Book Update - Halifax Explosion

It's four months into 2021 and the memoir I’m working on about my Grandpa Joe Landry’s family, before, during and after the Halifax Explosion is looking more and more like a book worth publishing in 2022; thanks to weekly meetings with my editor, Sylvia Clark.  As you can imagine, it’s taken a lot of research time, many hours of writing, and several edits per chapter to get to this point. 

We’re half-way through chapter six with about two chapters left.  In chapter five, two ships, the Imo, a cargo ship and the Mont Blanc, a munitions ship had collided.  The collision breached the hull of the Mont Blanc, causing sparks, then a massive fire. About twenty-minutes later, the Mont Blanc, having drifted into Pier 6, blew up; leveling homes in the northern sections of Halifax and Dartmouth. In chapter six, there is a threat of another explosion on the Halifax side of the harbor at Wellington Barracks, when the munition shed appeared to be on fire.  Panic spread throughout the city, as calls were heard to head for higher ground and that the munitions shed at Wellington Barracks was about to explode.

Members of the Landry and Burke families were scattered throughout Halifax - some at home and others at work or school when the explosion hit. At this point in the narrative, family members were trying to get to their homes to check on loved ones. The panic spreading throughout the city was making it more difficult to get into the devastated area.  Amidst the chaos, those who were wounded were taken to hospitals or dressing stations. Roads were closed off.  The north end of Halifax was lit up by the flames of overturned coal stoves.  Rescue efforts were disrupted and some members of the Landry and Burke families would lose their lives - all were left homeless.

By the end of chapter six, families will be split apart, not living under the same roof, as they were prior to the explosion. A couple of the teenagers wouldn't be reunited with their family for weeks.  

There’s still a bit of research left to do, as well as, writing to complete this chapter, but it's moving forward at a steady pace.  Right now, the focus is on the various places throughout the city of Halifax and Dartmouth that family members wound up at, like hospitals and shelters. Thanks to the Halifax Relief Commission claims records and Archibald MacMechan's digital collection online, along with books like Shattered City by Janet Kitz and The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon, the second half of chapter six is taking shape.  

Thank you, family and friends for your continued support and encouragement. 

Hopeful 2021

DarkmoonArt_de - pixabay.com

For many of us this past year has been challenging, but with the start of a new year comes new possibilities. Maybe some of your dreams have been delayed.  Mine has, but I'm hopeful.

This past year started with optimism as my editor, Sylvia Clark and I worked towards completing the first draft of a memoir I’m writing about my Grandpa Joes’ family, before, during and after the Halifax Explosion.  

As the Coronavirus hit and spread earlier in 2020, there were massive shutdowns.  My technical ability was called into service as our church, Hope Ministries, went from meeting in person to online.  I became part of the Media Team.  It’s been hectic, but I feel more connected to our congregation now, more than ever.  Our church family has been supportive and appreciative during this time of physical isolation. 

Taking on new responsibilities left me with less time for writing and research.  My fear was losing valuable time to complete the book. Though progress was slow, I continued to write and do research when time permitted.  As 2020 was coming to close,  I wasn't able to fulfill my dream of completing first draft by its' end.   

With less assistance needed by our church, my writing time has increased exponentially.  This past month, Sylvia and I set up weekly accountability meetings and the pace has quickened.  Upon review of my writing, mixed in with the research, there are more new sections than I realized.  We're optimistic.  The book we're working on, “A Picture on the Wall” is coming to life, with plans to publish by 2022.

Has your dream or goal been delayed?  Do you see it as a possibility in 2021? 

May the new year bring you Hope, Health, Happiness, and many Blessings! 

Making Progress – the Writing of a Memoir About the Halifax Explosion

Joseph Landry (1889-1994)

The stories are coming together and it's looking like a book.

With the help of my editor, Sylvia Clark, I’ve been busy working on edits and revisions of a memoir about my grandfather, Joseph Landry’s family and their experiences, before, during, and after the Halifax Explosion.   Our main focus is to have a completed draft of their story called, “A Picture on the Wall” done as soon as possible.  Since the beginning of this year, an Introduction and four chapters have undergone multiple edits with upcoming chapters in various stages.  We’ve set an editing schedule of every two weeks.  The hardest chapters are in progress.  There are several missing pieces that would be beneficial to have. Below are two of them that concern the Burke Family.

For example:
Harry Burke, son of Pauline and Joseph Burke was at the City Home due to mental defect before the explosion occurred.  If you know anything about Harry and/or you have any idea where I could look to find out more about his situation, please share below or on Facebook.  "Landry, Burke, and Myatt Family Chart."

