Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore in “Never Been Kissed”): Somebody once said, “To write well, you have to write what you know.” Well, here is what I know.
I told my friend the other day that I stared at this page for several minutes and came to the realization that I had nothing to say. I mean, I want to start this blog in order to chronicle my upcoming volunteer adventures to Thailand and to be a part of my potential Kiva application, but once that is done, what is there left to say?
I pleaded with my friend, who is an amazing writer, to allow me to be her ghost writer or pen name (which ever literary term is correct) and that way she does not have to endure the vulnerability of putting herself out there; but being the ever-wise friend that she is, she encouraged me with the words above. I don’t think she was channeling her inner Josie Geller, but I think she was verbalizing the statement that all anxious new writers need to hear, write what you know. Little did I know that the movie that was once the butt of my college friends inside jokes (my friend alita says to rina about me “Jill has never been kissed, she’s coming over”)… would be come a feature of my first real online writing venture.
This is what I know….
1. Work with at-risk kids and I love it. I love it because I love potential. I love that i know God and that God says that each person was created for purpose and meaning. I get to be the eyes and heart and voice of God to these kids.. I get to tell them what they were created for. I get to see the light return to their eyes…
2. I love new cultures. I have done quite a bit of traveling, with hopefully no end in sight; all in the hopes of being an American that gets to connect with new people, new stories, new experiences and new food.
3. Adventure. Spontaneity and risk are my muses… They fill my spirit with joy and hope; for adventure to come.
4. Information. I know I love information. Whether it be random or focused, it fills my mind with fascination and a longing for more. Sometimes I have to coach myself to understand that not everyone loves and “gets” information like I do, so maybe this story should be 3 minutes instead of 23 or maybe I should ask this person one question instead of requesting their life story. As my dad says “Don’t tell me how to build the boat, just tell me where it is”.
5. Harmony. I have taken several personality tests in my life, all pointing to the unanimous theme, I like everyone to be heard and hopefully understood. Areas of commonality are what I strive for and their presence is like my heartbeat forever pulsing through my veins.. thump, thump, Harmony….. thump, thump, harmony……..
these are the things i know…………