Snow – A Welcome Relief

After an uneventful January, our small town has just received a bucket snowfall. The school is closed, much to the children’s joy and parents’ chagrin, but the streets are not full of the shouts of scarf-and-mitten wearing  beings throwing snowballs and building snow creatures. On the contrary, the day has been exceptionally silent. The snow, which has fallen in such abundance, has wrapped us in a pristine blanket of white. Tomorrow, children will be screaming, parents will be shoveling, and the streets will quickly become a slush and mud mix. For a few more hours, however, our world is insulated from the harsh realities of murders, birth defects, and natural disasters. I am grateful.

It is important to consider the tragedies in our lives. We need to think about crime, its causes and punishments. Without careful thought, we are in danger of giving up our liberties either to the criminals who wish to victimize us or to those who wish to protect us. We need to consider birth defects, their causes and cures. Hopefully, all birth defects will one day be eliminated. Until then, we need to know how best to help those in our society who are born different from ourselves. We need to help spread awareness so that we don’t make the mistake of thinking “different” is equivalent to “less than.” And we must consider those who are in the midst of a natural disaster. The loss of industry, natural resources and lives is a loss for all of us. Considering how best to help not only improves our ability to help, but also improves the ability of others to help us when necessary. It is important to consider the tragedies in our lives.

It is also important to think about and reflect on the blessings in our lives. The soothing warmth of a cup of tea. The small murmur of children playing quietly. The welcome comfort of a warm chair and a good book. The pleasure of a conversation with those we hold most dear. These are not small events, yet our daily rush through life and our concern for the tragedies often take so much of our time and thoughts that we fail to consider the many good things that are ours to enjoy. The snow has provided a small respite to the daily routine. Tomorrow is soon enough to return.

Change

As I write this, the largest trend on Twitter is “change.” I wondered what all those tweets could be about and made a mental list of the things which could change. I can change my clothes, my bedding, my mind, my attitude. I can change my values, beliefs, decisions, as well as my restaurant order. You can change your political views, your exercise routine, your job, your commute. “They” can change their expectations, demands, stipulations and controls. We can change the economy, the crime rate, the world.

The Serenity Prayer, known by recovering twelve-steppers, is based on our relationship to change: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Looking around, it seems that, all to often our issue is not with accepting those things we cannot change but rather with finding the courage to change the things we can. We seem to have forgotten the power we have to change our circumstances for the better. We complain about the state of the economy, the rising crime rate, and our inconsiderate neighbors. We voice our concern over the little time we have to spend with our children because of the time we spend earning a living. We lament the minutes, hours and years that go by devoid of any true pleasure or enjoyment. We fail to realize that we have the power to change these circumstances.

Throughout history, people have been exercising their ability to change. The American colonists left Europe in an attempt to change their lives for the better. Imagine how terrifying that ocean voyage must have been for people who had seldom traveled over a hundred miles in their entire lives! Or the fear and trepidation felt by those who fought for civil rights. Imagine the nervous excitement of a young child on the first day of school, the first in a long series of changes to their thoughts and beliefs. Imagine the anxiety of an elderly widow who accepts that she must open her door and go out into the world she would choose to avoid. These people were no less afraid of change than we are, yet they stepped forward and changed the world for the better. We can do no less.

I realize that any change I wish to see in my life starts with me. I began another list. This one includes those changes I want to make in my life to make my world a better place.

• Change my definition of success. Determine how I define success for me and allow others to define success for themselves.
• Change the way I treat those I care about the most. Instead of taking the time I have with them for granted, I will cherish the moments. I know these times don’t last.
• Change my activities to match my priorities. Do less of what I “should” do and more activities that are truly important.
• Change my experience of life. Instead of seeing each day as a list of chores and demands to get through, to view each day as an opportunity to enjoy the gifts it brings.

That’s my list. It’s only four items, but they’re enough for me. What change will you make today to make your life better? Send me a comment and let me know.

Simpleology Blog Course

I

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Christmas & Time

There are 11 shopping days until Christmas. Usually, that news would come from my children, eager to assure me I still have time to run out and purchase that longed-for item of  childhood fancy. This year, however, is different.

This year, my step-daughter calmly informed me that she didn’t need Christmas gifts because all she needs is a family who loves her and she already has that. This year, my son’s greatest desire is to see his father for the holidays. A gift he has already been assured he will receive. This year, we were all reminded that the gift that matters is the one we give all year long: time spent with each other.

