Volume X, Issue 23
November 10, 2021
Word of the Week: experiment
Dear ,
Greetings from Sunset Beach, North Carolina, where I've come early to do some writing of my own before this weekend's Coastal Writing Retreat. (Sorry, this one's full, but email me if you'd like to be contacted about future coastal retreats. Or give yourself your own writing retreat or getaway at the
beautiful Sunset Inn.)
I try not to miss a sunrise (or a sunset) while I'm here. And I've been coming here for at least sixteen years now. That's a lot of sunrise walks, and along the way I've made some friends. One of them is Paul, who runs at the same time I'm out walking. He knows to look for me every November and February. This month's reunion was particularly joyous, as the last two retreats have been cancelled because of . . . well, you know why,
and it's been over a year and a half since we've seen each other.
I almost cried with relief to see Paul running toward me in his neon green sweatshirt and hat. I've lost too many friends and students since the last time I saw him. My heart is still raw.
When I complimented him on his dedication to running, he told me it was inspired in part by his aunt Bess, whom he was very fond of. "She told us once, when she was in her eighties," Paul said, "that if she'd known she was going to live this long she would have taken better care of herself." Point taken!
Of course, Paul, who loves the ocean so much that he runs barefoot at its edge (see photo below the prompt), can't really know what kind of difference his running, and other good health habits, will make. Just like the rest of us, he's an experiment unfolding day by day.
If you've never thought about yourself and your fellow human beings as an experiment, you will after you read this week's prompt, an excerpt from the novel Bewilderment by Richard Powers that absolutely, speaking of barefoot, knocked my socks off.
When you read the two marvelous pages below, I think you'll see why. Heller McAlpin, a New York-based critic who reviews books regularly for NPR.org, and numerous other worthy publications, wrote in his review of that "the margins of my reviewer's copy
of Bewilderment look like checklists, with their columns of ticks flagging noteworthy lines." Me, I flag my pages, and my copy of Bewilderment positively bristles with sticky notes.
A note of warning: this is not an easy read, or a comfortable one. As McAlpin notes in his review, it's a "sobering elegy" with "an upsetting ending." But what a worthwhile read that illuminates and brings to life words of Carl Sagan's that are quoted by the main character: "We make our world significant by the
courage of our questions and the depth of our answers." Bewilderment also illuminates the power of deep, abiding love and the fierce joy of living one's life fully committed to one's values. That makes for a life that is a glorious experiment indeed. Here's to yours!
Love and light,
Maureen
TAG, I'M IT! 65th Birthday Celebration
Sale
(Because I'm celebrating all month long)
Both the year-long TAG, I'M IT! (on sale for $16.65) AND three-month TAG, I'M IT! (on sale for $6.50) offer—in no more than five to fifteen minutes—a simple way to recap and celebrate the very best of each day of your life. The practice of writing out your “T’s” (things you’re thankful for), “A’s” (actions you can acknowledge yourself for), and “G’s” (gifts you’re grateful for) is a transformative one, especially combined with the final step, I’M IT!, in which you intentionally choose three do-able,
most-important-to-you actions you’ll take the next day.
The TAG, I'M IT! journal grounds you in two important habits: keeping your focus on appreciating and celebrating the good in your life and intentionally accomplishing what matters most to you. You’ll also create a record of
your most meaningful, happiest events and experiences.
Start your journal—or restart, if needed—whenever you like. (Though a new year, or a birthday, is a perfect time.)
An introduction with tips and ideas will help you make this practice your own. Soon, you’ll notice that you’re living your days with more joy, presence, purpose, and intention.
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How Do I Say Goodbye? and Praying You Goodbye
I created the process shared in these two books in June of 2002, shortly after my mother died, as a way to mindfully mourn this loss—and celebrate her life. I shared it with a beloved friend, the Reverend Rebecca Taylor, when she lost her father, and she encouraged me to make it available to others. Here it is, in two versions, both of which offer quotes, reflections, prompts, and space to write about your loved one, as well as beautiful photographs by Wendy H. Gill that enhance each part of the process. Either
version makes a thoughtful condolence gift for a friend or family member.
How Do I Say Goodbye? is for those of any faith, with quotes from many different sources to accompany the process. It can be purchased on
Amazon here.
Praying You Goodbye is specifically for Christians, with accompanying quotes from Scripture chosen by Reverend Rebecca Taylor. It can be
purchased on Amazon here.
WordPlay Featured
Writing
WordPlay Now! Writing Prompt
This is WordPlay—so why not revel in the power and potential of one good word after another? This week, it's "experiment."
PROMPT: This week, be a scientist on behalf of supporting yourself as a writer. Experiment and take notes as you try out and change up all the variables you can think of. Here are some to get you started:
- Who will you write about? Who could you write with, in person or over the phone or on Zoom?
- What will you write about? (If you don't know yet, start keeping a list of ideas and keep adding to it. Pay attention to the shy, unobtrusive ideas that scamper across a corner of your brain while you're reading, walking, having a conversation.)
- Why are you writing? If you don't know, figure it out, or better yet, create it! This free WordPlay tool you got when you signed up for the Word-zine can help.
- How will you write? Standing or sitting? With paper and pen or pencil or on the computer or by dictating on your phone? By diving right in or first listing specific details you may want to include?
- When will you write? Experiment with different times of day, regardless of what you already know about yourself. Maybe you're just not the night owl you used to be anymore. Maybe 4 p.m. is perfect the way your life is now configured.
- Where will you write? Try writing in different places, even if they are all in your own home.
Be relentlessly curious on your own behalf, paying attention to how you feel, heart, mind, body, and spirit. Take plenty of field notes, and make adjustments as often as needed. Like my friend Paul does as he heeds his aunt Bess's words and takes excellent care of himself, altering his routine through the
seasons.
MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold,
a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You, and two collections of poetry, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."
Maureen also believes that serious "word work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn—and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to
yours!
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