"What Time Do You Write On Your Blog?"

When I read the email that was sent in my Hotmail inbox by Jeff Goins and what we need to write about; my first thought was, I already expounded that topic yesterday which is about the time I write for my Blog. So, here I am again and will try to add and not be redundant.
I write before midnight. That is when I 'm already finished doing everything for my two dogs; from feeding them to walking them outside for their bathroom breaks and brushing their teeth and spend time petting them before they're both ready to bed.
Before I gather my thoughts to the page, I see to it that I'm also ready to bed meaning I already had organized my computer desk. I don't work well with a space that has so many clutter. It affects the fluidity of my thinking process. I also want my bed free of clutter so when I'm done with my writing, that is my reward to plunge into my bed with a lot of pillows. It also means that when I start writing, I already had taken a shower and wearing my comfortable pajamas. That is my routine. You might think that all writers can sway their thoughts in a messy atmosphere. There are even many of them that before they can write that they take a glass of wine or maybe even a bottle of liquor to get them going. Well, as the maxim says, "to each his/her own." It's a personal preference.
Getting up early to write is not for me. I have a problem with that. On weekdays, I get up at 5am, and I have a lot of things to prepare before heading to work. And when it's pouring down winter rain, I may even have to get up even an hour early for impending road problems as well as your car problems that may arise when it's too cold to drive. 
I really admire people who are able to write early in the morning. I wonder how they do it. I can understand if they do it early in the mornings on Saturdays and Sundays. But on weekdays, I don't know... Maybe, it takes them half hour to one hour to write 500 words. It usually takes me 60-70 minutes to come up with 500 words cohesively. That for me is still competitive. One more thing, if you write early in the morning, and the day has just begun; no activity has occurred yet. What would you write? Would you write something that happened a while back or an event that just happened during the day?
I might be able to do my writing early in the morning if I'm in a writing escapade or adventure where you and other writers are closer to nature like near the mountains, over the hills and walking trails that you can have your muse in writing just like that, no power struggle with yourself. Only countless thoughts marveled by your environment. When the atmosphere is so conducive for writing, even the air that you breathe each time feels like a healing touch to your soul...
That's my pitch for tonight.
Goodnight!

"What Motivated Me To Get Started With My 500 Words?"

 
Writing for the Soul; from the Heart is unfinished business. There's always something that gets in the way. However, joining to write my 500 words initiated by Jeff Goins every day for the whole month of January motivates me to join in writing with the rest of the enthusiasts.
The feeling of being in a group of bloggers, writers writing for the same goals & aspirations kind of stir me from the inside. The commonality among us, that drive to be better and not so judgmental in the editing part takes away the pressure off your shoulders.  
Of course, we all want to hone our skill in writing and be more creative and interesting and what best way to do it other than making it a habit for 31days with Jeff Goins guiding us in this adventure.
For me, I believe that what will see me through in writing for the whole month of January is the Daniel Fast for 21 days. Since I'm fasting from social media and other stuff that is draining my energy, now I have real time to become synthesized to things that are good in my spirit like writing & journaling
This way, I can listen to myself fully...I hate to admit that I have this wholehearted, sincere and really pumped to start on something but occasionally, I'm not a good finisher especially if I'm doing it alone. I guess because when you're writing with hundreds of people there is accountability. You don't want to be the one slacking off. And it shows, too.
Writing is a beautiful craft to be molded. Topics or subjects you want to explore are undeniably massive in number. Because of so many resources within reach, writers like me are perplexed into writing fiction or non-fiction which is for me always takes the latter.
Doing this 31 day of writing develops discipline in me. I'm learning to like hitting deadlines on a daily basis. Right now I have time to think and write but comes next week is back to teach/work with kiddos in the elementary public school. But that shouldn't be an excuse for me. I should devote special time to respect writing as a gift, not as a pinned responsibility that is put on me.
My level of commitment to get through 31 days of writing should present me a level of challenge because when you're challenged with something that is dear to you, you want to finish the race with more exhilaration than when you started. 
I am thankful for these moments when I can just sit, look around, pause and think freely what's my next word or line. I wonder how the other writers and bloggers do it; what time do they write. Are they nocturnal or more of daytime artists? I think I'm more of an owl writer. My eyes are more alert at night and I'm enthralled with a different silence and solitude when everybody has gone to bed and you're alone flirting with words to type. How marvelous is that to write what pops into that head, the spontaneity of delving at the moment. How I wish that time is not measured by seconds, minutes and hours. And that you're just here not being bound by fear and uncertainty...
That's the essence of writing-- the unfinished work!
That's it for tonight.
Good Night.

"How You React To Your Life's Misgivings Is Powerful..."

This writing regimen on writing a topic of your own choice with 500 words is kind of fun. You just write without the accountability of being precise or spot on with your writing. You just write your thoughts. It doesn't even matter if your words are not cohesive with the rest of your sentences. Just be spontaneous. Be free. What does that gonna look like?

