  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: larryp
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None of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up from our own bootstraps. We got here because somebody bent down and helped us.
~Thurgood Marshall |
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Recently, I read the book Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, the story of the World War II battle on the small island of Iwo Jima and the men who were photographed raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi. James Bradley, the author, is the son of one of heroes depicted in that famous photograph. In the acknowledgments for this book, James Bradley stated that the book was rejected for publication twenty-seven times before he decided to seek a new agent, who recommended that he team with another writer Ron Powers, whose reputation for quality was the key to making this project a reality.
As I pondered this, I realized that Mr. Bradley could easily have wavered this help and insisted to proceed alone with this manuscript which involved over six years of researching and interviewing. After all, it was a story about his dad and in many ways a very personal story. His willingness to accept help was the element that jump-started his book to publication.
It is not always easy to receive help with our writing. Sometimes, we guard our stories and poems, refusing to allow others to assist in improving what we have so diligently written. I wonder if the book Flags of Our Fathers would have been published if James Bradley had refused the help of Ron Powers, as suggested by his agent?
Two weeks ago, I was involved in a serious automobile accident in which my car was destroyed and I received minor, but painful injuries. A week later, I wrote a story about my experience. Because I rarely write non-fiction, I wanted good, constructive feedback for the story, so I requested a review from one of my favorite Writing.com reviewers, justme  . Deb responded with a review that made my story much better; her review called for many revisions and almost a complete rewrite, including a suggestion for a title change. I could have been offended or disregarded the review, because after all it was my story, my experience.
Receiving help is not always easy and, to be sure, not all help is good help. Since coming to Writing.com, I have met many people whose suggestions have improved my writing skills. When I first began writing, it was difficult to accept the assistance offered. With time, I began to realize that many of the suggestions I received made me a better writer and poet.
Writers like James Bradley inspire me, for they are not afraid to admit that they needed help to improve writing skills. They knew they had a good story, but they needed assistnace with the presentation, with the fine-tuning. Another set of eyes not emotionally attached to a story or poem can often see things that we are blinded to because of that emotional attachment. If we are willing to receive constructive help, our writings can often be transformed into something greater.
Sometimes it is humbling and good for our spiritual well-being to admit our weaknesses and receive the constructive tips that others readily offer. Upon receiving an upsetting review, we should probably set it aside for a few days and come back to it later when we can be less emotional and more perceptive of what is being stated in the review. What we find may well improve the writing, if we allow ourselves to be human and admit our weaknesses.
Swallow your pride occasionally, it's non-fattening!
~Author Unknown
Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.
~William Safire
Study the best and highest things that are; but of yourself humble thoughts retain.
~Joe Davis, billiards champion
Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity.
~Vanna Bonta
I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.
~James Michener
Every writer I know has trouble writing.
~Joseph Heller
You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what's burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.
~Arthur Polotnik
Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head.
~From the movie Finding Forrester
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Inspirational stories from around Writing.com
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Kate - Writing & Reading 
Greetings! I like ‘articulation’ as opposed to ‘mission’ ~ implies that the strength, the ability, is already present and the articulation provides focus or motivation to channel it, give it viable shape and form, enhancing its growth. The links and featured work are helpful guides as I work on my ‘articulation.’ Thank you for this issue, speaks directly to the essence-spirit of the writer. Keep Writing! Kate
Thank you Kate. I really appreciated your comments. Best wishes with your articulation statment.
kansaspoet
Emily Jane Kingsley
I love the quotes that were incorporated into this newsletter. Especially the one that says you are never to late to be what you could have been. Isn't that a great one for those of us who are caught up in fear and self consciousness when it comes to getting out there and sharing. We need to be what we could have been or what we should be, not be what we were or not be at all.
Thank you Emily for your insightful comments. When one nears the 60-year mark in life, as I have, they really appreciate and understand such things.
Zeke 
This is a very perceptive newsletter. Too often, we fail to focus on what we are really trying to do. When forced to describe our goals, we may discover things about ourselves that we didn't know, and should have.
Nice work.
Hi Zeke, thanks for you faithfulness to the Spiritual Newsletter. I agree, is all to easy to become sidetracked and even follow those rabbit trails from time to time.
Cubby 
What an excellent idea, Larry! We have a mission statement at work, so why not have one for our goals? I should definitely have one for housework, too. ***sigh*** Great newsletter! I loved the quotes, especially that last one: "Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed."
~~Michael Pritchard
I'm sure you've given many readers lots to think about. Good job!
~Cubby ")
Hi Cubby, thanks for your cheerful response. The quote you mentioned is one of my favorite also.
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Spiritual: February 27, 2008 Issue [#2251]
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