. . . the forest for the trees . . .
You remember that phrase--"Can't see the forest for the trees"--used to describe the frustration of details getting in the way of the big picture? (That's the way I always understood it--correct me if I'm wrong).
I guess that's how I'm feeling, or try "Can't see the dandelions for the spiders." I'm at a low point. Spiders are problems, and weeds are the outcome. It's a metaphor for writing my book on Ruth. The spiders are many: Lack of competence leads to lack of confidence; no lack of confusion leads to no lack of distraction; unclear thinking leads to thick, dull writing; is it worth the time and effort when the outcome is just going to be a dandelion?
But I'm not ready to quit yet. Last week was the writers conference I attended the past two years. I didn't go this year, but when I sent out a simple little "How was it?" sort of email to the friends I met there--Wow! They replied! They looked for me, they missed me, and most had promising news of their works in progress. Their encouragement was my encouragement. It was great to connect with my own sort of people. I felt like I got back in touch with the "real" me just by hearing from them.
A book I recently read said it like this: "Relationships unlock certain parts of who we are supposed to be."
Hearing from my Montrose writer friends unlocked a part of me today. I've been locked up. Cobwebs and dust have collected. Sure, I need to wipe out the cobwebs from all the spiders, get refreshed and renewed, but my Montrose friends remind me I'm very fond of dandelions.
WRITING UPDATE: Just in time to be refreshed and renewed, I'm registered for a one-day Christian writing seminar this Saturday, Aug. 2. Pray that it'll do the trick. I have questions, but I don't really know what they are, so pray for clarity. Also pray that I'll get better connected with like-minded local writers.
Thanks for checking in on me.
I guess that's how I'm feeling, or try "Can't see the dandelions for the spiders." I'm at a low point. Spiders are problems, and weeds are the outcome. It's a metaphor for writing my book on Ruth. The spiders are many: Lack of competence leads to lack of confidence; no lack of confusion leads to no lack of distraction; unclear thinking leads to thick, dull writing; is it worth the time and effort when the outcome is just going to be a dandelion?
But I'm not ready to quit yet. Last week was the writers conference I attended the past two years. I didn't go this year, but when I sent out a simple little "How was it?" sort of email to the friends I met there--Wow! They replied! They looked for me, they missed me, and most had promising news of their works in progress. Their encouragement was my encouragement. It was great to connect with my own sort of people. I felt like I got back in touch with the "real" me just by hearing from them.
A book I recently read said it like this: "Relationships unlock certain parts of who we are supposed to be."
Hearing from my Montrose writer friends unlocked a part of me today. I've been locked up. Cobwebs and dust have collected. Sure, I need to wipe out the cobwebs from all the spiders, get refreshed and renewed, but my Montrose friends remind me I'm very fond of dandelions.
WRITING UPDATE: Just in time to be refreshed and renewed, I'm registered for a one-day Christian writing seminar this Saturday, Aug. 2. Pray that it'll do the trick. I have questions, but I don't really know what they are, so pray for clarity. Also pray that I'll get better connected with like-minded local writers.
Thanks for checking in on me.
Comments