Even as a child, I remember being a rather philosophical thinker.
I thought about deep things.
What made the sky blue? How did roosters know when it was time to crow? Were there really pots of gold beneath rainbows? Why were some folks wealthy and others poor?
I pondered the more simple quandaries, too.
How come the Avon lady only visited our home during lunchtime? Would I really reach China if I dug deep enough? Why did “Eula Mae” insist on bringing the same thing to our church dinners? Didn’t she know that little kids hated salmon patties? And didn’t she realize that taking three pieces of my momma’s fried chicken were two pieces too many?
When adolescence found me, my head almost hurt from so many churning thoughts. My mind raced with newfound knowledge. I knew everything about everything, and I knew everything about everyone. I knew that some adults were not as smart as they claimed to be.
Ahh… And then teen angst arrived and wrapped me in her ill-fitting coat for a season or two.
I cringed at injustice. I cried for love lost. I surrendered pent-up emotion to the tear-stained pages of my makeshift diary.
And just when I was convinced that I was the only intelligent soul left on planet Earth, something miraculous happened.
The fog lifted and the blinders fell off.
Despite my doubts that it would ever find me, adulthood did.
It was a bittersweet revelation and one that I didn’t acknowledge lightly. I recognized that life juncture as part of God’s master plan, and I began to look beyond the window to the bigger picture.
As we mature, we learn to analyze life a little differently. We understand that being a philosophical thinker doesn’t make us a know-it-all. And if we do know a little more, it certainly doesn’t absolve us from knowing the “right” thing and still doing the opposite.
I think about these things as I write. It’s not as important that I wax eloquence as it is that I’m “real.” I want my characters to be thinkers and doers. And if they learn some life lessons along the way, then I’ll know I’ve done my job.
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Can you think of a time when you learned a life lesson? How did it impact you or the way you write?
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Comments 6
Great “got me thinkin'” post, Cynthia.
I too am a deep thinker. (My hubby is a doer, so we make a great team)
As to your question about a life lesson, I think it happened around the time I started writing – some 10 years back. It is the real issue in my first novel – forgiveness. (I realized it after I wrote the book)
When I learned that forgiveness is the key to a happy and healthy life…my life changed that day. I no longer carried that heavy baggage of big or little wrongs against me, and also forgave myself – I was set free.
Author
What a praise, Loree! It’s so amazing how forgiveness does indeed change our perspective. Way to go on your decision to choose freedom!
I feel like I learn a life lesson every day. I see symbolism in everything and God uses that to teach me about myself, those around me, and most importantly…Him!
I love my characters to learn life lessons. It makes them seem so real. Great post!
Author
Thank you, Jess. I love symbolism. I firmly believe God uses divine appointments, key moments, the words of others, and the beauty of our creation to teach us about life lessons.
I was never a thinker, or one who questions things. I saw things as they were, and accepted them at face value. As I got older, the reality behind those things became clear.
Author
Ahhh. Isn’t maturity grand, Patti? I’m thankful that the Lord allows us time to grow.