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Healthy Horizons

Laurie Lupold

Embracing Details

The spring awakens the senses like no other season of the year. Each morning is captured by a serenade of birds. The dew-covered lawn still has its fresh-cut scent. The flowers slowly peep out from hiding. Branches of leaves sway to the melodies of the early morn. The sun slowly creeps up over the hills and trees to warm the chilled air.

As writers we can gather up so much detail by paying attention to the simple things in life, things that at times we take for granted. To some, what was described above could be written as "It was a spring morning. The birds were singing." The passion is completely gone from the context.

The squirrel scurried down the crevices of the trunk of the tall tree anxious to gather delicacies for his morning feast. Poorly written this could say, "The squirrel ran down the trunk to gather food." Again, we have taken the glamour out of the sentence.

How often is it in our lives that we treat ourselves in much the same way as the writer who leaves out the creativity? Do we see ourselves as plain and unworthy of passion? Can we develop words that describe us that are colorful with genuine meaning?

As writers we spend much time creating a vivid life for our characters. They must be dashing or daring; even if they are somewhat plain they are plain in a way undescribed by our own lives. Why is it we can not look into our own interiors and see the beauty within? If we cannot get beyond the exterior borders, what can we expect to reflect to those around us?

I am not merely asking these questions of my readers but also of myself. I have great difficulty coloring my life, my being with any great multitude of depicted meaning. My words are lame and offer little reason for anyone to want to know me better. The good news is, I can change that. I can carry an attitude that will make others see me as a portrait of fine art if I learn to live honestly. There is no shame in paying yourself a compliment.

I'd like to ask you all to take a few moments this month and attempt to write a self-portrait. Include in it only positive details you know to be true. Relax and let your thoughts flow as if you were writing an outline for a character in a story. When you have completed it, post it somewhere near your desk so you will notice it often. Realize you are the character you described and feel confident being that person because you are UNIQUE.

'Til next time be kind to yourself and keep embracing those healthy horizons!