Ray Bradbury and His Joy of writing

I had the opportunity to hear him speak many years ago as a part of a class I was taking. His message to us was to ‘believe’, to never lose sight of the child that exists in all of us. His joy of writing came through his words, expression and manner of speaking. He spoke of taking flight within one’s life, exploring new ‘worlds’, not letting your life to become stagnant. He left a strong impression on me, not just about writing, but about living life.

His main points during the talk included:

• Keeping Joy of life alive.
• Never losing sight of the child within you.
• Believing in yourself
• Look always to the future
•  Be free, not bound by others beliefs and thoughts

I did two drawings. One was the quick non-stop pen drawing below. It was done at the end of the lecture, as we were in line to go up and meet him. Along the side of the drawing I wrote the words he spoke that touched me the most.  I couldn’t afford to purchase a book for him to autograph, so when I reached him, I nervously handed him the quick sketch. He looked up at me… he looked at the sketch… then proceeded to give me an A+ as well as his autograph.

My sketch that was done in line while waiting to meet him.

My art, drawing and photography, has been of the visual mode. I have done woodcarving, clay sculpture, and photography. The method of expression is different. With the carving and clay sculpture, it took many steps to reach an expression presented through a single form. With photography, one click creates a single image. Of course, with digital software of today, more manipulation can be done, but it is still a single image that speaks for the artist.

With writing, it is the combining of many words in a unique manner that becomes a special expression. A mood, personalities, plot, environment and circumstances are combined to take the reader on a journey.

“And what, you ask, does writing teach us? First and foremost, it reminds us that we are alive and that it is a gift and a privilege, not a right. We must earn life once it has been awarded us. Life asks for rewards back because it has favored us with animation. So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.”

For Bradbury, writing was something he had to do daily. For him, an hour of writing was like a tonic. “Not to write, for many of us, is to die.” “Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me.” ”After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces together. Now it’s your turn. Jump!” He said he wrote at least a thousand words a day ‘from the age of 12 on.’

He started to make lists. He first made lists of his loves and hates. Later he began to make lists of titles and nouns. He called these lists the provocations that make it possible for his better work to surface. Down the road came lists that dealt with the night, nightmares, darkness and objects in attics. He states:

Where am I leading you? Well, if you are a writer, or would hope to be one, similar lists, dredged out of the lopside of your brain, might well help you discover you, even as I flopped around and finally found me.

He would choose a noun and start a prosy poem and it would eventually turn into a story! Characters would appear and he would let them finish the rest of the tale for him. He explored the attics of his grandparents as well as their basements. Death, fear, fantasy, graveyards all attracted him. Nouns relating to these subjects started him rapidly writing. Carnivals and his experiences with them were another source of great inspiration for him.

There is so much that I read in the Zen in the Art of Writing that I could go on and on. If you have a chance, pick it up. His vocabulary is so full of description, his thoughts run from one subject to another… showing the relation of thought and feelings. Most of all is the excitement he felt when putting words together to create his vision from within.

I believe one thing holds it all together. Everything I’ve ever done was done with excitement, because I wanted to do it, because I loved doing it.

Afterwards we all had to write a report on his lecture, using any format we wished. I did mine through a colored pencil drawing on plain newsprint, the image shown here. Again you can see the words that reached out to me.

The words I wrote at the bottom say:

In order to motivate your listeners, you the teacher must renew yourself. You must stay in touch with that inner you– the child.  Believe in yourself and enjoy what you do.  Be Free, open to change. Be Joyous!

This was my final report after attending the lecture by Ray Bradbury

What will happen next, I ask?

It would be so nice if we could set out our path, our plans for the journey forward in life, and find that it all moves along as planned. I have learned over my life that reality is usually quite different. To get to one rung on our ladder upward we may have the option of taking several routes or going up two rungs, back one then up three and so on. We might even have to choose a different ladder all together! This post… I tried to get the images with either a left or right alignment, but they refused to stay where I wanted them… so all are lined up right down the middle!!

OK, which way was I headed? How did I get here?

