The Power and Art of Your Written Words … Can Change Lives!

March 29, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 13 Comments

They are awesome, did you know that? Those creative words you say and write.

So why and what is it about the power of words? Studying the structure and meaning of words (in all languages) is called Semiotics but there is also a field that studies not only the words we communicate with, but the biology of it – biosemiotics.

Scientists have learned that when we communicate we are altering (at a biological level) both ourselves and our perception regarding the nature of things.

Distinguished biologists (Ernst Mayr, Manfred Eigen) believe we are evolving in the physical world as the result of our “shared” communications.

There is no doubt that language is central to our grasp of the world we live in.

So when you write, blog and communicate do you fully realize the potential you hold in your hand when sharing an opinion or idea; a short story, (article, book, play, poem, song)? Do you know you may be changing someone’s life with your words? Heavy stuff, huh!

What we say and how we express ourselves is becoming more important than ever today. Our words, (to an ever expanding degree )are the collective bi-products of world-wide social interactions. And while we’re connecting and perhaps influencing each other, most importantly, we are evolving into all we are meant to be! And I … well, I personally think that’s wonderful!

Whether you’re blogging, tweeting, singing on YouTube or exchanging thoughts and ideas on any social media platform, you are affecting those who read/hear your words.

Thank you, to all of you from around the world, I feel the meaning in the words you are writing, the thoughts you are sharing, the love you are sending.

They are beautiful and important – your words – so keep writing, keep sharing. Don’t stop! Your thoughts and ideas are unique to you and this creates a purposeful value for others. Every word you write is building towards our Global future together, as one people, on one planet – An International Community growing and coming together through the power of our words.

Thank you for stopping by, have an excellent week to come and as always remember … take care of you.

With much regard and affection,

~ Penny

One more time – International Woman’s Day!

March 8, 2014March 8, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 9 Comments

I wrote a post yesterday about celebrating this day, but decided to visit the importance of Women’s Issues one more time – with a song! Helen Reddy wrote and sang a song called “I am Woman” several generations ago that continues to be the song many women world-wide look to for inspiration. And I agree. We still do “…have a long way to go – but look how far we’ve come” (lyrics from her song)!

Just know that each and every woman on this planet is important. We continue to make a positive difference with each passing day! Why? Because we can!

Thank you and thank you Helen!

Penny

Blogging for our lives – filling creative needs and desires!

September 28, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 30 Comments

Blogging (in it’s truest form) is three separate things rolled into one. I) A palette or template for us to create or view (feeding the creative soul). II) A method of communicating our thoughts, emotions and creative endeavors (sharing our creative souls) and III) a conduit for directly connecting with other like minded people (helping us to fill our need for uncritical companionship (mostly, lol) so we don’t feel so alone in the “life” of things.)

All forms of social media “online”, do accomplish one or more of these. However it does seems as if blogging has the ability to combine all three better than any other Internet media platform. Most especially, the “alone-ness” that all of us have (more or less).

The truth is, In spite of all the connectivity (online) – we are lonely today. Disenfranchised from many traditional connections that used to be a part of daily routines that we, our parents and their parents grew up with. And a sad true is that while the online connections ease these lonely feelings, they can also foster them.

It’s safer (emotionally) and easier to communicate from a screen (computer, iphone, etc.). The quick “Twitter and Facebook” FIX and the more leisurely blog interactions remind us we are not alone and that we can instantly share our thoughts and opinions about what others are saying and doing while we also present new thoughts and ideas continuously adding to whole “instant connectivity” of things.

The result of which is when we aren’t doing this “instant connecting” we’re lonelier. Why? Because for those brief bursts of interactions we did feel “connected” a part of a larger whole. Having a voice, making a difference, no matter how small. And that … well, it’s very important to us. To be heard. To “matter”. And so the addictive “online” personality develops within us – feeding our soul while longing for even more!

So where do we go with this? I’m thinking we need to keep blogging and being creative and sharing and interacting. We, social media active people are the next step towards a global unity … commonness of cause. In the bottom line of things, we are making a difference and … it is extending into the offline world even as we are continuing to create, connect and voice our concerns and needs.

