©2012/2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
Have you ever held on to something or someone longer than you should have? ::Raising My Hand:: I've done it too many times to count and I am not proud of it. When it is time to let go, most of us are more comfortable just hanging on. But sometimes you need to hang on, that is what Jacob did; he told God: "I will not let go until you bless me." Some say he was fighting with God but honestly I thing he was clinging to God. The fight is on when it comes to humanity, there are people standing in line waiting for the next battle with you and me--please don't hang on to them. On the other hand, God is not looking for a fight with us; the Lord wants us to cease fighting and just cling. No matter where you are right now, hold on to the one who is holding on to you. This is Tuesday talk, hang in there.
©2012/2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
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My daughter is quite the storyteller--please click on the link below to read about the encounter that almost didn't happen with her and writer Toni Morrison. This is Tuesday Talk--enjoy! http://blogs.oberlin.edu/community/events/beloved.shtml If you know my story, you know I have embarked upon a journey of writing about the nine muses. It was not meant to be--the muses had a different plan for me. The muses don't want to be contained in a jar; they want to fully participate in our creativity. I am convinced the muses want to: 1. Direct our minds and hearts toward something glorious. 2. Have us sit in a place of study and use what we have learned to bless the masses. 3. Amused and bemused us--we should not treat it like the oridinary. 4. Swirl us as we walk on water and have us enjoy it. 5. Show us what is borrowed from the mysterious. 6. Shut our eyes so we can hear something born anew. 7. Inspire us in speech, in thought, in music, in story, and in all there is; when something divine comes--use it. 8. Dim the ego and help us use the tools that have already been given. 9. Know that we are cognizant of I am is who I am. Love Joe Bunting's "Misguided Ways We Treat Our Muses." Would we treat our family and friends like this. Produce on demand...We demand a novel from her in thirty days during NaNoWriMo. No time to sit...We refuse to sit down and start typing unless she shows up on time. No patience for this...We demand that she produces perfect first drafts for us. On my own...We don’t give her credit when we create something amazing. Check twitter...We check email, go on Facebook, and do “research” during the time we’ve committed to spending with her. I am distracted...We ignore her all day. Not important...We don’t write down the excellent phrases or ideas she whispers in our ears. You don't care about me...We get mad at her for not helping us. I have so many things to do...We don’t lead her toward the projects that need to get finished. Unleash the creative and may the force be with you. This is Tuesday talk. © 2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved "Look for inspiration in the places most people overlook." ~Mr. Miles Coaltrain While I will always be inspired as long as I live; these words have taken my creativity to another level. I now seek inspiration in the most unlikely places. Here is a random list of those things I have overlooked: 1. The Compassion of a Complete Stranger Just When You Need It When I had to put my dog down about a month ago, I found myself in the parking lot sobbing uncontrollably. Clinging to my dog's blanket and looking for my keys--I completely fell apart. A complete stranger come to me and gently asked, "Do you need some help?" Through my tears I said, "I just lost my dog and I can't find my keys." This person looked in my purse, found my keys and gave it to me. INSPIRATION is like the stranger, when you least expect it--something, someone shows up to give you what you need. 2. Music From The Heart My son Zachary is non-verbal but when his favorite music starts playing you would think he is the featured artist in concert singing to an audience of one. The sound is all so familiar in our house, it is an "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" sang off key and in a pitch most singers would cringe at; but if you listen to him and look at his body language he can move you to tears--he is singing from his soul. INSPIRATION is like Zachary, it has to come from the soul. 3. Meeting Genuine Little People under the Age of Five I remember going to the Publix restroom and encountering a three year old girl and her mom. The girl is engaged in a lively conversation with her mom until I enter the space. She stops talking, turns to me and says, "I think you are beautiful, did your mommy cut your hair?" "No, my mommy didn't, I think you are beautiful too." INSPIRATION is like the little girl, it doesn't look for others to define what is beautiful. 4. A Quiet House I am wired to be with people and around people but in recent times I have found the blessedness of a silent, quiet place. I love my family and they love me--good thing; but the house becomes sacred when I can hear a pin drop. These are the times when the muses show up and they talk to me and I can hear them. INSPIRATION is like a quiet house, rich in creatively only received in silence. 5. Entourage of Encouragers My pastor has been talking about having an "entourage of encouragers" and I must say when I least expect it and when I needed it the most, I am engulfed by words and deeds of friends who keep me lifted up. INSPIRATION is like encouragers, just when you think you are at the end of your rope; you get something to hold onto that holds onto you. This is Tuesday talk--don't stop looking for the inspiring. ©2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved |
Blogger Bio:Theda Okona is a former storyteller and co-host for an internet radio broadcast. She lives to be inspired. Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, Writer, Speaker, Vocalist and Author of Clouds of Grace--she has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Archives
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