What is to come? That’s a good question to ask when the seasons of life change. I’ve learned through this journey that my life is truly blessed, and to appreciate things both large and small in it. I’ve learned to root myself more in love and compassion for others (and myself). I’ve learned that sometimes my big personality can frighten people, and to discern when my “uniqueness” is appropriate and when I need to dial it down. I’ve learned that being a borderline introvert means that people do wear me out sometimes, I need to learn when to take a break to restore my wells and keep my best foot forward. I learned the power of faith. The second biggest lesson was that true contentment is in focusing on what I can and should do for others, and not what I think they should be doing. So if that’s number two, then what’s the biggest lesson I learned?
It’s that ordinary life is extraordinary in it’s own, quiet way, and that miracles happen every day. We just get so bogged down in routine that we don’t notice these miracles until something knocks us down and out, and we aren’t able to overlook them anymore.
This was a powerful discovery for me, especially as a writer. I was amazed when I recovered enough from the conjunctivitis to read and watch TV again. All of a sudden, I noticed how much focus there is on “the ordinary becoming extraordinary.” People yearn to be unique; to be special; to be something more than what they are. They want to stand out so badly that they don’t notice that we’re already extraordinary. We’re all a unique creation. We all have our own purpose that we fulfill in our own amazing way every day. We just get so used to it that it’s another miracle we don’t notice.
We always want something different.
So this is a theme I’m considering now in my writing. I’d like to explore it in my short story adventures in preparation to return to novel writing next year. Are these efforts to “rise above” really helping us, or drowning the gifts we already have? I don’t know the answer, but I imagine that it depends on motivations and authenticity. I’m looking forward to exploring this in more detail.
The Tanger Falls Mystery taught me that change can be good, if you embrace and handle it with pure motives.
The Earthside Box Set taught me that pain is a powerful motivator, but whether it’s good or bad is up to your choices.
I’m eager to see what comes from this new lesson that the ordinary is extraordinary.
In closing, you may notice that the website and blog have been renamed. Dark Mirrors reflected my mystery writing well, but I don't believe it fully captures the themes of my science fiction. The purpose of my writing has always been to help readers escape reality, so I figured why not just say so in the title?
Welcome to a new journey, readers.
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.
Bye!