Creative Writing for the Creator

  It is New Year’s Eve in Texas and simultaneously New Year on the globe, depending on where you are right now. Either way, I will start by wishing a global Happy New Year to all! But with the New Year here (or just about) comes the New Year’s Puzzle. And to present it and give you my view, I will need to tell you how it all came about with a true story: Nearly a week before Christmas, we were shopping and spotted a beautiful holiday winter scene on the lid of a square tin can: In the foreground, a red vintage truck, decorated with evergreen garlands, wreaths, pinecones, ornaments, berries, bells, and ribbons. On the truck bed, bound by festive red rope, leaned a Christmas tree, sharing the space with four adorable dogs and beautifully wrapped gift boxes amidst hay bales. On the driver’s window, another dog almost jumped out at the bright-white winter wonderland, seemingly sniffing and licking the falling snowflakes that dangled in their descent.   In the background was ...

It is evident that 2020 has brought many changes and hardships to the whole world.  And it looks like 2021 may bring more uncertainty than hope. How can we navigate into the NEW YEAR? I am reminded of a phrase I learned in Literature class: INUTILIA TRUNCAT. Inutilia truncat (Latin) means "cut that which is useless," as in cutting off useless leaves and branches. But why should we do it, and how does that apply to our daily lives in the New Year?   Why? Because the essential is what brings and keeps life. And the unessential stands in the way of life. But first, we must determine what is 'useful' and what is 'useless'! (We must have the ability to discern one from the other). Thus, these questions remain:  What is essential? (And what is not?) I will illustrate my answer with two pictures of my "Euphorbia Pulcherrima," aka Poinsettia: Picture 1: Cutting off (pruning) the excessive branches and leaves that detract nourishment (sap) from the main stem...

Minha Promessa de Ano Novo? My New Year's Resolution? Sim, tenho uma e uma somente: Yes, I do have one and one only: Viver aberta e inteiramente para Deus! To live all out and wholly for God! Feliz Ano Novo! Happy New Year!