What lies behind us and what lies before are tiny matters to what lies within us.
-William Morrow
There is a 2 mile trail near my home which runs along a river, twisting and turning through the woods. I have been walking there almost daily since mid-June. Rich autumn colors of copper, gold, and ruby have made the trek especially enjoyable.
I decided to grab my camera today, even though we have moved past peak color. I'm glad I did. Although the frost had killed the undergrowth and the wind had blown off most of the leaves, its barrenness revealed some hidden treasures.The fallen leaves left bare, gray branches. But I was able to see through them to the sky, spotting a bald eagle flying over the river. And the layer of fallen leaves laid out a multicolored, royal carpet for hikers like me.
Challenges can leave us feeling barren after the frost or wind has hit our lives. Whether the challenges are unexpected or ongoing, they can be discouraging and distract us from writing.
Or, they can end up improving our writing by revealing the hidden treasures yet to be discovered within us.
We're familiar with the typical writer's challenges such as rejection, insecurity, writer's block, and fear. But how about our daily, personal challenges? Strife, illness, divorce, finances, etc.? Those things can become a source for what we write, but they can also affect how we write. Challenges can make us better people and better writers through showing us what really matters. We hear more intently, see more clearly, and appreciate more deeply.
Whatever you're facing, let it work for you. "Grab the camera" even if you don't think it's worth it. Let the days naturally unfold and look for the beauty in the ashes.
Have your personal challenges made you a better writer? How? Please share your comments.
~~~~
After raising and homeschooling her 8 children and teaching art classes for 10 years, Kathy has found time to pursue freelance writing. She enjoys writing magazine articles and more recently had her story, "One of a Kind", published in The Kids' Ark. You can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at When It Hurts - http://kathleenmoulton.com
