HABIT
Sister Mary Angelica was always scrupulously careful about her habit. She
always showed up for prayers with her habit neatly pressed and her wimples
starched. She never got a spot of gravy or wine on her habit and
rigourously laundered it once a week. That's why the sisters were so
shocked when she came to vespers one night with grass stains on her knees.
"I was gardening," she replied to their querilous looks. Next week she
had a big soup stain running down her front. The sisters tried not to
notice but when it was still there the second week, they began to worry.
They decided to go to Mother Superior. Mother Superior Drusilla always
knew what to do. They told her about the grass stains. They told her
about the soup dribble, too. Mother Superior thought carefully. Then she
slowly and with deliberation, "It sounds like Sister Mary Angelica has
acquired a bad habit."
Copyright © 2003 Janice Van Cleve
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Write A Story About ...
These three "short shorts" were five minute timed writings. No editing
allowed. Just write.
My writers group has been won over to this inspiring method. We do the
timed writing then read back to the group. We amaze each other and
ourselves with what pops into our heads and onto the page. Here, we wrote
one for you: a story about habit. ~ Sheila June 2003
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"Many times I've heard words to this effect: Before I took your class, I
was completely separate from my creativity..." ~
Julie Cameron in The
Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,
A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self
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Habit
Minnie lined up her pills for the day from large to small. The two that
were the same size were arranged from dark to light. The capsule was the
largest one and she placed it so the pill next to it hit exactly at its
middle. She stood with her right hip bone grazing the cold round edge of
the tile counter and sipped her tea, contemplating the medications. Her
toaster sent out appetizing smells and a little steam. Its sudden
mechanical metal click startled her. She jumped and her tea sloshed. She
always had a piece of dry toast before starting her meticulous daily
regimen for keeping herself sane.
Copyright © 2003 Sheila Siden
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In October 2002, I was swimming in
the hero's journey after the Edmonds Writers Conference, perception having
found some reference to Robert Irwin, drumming, drawing and gardening.
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