This year, my nephew, a marine, is already overseas while his wife and year-old daughter have begun their 18-month-long wait to spend time with him again. This year, another nephew, soaks up the time with his wife and children, knowing his unit ships out in February. And this year, a member of our community lost his fight with cancer and died. For his wife and school-age children, time with him is no longer available.

We live with the illusion that there will always be time to “get to” the important things: the talks over good-night kisses, the reminisces about days past, the shared joke or frustration. Meanwhile, time slips quietly by, fading softly into the shadows until it is gone completely.

So, this year will still include Christmas presents but the shopping includes time spent in snowball fights and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. This year, there will be more concern with what we say and do than what we get. Our families have already agreed to forgo the usual large gathering and gift exchange. Instead, there will be at least three family gatherings, spread throughout the month and the state so that everyone has a chance to spend time together.

Like most years, there will be presents and food and laughter. There will be pictures to capture the memories, and memories no picture can capture. We will visit old memories and create new ones. We will share comfort and joy. This year, however, the joy is bittersweet.

This year, we know the most precious gift we give will all too soon be gone: time.

Health-Care Reform: The Simple Truth

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — United States Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

According to a recent study, uninsured children seem to have an increased risk of dying.

The study, published in the October 29, 2009  Journal of Public Health, was conducted by researchers at John Hopkins Children’s Center and included more than 23 million hospital records from 37 states between 1988 and 2005. Researchers claim it is one of the largest studies to examine the impact of health insurance on preventable deaths of children in the United States.

The study compared death rates by underlying disease and found that, other factors being equal, a child in the hospital without health insurance was 60% more likely to die than a child with insurance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 6.6 million children are without health insurance.

Any child on a playground will tell you that life isn’t fair, but whether a child lives or dies should not be determined by the size of his parents’ bank account or ability to purchase health insurance. Forgive me for being trite, but our children are our future. Sick and dying children cannot play, learn, and grow into the great leaders and workers we as a country need them to be.

Congress is still at it. They are still arguing over health-care reform and finances. I empathize. Health-care reform is a complicated issue involving more than just insurance. I understand that the well-meaning members of Congress are working on correcting a system that has been ailing for a long time. But it’s time to stop arguing and grand-standing and writing legislation that is so long-winded it would require the entire session of Congress just to read it. It is time to cure the health care system.

It’s time to get back to the simple truth. We built this country on the belief that “…all men are created equal.” We have fought  in schools, in courtrooms, and on battlefields at home and abroad for that belief. Until all Americans have equal access to health care, there is no equality.

Sarah Palin, The Writer

As you all probably know by now, Sarah Palin has written a book, Going Rogue. I have not read it and probably won’t purchase it so I have no intention of providing a review on this post.

As a struggling writer myself, however, I would like to congratulate Ms. Palin. Her book is number one on the amazon.com bestseller list. That is quite an accomplishment. Now, we all know that Sarah Palin has some publicity advantages which have helped increase the sales of her book. She ran for vice-president on the Republican ticket in the last election; she was the first female governor of Alaska; and she has a knack for creating controversy. All of these things have helped with the publicity surrounding her book, which is already stirring up controversy. That does not take away from the fact that she wrote and published a book.

What I want to know is how she did it. When I imagine Sarah Palin as the mother of five children, trying to manage a household and a state government, I wonder how she ever found the time to write a book. I am a full-time freelancer with two school-aged children at home and often find myself struggling to find the time to write. Yet Sarah Palin wrote a book of 432 pages in relatively little time.

I am impressed. And encouraged. If Sarah can write a book while being a mother, grandmother, wife and public figure, surely I can find the time to finish my novel.

I wonder what her next book will be? Maybe Sarah Palin will participate in NaNoWriMo next year? Or write a book of real-world writing tips. Now that would be something to read!

Eating the Elephant

For those of you who have fallen “too far” behind in NaNoWriMo, don’t give up yet. It isn’t too late.