With the help of Paul C. Landry, we have the names of the family members of Mrs. Myatt, oldest daughter of Pauline and Joseph Burke.  Yet we haven't been able to find the Halifax Relief Commission record for this family at the Nova Scotia Archives.  There was a card showing that a record was kept, but unable to find the corresponding documents.  If you have any ideas or information to help us uncover more about what happened to them, we'd appreciate your sharing it with us.  "Do You Know the Simon and Hilda Myatt Family - Dartmouth NS - Halifax Explosion?"

Two-Thirds of the Way Through 1st Draft of "A Picture on the Wall" - Halifax Explosion Memoir

Photo Halifax Harbour - Cal Shook

This month marks the completion of about two-thirds of the first draft for “A Picture on the Wall,” a Landry family memoir about the Halifax Explosion.   My paternal grandfather Joseph's family.

Earlier this week, I emailed my editor, a section about three family members who witnessed the aftermath of the collision between the Imo and the Mont Blanc.  The three witnesses would bring this family narrative right up to the explosion.  For two of the witnesses, split second decisions would forever change each of their family's lives. 

When I entered my editor Sylvia Clark’s home, a couple days later,  she greeted me with, “This is your best piece yet.  It left me wanting more.” 

With the revisions that need to be made and the continual striving to write something worth reading, I realize that I have a way to go before I come close to the captivating words of a J.K. Rowling or a Stephen King.  My hope and prayer is to leave a lasting legacy. 

Update on the progress of “A Picture on the Wall"

CSS Acadia at Maritime Museum of Atlantic
-Photo by Cal Shook

To date there are 27 people, who end up in about 16 different locations just before the Mont Blanc explodes around 9:05am in Halifax Harbour.  Since I shared the Landry, Burke, and Myatt Family Chart in last month's blog, I’ve written about the three families who occupy 38 Union Street.  Just prior to the explosion, a young family, the Gibson’s move into the vacant upstairs apartment.  Brothers Joe (my grandfather) and Dan Landry, owners of the home, are thrilled that Joe Gibson wanted to rent the apartment..  On moving day, family members get excited as an accordion,a violin, and then the Gibson’s new piano are brought up the stairs.  Thoughts of foot stomping music bring a sense of joy, a welcome respite from reminders of war sitting in the harbor below.

The morning of the explosion brings chores for the Landry children on the first floor. The Landry family still grieves the loss of mother Charlotte who died in January and a brother Leo who died on the front lines the year before.  Youngest of the boys, Jimmy, does his best to cheer everyone with his fun loving antics.

This coming month, I’ll be finishing up 19 Stairs Street and will continue working my way through  other locations that I’ve started.  Well that’s all for now, better get back to writing.

Thinking of my Grands– Passing It On

Photo by Tracy Soucy

My great Aunt Anna Bella Landry Bradley shared family stories with me.  Now it’s my turn to share her stories with my grand niece and nephew, Nora and Tommy.

Nora and Tommy, are young now, both being less than five years old.  They are in my thoughts with each word that I write about their Meme’s and my grandfather Joseph’s family.  Our great Aunt Anna Bella is one of his younger sisters. 

Many hours of transcribing my great aunt's and my visits, additional stories from my dad's and my generations, and research both in the United States and Canada are now coming together in a more coherent form.. As the words make their way onto the page its my desire to create a memoir that will captivate Nora and Tommy.  Hoping that it will be worthy of their passing it on to the next generation.  

The book is taking shape as I work to complete this draft by the end of the year with plans to self-publish later next year.

For a little about how this book came about and Aunt Anna Bella's Experience: A Picture on the Wall: the Halifax Explosion

Great Grandfather Michael Landry:  A Father's Love - Halifax Explosion

100th Anniversary of Halifax Explosion: 
A Walk in Fort Needham Memorial Park,
Hope and Survival Quilt

My Writing Space

Cal Shook - Gilford, NH

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”  ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Our new home in Gilford, NH is set on a hill and surrounded by trees.  Though not completely isolated, it has the feeling of being off on its own. A perfect setting for writing.

For my writing space, I've chosen a room slightly smaller than Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond. 

A small desk with a chair is located in one corner, an end table in the other, with a lamp on each. Next to the end table is a futon lounger.

Whether at the desk using my laptop or lounging back with pad and pen, it is quiet and the space feels comfortable. My mind is free of distractions as my brain stretches to put my passion, bringing the Landry/Bouchard family to life, onto the page. 

My new life, like my writing space, is less cluttered.  I'm writing daily, and with mentor Sylvia Clark providing editorial feedback I'm making revisions. 

Could Use Your Help

If you're related to or know the Landry/Bouchard family, I'd appreciate it if you'd share a story and/or a photo that could be added to this narrative.  To contribute check out last month's blog, The Landry/Bouchard Family of River Bourgeois, Cape Breton.

Moving and Writing Update

Photo by Cal Shook

Our official moving day is in four days.  There are boxes everywhere and I long to have my daily writing routine back and have no idea how long it will take to get settled into our new location.