We (that’s you too) are making a “huge” as in H-U-G-E difference! So my wonderful blogging friends, please feel good about your blogging and our blogging community. Keep creating and sharing and reaching out! I’m loving it and many, many others are too!

I hope you’re having a excellent weekend of things (rainy here – but I love the rain so am thoroughly enjoying the sounds of rain falling while I write this post to you! 🙂

~ Penny

An amazing opportunity – YOU!

September 22, 2013September 22, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 80 Comments

Okay, so unofficially, I’m “officially” back. What this ‘playfully’ means is originally, I’d not intended to blog until completing current projects, but even as I worked towards this goal, I discovered my connections to people online have become an important part of my day’s activities. Like brushing my teeth, only more fun. Therefore I will endeavor to blog and visit (as I can) while continuing on with other projects.

There’s a saying – busy people get more things done and I do understand this – a truth actually. When we’re busy we tend to boost our “thinking and doing” power, our mind subconsciously organizes things more efficiently so we can stay “on focus” with our tasks.

Right now, as I write this, It’s early Sunday morning. I’ve had my first cup of coffee. Listened to the birds singing. It’s cooling down now, mornings and night. Autumn is here. And I love each Seasonal change!

While enjoying my hot morning beverage, I considered how lucky I’ve been to find YOU. You light up my world. You remind me (daily) what I’ve known my whole life. That we ALL – have value, are fun, special and unique, There will of course always be the sour apples, and the confused and misguided, but by and large, almost everyone brings a special “something” to the mix.

This makes being online, and blogging a most excellent “on-going” opportunity. To make new friends from everywhere around the planet. To make the “world” smaller, where we are all metaphoric neighbors, where we truly are a community of loving people – WHO CARE. This is an awesome opportunity, statistically speaking “we” (you and I) are in a very small percentage of the whole number of people who live on our planet.

The majority of our fellow humans cannot read or write and their living conditions may be harsh and brutal. But we “who are communicating online” are speeding up the change happening on our planet. We are doing this (each day) by blogging what we are doing, by making friends, by understanding each other better, by connecting.

All by itself – this is changing how we view each other across the globe and this in turn engenders how we feel about things. And what we share with those who do live nearby. Our context is expanded. Our knowledge and understanding more universal, our ability to look at change, a little bit easier.

When a person is troubled, knowing they are not alone, can be all it takes for them to become empowered, to move forward, making a difference as they do so. Even in the smallest of ways. A ripple can become a wave after all. For the first time EVER, there is a growing world-wide community that is not exclusively bound by government mandates, localized secular and/or religious beliefs (I refer to the POWER aspect of these organizations, not the important and cohesive structures of each one – needed for us to be (somewhat) civilized.

We are meeting and sharing (thoughts, ideas, and images – some spiritual, some creative, some personal) and while we respect each other’s faith and the underlying traditions that have shaped each of our “peoples” progress forward, we’re discovering there is a sameness and commonality to our thoughts and concerns. We are becoming more balanced in our outlook!

As we connect we begin to realize (everywhere on this planet) that we are each more alike than not. And now being instantly connected and somewhat unfettered by the power of propaganda, whether it be “news media” or the powerful 3: ‘Big Business’ ‘Government’ and ‘Organized Religion’ we are getting to know each other at a fundamental and basic level. And we like what we’re learning. Without a doubt this represents for us (all humans) …

… an amazing opportunity! Isn’t it wonderful? I think so!

Have an excellent day, thank you for stopping by,

~ Penny

Acts of Kindness – Connecting With Others!

September 15, 2013September 15, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 20 Comments

Today for “Acts of Kindness” I’d like to share a recent post by a fellow blogger and a motivational video.

The post, written by a very caring individual, was first read by my friend Ute of Ute’s Smile (she defines loving with her posts) who then shared it with me and suggested I pass it along to you – so I shall!

Russ from A Grateful Man posted the following experience a few days ago on his blog, thank you Russ!

“My Beloved and I were out on the town with some other couples when an elderly woman who appeared quite down on her luck and perhaps homeless walked up to our group and asked if we were going in a specific direction. We said we were. She asked if we could perhaps give a lift to her because she had someplace important to be and had no car or money.

As we had driven together, the owner of the car said, “Sorry, our car is too small and we can’t help you.” Then he walked away.

