  Spiritual
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Teaching is such a journey - a place where our fears are confronted daily and our uncertainty is constantly center stage. We are watched. We are listened to. Students can sense sincerity. They know when we care... when we're prepared... when they matter.
~~Don Shavely, Superintendent, California
(from Teaching with Fire, Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner)
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Recently, I read an article warning that the things we love, even good things, can be become addictions and we need to continually strive to seek balance in our lives. As a writer, I tried to apply this thought to bring balance to the thing I really love to do - writing. I think if we are not careful, we can lose focus and have things out of kilter.
When something becomes an addiction, it affects everyone around us. As writers, we can spend many hours either writing or being discouraged because we have hit a brick wall and acquired writer's block. Writing can be become so consuming that it evolves to a form of busyness, and busyness is a destroyer of relationships. As writers, we need to seek balance in all areas, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
I have read articles that encourage writers to write frequently and to ask their families for permission to write in a time without interruption. I agree with this, for I think it is important for a writer to have this private time. But I also believe that there are times when we need to be sensitive and give our families and loved ones permission to our time. I know there are instances, while writing on the computer, I avoided or ignored my granddaughter and wife when they really needed my attention. When writing becomes more important than the ones we love, we may be out of balance. We could possibly be bordering upon an addiction which pulls us away from relationships. Achieving balance in this area is no simple task. It requires setting priorities and often involves the sacrificial giving of our time - when all we really desire is to be left alone so we can write.
Today, listening seems to be a lost art. In our hectic lifestyles, we rarely take time to listen and to watch, to really heed what is happening in the lives of those around us. There is a place I go to escape the pandemonium of life, at a nearby lake. While there recently, I sat quietly on a park bench meditating and noticed a very small bird hopping in the overgrown grass. It occurred to me that a person needs to pay close attention to notice these little things. I think this can be applied to many areas of relationships, especially with children. We can be so focused upon our busyness that we miss an opportunity to influence the life of child - sometimes this influence comes merely by listening and sacrificing a few minutes away from the thing we love to do.
On Thursday evenings, I lead a group of adolescent boys, boys labeled as 'troubled.' I am learning to mentor these boys by watching them, listening to them and trying to understand what is important to them. It requires much effort to understand these boys, and much patience. I have to focus to see the small bird hopping in the overgrown grass in the life of these boys. But the effort I put forth has helped me gain balance in life. Backing away from the computer and talking to my granddaughter when she has a question, no matter how silly it may seem, has brought balance to my life. I still find time to write, but it is no longer the addiction that it once was. It is now a part of life and not life. I have also found that I gain as a person by taking time for the boys and for my granddaughter. My relationship with my wife has improved as well, as a result of achieving a harmonious balance.
I strive to maintain balance, for it is a lifetime challenge and it is so very easy to lose the harmony the balance brings. While I encourage writers to write, I also encourage them to take time for relationships and for other things that bring about a healthy balance, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In the process of being a writer, I think, as many writers have discovered, it is important to be involved in the struggles of mankind. As much as I love to write, writing is not life, writing is a part of life.
Sam Grabelle, Education Administrator from Rhode Island states one of his goals is to teach students that no matter how unfair life can be, they always have the opportunity to add something to the world that is beautiful, because it is uniquely their own.* What a great thing to influence a child's life in such a way. In bringing balance to life and giving of ourselves sacrificially, who knows in what way we may be able to guide another.
*from Teaching with Fire, Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner
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shaara
What a beautiful essay. I read it without breath, without fidget. It was precious with thoughts I want to keep and hopefully act on.
Thank you,
Shaara
Shaara. I always appreciate your feedback. What a wonderful comment. I am honored and thank you.
Joy 
Sorry about your friend's passing, Larry, and thanks for bringing up the significance of experience stories.
It is important to preserve the memories for the older generation even if the younger ones may act detached. Once they grow older, they are, for sure, going to appreciate their grandparents' life stories.
A journal-style book should not be too difficult to write. It doesn't have to be in chronological order, and any experience story would do as long as it is written down and preserved.
Thank you for your encouraging feedback Joy. It's funny how certain things become more important as we grow older.
racingpeanut
Dear Kansaspoet,
Your newsletter made me think about the importance of recording what family members are like before they are forgotten. I agree,if people had not shared their ideas inventions would never have existed and many people's lives would not have been improved.
Racingpeanut
Thank you Racingpeanut. I don't think most people truly understand how important their stories are and how we need to hear them.
farmgirl1125
What a beautiful excerpt! While I love writing about my experiences, sometimes I believe my calling is to observe others and write their story. To watch someone living life completely and wholly is captivating. It is living art, and an intimate moment between me and God.
I totally agree with your statement Farmgirl. I write often about my grandfather and my wife. I sometimes write personal poems addressed to individuals. I agree it brings an intimacy with God.
Zeke 
Sometimes a casual comment or gesture lives on years after a person passes away. In a way, I guess that grants a form of immortality. I enjoyed this newsletter very much.
Zeke
Zeke, I appreciate your dedication to provide feedback for the Spiritual Newsletter. I am so glad you enjoyed the newsletter.
faithjourney
Your newsletter about buried treasures struck a chord with me. Granddaddy was a wonderful storyteller and had so many great tales from his own life, tales of wisdom and wonder. I strive to put some of what he taught me in my own writing. He passed away 18 years ago, and didn't write down or record any of those wonderful tales. It's a pity, but I hope some of his lessons are coming into print through me. Thanks also for featuring "Nobody" in the April 23 newsletter. What an honor!
Thank you for your wonderful comments Sherri. "Nobody" is a really good story and I hope you received many reveiws.
peteranthony
Larry, So much you have told us in this little newsletter from the heart. Wayne Dyer tells us "Don't die with your music still in you". Surely you have come to show us this truth. I'm sure you've seen "The Dash" - the story of our lives is not the birth and death dates on the gave marker, but the dash in between.
Peter, I love that Wayne Dyer quote. I haven't seen "The Dash" but will see if I can find a copy of it. Thanks for sharing the quote and the movie.
embe 
To Larry my dear kind Christian friend.
Who has so inspired me to come to terms with the calling, to write of my experiences as an abused child that found faith in the pit of adversity so many years ago.
Today I am proud to say and believe the wonderful
words that you have shared with us in the story above.
If possible-Please can you share my poem of belief, now recently posted- ID: 1417019 (Rated: E)
Title: "Highway to Hope"
embe, in faith to believe
Embe, I am always thankful for your feedback and your ability to share your heart in your poetry. Your poem is featured in this edition.
Lauriemariepea
i LOVE your topic this newsletter. i read through once, and then a couple more times, and each time am struck by the truth of your message. time on earth is finite for us--we shouldn't waste time holding back from fear or questions of worth.
i appreciate your personal touch, and will keep this newsletter for those moments i'm questioning myself. thank you!
Laurie, what really great encouragement. I am so honored you thought so highly of the newsletter.
~~Thanks to each one who reads the Spiritual Newsletter. The Spiritual Newsletter editors appreciate your feedback and the time you take to read the newsletter.
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Spiritual: May 21, 2008 Issue [#2406]
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