Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Time to enjoy the cherries!

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Here we are in Women’s History Month and I’m delighted to be here to share about where life Is taking me now.  Some pretty astonishing soul-directed events have me experiencing fantastic highs and agonizing lows for almost a year now.

I wanted to write about it now and here so that you witness me walking my talk. I share my life with you as an example of both vulnerability and strength. While I cannot share all the specifics of what is going on, I can tell you that I’m a doting grandmother these days. My commitment to the baby along with my commitment to her parents has taken me off of my previous path.  As I strive to create a new normal for myself since the baby arrived three weeks early, I continue to marvel at the gift I’ve been given to be a part of this new soul’s journey here on earth.

I write. I write about this new aspect of my life. It is just part of who I am that I would put this part of my story into words on the page. I am a writer. That’s my identity. That’s how they introduce me…how they introduced me to everyone…Mary’s the writer. That’s what writers do. That’s how I deal. That’s how I cope. That’s how I find joy.

“If life is a bowl of cherries,” as one of my favorite humorists and philosophers Erma Bombeck shares, “what am I doing in the pits?”

Right now, a part of my life feels like the pits. Life and death medical challenges surround me while at the same time witnessing life through the eyes of this brand new life. And life goes on.

We all can keep on keeping on. Take the wisdom of each particular life experience and grow from it. Allow yourself time and grace to heal. Every one of our life experiences is meant to teach us something and mold us into who we are meant to be.

Recognize the synchronicity of the events…nothing happens out of the blue and for no apparent reason. Everything has significance.

Yes, there are pits in life. There are also lots of cherries. Enjoy the cherries!

photo credit:  http://canva.com

 

Celebrate YOU this International Women’s Day!

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Happy International Women’s Day! Among the many women we could celebrate from world leaders, distinguished scholars, educators, healers, accomplished entertainers, and those who do countless other jobs serving humanity, don’t forget to honor the one who greets you in the mirror every morning – You!

 

Yes, You. You are a leader in your corner of the world. No one can tell do exactly what you do with your every breath from telling a Knock Knock joke quite like you to being the Go-To Gal professionally and personally! While you may not see yourself as making any grand gestures in the world (attending countless staff meetings, deftly fielding questions while researching information for clients, doing mountains of laundry, packing lunches, preparing dinners, sewing Halloween costumes, supervising craft projects,  filling Christmas stockings, and driving the circumference of the earth to band practice, soccer, ballet, gymnastics, ice skating, hockey, and piano), I’m sure there are those in your life who would disagree with you.

Give yourself a pat on the back and a “You Go, Girl!” cheer.

What you do matters and you deserve to be celebrated for every e-mail, status report, coaching session, dirty sock, meatloaf, meeting, report and all of the other thousands of creative things you do!

While to the world, you may never be famous, never be written up in Who’s Who, or interviewed on Oprah, you are a very important person in your circle…important in your own life.

In honor of National Women’s History Month, I celebrate YOU. If the story of your life thus far does not reflect where you want to go, rewrite the story! Change it. Make up your mind today that your story matters and going forward you have a new story!

I celebrate me. I celebrate Us. Let’s celebrate each other! 

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] My glass is half full…

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My glass is half full…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use a computer. Please remember that typing puts you in another part of your brain. I believe you have greater access to messages from your soul with the pen to paper. However, if you are not physically able to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – My glass is half full... or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and a spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

Photo credit: jamienease.com

What will you leap into this year?

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How are you leaping forward?

Saturday isn’t just an ordinary day. It’s a bonus day. 2020 is a Leap Year. The “leap day” of 29 February exists for purely astronomical reasons, but let’s talk about how to use the time to your advantage.

Now I ask you…How will you leap?

This is a special day which only occurs every four years. Don’t waste that extra time and take advantage of the luxury of an additional 24 hours.

What will you do to mark the occasion?

Is this the year you turn a significant number on your birthday? Spend some time reflecting on where you have been, what has happened in your life, all the shifts that have occurred, about dreams delayed, deferred or denied. Decide to make a new dream come true. Then take out the calendar and map out a strategy to make that dream a reality. Plan a celebration to mark the occasion. Have you always wanted to travel, publish, paint, or (you fill in the blank)?

Stuck and need a little help getting started? Grab your journal and ask at the top of the page – what am I dreaming about doing and haven’t shared it out loud? Write in your journal about how you will accomplish that goal. Be creative. Be bold. Be willing to leap!

Hop…umm…or you could skip, jump, leap, stroll, or rock’n’roll…to my Facebook page to share what you are doing to jump into 2020 and what you will do in honor of Leap Year!

 

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] My best decision yet…

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My best decision yet…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use a computer. Please remember that typing puts you in another part of your brain. I believe you have greater access to messages from your soul with the pen to paper. However, if you are not physically able to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – My best decision yet... or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and a spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

Photo credit: jamienease.com