Writing Restoration: Gratitude

Image by cocoparisienne, Pixabay

I am humbled and beyond grateful—less than a week out from my first event for the International Women’s Writing Guild—Writing As Restoration—and the event is already full! How fitting then, that I’m posting today about the fourth topic of the 4-week writing circle, GRATITUDE. The synchronicity is blowing my mind!

Gratitude quite often begins from within, by acknowledging what we have to be grateful for in our immediate experience. And if we can treat each thing as a precious seed to plant in our figurative gardens, rather than just one item in a random list, so much the better.

Image from Pixabay

These seeds become even more powerful when we include others. At some point during the pandemic, I read an article in a wellness magazine about writing letters—not emails or text messages—of gratitude to others. I started last year, and it’s ongoing. Not only did this project allow me to reconnect with some people that I’d lost touch with, but it reminded me of how much love, grace, and support I have in my life.

All of this creates an energy that reverberates back to us, enriches the soil of our gardens, and waters each seed of gratitude until it blooms into a full blossom of vivid abundance and love.

If you’re reading this, I’m tempted to say that I’m sorry you’ve missed out on my Writing Circle this time. But really, it creates an opportunity for you to be part of the next one. Keep an eye on my upcoming workshops here, and check out what else I’m up, like the novels I’m working on, my coaching and mentoring services, and the upcoming launch of my podcast.

In the meantime, keep writing…I’m so grateful you’re here.

I’m a writer of magical realism, a mentor to women writers of all ages, and a story magic archaeologist. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing, and I live in Los Angeles with my husband and our two Imp Muses (cats) Stanley and Sofia. Join my mailing list for a free guide on story magic!

www.writeranne.net ⁎ anne@writeranne.net ⁎ Twitter @wildwriteranne ⁎ Facebook Wild Woman Writer

Writing Restoration: Celebration!

Coming out of the dark, and into the light. Yes, celebration is part of restoration! Recovery and healing may not be reached in an instant. But we don’t have to wait until we feel the process is complete to celebrate. It’s important to recognize our milestones along the way, as well as our ultimate victory.

Have a look at the lyrics to Gloria Estefan’s “Coming Out of the Dark:”

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay 

Why be afraid if I'm not alone?
Though life is never easy
The rest in unknown
And up to now for me it's been
Hands against stone
Spent each and every moment
Searching for what to believe
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me
Starting again is part of the plan
And I'll be so much stronger
Holding your hand
Step by step, I'll make it through
I know I can
I may not make it easier
But I have felt you
Near all the way
Coming out of the dark
I finally see the light now
And it's shining on me
(I see the light)
(I see the light)
I see the light (I see the light)
Coming out of the dark
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing with me
Ever (I stand on the rock)
I stand on the rock of your love
(Forever) ever
(And ever) and ever
Can't nobody stop me, watch me
(Forever) ever
(And ever) and ever
Stand on the rock
Of your love is all it takes
No matter what we face
Coming out of the dark
I see the light
I feel your love shining on me (shining)
(Shining) Yeah, shining on me (shining)
I know the love that saved me
You're sharing
You're sharing with me (I see the light)
Sharing with me (I see the light)
Sharing with me (I see the light)
Sharing with me (coming out of the dark)
I cannot be in the dark
Making it into the light, yeah
Your love's shining on me (shining)
Shining on me (I see the light)
Shining on me (I see the light)
(Shining, I see the light)
(Coming out of the dark)
I see the light
I see the light (I see the light)
(I see the light)
Shining, shining on me
(Shining, shining)
I didn't think that I could take it (shining)
But your love helped me to make it (coming out of the dark)
Coming out of the dark
I see the light now
Yes, I see the light
(Shining) (I see the light)
(Shining) (I see the light)
(Shining) (I see the light)

You can also have a listen here.

Celebration is a powerful thing, and it’s the focus of the third session of my Writing As Restoration event that I’ll be doing next week for the International Women’s Writing Guild. As of this posting, there is only ONE space left, so there’s still time to learn more and grab that last spot here.

And if it’s gone, not to worry, I’ll be doing it again in early 2022. You can find out exactly when, also learn about what else I’m up to (novels in the works, editing, and mentoring and coaching), here. And I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Meanwhile, keep writing, and keep celebrating!

I’m a writer of magical realism, a mentor to women writers of all ages, and a story magic archaeologist. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing, and I live in Los Angeles with my husband and our two Imp Muses (cats) Stanley and Sofia. Join my mailing list for a free guide on story magic!

www.writeranne.net ⁎ anne@writeranne.net ⁎ Twitter @wildwriteranne ⁎ Facebook Wild Woman Writer