 

 

 

This has been my life as I have started to change things around to find alternatives in my life. I started one place, got bounced off that route and found myself undergoing obstacles that where not planned on. Yet… the latest, may have an end result that will be most beneficial.

As you know, if you have been reading my posts, I am a senior seeking a new direction.  By the time we get to our more mature years, various happenings are taking place in our bodies. Some are good and others are just a real ‘pain.’  The latter is visiting me right now. Like the image of the mangroves (life’s jungle) there is a spot of light (the cardinal)

 

 

 

I see you. You are most unexpected in these circumstances. Welcome!

 

I love using nature to demonstrate what I am talking about, if you haven’t noticed. I know blogs are usually informative, with great lessons and wisdom. I seem to just chatter along… inserting images to illustrate what I am trying to get across. What I enjoy learning is that there are others out there who know exactly what I am experiencing!  I am not alone on my journey. They are not all senior citizens. Some are just regular folks like you.

Well, this is am image of my main place of work… bad isn’t it?  I have worked at bring some sense of order, but obstacles keep getting in my way!

 

 

 

 

There is a computer there… look carefully and you will see it.

 

 

All those CDs and Zip drives are labeled. The books may not be filed with the Dewey decimal system, but they are in categories and I can access them easily. They are apart of my future… along with the many files on the internal and external hard drives. I learned the hard way that backing up is necessary.

 

 

 

It fit when I started… Hummm, how will it fit now? Do I need to make changes before going on? Yep!

 

 

Just as this dress  is in a state of being unfinished, we as people are never finished when it comes to our lives. We are a project in perpetual change. We have dreams, ideas of where we want to go, what we want to accomplish in our lives. This is not just a part of our youth, but is with us throughout our lives. So many have had their lives turned upside down over the past years and have had to look at new directions, make major changes in their lives.

 

 

Well, I for one am looking forward. I am excited about the possibilities that I see before me. Who knows, I may actually figure out what I really want to do with this blog!!  I am delving back into Jon Kabat-Zinn, as alternative treatments work best with me. My body does not like the modern-day chemicals called prescriptions. I am also resurrecting my Qigong… I know I said that before, but this time I have to be serious about it. Here are my Jahnke’s exercises for the PDF files of the exercises. The source is documented on the file.

Time for an image of Dawn… I am choosing an early morning sky image with a flock of pelicans flying. They know what they need, they keep at it until they get it. It may mean flying up and down the same coast line, but they persist. That is me. I live where I live. I have the tools that I have, but I can gain more if needed.

Pelicans on their daily search… against the morning sun

What I need is more self-discipline… I am not a quitter, but I get distracted very easily. Getting to know your strengths and weaknesses comes in your later years, earlier if you are lucky, but you have to acknowledge them in order to make use of them. Many do not like what they see. OK everyone… send all the positive support, thoughts you can my way. I will need it all.

What am I doing up at this hour?

I have thoughts, ideas and the need to put them together in some form. During this time that I have been writing for Helium, I have been introduced to many new subjects and ideas by way of the rating program. It has made me aware of how little I know when I thought I knew quite a bit! There are new worlds of thought out there to explore, ideas to learn, and ways for communicating them to master.

I have discovered: a typist I am not. I am amazed at the dyslexic stumbling of my fingers on the keyboard. My brain is spelling the words as they are to be, but my fingers seem to have a mind of their own. Thank heaven for ‘undo’ and backspace!

Helium has been an experiment on my part, a period of learning and discovery for me. I happily find that I am able to use my photos when I do my How-tos. Here is the link to my last on How to grow Bougainvillea. There are links on that page to some of my others.

Is this the direction I am supposed to be going? I am not sure. I will give it more time. Just wished it brought in more in the money department. The goal is to write those articles that people want to click on over and over. I have used some key-word search engines to see just how my interests would rate in the world of internet search engines. That is the key to bringing in $$.

In the meantime… I am there and I am here. Elliot and I go out to catch the dawn, watch the waves and pelicans flying on the level of the waves with their wings touching. Then there are the osprey out for a meal with their high from the sky dives.

