Friday, March 30, 2012

With Deepest Gratitude


And so, the final day is here.  I’ll admit I’ve been dreading it.  This challenge has given me so many wonderful gifts – I am reluctant to give them up.  I know I don’t really have to – but things will be – well, different.  No more daily posts, no more uplifting, supportive, caring comments each day.  I will miss this, very much.  Yet, I suddenly have a lot on my plate and I think the end has come at just the right time.  I need to turn my attention to other things at the moment.  Important things.
However, I now have a tool to help me – get through, process, unwind, reflect, shout for joy, question – now I write.  Now, I AM a writer.  Maybe I always was, but I never felt like one.  I doubted so much I couldn’t pick up a pen.  
The closest I could come was to read books about how to write.  Now – I write.

Things I have learned this month ~
  I am a writer (even if it is only for myself)
  There are wonderful people out there in the world who took time for me this month
  I don’t have to share everything I do with others (I never revealed my participation in this
           Challenge to anyone outside of my fellow slicers – I wanted it for myself)
  I am not alone – others share my pain, my experiences, my challenges, my likes and dislikes, my joys, my worries
I love poetry (I already knew this, but this month of writing solidified it)
I need to believe in myself and my abilities more

Things this SOLC made me grateful for ~
New friends and fellow writers
New books to read and new ways to write
The support and care of this wonderful community of people – this has been a transformational process for me, largely because of the understanding and compassion shown to me through all of your comments.  My post “A Million Thanks” sums up my feelings for all of you.  I will miss the daily feedback – but I won’t give up.  I will continue with this blog, I will continue to slice on Tuesdays, I will dig out my old, empty writing journals.  I will write.

Thank you to Ruth and Stacey for creating this wonderful opportunity.
Thank you to all writers for allowing me into your lives for a month.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and comment.

Quote of the day:

           At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.     ~Albert Schweitzer

THANK YOU FOR LIGHTING MY FLAME!  Until next Tuesday…


16 comments:

  1. Your statements ring true for me as well. I look forward to your writing on Tuesday.

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  2. I agree. From the beginning I started lementing the end, but I too think it comes at a good time. Posting just on Tuesdays will seem easy at this point - I think??? I think it's neat how you kept this for yourself. Makes it a special treasure of sorts. Good for you!

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  3. Learning and appreciation is what I take from this challenge too. You have been honest in your writings and this takes strength.
    I am glad to hear that you plan to continue writing. Tuesday is not far away. And don't forget to write and link tomorrow.
    Terje

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  4. I am so pleased to have found your writing this month. I look forward to our Tuesday slices

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  5. "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person." This is so true. Others rekindle the flame of writing. Glad you joined this year and looking forward to more from you.

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    1. I am with Elsie! We need others to keep on writing!

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  6. Wow! What a great piece of writing. I wish I'd written it! You are definitely a writer. I love the metaphor of rekindling the spark. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays, there will always be that glowing ember.

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  7. This is a beautiful piece. You are most definitely a writer. I found after the challenge last year that my confidence continued to grow with each thing I wrote. Yours will tool Keep writing. Keep sharing. You have a gift and it needs to be shared--if only on Tuesdays.

    I'll read you on Tuesday,
    Deb

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  8. Very touching Julie! It is so true and I think we all feel as you do...we joined and became a community on all different levels. Love your quotes at the end! See you on Tuesdays.

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  9. Congratulations on completing the month and on the wonderful discoveries you have made. You are a writer. Look forward to reading you on Tuesdays.

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  10. Yay, Julie!!! Thank you for becoming a part of my life this month. I have enjoyed reading your posts. I look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday.

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  11. There is something so powerful about writing with an audience. Publishing when you click the button and comments... Keep on writing.
    Bonnie

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  12. I haven't always commented on eveyone's slices, but I've enjoyed reading as many as I can. I hope you'll join with me and continue to slice on Tuesdays!

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  13. Julie, I love your reflection of the SOLS experience. Thank you for sharing in this journey.
    Maya

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  14. It's been a month of revelation for all of us. Keep writing, Julie.

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  15. Thanks for sharing a "slice" of yourself with us, as well!

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