Time for Another I Wonder !
Lately I've been thinking and wondering about Leaps of Faith. Don't you just love that phrase? Such thoughts and images come to my mind. But there is a group of images that is unsurpassed ~~~~
(all images courtesy Google)
I'll never forget the first time I watched Indiana Jones take that "Leap of Faith." I held my breath, and then when I saw the "bridge" he walked across, my stomach got weak and I almost passed out because of my fear of heights! And no matter how many times I watch that scene, it effects me the same way -- -- emotionally and physically. My heart palpitates, I don't breath, my stomach does flips, and then BOOM...Indy accomplished the impossible. He believed. He HAD TO believe....and I cheer, usually out loud!Anyone trying to achieve something of importance in their life has opportunities to take that "leap of faith," but how many of us actually do it?? Looking back, I know I've made a few of them, but they were more like "small steps." (Every step in the right direction counts, though, right?)
I'm writing my memoir. Do I have faith in myself as a writer? Yes, I do. But something is holding me back somewhat, making it difficult to make much progress.Obviously if I knew what it was, I'd fix it. Okay...so maybe now it's time for MY "leap of faith," but where? In what direction? Where do I leap?
Please feel free to give me advice and directions, etc!
“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepherd
See now? It's a good thing you posted it, because this post rocked! I seriously love the imagery there. It's scary to take that leap of faith!
ReplyDeleteAs far as where do you leap? I read a quote not long ago, and now I can't remember where or who, but it said to look back at your book and see where things start to go wrong. It was likely at a place that was really really hard, and you took the less hard route. So I guess the answer is, look for the biggest cliff around, then jump off it! Take that leap of faith in the toughest spot, and it'll all be good. :)
No advice from here....I need to leap as well but it's not happening.
ReplyDeleteFeet first and all the way, Becky. Tell your inner censor to take a leap! happy writing.
ReplyDeletePretend you're writing for someone who loves-loves-loves your writing. Form an image of them, looking over your shoulder and chuckling at the funny parts and crying over the sad parts. And keep that image there.
ReplyDeleteI love the leap of faith idea as well. It's too easy to stay all huddled in a secure place, and what ever gets accomplished that way?
ReplyDeleteI am with Linda. Put duct tape on the editor inside that is censoring your thoughts. Jump right in, finish that memior any old way but finish. You can polish and revise afterwards. JUST DO IT! You can't see the light at end of the tunnel unless you keep moving through the dark.
ReplyDeleteI've made quite a few leaps of faith actually, but I was kicking and screaming the whole way! I'm taking another one now with our RV adventure - I am a confirmed homebody. I am not that interested in adventure. I'd like a simple, boring life. Yet. Yet, I seem to keep doing something else! Go figure. Anyway, I'm having faith that I will be able to drive this thing and park it and will love living in it and that not having my own home and garden will be okay and that the price of gas won't skyrocket and and and and and!! Love you, write the damn memoir girl, because I need something good to read while I'm on the road.
ReplyDeleteI like this post, Becky. Oh that bridge in that scene--how scary!! Sometimes I think the only way I can take the leaps of faith I need to take is if someone sneaks up and gives me a push from behind! haha! Hope you have a good weekend! :-)
ReplyDeleteI never saw that movie but I tell you, if I had to walk across that bridge, it would be on my stomach...inching my way with my eyes closed. S-C-A-R-Y.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Becky and have a good weekend. If I were you, regarding the memoir, just pick up pen, pad, and write a few sentences. That should do it. Susan
I am in favour of the one step in front of the other approach. Often tiny.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it is falling into the category of 'I don't want to do it' BUT 'I want to have done it'. Would a small break help?
There is certainly a lot of cheering you on from the sidelines here in the blogosphere if that helps.
Ok. Keep writing. It doesn't matter if it doesn't just happen to fit in perfectly with what you have already written. Just keep writing! It will come together.
ReplyDeleteIt's when you stop, pause, reflect, wonder, doubt, etc. etc..that trouble starts to plague you. Keep writing!! Anything. It doesn't matter. Just keep putting pen to paper!
I hate giving advice..but..I hope it helps and doesn't hinder.
Good for you for making the jump you've already made!!
Leap of Faith reminds me of the Steve Martin/Debra Winger movie where he's a fake faith healer. One of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI can't presume to give you advice. I'm stuck on a ledge myself.
Just stopping by to say hello! sandie
ReplyDeleteSometimes I write like I'm having a conversation with my best friend, who loves me despite my flaws. She doesn't judge, even when I tell her the bad or hard stuff.
ReplyDeleteIsn't a great friendship the ultimate leap of faith?
I tend to just hold my breath and jump...
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'm glad, and sometimes I wish I had been less impulsive.
Either way, it's better than being stuck. So I'm glad when I can make myself do it.
=)
Just keep at it Becky - you'll do it. Write what excites you... or whatever gives you the most pleasure or fun. I need to heed my own advice! LOL.
ReplyDeleteWell now, great post - I'll have to look at hers - I think we all take leaps of faith - big and small - but, sometimes we stumble a bit - it is the getting up and taking the next step that we need to remember to do! Hope you have a marvelous day,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Well Becky, what has held me back in the past is impatience and inferiority. I wanted to write that novel in a few days; and I never felt in my heart that my writing measured up. I've finally 'leaped' over those obstacles. I'm currently working on a book, and guess what? I don't care how long it takes or who reads it! It's my piece of art, and I'll take as long as I need and I will love it when it's done. NO PRESSURE!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky,
ReplyDeleteMy biggest leap was when I left my second marriage ... though I don't know why I thought it was going to be so hard. I just didn't want to admit failure and be twice divorced I guess. It is what happened afterward, the doors that were opened and all the rest that were remarkable blessings from God that I will never forget.
I am wondering if you have some stuff inside that you don't want to remember or write about. Just go ahead and get it out and down on paper, Becky. You don't have to include it in your book, or if you do, you can give a quick version. It will be healing in the long run, but it may be upsetting in the short run. I don't KNOW, I am just taking a guess. Maybe you are afraid of telling things in your book that will be upsetting to people still around?
I love this post, and how you illustrated it with our Handsome Harrison.
Hope your week is grand!
Kathy M.
Ooops, it's me again! You and Peggy inspired me to do a similar post this morning, but with a different slant, if you have time to take a peek. I skimmed over a difficult portion of my life to get to the good part in it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kathy M.
Sometimes, taking a leap of faith turns out to be a blessing in disguise, which we would have never discovered if we had not the faith to leap! I know that many of the things in my life that happened as a result of leaping, even if they seemed bad, turned out to have a silver lining.
ReplyDeleteHere is one of my favorite quotes that sums it up quite nicely:
ReplyDelete"When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: There will be earth upon which to stand, or you will be given wings to fly." (Anonymous)
As long as you give yourself time to write regularly (I struggle with that one), I think you ought to write what you want to write. Maybe you're not ready to complete the memoir yet. Maybe you need to write an essay or short story instead. Come back to the memoir when your heart tells you to do it.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
I've sorta kinda started writing my memoirs but unfortunately once I read it out loud back to myself I start to get embarrassed that I would actually let other potential readers read such private things about me. So I am at a standstill. Still thinking of deleting some stuff. I think I sound like a bitter old woman. I wouldn't want to be thought of as that.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am trying to say is think about how you want to be percieved as when you write deep or personal things about yourself. Good luck with your book. Hugs~Ames
I've been making a lot of leaps of faith lately! It's nerve wracking, but the only way to go sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI have the last bird envelope waiting with your name on it, but I don't think I have your address. I'll write to you this week if you will email it to me. :)