My husband Jim & I have been in York, Maine for ten years and it is hard to leave family and friends. We mourn the life we've had, yet see new possibilities that lie ahead. As we prepare to relocate to Gilford, New Hampshire I envision the chance of a "Walden" like experience.  To make this so, I plan on taking a sabbatical for a year to complete the memoir I'm writing about my grandfather's family.

Please forgive the shortness of this post as it's been a long week of packing and purging.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Caught Between Two Worlds

Photo by Cal Shook

Maybe you’ve been caught between two worlds – it’s that time when you are preparing to leave the life you’ve known to head to another place.

For my husband and I, the familiar routines are gone as belongings are wrapped and placed in boxes. We are torn between the life we’ve known for the past ten years and the new life that we’re heading to.  As our journey continues, we grieve the loss of  being close to family and friends in and around coastal Maine.  Uneasiness surfaces as we contemplate the unfamiliar.  It’s followed by a muffled sense of wonder, yearning to break free, as we look at the variety of possible adventures in the foothills surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee.

Photo by Cal Shook

During this somewhat disorienting time, I want you all to know that the Landry Family memoir is making its way onto the page with the goal of a more authentic and coherent work.  In the life that awaits I plan to take a sabbatical of sorts before taking on new commitments.  I’m determined to leave this legacy for my great Aunt Anna Bella who put the narrative in motion and for the many family members who’ve added to it.  Family and friends have contributed key information, through research and detective style strategies that has helped me fill in information to add to its authenticity.

 In the months to come, I’ll post some brief updates and let you in on new family insights and strategies.  Thank you all for your support and prayers.

What if...Imagine a World...

It's been hard to focus on writing a family memoir with all that is happening in the United States right now.   My heart grieves.  In working through this grief, the following words made their way to the page - bringing comfort in the knowledge that there is hope.

What If...

What if...
    fear keeps us from thinking clearly and making wise decisions?

What if...
    an "us" versus "them" attitude, if allowed to fester, would lead to our destruction?

What if...
    each of us were to take responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming and punishing others?

What if...
    the perceptions we've given our creator God aren't limited to our personal and corporate beliefs?

Imagine...

Imagine a world where...
   "Perfect Love" has the ability to take away our fear if we let it.

Imagine a world where...
    we value others not like us, by spending time with and listening to their stories; discovering our common humanity.

Imagine a world where...
    each of us takes responsibility for our actions - apologizing and making amends when we've caused another harm.

Imagine a world where...
   each of us knows how it feels to be valued, nurtured and comforted by the presence of our creator "God" - author of "Perfect Love".

Imagine a world where...
   there is Peace.

Note:  With the conclusion of this blog and a brighter outlook, the memoir writing continues.

Writer to Writer - Hamilton and Miranda

Cal Shook - York Harbor, Maine

Motivational tools for writers and other artists are provided when two authors from two different centuries’ lives intersect.

Imagine writing yourself into the history of one of the greatest countries on earth and you weren’t born there.  Alexander Hamilton wrote his way from a tiny Island in the Caribbean to
free passage to America.  Once there he would gain admission to education and work his way up to become an influential force in shaping what would become the United States of America.

As an immigrant, Hamilton embraced his new life and opportunities.  His ability to communicate his fresh perspective would create a revolution that would change the course of history for generations to come.

Fast forward to the 21st Century and meet writer/artist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the son of an immigrant. Lin-Manuel becomes enthralled by the life of Alexander Hamilton.  Six years in the making, his hip hop Broadway musical, “Hamilton”, is performed to sold-out crowds.

How in the world does a “rapping” musical about American history become a much sought after production?  The PBS special “Hamilton’s America” offers keen insights to what it takes to become an accomplished author.  Thanks to Lin-Manuel’s openness and candor the following motivational tools are revealed.

Tool #1:  Write as though time is running out.

Our time here on earth is limited.  Be obsessed – let it all hang out.

Just as Hamilton wrote wherever and whenever he could using his portable desk, Lin-Manuel did the same letting all the rhymes in his head make their way out onto the word processor on his laptop.

Tool #2:  Know your subject intimately.

Lin-Manuel was inspired by author Ron Chernow’s book, “Alexander Hamilton”.  Its 832 pages provided an extensive look into the life of this great man – warts and all. Not only did Lin-Manuel use this creative work, he also traveled to historic sights to gain further insight into the look and feel of the era in which Hamilton lived.

Tool #3:  Take a risk and keep it real.

Test it out by taking a risk, but make sure it’s real – authentic.

