Posted in Inspiration, Writing

Don’t Give Up: Try, Try Again

Hi friends. I was having, uh, some technical difficulties, so I took a bit of a break from blogging.

Whoa! Over two years later and that’s my lame excuse? Technical difficulties? Let me try again. Since the Coronavirus starting spread death, disease, and despair all over the spring of 2020, I have a new slew of excuses of why I could not, would not post a blog. Not with a moose. Not with a dog. Essentially, I gave up on writing. Dammit Donna!

You know, I still can’t get these words right, but I’m going to keep trying until I complete this attempted comeback piece. I want to stick with creativity, and although it’s really hard to put myself back out there, I must. I promised myself I would today after teaching summer school to the many students who worked to recover credits from one of the toughest years in education worldwide. If these kids could try, try again and follow through, then I had to prove that I could as well. What kind of teacher would I be to quit trying?

Eventually, I’ll share stories of what I’ve been up to and how I’ve strived to survive and thrive during the Covid Pandemic, but for now I rather offer a few brief, silly videos of how hard it can be to succeed at giving up.

About ten years ago, some friends and I took a women’s self-defense class at Flying Tigers, a local martial arts school. The class culminated with Master Anton giving us moms a chance to break a board, as our children did in Flying Tigers Tae Kwon Do classes.

Board breaking is a martial arts hallmark to show confidence, technique, speed, and focus. I lacked these things when it came to splitting that pine, and more recently, when writing blogs, essays, and short stories. In both activities, I stopped short of the victory of completion.

Turn up your volume to hear the many lessons and laughs that broke out that day filled with patience, persistence, and support.

Magic can only be found within.
Why oh why do I keep getting in my own way?
1-2-3. I gotta be done with this!

If you are struggling right now, quit quitting. Keep moving and grooving, change things up, find support, hone your skills, and surprise yourself with opening up a day of treasures. If you have a heart of hope, share it. Shine on!

I look forward to writing more, reaching out, and connecting with you. Contact and follow here for more Sunshine (and a chance of Dammit Donna).

Let’s end with some extra motivation found in the The Teacher’s Manual by Thomas H. Palmer:

Try, Try Again
 
’Tis a lesson you should heed,
If at first you don’t succeed,
     Try, try again;
Then your courage should appear,
For if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear
     Try, try again;

Once or twice, though you should fail,
If you would at last prevail,
     Try, try again;
If we strive, ‘tis no disgrace
Though we do not win the race;
What should you do in the case?
     Try, try again

If you find your task is hard,
Time will bring you your reward,
     Try, try again
All that other folks can do,
Why, with patience, should not you?
Only keep this rule in view:
     Try, try again.

Posted in Inspiration, Writing

Australia Burns: an anthology of donated stories from authors who care

I am humbled to be a part of a three-book anthology of which all proceeds will be donated to The Red Cross to aid in the battle of the devastating Australian wildfires. I am one of 48 authors who offered a short story to The Wild Rose Press in hopes of helping the many victims. My story “Nursery Chimes” can be found in volume three under my pen name D.S. Lucas. These books will be made available on February 14th. Read on for details on how you can “Show Australia Some Love.”

Continue reading “Australia Burns: an anthology of donated stories from authors who care”

Posted in Inspiration, Shadows and Black Clouds, Sunshine and Happiness

Springsteen on Broadway – Born to Run, Rock, and Roll to the Soul

Springsteen on Broadway was one of the most personally touching  shows I’ve ever seen. I’ve been a fan of The Boss since 1984 when I was a twelve-year-old girl.  Going to twelve concerts prior to his Broadway show set me up for the glory I anticipated.51EE088D-F7D0-40FA-A6BA-B583C8E799A6

Continue reading “Springsteen on Broadway – Born to Run, Rock, and Roll to the Soul”