It's Official!

This will be short and sweet!
I've got to get back to the task at hand but I just had to share the news!

It's official! I have now started writing a book!! Yippie!
I completed the outline last night, and today, the actual writing began at sunrise.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Progress Requires Activity

Remember January? When I decided to attempt to set aside a time and place to write each day. A dedication, a commitment to be purposeful and decisive about my writing...Well, this is an update. I am writing daily so that in itself is a plus, however, I am not writing at the same time daily or even in the same place. Making progress, I'm not sure. There are stacks and stacks of drafts, outlines and notes, there are piles of crumpled paper scattered on the floor all are evidence of writing is taking place. There have been days when it feels as of all I have accomplished are hard stares at the blank computer screen. There have been days when two words are all that are recorded as I quickly run to the studio to paint.

Creativity is a wild and untamed beast. Relentless in the drive to flow easily avoiding containment to time or schedule. The drive to write is strong and ever present just as the drive to paint, quilt, garden or develop new Gluten Free recipes. I've not discovered the best time or place to write but I shall pursue the challenge after all it is only March and I have 9 months left to develop a schedule that works best.

One step at a time is still progress!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

A Date with Destiny

February: Groundhog's Day, will we have Six more weeks of winter, Snow, Cold, Valentines, Love, Hearts, Basketball, George Washington, cherry pie, Abraham Lincoln, the shortest month and sometimes Leap Year and your destiny.

This is it. This is your day. This is the sign you have been waiting for, today is your date with destiny. You are destined to live a creative and purposeful life! How does it feel knowing there is only one you? Knowing you have a purpose and a destiny only you are capable of presenting to the world can take your breath away. Stop. Breathe and pursue the longing, the nudge within, to step out of your comfort zone and embrace your creative voice. You've got this! You will succeed! You will be amazing! You are perfect for the task before you!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Trying Something New

Welcome 2018! I love the arrival of the New Year. A  "free pass" to start over, to change directions and experiment with new possibilities, the opportunity to leave behind the past and to willingly embrace a new adventure is exciting. As one with a creative outlook or approach to life, I'm not opposed to trying something that might not work. Simple curiosity takes over and one thing leads to another often to discover hidden talents or skill sets.

However, in 2018 I am going to try something new and different. Something out of character and non-conventional for myself. I am going to try, to attempt, to possibly set aside a specific time to write. I wish you could hear the laughter filling the room as I type. As I know, trying to harness creativity is like trying to herd cats or catch downy feathers in a hurricane.
But the plan is to create a schedule of sorts dedicated to writing and then in December we all can either celebrate the accomplishment or have a great laugh at my attempts to harness the creative flow of writing.

Happy New Year! Be bold and courageous and try something new today!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2018 Carol Lane Fleming

Night Skies

Long winter nights are the perfect setting for star gazing! The air is clear, the stars shine brightly as awestruck wonder fill the thoughts of those fortunate to view the masterpiece of the heavens. I could spend every moment of the night wrapped in warm blankets under the stars, gazing at the beauty of the constellations, the meteor showers, the Milkyway, a sparkling performance in the inky darkness we call night.

I often wonder on cold December nights about the size and color of the Christmas Star that guided the Wise men to Bethlehem. I wonder about the shepherds in the field under the starry night sky when the multitudes of angels suddenly appeared. And I continue to gaze up to the heavens basking in the glory of the skies as the stars sparkle twinkling in the night.
Wrapped in warm cozy blankets drinking hot cocoa celebrating the long winter nights.

Twinkle twinkle little stars!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming

Dusty Boxes and Hidden Treasure

Yesterday I spent the day in the attic among the storage boxes surrounded by memories. A day of reflection and the discovery of hidden treasures. Confession, I was distracted from my original purpose of cleaning thanks to a collection of dusty boxes in the corner. Please tell me I am not the only one who when cleaning or other chores ends up down a 'rabbit trail'.

Most of the contents within the boxes had been discarded and forgotten over the years. Notes, letters, outlines, manuscripts, crumpled bits of paper, smudged, stained with fading ink. Dreams shelved or rather boxed for the future. Ideas, thoughts, events, stories recorded by hand only to rest covered in dust in the attic. The dust has been removed and the contents are currently being sorted. So now what?

There's a stirring, a calling, a rush of memories. Someday has captured my attention Today.

I am certain you have a Someday list too, as in, "Someday I will ___________ ".  Head to your attic, your thoughts, your wildest dreams and revisit the items on your Someday list. You may be surprised to learn your Someday is now Today!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming

Fall is in the Air

The changing of the seasons always brings a rush of creativity in my studio. No matter the season, once the shift begins seemingly out of no where inspiration comes rushing in like a flood. I was prepared for Fall or so I thought. I had cleaned, scrubbed, tossed items that I no longer needed, a deep Spring Cleaning in preparation for Fall, the studio was ready! Boy was I surprised when my seasonal inspiration hit and it wasn't with paint or canvas. It wasn't with fabric and thread. It wasn't in the kitchen creating new Gluten Free recipes.

There I was gathering fresh Apples in the orchard when it hit! Inspired by the shadows dancing in the leaves, by the Goldenrod waving in the wind. I wasn't expecting to be inspired in the garden this Fall, usually late winter or early spring is when I plot and plan new creative adventures for the garden.

This Fall, I will be creating new flowerbeds, planting bulbs, flowering shrubs and some trees. Placing bird feeders and new birdbaths along the trails so that in winter I will be able to enjoy the flight of color in a cold barren winter garden. Checking my supply list and soon headed out to the Garden Center. I will be the one digging and transplanting, adding bulbs enjoying the lingering days of Fall. Bonfires, football and all things pumpkin. Happy Fall Y'all!

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/
#HiddenInYourheART
© 2017 Carol Lane Fleming