Thought for The Day - Do it for...

Detail of "Linen - A Storm's Coming" 

You know, there are as many ways to approach this daily practice as there are thoughts in my head. There are equally as many reasons to stop doing it as there are to continue. So I choose to do it. I don't want the reason to stop writing to be I don't have "enough" readers. I don't want the reason to be someone said something insulting or demeaning. The choice to stop has to be significant and that I am making a choice for better. Whatever that is.

You know, I can sit in front of this computer daily, walk the streets of downtown Chicago, or while I'm sweating out my catharsis in the gym, a thousand ideas, thoughts and messages hit me. I can do this writing, journaling and blogging all day. I could start conversations through this outlet that continue into the night, but...

I do it for those who are considering blogging but wonder if they have the right stuff

I do it for the person who reads for a bit of encouragement in general

I do it for my own need to express

I do it as an outlet for my thoughts and emotions

I do it because I don't sing :)

I do it because in a given day, ways to impact the world are limited and everyone needs to express

Thought for The Day - The Challenge

Well over a year ago, I began this habit of writing a "thought for the day." Funny how elements are introduced into your life. I've been writing and journaling for approximately 15 years and would have never guessed it would lead to a daily blog! And you know it's a habit when you wake, spend the day and practically go to bed with countless ideas on your mind!

My challenge is also daily; it's not a lack of content, but narrowing the subject matter. My challenge is selecting a topic that will be relevant and yet remain true to my inspiration. By that I mean it would be easy to write about what people have commented or "liked." But the true purpose of this writing is to encourage as I am lead to do. To write and give a little of myself away, as I do. There are times it seems like I'm empty or near spent. But I also find that sitting down to begin this process there's a wealth of "me" to share.

My challenge is overcoming my shortcomings and putting myself out for the world - EACH DAY!

Thought for The Day - The Centerpoint

That place of focus, the place where everything else revolves, begins and returns to. The center, the place of strength and highest acclaim. That place emotionally, logically, behaviorally and spiritually, where, when we operate, we exude our highest being.

I've read several quotes recently stating we don't live or appreciate "The Moment." Given my nature, I was ready to point the finger at myself, certain I was guilty. But at the moment, music is playing, my all-time favorite group Incognito; the song "Good Love" - look it up! That's at this moment. The music dictates appreciating the moment. I worked on a pastel piece this morning and whenever I work in this medium, "preconceived notions" are tossed out the window! Even when I stare at a work in progress and imagine colors and movement, when pastel stick hits paper, in that minute, at that time, it's only that moment and I'm guided by one hundred variables all at the same time. I could be troubled by the conflicting possibilities, but in that moment, I am at my center.

I have reasoned many times, my "work" remains small; I don't have a large audience for writing, painting, sharing a good word and especially counseling. But I have concluded "I've reached one." Did you hear me? Are you listening? If you have heard me, if an image rendered, gave you pause for reflection, then you found me at my center (and I reached at your core!). If my listening to your struggle and subsequent advice or just a nod of understanding eased difficulties for you, I heard you, I responded in the moment. I don't claim to have special powers, but as I learned from my father so many years ago, pray, seek and receive the answer in the instance. The best is given in the moment, with or without forethought.