Here it is, day 11 of NaNoWriMo and I’ve fallen behind. Not just a little behind, mind you, but very behind. We’re talking almost 10,000 words behind. By the end of today, NaNoWriMo’s who are on schedule to have completed the required 50,000 words by midnight on November 30 should have around 18,337 words logged. I have less than half that. I have been writing, except…

• the first five days when my kid was sick with the flu and then I caught it
• the day we spent dealing with car repairs, doctor’s appointments, and other essential errands
• the two days we had unexpected, but very welcome, company

So, I’ve written for three days out of the eleven days of NaNoWriMo and have 8500 words of my novel written. That averages out to 2833 words a day. If I write that many words for each of the next nineteen days, I’ll have over 53,000 words. There’s still time. I’m just on a different track.

So, all of you out there who feel that you are too far behind and will never make it, don’t give up hope. It isn’t too late. You’re just on a different track. Keep it up. Write a little bit each day. I’ll see you at the finish line.

Coffee is to Life

That’s it. The magical elixir of my life. A necessity to begin my day.

That first bold mouthful is like streams of sunshine through my bedroom window, encouraging me to take a deep breath, stretch and get ready to fully experience whatever the day may bring. The satisfaction of a finished draft or the frustration of a stubborn character who refuses to do what I want. As I continue to sip, the rich liquid warms my body, providing a cushion for the chill of bare feet on a cold floor, much like the warmth of friends and family cushions me against cold rejections. I get dressed and a slightly bitter aftertaste reminds me to be aware of the tests and trials in the day ahead, while the smooth reflection of cream confirms that night usually finds me in the safe harbor of home. Before sitting down to write, I inhale the aroma filled with the knowledge that life is made up of moments to savor. As I work and sip, my coffee grows increasingly cooler. The winds of neglect cool most things: work, good intentions, tempers, and friendships. Soon, my cup is empty and the coffee, like most of life’s events, has become a fleeting memory.

Those who know me are aware that a cup of coffee signals the start of my day and a break from my work. I seldom drink coffee when I’m actually working, but when I’m plotting or thinking through an idea, coffee is an essential companion. On Monday mornings (the day I go grocery shopping), the kids ask if I remembered to put coffee on the list. I think they are motivated more from self-preservation than altruism as I can become a little cranky if I haven’t had my coffee.

I usually drink instant coffee rather than the ground variety. First, because I’m impatient and want my coffee when I want it, but there are other, more practical, considerations. In spite of my love affair with this bean-juice, I seldom drink more than three cups a day and no one else in the house drinks coffee.  Making an entire pot of coffee for just myself would be wasteful and I hate the wet, messy coffee-grinds. I used to have a big fancy coffee-maker. Except for holidays, I used it to heat the water and keep it hot. It broke a year ago and haven’t missed it. I do have a French press given to me by some dear friends a few years ago, but save it for special occasions — the draft is completed or a fellow coffee-lover is coming over for a long chat.

Another advantage to making instant coffee is that I can make each cup as strong as I want. As I get older, I notice the caffeine bothers me more, so I make the cups progressively weaker as the afternoon shadows lengthen across the kitchen floor. I can also drink my coffee in whatever flavor I choose. Around Christmas, I really enjoy the peppermint-flavored varieties. The mocha-flavored coffees are a standing favorite, as well. Sometimes, I’ll get adventurous and try a fruit flavor (although I’m staying away from the orange flavors). When I feel particularly indulgent, I’ll choose a flavor like Black Velvet Cognac .

The most important reason for choosing instant coffee for me is that it isn’t. Instant, I mean. It requires boiling at least a cup of water. For me, that’s just enough time to take a break from my writing and re-enter the world around me, if only for an instant.

NaNoWriMo and the Cloud?

I usually start my work day with a cup of coffee and a leisurely perusal of  WordPress’ Freshly Pressed page. Today, The Hannibal Blog caught my eye. It seems the author, Andreas Kluth, had a malfunctioning laptop and, in the ways of many great customer service providers lately, Apple was taking some time to return it. During the time without his laptop, Mr. Kluth discovered that he was not without work or productivity because he has been working in “the Cloud” and could continue to do so.

Most of us do at least part of our work in the Cloud, or the Internet. If we are communicating via e-mail, social networking sites, blog sites, and chat rooms, we are in the Cloud. Google Docs takes this one step further and provides a place where we can place our work — contracts, budget forecasts, etc. — on the Internet, as well. We are, essentially, free of the need to store our work on hard drives with a questionable lifespan. We are also free of the predictable and confusing world of Microsoft updates. We can work and communicate at any terminal. Commercial retailers have already jumped on this growing trend. Even in the Land of Oz, otherwise known as Kansas, computer cafes are opening up where, for a small fee, a user can work on a computer terminal, usually while enjoying a cup of their favorite beverage.

