Turn the Page

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay

The words are familiar. There’s a sense of comfort that keeps you reading it over and over again. It’s like watching your favorite movie, reflecting on the best moments of your life, visiting your favorite place, and being with the ones who give you comfort. You don’t want to turn the page-even if it means something greater. It’s scary-it’s unknown.

Paying attention in the back of the room was impossible. But being in the front of the room labeled you a class pet. Reading out loud in class, whether Bible class or at school, was sometimes stressful. Tracing the words I heard with my finger kept me on target-until a faster reader chimed in. It gave me comfort if the teacher used a pattern (I could count how many would read before me and no tricky stuff!). Fast forward to my own classroom and I never forced any student to read outloud. The class became my fearless family. Through mutual trust we would ALL read out loud at times (at the SAME TIME-it was music to my ears! Some might read 3 words and others 3 pages. Friends would buddy up to boost confidence and learn from one another (anyone remember popcorn reading when friends when “pop” the turns to other friends?). The fear of being stuck on a page while others were turning would never happen. Not with me.

Isn’t life simpler when everyone and everything is operating on the same page? There’s little conflict and harmony seems to flow. A sense of ease might even exist. Unfortunately, in my life, operating on the same page does not propel my progress. I’m not speaking of the daily routines and decisions that enhance the quality of my spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

If you’re stuck on the same page, chapter, or even book, I pray you find faith and hope. I know it’s not easy. Finding comfort is cemented coziness! Turning the page might hurt-fear might freeze any faith. Do you have an exciting chapter ahead? Is it one that you know will be difficult? How do you want your story to end? The chapters of your life will make a beautiful book. I don’t know how each chapter will end, but I know who does. Our Creator already knows. I’ll turn the page.

My family of friends, thank you. ❤🙏🤗 You’ve become my trusted tribe. I’ve curved again on my learning (wow, I should be dizzy!). Admittedly, it took me a year and 1/2 to realize the difference between FOLLOWING a blog and SUBSCRIBING to someone’s newsletter. But I know now! 😁 Many of you follow my blog- THANK YOU (you hit the FOLLOW button and receive e-mail notifications of new posts). But if you follow me, it doesn’t not mean you have subscribed. And maybe you’d rather not! I completely understand! If you are interested in subscribing to receive a monthly newsletter I would be so grateful and appreciative!💚 My newsletter/email sign-up are on any page EXCEPT my homepage.

Have faith💚

When I began writing again a page was turned. At times it feels as though I’ve skipped some important chapters. 😬 So I revisit my learning. Add new learning. Phone a friend. I’m sharing a video of a testimonial for Children’s Book Insider. Watching myself on video makes me cringe. Worry of the words coming out weakens me. Pausing and thinking causes me to stumble at times. Writing is easier. Writing for two genres is not. But I’ll keep turning pages. 💚

EEK! It was scary to be interviewed! But I was SO happy to do this for Children’s Book Insider! If you are a writer of children’s books I’d HIGHLY recommend this resource. I’ve enjoyed every course (at YOUR pace) and connecting with other writers (the courses are the Writing Blueprints).
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39 thoughts on “Turn the Page”

  1. jpayne98

    I learn more every day that you can’t get stuck if you have Jesus in your corner. Great job sweetheart. Love always J. 🤟🏼❤️🙏♾. Ps. Love the video. ❤️💚

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  2. The song by the Byrds was released in 1965, when I was with a military advisory group in Iran. I’m surprised at how the lyrics described so well one’s life. I think listening to this song once for me is enough. Nevertheless, thanks for the memories.

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  3. Speaking of moving on — why is THIS part of Ecclesiastes 3 seldom quoted? It answers a LOT of questions — especially verses 12 and 13.

    9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

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    1. King Solomon truly depicts the common theme for humanity. A man, although high in stature, still rejected on life wondering, pondering, and with a few regrets. His wisdom is simplistic; I love it. And never did he waiver on the belief of God’s hand on everything. He didn’t roll in judgement based on laws, but provided wise truths based on God’s loving presence. We will all have those searches for meaning, I believe, and can rest in the promise and do our best to be happy here in this only heaven we know right now. ❤️💙💛

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  4. You have indeed turned many pages dear lady, that belief is in your eyes and is what you give out. You have done well in following your heart, that belief in you. Take a bow ❤️ 🙏🏽
    Love and light for your journey, may it ever give out that strength 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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  6. We can’t all be on the same page at the same time, some forge ahead, perhaps they are fast readers or perhaps it only seems that way because next thing they are doubled back and logging over the same lessons. I loved this post, full of metaphor and gentleness and authenticity. Just like yourself Karla.

