Stay Safe, Officers

September 15, 2014October 20, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

I opened the newspaper this morning to another article discussing the “Militarization of law enforcement. “ This issue has become a national topic, discussed on every venue after a black unarmed teenager was shot and killed by a white police officer. What followed was nothing less than chaos. Protestors marched; chanted demanding justice while unchecked looters and provocateurs destroyed a city. Policemen outfitted in riot gear, clashed with the mob of protestors and looters. It was an ugly scene.

It is not my intent in this post to discuss the merits of the case. Whether the shooting was or was not justified is not up for debate here. I was not present and do not have the facts, as the protestors, news media and provocateurs did not. The facts of the case and the outcome will be decided, by our justice system.

I want to discuss the issue that has made national attention and, in my opinion, demonizing our police force, “The Militarization of the Police,” as it has been dubbed. Let me first say, I agree there are bad apples in every bunch. I get that. I am not suggesting all cops are wonderful. They are human, which makes them fallible just like the rest of us. So you’ll get no argument from me. If one breaks the law he or she deserves the same judgment and punishment as the rest of us.

Since the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 1997, the Defense Logistics Agency’s 1033 Program has given more than $5.1 billion in military equipment to local law enforcement agencies across the United States. In my own county our sheriff’s department has obtained a remote-controlled bomb disposal robot, personal protective and physical security enhancement equipment, (helmets, vests and body armor) and armored vans through military surplus. Gross/SHJ.

Daniel Gross of the Spartanburg Herald Journal did an excellent job giving an overview of the purchase, use, and need for this equipment by our law enforcement divisions. I applaud him and it was evident that both the Police Chief and Sheriff rely heavily on the 1033 program to help keep our officers safe. I applaud them as well. And, I have to agree with Sheriff Wright. Our officers wouldn’t have to gear up if citizens didn’t create chaos.

There was a time when we all respected authority. Parents could parent, teachers could teach and discipline, and kids knew when to sit down and shut up. They were not the center of the universe. There was a time when we all understood, life wasn’t fair, and not everyone won. It took hard work, integrity, and ingenuity. You learned how to be a good loser and better winner. There was a time when family meant more than the individual. A time when we grew up playing in streets after dark, knew all our neighbors, church and family were our foundation, and time we taught our children policemen and firefighters were our friends.

How dare we now demonize the very men and women who serve to protect us every day?

I’m not canonizing policemen, but I do respect them. They serve every day to keep my family and me safe. Each morning they wake up pin on their badges, strap the gun on their hips, and walk into the line of fire for us. Sometimes they make it home and sometimes they don’t. They go into places we wouldn’t be caught dead in, because it’s their job. They face down the hostile drunk, belligerent druggie, deadly gangbanger, murder, or thief. They talk the would-be suicide off the bridge, or the hostage taker into freeing hostages. They keep our kids safe from predators. Moreover, when the call comes like it did on 9/11 they don’t hesitate. They don’t just go in, they RUN in to save as many as they can.

They don’t rest. They loose sleep. They do whatever they can to bring those responsible to justice when necessary. Yes, sometimes there is a bad apple. Just like you and I, they are human. But I don’t see you or I getting up each morning pinning a badge to our chest and walking the beat to protect yours and mine. And until we do, whatever they need to keep themselves safe in this chaotic world we now find ourselves, where there is no longer a respect for authority. I say, “Stay safe, officers. Stay safe and thank you.”

Make Your Life Spectacular

August 14, 2014September 16, 2014 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

Robin Williams (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I like everyone else have been stunned by the untimely passing of Robin Williams. I am not surprised by the outpouring of love from across the globe for this man. We as a people and a nation are hungry for laughter and joy in our lives, and Mr. Williams gave it to us in spades. He uplifted our souls with laughter each and every time he stepped out into the public arena wiping away our worries and fatigue, if only for a brief interlude. And we loved him.

There is a reason the masks of comedy and tragedy are shown together. Humor often hides deep wounds. He brought us much joy, laughter, and comic relief after a many stressful and trying day. He not only uplifted our spirits but encouraged us, moved us with the passion of his words and performances and inspired us.

That we were unable to return the favor and provide a measure of the same rest for his soul, is a tragedy. Perhaps, his legacy to us all will be that we will learn to be more sensitive to others, to listen more carefully, to reach out to help someone in need long before it is too late, and to live extraordinary lives full of joy. Thank you Robin Williams for a life time of laughter and inspiration.

“Please don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day… make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did.”

Valedictorian, Jack Charles Powell (AKA Robin Williams in “Jack”)

How to Get Back in The Game

June 27, 2014April 13, 2018 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Greetings, from the Cow Pasture; It’s been awhile since last hearing from me. To be exact it’s been seven months.

