Synchronicity

Definition: Synchronicity - answered prayer. (from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron)

Being in Vancouver for the last 4 months, I have had time to tackle some life long dreams and wishes that I never seemed to have enough time for before. One of those was to focus on journalling every day. Yes, I have had this blog for a couple of years, but the postings have been stilted and far between. The topics have sometimes been childish and the content has been quickly typed and posted. Just not the blog of a serious "writer".

I had hoped my scrapbooking would open up a venue to spotlight my gracious handwriting and stellar wit, but alas, my scrapbooking has hit a slump - almost a writer's block of scrapping. Too many pictures that are not the best photography and too little dialog to make them interesting enough to scrap.

So that opens the other plan - photography. Last fall my husband gifted me with a beautiful Sony @330 DSLR camera complete with 2 different lenses. My daughter and her husband ordered a custom made camera bag for me to carry everything. I have been sporadically studying how to use aperture settings vs shutter speed and white balance . . . and I still end up guessing if I have a decent picture or not. So much for weekly strolls through the back yard catching the flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds . . . beautiful fodder for my scrapbooks of flowers and Victorian pictures.

So suddenly I find myself walking up to complete strangers and asking if I can join their "writing group". Where did that come from? Yes, my morning pages for my studies of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron are coming along and I have been watching the changes in my "self talk" and my communication with God, The Creator. Yes, I do have a self journal started to catalog the days with Chris in the hospital. Yes, I do have a journal of things that intrigue me and capture my interest. Yes, I do have a 28 x 30 inch scrapbook of items and pictures of my stay in Vancouver including pictures sent to me by my Grandchildren (who I miss terribly).

BUT - write a story - or novel - it has always been a dream of mine - BUT! Where to begin? And how did this happen? I attend a Presbyterian Church Service for the first time in over 13 years and feel such a sense of homecoming and love that I - what - lose my mind? I cannot embarrass myself with these lovely people by asking to join their gifted group as an empty palette, offering nothing of value and looking to take from them their knowledge and kindness. Could I?

How my mind rolls and turns with random thoughts of creativity - great novels and storylines. A series of books based on a woman in her late 50's struggling to make sense of the changes in her life making her "find herself" when she thought she was true and surely "found". Oh the fun I could have moving her through crisis after crisis, where each event twists her well thought out values and makes her ask "why now?"

Surely this is my quest for my Creator to show me my path to walk. I want so much to reflect His goodness and faithfulness, even when I have merrily gone my own way, taking charge and making things happen MY WAY. Ha! He was just walking slightly behind me so all I had to do was turn my head slightly to see Him, but instead I focused on my own vision.

I so have a sense of being in the right place at exactly the right time with the right people. The fears I have are just that - my fears and insecurities. This gift I have been presented with is God's power, guiding and working in my life. I am truly blessed. I will do my best to live up to the challenges and, when I feel insecure and fearful, I need only glance over and see God gently smiling and encouraging me to continue to move forward under His guidance. Yes, synchronicity at work.