The Theme Is...Week 23

Something that's better than a resolution

Good advice from my inspirational calendar, a Christmas gift years ago from a friend coincidentally also named Victoria C.

Two weeks ago I wrote Thoughts on a Long Marriage post where I said that, unlike Joyce Carol Oates, I wouldn’t say the theme of my life is my marriage. Something I didn’t mention: Unfortunately, after JCO’s husband of nearly 50 years died unexpectedly, she discovered much that she didn’t know and ended up saying she was disillusioned (or something to that effect). The reason I’d not say my theme is marriage or my children, though these are very often my top priorities, is because I wouldn’t want my life theme to be about another person. I could see things going really wrong with that. But if I had someone editing my work here that person wouldn’t let me get by with saying what my theme wasn’t without saying what my theme was. I needed time to think about it, however. So my plan all along was to comment on what I believe my theme is (or should be). Without reading that tiny thing about JCO’s diary, however, I would not have thought to consider a life’s theme. So I do have one I’ve come up with, thanks to her. My life theme is…

LIGHT

My theme is trying to shine light where it’s possible, to look at matters with an eye toward acceptance, humor, joy and love rather than divisiveness and despair. Typing this right now it sounds so lame, but that’s the truth. Also, I admit, I don’t always succeed. Just take the “love thy neighbor” idea…well, I have some neighbors I ADORE (hi Christi, Mike, Pavel and Carolynn!) but there are also a few I do not love and will not name. And I can tell you that I’ve reported on a couple of stories where some of the subjects would not say I’m spreading light (I beg to differ there, though). Anyhow, the theme is light. And I’m sticking to that — for now:).

Coincidentally (are there really coincidences?), this week I received an email from Better Life Lab that also talks about the power of themes. I guess people have been on to this for a while…yearly life themes work better than resolutions. That makes a lot of sense to me. So even rather than thinking of an overarching life theme, I may start contemplating a yearly theme. Check out this video for more inspiration on choosing your theme…

I know NSP is supposed to be all about ME ME ME, but I’d really love to hear about YOU YOU YOU! It may take some time to come up with one, but when you have a theme please let me know.

I think some people’s themes could be art, beauty or sexual expression. Some might be spiritual growth or the environment.

I had this grand plan to also talk about comedy, especially Dave Chappelle. But I’ll save that for next time!

P.S. Somebody asked about what happened with the short script Cyn Nooney and I wrote. We made it to the semi-finals in a really competitive competition but not the finals. We are persisting and will be back at it soon, though!

Do you have anything you want advice on or a question you want me to address? Remember you can always leave anonymous comments/questions here.