What is Happenstance?

Someone on Tumblr asked me what the meaning of happenstance is, and I thought my response would be appropriate to share here...

Happenstance is a theory that challenges the belief that our lives follow a strictly linear path. The reality is that the diversions (i.e., unplanned events, chance encounters, etc) that we face along the way will steer us through the choices we make along this journey called life. Inevitably, occurrences that we do not foresee having an impact on us, such as taking an elective course in university that causes you to switch your major or traveling to a new country and falling in love with the culture, will cause us to shift our perspectives and uncover new interests. Ultimately, the key to discovering your passion in life is to follow your curiosities by getting involved, trying new things, and embracing the unexpected. It’s these traits of being flexible, having a keen interest, and maintaining a positive attitude that will help you reach fulfillment in life!

What is the Cure for Writer's Block?

Courtesy of The New Yorker.

What's the secret? How are some bloggers able to update all of their blogs (public, personal, and professional) and social media networks on a daily basis? How do they gather meaningful, interesting, and relevant topics; engage with their readers, AND still have time to go out, explore, and live life?

Though we're only ten days into this new year, and I am already struggling with my goal of writing daily updates on all of my networks. Twitter is probably the easiest for me to catch up with (it's times like these when I'm thankful for that 140 character limit). On the other hand, my Facebook profile is a ghost town with very minimal activity from me; I only go on Facebook to see what my friends are up to. While I want to write more substantial posts on Blogger, I just don't have the time to sit down and brainstorm great ideas for enlightening and/or entertaining entries. When it comes to my paper journal and LiveJournal updates on what I did that day/week, I keep on postponing that task until the items are no longer fresh in my memory. I think I'm really going to implement that 'write down every interesting thought and/or occurrence that you encounter down on a pad of paper before you forget it later on' strategy ASAP. I'm constantly behind on my Tumblr dashboard (and by the time I get all caught up, my body and mind are telling me that it's time for bed, leaving no more time for leisure until the next evening, when that cycle starts all over again...). When I'm lucky enough to have a few free minutes to just write it all out, I find that lack the inspiration and/or energy to produce anything longer than a paragraph in length.

I'm not even sure what the purpose of this entry is. A rant? A call-out for advice? A plead to the writing gods to kindly bless me with the gift of brilliant ideas and beautiful words?

Asking for the cure for writer's block is just like asking what the meaning of life is.

"I loved words. I love to sing them and speak them and even now, I must admit, I have fallen into the joy of writing them." — Anne Rice

2012

I found this quote on Tumblr and immediately deemed it to be the greatest GPOY (internet lingo for ‘this is an accurate representation of who I am‘) of all GPOYs. From the moment I groggily wake up in the morning to the time I drift off into la-la-land at night, my brain is bursting with activity. But by the time I bring myself to sit down and try to translate these thoughts and observations into written form, those ideas have either been altered (due to the time lapse), or even worse, lost, never to be retrieved again.

It pains me to know that I’ve let so many potential blog topics fall to the wayside due to my tendency of procrastinating on initiatives that will help me develop as a writer. I have been placing my passions for writing and photography to the wayside for too long, and I will have no more of that!

In 2012, I will resolve to a) write more and b) photograph more. I will publish a blog every day on WordPress and write daily entries in my paper journal. I have also challenged myself to participate in a 366 Days Photo Challenge. I believe that these projects will strengthen my skills in writing and photography, as well as help me to discover more about myself and the world around me and motivate me to go and live life!

If 2011 was the year for personal growth, then 2012 will be the year for grand adventures!

- Elizabeth Rosalyn