I'm currently visiting family in Denver and am on a bit of a blog vacation. Subliminal Monday will return next week at its regularly scheduled time. In the meantime, I've been thinking a lot about how we cope with unexpected twists in life... There are times in life when we're taken by surprise; when we're no longer "in control" and feel we've had the rug pulled out from under us. Times when we thought the road was going one way, and suddenly it takes a sharp turn in the opposite direction. How we deal with those times is a large indicator of our character; those unexpected twists and turns can make or break us.
Do you let fear overwhelm you, or do you face the unforeseen challenges with a brave face?
Do you throw yourself a Pity Party and luxuriate in blaming someone else for your misery, or do you take a long, honest look in the proverbial mirror and become the best version of yourself you can be?
Do you cower in the corner and wait until the uncomfortableness passes, or do you put one foot tentatively in front of the other and move forward?
Do you stuff your feelings or allow yourself to fully experience the sadness of loss?
Do you step over the problem or plow directly through it?
Do you raise the white flag and give up, or do you embrace the unknown as an exciting new chapter in your life?
What about your characters? What do they do when an unexpected bend in the road appears? Do they face their new challenges bravely or lament at the way things "should" be?
Just some Food for Thought to start the new week...
22 comments:
This question fascinates me. My characters handle it so very differently, too.
Alex, who's twelve and has something of a hero complex, tends to throw himself right at those challenges and changes, saving his personal breakdowns for when he's alone.
Notte, who's closer to fifteen centuries old and a very deliberate, purposely pensive person, doesn't react much at all. He takes his time, thinks, compares, and when he finally does choose, it's based on the best reasoning he can come up with.
Me? I'm kind of in-between. I throw myself into the research aspect of it, finding Various Solutions as quickly as I can, and then act. I never, ever approach a problem with anything other than the belief that it CAN be handled, one way or another.
Hope you're having a great time with your family!
There will be no white flag above my door.
While I know how I handle things, my characters run the gamut, and many times evolve from responding one way into another. I'm going to keep these questions as part of my writing prompts.
I agree with Ruthanne too...all problems can be solved, it just takes a creative outlook and a constant belief that change is good. Eventually.
I considered myself to be fearless when I was younger - embracing more change than humanly possible, but I think I just wanted to get past the present time to something I thought might be more exciting.
Since I had kids, more fear and sadness about change has been creeping in, hoping nothing really bad will happen to our family.
But I have been willing to look deeply into this fear. I practice meditation and that has helped me to come into contact with the reality that everything is always changing from moment to moment and come to a sense of peace about it. I can always tell when I haven't meditated enough, the fear starts creeping back in.
I let my characters be as they are - quite a mixture of those that can deal and those that can't
I think almost everyone has those moments where they consider giving in and then - hopefully - don't. I think revealing both sides is a good way to give your character depth.
Good questions :)
One of my MCs tends to be stunned & shocked by change for a bit - takes her a while to react. She likes to mull.
The other MC moves more quickly on his feet, rolls with the punches better, takes bigger risks. Which don't always work out. The two have an interesting time of it.
PS - I'm singing along with Mollie now - can't get it out of my head!!
Wow! what perspective, Debrah. I believe whatever one resists, persists. This is my one line answer to your post. Brilliantly written and I love it.
Mollie, ;-))
Stacia, I love that you're going to keep these questions as part of your writing prompts! *smile*
Anne, Meditation is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. And, it's so true - once we have kids, we have such hope for them, but so many fears as well.
Lisa, You're so right about everyone having moments where we want to throw in the towel. Fortunately, the human spirit is resilient, and we tend to bounce back stronger each time.
Jemi, It's cool how we get to "know" our characters, and even more interesting when they surprise us - as real life people do - with their actions. And, keep on singing. Music and laughter are two of the main keys to happiness.
nsiyer, I love you. That is all.
Ruthanne, "I never, ever approach a problem with anything other than the belief that it CAN be handled, one way or another." Brilliant, simply brilliant. ;-)
I hope you have a great week!! :)
Kim, You too, my friend. ;-)
Karen, Thanks for your concern and email. All is well in my world, just an unexpected bump (okay, mountain) in the road. All will be well. Time heals all. ;-)
Great food for thought. Personally I prefer cowering but actually do the one foot in front of the other-along with several big sighs and perhaps a Xanex or two. lol.
Enjoy your vacation. Cheers~
When I saw Sarah Ferguson on the news the other day, I gasped. I couldn't believe she had done such a thing. Was she on drugs? DId she owe a loan shark? What would motive someone to do something so crazy? But there she was at BEA today. You've got to love that. Moving on. Life is life. It is still going to be there tomorrow. The past is gone. I admire that strength.
Nancy, Modern medicine can not be underestimated. ;-)
Judith, That means it's one year since we met in person! RE: our writing, what a great year it has been. Hope you're having a great time there, and if you run into Bernadette, give her a hug for me. ;-)
all problems can be solved, it just takes a creative outlook and a constant belief that change is good. Eventually.
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