Magnetic Words: Grace
Posted on 11. Jul, 2009 by Deb in On Writing
I mentioned the pile of magnetic words the other day. In some ways, they are still mocking me, but I am beginning to make friends with them in small ways. I figure if I make friends with them, they won’t be mean to me. Well, maybe not as mean to me.
This morning, I found a single word on the refrigerator door: GRACE
From Webster’s:
2 a: approval, favor barchaic : mercy, pardon c: a special favor : privilege d: disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e: a temporary exemption : reprieve
I took “grace” to heart this morning as the words played through my head: mercy – kindness – pardon – reprieve. It was the perfect word to find as I struggled to wake and began to prepare my first cup of coffee.
I’ve been off the last month or so. Nothing most of you around here would notice, unless you knew me pre-Tumblr. Know on days when I am reblogging a photo someone posted or sending you to interesting news pieces from around the globe, I am doing it because I care about the world around me and I care about what you care about – because it’s important enough to you to make you laugh or make you cry.
When asked what I am, for years I have said I am a writer. It isn’t about a want, it is a need. Words play in my head from the moment I wake and often haunt me when I sleep. One of my biggest problems is that I allow reality to creep in too much and lose sight of my inner child. Needing to be in touch with that inner child is critical, but you cannot behave as a child when it comes to craft. I am too undisciplined and too emotional – and that has got to change. I must find the way to corral the child’s enthusiasm and love into a disciplined practice.
I know that it may start slowly. Discipline isn’t something you can just strap on and wear as you would a new pair of shoes. It is something that has to be cultivated and tended. And in some ways, it begins with grace.