CLOSURE


How and when to close a chapter are one of the most difficult aspects of writing for me.  Almost everything I write, I walk away wondering, "Did I say all I needed to say?"  And then there are those days I walk away wondering, "Did I say too much?"  Writers are a narcissistic lot.  We like the sound of our own words, and it thrills us to know you are reading them.  It is the introvert's answer to the extrovert's pleasure in hearing their own voice.  Attention without the first hand experience of knowing we are getting the attention.  The limelight in the lowlight--an introvert's delight!

During the process of writing a book, my editor spent a lot of time culling my repeats and condensing far too much verbiage into the modified Reader's Digest version.  I know from personal experience, I tend to not read or loose concentration if an article becomes overly wordy,  Say what you need to say and leave it at that is the best plan.

Closing out a chapter is all about picking the right place to stop, and wrapping up what you said as briefly and concisely as possible.  A one sentence synopsis of what you just said in a nutshell.  If I am not careful, the length of my sentences can rival some of Paul's in the New Testament.  Run on would be an understatement.  In summary--find the stopping point, close the subject and move on.

It is not surprising I have a difficult time with closing a chapter or paragraph.  I tend to also have a difficult time finding closure in life.  When the topic has been exhausted, and there is nothing to be gained by staying the course, turning around and walking away appear as failure.  What is the old saying, "I am riding a dead horse."  Recognizing it is the right time and place to turn and leave and start again do not come easy and failure is a bitter pill to swallow.  Admitting those times when I should yell, "Calf Rope" and begin again becomes an allusive target.

I forget--though I may have to accept defeat---I have learned--I have grown--I have endured--and walked away a wiser person.  Closure comes in all forms, shapes and sizes and requires varying lengths of time.  The gift of closure is a new game--or trying again.  Taking what you know and moving forward with a better chance at success from what you learned in defeat-a do-over.

There are no accidents---there is purpose in everything---and opportunity is always around the corner.  Recognize when it is time---close the door---and walk away--knowing when the sun rises tomorrow you can start anew.


And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

  

11 comments

  1. Oh wow, this is good. And we even both used just about the same image in our posts. Kindred spirits, huh? And this - 'Writers are a narcissistic lot. We like the sound of our own words, and it thrills us to know you are reading them. It is the introvert's answer to the extrovert's pleasure in hearing their own voice.'

    No truer words have been spoken. Or written.

    ;-}

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    1. I knew from the git go we were kindred spirits ! Takes one to know one, right Friend!
      Blessings!

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  2. I really liked your last comment: Recognize when it is time---close the door---and walk away--knowing when the sun rises tomorrow you can start anew. Beautiful. Thanks Lulu. (I am sorry for all your rain, truly I am) Keeping you in prayer, sweet friend. Blessings

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    1. Thanks, LInda! This too shall pass!
      Blessings!

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  3. Hi Lulu! As you know, I just wrote about 'Dead Ends and New Beginnings' and your post echoes that for me. Yes, it's hard to end things, even when they aren't working because to me, it seems like I'm giving up. And I wasn't raised to 'give up'! But walking away is sometimes the bravest thing we can do.

    I had to smile when you wrote about sentences that rival St. Paul's run-on ideas. He can be awfully hard to figure out sometimes! I think you have a lot of ideas and concepts to get out there, and sometimes it's hard to put it all down. That's why you had an editor. Thank goodness for them!
    We all learn a lot when we win, but I know I learn a lot from defeat and dead ends too. Everything is for learning, and I love that Scripture you posted at the end. All of it is good, none of it is wasted. That's the greatest gift of all.
    Blessings my friend,
    Ceil

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    1. Well Ceil, as long as I finally get it and move on--it is alright. Do not want to be like the two year old grand and keep banging against the locked door trying to get in. Thank you for your wise comments. Always enjoy hearing from you!
      Blessings!

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  4. Before I start writing anything I always put on the margin a number of commas (,,,,,,) and period stops (.....) exclamation marks, question marks and so on. Then as I write I use some of these in my writing to punctuate it. When I run out of period stops I know I have nothing else to say. If I have too may left I just go ... ... ... ...

    Life is a series of starts and stops often punctuated by failure and defeat. As a child, I never knew the meaning of failure. I had to look it up in a dictionary. As for de feet! I used them to run towards the next failure, and a search in the dictionary once again ... ... ... ... (Too many period stops left on the margin).

    What esle can I say except I forgot what I was going to say next. And I don't even have a spare period stop to use

    God bless

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    1. Victor, always providing a laugh'. Thanks, Friend, for reminding me to not take everything so seriously!
      Blessings!

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  5. My favorite of all your posts (which is saying something). Really good. Really, really.

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    1. Bless you, Bruther Len! Those from the heart always resonant strongly with me as well!

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    2. Bless you, Bruther Len! Those from the heart always resonant strongly with me as well!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!