The Crystal Clear Blogosphere August 6, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Humor, Writing & Writers.comments closed
Much of what we post in the blogosphere is available for readers, writers, editors, and publishers to review ~ our posts, our comments, feedback we receive, and our response to feedback we solicit.
As writers, if someone suggests we revise our work, we are the only one who can decide whether or not to make the suggested revisions.
Writers should NOT make revisions that they aren’t comfortable making.
That said, when someone takes time to review our work, especially at our request, it is not in our best interest as writers to attack them (for example, by calling them names), no matter how much we disagree with the feedback received.
If we don’t agree with someone else’s opinion, we should let it go: Quick Quiz
Why? Because the Blogosphere is Crystal Clear.
If we don’t keep our guns holstered, fellow readers and writers are apt to notice our aggressiveness, causing them to shy away from commenting on our work in the future.
Even those brave enough to comment may be unwilling to provide us with honest feedback, for fear that we will turn our guns on them next.
In short, rather than receiving an accurate reflection of how our work is viewed by others, our perspective will become increasingly skewed.
Moreover, if we submit work for publication, prospective agents, publishers, and editors may snoop around cyberspace to see what we might be like to work with as a client.
If they come across a talented, but easily offended writer, they will probably keep moving.
On the other hand, if they come across a talented writer who is open to feedback, even if that feedback is not incorporated, they should be more inclined to keep that writer in consideration for representation.
Constructive criticism is invaluable as long as we don’t allow our glorious and fragile egos to get in the way.
Moral: People who write in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Reality TV: Fame At What Price? August 6, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Mindfulness, People, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
Reality TV allows Fame (and Fortune) Hunters to air their dirty laundry (and worse) in front of millions of viewers.
From my (albeit limited) perspective, Reality TV takes the expression “Reality Bites” to whole new levels.
(Going down?)
For that reason, I don’t watch shows like Survivor, Big Brother, or Nanny 911 (except to remind myself of the benefits of being child-free).
Nevertheless, I’m in favor of personal autonomy:
* If adults want to strut their bad selves in front of cameras while waving their arms and shouting, “Look at me! Look at me!,” that’s their business.
* If the “wannabes of the moment” want to dance and prance on TV au natural, while letting it ALL hang out, they’re entitled.
* If grown adults, once they exit stage left, are willing to pay the price for their less-than-stellar behavior in the spotlight, they should feel free.
But . . . why would parents drag their kids up on stage with them???
On Nanny 911, parents put their horrendous parenting skills center stage so that the world can see what obnoxious, bratty, selfish, and spoiled children they have reared.
Why?
And, at what cost to the children, both now and down the road?
Last year, I watched an episode of The New Adventures of Old Christine, which disturbed me for a related reason:
Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is at her son Richie’s school play, with other family members, all of whom are expecting Richie to be as terrible at acting as he has been with virtually every other endeavor in his life.
During the play, they all are pleasantly surprised, and speechless, at the depth of emotion he brought to his role.
Following the performance, a casting agent in the audience approaches Christine, and says, “I’m shooting a national commercial and think your son Richie would be perfect for it. If he’s interested in auditioning for the part, here’s my card. Call me.”
Christine grabs the card, breathlessly saying, “We will. We will call you,” while Richie’s father, Richard, simultaneously states, “No, we are not interested.” (Sort of like “good cop, bad cop” but with parents.)
{{Exit casting agent, stage right.}}
That’s it. That’s the exchange.
What about asking a few pertinent questions about the role itself?
Is our desire for fame and fortune so single-minded that parents (who are supposed to look out for their children’s long-term interests) fail to engage in even the most cursory fact-finding before making decisions which affect said offspring?
For example, Christine could have accepted the card, while saying, “We might be interested. Tell us a little more about the commercial.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Well, who’s making the commercial? Exxon/Mobil or Green America? Wal-Mart or the Make-A Wish Foundation?”
“Oh, it’s for the Ronald McDonald House to raise money for its programs, as well as for Toys for Tots.”
“Sounds great. What type of role would Richie be playing?”
“A cancer patient. We would have to shave his head, but we could cast him the following week as a young Hare Krishna.”
“Mmm . . . I’m not so sure. Richie’s hair is like a golden halo ~ I don’t think we want to have him running around like a bald Buddha. After all, we’re Lutheran.”
{{Fade out}}
Are we so focused on living in ticky-tacky houses, driving ticky-tacky cars, and playing “follow the leader,” that we have forgotten how to ask pertinent questions to make informed decisions for ourselves and our offspring?
Are we willing to accept Fame at any price?
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Why Are Reality TV Shows Popular? (WP Prompt) * If You Can’t Stand The Heat . . . * Get Real
Aphorisms from Aa to Zz: Mm August 6, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Magick & Mystery, Nature.comments closed
Make A Difference
Begin with yourself. Begin now.
Don’t get caught up in the numbers game. Having a profound impact on one person may be more important than having a modest effect on a thousand.
Most of us will never do great things, but we can do small things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa
There are many things you can give the world, but you cannot make the sun shine.
The Meaning of Life
When asked, “what is the meaning of life,” the Dalai Lama replied simply: “To be happy and to make others happy.”
Happiness is the goal of all goals, and it’s a state of consciousness that already exists within you. ~ Deepak Chopra
What if seekers need only ask: How well do I love?
Happiness for a reason is a form of misery because the reason can be taken away from you at any time. To be happy for no reason is the happiness you want to experience. ~ Deepak Chopra
Miracles & Mysteries
Every moment is a celebration, a miracle, a mystery.
Mysteries and Miracles abound. Let them astound.
Celebrate the joy of nature . . . the unexpected mysteries of life!
SMILE = See Miracles In Life Everyday!
Meditate on the still, silent spaces in your mind.
See the infinite horizon in the distance, miraculous mysteries on its shores.
Mind Mastery
I’m still percolating. I do not believe in hard and fast rules. I do not believe that one size fits all, and to that point, it seems, ideas come, thoughts expand, notions shift, and lessons are learned. ~ Rchard W. Scott (Uphill Writing)
An open mind learns more in an hour than a closed mind learns in a year.
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav’n of Hell, or a Hell of Heav’n. ~ John Milton
Chase away idle thoughts, and see the world as it is.
Some minds are like concrete ~ thoroughly mixed and permanently set. ~ Unknown
Stand guard at the door of your mind ~ let only the best thoughts enter.
When we hang on to our opinions and judgments, there is no room for anything else. ~ Lama Surya Das
When we LISTEN . . . anything in life can be our guide.
You must empty yourself of the past, in order to receive the present. ~ Zen Parable
Mistakes
A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice . . . without getting nervous.
There are no mistakes, only lessons.
Making mistakes helps us focus on where we need improvement.
The Universe doesn’t make mistakes.
Although the chance of stubbing your toe increases the more you walk, it is always better than going nowhere by standing still. ~ Robin Sharma, in The Top 200 Secrets of Success and the Pillars of Self-Mastery
Freedom lies in being bold. Do one thing every day that scares you.
The greatest mistake we can make is to be continually fearing that we will make one. ~ Elbert Hubbard
If you aren’t making some mistakes, you aren’t taking enough chances ~ John Sculley
Mistakes left in a work of art record the artist’s magnificent struggle. Except for typos . . . those just show sloppy editing!
Spirit Lights The Way 