"The Lord knows both what He will need you to do and what you will need to know. He is kind and He is all-knowing. So you can with confidence expect that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly. . . . But when you put the spiritual things first in your life, you will be blessed to feel directed toward certain learning, and you will be motivated to work harder." --Henry B. Eyring, quoted in the April Ensign, p. 24.
One thing I learned from my poetry workshop is that I really love this kind of learning and this kind of work. I'm getting more and more sure that I do want to go for the MFA, and that I do want to do it in poetry as opposed to fiction. I think I am a poet at heart, though I enjoy writing the fiction as well.
The question is: is that where God would have me be for the next few years? Can I justify the financial investment? Is the fact that it brings me joy and makes me feel energized a sign that the Spirit is saying "go ahead"?
9 comments:
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It's certainly not a no.
I don't know, but whatever you do just know that I using it as a sign as to what I should do with my life! (mostly kidding) You seem to be a pretty grounded person. I bet you can trust your instincts. Besides, I definitely want to read more of your poetry so if getting an MFA is the way to get you to write more of it, well, then I hope you go for it :)
You know what I think :-).
I've been lurking on your blog all poetry month, and while I don't know you I thought I'd add my two cents. I've loved reading all the different poems--love to study poetry, haven't ever been good at writing any. And I love your poems as well :)
Anyways, I'm just finishing my first year of a PhD program in Comparative Literature. And it's going to be my only year because I'm dropping out. The thing is, it's something people have been telling me that I should do for years and everyone told me I'd be great at it. The thing is, I don't love it. I don't feel energized. I love reading and discussing books, but academia and teaching is really not for me. If I'm honest with myself I realize that I didn't feel energized about it even a year ago when I was accepted to the program, but went ahead anyways. So I have no idea if this is helpful to your or not, but I think your good feelings could be a good sign.
yes, yes and yes. An MFA is perfect for you.
Thanks for your comments and support, guys.
And FoxyJ, thanks for your story. It's true that I feel energy when I think about doing this, and that a lack of energy in the past has always been a pretty clear no to me. I think it's very mature of you to recognize a wrong turn and fix it instead of insisting on sticking it out.
By the way, I think I met you once, at a Segullah bloggersnacker in the park. I was the one no one knew because I never blog at Segullah.
Let your poetic light shine! Go for it.
Holy Moly! Louise Plummer commented on my blog! Well, if that doesn't make my day, I don't know what would.
I just discovered your blog too, Louise. I loved your post from your journal at age 50.
Sounds good to me. Thanks for posting that quote--I really needed to hear that today.
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