An ISBN number is definitely not the only criteria for an important publication. That is but one small detail that makes the publication official to some, in one specific and formalized way. However, many of my most important publications are ones that do not have, never could have and would never want to have an ISBN number. These are the unofficial, informal and non-formal works of writing - the "one of", moment by moment pieces written for a specific purpose, person, place, space & time. These "unofficial" pieces of writings serve an important albeit unrecognized role - they are the "small offerings" (Thank you Carolyn) - the small gifts I have given to myself and others, the seeds of hope that I have shared and will continue to share throughout life. These are the little handwritten notes, cards, letters, stories, poems, anecdotes, compilations, learning activities, ideas, seeds of hope, dialogues and conversations that happen all the time on an ongoing basis.
It is easy to get caught up in the tendency to more easily assign credence & value to the formally recognized efforts (writing, learning, living and otherwise) they are the more visible, concrete & tangible pieces - but really it is those smaller unrecognized efforts of every moment of every day that make the most difference to the most people. The United Nations has long recognized the importance and value of formal, informal and non-formal learning - it is about time that I started recognizing the role, importance and value of ALL of my writing efforts. This includes the large formal & official efforts, but even more importantly, it also includes the smaller, non-formal, informal and ongoing efforts that have no discrete beginning, middle or end. The ongoing circles, swirls & tides of our existence - these are the stories that have the most importance - these are the stories that REALLY matter AND they do not need the official stamp of an ISBN number to prove it...
All for me for now. Take gentle care, ~SLRSB 8)
It is easy to get caught up in the tendency to more easily assign credence & value to the formally recognized efforts (writing, learning, living and otherwise) they are the more visible, concrete & tangible pieces - but really it is those smaller unrecognized efforts of every moment of every day that make the most difference to the most people. The United Nations has long recognized the importance and value of formal, informal and non-formal learning - it is about time that I started recognizing the role, importance and value of ALL of my writing efforts. This includes the large formal & official efforts, but even more importantly, it also includes the smaller, non-formal, informal and ongoing efforts that have no discrete beginning, middle or end. The ongoing circles, swirls & tides of our existence - these are the stories that have the most importance - these are the stories that REALLY matter AND they do not need the official stamp of an ISBN number to prove it...
All for me for now. Take gentle care, ~SLRSB 8)
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