Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Why a Winged Horse?

Why do I call this blog the Pegasus journals? Well, the story goes so far back into my childhood that I, myself, do not even remember it.

When I was a child I had an imaginary friend. I don't remember him at all, but my mother says I called him "Mr. Pegasus." I wonder sometimes if my mother didn't just stretch her imagination to make my gibberish sound like such a name. It could have actually been Mr. Pegleg or Mr. Pogo, or some name I had heard but couldn't pronounce. But since Pegasus is such a wonderfully relevant name to someone like me, I think I'll go along with what my mother says.

Sometime during my adolescence I found out what (or who) Pegasus was. I had already found out that I love to write and wanted to become a writer. Imagine my elation when I read that in mythology, Pegasus, a winged horse who, with the slash of his hoof, created Hippocreene, an eternal spring of the muses, was a source of inspiration for poets! It was my validation, my guarantee, my sign from God that I was to be a writer. Why else would a child call her imaginary friend "Pegasus"? I certainly couldn't have thought of it on my own as a preschooler. It was destiny.

I have often wondered how on earth I came across my imaginary friend. When I was going through my Edgar Cayce/Shirley McClain phase, I believed Mr. Pegasus must have been a guiding spirit. And, even though I am a person who believes in divine purpose for everything, my rational mind keeps trying to tell me it was just a coincidence. However, my left brain has never pulled much weight with me.

Though my life has taken many turns, and I have changed my mind several times about my career, and indeed have changed my career field more than once, something in the back of my mind still clings to the notion that I MUST WRITE. Many times, I have felt convinced that I would never become a writer, and should give up the silly idea, but Mr. Pegasus will not let me.

The main problem remains that while Pegasus may be an inspiration, he can't force me to get on and ride. He is not a magic formula, and I am certainly not William Butler Yeats, who had Spirit guides to do his writing for him. That's what I keep hoping for, I guess -- that someday I'll fall into a deep trance, wake up, and see pages filled with wonderful words.

I used to tell my writing students that learning to write is like learning to ride a bicycle. You have to get on and ride, and fall, scrape your elbows and knees, and even your chin, and eventually you will be a bike rider. "If you want to be a writer, write," said Epicetus. OK, OK. I get the idea. I can't expect the horse to do it all, even if he does have wings.

4 comments:

Carver said...

Dear Jackie,

What a beautiful story. I will look forward to reading more of your entries. I remember when you started your old blog but I lost the link so I'll be sure and save this one. You are very much in my thoughts and prayers. I appreciated your kind message on my "sight" so much, especially with all you are currently dealing with. As ever, Carver

Carver said...

Jackie,

Well you're getting two messages from me. I can't believe I didn't know your surgery was tomorrow until Kim posted. I will be praying up a storm that it will go smoothly and that your recovery will be swift.

As ever, Carver

Jackie said...

I haven't exactly been giving this blog any attention, have I? It's hard to abandon the other one... and at the same time, I don't really want to duplicate myself.

Danielle said...

Jackie,

You and I "spoke" (online) sometime last year --

I would love for you to share your melanoma survival story.

We're currently collecting stories from melanoma warriors for a special edition of my book.

To learn more, check out my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com.

Keep writing!!!

Here's to you and your health,

Danielle & The Cancer Crusaders