Dare to dream?

Ever come across that girl or woman who wants to be the most classy and elegant woman on the block? Then there is that man who sees himself as the next president of United States? Well, nothing at all wrong with having dreams and being ambitious. You can dream any dream that you want. You may even dream of being the best wife, teacher, musician ever celebrated, the best film producer ever to live or indeed the world's next best-selling author *wink*. No dream is too big or too small. After all our dreams are tailored to suit our needs, personalities, environment and our traits. You are there, a self-motivated and focused human being. The kind of person that doesn't let life's challenges stand in their way. You're the sort who grabs every opportunity with both hands and you've got what it takes. And if you've got the resources, family and friends who support you and will you on your way as well as that greater being on your side then I reckon you're half way there.

But my dear doves, I reckon, it all hinges on one thing and one thing alone- the fact that you should never compare yourself to anybody. Indeed, let them be your source of inspiration. Admire them and let them guide you even but when you start measuring yourself against them you're on a slippery slope to failure. You'll get to the bottom faster than you can say achieve. I'm not at all suggesting that you should settle for average. By all means find your passion in life, follow your heart and seek that which satisfies you. After all, where is the fulfillment if one doesn't unleash their full potential, or at least try? But you'll do well to remember that in so doing you should only strive to be the best that YOU can be. Settle only for YOUR best. After all, your best is all you can ever be. This, I believe, is what keeps us truly motivated. It gives us true contentment in our lives and enables us to walk in true gratitude. So yes, by all means be ambitious, reach for the stars and aim to be the very best - but only YOUR best!

Just saying....

The dreaded writer's block...or is it just a myth?

It hasn't been at all a good writing week for me. I found myself dealing with the dreaded writer's block or is it all just a myth. There are those like Jon Gingerich who believe that there is nothing like the writer's block and he gives a scientific reasoning for it here http://litreactor.com/columns/the-myth-of-writers-block. After reading the article I'm inclined to agree.   

Before I knew what it was I used to wonder what on earth was wrong with me. Why was it that at one period in time I was on a roll with my writing and the next I couldn’t come up with a single word? No matter how many times I scratched my head nothing was happening. And then I came to realise that the words are always there embedded somewhere within you but you just have to learn how to get them when you're faced with these supposedly dry spells. I do appreciate doing this can be the most frustrating experience that a writer can ever endure but not at all impossible to achieve.

Your heart is willing for you to write and yet your mind resists. You can't come up with so much as a sensible sentence. You beat yourself up because it is not the standard of writing that you're used to and your brain becomes slower than the fingers tapping on the keyboard. There is simply no inspiration coming forth. The more the hours tick by, the more frustrated you become. You have that novel to finish or a great article you’ve been meaning to write and yet nothing is forthcoming. You’ve simply shrivelled up!

So what do you do when the dreaded writer's block strikes or should I call it myth?

Well, I can only speak for myself and what has worked for me is to:

a)      Write through the trash and somewhere in there I tend to find gold dust. The worst thing that a writer can do is stop writing altogether so it's better to write something than not write at all.

b)       Redirect my energies. Instead of focussing on the novel or the article that is getting me frustrated in the first place, I write something completely different. Somewhere during the process I find my way back home. 

c)      Instead of spending hours staring at the computer, praying and willing for the words to come I refocus my energy. It is time for me to read that great novel I’ve been meaning to read but never found the time because I was on a roll with my writing. Who knows something inside that novel could be what I need to inspire me.

d)      A walk in the park or sitting outside in the garden also does wonders. It’s amazing how the mind is triggered just by watching people going about their business. A bus speeding past you, a bee buzzing in your face, kids kicking a ball or someone’s laughter or voice could be just what you need to get those juices flowing again. This is the reason why it is crucial for a writer to always carry a notepad because when those words come they come fast but once they're gone you can never retrieve them. Not quite in the same way anyway.

e)      Forget everything and just sleep. That’s right, sleep. Sleeping relaxes the rattled mind. One of my best inspirations have come to me in the stealth of the night, when there isn’t a sound and I have to get up there and then to write and I never have to change a word afterwards! 

So I’ve learnt not to beat myself up when my creative juices dry up on me because I know the words are in there somewhere. I just have to master how to retrieve them and now as I write about the experience I'm dealing with it!