We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Rose recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cynthia, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline is rooted in the way I was raised as a child. My parents modeled self discipline at home, and I am grateful they taught it to me. They were strict and ran a tight ship, especially my mother. She had to, with a house full of children and a husband to take care of. My father worked nearly every day outside of the home. And on his days off he worked fixing things that needed fixing at home and tuning up our family car. My mother kept the house in order and cooked us healthy meals daily. I had assigned, daily chores and could not play until they and my schoolwork were done. There were chores the boys never got assigned, because my parents believed in “old school” gender roles. At the time, I didn’t think it was fair that everyone my brother got to watch TV or play video games, while I spent hours cleaning. But in hindsight I realized it taught me how to take care of my home as an adult.
I was expected to make my bed every day and keep my room tidy and clean. My chores included washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen each evening. Weekend chores included cleaning the family bathroom, sweeping & vacuuming floors, dusting, laundry, ironing, and sometimes extra deep cleaning chores such as cleaning windows. I helped my mother shop for groceries. I helped prep food while she cooked. I helped look after my younger nieces and nephews, which included baby sitting the little ones, and helping the older ones with school assignments.
Despite all the chores, I still found time to read books, listen to the radio, draw, write, and play outside with my family and friends. After I left home to go to college, this discipline helped me adjust to dorm rules and roommates. Once I moved out on my own into my own apartment, this discipline allowed me to take care of my own space. The things my father taught me helped me take care of my first car.
The discipline I learned in my younger years carried over into my work ethic and adult life. It helped me complete tasks on time at work, and I learned to delay gratification and save for a “rainy day.” When I married and later became a mother, I was able to take care of my child and be a helpful wife, because I had first learned discipline over my own person. It wasn’t always easy, because each new level of responsibility in life brings new challenges to overcome. Learning to master daily small tasks prepared me to handle new responsibilities. It’s those seemingly small things that we do each day that prepare us for the big things in life.
I view being disciplined as though I am giving my future self a gift. For example, I make my bed every morning within the first 15 minutes of waking up. As a result, I have the gift of encountering a nicely dressed bed that I get to “unwrap” in the evening and in which I enjoy a good night’s sleep. Another example is when I wash the dishes and tidy up the kitchen before bed at night. In the morning, when I walk into my kitchen to make coffee, I am greeted by a nice, clean sink. This helps me ease into the day and motivates me to cook a healthy breakfast. Whenever I leave a room, I take something with me that needs to be placed elsewhere, such as shoes, an empty cup, or a sweater I may have tossed on a chair on the way home from work. It doesn’t feel like a chore to maintain a tiny home, because I’ve not left everything cluttered or dirty throughout the week. And if a friend drops by unexpectedly, I can confidently welcome them into my home. I thank my parents for teaching me the discipline of cleanliness and a good work ethic, and I will be forever grateful for their lessons of generosity and kindness.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Greetings, I am Cynthia Rose a published poet, author, artist, book coach, and editor – a native New Yorker, who now calls Florida home. I have been writing since I was 7 years old, when my grandmother gifted me a small journal. My first published work was in my college newspaper, of which I later became the editor-in-chief, after submitting editorials, cartoons, and poems, then working as an unpaid features writer. Writing for the paper inspired me to change my major from theater & fashion design to print journalism. I later enjoyed a 20-year career in federal public relations and outreach & advocacy for small and limited resource farmers as well as 1890 universities. In my 40’s I published my first book of poetry, Bloom Forever – A Poetry Journal (2013), created an editing business, re-engaged with the performing arts, and I rediscovered painting (acrylics), after a divorce and the death of my mother. Art truly heals! I also created and presented “Write to Heal” sessions to share how poetry, journaling, and writing exercises can serve as tools for self-healing. In 2020, I co-published an inspirational poetry and photography book with my life partner, Stan Johnson, titled Journey’s Light – The Journey Is Light.
By day, I work as a public affairs specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. By night, and on weekends, I study as I’m currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, where I am learning to combine my love for creative writing and the healing arts in new ways. In my little free time, I paint, write poetry, thrift shop, read, cook, tend to my dog and plants, and I am learning to invite more time for self-care into my daily life. I’ve spent most of this year (2024) recovering from an auto accident, which forced me to slow down and take time to do daily physical therapy exercises.
Last Spring, I had the good fortune of volunteering as an artist-in-residence intern at UF Shands Hospital, in Gainesville, Florida, where I worked alongside an artist in residence. We brought art activities to patients at bedside and also presented group art sessions. That experience filled me with joy and also confirmed that I am on the right path toward a future career that I will possibly never wish to retire from! Meantime, I continue to write as time allows in my busy schedule, and I believe I already have enough poetry to publish a new book. I’m also writing a series of devotionals to expand on some I have published in anthologies.
I have been published in several anthologies, magazines, and newspapers. I love performing poetry readings live and am working on memorizing more poems to share at live events. I am grateful God gave me the ability to pursue creative arts, even if it is just now blooming in midlife. Every experience has led me to these moments, and it is a blessing to be alive. My future goals include establishing an Arts in Wellness center where I lead creative writing workshops and can invite my artist friends to share arts that help our communities heal both emotionally and physically. If my words, books, and art can inspire even one person – then my purpose has been fulfilled.
