It would be nice if getting from Point A to Point B was as easy as it sounds; if a magic carpet could swoop in and transport you from the spot you're standing to the distant place you want to be. Unfortunately, that mode of transportation is limited to Disney characters so the rest of us have to stumble our way through difficult times as best we can. Decades of dealing with life's ups and downs have a way of showing you that trials, though certainly unwelcome, are often the gateway to wisdom and growth but helping your child come to terms with that reality has proven even more difficult than learning it firsthand.
As I've previously written, our family has been riding a positive wave the past couple of weeks as we've watched our eldest child make great strides in a personal struggle. Though we all wanted to believe that the progress would continue in a straight line, we were realistic enough to know that that was unlikely. All we could do as parents was to be prepared when our child hit that inevitable pothole; to be there with the right words, the right encouragement to help her keep her eye on the prize.
Today, we had to do just that.
When our child's fragile confidence took a momentary nosedive we had to be ready with the support she needed. I'm happy to say that within a couple of hours, the worst of the storm had passed. But we know we're far from home free. We know there will be other challenges in the days ahead but we are united in our goal We're going to have to take one day at a time.
And we're going to keep an eye out for those potholes.
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Where I Am
Well, isn't it just like me to pop back in from my long vacation, write one blog and disappear again. No wonder I don't have many followers; they couldn't find me even if they wanted to. Now I am going to hit you with another legitimate excuse for my absence. Remember, this blog is supposed to be about my journey out of full-time motherhood. And this journey seems to be all about the twists and turns my life is taking as I set out to re-invent myself.
As many of you might remember, last year I took on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. As crazy as that might seem, I actually did it and am now the proud owner of one proof copy of a novel that has yet to be fully edited (or read) by anyone. What's even crazier than taking on such a challenge, you might ask? How about signing up to do it again?
For the next twenty-four days, (minus work hours and Bears games), I'll be sequestered in my basement, pounding on computer keys hoping to catch lightening in a bottle one more time. At first I thought I should quit while I was ahead. After all, I proved that I could do it. I'm sitting here with the proof, rough and unread though it may be. So why would I want to go through that torture again?
There isn't a simple answer but I think I came up with a few:
1. I need a project to take my mind off the fact that my vacation is over and winter is
about to make its appearance. Both events are making me pretty damn blue.
2. I work better with a deadline. My undisciplined nature would never take the easy
way out and write a novel over a rational time period, like oh, say, the other 335 days of
year.
3. (Most importantly) I want (need) to prove that last year wasn't a fluke. I want to write
a completely fictional, fun novel in a totally different genre. Maybe then I'll truly believe
I can make something out of this "hobby" I've pursued for the better part of my adult
life.
I'll try to check in once in awhile but, like I said last year, I have to write almost 2000 words
a day to meet my goal and, unless my husband is willing to go thru the next month with dirty clothes and an empty stomach, my free time has to be in the pursuit of those relentlessly unforgiving 2000 words. So, please bear with me and wish me luck. I'll come up for air when I can. This business of re-inventing yourself ain't easy.
As many of you might remember, last year I took on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. As crazy as that might seem, I actually did it and am now the proud owner of one proof copy of a novel that has yet to be fully edited (or read) by anyone. What's even crazier than taking on such a challenge, you might ask? How about signing up to do it again?
For the next twenty-four days, (minus work hours and Bears games), I'll be sequestered in my basement, pounding on computer keys hoping to catch lightening in a bottle one more time. At first I thought I should quit while I was ahead. After all, I proved that I could do it. I'm sitting here with the proof, rough and unread though it may be. So why would I want to go through that torture again?
There isn't a simple answer but I think I came up with a few:
1. I need a project to take my mind off the fact that my vacation is over and winter is
about to make its appearance. Both events are making me pretty damn blue.
2. I work better with a deadline. My undisciplined nature would never take the easy
way out and write a novel over a rational time period, like oh, say, the other 335 days of
year.
3. (Most importantly) I want (need) to prove that last year wasn't a fluke. I want to write
a completely fictional, fun novel in a totally different genre. Maybe then I'll truly believe
I can make something out of this "hobby" I've pursued for the better part of my adult
life.
I'll try to check in once in awhile but, like I said last year, I have to write almost 2000 words
a day to meet my goal and, unless my husband is willing to go thru the next month with dirty clothes and an empty stomach, my free time has to be in the pursuit of those relentlessly unforgiving 2000 words. So, please bear with me and wish me luck. I'll come up for air when I can. This business of re-inventing yourself ain't easy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)