Life Is Too Important To Be Taken Seriously.

This is one of my favourite quotes. I have it on my wall and use it to remind myself that I need to live the life I have been given. Oscar Wilde meticulous ordered words to form this slice of inspiration. He was also a great wordsmith and could influence words to release humour which transcends the years or sculpt them to build a monster that haunts you long after the book has been returned to the shelf. 

I am currently reading ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ a tale of vanity, lust, decadence, and all those other lovely traits that make life interesting; not always good for us but a little like that last piece of chocolate – fine so long as no-one else knows. Each time I have read Dorian I have seen new issues in the telling. Age, I think, is the difference. I was still at an all-girls private catholic college, and a good god-fear young lady (my mother would argue with this but it is my tale) and to be quite honest I was perplexed at some of the behaviour within the story. Years later at University I read it again and loved it. Why? Oscar captures the worst of human nature and makes it appear ok to act as you wish, given that there is no reckoning. The catch interestingly enough and the bit I missed at school, is that you are your own moral compass. Yes, people are flawed but most of us do try to do better, to forgive and to be superior to what we were yesterday. I like to think Oscar had it right, that given true freedom without fear of retribution, we would choose well.  

This then lead to my thinking of the intricacy of writing! How often do we stop to ponder over that quote that gets us though the darkness or that one book that is never any further away that one arm’s length?

I am new to blogging so I am still learning. I am enjoying the experience but not sure what should or should not be shared. I am not sure what my readers like or want. I know why I sign up to certain blog pages and connect to a particular social networking site. Sometimes it is the humour the author weaves into their storytelling. Others it is because I get a point of view that is different to my own. I enjoy these pages because I can rant all I like at the screen, without it yelling back at me or it getting up a leaving the room mid-debate. 

It is the same with reading novels. I know that I like a captivating crime story; stimulating sci-fi; mortal mystery; honest history and of course a raunchy romance. I really do not stop to think about how the writer imprisonments my interest and keeps me turning the 300 odd pages to reach the close.

I had one of the people who is reading my blog ask me today how I get my ideas and make it work. My answer was simple “I don’t know.”  I see or hear something that catches my imagination and I sit at my keyboard and write” Does it work? Sometimes I say yes and am very happy with the end results but am I honest? I would like to think so but the blogs that have been viewed the most are not the ones that I liked the best. 

So that leads to another question, how does a writer know what the reader wants? I write because of the way you can manipulate the English language. I write because I feel more at ease expressing emotion on paper than having to deal with people. I write because I love words. I prefer the term wordsmith to writer. A wordsmith is a master of his trade, whereas a writer does just that.

Life is full of rules and regulation, and writing is no different. Remember school; learning the rules of grammar, what punctuation was for and of course that mortal enemy of any student of true creativity – syntax. This is great if you have a news story to cover or are assembling a company report but to reach the heart and soul ensuing your reader spills tears either from heartbreak or laughter requires breaking the rules or at the very least , bending them.  I have read a book and been so immersed in the telling, I have seen the breaking dawn, heard the breeze, felt the chilling winter frost, wiped the plum juice from my hands or squatted with seconds to spare as the sword slashed. Others are just words joined together to tell of some happening. Interesting maybe, but this is not really storytelling. Words are meant to tell their story and in the hands of a master that is just what they will do. Words have started revolutions, destroyed governments, made heroes of fools, and created causes from nothing more than an idea. I guess the point I started out to make, was I enjoy my writing and sitting at my keyboard to shape words into a picture, hoping that when I share with others they may feel, but it is more for me then my reader. 

And this brings us back to the main focus of today’s blog. The reason for Oscar’s quote “life is too important to be taken seriously”. It makes no difference if anyone else likes your choices, what you want to do, the way you create, your dress style, your image, shape, hair and the list is endless. It is your life the only one you get to live. You do what you want. Write, paint, and sing, it really makes no difference if others see or understand. All that matters is that you are fulfilled.

And what of Dorian well, even after all the life that Dorian lived, love turned out to be his downfall. He could not bear to see himself through the eyes of the one he loved and so destroyed himself!

Me, I like to think I am my most critical admirer (again my mother would argue) so for me it translates into if I like me and what I am doing than that is all that should really matter. I know no-one could ever accuse me of taking life to seriously, including my mother but I do appreciate the importance of it to ME.

These are sites where you can access information about Oscar Wilde. The last link is to Goodreads and is a site for readers. Click on it and join us. We read and if you want to you can add a review of the book. I love the site because other readers or groups will introduce you to genres you may not normally experience. We are a friendly lot and welcome all newcomers.

http://www.cmgww.com/historic/wilde/  
http://www.biography.com/people/oscar-wilde-9531078
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3565.Oscar_Wilde

CAN NOT BE BOTHERED....

I am starting today’s blog with something I feel is important but rather than use my own words I have taken this except from a declaration whereby Obama proclaimed February 4, 2013, as the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Rosa Parks.  Have a read of the first part of the speech:

A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BARACK OBAMA

“On December 1, 1955, our Nation was forever transformed when an African-American seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. Just wanting to get home after a long day at work, Rosa Parks may not have been planning to make history, but her defiance spurred a movement that advanced our journey toward justice and equality for all.

