e84 Challenge – The Effort of Trying
Nothing exemplifies the futility of trying more than the myth of King Sisyphus. Sisyphus was doomed to push a boulder up the hill only to have it roll back down, day after day. The activity of “trying” is a pretense that masks failure. To try is to neither do, nor not do. If I ask […]
e84 Challenge – No Means No
A few weeks ago another dog left its yard to charge my dog as we passed. Completely taken off guard, I stopped with my dog, at least remembering to stay calm and raise my arms above my waist. The dogs scuffled and growled, and the owner walked over to get her dog. I spent the […]
e84 Challenge – Fortune Cookies, Horoscopes, Palm Reading and the Power of the Mind
Of all the purported methods of telling my future, palm reading seems to be the most likely. Horoscopes, even on those mornings when the forecast seems eerily true, apply to everyone born within a short period of time. How likely is it that all Libras for instance, will feel restless and need to look at […]
e84 Challenge – Wounds of a Friend
Lie to me. Okay, don’t lie, but some days I’m just not in the mood for truth, especially if it’s criticism – positive or otherwise. I have a friend who just lays it on the line. I guess he knows I can take it, and even though I may curse as I hang up the […]
e84 Challenge – Called to be a Steward
What does God want from us? The way I see it, it boils down to being a good steward of this life He’s provided. We have time, talent, and possessions. Our potential is unlimited – it springs from the talents we’re blessed with from birth. As a parent, it breaks my heart to see my […]
e84 Challenge – Taking the Stairs
The Empire State Building has 1,578 stairs. One of these days I’ll be in New York City and make that climb. In the meantime, I’ll keep training. My office building has six floors and a lovely staircase with polished hardwood steps. Artwork hangs on each landing where the staircase turns between floors. It’s old drawings […]
e84 Challenge – All Things Optimistic
I’m an optimist. Isn’t everyone? I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t describe themselves as an optimist. And yet, I find myself operating as a “fair weather” optimist … positive about those areas where I feel confident. Even if I try to think positive about the rest of it, my behavior shows my […]
e84 Challenge – Know It All
Is there anything left to learn? Maybe it’s because we look forward to finishing school, whether as a child – picturing a glorious day without teachers and classrooms – or even powering through college semesters, waiting for graduation. Oh, there’s the internet, the evening news, and for some, a daily newspaper delivered to the front […]
e84 Challenge – Make It Count
Take my day job out of the equation. I’m fascinated by the idea of an immersion novel, a/k/a “stunt novel” – taking on a challenge for a period of time and writing about it. I know – that’s what I’ve been doing with my e84 challenge for the last 84+ days. What would I do […]
e84 Challenge – Today is a Gift
I’m trying to remember the last time I traveled with another woman, sans my son. My son has been my traveling companion for many years, or I’ve journeyed with a boyfriend/husband … or alone. I’m rooming with my friend, Lori, a fellow writer and friend from the weekly writers critique group. It’s just a different […]