Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
“If there is any great secret to success in life,
it is the ability to put yourself in the other person’s place
and see things from his point of view as well as your own.” Henry Ford
As I worked on a poetry presentation this week, I realized that the the ideas I am presenting are not limited to writing — they are, in fact, InSpiritry ideas worth sharing! The workshop I have been developing is a lesson for poets about persona poems. For the uninitiated, the persona of a poem is the person speaking to the reader. In some persona poems the writer assumes an identity other than their own. That persona can be another person, an animal, a place, even something inanimate. In a persona poem, an alternate point of view means using an intentionally different way of speaking, to become that other voice. Enough about literary technique, though; back to my original reason for this post.
What drew me to widen my considerations about writing persona poems was my assertion that “persona poems compel us to consider how it feels to be someone else.” (more…)
Posted in America, Events & News, World, U.S., Greater Good Thinking, Holidays, Compassion, Best Self, Community, Anne McCrady, Literary, Peacework, Social Issues, InSpiration, Politics of Possibility, InSpiritry, Writing, Poetry | 3 Comments »
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
For everything there is a season,
And a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
It is time for another changing of the season here in Texas. This weekend, the trees are lofting their colorful leaves onto each breath of breeze. This is the time of year that always gives me pause for reflection. Spring has its sense of urgency. Summer is full of activity. Even Winter brings holiday festivities. But Autumn? As Nature’s growth slows and we gather with family for Thanksgiving, Autumn seems to be the time of slowing down, of thinking things over and of assessing our lives and loves. (more…)
Posted in Nature, Best Self, Celebration, Forgiveness, Greater Good Thinking, Anne McCrady, InSpiration, Writing, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Story | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
April was National Poetry Month, and what a heart-warming celebration the past few weeks have been for me:
(more…)
Posted in InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Greater Good, Writing, InSpiration, Texas, Poetry | 2 Comments »
Monday, February 4th, 2008
These days, whatever your nationality or political leaning, it’s easy to feel a sense of despondency about the condition of our world.
- American leaders blame Arab extremists.
- Arabs accuse the West.
- The Jews fault the Muslims.
- Iran suspects Christians.
- Democrats indict Republicans.
- Republicans blame China.
- China complains about American liberals.
- Liberals point to Conservatives.
- Christian conservatives say it’s God’s will.
In our fear and anger, we all demand action, but when it’s time for action, we ask indignantly,
Who me? What can I do? (more…)
Posted in InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Greater Good, Writing, Peacework, Literary, Poetry | No Comments »
Friday, December 7th, 2007
“I suddenly wanted something to read about women,
but I couldn’t find anything.”
Poet Judy Grahn
Sanctuary
In Austin, Texas, on the corner of 12th and Lamar, there is a small shop that, for years, has been one of the sanctuary places in my life. Its bright storefront display promotes a wide variety of items: feminist biographies, environmental photojournalism, insightful children’s books, progressive political commentary and gifts promoting peace. Entering customers, especially women, are welcomed home. Behind the counter sits owner, Susan Post, an unassuming woman with eyes as soft as her voice. When asked, she will speak of her unwavering dedication to feminism and her heart for writers. The shop I speak of is Book-woman, one of only a handful of independent feminist bookstores in the country and the only one in Texas. A store devoted to improving women’s lives–what better way to live out a Passion for the Greater Good? (more…)
Posted in Greater Good, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Social Entrepreneurship, Books, Writing, Literary, Women, Marketplace, Texas, Social Issues | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007
When We Raise Our Voices…
Last month, while attending the International Women’s Peace Conference in Dallas, I was reminded of the plight of women around the world. Inspired to be more proactive, I returned home to find an opportunity to do that. The Feminist Majority Foundation, a group I link to at my website, www.InSpiritry.com, was requesting for emails to be sent to the Iranian government regarding an imprisoned Iranian-American scholar, Dr. Haleh Esfandiari. It told how Dr. Esfandiari had traveled from the United States to visit her elderly mother and, while in Iran, was abducted and imprisoned. That evening I saw an Iranian propaganda videotape of the scholar as well as a public television interview with her husband and daughter begging for her release, claiming she had lost weight and seemed dejected. I was compelled to take action. Immediately, I sent an impassioned email to Iranian officials as requested.
That was a month ago. (more…)
Posted in Greater Good, InSpiritry, Anne McCrady, Writing, InSpiration, Peacework, Women, Poetry | No Comments »
Monday, June 25th, 2007
Some time ago I was at a writers’ workshop at the Poetry at Roundtop festival near Austin, Texas. The instructor, Texas Poet Laureate Jack Myers had asked us to bring a photograph of ourselves as a child, and I was intrigued about what we were going to discuss. The photo I chose was one of me at age thirteen standing with my parents near an American flag hung in our yard on the Fourth of July. (more…)
Posted in Creativity, Writing, PODCASTS, InSpiration | No Comments »
