Essay on Writing

 

~Inspirational Writing~

 

I consider Inspirational Writing that word or phrase that grabs the heart,

and touches the soul. This sort of writing moves us to be the best of who we

really are. It gives us wings to soar above the disasters of everyday

living. It contributes to the cosmos that surrounds us. Inspirational

writing illuminates the darkness bringing hope and joy.

 

To be inspired nourishes a connection to creative energy. People generally

accomplish more when living creatively. Inspiration brings clarity, and

clarity defines us. When each of us creates, we touch the depths of being,

and we are whom we choose to be.

 

Belief begets thought, thought begets word, word begets deed; and things

materialize in our worlds. Nothing is without worth.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© July 25, 2004

Question and My Answers

 

Why Write?

 

I write because from age three it has been imperative to my personality. I

must do it or become hopelessly ill and evil tempered. My relationships fair

better when I write regularly. Often, my family and friends worry about me

should I neglect writing for long periods.

 

My counselors and psychiatrist explain writing is very prominent as a tool

for my lasting recovery. I want this with tenacity, hence, I write.

 

The pleasure I derive from my work is reason enough alone. Nothing thrills

more than a workable phrase, and compliments boost my low esteem. Writing

balances me; it is my gift to me. Did I not write; I fear I would not long

last in this challenging world. Writing is freedom, without freedom the soul

languishes into a tepid shadow of itself. I want my soul strong, tragedy has

often dogged my steps, and writing gives me a chance of escaping such a quagmire.

 

Educating the young is one of my fondest goals. My writing informs me,

affording me greater flexibility when working with youth. This helps

maintain my devotion to the practice.

 

I love the elderly, writing is an excellent means to reach them, and so I

commit to it habitually. Letters to those I love are treasured and that

gratifies me. Reaching future generations delights me, and is one of our

grandest missions.

 

Money is also a consideration. I hope to one-day support my family and myself via

the written word. Ever since I began writing, when I was three, this

has been one goal. I come closer to realizing it daily.

 

Why do you write? Is it so important what our answers are? I think not. The

vital thing is the process and the work. What it gives us is

consequential. However, it is nice to reap bountiful rewards through

writing.

 

Now, go write yourself, find your reasons for expressing your life through

the written word.

 

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

May 17, 2000 Wink

An Essay from 2001

 

An Attitude of Gratitude

 

Do you want to improve your spirits, lift up your heart? Begin counting your blessings and soon you will find the complaints have less meaning.

 

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

In following the Lord our attitudes toward worldly things change to more resemble His ideal for us. Especially when we give thanks we find that the things mean less than the fact our Creator bestowed them.

 

I John 2:15-17 exhorts us:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

 

We find that all we have, all we accomplish, and all our lives are truly in the hands of our loving Father. We can trust in this fact and rejoice knowing He will take care of all our needs.

 

Romans 8:28 says:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.

 

Resting in the Lord during difficult times is sometimes hard, but if we continue thanking Him for His loving kindness even during trials we gain treasure in faith.

 

Psalm 33:20-22 tells us:

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.

 

A sure antidote to feeling sad and pitiable is writing down that for which we are thankful. The exercise may even bring us to sing to the Lord in thanksgiving.

 

Psalm 69:30 reads:

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.

 

When we are grateful and delight in Jesus’ blessings toward us we suddenly find our hearts lighter, and our lives full of joy. We become more completely aware of the blessings that continually accrue to us.

 

Psalm 37:4 says:

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Finally we should go to God in gratitude so that we may find more reason to accept one another. For nothing more brings us together than a feeling of gratitude and love.

 

I John 3:11

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© June 8, 2001  Wink

Haiku 12/11/07

 

Autumn bares tree limbs

Of the leavings from Summer;

Days grow ever short.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© December 11, 2007 Wink

Haiku 12/10/07

 

Sunlit Autumn days

Pass us by very quickly,

Fleeting memory.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© December 10, 2007 Wink

A Haiku

 

Autumn leaves fall like

The tears of a lover spurned

After many years.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© December 9, 2007 Wink

Quiet Saturday…

 

I woke up at 7:30 this morning. I took Hope to the kitchen/laundry room and tied her on her leash. I had two pieces of toast with a Caffeine Free Diet Sam’s Cola for breakfast. Mom let Hope loose.

 

I moved two wheelbarrows full of dead lily trash to the garden for Mom. She blew leaves off the grassed yard.

 

I finished reading The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley. This book did not overly impress me.

I ate two pieces of pepperoni pizza with a Caffeine Free Diet Sam’s Cola for lunch

 

Mom started dripping wax on pinecones. She is planning baskets of waxed pinecones for the preachers Christmas next year.

 

I started reading World Without End by Ken Follett. This promises to be as good or better than The Pillars of the Earth.

