Voices

Blogging for me is about finding my own voice.   I come from a science background and have an organized and structured job with clear guidelines and expectations so creative writing is a new, challenging and stimulating adventure in self expression.   I was initially inspired when I read that one way to get started in writing is to try blogging.  Like the development of any new skill, writing is a discipline that requires practice.  I try to exercise physically each day.  I practice the skill of my work.  Blogging is an way to grow in the area of writing.  I  always wonder if there will be something creative and useful to say each day.   My faith is stretched.  I have been surprised at the outflow of ideas bubbling up from within me in the ordinariness of my life.

I  have prided myself on being an outlooking person.  I have worked hard at not taking myself too seriously or  being too inward looking.  I have read widely and I respect the opinion of others.  I take lots of courses.  I look around me, see people that I want to be like, and try to emulate them.    I am looking forward to taking a writing course.  I do seek the wisdom of others.  As good as all these things are,  I have not simply looked within my own heart and soul for inspiration. That path has seemed like an extravagant luxury, but in fact not going there has caused me a lot of internal suffering.  I have not trusted that I have anything important to say.  I could never quite reach the external goal I had set.  Nothing was ever quite enough. This blog is the beginning of allowing a new part of me to emerge and be expressed in healthy ways.

It is the same with parenting.  In all the challenges of trying to guide our children, I want to listen for their unique and special voices within their own hearts.  Just think of the diversity that can be brought into our lives from our children!   I want to help them hear their own souls and experiment with different ways of being.  I want them to see themselves as people who do not just have to copy others and obey commands, but can go within and listen to the promptings of their own beautiful hearts that are rich and full.  Some of our children start with very little.  The flame of their hearts has been almost extinguished.  They have no sense of self.  Discovering their own hearts and souls within their bodies is scarey.  Look for ways to encourage and build them up.  Listen with them for their own unique hearts.

Be encouraged to trust your voice deep inside.  Take those tiny steps forward.  We do live in a very outward world where the practice of going inside and listening is not often facilitated.  It is central to our fullness of being.   God has created us with care and wonder.   Take time.  Be still.  Go within and listen.