Hello, my Mythketeers!
Here we are! Into November already! This year has just sped by at breakneck speed!
Before I get into my intro, I want to mention a few things.
First, we have brought back the voting, you will see the stars at the bottom of each piece, and we have brought back the comments section. Be nice! If you didn't like a piece and have some constructive criticism, then by all means, share it with the author in the comments, but don't be a jerk.
Second, because we have brought back the voting, the Member of the Month will once again be chosen by you. I will choose the Featured Article, just as before.
Third, this new/old format is now phone friendly!!
Thank you to everyone who voiced their opinion and voted on which format they wanted. I welcome back our old format, with a new look. After all, it's not us without a bit of a change.
Speaking of the Featured Article (see what I did there), I want to congratulate James Rumpel and his story The Offer, for being chosen for that spot. He had originally submitted that piece for our October issue because that is Down Syndrome Awareness month. Since we only put out a special Halloween issue, it just didn't fit. It was one that I wanted people to read, to appreciate the message it offered. The choice it brings to light isn't easy, and not everyone would make the same decision. I hope you read this piece and recognize that it is a story that feels as if it has a ring of truth to it.
Congratulations to Vincent May for gracing our cover once again. I do love his work!
So, back to our regularly scheduled intro. It is November, racing quickly to December. Our year is set to wrap soon, and it has me thinking of things I did and things I wanted to do. It has me looking at where I failed and where I excelled. It has me making mental lists of the things I want to do and the things I want to change. Personal inventory. Those are hard. You have to hold a metaphorical (or physical one if it's easier) mirror up to yourself and look yourself in the eyes and take stock without flinching. Are you proud of the person you are? Have you done things you need to make amends for? Have you lived this past year the best way you can? Have you been kind? That is a big one for me. Being kind. I try to be kind every day, but when I am grumpy or someone has put me in a bad mood, that is when I prioritize kindness. I will go out of my way to be kind to someone, because I need it. In that moment, I require the kindness, so I give it to someone else. It's not easy, not by any measure, and I fail more than I succeed, but the main thing is, I try. I am learning to recognize those not-so-nice moments in myself and do something to change them. By being kind to someone else, I have to change my mental state. You can't be nice and generous when you feel all grouchy.
So, my request of you is to be kind. Do, or say, or just smile at someone and brighten their day just a little. Also, be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time to make mistakes, to be human, to fall. To fail is to not get up when you fall, so get up, dust yourself off, and keep going. It's only life, don't take it so seriously.
Until next time,
Stephanie J Bardy
Editor of Kindness, Humbleness, and all things Joyful