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Archive for the ‘Storytelling’ Category

Challenges

June 14, 2010

“Old Apple Tree” © R.L. Herron

It’s no secret life is full of challenges. We face them every day and, if we’re lucky, they are both modest and easily overcome.

Occasionally, we meet someone for whom the challenges are so severe and seemingly insurmountable that their fortitude in the face of them renews for us the basic definition of perserverance.

In rare instances, we cross paths with someone whose daily challenges almost defy belief.

They endure hardship and pain yet, somehow, maintain a cheerful demeanor. They face their obstacles and make the most of each moment. Despite their afflictions and infirmities they lead happy, full and productive lives.

Some are a lot like the old apple tree pictured above, which has a significant portion of its trunk eaten away, yet still sets out leaves and blossoms, and bears fruit.

People like that continue to contribute, and their contributions amaze us.

They sometimes make us question our own resolve and effort. Perhaps, if we really think about it, they also give us a perfect example of faith.

Posted in Award-Winning Fiction, Lifestyle, Storytelling | 6 Comments »

Rain

May 3, 2010

“Rain” © R.L. Herron

Today started as a beautiful, sunny morning and it stayed that way well into the afternoon.

However, as nice as the day seemed destined to be, around dinner time the sky suddenly darkened, the wind began to blow and, as the temperature plummeted, rain started to fall, hard and cold.

Anyone who had not paid attention to the weather forecast was certain to get a very wet surprise.

Life can be just like that.

Sunny and mild and seemingly quite nice, only to suddenly turn stormy and deliver a very unwelcome drenching.

Quite often the storm seems to come out of the proverbial “nowhere.” At other times, it is all too obviously of our own doing.

We’ve all heard the saying “into each life some rain must fall” and the cliche is overworked, but true.

We can all expect to be caught in a very unwelcome downpour from time-to-time. The really telling thing comes in how we respond to it. We can, as many do, lament our position and cry. You see it in our media all the time.

However, the stories we admire and consider extraordinary are those where the drenching rain is shrugged off, the people dry themselves as best they can, give help to their neighbors and keep going.

These stories of perseverance are the tales we hold high and repeat. We tend to find them remarkable, but the choice to react that way is always our own. Always.

As I watched the clouds roll by this afternoon, I couldn’t help pondering how we, collectively, have been handling the stormy downturn in the world’s economy. It wasn’t as much of a stretch as it might seem.

Are we using it as an excuse to lament, or are we tightening our belts, holding out our hands to our neighbors and looking for shelter?

The way we react says a lot about us, both as individuals and as a society.

I hope I’m the kind of person who puts out his hand to others in need, and I’m enough of an optimist to look for my neighbor’s hand in return.

The world, as bleak as it can sometimes get, seems a little brighter that way.

Posted in Lifestyle, Non-Fiction Writing, Storytelling | 3 Comments »

Writing Blocks

April 22, 2010

“Echinacea in the Field” © R.L. Herron

I haven’t written lately, and that bothers me. I don’t just mean here, on this blog. I mean anywhere.

That probably doesn’t bother most of you, but it’s an extreme annoyance to me. I like to write and, when I left the nine-to-five grind, I planned to do it, quite judiciously, every day. I have so many stories to write.

I even wanted to add to this blog at least once a week.

Yet lately, every time I’ve sat down to write, nothing comes to mind. I’ve been telling myself I have nothing left to write about. My thoughts have gone dry. I’ve even thought of quitting my writing entirely. But that’s just not me.

I write because I like to, but also because I need to.

So, what do you write about when you don’t think you have anything to write about?

That’s when it hit me. You write about not being able to write. It’s not vanity, or super egotism. It’s merely following a simple prompt and seeing where it leads.

Once I started, the thoughts just seemed to form in my head, without conscious effort. I started thinking about things like my grandchildren, and how wonderful it feels to watch them run and laugh. About how marvelous it is to see them experience things for the first time.

Things I long ago started to take for granted.

I began to think again about my own childhood and the things I’ve discovered about the world, and myself, over the years.

I thought again about several of my old neighborhood friends, and that led me to think about the lovely young woman who consented to be my bride, and – suddenly – I began to reflect on all the joy and sorrow we’ve seen together.

My late father came to mind, and with his image came a flood of memories about him, his family, his adventures, our adventures.

And, just like that, I realized anew that the stories are endless. All it takes to write, beyond an understanding of punctuation and grammar, is the resolve to sit down and do it.

You find, instead of a field consisting only of dull, uninteresting weeds, there really are flowers scattered about that are worth mentioning, and many things to share.

With any luck, you do.