Comment from Unspoken94

Excellent

You have a unique gift, Maureen. Some would look at
their disability as a weakness. But you embrace it,
affirm it, and it's one of your strengths. For those who
think that they don't have a disability, that is their
disability. Well done, Maureen.

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Sep-2016

A special thank you, Bill, for inspiring and offering me the unique gift of clarify; and opportunity to reinforce my gift of both Emergence and Unfurling Anew.

For me life unfurling is to be embraced as the important gift and responsibility of our time in our world of quickening decline. A world in which more and more are disabled. Disabled from their prime hopes, joys and endeavours because as newly flowering humanity there is no confidence or vision of any future: personally or for our world. Moreover, even the Christ-Masses are stressed and struggling to maintain valued, meaningful and happy lives, working towards a better future for their offspring, and all Earth Life. Meantime, they are distracted by the unanswerable tragedies of daily world news: overwhelmed, or totally focused in their own family creativity and communities of work, confronted by, but alienated from, and fearful of, the increasing homelessness, violence at all levels, and destruction of their wider environment. More and more resources going self-protection, and rationed economic greed of global capitalist towers, yet another phallic civilization building tombs and monuments of death. Survival of the fittest ? of what? Lone scientific fossils!

I feel that is metaphorically the world of the caterpillar, mankind of history. In its cocoon its inner essence unfolds the butterfly, a challenge outside the reality of the happy caterpillar or ego! Its disabled are those un-abled, without resources seen vital for what it calls life, the inevitable death of the body. Our young today cannot conceive more life than enjoying enough leaves on our present tree of life ? if they are laid on well nourished family branch ? surviving on the increasingly divided spring twigs.

Believing the Living Word of God is vital for our hope of co-creativity of new life throughout our days on Earth as mature humanity, `unfolding I am, heart and soul?, is the gift for me. It is the gift of health as defined by our WHO in the early fifties, as spiritual, social, and emotional wellbeing, whether one is challenged by physical or social impairment. And, so we see the miracle of our Paralympics, or the tragedy of escalating social destruction, lack of Maslow?s basic needs and a world where love is increasingly stifled in the struggle to make a secure, nourishing home.

Ironically, the inability of FanStory to answer my questions; and yet without a word, disabled a poem, brought forth my wintering of near two months. And yes! That became the rock empowering my wintering, and this precious new spring. A spring I hope, and trust, will flower through my second year.

Last year, I felt, and hoped, FanStory would be the powerful, exhilarating vehicle of destiny for me. Now I treasure the liberation to unfold with its special gifts and opportunities of this, accepting the mystery of a new summer flowering; and if winter means letting go, I trust I will be ready - thanks to the sharing, empowerment, wonder and friendships which have nurtured spring anew.

Thank you so much for your unique and precious part, and for sharing of your heart, life and work. Maureen*&*

Comment from PoemsOfDD

Excellent

Maureen, this is a deep read. You have been very open with your personal journey in life and with your experience with Fanstory. I, for one, salute you for it. As always, there are rocky flights for us to over come in order to appreciate the landing. Keep up the positive thoughts and your writing. You have a lot of fans :-) ~DD

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Sep-2016

Thanks again DD for venturing into the depths with me; and for helping to hold the starlit visions and thoughts as we go. It is rather awesome to embrace the liberation and newness of spring, feeling this year, my second, is to unfold differently for me. I guess last year FanStory seemed so beautifully the vehicle of my destiny, a gift of God, and I a happy fit. This year, I feel I?m growing in its garden; and the daily experience in its relationships will be more precious that the poetic flowers of creativity. Although, I hope, such gifts will be precious focal points of clarity on the way, as the creative word inspires me forth, I hope they will always enable a precious few, as yourself, to appreciate and reinforce my landing. For the growing friendships, joy of feeling known and nurtured each day as I write, is high above my images of a year ago. So are the depths of black holes outside the realms of common understanding. Have a great weekend, Maureen*&*

Comment from LisaD123

Exceptional

This is beautifully and elegantly written and I loved the honesty of the sentiments expressed. It is such an entertaining and enriching read! Thanks so much for sharing.

