I Mentioned Change, Right?
I know. I am sorry. Really, I am. But I just needed another change here. If the free WordPress would just provide nicer themes and a larger variety, you guys would sense a little more stability over here!
I picked this theme for its bigger text and lighter feel. It seems easier to read, don’t you think? And I know you all love the girly look.
I’m sorry the LOTR pic isn’t here anymore, though. You’re still all my posse, right? (”Fellowship” seems a bit too churchy for me sometimes.)
One thing about me that’s consistent, that you can certainly bank on: I’m never the same. I like change.
Today, in the comments of the previous post, Wendi said change is good. I thought about that for a minute. It is always good? No matter what? I don’t think so. But whatever change is bad can always be turned around, can’t it? As can our outlook, if only we choose.
I spent some time in my archives tonight and I found a more light-hearted, even funny person who had a lot more hope. She’s just forgotten now to keep trusting. I even commented on one of my own posts, the only comment there, congratulating my Self for being so awesome and full of dreams and confidence, for taking risks.
Reading that post, other posts in the archives, and some of the entries in my gratitude journal, I realize that much of the stuff I wanted actually came true.
I have to remember that. I have to remember that while God does exist — to me at least — I too am a creator. A co-creator, if you want. You know, in his image and all that. So I too have the power to make amazing things happen. I can bring about miracles, even.
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Just reading what you wrote here, and thinking – change isn’t always good. Change always brings opportunity, opportunity to change, and that opportunity is (or can be) good – if that make sense.
The opportunity that is given to us by our choice on how to respond.
If I may borrow from Viktor Frankl, “”Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
So yes, you *do* have the power to make amazing things happen – you already have, in fact. We all can, and have.
Hmm… I think I’ll take these thoughts to sleep with me tonight.
Thanks for the words.
-Brett
PS – the new theme looks really good
Do whatever you feel is best for you… On different levels we sometimes forget to do that, and, well, it’s important.
Hmmm…. I know I’ve seen this theme somewhere before. Don’t worry, everyone and their Uncle Jimmy has Thesis. Pink looks good on you.
Change? I’m hyperventilating! Just kidding. It looks good. I do miss the header though.
@Brett: How profound that Frankl quote is! It’s true, at least, in our positive response. We could also chose the response that holds us back and stunts us. The comfort is in the fact that we are indeed in control, even when it doesn’t seem like it. When others seem to be deciding our fate, either we chose getting there, or we can choose how to respond to whatever happens. If that makes any sense.
@VeRonda: Hey! Thanks for commenting here. You are so, so right. This year of all years, I’m starting to really learn to trust my gut and allow myself more.
@Sean (WD): [fluffs hair] You think so? Thanks!
It kind of makes me happy to look at it. After I made the change, I felt as though I wanted to keep coming back and looking at it, spend more time here.
@strugglingwriter: Luckily this blog comes with paper bags. Here. Breathe!!
I miss the header too. But I’m no less an LOTR fan! This theme, though, is so organized and spacious, and it’s what I need right now.
PS. I was thinking about you earlier. Every time I write or read “strugglingwriter” my heart does a little flop. It makes me sad. I thought, maybe if you changed your name to something a bit more positive, you wouldn’t struggle so much with your writing. Calling yourself that may be keeping you in that state. Because as hokey as this sounds, your subconscious has to bring about what you’re telling it because it doesn’t like discord between it and reality. Struggling can also mean practising and promising, burgeoning and blossoming, simply fledgling but not necessarily floundering. Do you know what I mean? Not that you’re not struggling. I know first-hand writing is hard. But that the word seems hopeless. And I know you’re not.
Steph,
I like the look. It feels like a party. It’s gloomy here in Chicago-land so a party theme is very welcome here.
I am going to stand by what I said. Change is good. Now- I did NOT say everything single thing that happens to you is ALWAYS good. I am not that much of a pollyanna. Bad things happen to good people all the time. What I mean by change is good is that it lets in fresh air, oxegyn, new perspective, new learning, and it expands us and provides the opportunity to kearn and evolve into more than we were before.
