Traveling with Books

One of the things I dislike the most from traveling is the task to choose the books I’m taking with me. I have a huge collection of permanent books in my library and a selection of books I want to read. It’s too hard to part from them.

When I travel I take in consideration the time and place I’m going and how much time I think I’ll have to read. Of course I can’t forget that I have also need to be writing this blog, an e-zine and my next book. Unlike my last trip when I took a bunch of books with me,this time I will choose only 4-5 books. I will try to keep the size compact and the themes varied; non-fiction, fiction and mystery. I’m also bringing the latest magazines I received. I guess you can call me a read-a-holic.

If you travel with books I want to know about it.

What are you taking with you and how do you select your books?

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Clary Lopez, author of Simplicity, Richness of Life

On My Way to a Journey Within

I didn’t sleep well last night, maybe preoccupation, anticipation or the great need I have for this time of solitude.

Today I’ll go to my favorite place in order to withdraw from it all and go within.

It is a time to think only of me, God and the state of my soul. I usually go with a group but this year I had to do it on my own. Perhaps it is the best, in that way I can tailored this time to exactly what I need.

I will spend couple of days in total silence; no radios, no TV, or phones. I will walk in nature, read books, write, pray and take pictures of the area. The pictures you see here are some that I took the last time I was there. This is the first time that I go this late in the year and is going to be very hot to go hiking in the middle of the day, so I will have to do it either early or late in the evening.

In the busy, crazy time that we live today -no matter where you are- we all need times like these even if it is once a year. There is no other way to get in touch with who we are and the things that are happening within us. We get so wrapped in our work, family, worries and problems that it is hard to clear our mind enough to think straight sometimes. This time provides the right environment to grow mentally and spiritually. I’ve learned to defend this time no matter what is going on in my life, if I don’t give myself this yearly break I’m sure I would not be able to function properly.

Wish me well as I begin my journey and come back and see what happened on Sunday evening.

Where did it come from?

You ask me where do my words and inspiration come from and I tell you they come from my heart. The moment I feel free to express what lies within without masking a thing, words flow like a river. Feelings, emotions, memories and dreams ignate the landscape I love to walk on as I begin to write. That’s the way our life should be, sincere and spontaneous. We tend to hide behind walls to protect ourselves, pretend we are someone we are not, look for acceptance and wait for approval. Nobody can be real after all of these actions, we need to let others know who we are and live in our God given uniqueness which is our treasure to share with the world.

To you who read my words, who share your thoughts, who let me know how my words stir your mind and soul, I thank you. It is in that interchange that I feel more confident to express what lies within my soul and you somehow identify with me. It’s the unbelievable gift of words that makes relationship flourish and expand our horizons. Our intellect continues to grow, reach and touch as we move along our life and into the life of others. I thank you for visiting me in my blog, reading my books and for welcoming me as a guest as well. There is no greater honor than to be ushered into one’s life even if for a brief moment because when two souls cross path they are forever changed by the experience.

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Clary Lopez, author of Simplicity, Richness of Life

Touching Lives

Yesterday more than ever my conviction that words are meaningful and worth developing in ministry to touch lives has been confirmed. From writing to speaking they are able to move, stimulate, and transform.

A lady at church called me aside to let me know how much my book, Simplicity, Richness of Life meant to her. She got an idea right out of the book to help her create a special room at home to help her spiritual life. The overall theme of the book helped her put a lot of things in her life into perspective. It is at moments like these that I’m thankful to be able to express myself with words. I love to write about my experiences, my earthly journey, my questions in life, my dreams and desires. Everyone has them but each and everyone one of us has a uniqueness within it.

While the written word can be powerful, spoken words also can stir our mind and soul while listening. Yesterday was the first day that my daughter served as a lector, some people congratulated her on the excellent job she did. She was articulate, clear and revealed a lot of her intelligence reading the word of God. To me is not to get attention towards what we do as individuals but about using our God given talents in a positive manner and I’m always trying to find those special gifts in my kids to direct them in their ministries.

Back to the theme of touching lives, right now I am trying to first of all find a way in which I can express myself better than I have in the past. In order to do so I need to be clear about so many things and I am a work in progress, we all are. My life experiences keep changing, molding and transforming my mind and soul. My hope is that I manage to convey my thoughts, feelings and ideas in order to continue growing as an individual. Maybe there are lot of people out there trying to do the same.

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Clary Lopez, author of Simplicity, Richness of Life

Nature Crave

It was one of those days when all I wanted was to get closer to nature, is one of the places where my mind and soul are fed in different ways. The clean air, the sounds, my heart beating as I hike in the woods and look around me for interesting plants and animals. Unfortunately I got started close to noon time and the heat was a little bit too hot but I pressed on anyway and walked about 2 miles. Mostly sandy trails made the hike challenging but never the less it was worth the time and effort.

When I hike picture taking is part of the adventure, I want to capture the encountered beauty of the surroundings. My mind usually goes blank while I walk and feel each step move my body forward. I absorbe the energy from the sun on my skin and my ears are delighted by the sounds. The breeze refreshes my overheated body and the occasional shade invites me to stop and glance for a little while along the side of the trail.

