Author Speak, Pray Like a Woman
We went in to dinner. Moving from one room to the next … I inhaled in passing that incence of an old library which is worth all the perfumes of the world. —Sign in Martha’s Vineyard bookstore Authors Speak This Succeed and Soar series invites writers to answer questions about their artforms and special inspirations. Welcome Polly Alice McCann Photo [c] 2014, Sandra Gould Ford Visit Sandra’s Fine Art America Collections Polly, what phrase inspires your writing and life? In prayer, as in poetry we turn to words, not to use them as signs for things, but to see the things in the light of the words. . . . In poetry, in prayer, the words speak. . . . In our own civilization, in which so much is being done for the cause of the liquidation of language, the realm of prayer is like an arsenal for the spirit, where words are kept clean, holy, full of power to inspire and to keep us spiritually alive. Out of that arsenal we get the strength to save our faith, our appreciation of things eternal, from vanishing away. ~ Rabbi Abraham Heschel How have Herschel’s words helped your writing, your life? When I found Man’s Quest for God in my college library, I realized it was okay to be a poet and an artist. I understood creative work could be both useful and spiritual. Creative work, especially with words, could be building blocks for so many good things. I began by writing poetry, then books. Each creative work opening doors until I could face my own story and share my own testimony with words How these words inspired Pray Like a Woman. When Polly Alice McCann found her hope, faith, and creativity near death’s door, she was blown away by the Biblical story of Tabitha, an artist who made beautiful clothing for the “marginalized .” McCann is the granddaughter of a Midwest Minister and several generations of Heartland prayer warriors, In this book, Polly, shares simple, time-tested methods of prayer and a few new ones. She turns myths about prayer on their heads, proving that prayer isn’t selfish or magical, but can be a journey sometimes like “lightening,” sometimes like walking in “new shoes.” Devoid of “Christianese” or hard-to-get religious concepts, Polly shares twelve types of prayer with fresh and easy-to-remember imagery like “basket prayer” “patchwork prayer” and “flag prayer.” Sample Text Dear Father of all children of every kind, You’re the one who causes everything to grow. Save me from sorrow. I’m in a hard place where nothing is as easy as I expected. People look down on me and I don’t have any kindness left, not even for myself. Some people doubt me and my good intentions; they don’t care for who I am, or the choices I’ve made with my family. They don’t understand my calling or the place you’ve brought me from. They don’t see the good future I know you promised to me and to my family. Help me remember your word. Remind me what is true. GoodReads Reviews Purchase Pray Like a Woman About Polly Alice McCann Polly Alice, McCann is a Kansas City artist, book designer, and poet with her MFA in Writing for children and young adults from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Her art has been published in US newspapers and magazines, most recently Rattle Magazine, and has shown internationally from Santa Monica to the Netherlands. Sally’s art has been collected on four continents. McCann has edited three international poetry anthologies and over twenty-five other titles. A professor of poetry and art, she is the managing editor of Flying Ketchup Press. There, Polly “curates” galleries of talent. She says her favorite thing is to tell stories, maybe yours. Learn more at www.pollymccann.com Stories of wonder, fear, doubt, redemption. Summer, 2020, McCann”s Flying Ketchup Press included my short story, “Wishes” in Tales from the Dream Zone. The charming, must-read story is about a woman who finds a coin that gives her anything she wishes for. The story starts, On October 31, 1958, moonbeams lit the stardust that sprinkled Crescent Avenue’s sycamore and hawthorn trees. On that clear, bright evening, candles dimmed inside jack-o-lanterns as Estelle Ringgold Pearson said, “We shouldn’t see any more spooky movies.” Parnell held her hand as they strolled from the Roland Theater. He chuckled. “Did The Queen of Outer Space really scare you?” “When that mask came off, her face was horrifying.” Purchase Tales from the Dream Zone. Thanks for shopping, Sandra
Path to Joy 7: Gratitude
The more you are grateful for what you have, the more you will have to be grateful for. ― Zig Ziglar What if, for the next twenty-four hours, you whispered to your heart, “Thank you,” for every beneficial thing that happens? Like, Poof!, remembering a forgotten name Finding keys exactly where you meant to leave them The perfect word popping into place A new recipe that tastes great [and you had just enough sugar] A feel-good conversation A parking space opening on a crowded street A flower blooming beside the sidewalk Very Well Mind, writes, “Gratitude is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative and is associated with several mental and physical health benefits.” The post goes on to list the good that can come from an attitude of gratitude, including: Higher self-esteem Lower blood pressure Higher levels of optimism Read more Mindful reminds, “Practicing gratitude can be a game-changer: it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships.” Here are recommendations for practicing gratitude: Watch Your Language: Grateful people use the language of gifts, givers, blessings, blessed, fortune, fortunate, and abundance. Rather than noting how good you are, focus on the good things others have done on your behalf. Remember the Bad: When you remember how difficult life used to be and how far you have come, you set up an explicit contrast in your mind, and this contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness. Share Your Gratitude with Others: The next time your partner, friend or family member does something you appreciate, be sure to let them know. It can strengthen relationships. Read more We Stress Free describes the Gratitude Journal as a way to, “focus on the positive things in your life, which is the opposite of our innate tendencies that only focus on negative things and things that are not going well and properly.” The benefits of keeping a Gratitude Journal can include, Increased self creativity Improved leadership skills Better Sleep Read more, including how to keep a Gratitude Journal Note: All of Sandra’s Succeed and Soar art is available as journals here. In traveling the 7th Path to Joy, remember, To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. – Thomas S Monson Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Round Beach Towels As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more This versatile, summer essential is perfect for day at the beach, a picnic, festivals, or home décor. Fine Art America’s round beach towels are: 60” in diameter + fringe Ultra-soft, plush microfiber 100% cotton back Machine wash cold and tumble dry with low heat Price $70 to $76 Purchase Pictured Item View All Round Beach Towels Thanks for shopping!
Einstein 16: Your Miracles
There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can life as if everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein When an eleven year old’s handmade harp was stolen, the police searched. A CBS TV news story aired. Nothing worked until an odd conversation effected the girl’s mother so much that Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer, a psychoanalyst and UC-Berkeley professor, wrote Extraordinary Knowing. The book shares stories of people who knew things they shouldn’t have and scientific support for paranormal phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance and the power of prayer. See “6 Stories To Make You Believe in Miracles.” Have you experienced unusual, improbable events that helped, a/k/a miracles? What if you can make your own? Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success opened me to the idea that intentions create destiny. Napoleon Hill proposed the same in Think and Grow Rich and Louise Hay in Heal Your Body. Nine hundred years ago, Rumi said, “Live as though life is rigged in your favor.” [Here are five more of Arianna Huffington’s favorite quotes from Thrive. I really like the Cherokee grandfather story.] What if expectations can shape fate? Jim Rohn said, “A piece of the miracle process has been reserved for each of us.” If so, how can we claim our pieces? See: Make Your Own Miracles in Seven Steps How to create more miracles in your life Blessings & best wishes! ***** Mother’s Day Sunday, May 9, 2021 According to MountainTrek.com, the word ‘mother’ can be a verb [‘to mother’]. So, Mother’s Day can also be a time to remember to nurture and nourish ourselves. First, through playfulness. Here are more tips. Clean Your Room Day Monday, May 10, 2021 Here’s another way to do some self mothering, and here are 13 Bedroom Cleaning Hacks, beginning starting at the top of the room. Ever wonder how rainbows happen? Why rainbows are curved? What’s at the end of rainbows? Here are the answers. * Shop “Rose Bouquet,” this week’s Featured Art .