Hello Everyone,
It is the first Wednesday of the month, and IWSG Time.
IWSG is a writer support group created and led by Alex Cavanaugh. It is a big help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement and help to others.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us:
My report:
Submissions – None
Outstanding Submissions - Glimmer Train
Looking for the Silver Lining
Facing storms are normal. We all expect them. The sky within us gets cloudy. The problems we are going through increase in their intensity. The rain is no longer raindrops but rainfalls.
I had to smile when I read the question posed in the IWSG Newsletter. That is precisely where I am at this moment. My writing feet are on a muddied bank refusing to bulge as I continue to move toward my deadline.
My silver lining is the acceptance by the RNA that I received on January 2ndof this year. To keep myself focus and writing, I take breaks, and I knit.
No, it is not easy. Circumstances, disappointments, shocks, and discouragement that all is not going as we have planned will test our meddle. It is at these times that we must personally elect to do whatever is necessary to keep ourselves on track.
For me, it is diverting my mind to something else I love doing and to let my mind relax. Sometimes, it is only a matter of a short break of fifteen minutes, and at other times, it might take two or three hours or perhaps an entire day and night. When I go back into my writing, a new perspective that I did not see before winks at me.
It is still raining. The problems have Not disappeared. However, I have found my center again, and I feel good.
Wishing all of you a lovely month of April. Be safe as you walk through the month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
You have found your peace.
ReplyDeleteIronically, I mentioned the same thing about drowning today...
Thanks, Alex. I find it wonderful that our thoughts sync on drowning.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I totally agree that getting away and letting our mind relax around something else is sometimes the best remedy. That sun will be shining for you soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicki. Getting away is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I like your attitude about pushing through the pain, per se. I usually share your outlook, but lately, the disappointments have been overwhelming. But the alternative of quitting makes me feel worse, so I push forward, in the rain, believing that someday, the sun will shine down and warm my writing world again. This is a tough business. Not for the faint of heart.
ReplyDeleteI commend your perseverance and positive attitude. I needed that type of inspiration today. Thanks for posting such a lovely message.
Thank you, Andrea. This is a tough business and I so agree that writing is not for the faint of heart.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Life can be hard and it's also the place I find my ideas. Don't forget to nurture yourself. If you don't, who will. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you, Emaginette. I had to learn the hard way to be a gently person to myself. Now that is one of my mottos that I try not to forget.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I've long wanted to learn to knit, thinking it'd be a great pastime for when I'm musing. Sounds like you know your mental process well. Wishing you happy writing in April.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhonda. I looked for your blog and couldn't find it. Every blog I visited wasn't yours. Please give me your blog name or blog address for your IWSG posts.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
You know, I think video games might be a good way to take a break from writing, but I'd be afraid I'd become so addicted to it I'd never come back to the writing. Knitting sounds a good idea.
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid of using video games if that is what works for you. Schedule your time out sessions so that after your break your alarm on your mobile goes off. Do whatever you need to do to relax your mind and re-energize.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I love that: letting your mind relax. That's really what it is. We get so up-tight and stressed about the details that we just can't let our brains do their work. The same thing happens with birthing a child. A woman can get so stressed about what's happening that she can't deliver.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Crystal. I've heard that. Mind relaxation is good for everything we do. Getting uptight doesn't help us at all.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI love that you knit. That's something I've always meant to pick up but I've yet to do it. Still, I have other hobbies and interests that help me refocus when I need to. Hope you have a lovely April.
The main thing is that you have hobbies and interests that help you refocus. I took up knitting because I've wanted to learn it since I was a child. It is a lovely way for me to shut down and concentrate on creating something else.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
The problems won't go away, but when we've refilled our well, we are better able to tackle them.
ReplyDeleteSo true. The problems are still there but when we approach them again we see solutions that we didn't see before.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Love your answer. I crochet and it is so relaxing. I also do crossstitch and that is the same haven for me. Hope you see some sun soon.
ReplyDeleteI love it that you crochet. That is the next thing that I want to undertake. Crocheting and knitting are kind of like kissing cousins.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Changing speed definitely helps. When writing doesn't work, I play with images. You knit. Someone else might jog and watch Japanese anime. I think a change in activity rejuvenate our brains.
ReplyDeletePlaying with images is also a nice way to slow down and let your mind relax. It is the rejuvenation that counts. You knock away the weariness when you change in midstream and walk away for a break.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
My grandmother, a big supporter of my writing dreams from an early age, taught me to knit when I was young. She used to say, "the fingers can create something of beauty and purpose while the mind thinks of other things." Those words didn't make much sense until I was much, much older.
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother was wise. I agree with this piece of wisdom that she gave you. Thanks for sharing that.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I used to knit, what feels like a very long time ago. I remember it being calming (when I wasn't slipping stitches). I'm so glad it helps when you're feeling like the water's rising too quickly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, A.B. Knitting has become a calming factor for me, even when I slip stitches. It is a wonderful thing to create something.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Finding that centre is so important. It's so very important to stop and listen for that quiet voice within us telling us what we need. As you said, sometimes it's a short break, sometimes it's something else.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda. I'm convinced that getting quiet is necessary inorder to hear the voice. Knitting helps me to calm down.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
I agree that in the darkest storms, you can still find peace. Distractions are good and necessary.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer. Sometimes, I think the distractions are what keep us from running from our fears. A short break and we get back up ready to stand the storm, no matter what.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
You have a publication! Can you hear the applause? I hope so. Glad you liked this question, Pat. It was one I proposed, and I guess I did so because I was under water at the time. Here's to dog paddling and staying on top until that wave comes along and sweeps us onto shore.
ReplyDeleteLee, yes, I can hear the applause. I'm going to keep on dog paddling and staying on top until the wave comes along that is there to sweep me onto shore.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
Hi Pat. You're doing so well even if you don't recognise it. To deepen our writing, we have to use those 'circumstances, disappointments, shocks, and discouragement' and allow them to infuse our writing. Your writing is so delicious. I always wait with baited breath for your entries to WEP.
ReplyDeleteDenise :-)
Thank you, Denise. I feel the same way about your writing and all the writers that participate in the WEP. It is a joy to be a part of the WEP.
DeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat G
You're such a wise lady! I think we all get that feeling of our feet being stuck in the mud and start to lose hope that we'll ever be sunshine again. I think doing something repetitive helps our brains unlock and we can better focus when it starts firing again.
ReplyDeleteIt is always intriguing to me to see how different people handle various circumstances. Your knitting sounds like a wonderful way to center yourself.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just have to step back for a moment and let our head clear.
ReplyDeleteFor me, stepping away usually means going for a walk. It helps to clear my head. Sometimes I find it hard to move my writing forward and I think it is fine to take a break. Good luck with your writing.
ReplyDeletePat, you have such a grown-up attitude when dealing with problems. You write as if you can stay calm and take a break to find your center. I can assure you that for me knitting would only frustrate me. Glad it's a comfort for you.
ReplyDeleteJQ Rose
The center has alluded me but the search continues. I too chose another outlet for my creativity while the writing muse muddles elsewhere. Wishing you peace, much less rain, and many, many rainbows!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you have found a way to get back some calm in your life.
ReplyDelete