“I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.”  – Alexander Hamilton, Letter of August 13, 1782

The first song Lin-Manuel created was blunt and edgy in its portrayal of Hamilton’s life.  How would it be received?   An opportunity presented itself when he was invited to sing a song from “The Heights” to close out an evening of artists at the White House.  Instead he decided to sing this new song that he’d just written about Hamilton.  As his performance ended, the audience rose to their feet in solidarity with applause.

Tool #4:  Set deadlines and meet them.

After two plus years and only two songs, Lin-Manuel realized that he needed to get moving if this was going to be more than just a couple songs.  To remedy this, he set deadlines and met them.

Tool #5:  Tap into the talent around you – Collaborate.

Feedback from others is essential no matter what type of work you’re creating.

Not only did Lin-Manuel have conversations with fellow author Ron Chernow, he held what he called Cabinet Meetings with a core group that would help spur the production forward.  Collaboration with authors/artists can help determine whether your words are making sense and assure that they fit the totality of the work.

In Closing:

Alexander Hamilton’s life inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda and thanks to them and the PBS special “Hamilton’s America”* I am feeling energized.  The tools mentioned above, along with testimonials accompanied by music and other visuals provided in this special, are motivating me to write whenever and wherever I can.  The next draft of the memoir about my paternal grandfather Joe's family is under way.  The time to get it done is “now”.

What's your "now"?

*Note:  The video "Hamilton's America" on PBS will expire on November 18, 2016

Don’t Quit!

Don’t quit, my friend, hang in there.

Sometimes when we feel like we’re at the breaking point and about to give up, a new breakthrough is right around the corner.

Last week I came pretty close to losing it as I stepped back to review the memoir that I’m working on.

A Reflection on Last Week

Many years of research and writing are in front of me and it’s not a pretty site. Some sections of  the narrative are intertwined with details and free flowing thought that leave them sounding chaotic. This is not what I expected this draft to look like. Yuck.  

Feeling discouraged and not wanting to quit, I decide to take a short break. Fortunately, my husband Jim and I had already scheduled two days with family and friends. It provided a wonderful diversion.

A New Perspective

Rested and renewed I return to my writing room.  Sitting with paper and pen in hand, I remember a blog post by Cal Armistead - “How do Your Write a Book? First, You Start with a Lump of Clay…”

Rereading Cal’s article was like getting a shot of adrenaline.  Maybe it’s not a chaotic mess, but a lump of clay that is taking shape. If I stick with it, it will continue to take form. It will become a complete work in its time.

Creativity, Legacy, Empowerment - "The Gift of the Memoir"

This month's blog features a captivating poem called "The Gift of the Memoir" by Bill Farr about creativity, legacy, and empowerment..   As you read Bill's poem, may the writer/artist within you be empowered by his words

York Beach, Maine - Cal Shook

"The Gift of the Memoir" 

by Bill Farr

My mind is a kaleidoscope of paintings,

Colors swirling in all directions and

Caught in the ebb and flow of time.

I peer into the tube of the ages and

Gasp at all that is hidden inside...

There are so many people and places,

I cannot resist the urge to stop and 

Capture each one in words.

Yet, this legacy is bound by a boxed 

Frame of white and letters, caught on

Weightless pages.

There is no room for each story that

Would crowd into the space.

There is not enough 

Time to hold the past.

I write, driven by the belief

That all is not in vain.

Life has been and continues to be

A tale filled with wonder and magic.

The memoir is the gate to 

Resurrection.

My fingers slow as the words pour forth.

My mind races back to the moments

So long ago,

Yet so fresh and renewed today,

I cannot let these souvenirs from

The past escape.  I must

Capture them now,

Empowered by this day.

Writing a memoir is a sea surging 

Tide that cannot be caught in the 

Small bucket that is my mind.

I view the receding years from this 

Mountain peak of age. I must

Bring it forward and make it real.

Who will see the paintings in my head

If I do not preserve them?

Who will meet the characters in the

Pages of my life if I do not 

Bring them to the stage of now?

The memoir stores all and reveals

Time past and long lost life.

The years that have fled become

Presents for those about 

To embrace the future.

Such is the gift of

The Memoir.

----------------------------------------

Thank you Bill Farr for giving me permission to use your poem in this month's blog.  Your words express and touch the heart of my experience. It is a reminder that, 

" I must Capture them now,

Empowered by this day."

if I am to leave a family legacy in the form of "The Memoir".

Self- Esteem and Creativity

The idea for the following brief story came to me after reading Stephen King’s book, “On Writing: a memoir of the craft”.  I woke up dreaming about it.   

Photo by Mike Landry

Punishment.

It is recess time at Dawnville Elementary.  Children are playfully running and laughing.  Over near the entrance door a tall thin boy with unkempt shoulder length hair stands alone facing the “punishment wall”.  His name is Justin and this is part of a daily routine after being caught hitting one of his classmates. 

Justice.