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  7. I have always been a page turner yet not a risk taker. I am an optimist so I eagerly turn the page hoping for good things. When things are not as planned I have enough confidence and trust in the divine plan to just go with the flow…. I was thrilled to see you and hear your voice – you did a great job on the interview!

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    1. Aw, thank you so much. Your first few sentences are so relatable~fully! And it was “risky” putting that video out there. The interview took 30 minutes and the young lady conducting the interview was such a pleasure.
      It’s nice to put a face and voice to a name. Especially as friends! The funniest thing to me is I’m not usually dressed that way. Typically I’m wearing t-shirts, pigtails, and ball hats. Thank you again. 💚🤗

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  9. Great article! ✨🧡 staying on the same page is what we enjoy for short term but regret in long term and turning the page may seem risky for now but it is the only thing that can keep our life interesting and moving!

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    1. Thank you, Mark. I’m turning pages and learning some why’s about myself. And in turn, opens my heart to complete empathy for others. I’ve been helped, therefore I can hold out my hand to others!

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    1. Thank you, Kelley! You’re one of my inspirations! It was time to let go of a few things and this allowed my hands to be free to grab some good God things! The one message that has appeared over and over in my dreams is that we are given gifts to share with others the love and joy from our Creator. There were times in my life that I wasn’t honest ~the transparency there; yet so was invisibility. Honesty wouldn’t be heard. I’ve learned to be me, embrace those who love me for me, and let go of perceptions from people who don’t know me at all. It’s all God. I love your words, “It’s all about the journey.” 💛🤗

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  14. I found the ‘out loud’ stuff in school, daunting. It is up there with public speaking as a worst fear. Karla, I especially like your sentence “The class became my fearless family.” And the word “trust.” This says a great deal about you, your quality of character, sensitivity, empathy and integrity. You have a beautiful, engaging, multi-layered way with words. You are a natural in the video. Awesome song “Turn, Turn, Turn,” I have the Judy Collins version (I think 1966) On a music note, I absolute love when Judy Collins and Leonard Cohen sing together. Example singing “Suzanne.” (1976 version) and together singing “Hey, That’s no way to say goodbye” Thank you for sharing a wonderful post.

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    1. Erica, thank you for your beautiful response and encouragement. Your feedback is heartfelt and helpful, always. I’m going right to Cohen and Collins songs after this reply. I hope you have a beautiful weekend in your gorgeous B.C.! Hugs and peace my friend. ❤️🤗

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  15. Love the title Karla and totally connected with reading out loud in school…. sigh.
    Lifes pages keep turning and we can choose to embrace and turn, turn, turn (love that song) or hide in our corner. Love that you took the risk to share your interview I can’t wait to listen to. I’d subscribe but I’m barely checking my client emails at the moment.. Yikes… Great post and thought.💖💖💖

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    1. Thank you, Cindy, for your kind words and thoughts. Choosing to embrace them seems to be the best choice for me. And I completely understand the time constraints and keeping up with emails. Have a blessed Sunday and week! 💛💚❤️😘🤗🥰

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  16. While I was doing my teacher training placements here I would look forward to reading to the students out loud. Even when the classes I was with were older than one might think being read to would be ‘cool’ (maybe not quite the right word) they listened so beautifully. I think there is something wonderful about being read to, and reading to others – in an environment where trust and respect are foundations.

    Thank you for sharing more of your journey. It gives me courage to keep taking the small steps I am with my own writing. You answered each of the questions in the interview very usefully for viewers too. 🧡

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    1. Thank you, Hamish. I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments. Your statement, “in an environment where trust and respect are foundations”, I believe is truth in every situation and circumstance in life. Trust and respect are indeed crucial to any foundation (hopefully everything falls on a foundation of love). I’m so thankful for the encouragement I receive here from friends such as you. And thank you for reading and caring about my journey! Keep on keeping on my friend! 💛

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