When not catching the sun coming through the clouds at dawn, I love to catch the sun coming through the leaves. It is like a beam of life   shining through. The sun is life for all of nature. Nature is a source of life for me as it nourishes my soul, my inner being.

The leaves glow under the morning sun

The waves are still my favorite. They start in the distance and raise up and then the peak of the wave tumbles over the front and the foam, breaks into millions of frothy white bubbles that flow up on the beach. You can see the power of this wave.

Power of the Wave

Then there are the quiet days, when the waves come gently in on the beach. I am totally amazed at the varying colors of the ocean, the waves and the skies. Here the sun caught the tops of the waves and illuminated them like a green stained glass.

The Calming Motion of Waves....

Of course, the skies of dawn are my true interest. The dark and mysterious clouds off in the distance over the horizon. The rain is there, coming down on the open sea… making it way to land or maybe not. It may release it all before it reaches where I stand.

Stormy Sunrise

Well, my thoughts have played out. My mind is ready to hopefully glide smoothly into a deep restful sleep… so I will be ready to see another day,  experience another exploration in life. There may be some joy, I would hope, some pain, the need to use patience… with myself and with others. Most of all, I will seek Peace in the midst of it all. The joy and the pain with come together in Peace.  This I know will be a reality. It is called acceptance. Acceptance of what comes your way. Looking at the glass as half full and not half empty.

In signing off for the night. I will post an image of nature, that shows the full cycle of a blossom… a magnolia blossom. Beneath the glorious blossom recently touched by the rain, there is a new bud waiting its turn and down on the lower left, a spent blossom. It will produce the seeds so the whole cycle may start again.

Our Soft Brush by Hurricane Irene and more

Hurricanes are not much fun. The Carolina area was hit the worse so far, with the highest winds and beach erosion. The low  areas along the coast were flooded. I am writing this on Saturday evening, and I heard that Irene was starting to weaken. The water surge will still raise havoc in the New England areas. Power outages are already wide-spread. Power crews from Florida left today, headed up that way to pay back the times the northern states came down to help us get our power back.

My brother, Steve, and his wife, Celia, joined the many individuals who are traveling into the disaster area at this moment to help. Steve and Celia are pulling a mobile kitchen. God Bless Them and all the other volunteers. This is what makes our country so great… the individuals who join in to help those in need.

Surf images and a blue heron photo are below:

Some surfers.. see the elliptical shape in the center of the photo, are trying to catch a wave. Further up the coast, in New Smyrna Beach, FL. a surfer lost his life.

Surfers in the waves... see circle!

The Blue Heron was facing the sun, and the stiff breeze, coming from the west was ruffling his neck feathers. He was hoping a fisherman would toss him a treat, or a crab would come out of hiding from among the rocks that line the jetty.

Feathers ruffled by the strong wind

Another photo of the waves, taken from an angle. We were lucky. Now we must make it through September, October and November before we are home free. There is a dog on the left, a gull coming right at you in the middle, and barely visible are two surfers to the right of the gull. The people who own metal detectors will hit the beaches when the waves calm down, looking for whatever treasures the waves may have washed up.

Irene's waves for Florida

Time for a Quiet Moment

A quiet spot for reflection

I have been on a break, but it has not been a break in the real sense, as my mind and actions have been going full speed ahead. I am still writing at Helium. I was accepted to the How-to group. Here is a link to my How to grow a croton, Now I am adding my latest also: How to grow bonsai. Not sure where this is all going, but I enjoy trying new things and this is definitely new.

Going so fast this week reminded me that I am getting to the end of my time off… and that I have not really taken any time off. Sitting back is necessary now and then. To keep going at full speed wears a person down, both mentally and physically. I went to Heathcote Botanical Gardens to get photos for my ‘How to grow a bonsai’. I stopped at the familiar gate and saw the Reflection Pond. Seeing that quiet, restful spot made me realize how badly I needed to stop and reflect. In a few days I will be headed back into the rush of the fall semester and classes.