Several days later, with two feet of snow on the ground and frigid temperatures, recess is indoors.  The classroom is humming with conversation as children pull games and puzzles from an “activity box” and then spread out around the room.  

Justin is standing by himself staring out the window at the snow covered trees

Alan sneaks up behind him and punches him in the back.   Justin’s body lurches toward the window.  Like a lightweight fighter, Justin steadies his feet and pivots away from the window with both fists raised.  Facing Alan he pulls his right arm back…

“Stop,” Mrs. “G” yells. 

Justin freezes in position.

“Alan, hitting is not allowed,” she says.

Justin drops his arms and stands straight. 

Both boys look stunned.

“Alan, go to your desk and put your head down.”

“But, he…”

“Alan, I saw what you did and how it happened.  Go to your desk, now.” Alan does as he’s told.

“Are you OK, Justin?”

“Yes.”

“Great!”

Relieved, Justin heads to the “activity box” and finds a game he can play on his own, then moves to a spot where he can sit by himself. 

Creative Expression.

Photo by Mike Landry

Later that day Justin is sitting at a round table at the back of the class with four other children and his Remedial Reading teacher, Mrs. “G”.  He thinks to himself:  I’m stupid and I’m always going to be stupid. 

Mrs. “G” hands each of them a piece of wide ruled paper and a pencil.   After reviewing basic sentence structure the group is asked to write a sentence.  “It can be about anything. If you’d like, it can be about a place you’ve gone with someone and had fun.” 

Justin’s hand hits the table hard with a thud as he moves the paper closer. Pressing down hard, he writes, “I do not want to do this.” Mrs. “G” quickly writes a big letter “A” next to his sentence.  “Good job, Justin, you wrote a sentence.”

Almost in tears, Justin looks at her and says, “My father is out of work.  He drinks a lot and sleeps a lot.  We don’t go anywhere or do anything fun.” 

 “Justin, if you could do anything for fun, what would you do?”

“I’d go fishing with my dad.”

Handing Justin a fresh piece of paper Mrs. “G” says, “Then write about that if you’d like.”

Justin quickly wrote down a sentence about fishing with his dad.

After four more “Good Jobs”,  Mrs. “G” moved on to the next part of the lesson where she encouraged each child to expand upon their sentence.

 All five were busy writing when Justin asked if he could draw some pictures about his fishing trip. 

“That is a great idea, Justin!  Does anyone else want some drawing paper and crayons?” Everyone was in.

Their words turned into paragraphs with each adding pictures to go with their soon to be short story books.  

How about you?

Is there a Justin in you?  A part of you that longs to be loved and accepted for who you are;  that yearns to be set free?   If you could do anything just for the fun of it, what would it be?   Be creative. 

I’d enjoy hearing from you.  Share your artistic expression below.  

Resourses:  

"Calling Forth New Life" - Kirk Byron Jones

 “On Writing: a memoir of the craft” - Stephen King

Be Courageous, Change the Things You Can

Cal Shook - Foliage - Newington, NH 

“God grant me the Serenity to

Accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to Change the things I can, and

Wisdom to Know the Difference.” Anonymous

What do you want to accomplish?  Is time passing for you with little to no forward progress?  Be courageous. There are simple ways to start on the path to achieving what you’re dreaming of.

1. Serenity

Serenity is key.  Tapping into the God of peace on a regular basis is essential.

Fear produces anxiety which has a crippling affect.  It blocks communication with others and our ability to think clearly to produce creative solutions in an ever changing world.

It wasn’t until I started taking time to relax that I realized how “un-serene” I’ve been.  With a rested mind I am free to create a new vision and a renewed life.

2.  Acceptance

Accepting that some things are beyond our control can be difficult such as natural disasters and another’s choice.   We can choose our response.  Pausing to relax before we respond can make a big difference in whether we sink or swim.   

My mom had no sense of balance and as hard as she tried was unable to ride a bike or ice skate.  One winter as we headed out to run errands, we started walking toward the car, she hit a small patch of black ice, started to slide, grabbed me and we both hit the pavement. Fortunately neither one of us got seriously hurt just bruised.

Next time out, knowing the driveway was icy, I offered Mom my arm.  Mom wanted to be able to do it herself, to get to the car on her own, so she declined.  She walked as carefully as she could, but found more black ice and down we went.

This pattern would repeat itself unless something changed.

Cal Shook - Foliage - Newington, NH

3.  Change

It takes courage to move beyond our comfort zones, to change the things we can.

Mom and I could have kept hitting the pavement together, but after a couple rounds of ground togetherness a solution was reached.

Even though my mother knew she had a balance problem, it was hard for her to accept my help.  My independent spirit felt for her.  After giving it her best effort Mom once again accepted her lack of balance. Doing so freed her to take my arm on icy days as we headed for the car.  This allowed both of us to walk to the car and remain upright.