During the time away, the task of writing seemed overwhelming. Many days I’d feared not only my creative muse had been lost, but also the desire to write.

So, I gave myself permission to stop, if only for a time. To stop struggling with time, blank pages, and a blank mind. I continued to read my favorite blogs and books. Reading has always brought me pleasure and gave me much needed food for thought, manna for my soul. My writing, I set aside.

The last two years had taken its toll. I needed time for my body and soul to heal.
At any given moment, you have the power to say…

I’m ready now, but how did I get back into the game of writing?

I realized this wasn’t how I wanted the story of my life to end. Trying to play catch up would be futile. I knew couldn’t. So, I made a to-do-list. “Start slow, take baby steps,” I told myself. It was a beginning

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85608594@N00/10448651626Perhaps, you will find it helpful.

Designate a time to write; daily, weekly, whatever works for you and keep it sacred.
Clean and declutter computer files. The mundane task of reorganizing files can help hands and mind reconnect to writing related tasks.
Evaluate current mailing lists. Eliminate sites rarely used or those offering redundant information. Stop wasting time going through a zillion emails.
Reevaluate social platforms (Blog, Author’s page, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc). Narrow the focus and find which social network will work best for you based on where you are and what you hope to accomplish.
Establish ONE goal. The thing you want most to accomplish in the next three, six months or over the next year, outline a schedule and do it. (Publish, revise current works in progress, try a different genre, etc.)
Pick ONE project at a time and see it to completion. The satisfaction of accomplishing your goal, will keep you moving forward.
Persevere and write even if it is one word a day.

When asked, “How do you write?” Stephen King replied. … ‘One word at a time.’Sounds like a great place to start.

Have you been out of the game? How did you get back? I’d love to hear from you.

Related articles

Push the Creativity Reset Button Every Day

5 Ways We Neglect Our Own Creativity–And How to Bring It Back

Becoming a Better Writer: Taking Breaks

24 Tips on Sparking the Creative Muse

5 Things To Do If You Lose Your Muse

An Interview with Writer’s Block

Decluttering Life

Ways We Sabotage Our Own Writing Success

September 1, 2013November 14, 2015 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 7 Comments

Writing is not for the faint of heart. It takes hard work, dedication, a thick skin, and perseverance. Submitting that first piece of work is like standing naked on the stage of American Idol for all the world to judge.

We know, intellectually, constructive criticism and rejection will be part of the creative writing process, yet we are often unprepared. In addition, juggling everyday responsibilities and establishing a solid writing schedule amid time constraints can lead to disorganization, resulting in sabotaging the very success as writers we seek.

Sabotaging ourselves is easy. With its many disguises, it insidiously creeps up in the form of revisions, platform building, tutorials, tally counting, and discouragement, to name a few.
If you have ever found yourself doing any of the following, you might be sabotaging your writing success and perhaps it’s time to reevaluate.

Obsessing over a story or chapter–Revising to the point you can’t seem to move forward.
Obsessing over a rejection or critique–Taking it personally rather than learning from the experience
Obsessing over another’s numbers – Number of stories or novels published; the number of Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest followers they have compared to you. As a result, you spend more time on social network sites than writing.
Obsessing over learning rather than doing – Reading or attending every how-to-write-the –best-novel book, class or seminar without ever translating the knowledge into a story or novel.
Obsessing over time – Constant complaining over not enough time, schedule interruptions; lack of planning, no set schedule, timetable or goal.
Obsessing over a blank page – Writer’s block or missing muse.
Obsessing over the negative rather than the positive – Allowing discouragement, resentment, and anger to sap your creative energy.

Each one of us has chosen our path in life and defined our own success. However, to achieve our dreams and goals we must recognize the obstacles in our path, including the ones we often place ourselves.

Patterns of sabotage can lead to talented writers throwing their hands up in frustration or never seeing their dreams come to fruition. However, once recognized these patterns can be changed and success is but a keystroke away.

What do you think? Do writers sabotage themselves? Have you? I’d love to hear your comments.

“…Finally… never quit. That is all the secret of success. Never quit! Quitting, I like to believe, has not been a striking characteristic of our family, and it is not tolerated in our college.
If you can’t win the scholarship, fight it out to the end of the examination.
If you can’t win your race, at least finish—somewhere.
If your boat can’t win, at least keep pulling on your oar, even if your eye glazes and the taste of blood comes into your throat with every heave.
If you cannot make your five yards in football, keep bucking the line -never let up—if you can’t see, or hear, keep plugging ahead! Never quit! If you forget all else I have said, remember these two words, through all your life…”

John D. Swain novelist and screenwriter; The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood (Manuscripts & Archives, Yale University)

Time is relative, write?