Darkest

 before the Dawn.

This Easter vigil I learned my best friend from high school has crossed over.

Not much of a surprise, for he had lung cancer.

Where is our faith?  Why wasn't he healed?

Well, his spirit was.  Not baloney.  Sometimes the body gives out.  The flesh was weak.

But he left that temp house and is now in spirit.

Believe or not.  Up to you.

We had ups and downs, but his family helped me while my Dad crossed over.

Those are gifts, memories that renew us while here.

Now he will be busy with whatever the Father has in mind for him

The Path is clear and is celebrated so tomorrow.  

All our yesterdays coalesce and we pause til we go on.

Sail on!

Crowds...

 Crowds can be fickle.  But don't paint with a broad brush.

First welcomed as king.  Then just days later, reviled and beaten.  Quite a topsy turvy climate.

Jerusalem and its suburbs had a population akin to a small city.  So, JMHO there were some who welcomed and some who reviled.  And a large section who went about their business.

What happened does show how crowds can be swayed.  And of course, now they tend to be either radical leftist violance or actual peaceful demonstrations.

Personally, I avoid crowds just because it can be like an undertow.  There is more to be done individually or in small groups that spreads a message.  

Quiet word of mouth usually goes better, though rallies and meetings can have positive impact.

Strange day as the crowd dispersed and many shuttered their homes.

After the earthquake and storm, things got quiet.  Deathly quiet and behind the scenes, in spirit other things were very active.

The best was yet to come.

Berthas And Misters

 Bertha Better 'an Yous and Mister Know It Alls. Amazing some actually follow them.

Say a leader, church or state, who 'guides' people 'for their own good'.  They are benevolent until one questions.  Then the full force of their false authority descends.  

KIAs might be 'escapees from cults or darkside religions such as S or L who again guide the people.  They are gatekeepers who actually proclaim a 'my way or highway' doctrine.  All else is questionable, even denominations or just deviation/questioning the KIAs.

Of course, there are those in orgs who do this.  They hide in establishment just as some hide in breaking away.  

Stand for truth.  Don't be bullied.

We celebrate Someone this week who perfectly defied darkness and proclaimed Freedom.

Don't let anyone hijack that.

We are warned it will be bumpy.  It'll keep us awake lol.

Light from Light.

Minus

 So much negativity.  The goal is to get everybody at each other.  It is to depress. It's the old thousand cut tactic, which btw can be used for weal or woe.

We are barraged by negative messages.  There are abundant examples such as social media, where a title/headline states a supposed truism.  It may or may not be.  But it implants that thought in mind.  I find countering a good idea.  It's a soft form of hypnosis/mesmerism.   

The object is to tear down foundation.  It casts aspersions planting doubt and of course, to pit people against one another.

Be a rock.  Do not shift.  Be resolute.

Detractions and distractions are many.  Concentrate on truth.  Discern.  

Learn to examine.  

Mind you, history is rife with reality -s-.  One of my teachers said that the older one gets, the less black and white things are.  Greyer lol.  

But, there is good and evil.  There is your discernment.  

Add.

The Key

 There is a dream that sticks with you

It is old but never goes away.

A key, happens to look old and weathered, is given.

It unlocks a large wooden door.

Inside, there is a seemingly endless row of other doors.  

No search.  One key opens them all.

Which one to unlock first?

Get busy.

Spell Out

 Minor editing is ok.  But no significant rewrites.

That is the way for my books.

There can be a tendency to over explain what's happening in a story.

Leave some things to the audience's imagination.

Pat McGoohan did that with The Prisoner.  And many hated it.

Some want to be spoon fed answers.

I refuse to aid and abet laziness.  Life is not always clean and clear.  We may want explanation, but we might search for answers.  

If you don't like it, then write your own stuff.

When it comes to current events, people need to be shown so they understand the situation.  That's in the world.  And we share solutions.  

Fictional narrative is best served when readers/viewers can devise resolution, or add to the character of the story.  Or to just leave it just as it is.

I have back stories for some of my characters.  It helps me focus on the narrative.  But, I would rather have a sense of wonder or at least mystery concerning them.

I can't even compare to Pat's work, however I believe in discussion, hows whens wheres whys, to further interest.

As a showbiz friend says, 'there is a message in the ravioli'.  We can get points across in fiction we might not otherwise.

At any rate, soon anyone who wants will be able to judge for him/herself re my work.

I predict it will be interesting.  

Tails And Nets

 It's an Old story.

It needn't be singsong nor dreary.

Associations can vary, employee/employer can be clearcut or more blending.  Co-owners/creators may give and take.  But slight encounters are not first name nor buddy buddy.

Sometimes it's hard to put a finger on an event.  When you deal with people, it becomes clearer.

You don't have to be in showbiz to see what I'm getting at.  This applies to all of life.

When you are seeking answers/ideas, you honestly seek advice, not necessarily friendship.  Once in a while that or at least a closer association might develop.

Some people make it seem they are approachable and can be friendly.  They give you attention and make you feel comfortable.  You generally don't go home with them.

Honest advice and even aid is usually gradual.  Show respect.  Nothing is more irritating than someone being palsy walsy.  

I'm fortunate in my encounters and even have friendship to a degree with some.  

But, like dating, you don't want a whirlwind relationship.

Reminds me when my books are read, there is a seeming contradiction to this. It is for the purpose of narrative.  In real life, there are ups and downs and the long haul means adjustment.  Circumstances might carry you along, but be the master of fate.  Don't let romance rule you.  Let it inspire.

Stop letting the winds of fate bat you around.

Learn to ride the waves of destiny.

That's not vague when lived.  

Conversely, be a trifle wary.  Watch out for coattails.  Welcome network.  

Personally, I don't osculate rumpus.  Same as the difference between tail and net.

As the vendors say liver and loin.