Thanks to my BFF Erica Reid Gerdes, I've been writing more than ever with the goal of having my next book done by Christmas. She said I could email her stories as I finish them just to have the pressure of a deadline lurking in the background to get me going. Otherwise, I find a million other things to do instead of writing. I'm nearly done with the first story for my next book. It's all about how I absolutely did not fit in at Corporate America and how getting sick and being forced to take time off made me realize it was time to switch gears before I really regretted not getting out.
Fall semester starts next Monday, so I'll be extra busy yet again, but I can do it. I got my last book done while I was pregnant, so maybe I'll have that same rush of energy to get this one done before noodle #2 gets here in January. When the next baby comes, I think it'll really hit me just how little time I'll have. It'll be worth it and it's all about being a "reed in the wind" as I read in a Buddhist book (I think). Go with the flow and don't fight change and bumps in the road. Bring it on!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A Little Question for You
There was a firefighter in Chicago who was killed earlier in this week while doing his job. He was an extremely well-liked man, and everyone who described him said he was friendly, always had a smile on his face and willing to help others. Hundreds of people came out to his funeral to show their support.
Maybe it's a morbid way to look at life, but when I feel like I'm sort of just going through the motions in life, I ask myself, "What would your funeral look like? Would you have hundreds of people who would say you were undoubtedly friendly and funny and kind?" It's hard for me to get on board with the whole "live each day as if it were your last" because that makes my mind spiral into negative thoughts of, "Oh my gosh, I hope today's not my last day!" and then the majority of my day is wasted on thinking about how sad it would be if today really were my last. With that being said, I do believe it's important to have a reality check once in a while and ask yourself what your funeral will look like and think about what will be said about you. What mark will you have made on peoples' lives? Will you have touched anyone or played it safe and not risked loving anyone or opened up enough to share who you are?
Like I said, it's morbid, but why not think about these things while we're alive instead of when it's too late? Each day is a gift, whether you believe in God or not, it's a gift all the same, and it's one we all take for granted.
I almost never watch TV, so maybe this proves the point that I should continue to not watch TV, especially the news. But I guess it's good to be aware of tragedy and pain, so we can internalize it and grow from it.
Just something to put in your back pocket. If you ask yourself what your funeral will look like, if you can be honest enough with yourself, you will definitely make some sort of changes in your life eventually. The one change I've been working on is staying in contact with people instead of always just emailing. I always find that I'm too busy to pick up the phone, but that's just poor prioritizing on my part. As I lay here in bed, a basket full of clean clothes sits next to me for the third night in a row and it's not driving me crazy like it once would have. I don't want people at my funeral to say, "Oh, she was a neat, tidy gal who did a bang-up job with laundry!"
Maybe it's a morbid way to look at life, but when I feel like I'm sort of just going through the motions in life, I ask myself, "What would your funeral look like? Would you have hundreds of people who would say you were undoubtedly friendly and funny and kind?" It's hard for me to get on board with the whole "live each day as if it were your last" because that makes my mind spiral into negative thoughts of, "Oh my gosh, I hope today's not my last day!" and then the majority of my day is wasted on thinking about how sad it would be if today really were my last. With that being said, I do believe it's important to have a reality check once in a while and ask yourself what your funeral will look like and think about what will be said about you. What mark will you have made on peoples' lives? Will you have touched anyone or played it safe and not risked loving anyone or opened up enough to share who you are?
Like I said, it's morbid, but why not think about these things while we're alive instead of when it's too late? Each day is a gift, whether you believe in God or not, it's a gift all the same, and it's one we all take for granted.
I almost never watch TV, so maybe this proves the point that I should continue to not watch TV, especially the news. But I guess it's good to be aware of tragedy and pain, so we can internalize it and grow from it.
Just something to put in your back pocket. If you ask yourself what your funeral will look like, if you can be honest enough with yourself, you will definitely make some sort of changes in your life eventually. The one change I've been working on is staying in contact with people instead of always just emailing. I always find that I'm too busy to pick up the phone, but that's just poor prioritizing on my part. As I lay here in bed, a basket full of clean clothes sits next to me for the third night in a row and it's not driving me crazy like it once would have. I don't want people at my funeral to say, "Oh, she was a neat, tidy gal who did a bang-up job with laundry!"
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Return of Cece Lou!
Cece Lou (daughter) is back from visiting her grandparents for 6 days. It was nice to have a break, but I've come to realize that now that I have her being such a huge part of my day and routine, there's no turning back. I had so much free time on my hands when she was gone that I seriously started to feel sad, so instead of using my time wisely to get a lot of writing and work done, I ended up sleeping or watching movies. It was nice to have time for those things too, but that's not what makes me feel good and energized. Sitting around is pretty boring to me most of the time. I feel my best when my day is packed with a routine of go-go-go, so when I go to bed I'm exhausted from work instead of being exhausted from doing nothing. So as much as I feel run-down each day and I struggle to find time for me, it's crazy, but it's actually what works best for me. Sure, I enjoyed going to a coffee shop and writing, but I just don't need it anymore. I can find pockets of serenity right here amidst dirty diapers and meltdowns. Maybe it has something to do with feeling needed by a child and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off as she grows. Maybe I missed that when she was gone. Who knows. All I know is I'm glad she's back home and I'm forced to once again use my time wisely instead of crapping it away by napping and watching Judge Mathis.
I think I'm 18 weeks pregnant today (I'm so bad at keeping track!) and I'm feeling worlds better than I have in a long time! Cece's sleeping now, and normally I would be curled up in a fetal position sleeping, but I finally have enough energy to work through her naps and get stuff done.
I think I'm 18 weeks pregnant today (I'm so bad at keeping track!) and I'm feeling worlds better than I have in a long time! Cece's sleeping now, and normally I would be curled up in a fetal position sleeping, but I finally have enough energy to work through her naps and get stuff done.
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