Symbolic Themes - from Malayna Dawn

Contemplating “Twilight” - Story, Symbolism, and Mythology

I had put off reading Twilight initially. 

Maybe it was out of loyalty to Anne Rice’s vampires. 

Maybe because it looked like a teenage vampire story and I thought I couldn’t relate to the kids today. 

Honestly, it was largely because I’m in the midst of writing my next book—still a spiritual adventure set in Sri Lanka, but a gothic and supernatural one--and I didn’t want to be influenced too much. 

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetknez23/

But then I gave in. My mind needed data.

I’m so glad that I did!  For one thing, it made me feel young! And apparently, I CAN relate to the kids today, since I know a few Tweens who are totally into the series, as well as several alleged-adults like myself.  Youth is a state of mind. 

Also - it reminded me that true creativity isn’t diminished by appreciating others’ creative work, instead, it breeds inspiration by feeding the imagination.  Creation feeds creation—it’s the circle of life and of giving and receiving. And that’s all good stuff.  Her praise for the band “Muse” * for inspiring her is a good example.

Issues with Success

For some reason, people have been congratulating me on my success lately, and I find I don’t know how to respond. Mostly because I don’t feel like much of a success.

Then I found a book that I bought as gift for a friend. And it gave me a good slap.  Of course, I can’t find the entry that woke me up now as I look for it, but it basically said that “it only seems like failure because it doesn’t look the way you wanted it to look.”

Robin Sharma, the Indian man who wrote “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”, offers little morsels of uplifting messages from the book in a Daily Inspiration format.  Some of the topics covered each month include:

Personal Greatness
Destiny and Life’s Purpose
Overcoming Adversity and Disappointment
Real Success
Humor and Strength of Character
Extraordinary Achievement
Building Remarkable Relationships
Enjoying Life’s Journey

Since I don’t feel like much of a success, it was the Overcoming Adversity and Disappointment chapter that got me. Here are a few faves, that I hope you will read at exactly the time YOU need them!

“You would not have the wisdom and knowledge you now possess if it were not for the setbacks you have faced, the mistakes you have made, and the suffering you have endured.  Once and for all, come to realize that pain is a teacher and failure is the highway to success. You cannot learn how to play the guitar without hitting a few wrong notes and you will never learn how to sail if you are not willing to tip the boat over a few times.  Begin to see your troubles as blessings.”

"Before a seeker reaches the final destination of her biggest self, she will be presented with a trial. Before she reaches the treasure she has longed for, she will be given a test. That’s just the way life works on the path. If you study any great book of wisdom that describes this voyage of personal awakening, you will see that the seeker—or the hero—always faces some trial or adversity just before he gets the prize: the life that has been desired.”

"Most people give up before they reach their dreams. Most people quit only steps away from getting everything they wanted. Don’t let that happen to you."

Here's a fun game...

At least I think it's fun.  If you go to Amazon.com and do a search for "Malayna", you'll get this:

(You can click on the image to see it more clearly...)

Although I have nothing to do with the boots, I am happy that my book comes first, and that I'm part of the DailyOM book!

Of course they thanked me with my long, complicated name rather than my short and simple name, but it's still me.

AND the very first article in the book is MINE!  Yay! There are several more of my articles throughout, and maybe one day I'll tell you which pages. Until then, you'll have to guess.