Join Our "Second Chances" Writing Contest!

[Daryn Kagan]

I'm excited to announce the kick off of our second ever writing contest!

How perfect that it's all about the theme of second chances.

I'm inspired by a wonderful new novel that comes out this week. It's called On The Divinity Of Second Chances. It's about an endearing, yet quirky family who all appear to be at the end of their respective ropes. Then life and second chances have a way of turning things around. It's a fun read that makes me smile and fills my heart with hope.

I introduce you to fun, spunky, creative author Kaya McLaren in today's featured story.

Kaya and I got to talking and thought it would be fun to hear your second chance stories. So please, post your stories below.

It can be about an amazing second chance you've been given in your life. Perhaps one that you've given. Or even one you wish could come your way.

I'll keep entries open until Friday. That's when Kaya will put on her judge's hat. Yes! Kaya is our guest judge. She'll pick the winning story. The winner receives an autographed copy of On The Divinity Of Second Chances.

Get those creative juices flowing. Kaya and I can't wait to see what you share and create.

[Cathrine]

“This is the moment to test what you have learned so far. Now. Accept this now. Accept yourself in this now.”

These were the words I flung at myself as I turned to see the shards of glass across the kitchen floor. I sensed sadness spread across my lips and jaw. About to drench and drain my bones. Shards. Remains from a beautiful treasure. A glass cylinder I kept close to my heart. Endowing it with sentimental meaning and value. Importance. Knowing somewhere deep inside that it owned none of these. Yet finding it hard to let go of the illusion.

This is beautiful. I own it. This has value. This is special.

And therefore I am special. Illusional equations of life.

Standing above the shards of glass I tried to recall the words of wisdom in my son’s book. A book of Zen for children that he and I are learning from together. Growing at the same pace. Glowing at the same pace. Coming to and into life. Wanting life. Accepting life. Loving life. Together.

In one Zen tale we are told that you never know if that which happens to you is good luck or bad luck. It can turn either way. Therefore you should not react to it emotionally in either direction.

The breaking of beauty may be bad luck. Sad news. Or it may just be good. Happy news. Either way. You never know. So don’t appoint yourself the judge. The verdict is not yours to make.

And so I look at the shards of glass and think the treasure is broken. “Is that so?”. Words I have learned from the bringer of a new dimension into my life. Mine and so many others. Eckhart Tolle.

The glass cylinder is broken. “Is that so?” The meaning and value is broken. “Is that so?” I am broken. Can it be so? Deep inside I hope the illusion is broken. I am whole. Still. No shards can cut who I am. Being.

Inside this cylinder was a stem of green leaves. A plant I had bought when celebrating the illusion of I.

I take the stem and place it in a tea cup. Promising to give it a new home. Promising to not be sad. Is that so?
The plant settles into it’s cup in the shade. Is that so?

Weeks pass.

One day I see buds at the end of the stem. Buds that had been hindered from showing their beauty thanks to the treasure. The good luck I thought I owned had kept the beauty at bay.

I watched in wonder over the next few weeks as the buds grow and then blossom. And then bloom into a flower that I have never seen before. Beauty unbeknown to me in my life. Beauty beyond the illusion. Had the cylinder keeping it all together not broken. Had the cylindered keeping me together not broken. It would not have grown and blossomed. I would not have grown. I would not have blossomed. I would never have seen the beauty that now has become my life. The beauty that I every day dare to touch and see and be in my life.

So when that which you define as ‘meaning and value’ shatters in your life. Smile and asked “Is that so”? And then sit back and wait. Life will bring you beauty beyond words. Beauty and life that needs no cylinder to keep it together. Beauty that flows, grows and glows. The beauty that is you.



Cathrine.



Notes: Children’s book mentioned: Zen Shorts by J. J. Muth.
I also refer to teachings from: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

[HJ Rose]

Wow Cathrine!

Thanks for sharing. For me, personally, your thoughts are so timely, inspiring, comforting and encouraging. I hope I can experience the same peace and acceptance of which you write.

As an aside, you are the first person I have ever run across who spells her name the same as my beloved late wife. People always insist on throwing in the extra "e" don't they?

---> HJ

[Cathrine]

Thank you :-) !

(this minus e is in Norway :-) where Cathrine is common.)

And collies are special to me. Someone who has passed seems to be making them cross my path when I am in a rough spot. So nice to see a reply photo with one in it :-) !

I wish you luck and love.
Cathrine
[e-mail]

[Erin]

Can't say I blame Kaya for not being able to choose one winner!

[Cathrine]

thank you :-)

[Mary McManus]

Dear Erin - do you know if the books have been mailed out yet? Thanks!

[Connie]

Mary,
I was wondering the same thing - thanks for asking about the books!

[Mary McManus]

I'm can't wait to receive Kaya's book! And I feel blessed to read everyone's stories of Second Chances.