When no one was looking, another member of our group took some money from his wallet and dropped it on the ground. He then bent down to pick it up and handed it to the elderly lady. As he did so, he said, “I think you may have dropped this ma’am. It should be enough to hire a taxi to take you to where you want to go.”

The elderly woman’s eyes misted over with happiness and surprise as she took the money. She gave a knowing and grateful look to him as she thanked him.

I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I saw the look in the woman’s eyes.

Those eyes reminded me once again how small kindnesses can make huge differences in the lives of others, and it brightened my evening and lifted my spirit to experience it.”

Russ’s words are a potent reminder. Thank you Russ!

Another talented and caring friend, Michael of Morpethroad, recently shared a video with me, my special thanks. Some thoughts here to think on. Why our acts of kindness are more important than ever today!

Let daily “acts of kindness” be contagious in your own life! Become interconnected. Pay it forward! The rewards are awesome!

Thanks for the visit, have an excellent week ahead my friends!

~ Penny

Worlds within Worlds – Searching for fulfillment

September 5, 2013September 5, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 25 Comments

This …

This then is being.

Cumbersome thoughts assail me. I set aside my imagination so I may ponder my reality. My realness. What I see – the view from my eyes, my living, my taking part in. My truth. My world.

Does my world overlap into your world? How far? Not the fantasy one (although that’s fun) but the real world. The one you live in everyday. How much of my world is your world? Not a lot, would be my guess. We are mostly this way. Our worlds and happenings overlapping with other’s worlds and happenings. But we stay, a large portion of the time, locked within the world of our reality and our making. Adding to or taking away from, dependent on our individual comfort level and need.

So then what do you make of this whole blogging world of things? We all seem to be reaching out, don’t we? What are we reaching for? And Why?

We seem to be presenting ourselves to each other. Visually and with our words. We are searching – aren’t we? What is it that we need so fiercely that we take the time each day to present ourselves, or an especially created version of ourselves to this virtual world.

What’s missing in our lives that compels us to share ourselves in this manner? Do you know? Have you thought about this too?

Do we need to be needed, thought about, supported, encouraged, loved, appreciated, desired … just because we do? Is this enough of a reason to care, to connect and make a difference with each other?

Yes … Yes it is.

~ Penny

Friday Fictioneers – The Vertigo of Change

June 26, 2013June 26, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 62 Comments

And The Flow of Life

fleeting-copyright-indira-mukherjee

*

The Vertigo of Change

Suspended in the moment, I think “what is happening?” My emotions seem so intense, yet my balance with life so far removed from what it should be.

There is a feeling of dizziness and beneath that is this amazing rebirth I feel emerging inside me; basic, elemental and needed.

The coordinated dizziness, internal sensations of MY awakening while technology races on. I am swept up in a matrix of life’s design. I marvel from one heartbeat to the next at who I am and what I will be.

If I can just find my balance, the future is waiting for me.

Each week talented writers from around the world sit down to write. Friday Fictioneers offers a wonderful opportunity to explore your writing skills, by using a photo prompt to write a “flash fiction” (100 words or less). The talented Rochelle is your hostess. Click on the link for more information and to join in the fun. You are most welcome and encouraged to join!

Have an excellent day today!

~ Penny

Not strangers to each other ~ Not Really!

March 5, 2013March 5, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 33 Comments

Hi ~

During the last few months (A very mild winter this year in SE Washington.) I have taken many “nature walks” in several parks located by a magnificent river. One can walk for miles. The parks abound with numerous trees, birds and all manner of wildlife! (No, not the bear, lol – I just like his friendly smile and wave “hello”!)

As you can see, the park is lovely!

During my walks one of the unexpected happenings was the numerous greetings of “hello” and “hi” by other walkers strolling, jogging, passing by. Some couples, some with young children in tow and some solo. They came in all shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds and ages.

And yes, the walks were also shared with feathered friends, although their hello was more like a “honk”!

It was wonderful. People I didn’t know, enjoying the same view as I and wanting to connect through the universal greeting of “hello“. A stranger saying hello to another stranger. Is it nature’s setting? Does leisure imply “more open”? Is there a mela fluidity with our senses that can be missing in other places?

