Connecting to the Past
When I returned to school in the fall of 1969, I joined in on all the buzz. Many of my eighth-grade friends felt it, too. We loved the Cubs. Even if we never followed baseball—which I didn’t—we had followed it that summer. It was the summer of magic and we headed into a magical fall.
Then, it all came crashing in. That year, the Mets passed the Cubs and took the big prize. I’m not a baseball fan. I can count the number of games that I’ve watched since then on one hand. But, I still hate the Mets.
Last night, I watched baseball. The Mets creamed the Cubs. I felt that old bitterness well up again. I called my 86-year-old dad and said, “I hate the Mets.”
My Mets’ issue isn’t earth-shattering. But, others are. I know a woman in her 80s who relives her past every day. It’s turned her bitter and angry. She’s the most unhappy person I know.
Is there something from your past that has a stranglehold on you? How do you deal with it? Have you used it to grow or does it keep pulling you down? How can you, as a writer, use that experience or pain to help your readers?
How can you use it as an anecdote in a devotion? What Bible verse would you connect to it? What would be the focus of the devotion? Forgiveness? God’s love? Healing? Prayer? Community? Carrying each other’s burdens?
How can you use it in nonfiction? A personal experience article? How would you tell your story? A how-to? What tips can you offer?
How can it inspire fiction? Poetry? How can you use it in writing for children? Who can you interview for a profile on this topic?
In eighth grade, the Cubs’ loss didn’t change my life, except for my hatred of the Mets. Whether or not they go all the way this year won’t change anything, either. But, some people, including you, may be remembering something that did change your life. Write about it. You can help others.
© Deborah Christensen
Posted on October 19, 2015, in anger, anxiety, Bible, courage, emotional health, fiction, forgiveness, grief, inspiration, nonfiction, poetry, prayer, writer's life, writing, writing ideas, writing prompt and tagged children's stories, creativity, devotions, encouragement for writers, fiction, fiction ideas, forgiveness, grief, how-to articles, inspiration, interviewing, nonfiction, personal experience pieces, personality profile, poetry, writing, writing for children, writing ideas. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
Plowing the Fields 
Oh my! This one hits close to home. I have an aunt who remains bitter and angry since the death of my uncle 16 years ago, to the point that she has cut herself off from my mother and myself, and he told her kids to not have ANYTHING to do with ANY of our side of the family.
I am thankful for social media. Some of my cousins and I have reconnected via Facebook. Her two daughters were my attendants in my wedding, and we were very close growing up. It has been harder for my mother, who basically feels this aunt is dead to her. Very sad.
(I don’t like the NY Mets either–rooting for my KC Royals, sorry about the Cubs, really thought they would do it this year!)
Shauna, that’s so sad. Several months ago, I had a conversation with the woman I know. She was in tears over things from her childhood. I tried to convince her that she’s surrounded by people who love her now. She needs to focus on that. But, she said that she thinks about the past every day. It’s like she dwells there instead of looking at the good around her.
As for the Cubs, they’re not out yet. But, I just expect them to fail. They may not fail but it’s what I expect. 🙂
Maybe that’s what that woman in my life is doing.
So sorry I did not reply sooner …poor Cubs! I really was looking forward to a match between them and the Royals! Can’t say they didn’t give it good run though.
Thinking of you this Christmas season. I am trying to write a post in my blog this morning to link up with an advent reading I am following on Facebook. Trying to find joy admidst the stress of the season coupled with other concerns . Praying you are well.