Judith's Artsy Essay contest Reposting...because I liked it.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Judith's Artsy Essay contest
my second entry....


Why I keep a Journal






My office is littered with old paper and ink journals that seem to breathe on their own. Inhaling and exhaling loudly, rhythmically these little books keep telling stories of a forgotten me. Stories of a little girl who dreamed big fill the shadows of my office with the soft tenderness one reserves for feeble relatives. In the space of ten years I have discovered more about myself than imaginable; discovered that I could tread to the edge of sanity and hold someone’s hand while they died, discovered that leaving a bad marriage is the quickest way to gain happiness, discovered that choosing wisely is perhaps the key to life, discovered that just because I am good at a job it doesn’t mean that I have to stay in it.



Journaling, for me, started out as an easy way to keep my loved ones informed about my life since I moved thousands of miles away from them and in the process of keeping a health journal for them I found a way to connect to people I have not ever met. People, who, it seems, are just like me. Graciously I have discovered that the very things that frighten me also frighten the vast majority of souls and wondrously the life I want is actually the life I have.



The world to me has always been defined by colors, tones and words that weave a great tapestry of love and growth. Take all the pure hues and sprinkle them with sparkles of gold, silver and copper dipped in a fiery red word choice and you have my vision of living. Dip my poems in cobalt blue and watch as the fragrant words flit about the pages of my life and become royal purple jewels for yours. Our souls touch briefly within a cyber world where I hope and you hope that even some of these things are true.



Why do I journal???



I keep a journal to feel the soft caress of other souls against my skin and to smell the rain of your pure humanity.

















This is my entry into Judith's contest for July...

2 comments:

  1. "I keep a journal to feel the soft caress of other souls against my skin and to smell the rain of your pure humanity" (Christina, 2005).

    Christina, You give a quilted framework for all of us to understand ourselves and others. This is truly a gift. I pause on the word caress. It seems it is not only here at this very moment as my mind focus' on these truths, but in the gentle manner in which you seem to follow us throughout the day within our heart. We feel awed in the beauty of your touch. Us

    ReplyDelete
  2. ckays1967 at 10:08:00 PM PDT Link to this entry

    This entry has 17 comments: (Add your own)
    {{{{{Christina}}}}}

    This entry is both beautiful and POWERFUL! You said so much in just 3 paragraphs
    and then a question and an answer at the end!

    Vivian
    Comment from viviansullinwank - 7/26/05 4:40 AM



    Your last paragraph says so elegantly what most of us wished to get across in our essays.
    Very, very good.
    Jude
    http://journals.aol.com/JMoranCoyle/MyWay
    Comment from jmorancoyle - 7/24/05 1:01 AM



    Marvelous entry Marvelous words Marvelous Pictures Marvelous sentiments...
    You are Breath to J-Land...cmp
    Comment from courtenaymphelan - 7/23/05 11:08 AM



    I couldn't have said it better. Lovely entry!
    KAthy
    http://www.livejournal.com/users/sicily_gypsyjen/
    Comment from gypsytrader49 - 7/23/05 2:42 AM



    Christina..you outdid yourself here! Best of luck to you! Lisa
    Comment from cw2smom - 7/22/05 9:23 PM



    WOW!
    What a beautiful way with words.
    Very nice journal.
    Thank you for your nice comment and your visit to my journal.
    Have a good weekend.
    Wishing you health, happiness and laughter.
    TJ~
    http://journals.aol.com/vaultofsecrets/MoonDancer/
    http://journals.aol.com/paisleyskys/PaisleySkys/
    Comment from paisleyskys - 7/22/05 9:49 AM



    This is the most dramatic of anything I have read of yours. You dug deep. Beautiful job!

    http://journals.aol.com/ccancu/CEEGEEATLARGE
    http://journals.aol.com/cyndygee/TheRealWorldofcyndygee

    art: www.silverliningart.com
    Comment from ccancu - 7/21/05 4:47 PM



    Christina, you shine when you weave your poetic vision into your prose... Very nice! Lisa :-] http://journals.aol.com/mlraminiak/ComingtotermswithMiddleAge/
    Comment from lisaram1955 - 7/21/05 12:19 AM



    I think every writer strives to add texture to their words, so the reader can feel the sentence
    rather than to just read it, to see it, to smell it and taste it. You have achieved dimention with
    this piece, and that truely takes talent.
    Comment from dornbrau - 7/20/05 3:04 PM



    P.S. May your anniversary be a joyous one.
    Bon & Mal
    Comment from b4i8clover - 7/20/05 1:55 PM



    You have our votes for best and most evocative entry. Thanx for stopping by our journal.
    It's always nice to meet new souls.
    Bon & Mal

    Comment from b4i8clover - 7/20/05 1:54 PM



    Dip my poems in cobalt blue and watch as the fragrant words flit about the pages of my life
    and become royal purple jewels for yours.
    Wonderful, Chris!!
    As always, hugs to my favorite poet.
    V
    Comment from deabvt - 7/20/05 12:53 PM



    This is the most poetic and vivid entry I've ever seen so far in j-land.
    Comment from iscribble4u - 7/20/05 11:27 AM



    lovely and so well done. ahhhhhh. judi
    Comment from judithheartsong - 7/20/05 11:00 AM



    This is a very good entry! Good luck! I love this! JAE
    Comment from yakima127 - 7/20/05 6:58 AM



    Even though you really are my friend and I really do know you in the flesh, your words still
    touch me and make me feel differently about life. Some of the time if seems you are talking
    directly to me and that is weird but good for my soul. Now if you two would just be senible
    and move East/South East, your Mom and I both could see you in the flesh:)
    Comment from dallas0406 - 7/20/05 3:24 AM



    Christina, this is an excellent entry! Wow! Thanks for letting me steal your poetry,
    I'll have it up in a day or so. Love, Mom
    Comment from tsgerkin - 7/20/05 3:15 AM

    ReplyDelete

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