Though Rosa Parks was not the first to confront the injustice of segregation laws, her courageous act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott -- 381 days of peaceful protest when ordinary men, women, and children sent the extraordinary message that second-class citizenship was unacceptable. Rather than ride in the back of buses, families and friends walked. Neighbourhoods and churches formed carpools. Their actions stirred the conscience of Americans of every background, and their resilience in the face of fierce violence and intimidation ultimately led to the desegregation of public transportation systems across our country.

Rosa Parks' story did not end with the boycott she inspired. A lifelong champion of civil rights, she continued to give voice to the poor and the marginalized among us until her passing on October 24, 2005.”

On the morning she went off to work, Rosa most likely did not think to herself “yes today I will change the world”, she was just one normal African American woman. However her one simple action of defiance would change the lives of generations. It can be stated that if not for her actions that ordinary day in 1955, the events that occurred at noon on the 20^th of January 2009 would not have happened. This was when the Presidency of Barack Obama began and he became the 44th President of the United States, making Obama the first African-American president of the United States. This was one of the events that were made possible when the quiet unassuming ‘black’ woman refused to sit at the back of a bus on her way home from a long and tiring day at work.

I did tell you at the beginning of my blogging that I had no real idea of where I was going with this but today I have spent much of my time both listening and reading about the woes of individuals, communities, groups, and countries. What I have noticed is that many will pass the issue off with an “I don’t care” or “it’s not my problem”.

Well sorry but it is your problem and you should care.

We teach our child that nothing is their fault. In trouble at school because they do not listen; sit still; punch another student; do not do their school work, yes the list is endless, but it is the fault of the teacher; the system; the kid they punched. We blame anyone but ourselves or our child. Do not start yelling that I do not know what I am talking about, but rather take an honest look at yourself…if you are one of this kind of parent then STOP and teach your child to accept that every action has consequences. These can be either good or bad but YOU must accept responsibility for the choices you make. Demonstrate by example and show your child that everything you do has a result and let them witness mistakes getting fixed up. After all that is your job to teach them how to live in the world.

Governments. Individuals who promise us the world, if we extend them the authority to run OUR nation. We have the right to expect honesty, loyalty and a decent way of life. Do they deliver? NO! In return for our show of good faith we are repaid by lies, treachery, cover-ups and back-room dealings. It is time for the politicians to accept responsibility for their actions. They should lead by example.  We expect a world where we can raise the next generation to believe the anything is possible. We will no longer tolerate our country being led by incompetent legislators.

I often hear stated “but I am just one person, what difference can I make”? History has shown us that it is the ‘one’ person who does in fact change history.  The fact the an African American, can make a proclamation acknowledging the actions taken by a 42 year old seamstress in 1955; and that he does so as the President of America, shows that one person can make a difference.

Peter Lalor led the Eureka rebellion, this event is credited as the key incident in the advances to the Australian democracy and identity. It can be stated that the actions of one man allowed for ‘Australian democracy to be born at Eureka’.

Eddie Koiki Mabo was an Aboriginal Australian man known for his role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights and the role he played in a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia, which overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius ("land belonging to nothing, no one") which had and was Australian law with regards to land and title after English settlement. Similar to Rosa Parks the contributions made by Eddie Mabo have been acknowledged with Mabo Day which occurs annually on 3 June.

So next time you get riled up by something, do not yell at the television, or the kids or even your work mates. Work out a plan of action and follow though…you may well be the world’s next Rosa Parks, Peter Lalor or Eddie Mabo.

Carpe diem

I write for pleasure, relaxation and because I believe that I have a story to tell. Mainly I write for me, and yes it would be divine to a prosperous novelist, but not at the cost of a pleasure I have that services my sanity.

Life is short and too often I talk to people who do not have time to ‘smell the roses’. I feel distressed by this as you only get the one shot, why waste it trying to be ‘successful’ but miserable as a person. If you are not content or doing things that make you happy then take a long hard look at your life choices and modify what does not make you happy.

Will it work? I do not know, I do not have a crystal ball but I can state that you will feel happier within yourself.  I have read so many books that write this a theme and we all read them (or watch the movie) and promise to change our own life but that is it. My New Year’s Resolution for 2013 was to take control and live the life I promised myself when I graduated from High School in the 1970s.

It is not easy. This blog is part of my ‘seize the moment’, I have created a blueprint, I have a list of achievements I want to do. It is really remarkable when you look at what you want to achieve and, then match it to what you actually do.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Make your plan, add your comments. If you like what I have written then tell you friends. If you don’t like it use the comment box and let me know.

Greetings and Felicitation

I am a writer working on my first novel. It has been a work-in-progress since I was seven, and won a national writing competition. I have had a couple of poems published, and am currently building a collection of rejection letters.

I have decided to start a blog as I am very passionate about countless things. I do as many others do when frustrated; break into a tirade on Facebook. However, I have started to connect with several people who have blog pages. I have found them fascinating and find that I have been inspired to change things in my life as a result.

Hence my desire to start my own blog. I would like to be able to give a definite framework for this page, but I am not sure which direction it will take. So join me, reply when you like my topic and let me know when you think I have squandered your precious time.