prioritizing

I attended a panel discussion on making the writer in you a priority. It was interesting to see the characters who showed up. It was a free talk; you just had to register in advance. There were two students who were actively in a writing program and two instructors/ mentors.

I left with some good advice. I love to read and I love to write. I am always making choices - do I read or do I write? I will block off my time to combine the two activities...so an hour for reading and then an hour for writing. I will try this and get back to you.

Make the effort to write down "small noticings". Use a book or index cards, or whatever works but write down the ideas as they come.

If I don't write my story or use my voice, it won't be written as it is uniquely mine.

Timing is everything. I am struggling with where I am headed -what the heck am I doing with my time hear on this planet. I was notified of a different position. The commute is longer but the pay is definitely better. But, it would be a completely different world and a different corporate culture and do I really want to chase my tail and go down that road? Going to this talk tonight made me reconsider applying. I don't want to spend more time commuting. I don't want to learn a new corporate culture. I do want to write more and learn the craft.

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On a completely different note - I received some sad news today. My cousin's wife's father passed away on the eve of his other daughter's wedding. They were all going a cruise -56 of them. How quickly life changes? All that anticipation for a joy filled week comes crashing down into ... what? How do you respond to that?

A sobering reminder to be grateful for everyday.