Publications:
Journey’s Light – The Journey is Light, full-color poetry & photography book. (December 2020) https://store.bookbaby.com/book/journeys-light
“If I am Free,” poem published by CAT Family Records, Zine – Tallahassee, Florida (2020) https://www.catfamilyrecords.com/
“Six Feet – Seis Pies,” poem in English and Spanish published in Conexión, bilingual newspaper/media, North Florida (2019) https://conexionflorida.com/
“Forever,” poem published (as Cynthia Portalatin), in Cadence, Florida State Poets Association’s 35th Anthology (2017)
Tallahassee Legal – 32304, (as Cynthia Portalatin, co-writer, and co-producer) – film created and directed by Summer Hill Seven (2016-17)
When Love Hurts, short story in the e-book Truth Awaits You on the Other Side: An Anthology about the Consequences of Sin (as Cynthia Portalatín) – published by Global Multi Media Enterprises (December 2014) https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Awaits-You-Other-Side-ebook/dp/B00RC9WVOU/
Bloom Forever – A Poetry Journal, a collection of 115 poems (as Cynthia Lamb, 2013) – published by Amani Publishing (Out of Print – Contact creativewords4light@gmail for a personally signed copy – before they are all gone!
Contributions: Books by author/publisher Tremayne Moore – http://maynetre.com
Gallery Exhibitions:
Color Theory: An Exploration of Pigments Exhibition – LeMoyne Arts, Tallahassee, Florida (August 5-28, 2021). The exhibition focused on the way we experience color and the emotional power pigments can evoke.
Focused Moments – LeMoyne Arts, Tallahassee, Florida (July 14 – August 5, 2022). The exhibition featured photography and related poetry that emphasized moments that bring beauty, peace, and joy to our souls. Cynthia was one of three featured poets & photographers. The three worked together to create the theme and contents for this special exhibit.
Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapoetachina
Instagram: @lapoetachina (life blog), @creativewords4light
Poetry Blog: www.ojoscafe.weebly.com
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I don’t know if I would call these skills, but what was most helpful in my creative writing journey was that I was always curious about life. This curiosity led me to venture far from home as the first person in my immediate family to attend college. Curiosity fueled my love of learning new things and meeting new people. I did things scared and even if I did not yet feel fully qualified, I applied for jobs that would stretch my current skills. I travelled to new cities and embraced new cultures. I believe that for those who are new in their journey and seeking to grow in any profession, the best skill to have is to be willing to learn new skills and to learn how to get along with people. Working in customer service taught me patience and how to navigate and communicate through situations that aren’t always pleasant, but maintain a good outcome and outlook so that everyone feels heard and understood. Persistence and self-discipline is also needed to reach your goals. To reach your goals in life, write them down and revisit them often, changing as needed or tweaking your plans as you chart out your steps to reach them. Sometimes, it may feel like it is taking forever to reach a desired goal, but put one foot in front of the other and do something, however small, each day or week to advance toward it, and you will reach your goal in due time! I’m not entirely where I want to be in life, but I’m a lot further along because I did not give up! I also have joined writing and arts groups where I can hone my skills among those who have similar interests. Iron sharpens iron, and joining a professional group that is related to your area of expertise will always help you learn and grow.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I believe that in the beginning of your journey it is important to go all in on your strengths, and then as you hone your skills you can begin improving in areas that you may want to improve. If you spread your interests out too much and try to learn everything at once, you risk losing focus. You can become a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I’ll use myself as an example. If I had focused on creative writing and writing my own books before editing so many for others, I would have published way more books by now! However, in the process of learning various editing styles, my writing has improved, and I also feel good that I’ve helped many authors achieve their life dream of writing and publishing a book.
I spent many years helping friends with their creative projects, neglecting my own desire to write books and create art. I wanted to strengthen my skills in new areas such as film making, theater, production, and event planning. Valuable years went by with my own books going unwritten and unpublished. I also worked 20 years in a career that I was good at, writing for the federal government in various formats, but it was not my purpose, not my passion. If I had applied that same discipline toward my love of the creative arts and creative writing, I would be so much further along in my journey. However, it is never too late! I am proof that you can still pursue and achieve your goals at any age. I’m choosing to focus on creative writing and art, areas where I am strong (there is always room for improvement). Those areas where I am not so strong, I can hire those out (like dealing with Excell spreadsheets). Time is valuable, and I don’t need to do every little thing to succeed in my journey. I want to be great at writing and bringing people into the joy of the arts.
My dreams are too big to achieve alone, and that’s where building relationships with like minded people who have different strengths to add to my vision is what will help me succeed. If you are unsure of where your strengths are, there are online aptitude tests you can take to discover your strengths and can pair those with your interests. Also, find mentors to help guide you – people who are already doing or have already succeeded at what you are hoping to achieve. Read all the books and trade journals you can to learn in depth about your field. Build relationships with others who are doing what you want to do and join professional organizations in your field. And most of all, just do it… do it badly at first, do it scared, do it tired… you will get better. You will reach your goals, and you will inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/journeys-light
- Instagram: @lapoetachina (life blog), @creativewords4light (poetry)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmp.rose/
Image Credits
Portrait photos by Studio Heart Events,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
