Stumbling Through The Darkness

"Dream On" by Avalon Media http://goo.gl/XS6xHj

“Dream On” by Avalon Media http://goo.gl/XS6xHj

unknown path ahead
yet I stumble through the darkness
one step at a time

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This is what following your dreams sometimes feel like: stumbling through the darkness, not knowing where the next step may take you, just aware of what is at the end: the goal.

It is what scares many people off in following through, not knowing how to get there, and only be able to plan a little bit, having to let go of certainty. Any creative endeavour surely is about letting go as well, allowing the process to unfold.

The key is to not allow fear –  which is natural, especially in the beginning, before any momentum sets in – to take so much hold on you, that it stops you in your tracks. Pushing beyond that fear, through the darkness will eventually get you where you want to go. But there is no other way then through.

Our move is somewhat like that. As I mentioned yesterday briefly, we are letting go of most of our possessions, taking with us only the things most dear, and the irreplaceable. There is a good reason for that. When we first moved here to Tampa, to be close to my recently widowed Mother-In-Law, it was only temporary. It ended up a few years longer than we expected, but it was nevertheless a short term solution for the sake of our family. We did not add fancy furniture or expensive items to our dwelling because our heart was on the other side of the country – our goals set to move to Los Angeles.There are no friends to leave behind, no ties to this community, as they were never made in the first place. So we made due with the necessities, and less luxury and comfort than we all would have liked to. None of this temporary life (with the exception of our extensive collection of electronical gadgets and consoles) will come with us. Our journey to get what we really want, how we really want to life will begin in Las Vegas, and end in LA. Something I am very much intending to write about.

But it means letting go of everything, of anything familiar. If we would let fear stop us, we would not be able to see all of the beauty that is about to be in our lives. Hanging on to yesterday, would keep us from enjoying a new and better tomorrow.

Whatever your dreams are, whatever goals you have, do not let your fears deter you from following through. Change and progress might be temporarily uncomfortable and scary, but that is a temporary state, on which’s other side lays the reward for having taken a chance.

Keep on dreaming.

The above image is available as a poster in various sizes in our Zazzle store. You can find it here.

New Years Resolution – A Haiku

New Years Resolution - A Haiku

short, sweet days of cold
year’s end brings a new chance to
start the dream once more

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This post was inspired by today’s prompt: “One At A Time”, which allows us to only use one syllable works in our post.

The Interview

The Interview - A Flash Fiction

He stared at the resume with such a frown, that Jennifer was sure that there was no chance in getting this job. Maybe it was the wording, maybe she sounded too ambitious, maybe she was again considered over-qualified. But on the other hand, this job would have been perfect for her, and she would have been perfect for the job. There was nothing in the description that did not fit her to the tiniest detail – looking for an independent, driven, hard-working individual with the right skill set, who is willing to devote him or herself to advancing within the company structure. She was all of that and more. Trying not to frown herself, she decided for a neutral, pleasant expression, while her mind began to boil with the possibilities of reasons for her rejection. Was it her gender again, the possibility of her becoming with child to great to invest into a new employee for this Fortune 500 company? A statement she had heard before, not directly, but in oh so many round about ways.
Keeping her face soft and relaxed became harder and harder with each fleeting moment, the thoroughness of the man in front of her, more than just a little disconcerting. Fighting back tears, she swallowed hard, hoping he did not notice.
And then he looked up, his face unreadable, comparable to a well-trained poker-player, no muscle leaving any indications of his thoughts, the expression motionless, his eyes still.
Two long, silent breaths.
Raising himself from his chair he smiled, reaching out his large, but gentle hand, grabbing hers with a swift motion.
“Welcome on board, Miss Matthews.”

 

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This Flash Fiction was inspired by the Flash Fiction Challenge – Prompt 45:

Week 45
Prompt: Grab the book (or your favourite book) you’re reading, turn to page 45, close your eyes, point to a word, and write about it! Have fun!

The word on the kindle edition of a book I am currently reviewing was “Interview”.

 

Waiting

Waiting

I waited all my life.
I have been waiting for the right moment to run away from this prison called family, find my own way, forge my own destiny.
I have been waiting for that special time to follow through on my dreams, the moment of inspiration to strike, when the fire of following through burns so hot within me, that it leaves me no choice but to act.
I have been waiting for the perfect second to share with you the deep love I feel, expressing all that my heart desires so much to share, with you, my soul mate.
On my knee, in front of you, I am no longer waiting, for the thought of loosing you burns harder in me within me, than any fear of taking a chance.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2014

This Five Sentence Flash Fiction was inspired by a Five Sentence Flash Prompt “Waiting”

If you enjoyed this Flash Fiction check out my collection of Flashes “A Darker Slice of Life” for only 99 cents!