Best wishes Lisa

P.S I love the profile picture!!!

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2016

And thank you Lisa, so very much for so delightfully encouraging my new human expression through my second FanStory Spring. I think I expected the harvest of my first to continue forever, and found winter rather unexpected and a potential end. Now, I feel happy and rather excited at unfolding with the mystery within.

Oh! Thanks for the comment about my profile picture, I must look to see if it is the original or the one I changed it to more than a week ago that has finally arrived! And, of course, look into profile too, which I rarely do! Blessing of love and gratitude, Maureen*&*

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I enjoyed this work Maureen, a woman of an enormous ability to embrace and be thankful for whatever the Lord has gifted you with. I though my artistic usefulness had vanished years ago, when all doors seemed to close in my face, I didn't realise that God was vitally interested in ME, not what gifts I had, my renewing happened when I volunteered for the lowly job of cleaning the church, He said "find a hole and fill it." My life is so full now, there's not enough hours in the day! And all from a simple response in obedience. Thanks for sharing and inspiring others with your testimony, Maureen it will affect others. Well done, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 20-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2016

Lovely to receive your reinforcement for this particular piece Roy, I?m truly blest to know God needs everyone of us at this time; and that need and hope is seeded in our birth onto Earth in a particular, time place, and family. And, I am happy when I feel God is defining the challenges and joys on the Way. But, being abused by top institutions of mankind in a quickly self-destructing world, I do not see this as God gift. Nor do I see our supposedly lucky country displaying its feathers to the world, while increasing numbers are left with no hope, of no room in any home, or the warmth of a stable as God?s gift. Anymore than the abuse and crucifixion of Jesus and all the other horrors of history and now! But, I do see many of the challenges on my path as realities needing my efforts of transcendence and creative change; and I am confident when God extends the necessary resources for me to growth with on the Way. Generally, the Word, strength, courage, people, joy and love are God?s gifts that empower me to creatively flower with my day; and ultimately a destiny above present seeing, but energized by the visions and growing understandings.

And, perhaps FanStory is part of the mystery rather than the certainty for my Way in the longer term. But for now, I thank you for the special privilege of sharing and unfurling my heart and soul. Maureen*&*

reply by royowen on 21-Sep-2016

Well done

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written piece on your personal feelings, it may seem nobody really cares about our struggles and disappointments. I have read Psalm 130 this morning, we don't have to struggle and tire ourselves over everything we want. Stand still and wait for the Lord to guide you.

 Comment Written 20-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2016

Well yes! Now I think the dear Lord did guide me into `my black hole?, for the winter solstice, and spring illuminates the beauty and power of that, as well as the confidence that acceptance brings.
Thanks Sandra, I must read Psalm 130 again, perhaps Sunday, busy mornings ahead first. Blessings, Maureen*&*

Comment from emptypage

Excellent

It's good to hear how good Fanstory has been for you. I bought my membership a while back, but really only did reviews until the last 3 or 4 weeks. Some people hate constructive criticism. That has been hard on my as a writer, editor and English teacher. I really try to be kind in my reviews, even as I point out things in need of tweaking here or there, but some people just cannot hear helpful remarks.

But that's okay.

This piece is very expressive and pleasant. I don't understand the part where you talk about being "disabled." Is that in terms of posted work on Fanstory? Or personal?

Keep writing.

 Comment Written 19-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2016

Hi! Thank you, so much. I?m sorry reviews have been hard on you. I must say they have always been so important for me, and precious. Even though occasionally amazing in the different ways people resonate or not. But then my basic education was rather limiting and limited, and I?m totally reliant on inspiration as a gift. And, I review only in relation to topic that I relate to, and inspires the qualities I wish to reinforce; otherwise it?s only the occasional typo.

