Hilary Barnett » Life

Two Men

hilarybarnett — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:05:44 +0000

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to hear two different men speak. One was at a banquet honoring the first man as “Christian Businessman of the Year”. The event was attended by the most influential and well-known individuals in the city at an upscale hotel. A four course meal was served, and a video honoring the man’s life played. The video recounted all the contributions that this man had made as an outstanding father, businessman, leader, volunteer and citizen. He was so humbled to receive the award, and gave many thanks to his loved ones and friends who had been there along the journey. He spoke about God’s faithfulness to him, and his wonderful wife who supported him through the ups and downs. He thanked everyone for their kindness in selecting him for this award, and thanked his pastor for the wisdom and guidance that he had given him over the years. He thanked his children for being a constant source of inspiration and joy. He knew that he was a blessed man.

The following week, I heard another man speak, in a very different setting. He was old and worn by years of alcohol abuse and exposure. He was speaking to a group of teenagers from across the city in a packed and silent room. He told his story about how he had been in Vietnam, and began to drink there when things got tough. When he got back from the war, his wife didn’t know him anymore. So he drank. And drank some more. So much so, that his wife left him, and he ended up wandering the streets for the majority of 20 years, mostly intoxicated or sleeping, and completely out of touch with his family. But then he talked about how he decided to make a change in his life. How he fought hard against the demon of alcohol, and is winning a small victory every day. How he is so proud of his new apartment, and that he finally got to speak to his family again. That he is working hard, and bringing home an honest paycheck. His face beamed as he thanked God, his friends, and the people who cared for him. He wouldn’t be standing there, telling his story, if it weren’t for them- he would be dead. He too, knew that he was a blessed man.

Editing Life

hilarybarnett — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:32:13 +0000

I am an editor at heart. Dotting I’s and crossing T’s is my specialty. I am in the process of editing a major writing project at the moment, and I am loving it. The editing part means taking what is already there and improving it, tightening it up, cutting out the unnecessary parts. This part comes easy. It’s the creating, the forming something out of nothing that is hard. That’s the part that I avoid.

How often do I spend most of my time editing- obsessing, rearranging, reorganizing, streamlining, planning. How often do I spend time actually creating- creating moments, creating stories, creating memories, creating relationships?

It seems like it should be as simple as breathing, but it is an effort.

Do you find the creative process difficult? How do you practice active creativity in your life, whether it be writing or otherwise?

Time for a Life Update.

hilarybarnett — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:27:59 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve written a simple life update, so I thought I would take a stab at it. As you can see from my last post, I have had a rocky relationship with blogging and social media in general over the last few months. Call it a phase.

I though the picture to the left was fitting, because I have most certainly been on a journey over the last year. (And Starbucks has generally traveled with me, but that is beside the point). Here are a few things that have been going on in my life recently:

- I went skydiving with my husband for our 8th Anniversary. For the video click here.

- I got a new job. Not just any job, but my dream job. I am working as a Volunteer Manager (they pay me to run the volunteer program, that is), for an amazing non-profit called Room in the Inn. This job could not be a more perfect miracle of God.

- I am still writing, but I wasn’t able to stimulate enough copywriting work for it to be financially sustainable. But, I am still writing. I will never stop writing. I got my first published article a few months ago, and am working on a big and exciting and top-secret project that I am not going to tell anyone about because it is scary and I don’t want people to ask me how it is coming along.

- Due to my new full-time job, I am taking my umpteenth break from grad school. That has been the craziest journey, but I am not giving up. I will finish this degree, if I have to do it by the skin of my teeth (highly likely). I’ll be returning next semester.

- Matt and I are talking about family planning, and when that might happen. We aren’t in a huge rush. We feel this time around that it is even more private and personal than ever, but when the good news is ready to be shared, I can’t wait to tell the world.

THINGS ON MY MIND RECENTLY:

- The fact that I am turning 30 in January. Somebody hold me.

- How God works every situation out perfectly and for a purpose, and it’s so much easier to see after some time has passed.

- Going back to work full-time isn’t half bad when you are passionate about the work. It’s actually really nice.

- Paychecks and benefits are also nice.

- Today, in my mind, was the first day of fall. I know this because it was the first day that I didn’t step outside and begin sweating profusely.

- Why have I now just discovered Gilmore Girls? It makes me happy.

- Working every day with individuals suffering from homelessness is really messing with my preconceived notions and perceptions about everything. And I am grateful for that.

- Life is good.

Seasons Change.

hilarybarnett — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:36:05 +0000

The leaves here in Nashville have gone from subtle shades of brown to bright bursts of red and orange. Being in this city in the fall is one gorgeous experience. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The crispness in the air, the glorious changing foliage, and the knowledge of the coming winter makes me want to be outside every minute.

It’s interesting to see how the new seasons bring changes in life. No matter how “stuck” I’ve felt in the past, I am starting to realize that nothing ever stays the same for long. This year has brought many changes in not only my outside circumstances, but in me as a person. It’s those everyday experiences, relationships and decisions that have shaped and changed me so much this year. It’s easy to say “I quit my job”, or “I’m back in school”, or, “we’re trying to start a family”, but it’s hard to put into words all the things that I have learned about myself, and the complex and important things that have happened in my marriage, my friendships, and my walk with God. Those types of things are too deep to explain.

As I look back at this year, and look forward to the Christmas season and the ringing in of 2010, there are many things I am grateful for, and many things I am still clueless about. I guess if my experiences this year have taught me anything, it’s to savor every single day for what it is, and don’t just go through the motions. We make our lives what we want them to be, through our small little daily activities- what we eat, how we spend our money, the people we spend time with, the work that we do, the creative endeavors to which we give ourselves.

I work with an older woman, helping her to organize her house and her stuff. One thing that I love about working with older people is that you get a sense of perspective. They have lived life, and seen more than you could ever imagine. One day we were going through her upstairs storage, and we found several boxes of the trips she had taken, with pictures and memorabilia. We had lugged most everything upstairs to the attic at that point, and I went to grab the boxes to take them up. She stopped me and said, “no, leave those down here- I like to look at them from time to time.”

Her husband had done quite well for himself, and I don’t think that she had to want for much throughout her life. In their younger years, she and her husband were part of the Nashville elite. One day I mentioned, “so you were pretty high society, huh? Must have been fun.” She looked me dead in the eyes and said “it was not fun at all.” I realized that no matter what earthly possessions she had, or what social circles she ran in, nothing was more important to her now than the people in her life and the moments she created with them. I’m grateful to have gained that perspective this year, and I hope that I can live into that knowledge every day.

Many blessings to you as your seasons change!