I recently re-visited my son’s elementary “I Can” can and reminisced on how easy it was to remember what his thoughts were about accomplishments he made at that early an age. They seem so tiny compared to today’s standards, and yet they helped him become the person he is today. Back then, he had the world at his fingertips and nothing seemed impossible. I truly believed then he would do amazing things as an adult. Today, he is getting there, fully adulting, and owning his life. I hope all of the children from his classes will achieve greatness as well and strive for a better society.
As the storm rages outside, I have been furiously writing today to get to the end of this trilogy. I wanted to share Caitlin’s musings about life and her can do attitude. Here is an excerpt from Book III of the Caitlin Ferguson mysteries I am currently writing:
“Joseph Campbell spoke of a Heroes Journey in his work, Power of the Myth. His words affected those who were fighting against the government at the time when she [Caitlin] was away. She was glad she missed all that drama. Heroes went on adventures in search of truth, and those that stayed behind understood the costs of leaving. People stayed put because they felt safe. She reflected on how much her family lost because they feared her disappearance and perhaps even her death. But the journey allowed her to relinquish her past version of herself.”
“She spoke out in the past, but now was the time for action. Words cannot solve what is to come. No one was shirking away or hiding from this. She would be there for this future generation even though there would always be events beyond her control. In a way, this finality liberated her. Yes, people have died, but she could help those who lived – create their future. If she lived through this last earthly battle, she could stay here and create a better society for the children.”
“Nope. Her time to die was not now, in this moment. She had to keep her strength for her daughter, granddaughter and grandson, and the rest of the children. Their generation would change the world. If her travels taught her anything, it was all about the sharing of wisdom from the old ones. They taught her patience and consistency. They taught her how to look for patterns from the simplest of actions (e.g., follow the money) to the larger over-arching picture through their stories of what this world, and the people who lived here, would become and how it could be saved.”
Caitlin will go towards the gathering storm and wage the war that needs waging and help her family and friends survive. I continue to strive to become her, working hard to always do the right thing.
Can we say that about ourselves? Can we all have that I can attitude and make the changes in our lives and others to create a better society? Go forward from this day with kind hearts and active minds. Go forward and strive for good things. Be kind to everyone you meet every day. Give your hearts and minds to create a better world.
I truly love you all this stormy night and send out good vibrations and hugs!
Dru Tieben's Writing Corner 