THe best example I can give you is that of a fish tank. Ignore it and provide no fresh water or air and it will turn into a stagnic cess pool of death and decay. There will be the growth of algea and decay and that is IT. THe thing is…you can’t run or hide from change. It is happening all the time. Fearing it will hold you back, fighting it will cause you great pain. Learning to embrace it, tuning in to the ebb and flow of life and understanding that life is a journay and not a destination, awakens you to more possibility, more hope, and more growth.
Change is happening. Only you can choose to see it for good or evil. I choose good.
Steph – First of all, thanks for thinking about me.
Second. I know what you mean about the name. What worries me is that if I change the name all those links people have to my blog will be broken. That’s scary. Maybe I should just sign all my comments with my real name, so I’m not always just ’strugglingwriter’. Thanks for the advice
I’ve had a much better week with my writing. I’m getting close to finishing my short story. That’s really encouraging to me.
@Wendi: I see what you’re saying! You’re right about not hiding from change. In general, I SEEK it out. i crave it, need it. But I do fear the change that could mean great loss, I do. I know I need to be open to all possibilities, even what seems inevitable, but I also don’t want to lie down and take it, because there is the possibility, too, that we don’t lose everything at all, just the debt. Sure it would be an extraordinary case, but one never knows. Maybe this is the universe’s answer to us asking to be debt free. In that case, I just have to be prepared for all possibilities! But I also want to be specific. I do want to be debt-free, but not without a house, car, and so on. Really, is that too much to ask?
Thanks again so much for that job profile you sent! I applied right away. I swear it was written with me in mind. CRAZY. I hope it hasn’t been filled.
@Paul: yes, you’re right about those links. Hmmm. I suppose you could keep the address but still change the blog name, or as you said, sign as Paul.
I’m excited for you! Good for you on the writing you’re getting done lately! I’d love to read your story when it’s finished. Something I’ve always found helpful is reading other short stories I like. They’re inspiring and then I find myself getting through the block. I admit, I haven’t even tried to write fiction in a long time. But I’d like to get back it in when I’ve organized my time better!
Steph, I miss the header but I like the new theme and ahem change is good.
Sometimes simple changes enliven our perspective and broaden our vision. It sounds like the theme change did that for you. I can honestly say that in my own life each time I have been in the fire it has been uncomfortable, tough, painful even but I have always emerged better, stronger and grateful for the result if not the process. However, that is because of my faith which gives me perspective in the challenge. I cannot speak to being in the fire without faith.
Karen: I understand. And I admire you for speaking it, and for your very evident strength.
I’m with Wendi: I feel like I’m at a party! The “confetti” makes me happy to be here
… Now where’s the champagne?
Parties are good! I’m glad you feel that way.
Hey, since this is virtual, here’s all the champagne you can drink.
POP!!
Bottoms up!
I think this is a great discussion today – it isn’t so much the change that is good, but the opportunity afforded by the change and the (hopefully) positive response we choose to make. Silver linings and clouds and all that.
Did someone say party?
I like your new theme too. Very clean, light and cheery. Tells a more positive story.
And yeah, pass that bottle over here. *hic*
Nothing like champagne at 2:30 on a Wednesday. Too bad Brett and Friar have “real” jobs and can’t indulge with us …
The beauty of freelancing: wine with breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you want!
WOOHOO!!
My shirt, however, stays on.
At least till after supper.
(I’ve been drunk since 9 am…)
j/k
I think Brett and Friar can drink virtual stuff. NO calories and only virtual alcohol. Doesn’t show up in the bloodstream except as extra endorphins.
I’m seriously starting to think I need the real stuff. Every now and then IT hits me and I start to panic big-time. OH MY GOD, we have no money!!! I have no money coming in, we have no money coming in, how are we going to make payments, we need moneywhereisthefuckingmoneygoingtocomefrom?! We have no groceries—am I going to have to ask Colin’s parents for fucking groceries? Sometimes, the desperation will go away and it’s like I forget about it, or something. Then suddenly it will hit, the reality of it will hit, that Colin’s income only covers, like, three things and that’s it —GAK!!!
Where’s that bottle?! Stare at the confetti, look at the party site! Happy place, happy place…
I like the blog change…it’s brighter!
I’m a bit delayed reading my blogs this week, but I did read the previous one and wish you much luck next week. I believe and teach that the first step in any situation is awareness – and you seem to have a great deal of that.
