Category: ELAN Blog
-
Excavating…
I’ve been excavating for optimism. The sun rises every day. A tiny green shoot pushes through a crack in concrete, driven to thrive, against all odds. In the dark days of early pandemic, we had no clue the extent or damage to come. We soon realized it was bigger than any weather event, powerful country…
-
Quote of the Week…
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” Jack Layton, 1950-2011
-
Whatever Works…
Like so many, I am disheartened by recent events. I’m thankful I can gather at my church and rest in the hope of a better world where I’m called to love all people, and for my morning writing café where check-in discussions range the whole wide-world. Safe spaces, both. Same with two-way, encouraging talks with…
-
No Matter What…
I’ve been going to my zen place leading up to Election Day. No small task. Conversations circle around impending doom should the votes swing one way. Or the other. It matters not what color flag you fly or tie you wear, tensions are high. Many feel the very soul of our country hangs in the…
-
Surprise!…
I love when a character takes hold of the keyboard to reveal an action unknown to even me, their creator. It’s true. It happens. Practicing mindfulness in the flow, humility of the heart and playfulness of the spirit can invite a co-creator to your page. Dedication is of utmost importance, as is honoring the rhythm…
-
Are You Listening?…
In Third Ear; Reflections on the Art and Science of Listening, Elizabeth Rosner reminds us that listen and silent are anagrams in the English language. Right here, I could end this blog post and leave us to ponder the coincidence of language but more importantly, what is necessary to truly pay attention. From equal letters come different words, different meanings.…
-
Dropping the Ball…
Writers are jugglers; tossing and catching various balls, depending on where they are in the process. The minimum is two: generating new early drafts and reading. Most times, though, they are editing and revising other pieces, posting on social media to bump up their digital presence, and researching for a new or current project. I…
-
Freebies…
In the last week, friends have gifted me four books of very diverse topics, two in person and two via surprise mail, graciously adding to my toppling To Be Read stack which includes downloaded books from my library app and recent arrivals from my favorite indie bookstore. During this same week, preordered books by writer…
-
Beautiful Is…
Beautiful is the northern landscape, trees aflame with the color of dying leaves. Those same trees will soon reach to the winter sun, their bare arms twisted and strong, ready to take on a sheath of ice and snow. Beautiful is the first pale green leaf bud poking through, soon to be joined in a…
-
The Truth About Gossip…
Hearing a bit of newsy insider info is like biting into a big, red, juicy apple. So delicious. So enticing. You don’t even wipe your chin before sharing it. So what if it’s not true? Isn’t that what makes gossip so much fun? The hilarity, the ridiculousness, the fantasy of it all? What? That’s crazy.…
Patty Mayeux Blog 