Happy Memorial Day

On this day, we remember and honor those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice as well as their families. Thank you, and God Bless America!  A special shout out to my father-in-law who gave so much. We miss you, and we love you!

Be Okay With Relinquishing Control

Relinquishing control. I've been accused of not being able to do so very well. Is it more about feeling I have to do X, Y and Z or is it more about relinquishing control and being okay with something not being done "my way?" It is debatable.

This has been a life long struggle but particularly so during this period of the COVID-19 Pandemic with a jam-packed house full of people working and schooling from home without a functional basement. One of the positive things to come of this period of necessary quiet and being home-bound (and while there are a great many negatives, there are also some positives of quarantining with family) is the need to just be okay with letting some things go--the importance of which then diminishes greatly and guess what? It is okay!

It is okay to relinquish control and let a child help clean the house; it is okay to let the kids help make dinner (if they are old enough, of course). It is okay to not complete all the items on your TTD list for the day--or any of them at all, for that matter.

Life happenings right now have served to alter the definition of what is important in the world and, in turn, what is not as important despite what we thought previously. This can be applied to one's writing life, work life or overall way of life in general.

While relinquishing control (as much in what I feel I need to accomplish in any given day as much as my perception of how I think something should be completed by others, i.e. my kids or husband) is very difficult for me. I am learning and giving new meaning to the phrases, "such is life" and "this too shall pass." And you know what, I am more at peace on a day-to-day basis.

And then today, I read a chapter in SIMPLE ACTS OF MOVING FORWARD for the first time in a long while, and it was the perfect chapter to give voice to all I've been feeling. The title of the chapter was Choose Not to Care.  In it, Wright said, "Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to just not care so much about how something will turn out."

Clearly one has to care about many things in life, at least to some degree, and I am not suggesting otherwise; however, I do agree that, "If you care deeply about everything, you'll never be able to rest."

How many of us push and push to complete just one more task, finish just one more chapter, do just one more thing, etc. But will it really matter tomorrow? Some, yes. And that is what one must do. But, the nos...let them go. Spend those moments with your spouse or kids, reading a book or watching a movie, or just sitting quietly enjoying the calm and quiet for a few minutes. Take in the scenery, the sights, the sounds and smells and get back to appreciating life and all it entails, the good and the not so great. Be thankful and find the joy, even in the little things for, sometimes, the little things are all we can find.

Wright goes on to say, "The truth is, it's up to you to prioritize all the jobs and tasks in your life. You can decide what is most important, what is next in importance, what you can take or leave, and what has nothing to do with you."

The words that really are important here are, "it's up to you." It is, isn't it? Or it certainly should be. Decide what is important to you and for you and let the rest go. The world won't stop turning, the day won't end. It. Will. Be. Okay! Take care of yourself or you won't be able to be there for your family, friends, work or whomever and whatever your life holds that is important to you.

Take care and be well!

Picture Book Bonanza

In a world where chaos, fear and uncertainty reign supreme, sometimes you just have to lose yourself in a good picture book and revisit the wonder of childhood. As a picture book author, I do this all the time; however, I highly recommend it for everyone. It makes the heart happy!

Here is what is on my reading list for the next couple days. Some classics and some new, but all wonderful.

The Remember Balloons
Where the Wild Things Are
The Giving Tree
Goodnight Moon
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Velveteen Rabbit
Love You Forever
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
The Kissing Hand
Neck & Neck
I Wish You More
The Rainbow Fish
The Snowy Day
Owl Moon

And, of course, my own...

Happy Easter

Wishing you a blessed Easter holiday. May you find the peace and strength necessary to carry you through these difficult times. Enjoy time with your family, while remaining COVID compliant, of course, and stay healthy and well.

I find comfort in this verse and hope you do too...

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."      Jeremiah 29:11

Hold on to a future full of hope. It will come. God Bless you and yours! Be well.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Particularly important in these times. Wishing you all peace and well being. Stay safe and healthy!

Find a Breath of Fresh Air

"If I take the moments to walk, will you bring me a breath of fresh air? If I move to a new space for a while, will you make it interesting and help my mind break out of its patterns? If I take time to look at clouds or flowers, will you fill my creative self with a new idea or two?"

The above comes from a little prayer at the end of a chapter in the book, SIMPLE ACTS OF MOVING FORWARD:  60 SUGGESTIONS FOR GETTING UNSTUCK.

I've posted about this wonderful book in the past and continue to find it so helpful. I had been struggling with stagnant writing, lack of time throughout the holidays and just an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy as 2019 wrapped up. I know I'm not alone in this feeling, but it can still be a very "alone" mentality at times.

As 2020 dawned, StoryStorm brought new ideas and inspiration (thank you, Tara Lazar). With the start of March came Reading for Research Month, known as ReFoReMo (thank you, Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call). Both have re-lit the fire within me and helped get me back on track with my writing and creativity. Today, I read more of this book and came across the chapter and prayer quoted above, and it just reiterated the importance of taking moments of self healing and care which will, in turn, create and open my mind and ability to put life in perspective which, in turn, creates a calmness and sense of relaxation that helps spur my ability to write and create. And it has helped considerably. Much needed!

What works for you? I would love to hear how you fuel the fires of creativity, especially in those trying and busy times of life.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss

Today is National Read Across America Day. This day is celebrated to mark the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss, who wrote and illustrated some of the most well-known children's books of all time. I know I have my favorite (Oh, The Places You'll Go!). What is yours?

Honor Dr. Seuss today. Pick up a book, read to your children or visit a library and celebrate the day!