“Live like a mighty river. Freedom and happiness are found in the flexibility and ease with which we move through change.” This sentiment, attributed to the Buddha, becomes more relevant for me as I grow older. If I Iearned one thing during Lockdown, it’s that everything changes all the time. And so it is with my group, Elwood Writers, as we ring in change for the new year.
I was rifling through old-style paper drafts of my manuscript the other day, when I came across a set of handwritten notes from member Jennifer Bryce. In her distinctive script I found a carefully detailed response to a chapter I’d circulated on the theme of synchronicity. Although Jenny has since moved on to the great writers’ studio in the sky, her insightful comments live on, guiding me to a keener edit of my work. Re-discovering her suggestions reminded me that life can be comfortingly synchronous at times, if only I would allow it to be.
Elwood Writers has been fortunate in its dynamic over the years and now it’s time for us to shift our formation once more as Barry Lee Thompson steps down from active participation in meetings. He will continue as an Honorary Member, providing (superb) editorial assistance to our website and joining us in a range of initiatives, both new and some familiar. To find out more about Elwood Writers and its’ future plans, visit us HERE. You can follow Barry and his writing at this Link.
We look forward to updating you on our joint ventures, which might even include a song about change from the late, great Sam Cooke.
*A Change Gon’ Come,
I was born by the river/In a little tent/Oh, and just like the river, I’ve been runnin’/ever since/
It’s been a long, /a long time/comin’ but I know/A change gon’ come/Oh yes, it will …
Lyrics by Sam Cooke
WRITINGS AND MUSINGS OF MARGARET MCCAFFREY 