MWLM Blog

The Power of Karmic Acts of Kindness by Julie Watson Smith

January 1 typically marks the opportunity for a fresh start for most people. It is a chance to wipe the proverbial slate clean and start anew. (yes, we all have this opportunity every day of the year, but New Year's does seem to be the most popular change catalyst.) This year, enhance your fresh start by cultivating Karmic Acts of Kindness.

Karmic Acts of Kindness (KAoK) is an individual and family empowerment system designed to develop and strengthen core character traits while also incorporating a lifestyle filled with karma and kindness. KAoK is truly the foundation for creating an environment that embraces chaos, inspires imagination and empowers lives.

In life, you get what you give, right? Right. Karmic Acts of Kindness blends the creative and forward-moving intensity of kindness and karma to catapult you - and your family - into your full potential. In fact, you'll probably pass that potential and illuminate a journey into unchartered swirl of freedom and fun. Can't beat that, can you?

And, just for any naysayers, KAoK truly works. Not only has my own life transformed based on these principles, but so have my children's lives. At just the young ages of 4, 6 and 7, they already "get" it. Each day, their actions reflect karma and kindness. They have already started realizing their potential and moving forward. In fact, it is almost as though they are magnetically drawn to surpass their potential just by developing their core character traits.

So, what does all this mean for you? First, KAoK is meant to be shared and enjoyed by the world. So, later this month, I will be releasing the Karmic Acts of Kindness empowerment system for families. (Don't worry, if you don't have children, you will still glean just as much insight, clarification and empowerment as those who do have children.) Also, my Karmic Kids and I will be posting regular blogs, pods and vlogs to keep the momentum of karma and kindness going each month.

Also, we encourage you to share all your thoughts, feelings and acts of kindness in the comments section. If you ever want to contact us, please surf on over to Inspired Imaginations to send us a note or just to check out everything we offer.

In karma and kindness,
Julie Watson Smith

Writing.

Anne Lamott really pisses me off. In fact, when I saw her Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year in the parenting section a couple years ago at the Harvard COOP, I actually gave the book the finger. Such was my resentment at some writer journaling in public about motherhood, like I could. Or, like I should.

It must be trite, it must be drivel, it must be painfully common. How presumptuous to think she had something unique and fascinating to say about parenting.

The fact that my resentment blossomed and exploded with physical force (the middle finger jammed up at the softcover book) didn't elude me. I recognize jealousy. I recognize fear: Afraid. Really, really afraid. Here was this dream and someone else was living it and how could I possibly ever do it if other people already are. I only want the path less traveled on; I won't be a sheep or a lemming.

So it required great bravery on my part last week to pick up the book, purchase it, and open the cover to read. I finished it in 36 hours which says a lot as a parent of a 4 year old.

That weekend as I read, I began feeling rumblings in my body. Discomfort. A loosening of my glue.

I turned to the wisest person I know. I turned to this four year old who has spent her life facing her fears and asked, "Sweetie? There's something I really, really want to do but I'm scared to do it. But I want to do it, but I'm scared. What should I do? How can I do this thing? How do you do it when you feel this way?"

Very seriously and with several long long seconds of contemplation, she looked at me with those ocean-deep eyes and gave me the answer. "Mommy, I listen to what my body is telling me. I might need to give myself more time with my Mommy first, but when my body tells me I'm ready, I just do it."

Later that day, lying on my back finishing up the Lamott book I spilled empathetic laughter every few minutes. With my four year old audience demanding it, I read the funniest portions out loud (meatball-like poops rolling away, slapping an infant for fear it wasn't just sleep overcoming him but rather a seizure). Most items made Maya giggle, too.

Years ago (1996 to be exact), I began writing a weekly column and posting it online. This was before I knew the term "blogging," and certainly the activity of blogging hadn't reached the masses. My self-imposed deadlines kicked my ass, really. I took them so seriously. I remember many a Wednesday evening sweating and twisted at the computer screen researching "What in the hell is going on with the Hutu and the Tutsis?" Or simply commenting on my latest self-revelation that I somehow imagined might interest someone.

For the past year, I've known an intense magnetic pull bringing me back to writing personal essays. I left them when I became suddenly embarrassed at how self-obsessed I knew I seemed to some.

I've found the courage to begin reading these kinds of things again, Anna Quindlen, Barbara Kingsolver, (and of course that beastly and fabulous Anne Lamott), most recently. In their words I've found not only camaraderie but also inspiration. Much of why I drink their words with such abandon are the feelings I get of a Shared Experience. As I approach my own writing, I feel a permission to address the day-to-day.

Each essayist has a unique voice and experience, no matter how common the theme. Knowing I can say "what's already been said" and have it still be new and unique simply because it comes from me frees me from the sheep and lemmings fear. Any path I choose will be less traveled because the path belongs to me.

I'm falling apart from the inside out. I'm unhinged, unglued, and frighteningly free floating. My writing days return like a herd of buffalo. Knowing I seem just fine, perhaps a little tired, but as if I'm a functioning member of our simple world, well, that's just craziness at it's strangest. How these feelings can be mauling my insides while I stroll through the pumpkin field with my darling daughter and my dreamy husband? I know it's all because the writing is coming.

I know it because my body says I'm ready.


Heather Denkmire is a freelance writer and small business owner living near Portland, Maine with her daughter (Maya) and partner (Josh). She invites you to visit and read her regular "personal essay column."

Hello and Welcome

Hello everyone!

I'm very excited to be a part of such a wonderful group of Mom Writers and hope that all of you are enjoying the wonderful package of writings that we're putting together every quarter.  As webmaster and senior editor at MWLM, I have the pleasure of reading everything beforehand and creating the layout for all the articles, but I still find myself going back and reading the features and columns after the magazine is online. 

With this Fall 2005 issue of the magazine, we've added this BLOG feature to facilitate communications between Mom Writers and readers.  I hope you'll take full advantage of it.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the website , please feel free to send me a note at webmaster@momwriterslitmag.com .

Happy browsing!
Lucie

--
Lucie Bouchard Antoniazzi
Senior Editor and Webmaster, MWLM

Happy To Be Here

Hi Paula ~ and readers!
I just wanted to take a minute to say hello. It will be fun to see what kind of interaction takes place here.  There looks to be such a wide variety of moms here...all with different passions and strengths. I do hope the readers of MWLM will make this blog a regular stop! :)

~ Dionna Sanchez
Keeping It Real Column
(Founder ~ EmphasisOnMoms.com)

About MWLM Blog...

Well, here we are, up and running!  The Mom Writer's Literary magazine BLOG. How fun!  We were determined to set up a Blog for our site so our magazine's talented mom writers AND our wonderful readers who have something to say, can post away!  If there is an issue that you would like to bring up or ask about, please email us and let us know at editor@momwriterslitmag.com and we will add you to our list of mom writer Bloggers.  Have you had one of those days that you just need to vent?  Do you have a question about writing?  Maybe you even just want to get away from everything for a few minutes and write about a current event that is rubbing you the wrong way and on your mind...

We'd love to hear from you.  Drop us a line and join in on the fun!

Happy Blogging Mom Writers,

Paula Schmitt, Editor