As for “change is good”. I think change can bring good – as both Brett and Wendi mentioned in their comments. Sometimes the process of change is pure hell, mostly because it’s so unknown. In ways different than you, I’ve been through that process.
Someone once likened change to the growing pains children feel. It hurts, it’s frustrating, there is crankiness involved, new feelings and emotions. You go through it for what seems like ages and it hurts. Then one day you wake up, growth has happened and there is no more pain, crankiness or frustration. That thought really helped right when I needed it.
You inspired me to change my undies.
I don’t wear undies.
@ Stacey: Glad you like the theme!
Thanks for the well wishes for next week. We need them! I can’t stop being scared. I do understand and hear what you’re saying. I mean, I’ve gone through really tough times before, of course. And I like your analogy of the growing pains.
Unfortunately, I never had those. Seriously.
@ BrettHead: Wunderbar! I think we can all thank you for that!
@ Brett: So it’s true, what they say about Vikings!
Steph, I wish I could say I DIDN’T know exactly what that hyperventalating voice sounds like but I do…It’s not something you can forget.
Deep breaths. Stare at Lucy. You have to re-focus on something else so that the creativty can flow again. Its hard. Its REALLY hard…Take baby steps. Just promise yourself you will focus on something else for ten minutes and then ten after that if you can.
A little at a time. Keep your focus on what you can do RIGHT NOW that can make a baby step of difference in your day. Don’t get bogged down by what you can’t do, focus on your CANS.
Sending rich thoughts.
ARG!! Wendy, you are SO RIGHT.
Thanks for that reminder. You’re my paper bag!
Whoa! I caught this post last night on my BlackBerry, so I didn’t really see the new look. I’m very fond of change (new boyfriends, hair colors, states, jobs…). I love the new look.
Thanks, Beth! (Um, good thing DJ doesn’t read here?)
@Steph
Maybe it’s just me, but I dont’ place much importance on a blog’s theme. (Heck, I’m still using the default one from WordPress!)
Unless it’s a business blog where I might want to buy a product. Yes, then I want to see something eye-catching that proves they’re professional and they know how to present themselves.
But for social blogs (where I know everyone and just want to talk), it really doesn’t matter to me. Green or pink. Dragons or Slugs. Lighthouses or Sherman Tanks. Or even a black screens and white ASCII characters. It’s all good to me…
I come for the content…not the appearance.
@Steph
PS. I meant that as a compliment…I’ll still come here, regardless of what your theme looks like!
@Friar: But wait, really?? Even if I made it really flashy, with waving wizards flourishing wands and flashing text and cheesy backgrounds??
Got it, though—and that’s why I still read yours! Content over looks.
@Steph
You ’still read’ mine.
HAHAHAH!!!!
I should HOPE SO!!!
Now, now, Pumpkinhead. I do it for Bear. He would be upset if I didn’t.
Sherman Tanks, with humpin’ punkins’ sitting on them.
Niiiiice.
@Steph and Brett
A whole row of pumpkins on the road, and a Sherman Tank drivin’ over them.
SQUISSHHHHH!!!!
BwaHAHAHAHAH!
(I’m in an Evil Friar Mood today). Time to stir things up in the Blogosphere.
Friar: put that to good use interpreting the dream I’m about to post. That is, if I can find the picture I’m looking for!!
@Steph
If your dream is about snakes and donuts….I won’t even go there.
*sigh* Gmail isn’t resolving today even with https:// at work – so I can’t respond to your email message
@Brett
Big Brother is onto us.
He dosen’t like some other blogs, either (Like Sandie’s or Harmony’s)
@ Friar: no snakes or donuts. Much, much worse.
@ Brett: I am so frustrated for you! But surely this is your chance to shine, Mr. Techie?
@ Friar: That’s interesting. I”m surprised you can read any at all. But glad for it. You might be zombies yourselves now otherwise.
@ Friar: no snakes or donuts. Much, much worse.
@ Brett: I am so frustrated for you! But surely this is your chance to shine, Mr. Techie?
@ Friar: That’s interesting. I’m surprised you can read any at all. But glad for it. You might be zombies yourselves now otherwise.