Skip the Year End Review

Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels

 

It's that time when we review the past year. For most of us, the few bright spots were dim in 2020. I don't know anyone who wants a repeat of this year. Everyone is hoping for health, financial recovery/success and a return to the life most of us took for granted. 

I'm not reviewing the year- I just want to forget it and move on. Like Patriot's coach Bill Belichick says after a loss: "We're onto (next game)." That means no dwelling on the loss- learn the lessons and move on. The only reviewing I'm doing is to the several manuscripts I've written and/or subbed. One of my few happy moments is a publisher expressing interest in one manuscript, pending some revisions and a resubmit. 

So I leave you with wishes, hopes, prayers, and pleas for the universe and each other to treat us better.

Peace-

Char

A Small Silver Lining...

 Everyone knows 2020 SUCKS. I don't have to remind anyone of all that went wrong: death and suffering from the virus, being practically locked up in our homes, kids spending their first and last years of college stuck in their dorms, weddings and other family celebrations cancelled, restaurants and other businesses closed- some for good, and increases in depression, domestic and drug abuse... The list goes on. 

In the Christian tradition, the 4 Sundays before Christmas are celebrated as Advent- a time to prepare for Christmas. Each week has a theme and marked with lighting a candle. It's similar to the Hanukkah menorah and the Kwanza kinara. The four candles represent hope, love, joy, and peace. For the third Sunday, the theme is Joy.

Photo by Bastian Riccardi from Pexels

JOY?? 

Yes. We are instructed to find Joy amidst all the trouble in the world and our lives. There are moments that we must cherish to find a relief from all that has gone wrong this year. Here's where I find joy:

My nephew graduated high school and started college.

My niece had a beautiful baby girl.

We found inventive ways to stay connected through Zoom and other social media, even getting together in backyards at a safe distance. 

Families are spending more time together.

The elections are over.

Animal shelters have been emptied because of pet adoptions.

Pharmacuetical companies rolled out vaccines in unheard of speeds.

Although they may be hard to find, I know there are other joys. And that's what I want and need to focus on. With a new year coming soon, I feel hopeful. 

Wishing you all a holiday of peace, love, hope- and joy.

Char 

A New Attitude

The holidays are over, and it's time to get back into a steady routine. I'm a list-maker but I find lists for 6 months, yearly, or longer get lost or ignored. So to force myself to be more proficient, I've decided that I'm going to make a monthly tasks list. Here's what I need/want/have to do for January:

1. Finish review of Sirenz 3 critique.
2. Review Sirenz 3 at least twice more.
3. Do critique for fellow crit group member
4. Finish rough outline for adult book
5. Review critiques for Island Girl (book 2 in twisted classics trilogy)
6. Make notes, possible rough outline for book 3 in twisted classics trilogy.

Sounds like a lot, (and it is), especially since I'm still fighting this respiratory infection which is making me pretty listless. Plus, I still have other obligations- bell practice, trustee meeting and other church obligations, and mom/wife stuff. And, my New England Patriots are in the playoffs. 

Will everything get done? Probably not. But I will celebrate each time I cross off one To Do from the list, and not beat myself up if I don't get to all of the items. I'm thinking my new official song should be "I've got a new attitude."

I'll keep you posted, so stop in (feel free to leave an encouraging word). 

Photo courtesy of Pexels, Inc, artist: Burst

Char

Starting Off on the Right Foot

It's 2019, a new year full of possibilities. I'm determined to do things differently this year. A number of people have posted a similar list, so I'm not claiming to be the originator.

What I'm Not Doing This Year!

1. Trying to please everyone.
2. Letting people or social media distract me from writing.
3. Hanging onto hurts or injustices or anger.
4. Keeping stuff I don't want- or need.
5. Worrying over things that I can't change or aren't worth the time.
6. Letting opinions of others move me to anger or upset.
7. Putting myself last, especially if it comes to my health or something that is important to me.

I think I'll stop there. There are always more things we'd like to put on our lists, but I want to keep mine doable. Will I always succeed? Heck no, but the important thing is to try, and to recognize opportunities to stick to the list. In time, it may become second nature.

And to start off on the right foot, I'm going to wear my new fave socks (in honor of Jack, my science-loving squirrel):

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Till next time!

Char

Tis MY Season...

to chill and read. I love the holidays. I'm taking a break from writing, but I'm still revising. I'll be reading cozy Christmas stories, baking cookies, and practicing bells for Christmas Eve. The house is decorated and the tree up. I'm ready for family and friends and all the celebrating that comes. I can't guarantee that I'll be timely posting on my blog over the remaining 3 weekends of the holiday season, but if I have good news (manuscripts are out on sub) I'll pop in. So, I hope you're all enjoying some down time and getting revitalized for the new year.

I'll see you when I see you....

Char

Sweeping Out, Welcoming In...

With the New Year just about here, I like to declutter and downsize. And not just broken Christmas ornaments, old toys, clothes that don't fit. I go deeper. This is what I'm doing now:

Reconnecting with an old high school friend.

Letting go of a dead friendship.

Welcoming new people in my life.

Stepping away from a toxic person.

Clearing my mind of failures, disappointments, and hurts.

Opening my consciousness to possibilities, opportunities, and challenges.

Throwing away a manuscript that won't work.

Freeing a new idea to develop.

Learning to accept new views and differences.

Refusing to harbor outdated or hurtful opinions.

It's not easy, and I won't accomplish them all. Kind of like cleaning out the refrigerator- looks good for a while, but it's something that has to be done over and over. Even if you hate it, it's got to be done-and when you finish, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

So in 2016, I'm ready to forge ahead with a clean(er) slate.

Be careful, stay healthy and safe, look forward.

Char

Should Auld Resolutions Be Forgot...

Yep, this first post of the New Year is late. Maybe I should resolve to be more timely with my posts.

Nah.

I'm not making any resolutions this year because they're wimpy. A resolution is an "I'm going to try to..." kind of promise. It kind of lets you off the hook if you fail because it's only a 'going to try.' Instead, I'm making a 2015 To Do List. And if it's one thing about me and lists, it's that if it's on The List, I have to get it done. It may as well be inscribed in blood on my arm. So here's my

2015 To Do List:

Finish my middle grade novel and send to agent.

Do the revisions to my sci fi novel by the end of January.

Get on my bike as soon as it's tolerably warm.

Get out more- movies, theater, visiting, etc.

Not worry about what other people do, even if it's a loved one and it might not be a good move.

Keep desk clear because it's new and I'm more productive that way.

Learn how to debug my computer from  all the stupid adware.

Finish the rework/revisions on my other 3 novels that have promise.

Give more time to things that are important- meals for homeless, my Phi Nu fraternity gals, etc.

Avoid toxic and/or crazy people.

That's it, nothing fancy. I'd do most of these anyway, but if it's on The List it HAS to get done.

Wishing you, your families, and the world a better 2015...

Char