It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. ~ The Little Prince

Three loosely-connected, unedited experiences and observations...

1) You know how a fresh haircut can often make you feel better, how a good eyebrow shaping can lift your spirits, if not your eyes? Yeah, that's what I thought until Tuesday, when I went to the salon for both. I love that my hair is once again bouncing and behaving, but my eyebrows...not so much. I wanted to eliminate the woolly-caterpillar look, but after a tragic episode in which tender skin met too-hot wax, I'm an eyesore with a very sore eye. My eyebrow area is raw and painful, and swollen half-shut. 

2) If I tilt my head sideways and squint just so, I can see the bright side to this bizarre mishap. Lying on the sofa with my eye covered in antiobiotics and frozen peas, I've had quite a bit of time to think about a manuscript I'm critiquing. Since I can't focus for long on on the words on the page, I've gone inward, replaying the scenes and character sketches in my head. I think I figured out how to make the heartbeat of the story (which is already strong) even stronger. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish reading the whole manuscript by the deadline, but I'm hoping my ideas will help. And selfishly speaking, I think it's helping me see how I can improve my own writing. 

Pretend you see an effective transition here.

3) A while back, I received the Roar for Powerful Words Award from a much-loved, much-admired author. I was struck by a sense of wonder: How did this mewling kitten of a writer score such a rip-roaringly fabulous prize? So much of the time, I still feel like the pudgy 12-year-old girl who once stood all alone on the sidelines of the gymnasium, tugging at the bottom of my too-tight gym shorts and staring at the floor, clinging desperately to the hope that I wouldn't be the last-place pick for a team. 

Truth be told, my childhood experiences tarnished this award for me. How could I, in turn, choose five favorite bloggers from among the many wonderful writers who've so generously shared their personal journeys? How could I leave someone standing by themselves on the sidelines, when blogging is all about becoming and playing on a team? Ashamed to think that I'd hurt someone by omission, I hid the award in the back of my emotional locker -- until today. 

I don't discount the significance of the awards already given and received; it's truly a great honor to recognize and be recognized by (to be read by!) wonderful writers and creative thinkers. Also, by no means do I want to put my own thoughts on a pedestal; as with everything, there will be those who disagree. But (and this may be a cop-out; if so, so be it) since since it's my turn, I'm nominating everyone who's courageous enough to post their ideas and innermost feelings on their blogs. Thanks for coaching me by example as I develop my own writing skills, for encouraging me to come out and play. I'm so honored that you've picked me for your team.