masterwordsmith-unplugged

How many times have you longed to write a better post, compose a more melodious tune or even concocted a more delectable dish? In short, have you ever told yourself, “I want to be more creative in my life”?

I have that same longing everyday.

But I used to have hang-ups about it, thinking I was not good enough until I realized that we are all creative to varying degrees and that we should not have hangups about our basic character, personality or skills/talents.

Some of you may object and say that you haven’t tried to do anything remotely artistic since goodness knows when or that you have no talent and are just no good at being creative.

Well, fret no more. You can be creative, in any area you choose. If you can pick up a pen or brush, you can write a story or paint a picture. If you can move any part of your body, you can dance. If you can make a sound, you can sing except it may not be necessarily a Celine Dion or Pavarotti type of presentation of course.

There is just one catch though.

You have to make a sacrifice.

You need to give up something that is very near and dear to your heart.

You have to be willing to give up your low self-esteem and perception that you are inadequate, and be strong enough to accept yourself and whatever you write, create or sing or paint or draw. Replace that feeling of inadequacy with an attitude of absolute love and honor and respect.

If one receives condemnation, insults and criticism, be strong and come out of it unfazed, stronger and with a keener sense of self-actualization. Do not believe in the negative insults and chose instead to rise above that cloud of criticism. Be thankful for the hard knocks and walk away from a toxic situation after reinforcing your inner self and finding your creativity.

Of course many may think that is a tall order but we have to let go of our hang-ups.

Stop listening to the voice that is not on your side.

Frankly, the real secret to being creative is not about talent. It is about how we use our resources and our capabilities or talents in the best way possible.

Our creativity was given to us by our Creator to access and express the deepest parts of who we are. Follow your intuition, that usually leads us with unfailing accuracy to make positive, optimal life choices. More often than not, it keeps us viscerally connected to what is passionate, vital, and meaningful in our lives.

So the next time you have a creative urge, delay no more. Just smile, pick up that paintbrush or pen or dancing shoes or whatever and just do it!

You can! You will.

God bless you and have a good week.

To those of you who are about my age may probably get the humor in the following statements...and if you don't - good because it means you are still YOUNG and be glad!!!
This compilation was sent to me by my sister-in-law and I hope it brings many smiles to your face. Have a nice day...please leave a comment if you wish. Thanks.


1977 : Long hair
2009 : Longing for hair

1977 : KEG
2009: ECG

1977 : Acid rock
2009: Acid reflux

1977 : Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2009 : Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1977 : Seeds and stems
2009 : Roughage

1977 : Going to a new, hip joint
2009: Receiving a new hip joint

1977 : Rolling Stones
2009 : Kidney Stones

1977 : Screw the system
2009 : Upgrade the system

1977 : Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2009 : Children begging you to get their heads shaved

1977 : Passing the drivers' test
2009 : Passing the vision test

1977 : Whatever
2009 : Depends

Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.

The people that started university this year were born in 1990.

They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle tops have always been screw off and plastic.

The CD was introduced 3 years before they were born.

They have always had an answering machine.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.

They don't know who Mork was or where he was from. (That's why I love Robin Williams.)

They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.

They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter or even know what one is.

It is good to have friends who know about these things and are still alive and kicking!!!!

Live your life to the fullest and take care, dear reader...

There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into his shell.

It was only a grain,
but it gave him great pain.
For oysters have feelings
Although they’re so plain.

Now, did he berate
the harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?

Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?

‘No,’ he said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
Since I cannot remove it,
I shall try to improve it.

Now the years have rolled around,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny stew.

And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.

Now the tale has a moral,
for isn’t it grand
What an oyster can do
With a morsel of sand?

What couldn’t we do
If we’d only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.

-Author Unknown

As we look around us today, what do we see in our country? Oysters, humans or animals?

Brother rising up against brother. A fellow party member speaking against another member. A member of one party insulting members of another party. Many don’t seem to be human anymore. It is almost like a jungle jamboree or a canine kingdom.

Change in any society does not come easily.

History books bear testimony to this sad but somewhat encouraging truth.

In moments like this, we must remember that our pursuit for change does not come easily. To be complancent or to give up or to accept the situation means we are undermining ourselves and I am sure we can do better than that.

We cannot give up or despair that easily. Neither should we get too elated or complacent or over-confident to take things for granted.

Life deals everyone of us some crazy cards.

We all must remember that success does not come from the outside. Success comes from making the best of what we have. Anyone who has ever achieved something did so by making the best of what they had.

That’s why the road to success is so elusive. There really is no set path because we all start is different places with different resources. And dear reader, I know, even though it seems remotely possible, even though it appears to be so elusive, I know that dawn will come when the old will pass away and be judged for their crimes and sins.

I know we will reach success by knowing exactly what we want (having a desire that pulls us forward) and using everything we have (our unique talents and resources) to get there. One day, after all the sand that is under our skins giving us so many problems, we will come shining through like a beautiful pearl from the deepest ocean one day...and I hope that someday will come soon.

A little bit of patience, a little bit of kindness and love…and lots of hope…that is what we need…and lessons from an oyster.