Trying to change things beyond my control is like hitting the pavement with Mom.  It leaves me feeling a bit bruised.  "Letting Go" of the things I cannot change allows the bruises to heal and makes for smoother forward progress.

Sometimes it takes a change in attitude, a little readjustment, and a new routine to get a more beneficial outcome.

4. Wisdom

Wisdom is needed to figure out what to “let go” of and what to change.

Fortunately Mom’s and my situation was easy to remedy and we both became part of the solution.  Other situations can take more creativity and time.

In last month's post, "Time Clutter", I talked about how cluttering both physical space and my calendar have been holding me back.  Letting go of “physical clutter” is getting easier every day.  The hardest one is the “Time Clutter”.  If I do nothing to change the way I spend the hours of each day, my dreams may slip away as time runs out. 

Creating a "Time Map" is helping me move forward.

A “Time Map” is a schedule to help you fulfill your dreams.  When you set goals, set aside the time to accomplish them, then start working on them, you’re heading down the path of accomplishment.  A “Time Map” can help you reach your destination, your dream. 

Basic steps for setting up a “Time Map”

Cal Shook - Foliage - Newington, NH

Step 1:  List Your Dreams. 

What are your dreams?

My dreams are to finish my great Aunt Anna’s memoir by 2017 and to keep a well-balanced life in the process

Step 2:  List 5 to 6 Life Categories.

List "Life Categories" that will help you live the life you dream of. Some people find it helpful to color code these.

My list: 
Self (mind, body, and soul),

Family/Friends,

Home Maintenance,

Work,

Writing.

Step  3: How are you spending your time?

Take a close look at where you’re spending your time.

There are 168 hours in a week:

How much time are you spending in the "Life Categories" above?

I’ve used an app called "My Time", just to calculate where I’m spending my time.  This app adds whatever hour amount you put into a "Life Category", that you list, to a total at the top of the screen. Once completed, I realized why I wasn't moving forward.  I could now see that I wasn't spending enough time on the book.  I looked for a way to make this happen.

Step 4:  Where would you like to be spending more of your time?

Choose a “Life Category” you’d like to spend more time on.

Answer the following questions:

How can you spend more time in that area?

Does something have to go to make room?

Be creative.

I discovered that I wasn’t spending enough time "Writing" my Aunt Anna’s memoir.

The bulk of my schedule is my Communication Coordinator position.

Maybe giving up a TV show or two and getting to bed earlier could help?  I’m a morning person so adding a couple hours first thing in the morning seemed logical.   I decided to try getting to bed at 9pm and up at 5am.  I discovered that I couldn’t get to sleep that early.  I changed it to 10pm and got up at 6am.  It worked. It's giving me one to two hours of writing time each day, I am on my way to making the memoir a reality.  

Repeating these steps has helped me make time for "Family/Friends" in the middle of each weekday at lunchtime and on Saturdays.

How about you?
What are the things you are changing or can change to make your dreams come true?

To share your comments or this blog, see the links at the end of this post. 

For more on:
Spiritual Transformation -
"Calling Forth New Life", by Kirk Byron Jones at Amazon
Time Mapping -
“Time Management from the Inside Out” by Julie Morgenstern at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Be a Bridge Builder: Be the Artist You Were Created to Be.

Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, New York City - Wikepedia

“Who can deny that the Queensborough Bridge is the work of a creative artist?”

“Behold its liberal loveliness of length,

       A flowing span from shore to shore,

       A brimming reach of beauty matched with strength,

       It shines and climbs like some miraculous dream,

       Like some vision multitudinous and agleam,

       A passion of desire held captive in the clasp of vast utility.” Helen Keller, Midstream

How does someone who is blind and deaf write such beautiful flowing words about a bridge?

Helen Keller traveled across this bridge numerous times with various companions; each offering their experience as they road up to and over it. This was done by either signing into Helen’s hand or allowing her to place her hand on their lips while speaking about it. Helen responded to their observations in a similar manner, making comments and asking question to get a deeper understanding of their perceptions. Helen took these tactile images stored in her mind, as one looking at digital photos from a variety of photographers, then composed what she envisioned in the above quote.

Two works of art, each possessing beauty and relevance, one created by an architect and the other by a writer. Oh, to create something so delightfully useful, something that stirs the soul from start to finish.

Bay Bridge, Maryland - Cal Shook

As I ponder the time and effort required to build this bridge and Helen’s description of it, I’m reminded that both took years to perfect.  To become the artist I’m created to be requires building a bridge to mastering my talents and abilities. There’s a creative photographer and writer within me.

Over the past several months, I’m learning to let go of unnecessary things that are jamming up my time and leading me away from these passions and suffocating my spirit. The more I let go the more room I have for things that rejuvenate me like eating well, getting plenty of sleep, and getting exercise.

