Write2Unpack

For forty hours a week I work in a law office. Yesterday we were meeting about some clients and the discussion turned to fantasy fiction (don’t ask me why), and how some people love The Lord of The Rings trilogy and The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, but not Harry Potter. This got me thinking about what is so different about these stories that would preclude J.K. Rowling from the literary giants like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Lord of the Rings has wizards that cast spells and creatures not found in the real world. Harry Potter has wizards that cast spells and creatures not found in the real world. The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe is rooted in the real world but allows the main characters to travel to a magical place through an armoire. Harry Potter is rooted in the real world but allows the main characters to travel to a magical place through a train station.

Is it the fact that Rowling hasn’t yet achieved the lifetime greatness of Lewis and Tolkien? Is it because she’s not a former-Atheist-converted-to-Christianity? I don’t have the answer. I love pretty much anything fiction: from fantasy (If you can imagine it, it can become true), sci-fi (Different worlds? Races of creatures? Bring it on!), romance (Who doesn’t love a happy ending?), or dystopia (Yeah, the world’s bad but it’s not real so it’s ok).  I have my favorite authors, so maybe it’s as simple as that.

Regardless, I didn’t come here to discuss or debate different types of fantasy fiction and why some people don’t like Harry Potter magic but they like Gandalf The Grey magic, today I wanted to talk about the magic that’s around us every day.

Let’s start with the obvious: Herbal medicine. From witches, to shamans to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, people have long regarded those who can heal (or harm) with herbs as magical. There’s a ton of information on the ‘net about herbal uses, teas and tinctures, and aromatherapy. And what about Western medicine? We have machines that can see inside us without hurting us. If you ask me medicine (Eastern or Western), the ability to heal, is magic.

Coincidence. Have you ever been thinking about someone you haven’t seen in a long time, called them and they were going through something? Seen a billboard or sign that feels like it’s just for you? Heard a song on the radio at just the right time? Last week when I was in Seattle, The Best Husband and I were sitting in a restaurant having a quick margarita before going to a funeral service. There we were, filling out sympathy cards, and “Goodbye to You” comes on the radio. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a pop song by the Scandals released in 1982 (check it out here). Did I mention we were in a Mexican restaurant? Coincidence? I don’t believe in it. Life is full of those magical little nudges if we just pay attention.
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Making wishes. Isn’t making a wish essentially casting a spell? Aren’t you sending out into The Universe your desire in an effort to communicate with a higher power and draw the object you desire to you? People stop at wishing wells to offer a coin in exchange for a chance that their wish will come true. I believe making wishes is magic. Hope is magic.

So this week, my reader, I encourage you to pay attention to the magic that surrounds you: the nudges of The Universe, the coincidences that aren’t, and the wishes and hopes that bring you what you desire. Be present, be attentive, and just see what happens.

My words are my thoughts, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale) or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!

You never know when life is going to present you with that sparkly bit. That little bit of amazingness that sparks something else. Inspiration is everywhere, and this week I found it in a mistakenly recorded conversation.

I was “orienteering” The Loop with my oldest son and friend, Sandra. She was helping us track the information on her cell phone using the speak-to-text function. Once we completed the walk, we looked back at the text and found out that sometimes the recorder didn’t shut off and it recorded parts of our conversation as well. And that’s where this week’s gem was found, wedged between the counted steps and various directions.  I decided to make it the first line of a story and see where it led me. This time I was led to a café where two strangers were having coffee together for the first time. The following is an excerpt of what I wrote. I thought I’d give you the conversation they had shortly after they met.

Well You Know, Maybe It Was

by Melissa Gale

“Well you know, maybe it was.” She said shifting uncomfortably in the wire café chair. Sitting outside in the back patio area of a well-known coffee joint for their first “date” felt safer before, when she first set up the meeting. Publicly reluctant despite the visible loudness of her red hair, which, thanks to Ancestry.com she knew was well rooted in her past. Carlie wasn’t used to dating someone so openly opinionated, but all of Joseph’s reviews were positive (with the exception of that one) so she thought she’d give him a try. And hey, isn’t that what this is supposed to do? Help her grow and push through some social and personal barriers?

“Yeah? ” Joseph asks. “Well, I doubt that.” He leans back and takes a sip of his coffee looking at the table of trendy 20-somethings.

Strong and black.  Carlie thinks. Just like him.  She takes a moment to inspect him while his thoughts are elsewhere. Is he black? Is that even politically correct anymore? Skin tone aside, his height and athletic build added to her belief he’d be quite popular in his trade. And those eyes – stunningly green like Rhianna’s. What was her nationality again?

“Hey, you’re not drinking your latte.” Joseph points at her cup. An over-sized, artistically painted behemoth that seemed to be the staple of every trendy coffee shop in Seattle. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but your profile said that grande latte with 2 raw sugars was your favorite.”

Aware he caught her staring, Carlie quickly looks down at her cup. “You’re not wrong. It did and it is.” She spins her coffee cup with her fingertips not able to look up at him. “I’ve just never done this before, and I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to say or do with you.”

“Look.” Joseph says quietly and gently places his hand over hers. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. The whole point of this is to allow you the safety to try new things: socially, sexually, or otherwise – with someone who’s experienced and able to help navigate you through it. Think of me as your ‘guide,’ ok? And no pressure from me.” He leans forward and looks up at her, finding her eyes. “I’m yours however, and whenever, you want me.” Removing his hand to take another sip of coffee he says, “If spinning coffee in that garish monstrosity while I drink mine is what you want to do, that’s just fine with me.”
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Carlie looks up at Joseph and sees his eyes sparkle as a playful smile slips across his face. It takes him only one step to move beside her. Holding out his hands he gives her his most trustworthy look and waits. Her eyebrows knot together as she tentatively reaches out and places her hands in his. She feels a sharp tug as she’s swept up into his embrace. Joseph holds her tightly with one arm, and with the other brushes her hair back and softly kisses her neck.  The warmth from his mouth quickly spreads goosebumps across her shoulders. “Quite possibly a waste of my special talents.” Joseph breathes into the back of her ear. “Just tell me what you want me to do.

