Write On! November 15, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, People, Writing & Writers.comments closed
BrownEyedMystic is guest-blogging today on {Courage 2 Create}, while Ollin steps in for BrownEyedMystic on her blog, Of Parchments & Inks.
BrownEyed’s post addresses writers, writing, and how to respond to the inevitable cocktail party inquiry . . . “I’m Sorry, What Do You Do, Again?”
Her post got me thinking.
When people ask what “we do,” they’re quite often asking (politely, in a socially acceptable way):
WHAT DO YOU DO . . . TO EARN MONEY???
Writers who earn money from their writing are proud to declare, “I’m a writer,” because they know the next questions will be:
* WHAT DO YOU WRITE???
* HAVE YOU BEEN PUBLISHED???
* DOES YOUR WRITING PAY THE BILLS???
Writers who are not yet earning money from writing may be reluctant to “open the door” to those follow up questions, knowing that many in society judge us not by the content of our character . . . but by the content of our wallets.
I don’t mind saying “I’m a writer,” because I don’t measure my worth as a writer (or as a human being) solely by my capacity to earn money. If I did, I would still be practicing law.
For now, the journey of writing is enough for me.
If my decision to write (for the sheer pleasure of playing with words) is not enough for “them,” I don’t view that as my problem.
When we give ourselves the FREEDOM to pursue our purpose with passion, and our passion with purpose, who knows where the journey will lead as the path unfolds before us?
Write on!!!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Fun with Words: Is Humility A Virtue? November 15, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Mindfulness, Word Play.comments closed
Is humility a virtue?
To answer that question, we must first understand the terms themselves.
What is virtue? How is it defined?
* Strength
* Manliness
* Morality
* Manly strength or courage
* Valor
* A commendable quality
* Merit
* Active power to accomplish a given effect
* Potency
* Efficacy and efficiency
* Chastity (especially in a woman ~ ah, gender specificity!)
What is humility?
* The quality or state of being humble.
Well, then, how is humble defined?
Like virtue, it has numerous definitions and synonyms:
* Not proud or haughty
* Not pretentious
* Unassuming
* Insignificant
* Meek
* Modest
* Lowly
Hmm . . .
If we view humility as a virtue, doesn’t that imply that we should strive to be insignificant, meek, modest, and lowly?
But, wait!
Aren’t those traits the polar opposite of virtue . . . strength, courage, valor, potency, merit, and efficiency?
Moreover, how would striving to be insignificant or lowly advance our interests as a species?
If everyone is striving to be as insignificant as possible by “playing small,” what would be the end result?
Instead of reaching for the stars, would we be forever tethered to the Earth?
Instead of encouraging others to excel, would we be doomed to mediocrity?
Look again at the definition of virtue . . . and compare it with the definition of humilty.
Is humility a virtue?
Or is viewing it that way oxymoronic?
* * * * *
As Marianne Richardson said so well:
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
To read the full quote: Our Deepest Fear
No rules. Just write!
Out Of Context November 15, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Mindfulness.comments closed
“We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.” ~ Ian Percy
We see our own words and deeds in the context of our underlying motivation ~ others are not privy to that inner landscape.
They see only the outward behavior, which is evaluated “out of context” . . . in the light of their past experiences, not ours.
And vice versa.
Makes for some interesting misunderstandings.
For related thoughts and quotes: Judgement (Naomi’s Notes)
Spirit Lights The Way 