As a freelance writer with a laptop that shows all the signs of suffering from a terminal illness, I should be ecstatic that I no longer require hardware of my own to write. It isn’t as if I’m not already working in the Cloud, as it were. This blog exists there, as do my Twitter posts and Facebook ramblings. I don’t worry about the words disintegrating like so much invisible ink. The transitory nature of those writings relieves me of much of the concern I would otherwise feel. But … my book? My baby? The blood, sweat and time I’ve put into one lone project? Trust that to something as ephemeral as a cloud? The very thought terrified me. As I mentioned in my comment to Mr. Klaus’ blog, if my hard drive can malfunction and lose my work, what’s to keep Google’s servers from doing the same?

Which made me stop and think. I take precautions against such hardware malfunctions by backing up my work. I use my flash drive more than discs because it’s more convenient and portable. What keeps me from continuing to do that? Nothing. With a new sense of adventure, I opened a Google Doc and piled my NaNoWriMo work there. An amazing thing happened: I felt less stressed and concerned that my work would disappear than I had when I was relying solely on my laptop. Now, I can work anywhere there is a terminal without lugging my laptop and its full complement of accessories everywhere I go.

I’m not throwing the laptop out; I still do much of my work from home. And there is a learning curve. I haven’t found an application on Google Docs which allows me to create brochures, etc. like Microsoft’s Publisher (If someone knows where it exists, share the wealth in a comment below). Most of my work, however, is basic word processing, which I find Google does quite well. The long road to freedom just became shorter. Thank you, Mr. Klaus!

Anyone else out there working solely in the Cloud? What are your experiences? Drop a line and let me know!

Live Your Passion

An old office manager used to say, “If you do this, you can’t do that.” What he meant, of course, is that resources (money, time, employees, etc.) are limited and you need to decide the optimal activity for each resource to get the best return on your investment. Economists and project managers with any experience will agree that the best use of resources depends on what your objective is. To put it another way, you need to make up your mind.

I used to think that type of decision-making wasn’t necessary for me; I was the ultimate multi-tasker. I would nurse the baby, study for my degree, and complete the project at work. I only had to sacrifice sleep and a healthy amount of exercise. I’m older and, hopefully, wiser now. I realize that sleep deprivation and a few extra pounds weren’t the only things to suffer. What my office manager of long-ago knew and what I have discovered is that doing more isn’t equivalent with doing your best. Doing your best requires focus, determination, and the passion to dream and be willing to invest your time and energy into that dream. When you live your passion, you get great results.

This isn’t a new idea. In 1987, Marsha Sinetar wrote Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow, discussing how to find the passion in your life and relate it to your work. Basically, when we do what we love, we are better at it and achieve better results. It isn’t difficult to understand why living your passion is the springboard to success. We are generally passionate about things we are interested in and do well. If we devote our time to those things, it then follows that we will do them even better. The better we do something, the more it will attract the interest of those who are also interested.

If living your passion leads to success, how then do we find what we are passionate about? Think about your life for a moment and then answer the following questions:

• What has you jumping out of bed in the morning, eager to start your day?
• What puts a smile on your face?
• What are you willing to give your time to without seeing any material reward?
• What do you do that makes other people sit up and take notice?
• What are you willing to fight for?

For me, the answers revolve around my family (in all things, God and family come first for me) and writing. I can go to bed at 2am after being up with a sick child all night and jump out of bed at 6am eager to get started on the next chapter of my book. I love to talk about my characters and feel energized just thinking about the possibilities in my plot. I write all the time, regardless of whether I’m getting paid for the piece. I write in my journal, on the laptop, here in my blog. I write children’s stories for my kids, essays for future consideration, and thoughtful memoirs for members of my family. Ask any member of my family and they will tell you: if I’m not writing, I’m cranky. I believe in the right to put thoughts and emotions down on paper (college-rule, virtual, or otherwise), regardless of who you are or what others think of it. I feel that sharing ideas through the written word is a high calling and provides a service to both future and past generations. In the words of my partner, writing feeds me. It is my passion.

So, what’s your passion? What has you jumping out of bed in the morning, eager to start the day? Is it your children? Your art? Your flower garden? Find it. Live it. And, when you have a minute, drop a line here and tell me about it.