“I, um, you…” Carlie stammers unable to catch her breath. She realizes her fingers are digging into his biceps and forces herself to release her grip a bit.

Joseph smiles at her and skillfully places her back in her seat, slipping his arm from around her waist and gently kissing her on her forehead. Carlie looks around the café and seizes her coffee. Her cheeks burning and her eyes darting from one table to the next. “I, um…” she stammers.

Joseph laughs then. A full-throated laugh. If people weren’t looking at her before, they sure are now. “C’mon.” He says as his laugh settles into his chest, shaking it just a bit now and then. “I promise I’m not scary. ‘Always a gentleman.’ Right? That’s the promise we make when we sign on to the agency.  I was recruited because of my… talents… but part of the gig is to gently guide and encourage you to try new things. And besides,” Joseph caresses the handle of his coffee cup. “I like my job and I’m not about to do anything to mess it up.”

*****

I’m heading to Seattle again this week. Although I won’t be meeting anyone for the first time at a coffee shop, I will be having great coffee and sushi (not at the same time). Maybe that’s why outdoor coffee shops/cafés have been on my mind, and showed up in this little story.  I tend to write about that little sparkly bit that keeps showing up, and so that’s my suggestion to you this week. Pay attention to that bright spot, that little twinkling light that keeps drawing your attention, and notice it. What are you supposed to do about it? You tell me.

My words are my thoughts, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale) or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!

I was 7 when Mount St. Helens erupted.  The house I grew up in was 9 miles (as the crow flies) from Mount St. Helens. I remember the tremors in the days and months preceding the eruption, the way my parents would frown and sigh at the new cracks in our walls from the shifting ground, and I remember the eruption. The earthquake was like nothing that had happened before, violent and everywhere. The massive ash cloud blocked the sun and turned a beautiful May morning into dense black night. People lost their lives, and homes were destroyed, but at 7 years old my world largely consisted of my family, friends, and a few neighbors. After the eruption I remember collecting the different layers of ash to keep in a jar (dense chunky stuff first then eventually the dusty powdery ash), wearing those masks sick people wear to keep the ash out of my lungs, and my father swearing because he had to change the damn air filter in his patrol car every day.

Today’s post isn’t about St. Helens, or the power of nature, but I wanted to take a moment and give a nod to The Powers That Be. (Check out this article about the eruption) If St. Helens had erupted more westerly, or if the winds hadn’t carried the massive ash cloud to the east (sorry Central Washington), I wouldn’t be here to write all these fabulously inspiring posts. So let’s get on with the inspiration, shall we?

Last weekend I attended the local writing conference – Write On The River. As I sat in class, I started musing about how some writing lessons are universal, and… presto! We have this week’s post.

Writing Truth #1: A good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the middle is where you need to have obstacles for your main character to overcome – this allows them to change into what they’re supposed to be at the end. Our lives have a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the middle is where we face obstacles that allow us to learn and grow, changing us into what we’re supposed to be at the end.

Instead of facing each problem with a negative “why did this have to happen to me?” attitude, I’m trying to face each difficulty with a more positive, “what am I supposed to learn from this?” attitude.  Sometimes it works.

Writing Truth #2: Writing is best when it’s supported and encouraged by others. Our lives are best when we’re supported and encouraged by others.

Our lives are shaped by those around us. Surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you.  I’m not saying you should never have problems (see Writing Truth #1), but surrounding yourself with people who love you and encourage you to grow is a great way to become the best you.

Writing Truth #3: Sometimes the bad people are the good people. Have you ever read a book and hated that one guy who was really just the worst person in the whole world, and then you find out that he’s been taking care of his cancer-ridden mother, raising his mentally ill brother, and working 2 jobs while battling the banks who are trying to foreclose on the house his father built?  Sometimes (often) things are not what they appear to be.
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We all have demons that chase and howl after us. You never know what a person has gone through, or what demons are currently clawing at their heels.  Before placing judgment, take a moment to find the real truth in a situation. And if that terrible person really is a terrible person – well, at least you did the right thing and can move on to find someone who’ll support you (see Writing Truth #2).

Writing Truth #4: There’s always a shortage of good writing in the world. There’s always a shortage of good people in the world.

There are a ba-jillion good books that have already been written, but there’s always room for more good writing and good books. Just like there have been a ba-jillion good people in the world, but there’s always room for more good people. And hey, wouldn’t you rather live in a world with more good writing and more good people?

Writing Truth #5: There’s only 1 rule to writing – “It’s got to work.” There’s only 1 rule to your life – “It’s got to work.” Your life is just that, your life. The choices you’ve made have brought you here, and what works for you may not work for others – and that’s ok.

Writing is my passion. I love it, I hate it, I need to do it.  I have a friend who loves numbers (she’s a Capricorn) and gets all giggly and hand-clappy when she and my husband (also a number lover) talk taxes, spreadsheets, or QuickBooks.  My love of writing and of people doesn’t make me lesser or better than my friend, just different.  We’re all different.  Discover what you’re passionate about, what works for you, and do that.  Oh, and remember that it’s OK for someone to like, dislike, or crave something you don’t.

There are universal truths everywhere (that’s why they’re universal…), and this week I was drawn to share some that I realized from my time at the writing conference.  My wish is that they resonate with you, inspire you to be kind, and seek out your passion. After all, your life is the story you’re writing.

My words are my thoughts, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Pinterest, Facebook (Melissa Gale), or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!