Hope all who visit here, will find a moment to search out that special place where they can sit back and just relax. No worries intruding, no rushed feeling, just peace and quiet all around. If you already have such a place… Good for You!

Taking Care of Us!

This is what we are going to try to do on a regular basis, to re-nourish our inner selves. Since it gets hot in Florida fairly quickly in the summer, if you want to do something outside it has to be early in the day. We want to enjoy the river that is right around the corner from our house, so we bought two inexpensive kayaks. This past week had been a stressful one for me and the two hours we were on the river, washed away all the negative remains of those days.

Elliot’s silhouette under the bridge

Well, today was our second outing. One kayak fits in the SUV and the other goes on top!  The loading and unloading was easier this time and the feeling of being on the river is just getting better and better.  The quiet, after we pass under the bridge… with the noise of everyone else going to work at 8 a.m…. is amazing.  The morning was nice and we were ready.

Me with my kayak

You might recognize the photo of my avatar as it was taken from this image. Years ago, I took lessons from Nigel Foster and I actually remember the rhythm between legs and arms for a full body workout. I have a lot of reconditioning to do.  Kayaking sure beats going to a gym!

I love to see the huge branches of the older trees that are leaning out over the river, covered in Spanish moss and bromeliads. I believe this one was actually no longer a living tree, but its branches were full of living plants and creatures.  Their reflection in the water creates an interesting pattern. The other thing we must look for along the water’s edge, is alligators.  Yes, they love this river.  Usually if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

A large branch reflected in the water

Now you will have to take my word for it.  There is an osprey in that tree… see the yellow circle?  That is where he is eating his morning catch from the river.

Believe me, there is an osprey in the tree!

Elliot and I were going very quietly here as there was a large blue heron resting on a piling (way to the back of the photo!!) as he was doing his morning fishing. We tried to just glide, but the current wanted to take us the wrong way.  The heron did not seem to be bothered by our presence.

Blue Heron in distance on piling

A short definition about Qigong

According to Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming in his book The Root of Chinese Chi Kung …
“Chi Kung is the science of cultivating the body’s internal energy”… “The correct definition of Chi Kung is any training or study dealing with Chi which takes a long time and a lot of effort.” He points out that because of the long history of Chi Kung, it is hard for one person to explain it all and a student of Chi Kung should study more than one to get a more rounded knowledge.

Chi Kung is also spelled as Qigong. Chi or Qi stands for life force… universal energy. Kung (gong) is the study, the practice related to Chi. There are many styles, including healing forms of Chi Kung. I will also use the spelling Qigong.

Douglas Chung, Phd., in his book Qigong Therapies… describes Qigong as the integration of mind, body, and spirit, where the body is relaxed, the mind is calm, and the ego is set aside so that attention can be paid to the conscious self for holistic healing and potential development.

He lists six major Qigong strategies:
1. Internalization…energy internalization, energy management.
2. Body Posture… relaxation is critical. Various postures enhance the free flow of energy throughout the body.
3. Breathing… there are different breathing methods. Abdominal breathing is the most efficient and must be learned by most people.
4. Mental reframing… know your real self, believe in yourself, affirm yourself.
5. Spiritual Adjustment… this is an awareness of yourself–in the present moment… “your body, energy within and without, and on the flow of energy in whatever you do.”
6. Integration of mind, body, and spirit… where the body is relaxed, the mind is calm, and the ego is set aside.

Practice + Intention = Inner Harmony = Qi Flow = Health and Longevity

You must Believe. Often we start things with good intentions, but in the back of our mind… we harbor doubts about being able to accomplish our goals.

I am not a wealth of knowledge about Qigong. I came across it by chance and discovered it had an important lesson for me to learn. I have done some studying of the medical Qigong. As we get older, we find it harder to keep our energy level up where we would like it… sometimes there may be a physical reason, Then there is stress, and of course, we cannot leave out what the fast pace of life demands of us physically and mentally.  That is why I have tried to adapt what I could about Qigong into my life.  I am not able to take medicines, so I have to rely on my mind and my attitude to carry me forward, to keep me going.