidly and glide on into the applause.  Other times, you wipe out. The audience holds their breath and wishes you success, every time you try! Just like our creative work, folks.  Sometimes, we nail it.  Sometimes, we have to pick ourselves back up, and try all over again.

Go. Create. Inspire!  And, dare to risk the fall.

Journaling Prompt:  Name your fears, purge them out, then go boldly in the direction of your dreams!

Seizing the Day

Quote of the Day:  Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears. - Kudyard Kipling

Do school lockers make you afraid?

Do they evoke memories of bad school days, junior high angst, powerlessness?

I decided to take a photography class through community ed.  The classes are held at the former junior high school which has been converted into art space and studios.  Our first assignment was to figure out how to set our cameras to manual mode and read the lighting. 

I'm not exactly a Kindergartner in a photography class, but I'm still in elementary school.  I'm hoping to unlock the mysteries of creative photography in this junior high setting. 

Our homework is to take pictures, duh, and share them this week.  Since we have a glorious day that is above freezing - actually around 40F out there, I took a walk with my camera.

My first photo was of my neighbor's house.  I had thoughts of knocking on the door to see if my friend was home, but thought I might be tempted to drink tea and visit instead of doing my homework, so I kept walking.  My first photos of her place were bright white.  I still had my camera set to indoor lighting.

Signs of melting, and things that are revealed caught my eye. 

Soon kids will be playing here.  My boys like being the first to clean the slide off with their bottoms.

I find beauty in nature, not the straight and perfect, rather what is broken, decaying, and yet, showing new life.

When I got home, I discovered broken dishes and a cat who had seized the opportunity to climb on the counter to lick my plate.  I'd had salmon on my toast, and I should have known she couldn't resist the smell. 

Reason number one for doing your dishes right away.

What? Me? I've just been lying here, napping all afternoon.

Right.

This blog has been a bit quiet lately because I'm preparing for the read-through (unveiling) of my first full-length play this coming Sat. Feb. 19.  Wanna talk about fears?  I've been pushing down negative thoughts for at least two weeks.  But, I've set the date and called my talented friends, so there's no backing down, now.  Eeep!

I'll have one more post this week when my latest article in Her Voice is available online.  It's titled "Real Men Read Her Voice."

Turn and face your fears, my friends, and

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How do you celebrate warmer weather and feelings that spring is in the air?  What fears are you pushing down right now?