Well, today is just the second day of 2019. And it still feels like 2018 is at bay in my personal calendar. It's not that I'm not excited about what this year may bring but there is so much at stake here. I'm doing the corporate Danie's Fast with my church for 21 days and I'm already having withdrawals with not drinking coffee, not eating red meat, no sweets of any kind and no social media and Netflix. Blogging is okay. Reading Christian books is welcome. Listening to K- Love and Air one radio is helpful. 
I look at this as a challenge and a discipline to my body and to my mind, heart & soul for I know that after the Daniel Fast, I feel replenished and more focused on the things that matter most. Isn't that what most of us want? Come to think of it, with all the constant distractions around us even when we're asleep; the things that we dream are all connected to what we do and how we use our time. However, we need the challenge to awaken our soul to do the things that are beyond our comfort zones. And in every challenge lies the misgivings. Can I really do it? What if I do it and go back to be a slob again? I believe that you owe yourself to be healthier this year in all areas of your life even if it means dragging your feet to do it.

This afternoon I went to see my mom who lives 17 minutes away from me. It's been raining all day. I hit a lot of puddles going to her house. She asked me to sew her jean pants and so I did with needle & thread. I also helped prepare dinner for her and my youngest sister. I love my mom dearly. However, when I talk to her now I have to be loud, otherwise, she can't hear me. She refuses to have a hearing aid that she's not going to pay. I don't quite get that. Don't you wanna hear your loved ones talk clearly? Because very oftentimes, she just keeps on talking and not listening to us.
And that results to miscommunication. A lot! But she's my mom. I am thankful every day that she is still alive. I have a lot of friends and high school classmates that their moms or both parents are no longer here on earth. And I know that puts you to misery especially at Christmas, New Year's & Thanksgiving.

So, I will tolerate the little inconvenience with the hearing loss and sooner or later, I would be in that situation. Let me tell you. Growing old is not a joke, it's a slow death. That's a myth to be growing gracefully. The pangs of aging are some kind of disconnection between your mind and your body. The only one thing that is intact is your heartbeat. Listen to it!

"I Pray That Your 2019 is Moving Forward..."

Attending a New Year's Eve Church Service has always been my end of the year celebration with my very good friend Senaida. Tonight we arrived 20 minutes early. The parking lot wasn't packed. We got seats 4 rows from the very front of the altar. Where we were seated was actually a good place to worship...
This is not our home church. Most churches were closed for the New Year's including ours. Thus, we decided to go to this church, a sister church. The Praise & Worship Team started with a song I never heard before. I just thought it was one of the Hillsong's. Or maybe an original song composed by one of the worship singers. And it went on to be a few more songs that I'm not familiar with. That's frustrating when you're just moving your lips but not singing the words. Finally, "How Great Thou Art" was sung to my delight.
Then I caught myself murmuring, complaining about their song choices. I can't be stoic I told myself. Whew! That was pretty bad of me to have that feeling, especially it's the last few hours to conclude before ushering to 2019. That convicted my heart. It's not about what I love to hear but the right attitude to ring in the New Year. Realizing my mistake, I asked God's forgiveness. I know that the enemy wanted me in his corner of selfishness, however, after giving it to God, my murmurings turn into true worship. I may not know the words, but I can still close my eyes, lift my hands and pray which are all forms of worship.
On the other hand, the preacher gave us a powerful message of us all moving Forward. That it is way too long for some of us to have stayed stagnant in our lives. That we remained unmoved with the things that are of God. Complacent maybe the word. Maybe even oblivious to the blessings that are unclaimed by us. We're not willing to move our faith forward...
I pray that we all delve in to reading His Word, get involved with church ministries that are close to our beliefs and less social media.
I believe we can all do that by the grace of God. It is not our own ability that we are able to do it. It is always the grace and the mercy of God that is our present help.
His love never fails...
That's my testament!

"You Are such A Gift To Me.."

The Wonder of His Love is unfathomable 

His grace is the outpouring gift of every day's plea

Jesus, You are the only reason for this Season

Celebrate Life by knowing He is our Savior!

"Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God and All These Things Will Be Added Unto You...

A canopy that shields the imprint of melancholy...
What do you think are they?
The peace that comes as a guest into your heart; it fades, hovers away...
That unrequited love, seemingly endless chase
That wilderness we're all familiar with-- withering time, sunken flesh, goals altered,
The poverty-stricken life.
   What else is on the horizon?
I see facets of deepening depression
I read them, I see them in the eyes of strangers
and I feel their pain.
There is the God that touches and holds your uncertainty
Let Him Heal You.
Today.

"No Matter What Happens..."

                    
               I don't know how I can drive my car without turning on to K- Love or Air One Music Radio. I'd rather have my air condition or heater not working on a 17-minute ride to & from work than not having my ears, my heart fluttering to music, to beautiful songs...To some of us, maybe this is kind of eccentric preferring physical convenience to spiritual bliss so there it is--I believe there's that medium of eccentricity in me that I find it to be a lifesaver. No wonder I consider myself not so susceptible to engulfing depression. Thanks to my great endowment for good music, for the outdoors and to the One Holy God that gives us all the gifts & blessings we don't even deserve...I say that because had it not been for the heartstring for music, the saving grace of His Word, having a very supportive, loving family & loyal friends and my lifelong relationship with poetry & Nature, I could have been a lost broken-hearted nomad! Or worst, finding me at the bottomless pit! Whew, Scary!

Well, I heard this new song last month. It's a living testimony we need to walk in faith that no matter what is going on in our lives, and whatever we've done, God's love for us is eternal. Romans 8:38-39  says, "For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thank You, Lord.

This "music meets heaven's" declaration.
Hope you love this song. I was so curious about the background musical instruments used for this music video. I thought I heard cymbals, sticks, maracas or shakers...Love how they merged to make such a beautiful melody, and the beat is on perfect cue. I think so, too.