When I get to bed early, I wake refreshed to ponder the words for the next blog post or my first book. Energized, I transcribe the stream of thoughts, no matter how illogical they seem.   Rearranging them, crossing off the unnecessary as I strive to create a logical piece.  Later in the day, my spirit feels light and free as I pick up the camera and head out for a walk with my husband Jim.  We move along watching nature unfold before us with its varied landscapes and activity, hoping to capture that unique moment.

What passion is burning inside of you?
Are you making time for the artist within?
If not, how might you do so?

Resources:
Midstream - Helen Keller
Art of Work - Jeff Goins
How to Build a Bridge audio - Jeff Goins

Pushing Through the Pain

North Myrtle Beach, SC - Cal Shook

What does it take to become a teacher when you can barely see?  

It takes “pushing through the pain”.

“Fortune favors the motivated.” – Jeff Goins, The Art of Work

1.  What would you like to achieve? 

Anne Sullivan pushed through the pain of limited vision, being abandoned, and living in poverty to dream of getting an education.

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing at 19 months.  As Helen grew, she desired a better method of understanding and interacting with people and the world around her.  

2. Are you willing to push through the pain to get there?

At fourteen, Anne got up the courage to tell an influential adult that she wanted to go to school.

Within months, she started school at Perkins Institute.

Because of her age, Anne was starting school at a disadvantage.   

“Anne Sullivan's recollections of her early years at Perkins were mainly of feeling humiliated about her own shortcomings. Her anger and shame fueled a determination to excel in her studies. She was a very bright young woman, and in a very short time she closed the gaps in her academic skills.” – Perkins.org

Anne’s tenacity and determination, plus the support and nurturing of teachers and a housemother, aided her in graduating from Perkins Institute.

When offered the job to be Helen Keller’s teacher, Anne accepted.  Her life experiences were well suited to Helen’s strong-willed personality. 

Helen writes about meeting Anne for the first time.

“I felt approaching footsteps, I stretched out my hand as I supposed to my mother. Some one took it, and I was caught up and held close in the arms of her who had come to reveal all things to me, and, more than all things else, to love me.” – Helen Keller, The Story of My Life.

Day after day Anne would have Helen touch an item, then finger spell the word into Helen’s hand. Then one day at the well-house, with water pouring over one hand and Anne finger spelling the letters in the other, Helen made the connection.  The liquid pouring over her hand was “w-a-t-e-r”.

“That living word awakened my soul, gave it light,  hope, joy, set me free?  There were barriers still, it is true, but barriers that could in time be swept away.  I left the well-house eager to learn.” – Helen Keller, The Story of My Life

As Helen’s vocabulary grew, so did her desire to communicate more effectively. Helen wanted to be able to speak and read lips with her hand.  A woman named Sarah Fuller, principal of Horace Mann School, offered to teach her.  Anne took Helen to the lessons.  

“Miss Fuller gave me eleven lessons in all. I shall never forget the surprise and delight I felt when I uttered my first connected sentence, ‘It is warm.’ True, they were broken and stammering syllables; but they were human speech. My soul, conscious of new strength, came out of bondage, and was reaching through those broken symbols of speech to all knowledge and all faith.’ – Helen Keller, The Story of My Life

Effective communication takes time.  Helen's words remind me that even if it’s not perfect, like putting the words together for this blog, it’s important to keep working at it.  I desire to find “new strength” to find my voice. 

Today we saw how Anne pushed through the pain of abandonment and poverty to complete her education.  How not giving up and signing over and over until Helen made the connection, paid off. Once the connection was made, Helen thrived and wanted to push through to even greater achievement in communicating with others.  In the next blog, we’ll go deeper into Helen’s journey toward fulfillment in “Be a Bridge Builder.”

Feel free to share your ideas and/or journey in the comments section below.

Next Steps:

Read more about:

Pushing through the Pain "Painful Practice" - The Art of Work by Jeff Goins

Anne Sullivan

Helen Keller 

For notification of my next blog, "Be a Bridge Builder", sign up by clicking on "Subscribe To".

Accidental Apprenticeships

Nubble Light, Cape Neddick, ME - Cal Shook

“An accidental apprenticeship begins with listening to your life and paying attention to the ways in which you’re already being prepared for your life’s work.” – Jeff Goins

You are who you are because of your experiences.  Some are a result of the life you were born into; others are by choice.  As you listen to your life, patterns will emerge.

Life is happening all around you – explore its mysteries.  The answers are within reach, seek them out.
Answers to questions like:
What fuels your soul?
What are you drawn to?
What do you want to accomplish?
What are you here for?

Move into action by acknowledging your accidental apprenticeships.  Learn from them. Masters are the people in your life who have the skills and/or qualities that move you forward in fulfilling your life’s purpose?