A busy city

Why does this not happen when one walks down a busy city street or a shopping mall? The pace is, of necessity, different and hectic. And the people are certainly in greater numbers as they go about their business.

Is there a disconnect that happens, and how long is it there for? How long do we stay “closed” and distant from those around us in the artificial environment of a city structure? Of an industrial/technological society?

So many people, together yet separated from one another.

Well as for me, regardless of where you live and who you are, what you are doing, and why you are doing it, I’d like to say a great big huge, gigantic …

HELLO!!!

Have a great day, thanks for stopping by,

~ Penny

Share yourself … I’m listening

March 1, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 36 Comments

Open multimedia ~ closed communication?

Sharing is something so simple and easy to define and yet it get’s harder and harder in today’s society to share our true selves with others in the real world. Doesn’t it?

I think blogging has made it easier for many people around the world to take those things buried in their hearts and minds and more fully express themselves – to share again.

Today there are so many small bits of information that we receive everyday from all sources that it is impossible, yes even with Facebook, Twitter, texting and other Social media to effectively share our own true feelings, our individual nature’s way of presenting concerns, worries, hopes, desires, dreams.

But we are human and we do need each other, at the most fundamental of levels.You know that. You do!

Today and going forward. Don’t circumvent your thoughts, words and actions with others.

So share. I’m listening and I think, so are you!

Share

If I share, or do I dare? Would you care?

If I give, will you sieve … through life’s blind-sighted world in which we live.

… And see me

… And feel me

… Understand me

… And share with me.

I need to know! So I can grow!

I need to share, regardless where.

Please receive and believe!

That I care when I share!

~ P. L. Howe, 2013

Thanks for stopping by have a great day and a better tomorrow,

~ Penny

More than a blog … More than just a post!

January 29, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 43 Comments

Catching the perfect shot

Yes definitely more than just a post …

When you sit down in front of your computer to create your post for the day it’s more than a post!

More than just a clever grouping of words and/or photographs/music or works of art.

This is a space that you call your own. You may share your thoughts, your feelings, your explorations of life, both those inside your head and in everyday life, but more probably the creative side of you that you don’t show anywhere else.

Being a blogger allows you to expand your vision and share what life means to you. It’s special and unique!

I’m a blogger and this is a space where I can write and say what I want to, the way I want to, when I want to. I can inspire if I wish to, or I can perhaps introduce new information to you.

Not just another faceless entity

This then is the most special place on the planet because when I’m here I own the persona that is reflected in each and every word, photograph, illustration, musical video, and any other creative application that I choose to use this place for.

And when you come to visit … it’s me you’re coming to see. The me I want to be noticed, the me I want you to like and remember. That me. The me that, maybe, no one else see’s or notices, at least not in the way I want to be seen.

And when I’m here, I’m at peace. There is a special feeling that I have here that I get no where else. Something that enriches my soul.

It certainly improves my ability to communicate (through words) with others. And as I go about and visit other bloggers I sense from their posts the same proprietary sensations that they have about their own blog as they (like me) share that very special creative side of their nature.

Our blog and our posts are palettes, and journals, a creative landscape opening us up to greater and better things.

For some of us there are creative goals we are reaching for. And here in our blogs we share in the reaching of those goals together, even as we come to know one another personally as friends.

And this is the WHY ABOUT THIS! The Why a Blog is more than a Blog and a Post is more than a Post and a comment is more than a mere response by another blogger. We’re communicating because it’s about us. Each other.

We’re the ones that are blogging and commenting. And this makes it extra special and more than the sum of all it’s parts.

We aren’t the only one that feels alone when standing in a group of people. There are many of us, different, unique, special. Talented.

We blog to be creative but we also blog to meet and be interactive with others like ourselves. Blogging is enriching, and informative. It enhancing our intelligence and our creative muse, but mostly I think it nourishes while fulfilling our need to reach out to others and be accepted for who we are!

Welcome

All these things given/received by the bloggers who blog and all the reasons why, a Blog is more than a blog and a post is more than a post. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

So if your a blogger I have a table waiting just for you to share a visit with, or at your place, yours or mine doesn’t matter – I can’t wait! Blog on!

A fellow blogger,

~ Penny