There are times that are apropos for sitting down, assessing one's life, and "seeing" whether or not you are making progress or just "existing."
That time, for me, has arrived today. Recently, after a very harried deadline period, I have been able to sit back, relax, and evaluate all that I've done or not done thus far in 2019, and how this all relates to my life at age 57 1/2. Writing: 2019 has been an extremely challenging year for my writing career. I've learned new things, new editorial perspectives, and take on more longer forms of work like articles ranging from 1,500 to over 5,000 words. I have also learned to better edit my work and be more productive. Also, at the midway point of 2019, I already have surpassed my 2018 income - a good thing. Health: "X" marks failure, especially for the past four months. Since a March injury, I have not worked out, and I have feasted on food - lots of the "fast" and "junk" variety. Not wise, especially for a soon-to-be 33-year heart attack survivor. I have ballooned, am sluggish, and many times don't embrace the day. But there's good news, though. We as a family have talked and are focused on improved health habits, including both food (we don't use the word "diet") choices and exercise regimens. Starting this Monday, I will daily perform the Body-for-LIFE program that was devised by Bill Phillips in the late 1990s. It is the one program, when I adhered to it, that worked for me and my wife. I also plan on reconnecting with my health coach. We had an agreement where, if I was lax with regard to my health, don't waste her time or mine. Well, that will be a thing of the past. Spiritually: God has kept me going. I've leaned on him, and now will lean even more. Morning prayers and scripture readings, and repeating the same in the afternoon, along with collecting thoughts in a prayer journal (by the way, prayer journaling is a practice I started in 2015 and I will soon begin my eighth journal - I recommend it highly for those looking to make a positive change) has meant much to me, kept me moving forward during very challenging times. In closing, I'll state that "challenging" is the key word. No one's life, especially mine, should be devoid of challenges. I feel, just like we welcome our joys, we should as well do the same with challenges, no matter what they are. Emerging successfully on the other side of them is what makes life worth living, revealing the presence of hope. Steve
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Sometimes you just need to take a break.
Last weekend - "weekend" defined as Friday through Monday - I had a harrowing deadline period with a number of magazine and newspaper articles due, one over 7,000 words! In order to meet the submission date of Monday, June 10, other work on my plate had to be elbowed to Wednesday, thereby affording myself a day of freedom on Tuesday. I didn't rest enough. On Wednesday, here in the basement library I returned to other assignments but still felt burnout. So, I decided to take my person and work to the spot which never fails me when I need inspiration: the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. I arrived, my computer bag in my hand, inside all the necessary folders filled with assignment sheets I use to keep myself in order (and sane), plopped down in a cafe seat, opened my bag, and noticed I had forgotten my computer. I sat for two minutes in silence, pondering my error. I had four hours to kill, during which I had planned to work with fervor somewhat. However, when I saw my bag devoid of my tablet, I decided then and there to do two things: order a frappucino, and just read - for four hours. Making that decision delivered peace to me. I calmed down, stopped calling myself an idiot (yes, I can be rough on myself, sometimes), and grabbed a few books and magazines, went to the cafe counter and ordered my drink, returned to my seat and relaxed. I even turned off my smartphone. So that night, rather than write, I read the work of other writers, fellow members of my fraternity. Although I knew work was waiting for me, I didn't allow it to "knock" at my brain's door and enter. I kept it at bay. It was my best time spent away from writing in a while. Steve When day trips occasionally take me to places where I have to wait a period, rather than sit in my car I'll walk and take in sights, trying to find the unusual. Now, I understand what is "unusual" to me may not be to someone else, who may view things more logically and offer valid explanations for the way things are. Me, I sometimes dwell deeply, but instead opt most often to just peek and wonder. Fox example, a drive to a recent northern New Jersey industrial site - brick, cement, fencing, and tar its primary "inhabitants" - I found myself wandering over to a tiny green, grass covered hill that was fronting a new building under construction. Nearby were growing wildflowers , flourishing although just yards away the norm materials of construction work lay quietly nearby, while the nature was caressed by soft, warm breezes.
One thing is obvious to me: nature, I believe, can live anywhere. Consider: anything above ground has soil below it, and if fertile enough can yield the most beautiful surprises in the most surprising spots.
Steve |
Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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