"Creating Comes From Living" By Rolly A. Chabot

Hi everyone welcome back to the Fireside and to my home again. That is right you heard me home again. Back home again after a great trip and a relaxing time. Even after the 1550 miles round trip I would still call it relaxed. Well except for a few close calls coming through the mountain passes where everyone needs to drive faster than the last guy. I made it and that is what counts

Next I need to tackle the grass that never seems to stop growing. There is this thing they call fertilizer that I should never be around. After looking after golf courses for many years well I must admit I love a healthy lawn. Now I will need to pay the price.

I have something I would like to chat a little about and it is inspiration in our writing and what it means to be inspired. Well at least from my prospective. So gather around and help yourself to coffee, tea and some snacks. Quigley will take care of any crumbs you happen to drop. Even though I have a central vacuum system I can always count on my backup.

Nature moves me. It is such a huge part of who I have become over the years. Nature saved me from a life filled with addictions, pain and suffering for myself and those who cared enough to love me. It is places like this where I found peace and solace and healing. This place I found in an isolated area and could not resist taking this picture then sitting for a long while and reflecting on what is it that drives me.

No matter where you look here there is nothing but peace and stillness. The world seems to come to a complete standstill when I find such places. Not a sound could be heard but what nature offered. Well maybe the swarm of black flies that seemed to like me let me know I was a guest in their world.

I have heard many times from other writers there are times when they just do not feel anything. Take a walk in a quiet place with pen and a note book and just sit and think. Write what ever comes to mind for ideas no matter how silly they may seem to be. When I look at this picture I could go into great detail about lily pads, grasses, frogs, fish, birds and reflective waters. I could someday but for today this speaks only of beauty, of love of nature and what she has to offer us if we take the time to listen.

This little fellow I do think is a Wren managed his way through the open sliding glass door to the studio I had set up at the cabin I stayed at on holidays. After several attempts to catch him he turned his head and accepted my finger as a perch and we slowly walked to the balcony.

The funny part of it was even when he was outside and free to go he sat for the longest time looking at me. His small cry came once and off he went. What took this little guy from moments of despair attempting to fly through the window to sitting on my finger. Was it trust, was it understanding I would not harm him.

Often in life we feel trapped and emotional fear instinctively kicks in. Hopefully we have someone in our lives we can turn too and ask for help. When we look out over the world and all those who suffer we can turn our backs or we can stay, listen and hopefully help guide them back with love, understanding and trust once it has been established. This little guy blessed me for the next four mornings with his little songs.

When I took this picture I was reminded of a dear friend and fellow hub member who recently passed away. He passed away very suddenly and well before his time. I know some of you knew David Price. David was a man of great faith and compassion for people. David and I first met here on Hub Pages and before long we became the greatest of friends. We would spend hours on the phone. I will be writing a hub about David and his life of serving in the coming days.

What struck me about the news the morning his wife called to tell me of David was just how fragile life is for us all. Death can come so unexpectedly and I know many here have experienced great loss and I would like to express my sadness over your loss and yet there is hope.

You see for me I see David in this picture. Yes he may be gone but he lives on through those who knew David. His spirit is alive and well in his wife Veronica and his children and all who knew him.

I have spoken with her several times since his passing and she is such a blessing to listen too as she shared what David had given her over the years. The seeds he planted in all who knew him will flourish just as this tree stump will nourish new growth and will live on in other ways. What can we do, what can we write about that will plants seeds into others lives. The seed of life is love and compassion. It was David's way and the reason I loved this man.

I have no idea what you call a gathering of stranded starfish. In a recent email to a friend I call them a gaggle which brought a laugh. I suppose they could be a cluster, a herd or simply a gathering. I did learn they do this to protect each other from drying out until the next tide comes in. Take a closer look on the right and see one that is lighter than all the rest. In other words he or she is different and yet it is not turned away.

Can a lesson be learned here about life. Maybe we need to occasionally step away from our creature comforts and live with others who are not so fortunate. Maybe we need to listen to their stories. Maybe we need to share with them where we have been and what we have done. Far to often we see those in need and yet do we really get to know them. I lived in a major city here in Alberta and had a business location that was located close to one of the largest drop in centres. Not a day went by where I was not approached for money. Often instead I would offer to by them a meal and some of the stories I heard were so sad.

I see us here in this community as being a family in many ways. Dare I say much like the starfish. Sorry ladies you are the cute ones, guys we need some help in that department. What I see and read often is people are stuck for something to write about. Take a look around and there is plenty.

Some know that I have written several books. The key for me is to first create a character. Complete him or her to the fullest I can then drop then into a scene along with a story of life. It may be one that I have lived or maybe it is one I create. In any case what starts out as a novel evolves into a two and three novel series. It works for me once I have an image of the character.

Take the time today to find a quiet place. Somewhere away from all the distractions and just be with yourself and your thoughts. Your inspiration lives within. All you need to do is open the door to the possibilities. Above all my friends know that you are loved and cared about from Canada.

© Rolly A. Chabot.... All Right Reserved