“Every story of success is a story of community.  Although mentors are hard to come by, accidental apprenticeships are everywhere. Your life is preparing you for what’s to come.” Jeff Goins

Follow Your Dreams.

Author Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder and I met several years ago at York Ogunquit church.  During the time we've known each other, Betty has written her first novel, "The Spruce Gum Box" (at the age of 72), and two subsequent novels to finish the trilogy.  She is currently working on her forth book. Betty not only inspires me, she encourages all of us to follow our dreams and take action no matter what stage of life we’re at.

Betty keeps in touch with friends on Facebook by sharing her travels and current engagements.  She generously promotes other authors on Twitter.  It’s through her promotion of Jen Blood’s book, “All the Blue Eyed Angels,” that another accidental apprenticeship came into my life.

Connect with Others.

Jen Blood, author of the “Erin Solomon Mysteries” knows how to engage a social media audience with her personal and relatable style.

One of my favorite examples happened with her Facebook group called the “Erin Solomon Press Corps.” Jen asked us for help.  She wasn’t sure about the new cover design for “Southern Cross”.   A lively discussion followed, adaptations made, and a new cover design approved.  I enjoyed watching this process unfold.

Jen connects with others (her followers) throughout the week and offers a variety of promotions. When her name or group pops up, there’s a curiosity factor that’s hard to resist.

Putting it all together.

Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder and Jen Blood are two masters that I am grateful to be learning from.  The examples given are only a small glimpse into what I’m acquiring from both of them.

As I work my way through Jeff Goin’s book “The Art of Work,” I’m gaining new insights that are moving me forward as a writer.  These accidental apprenticeships are helping me do just that.

What are the accidental apprenticeships in your life?  How are you using them to move forward with your life’s purpose?

Next Steps
Read more about:
Accidental Apprenticeships podcast with “The Art of Work” author Jeff Goins
Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder at her author page: Elizabeth Wilder
Jen Blood at her author’s page:  Jen Blood     .
Check back next week for "Pushing Through the Pain."

Exploring the Writer Within

Explore - Long Sands, York, ME - Cal Shook

Be Aware – Listen to Your Life – Part 2

“You don’t ‘just know’ what you calling is. You must listen for clues along the way, discovering what your life can tell you. Awareness comes with practice.” – Jeff Goins

Clue #1: An Inner Yearning

When I was eight my cousin Mary Ann was born with Down syndrome.  A few weeks later my brother Jay was born.  There were complications, during delivery, where we almost lost both of them.  Days later, Mom and Jay returned home.  Mom’s recovery would take time; Jay appeared unharmed.

Both Mary Ann and Jay delighted me with their individuality and abilities as they grew. Mary Ann’s beautiful smile and laid back nature plus Jay’s zest for life and rambunctiousness made for unique play time experiences during family gatherings.  While observing the two of them something kindled inside of me, a yearning to help people thrive and use their abilities to a live a happy and fulfilling life.

Clue #2: A Desire

My first memory of writing:

While a single mom was out working, her three teenagers decided to have a party.  Beer was being passed around and at times wound up in the fish tank.  Note to self, don’t bring out a pocket sized pad of paper and pen in the middle of a party and start writing.  It makes people uneasy and you might not stay very long.

Clue #3:  Finding Meaningful Expression

College and working toward a degree in Human Services gave me ample opportunities to serve others then write about the experiences.  I enjoy the creative process.  When the words flow and provoke a reaction from a reader it stirs my soul.  It felt good to get comments like “a unique take” and “creative” in response to my papers.

One of my favorite people to work with and write about was “Berkie” who’s only home for the first 40 years of his life was a state institution.  Living conditions were deplorable. Thanks to deinstitutionalization, “Berkie” was sent to a group home.  This afforded him ample opportunities to gain social and work relate skills through field trips and attending a sheltered workshop. When I first met “Berkie” he could barely say “yes” and “no”.  As experiences heightened his emotions, more words started to come out.  “Tree”, “Chop”, and “Big” came out in joyous delight as he expressed his enthusiasm about his first Christmas tree.  Then there’s the riding stable where “Berkie” looked a bit nervous as he stared at the horse towering over his small frame. Two of us helped him on.  As his body slid into the saddle, he looked down and yelled, “Me Break Neck!”…“Me Break Neck!”. The horse was carefully moved forward and within minutes “Berkie’s” fear turned into joy.

Uncovering the clues: 1. An inner yearning to empower others, 2. A desire to record events, and 3. A pursuit of meaningful expression, have rekindled the writer within.

What is your life telling you?  Is there a writer in you? Maybe there’s something else waiting to burst forth?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Next steps:

Listening to Your Life audio podcast, with “The Art of Work” author Jeff Goins.

Check back next week for: “Accidental Apprenticeships” or "Subcribe" to this blog.