Writers’ Block

I think there is a chance that I might be facing some sort of “writer’s block.” But to call it that is funny to me; I dare not stick the “writer” label on myself. (Try searching for a recent bestseller of mine in your local library; you shan’t find it.) Nevertheless, I am struggling to find my own identity, my own style. I yearn for a style that will be true of me, even as I am exposed to other more proficient and established writers. You have heard it said: “imitation is the highest form of flattery.” For example, my parents have noticed the sudden spike of wordy, “intellectual”, and basically undecipherable entries on the journal. (To those of you who do understand, hooray…) That is the result of reading the non-fiction works of Clive Staples Lewis. On the other hand, there are seasons in my life that I pen down (and display) hauntingly honest stories for all to see. That is the result of much adoration for the works of Donald Miller. Being a greenhorn in this whole discipline of writing, I tell myself that I still need many many lifetimes of practice. And yes, as the years go by, I hope also to find an “identity” of my own.

Would Someone Please Like Me

And then there’s the other issue of writing for an audience, compared to just writing for one’s own pleasure. From what I have gathered by reading blogs and journals, I am willing to bet my money that other people wrestle with this as well. A whole new dimension is added when a person finally displays his or her “masterpiece” for the world to see. Don’t deny it now, everyone believes (to some extent) in their hearts that they are top-notch. Everyone believes they are superior. Everyone secretly wishes that everyone else would think like them, and act like them. Don’t you think? It would be quite impossible, but it is true the world would be a better place, if everyone was like King Pui. Ahem. Anyway, displaying one’s “masterpiece” is like tearing open one’s protective ribcage to reveal a vulnerable part of his tender, pulsating heart. The audience would have two options at that point: drive a dagger through it, or kiss it “good work.” Not many people like to be that vulnerable. Consequently, many choose to declare: “…it is my handiwork and mine alone, I don’t care what other people think, I like it and that’s good enough for me…” But it’s not. Pigs would fly if Life were that simple. You must see that the effects of The Fall were tremendous. The ripples The Fall have changed the face of mankind and creation, not unlike a tsunami crashing on an anthill. Unless you have died to yourself and have been reborn, you will continue to seek glory from other humans. Seeking glory from anything but God is sick and will never satisfy.

I Hate Religion

So what I really am saying is this. I AM writing for an audience. In fact, one of my goals for next semester is to put an article every week in the campus newspaper. Sort of what you have been reading recently, but of course edited to suit the audience. I want to write articles about Spirituality in Everyday Life, because really, God is all that matters. (If you guys could keep this idea in prayer, I would really appreciate it). What an amazing chance to impact a campus of 13,000 students. Can you believe there are more than 15 religious organizations on campus, and there is not a section in the Muleskinner about Spirituality? I just hope with all my heart, that I am worthy of this calling. Some of you are may be feeling a little uncomfortable with my words here. You may call me an extremist for regularly writing that “Life is all about God.” Do not hear what I am not saying. I am not saying be at church, or the temple or any other religious places 24/7. I am not saying stop working and let’s all be missionaries. I am not saying to leave your wife and kids just so you can read the Bible. Let me set this straight; I hate Religion. I adore Jesus Christ. If our lives are centered on God, we will care about whatever He cares about. And that, my friends, is an abundant life.

This morning I was reminded about my article about Man’s Potential because of this paragraph I read from Eric Sandras’s Buck-Naked Faith:

“The kingdom may start off as small as a mustard seed, but given time and the right opportunities, it should grow way out of proportion to that unnoticeable beginning.”
“The potential we pack has more to do with God’s presence working within and through us than with how qualified we feel. When we grasp the truth that we can become colaborers with Jesus and learn to live a much bigger story than our own microfocused lives, we will grow and grow and grow.” (33)

Just Turn the Music On

A few weeks ago, when a bunch of my college friends were gathered at the house, we decided to do something “extra-ordinary”. Not anything magically extravagant or anything like that, but definitely out of our usual routine of being glued around the television set. We played a get-to-know-one-another game, and I eagerly welcomed this rare change in routine. It’s about time we realized that life shouldn’t be lived out in the ‘spectator’ seats, or 42-inch flat-screen plasma ‘voyeur’ peepholes. Wouldn’t you agree? Sometimes I wish all the TV sets in the world would blow up. I know this is weird, considering it’s coming from a Broadcast Media major. I hope you do not misunderstand; I still enjoy the occasional heartrending movie or two. Anyway, back to my story. When my turn came, I had to rank the following items according to my preference: music, cool powers, and three other weird things which I cannot remember. The rest of the folks were to guess my preferences correctly for game points. To the ‘dismay’ of some, I chose ‘cool powers’ over music. Wouldn’t any 20 year old kid do the same?

Recently I’ve been wondering; do I really know how powerful or precious Music can be? Just how far back does its heritage go? After slight pondering, I must now favor music over “cool powers”, anytime. The following is my funny attempt to explain. But I must warn you; my word is purely my opinion. My knowledge of music theory and its inner workings is at best, pitiable. What is music? Musicologist Jean-Jacques Nattiez says, “... By all accounts there is no single and intercultural universal concept defining what music might be." How true. Some say it’s the “art of combining sounds in a pleasing way.” Simple enough. Let’s work with that.


--(wait on 121)

I hear and behold God in every object. . . Why should I wish to see God better than this day? I see something of God each hour of the twenty four, and each moment then, In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass. I find letters from God dropped in the street - and every one is signed by God's name, And I leave them where they are, for I know that others will punctually come forever and ever.

Walt Whitman (1860)

I wish I could write down my thoughts every day. If my body did not need sleep; if my eyes could be kept open and my mind kept alert twenty-four hours a day, I would probably spend a whole lot of my time writing. I always imagine it being an adventurous hike up an elegant green mountain. It would be an arduous hike, yet graceful and fulfilling. Because in the end, I would always end up at the summit, consuming the richly robust air and actually being thankful for my functioning lungs. If I am lucky, I might catch the astral cowboy roping the sun back down into the horizon. If the clouds were gracious enough, they would move into just the right position in front of the setting sun… making a dazzling display of purple, red, orange, pink and the dark blue of the evening sky. Have you seen it? Writing is sort of like that. You may start out rough, but in the end you always find your mind resting on a rock on the mountain’s summit. Do you know the secret of being a good writer? Being honest. In this world of lies and masks and multiple split personalities, honesty is a surefire way to shock the system. Try it in all aspects of your life; go ahead and be real; it will intrigue people. Just think about it. Over the course of history, experts or writers or scientists or philosophers have been commended for ... stating the obvious. Or just unearthing truths which have been there since the beginning of time. Or putting into words things people take for granted but already know are true. People end up seeing life in a new perspective when someone articulates facts such as these. But of course, to be a good writer you’ve also got to know how to arrange your thoughts in a clear and logical way. (That is why you should never ever follow my example.) You’ve got to assemble your Lego’s of thoughts into a big-rig oil drill. Except you’re not looking to drill out oil, but to drill out fountains of emotion in the hearts of your readers. Less organization means a blunted bit. Well. It’s almost 3 in the morning, but I’m feeling excellent. An almost sure 10.2 out of a scale of 1 to 10.

[img:724818]
She held my hand.
While watching Cinderella Man.
"Jesus, YOU Da Man!..."
Amen.
[img:724819]
[img:724821]
[img:724820]