The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Forgetting What Is Behind, I Press On


Hello Everyone,

It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time has come around again. 

IWSG, a writer’s support group, which was created by Alex Cavanaugh, is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:

My report:

I was a NaNo participant and did not submit any stories this month.

Submissions still out:
1. Submitted one short story to Wordhaus, an online publication. Haven’t got an answer yet.

DECEMBER'S QUESTION: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

ANSWER: Five years from now, I will be a successful published author. Continually strengthening my writing through writing courses, attending writer’s conferences, reading other people’s works, and writing daily will help me achieve my goal.




Forgetting What Is Behind, I Press On


Two thousand sixteen, standing on the starting line,
I waited for the whistle to blow.
It blew, and I started running forward.
Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what was ahead, I pressed on.

Sometimes, I stumbled; I even fell,
Sometimes badly,
Each time, I got up.
I kept going.
Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what was ahead, I pressed on.

Projects started.
Some, I completed.
Some, I forgot.
Others remain ongoing.
Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what was ahead, I pressed on.

Tests came.
Shook my patience,
My tenacity,
My perseverance,
And my faith in myself.
Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what was ahead, I pressed on.

Shadows hovered over me and blocked my sight.
My vision hampered,
I learned to walk in darkness.
Forgetting what was behind and straining toward what was ahead, I pressed on.

Trained my eyes to look upward,
To move away from the dark center,
To find the silver lining,
I keep going.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.*

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a safe walk over into 2017.

Shalom aleichem,












Pat Garcia

*Bible Verse comes out of Philippians 3: 13 -14, New International Version, 1984, Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK.