| New Business?
Content by Sol Rosales Thankfully nothing got broken in the move which is a first for me. I’ve moved about a thousand times (not literally, but it feels like it) and every time something practically priceless gets totally torn to shreds. I love being in the new house and getting it all set up to my liking…I even went to http://www.directstartv.com/ to get all those movie channels my husband likes. I can’t believe I was able to finally figure out how to pack everything so it wouldn’t get broken. I’m actually thinking about making it a business of my own –packing for a move – and offeringconsulting for an hourly rate to people who were in my same position. I know it might be a lost cause but I feel like in this economy it’s up to everyone else to come up with a job – you just can’t get corporate salaried jobs like you used to, you know? Anyway, I think it’s a lot of fun to dream about this stuff but I’m just happy to be moved in! |
Cut to the Chase
The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components. Every word that serves no function, every long word that could be a short word, every adverb that carries the same meaning that's already in the verb, every passive construction that leaves the reader unsure of who is doing what--these are the thousand and one adulterants that weaken the strength of a sentence. ~William Zinsser, On Writing Well
In my former position as a medical writer, I was given large amounts of detailed information and it was my job to pare it down to the most important points.When I trained new writers, my favorite instruction was "cut to the chase."
Be concise, I advised.
Just the facts.
That was valuable advice for my new medical writers, and it's just as valuable for writers in all genres. When I go back to revise a blog post or an essay, I'm always dismayed at the amount of hyperbole. I tend to use two words when one will do, or add another clause to a sentence when the first one would have sufficed.
"Strip every sentence to its cleanest components," Zinsser advised. Not an easy task in any form of writing, and even more complex when the writer aims to write beautifully as well as to tell a good story.
To do it, you must know exactly what you want to say with pinpoint precision, and you must not fear the sharp point of a red pen.
If you can accomplish it, you've created a masterwork.
Note: My friend Andi is hosting a writing contest that will test your skill in this department. It asks that you write about the Best Gift You Ever Received in 75 words or less.
Missing the Music
Sunday afternoon I was privileged to hear 85 fine men in concert, and even more proud that my very talented husband was one of them. These men have been singing together for over 20 years, and have a camaraderie that makes their music all the sweeter. Their director is a young man I can only call genius. He stands tall and slender, directs without ever looking at a piece of music, and his fluid motion calls forth such excellence and beauty that it's nothing short of a miracle.
As much as I enjoyed Sunday's concert, it left me wanting more.
More music in my life.
Ten years ago, my life was filled with musical activity. There were times when I would have said overfilled - too much of a good thing. I accompanied a very active high school choral program, played in a very active professional handbell ensemble, sang and rang bells in my church choirs.
When I started my office job, I had to pare down all those musical activities. The school job went first, then the handbell group. Over the past couple of years I've opted out of church choirs, too. I've been accompanying for a middle school choral program, but this year their concert coincided with the time I was in Texas, so I wasn't able to do that either.
I was oddly surprised to realize that this Christmas season I am doing absolutely nothing musical.
Zip. Nada.
It's so easy to let things slip out of our lives, little by little, until before we know it they're gone. We quickly cover the chasm with other activities and sometimes don't even realize it's there.
Until we fall in it.
I fell in it Sunday afternoon, listening to those glorious voices raised in song, cheering with the hundreds of other people on their feet at the end of the program. Wow, I thought. I used to do things like that. I used to make music happen.
Where did it go?
In the way of fate or serendipity, the director of my handbell choir was in the audience last Sunday. As we talked about the program and how uplifting it had been, she said this:
"I'm really glad I ran into you. The group is going to Bronzefest in February and I could really use another ringer. It's just a six week commitment. Would you be interested?"
My first impulse was to say no. I've gotten into the habit of turning down musical activity because I didn't have time, or didn't want to have too many commitments during the time my grandson was expected to be born.
But those things no longer apply. So why not?
"Let me think about it for a few days," I answered, still cautious. "I'll let you know by Tuesday."
Friends, I'm sure you've guessed my final answer.
It will be good to step back into the musical waters again. I've been missing it more than I realized.
How about you? Is there an activity that you've let slip out of your life and now find yourself missing?
Jump On In
Did you ever skip rope when you were little? I wasn't a very athletic child, but I was a good rope skipper. I started out as a solo skipper, using a white rope with red wooden handles. Then I learned to "jump in," on a bigger rope that two friends would twirl on either end. I remember hot summer days on the driveway of my house, Cathy and Lisa on each end of the rope using their whole 10-year-old bodies to send it looping into the air.
"Come on, Beck!" they'd taunt. "Jump in, NOW! We'll count you in...one, two, three, and go!"
The first few times I faltered and the rope fell unceremoniously on my head, puddling in soggy loops at my feet.
"Go again," they said, encouraging me.
I watched, waited, bided my time, aiming to run under the rope the precise minute it hit it's apex and be ready to jump! as soon as it brushed the ground.
What a thrill that first time I made it in! It was so exciting that I almost stopped, but remembered in time and made it through a dozen or so jumps before I lost my momentum.
The first time is always the hardest and after that initiation I became fearless, jumping in with barely a moment's hesitation. Soon, I could jump simultaneously with one or even two others, as the twirlers chanted favorite skipping songs to cheer us on.
As the new year approaches, I need to gear up my courage and get ready to jump into some things that won't always be easy, but will ultimately be the best thing for me and my family. You all know I'm not a big risk taker, not one to plunge headfirst into challenge. I tend to wait a long time, watching the rope go round and round, trying to judge the safest moment to make my move.
I could use some cheerleaders on the sidelines, advising me to "Jump in now!" and encouraging me to "Go again!" if I miss.
Can I count on you to count me in?
Benediction
My favorite part of a church service is the Benediction. (And no, not because it means the service is over.) The Benediction is at once a charge and a reassurance. It tells me to go back into the world, a world that is scary and dangerous and sometimes mean- spirited. A world where bad things can happen and we often don't get what we need or want. The Benediction tells me to gather up my courage and step out because the love of God covers me like the biggest and strongest of all umbrellas. This is the most classic of all benedictions:
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you. May the Lord be gracious unto you and give you peace.
Our church service often ends with some version of this Benediction, although sometimes our ministers will add their own spin, taking ideas from their sermon and expanding them into words of dismissal. As I stand in the choir loft after the closing hymn while these final words are bestowed upon the congregation, it's as if a large, comforting hand has been placed over our collective heads. The idea of being "blessed and kept" under the gracious and shining favor of God is a balm to the soul.
One of the hardest things about being an adult (and an "older" adult at that) is the feeling that there's no one left to protect you. If your parents are still living, they most likely need your protection and care, instead of the other way round. If you're married, you might feel slightly less alone, because hopefully your partner has your back to some degree at least. But being a grown up means being ultimately responsible for yourself, and if you're an über responsible person anyway, it's a huge never-ending burden.
I guess that's why I love the Benediction so much. For at least those few seconds, I'm reminded of the possibility that Someone is looking out for me, Someone will keep me from harm, will smile down upon me and give me peace.
One of my favorite musical settings of my favorite Benediction is this one, by the British composer John Rutter. If you need a moment of reassurance before you go out into the world today, close your eyes and listen to this.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZN1mryHEnQ]