Sunday, August 7, 2011

Breaking Out of a Bubble Life




Relationships are difficult. Communicating with others effectively can be trying. Everyday human encounters are wrought with misunderstandings and hurt feelings. But if we try to avoid these things we become solitary. My husband likes to say that I live in a bubble, and I’ll admit there have been times when I’ve been happy to live a largely solitary life.


My sister and I used to have a theme song. We would call each other up after a trying day and sing Simon & Garfunkel’s “I am a Rock.”

It’s a great song, and I still love it. But it’s not a fitting theme song for me anymore.
Possibly the most important thing I’m learning as a writer is how to connect with others – and I kind of like it. And so I find myself stepping out of my comfort zone in life and in my writing, where I’m tackling a YA novel after years of remaining in the comforts of short stories.

I’ve built lots of walls over the years, but Out on a Limb is my attempt at tearing them down – one word at a time. I hope my words reach you, wherever you are.

Oh, and I’m currently in the market for a new theme song. =) I’m thinking maybe The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”



What’s your theme song?
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18 comments:

  1. ColoradoKateAugust 7, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    *wavewavewave*

    I'm your first follower! It's an honor. I'm trying to think of an appropriate song. "Sisters of Mercy" fits the theme, but it's awfully somber... ;-D How about "Don't Worry... Be Happy!"

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  2. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Hi Ruth, I LOVE your first post and all the thoughts you bring out, as well as your videos. Add music to just about anything and it makes it better. :)

    My theme song differs often, but one that's prevailed over the last few months is Addison Road's "This Little Light of Mine."
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVeB7ACVgO0

    Londy Leigh

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  3. UnknownAugust 7, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    I'm not sure I have a theme song either. (Though at one time in my life I would have said it's soundtrack should be REO's greatest hits...)

    At the risk of being cliche, I'll go with Stairway to Heaven. Might be different next week, but it can't hurt to have a little Zep in the meantime.

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  4. KatrinaAugust 7, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    I'm not entirely certain I have an all-the-time theme song. My sisters say that "Reach" by Gloria Esteban is MY song, but I don't know.

    Right now, my theme song is "Somebody" by Reba McEntire.

    SO GLAD to see you here, Ruth! I'm your 4th follower! :)

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  5. Kelly HashwayAugust 8, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Hmm, I can't say I have a theme song. I'm a workaholic when it comes to writing and I do my best to connect with other writers.

    Nice to see you blogging, Ruth!

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  6. MikkiAugust 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Hi Ruth! I enjoyed your post, and now I'm a follower, too. I love music,and usually have a CD going when I'm writing. Right now, I'm immersing myself in the "Golden Oldies" of the 40's, 50's, and 60's, but I don't think I have a real theme song. If I did have one, it would probably be The Impossible Dream, from the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha, and sung by Richard Kiley. ( all of which is probably long before your time ! )

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  7. Ruth SchiffmannAugust 8, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Yay, the gang's all here! Thanks for stopping by.
    I need to learn from you all with your upbeat, inspirational songs.

    Kate - "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is a great theme song. It's probably a mantra I should incorporate into my daily life ;)

    Londy - I'm with you - music makes anything better. Thanks for the link. I love that song, with the chorus bringing back childhood memories of Sunday School.

    Ellen - I love everything REO. And I wouldn't say Stairway to Heaven is a cliche choice. Let's say it's a classic choice.

    Cat - Gloria Estefan's voice is so rich, and those lyrics are so uplifting. But I can't resist the romance of your current theme song. Sounds like there might be a story behind that??? Somebody in general?? Or a specific somebody??

    Kelly - I need to think of a theme song for you that sums up those traits. I'll let you know if I come up with something. And thanks for stopping by.

    Mikki - I have music on anytime I'm NOT writing. I'm distracted by the story that the lyrics are telling while I'm trying to tell a story of my own.

    While it may be before my time, I know "The Impossible Dream." I love musicals!

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  8. EvelynAugust 8, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    I'm so excited to see that you're blogging, Ruth! You're braver than I, cause I still haven't started. I love your site, and your first post is wonderful. I'm an introvert, so I identified with your feelings about relationships.

    I don't really have a theme song, but if I had to choose one it would probably be "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" or "Climb Every Mountain."

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  9. D.E. MaloneAugust 8, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Just dropping in to say congratulations for starting your blog! Enjoyed your post, but you've stumped me - I can't think of my theme song.

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  10. annaAugust 9, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    What a lovely post. I think I'm a bit of a bubble/rock/island too. I think my theme song might be...Blackbird by the Beatles. Or maybe its just my favourite song, I'm not sure. But I love that movement between what is incredibly beautiful and what is slightly sad - it captures my feelings about most important things.

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  11. Ruth SchiffmannAugust 9, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Hi Ev, so glad you found me here. I knew we were kindred spirits ;)

    Those are both great songs!

    Dawn, now that I've got your thinking on it, I bet you'll come up with one.

    Hi Anna, it's good to hear from another bubble/rock/island. I know what you mean about that beautiful/sad place. When you experience it, you feel like you've unlocked one of life's mysteries.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 10, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Wonderful post and I wanted to let you know The Cabinet of Curiosities blog has presented you with a Liebster award.

    http://fivecuriosities.blogspot.com/

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  13. Courtney ReneAugust 11, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Nice to see you in the blog world missy! What a great post too. My theme song changes all the time, depending on my mood I think.

    ctny
    www.ctnyrene.blogspot.com

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  14. srubleAugust 11, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    I don't have one theme song. My theme song is whatever I need at the moment. 80s songs seem to get a lot of play, also Green Day, U2 and Simon & Garfunkel too.

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  15. KellyAugust 11, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    Congrats on the blog!

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  16. Ruth SchiffmannAugust 12, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Thanks so much, Pat! I'm looking forward to passing the award on. I'll be posting my picks on Monday.

    Hey Courtney, Stephanie, and Kelly, thanks for stopping by.

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  17. cleemckenzieAugust 12, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    It's hard to get out there among people you've never met and say, "Hi! Here I am. Hope you like me."

    That's part of the writing business that I really hadn't considered and I've struggled, so I totally understand what you're saying here.

    I Am Rock is perfect. Sometimes I have to relax too and then I hum, "Slow down, you move too fast. Got to make the morning last." <B Simon and Garfunkel.

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  18. Ruth SchiffmannAugust 14, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    C. Lee - that's a great song. I should play that in the car when summer traffic is stressing me out.

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