Lisa Shea's Blog, page 335

Do Not Complain Reboot 32 Day 4

Do Not Complain Reboot 32 Day 4 -

My life isn’t always stress-free . What I aim for, though, is to deal with those stressors in a way that preserves my health.

My stepfather is giving me much of his old stereo equipment which I’m then selling on CraigsList. It’s been going smoothly in general, with lots of happy recipients. Then I encountered P. After various back-and-forth he arrived at noon on Sunday morning, the morning after Bob’s gig. So Bob and I were both exhausted but we woke to meet P’s requirements. We had the receiver set up, demonstrated it, and answered all his questions. He haggled with us even though it was exactly what we described. I admit I’m just not happy haggling. But we gave in and dropped the price, and even found him a sturdy box to take it in.

This morning I wake up to a hostile email from P where he’s swearing at me, denigrating me, and stating that the “stereo mode doesn’t work”.

Bob thinks he simply doesn’t understand the function of the “stereo” light, which comes on if a FM station is being received in stereo. That would not light up during normal CD or other play.

My dual aims are to preserve my own health, by not allowing stress to be created in me, and also not to spread stress in others. So I took in deep breaths and did some yoga .

And then I wrote P, first stating that I would not allow abusive language to be used. This is a business transaction and as adults we should be able to manage this professionally. I then explained the probable situation and said we’d take it back if he wanted. (Heck, this would be good for us, since there are other people who wanted it and who would pay full price for it as is.) I told him the only real hurdle to us taking it back at this point is that, given the hostility of his message, I wasn’t sure I wanted him in the house again.

Maybe this will have him consider the language he used – especially if it turns out he was misinterpreting how the stereo is supposed to properly work. It did preserve my own stress levels and health. If he chooses to remain hostile going forward, then that is his choice as an adult and I’ll simply cease communications. I cannot change others. I can only model the behavior I believe in and ensure the atmosphere I live in supports me.

Yelling at him wouldn’t have helped – it would have riled stress in me and spread stress to him, too. It wouldn’t be likely to create a more positive outcome. For me, the best solution all around is to handle the transaction like adults, to maintain my own calm, and if he chooses not to engage in a like manner, to move on to someone else who will.

weekly weigh-in

It’s weekly weigh-in time! Today I am 133.6lb, 19.9% fat, 54.9% water, 36.1lb muscle. How are you doing this week? #exercise #lowcarb

Yoga

A much-needed yoga session. Various stresses in my life ease away while holding downward facing dog and plank pose. #yoga #stressmanagement

Birch Blackguards

OK the novella is in its release cycle and Finding Peace is submitted to the Amazon contest. Now to finalize up Birch Blackguards, the second book in my modern romance / mystery series. Aspen Allegations was the first one. My aim is to release this officially sometime in March. I’m arranging the actual release party now – we’ll have a real life in-person signing!

Meditate

A bit late for my 10pm meditation, but that’s quite OK. I was petting my kitty, Juliet. Now it’s time for serene contemplation .

Bach Prelude in C Major

Happy happy! Today’s cleaning project got the desk out of the music room and into Bob’s office, so I can practice Bach Prelude in C Major again! My keyboard had been blocked by the mess. I find that song so soothing

Bach Prelude in C Major

 

I play it slower than this though, more relaxing.

Yoga

Back on my night schedule; woke up at 2pm. A lovely yoga session with sunlight streaming through the window. Then organized my watercolors. Bob got me some lovely bins and binders so everything’s neat now. Excellent. Next up, a final read-through of my latest 10-chapter novella so I can hand that over to the reviewers.

Medieval Movies

This is what I was watching last night – can anybody name the movie? #medieval

Meditate

Starting my 10pm meditation – meditating on the beauty innate in every day . And music, sweet music! #meditate

Writing Contest Blurb

I’m entering a writing contest and need a powerful under-300-word blurb to describe my story. What do you think of this? Suggestions?

Elizabeth has finally gotten free. Free of her abusive father. Free of the cruel fiancé he pledged her to. She fled her family’s medieval keep, risked the ruthless bandits which prowled her lands, and found a fresh start. In a few days she would arrive at a nunnery on England’s eastern shores. There she could begin again. She would finally put her sword skills to good use, acting as protector for the tranquil outpost.

When Richard’s moss-green eyes catch hers in the smoky depths of a tavern, Elizabeth treats him as she would every other man in her life–-as an imminent threat. Her instinct is to avoid all contact. Then a bedraggled orphan ends up tucked under her wing, and her protective instincts flare even higher.

But Richard is patient, tenderly attentive, all the things Elizabeth has craved but never thought possible. With the delicacy of a snowdrop unfurling after a bitter winter, her heart braves the most fleeting of hope.

He could be different.

Then Corwin strides in from her past. Her fiance’s cutting remarks and quick, bruising fist shatter her tenuous peace. Corwin’s grasping fingers drag her back toward the hell-hole she barely escaped to begin with.

Elizabeth must delve within herself to find hidden reserves of strength she never knew existed. Somehow she must find a way to stand against her family and Corwin-–and to claim the life she knows, deep down, that she deserves.