I do enjoy reading a diversity of work here however, and have learnt and value the site immensely; that?s why getting some enlightenment around a number of issues is currently a hope for this year. And, one of them is why a work is disabled, especially when one is, or has been struggling and asking help.

I shall definitely enjoy exploring your work, and would encourage your to keep gifting what is in your heart to gift. Hopefully as I you will find a few who really enjoy different aspects and you form special friendships with, and they mentor, inspire you, and encourage you in different ways. I do love it for the sharing, and nourishment for my growth of self and understanding of life. I don?t know how those with busy family and work commitments do it, especially those expert artists and competitors. Generally a posting, even an old poem is timely and new growth producing for me, and if I promote it and receive on an average of seven reviews, I will be busy, my growth reinforce and truly blest.

Keep writing yourself and I will look forward to your sharing. Blessings of inspiration and passion, Maureen*&*

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Excellent

What a wonderful job of expressing your feelings about the journey you've experienced here on FanStory. I'm sure Tom and his crew are glad to find out how much this site has mean to you. We are on a journey together, actually, and God is leading the way.

Well done,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 19-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2016

Hi Rhonda, thanks so much! It is so wonderful to be on such a journey together, exciting, meaningful, and always stretching one multi-dimensionally, then empowering integration and refinement. Self, as well as God, chosen, I feel while confident I?m on the right path.

Yes! Now the power and beauty of my wintering spring into new delight; and I?m confident ? because of the struggles I?m on the right path for this year at least. A definite change of focus, I hope it will continue to unfurl. The breakthrough of my new spring, I?m so happy to nurture; and it seems once again the obstacles have disappeared with the clouds.

I do hope Tom does understand both my appreciation of the site; and he also has a significant crew who can relate in different ways to the diversity of needs, and gain support themselves by sharing and correlating issues. However, it does seem changes are being made ? but how are these shared. I do believe a request for help, should be met by help; not `I can?t understand you!? Surely you refer. We are into communication. And, we know, even when we want to, and try so hard, our understanding is oft limited. That?s why I do think having two reviews as a base is essential.

During my previous, but very related issue around May, I did ask Tom if anyone else could try and help. But did not receive a reply. And, taking time to look through my profile, I find all my struggles have been related basically to the lack of a accurate roadmap. Also, looking through fans, I find some of my earliest, no longer active; and one after a huge effort to get a work in the right book. She has entered no more since it was disabled! Do you know why a work is disabled?

But for now, I see my winter God defined, and Tom the medium! I could have been rather impossible to understand, new growth is like that; therefore I am really warmed you feel Tom will be encouraged by my valuing the site so much. Facing that I may need to let it go was traumatic!

Thanks my dear, I treasure your support and reading, Maureen*&*

Comment from Heidi M

Excellent

You have written from your heart, which is beautiful. I like the format you used to present this. First, you explained the 'route' you took your first year. Second, you look at where you are now. Third, you asked many good questions that will determine how you proceed from here. Well done, Maureen!

 Comment Written 19-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2016

Hi Heidi! Thank you so much. I am truly blest by the depth of your comments, and highlighting of the format. I had little primary education and writing has been purely gift of inspiration for the heart-felt passion or need at its time. Lovely to meet you, I?ll look forward to exploring your work too. Blessings, Maureen*&*

Comment from jlsavell

Excellent

A.A.A.Exhilerating ride... Maureen, this is so very heartfelt and beautiful. This is writing from the soul. Each paragraph a pearl, strung in perfect harmony to create a gem of great value. Thank you for sharing... jimi

 Comment Written 19-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2016

And, thank you so much reading, and for a beautiful review really reinforcing the heart-soul dimensions, so important for me at this stage. You also validate the meaning and power of my long, unanticipated wintering at the crossroads from first to second year. I?m truly blest, Maureen*&*