 

I ate a ham and cheese sandwich with a Caffeine Free Diet Sam’s Cola for supper.

 

Alex called. He talked about Call of Duty 4. He loves that game. He played it for six hours today. He talked to me about an hour.

 

Always,

Jo Ann Wink

On Gratitude

 

Instruction and Thankfulness

 

Gratitude gains us

Lessons in appreciation

For the pathways

That lead us through life.

 

Everyone gains experience

On the pathways chosen

To teach lessons that result

In gratitude for life’s many gifts.

 

Many of life’s lessons

Lead us on pathways

Where we gain gratitude

For our existence.

 

Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

© December 7, 2007 Wink

Visitors and Going to Town

 

I woke up at 8:00 this morning. Hope started licking my face before I could get out of bed. I carried her to the kitchen/laundry room and tied her on her leash. Mom was cooking apple pies. She gave me a fried biscuit and a apple pie for breakfast. I let Hope loose.

 

Mom took some of the pies up to James and Alicia.

 

I read some in The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley. I checked email and for comments on my blog. There have been no comments here for a couple of weeks. I am wondering if anyone is reading here anymore.

 

I tied Hope on her leash. Two of the preachers and the photographer from our church came to visit. Mom gave them birdhouses and crosses that she had painted. I gave them copies of two of my essays. They seemed pleased with the essays. Mom asked if they would like pies and they said yes. They were very impressed by the pies. I think they enjoyed their visit very much.

 

Mom wanted to go to town and get the oil changed in the Explorer. I called the place where we get oil changes to see if they would be able to get to us in a reasonable amount of time. They said there were three cars ahead of us. I packed my cooler and my tote bag. We went to Big 10 Tires. They told us it would be an hour before they would get to the Explorer. I had on a tee shirt and nearly froze in their waiting room. I should have worn a coat. I read some in The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley.

 

After the oil was changed, we went to the dry cleaners to drop off two pair of Mom’s pants to be hemmed.

 

We ate lunch at Sea Breeze.

 

When we arrived home I let Hope loose. Yesterday Hope chewed an electric cord for one of my lamps to pieces. She is still a terrorist dog.

 

I read more in The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley. Mom watched Oprah and Dr. Phil and I glanced at them from time to time.

 

I ate the fish and hushpuppies that were leftover from my lunch with a Caffeine Free Diet Sam’s Cola for supper.

 

Even though I put on a sweater, I was cold, so Mom lit the propane heater for a while.

 

I read more in The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley.

 

I talked to Leigh, my niece, a few minutes. I wanted to know when she and her family were coming to visit, but she did not know when that would happen.

 

I chatted with Alex for a few minutes.

 

I am thankful:

 

  1. I am blessed with talent in writing and art.
  2. I have good books to guide my work.
  3. I have good tools with which to work.
  4. Mom is supportive of my art and writing.
  5. Hope did not get hurt when she chewed up the electrical cord because it was not plugged in.
  6. The preachers and photographer from our church liked my work.
  7. Alex talked to me for three hours on Saturday.
  8. I ordered four books from the book club and two of them are free.
  9. I have written several poems over the last couple of months.
  10. I bought some new shirts this week.

 

I cut off the heater in preparation for going to bed.

 

Always,

Jo Ann Wink

Poster???

 

I made copies of some of my work to give as Christmas presents. I hope they will be liked. I would like to make posters of one of my essays and try to sell them at a art and craft fair. I think $60.00 for 100 11×17 color copies on white card stock would not be a bad deal. Mom says I should be able to sell the copies for $25.00 each. I would be happy with $10.00 each. I already posted the essay here, but it was a long time ago, so I am going to post it again.

 

You are a gift from the hand of the Creator…

Be aware of your importance…

 

In all places, times, persons, there has never been another exactly like me. I am a wonder and a treasure. I have gifts, talents, thoughts, ideas, expressions, and emotions that are uniquely special. There is purpose in my existence.

 

I am a perfect manifestation of the love of God. I have power and worth. My ability to create is unlimited. I am a blessing. I have no neediness or wantingness for all abundance continually accrues toward me.

 

I am beautiful for I am a creature made in God’s own image. I am an eternal being of love. My actions and words are right and good. I have no reason to fear.

 

Love flows from me into the world, changing lives. I inspire others to reach for their higher selves. They see their greatness reflected in my eyes and my actions toward them.

 

Every day I become more. I am constantly growing into the person I want to be. I am aware and awake to whom I am. God inhabits my world and me. With this unity, I can do miracles.

 

I am sure of myself, and of God. The light and love of the Savior infuse me. I am vastly important, supremely creative, because I AM.

 

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Wednesday, April 12, 2000 Wink