It’s not Thursday, but here are thirteen random things none-the-less…
In case you haven’t seen it on Facebook or Twitter, I now have short and sassy red hair. Just reflecting my new attitude! Smile. (Maybe I’ll add “sassy” to my word for the year. What do you think? It goes well with “joy”!)
I’m writing a book! Really truly! It’s happening and the words are flowing and I’m having so much fun. Chapter three is beginning to emerge this afternoon. (It may mean, however, that you won’t see a lot of profound writing around this little ol’ blog for awhile. Bear with me.)
I’m also working on a little collaborative e-book that’s shaping up to be a lovely piece of work and I can’t wait to share it with you. In a few weeks.
AND I’m working as a story coach for two people writing their own books, and I’m loving that too. It’s a line of work I didn’t think I’d get into, but I’m enjoying it so much I’d be happy to take on new clients. Know of anyone who could use my wisdom? Send them here for more info.
Martyn Joseph is singing one of my favourite tunes to me right now and I am in love. “In the veil of circumstance, waiting for grace.” Mmmm… lovely.
I ran today, even though I was so tired I wanted to crawl back into bed. More than 4 miles – the furthest ever! Do you think I can make it to 13 miles by June for the half-marathon?
I started taking a new art class. Acrylics this time. At Forum Art Institute. I am LOVIN’ the vibe at that place. Don’t know why I didn’t go there sooner.
Speaking of classes, it looks like I’ll be taking on more of them at the university. Classes that actually sound even MORE enjoyable than the one I’m teaching, if that’s possible. It seems my students raved enough about me to the administration that they want me back for more. Grin.
On the flip side, for the second time since I started this self-employment thing, it looks like a government contract is being put on indefinite hold. Do you think perhaps I’m not meant to go back to government work? (This one may still pan out – just not right away.)
Now Bruce Cockburn is singing “come all you stumblers who believe love rules, stand up and let it shine” and I’m lovin’ that too.
I am becoming rather addicted to kalamata olives.
An hour from now, I get to hang out with a good friend over chai lattes. A happy thing to do on a Friday afternoon.
Olives, writing, teaching, coaching, running, red sassy hair, good music, good friends… it all adds up to a pretty contented version of me.
It’s a long and rugged road
and we don’t now where it’s headed
But we know it’s going to get us where we’re going
And when we find what we’re looking for
we’ll drop these bags and search no more
‘Cuz it’s going to feel like heaven when we’re home
It’s going to feel like heaven when we’re home
Don’t ask yourself “did I make a lot of money today?”
Ask yourself “did I share my giftedness in a meaningful way?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I achieve my goals?”
Ask yourself “did I do meaningful work that brought me joy?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I get a lot of hits on my website?”
Ask yourself “did I offer my heart?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I influence a lot of people?”
Ask yourself “did I offer comfort or wisdom to at least one person?”
Don’t ask yourself “was I successful?”
Ask yourself “was I true to my calling?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I out-perform the competition?”
Ask yourself “did I offer the best work I could do?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I expand my network?”
Ask yourself “did I make any new friends?”
Don’t ask yourself “were people impressed with me?”
Ask yourself “was I authentic?”
Don’t ask yourself “Did I prove how smart I am?”
Ask yourself “am I willing to learn from others?”
Don’t ask yourself “did I make a difference in the world?”
Ask yourself “did I allow God to make a difference through me?”
There are few things that nourish my spirit more than a meditative wander through nature with my camera.
Mindful photography is for me what prayer or meditation is for others – a time to connect with the Creator through the tiniest of details on a leaf or the grandeur of the waves crashing on the coastline.
Unfortunately, in winter, I too often forget to do what I know will nourish me.
Yesterday, I remembered.
(Note: Video includes music from my friend Steve Bell.)
For over a year now, I have been telling myself (and others) that I’m writing another book. (I say “another” because I once wrote a novel that never got published despite repeated efforts and a few close calls.) I’ve been telling myself that, but I haven’t really been writing it.
My heart has been all over the place with what this book should be. Should it be a memoir? A spiritual guidebook? A leadership book? A creativity book? A collection of personal essays? And if it’s a memoir, should it just focus on one part of my life, or a more general “story of my journey” kind of book?
There’ve been lots of rough outlines drawn, a few false starts, lots of inspirational moments… and yet, somehow nothing really stuck. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find the illusive thread that would tie the pieces of my book together.
When I quit my job in the Fall, one of the things I knew I had to do was write a book. It’s just been a deep longing for so long that I know I have to do it, whether or not it ever hits anyone’s bookshelf but my own.
Over the holidays, I wrote a guest post for Magpie Girl (Rachelle Mee-Chapman) about “the place where worldcare and soulcare meet”. As I explored a very personal story of a time in my life when worldcare and soulcare collided and taught me a valuable lesson, a little voice told me “This is it. This is the thread for the book. Now start weaving.”
And so that is what I’ll do – start weaving. And one day I will share with you whatever tapestry emerges.
Now go on over there and read the post, and then cheer me on as I try to give birth to this new baby.
And then one day, when I’m on the bestseller list (ha!), you’ll be able to say “I was there at the beginning!”
