plug into the power

Imagine that you have just installed an entertainment center in your home. Not just a few hi-tech add-ons, but an entire room devoted to the latest devices and innovations in home entertainment--a wall full of HD flat screen TVs, each individually programmed, stereo surround-sound, deep, reclining leather seats each with its own beverage holder, adjustable lighting--whatever is the latest and greatest in comfort and convenience. It is the envy of the neighborhood. People stop by just to see it, just to sit in one of those soft recliners.

www.fopple.com

But there's one problem. It isn't connected with a power source. Even though everything is there, nothing works. It can't perform any of the functions it was meant for.

It needs to be connected with a source of power.

This was the thought that led me to take a few days off last week to help out with a spiritual retreat http://www.harrisburg-cursillo.org.

Even though my meditation and prayer life are both solidly in place, they didn't seem to be working for me. I needed to "plug into the power." Long story short: due to a number of serendipitous happenings, I ended up leading the retreat...and I didn't know it until the day before we started.

Now, having spent three days among women of enthusiastic and unwavering faith, having been led by highly respected spiritual leaders, having laughed together and cried together in song and in prayer...I feel renewed. The "Power" has been turned back on.

http://thewingsofinspiration.blogspot.com

Similarly, as writers, we need to recharge our batteries from time to time--when our creative energy diminishes. When our motivation runs out. When the words won't come. We may have all the finest tools in place--grammar, punctuation, storyline, characters and scenes--when the power goes off. We find ourselves sitting in front of a blank screen and nothing seems to work.

This may be a good time to attend a workshop or conference, read something by a favorite author, surround ourselves with people who support us--whatever it takes to plug back in to the power...

...because when we make the effort to recharge our own batteries, we become a source of power for others.

How do you plug into the power?

What is it that drains your battery?

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"Fulfilling our creativity

is a sacred trust."

--Julia Cameron--

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In my next post, I'll share some thoughts about pursuing dreams later in life.

jan