Saturday, October 8, 2011

Surroundings

I subscribe to a blog called "Goins, Writer" which is written and maintained by Jeff Goins. I enjoy his blog because it gives valuable tips on writing. Not just on how to write a blog, but writing in general. I have this grand dream of writing a mystery novel...or an autobiography... something extraordinary. I write for this blog, I write a newsletter for my church, and sometime when a thought comes to mind, I may write an essay or even a poem. You get the idea. I tell myself this is all practice to that big novel. But, right now my heart is in my painting and that's usually what this blog is about.

Jeff's subject of his last post was "Let Your Surroundings Inspire Your Writing." So, as I looked at my surroundings...front, right side, left side; I thought "why not...I'm way overdue for a post anyway." So, that's what my post is about today...my surroundings.

In front of me I see a messy work area where I have been diligently working at for the past few days. I'm preparing for my Sunday School class that I have to facilitate tomorrow morning. I should be working on it right now and I will be as soon as I finish this post. Our lesson this Sunday is from Romans 7:1-25 ...extremely complex text, but very profound.



To my right...I'd rather be out there than in here. What an absolutely beautiful fall day. I love being able to look out my front windows and see this beautiful God-given landscape. I even have the windows wide open to take full advantage of the outside.



To my left...a wall of my oil paintings. Painting is something I thoroughly enjoy and decided to get serious about it when I retired. It was a tossup as to whether I would concentrate my efforts on my painting or my writing. At that time, painting got top priority. However, I have since found that I can do both. But, I've also learned that to be exceptional at either my focus needs to be more directed. When I get ready to do that best selling novel (ha!) I will focus all of my attention on that. I paint for the sheer pleasure, if something sells that's fine, if not that's ok. God has blessed me with this talent so I paint to His glory.



I hope you've enjoyed this sojourn from my regular blog about my paintings. I've enjoyed the change. And I apologize to my followers that the time between postings is longer that I like it to be. I will attempt to be better about it in the future.

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for inviting me in for a look around, Lokelani! It was enjoyable. That's a beautiful collection of paintings on the wall.
    Best of luck with your writing.

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  2. Thank you so much Dean. I do intent to spend more time on it.

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  3. Thanks for participating in the exercise, Lokelani, and for describing your surroundings! Sounds like a breeding ground for inspiration. All the best on that novel/autobiography! :)

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  4. I have been slow with blogging lately and look what I've missed! Have spent a while this evening catching up. I LOVE your slide show - beautiful paintings! No doubt you will write that novel - but - somehow I see you writing and illustrating a children's book first. Have you thought of doing that? Small children are exposed to so much garbage - even if parents are careful - An inspirational book that would speak to children would be such a gift!

    Your work space looks a little like mine :-) but we get things done don't we! You are an inspiration!

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  5. Rosemary...how nice to hear from you. Thanks for looking in on my blog. I'm not as regular as I should be, but I try. Would you believe, per your suggestion, I do in fact have a children's book in the works. It is a book regarding the Creation. Haven't worked on it for a while and just told myself yesterday I need to get busy on it. I have most of the story line, but am trying to do the artwork also. Again, so good hearing from you.

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  6. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotionals for Kids is a wonderful devotional for children. It teaches children how to hear Gods voice and to search for him in everything that they do.
    My nieces & nephews are relating to this devotional and look forward to it everyday. If you are a parent with young children you won't be disappointed! Our goal as Christian parents is to raise our children up in the Lord.....This is a definite book (along with the Bible) which will help in setting everyday Christian goals.

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