I sat on a bench facing a small lake and there I tried to absorb the movement of the water towards the edge, the breeze is blowing softly as the birds go in an out of a little island in the center of it. I grab my bottle of water and feel my heart beat faster, then I take my camera and capture a few more shots of my surroundings. The pictures will serve me when I can’t be there but want to be transported by the memories of this day. It’s nature crave, one I enjoy having to let all my senses bask in the delight it stirs in my body, mind and soul.

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Clary Lopez, author of Simplicity, Richness of Life

New Year Resolutions

What good are they, really? How many times have you propose yourself to do something but never did it? How many of your last year’s resolutions became a reality?

Last year I had a few resolutions but life threw me a curve preventing me from accomplishing most of them. I chose the most important and with God’s help I accomplished them the best I could. Since I don’t think I have all the time in the world to get my resolutions done I’m taking it slow this year. I’m getting a feel for what is going on around me and those I love; everything will have to flow out of that.

My work is what keeps me sane; my writing and marketing. I will add at least two more activities on my agenda in order to continue growing in my writing career but I want to be careful not to upset the balance I’ve created so far. I tend to get so creative and want to do so much that sometimes I’m overwhelmed.

New year resolutions are good to lay out a map of where we want to be after a certain amount of time. I personally don’t want to feel pressured to finish if life kind of gets on the way. Prioritizing resolutions come in handy in this regard. When you are in the situation that you realize you’ll need more time to make your resolution a reality you can move it down the list and concentrate on what’s achievable instead. We tend to think that we can do a lot when in reality there is only a few things we can do if we want to do them right. Most of the time it’s because we underestimate the amount of work and time it will take to make a resolution a reality, we just need to be flexible and don’t get discouraged.

I like to choose a maximum of 5 things I would like to accomplish in a new year and most of the time I only accomplish about 3, the other 2 are somewhere in progress. As long as I’m moving forward and accomplishing some of my goals I’m satisfied.

Awaiting

Waiting can be one of the most difficult things we have to do in our life. Just like when Jesus was born, the people today are awaiting a savior, a better day, a loved one, a healing, a call, a letter, a visit. I know that in my own life I can grow impatient when I really want something. I long to go, to see, to feel. It’s human nature I suppose.

I know today many will be happy but perhaps many others will be sad. Those who are far away from their families, those who are sick and lonely, those who doesn’t even know God exists. I hope this is a happy day for you but if it’s not, just know that you are not alone. Whatever your trials are, know that you are never out of God’s hands; he wants to be with you, console and give you the strength you need to go on. I feel alone sometimes during trials but I noticed that it’s when I’m focusing on me and my feelings forgetting to look outside myself and unto others. When I lift my eyes and concerns from me, I see the goodness around me in the people who surrounds me and share this wonderful world with me. When I’m concerned about others instead of me, I find solutions to my own situations and hope in a new day.

May the awaiting time for whatever it is your are waiting for is not too long and may you rejoice today as you are reminded of the greatest blessing of all, Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Reading Between the Lines

One of the best things a writer experiences is listening to what their readers have to say about their writing, sometimes it is what’s between the lines what impress them the most. I’m surprised when someone can clearly do so and extract the sentiment in which the words came out to the surface. Words are a true channel for us to connect to another soul, is transcendent and lasting sometimes able to help others make decisions or changes in their life.

When I write it’s not my intention to make anyone do anything. To me is my way to bring from within what yearns to come out to the surface in my own life. It’s a chance to evaluate, to know and to grow as a human being. I try to understand myself, my life, my purpose on this planet and while doing so share the journey with whoever wants to come along. I love to be around family and friends but at the same time I treasure the time I use to read, reflect and then write.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on life and the shortness of it, maybe because I’m watching the two people I love the most deteriorate before my eyes without being able to do a thing about it. So I look at my life and -uncertained of how much longer I may have- sometimes I get anxious. When I’m gone only my words and the impression of those who have known me will be left, good or bad.

So to all my readers, especially those who take the time to let me know what my words mean to them, thank you. It’s the interaction on places like these where ideas continue to grow within and I look forward to share even more as time goes by.

Leave a Trace

How long will I be here
I don’t know
Would my life matter
I have no idea
All I want is
To leave a trace
That I existed
For You
My Dear

Copyright 2007 Clary Lopez

With You in My Mind

To you, who read my words:

Writing is a gift, one I treasure each and every day, without it I would be completely lost. There are many ways to express what lies deep within our heart and soul and words to me are the most powerful of all. Looking deep I see a big castle with many, many rooms, in each one of them there is a little piece of me a facet of some kind. I go in a differernt room each time and in some of them I find you, unable to vocalize what’s in your heart so I go out and write it down for you, it’s my gift to you. Perhaps you are better expressing with actions what lies deep within your heart and that’s okay, but I want to forever leave the words sprinkled on my path so that others know what was in my heart.

I carry you around and look for ways to help you out, there is nothing I can do but to let you know I listen to your heart. If you are in darkness I want to bring you light and if you are sad I want to bring you hope and happiness. When you take the time to share with me your thoughts I pick jewels out of them and place them in my treasure box. I go there from time to time and then create the most beautiful writing pieces because they have a little of you and me. I can’t create a thing without you, because it is with you in my mind that I get inspired to go beyond the physical realm and reach across the cosmos to touch your soul and I hope I do. Thank you for reading my words…