Transformation Affirmation » reading

Of design, procrastination and mild panic

jai — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:04:28 +0000

Busy morning so far. I’ve played around with the blog on transformationaffirmation.com (aka TrAff) the theme I used to use and tried to update has had a slight mental break down and now refuses to acknowledge my existence or that of my blogging. So I have found an acceptable alternative until such time as Atahaulpa takes its medication and regains normal working conditions.

I am going to be having a total overhaul at some stage this week or the next with TrAff as I created pages and a home page with the launch of my new endeavours. I am hoping that it answers the need in someone. The overhaul won’t happen overnight but it will happen (just like full volume hair). Ten years ago I was quite the little website creator, but alas technology is a fickle lover and she has left me far behind in this case. With some help from the Elven Lord (aka Hubby) I hope to be able achieve something that looks as good as I want while still being functional and not overwhelming.

So I tried to do the daily reading this morning while Kaeden was up. Not the best idea. He was in one of those moods where he doesn’t really need me to play with him. He just wants to know that he has my complete and undivided attention. So we gave up on that idea. I then tried again when he was in bed. Still nothing. Well I picked cards and I wrote but it was drivel and just didn’t feel right or flow in anyway. It was forced and not what I was meant to be writing. I tried channel surfing for a bit to shut my mind off for a bit and came across a Gavin Rossdale song. It wasn’t inspiring or anything in itself but it allowed my mind to still and my body to relax and as that lovely shiver of energy (or oxytocin) ran through my body a poem formed. It was one of the rambling, rhyming, lyrical variety. No punctuation just many lines of words that run off on their own little story and eventually come home. I don’t think I’ve ever posted on of these poems. I’m not sure if they can be read or have to be heard or have to be written in a spiral around a giant poster with a beautiful image in the centre. Once the poem had burst forth onto the paper I picked up the Celtic Dragon cards again and lo and behold it worked. The message to my mind flowed and worked and I feel good again about it.

I had a mild panic that I really couldn’t do it, I couldn’t read the cards more often than a few times at random intervals as they called to me. But it seems I just have to find that quietness of the soul, the peace of creation and let myself do it. And if that doesn’t work take a break, have a kitkat and come back again.

I’ve been thinking alot this morning about choosing my mood, that all my complaints are of my own choosing. That in fact I make myself miserable more than not. I also decided that some people simply use twitter to make others as depressed as they are. If we all made the effort to be happy it would be contagious I’m sure.

I’ve also been thinking about the real me and how I don’t always let her out. I am a mystical, spiritual, creative, crazy and wonderful person and I shouldn’t be so scared that people won’t like it. Cause the fact of the matter is that all the people that matter do like it, and lots that don’t matter like it. And if some people that are just sometimes sort of friends don’t well that is fine and we don’t have to become bosom buddies.

I had a work out this morning; well most of one, Kaeden wasn’t very happy at the concept of me on the floor and not being a jungle gym for him. But I haven’t done it in ages. I haven’t been on I AM in ages and written stuff down. In my shame I have been keeping away, from my own bloody website! Why am I ashamed? I preach that we shouldn’t be, that we should just try again. I should just follow my own advice. But I don’t, stupid girl that I am at times.

Okay that’s enough mental overflow for the moment.

Books on Writing

jai — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:47:44 +0000

The best book I have ever read about writing, tips for writing and how to be a writer is Stephen King “On Writing A memoir of the Craft”
It inspires me everytime I read it. The first part about his journey to becoming a writer is enjoyable and humorous as well as telling as us that its not easy and if he can make it so can we.
The best advice I got from the book was to shut the door. Find a room to write where you can physically or metaphorically shut the door and cut off the rest of the world and write. And Do it EVERYDAY!
I followed this advice a few years ago and in 6 weeks I knocked out 130,000 words. Granted that work is still sitting waiting to be finished. But that is also cause I haven’t been shutting the door since.
In those days I had a computer without a connection shut away in a garage full of stuff. Nowadays I have a room full of life and the world. And a computer with an internet connection.
I need to get refocused again and read the book. Then I need to write everyday and read everyday. Even if it is just writing for here (and although I say “just” it is hardly a “just”).
Now that I have cut back on SPP I can give the time while K is sleeping over to reading and writing. I will start with the reading. I need to get back into devouring books again. Not just 10 pages before bed at night.
I truly believe that to write you must read. There is no substitute for learning the craft than to see how everyone else does it. Sure it leads to you stealing a bit here and there from style and content. But that’s how we learn isn’t it. Thats what happens in the classroom. Eventually we grow enough to form our own style and create our own stories. But we have to start somewhere.

So this morning I have knocked out three blog posts and posted onto the forum (which I hope one day will be discovered and take off)

Soon I am going to start reading Stephen King On Writing again. I am going to think about what I want to write about. Choose an idea and run with it. Even if it is just a short story. I need to realise that not every idea I have is brilliant enough to be a novel! (There is that ego again that keeps popping up)

Before i sign off I just want to say Thank You Stephen King for writing On Writing. And maybe one day I’ll get to thank you myself!

Buy on Amazon
Stephen King’s Website

Spirit Animals

jai — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:31:15 +0000

So I am trying to get back into using my Power Animals Oracle Cards. Picking one a day to meditate on and take a lesson from. Today’s was the Horse. (As you can see by the last post). I have a set by Steven D. Farmer, Ph.D. and his book. They are very insightful.
My biggest thing is I need to be open to all the animals. I know there are some times that I pick an animal and I’m just not into it because of personal feelings about that animal. I am I guess a bit “ego” and they aren’t good enough to be travelling with me…even if its just for the day.
I was thinking about more long term giudes/companions and thinking about my top 10 I would want so here is my top 10 desired Spirit Animals -

1. Wolf
2. Dragon
3. Raven
4. Hawk
5. Black Panther
6. Coyote
7. Unicorn
8. Lion
9. Scorpion
10. Serpent