TKP: Yoda and Being Available
It's time for another The Kindness Project post!
Lately, I've been thinking about something that I think falls under the heading of "kindness." It's the concept of being Available.
What does that mean? Well, let me tell ya!
I've got two daughters, and they take up a lot of my time. A lot. Both when they're with me and when they're not.
I think about them, analyze how I've handled situations, how I could've handled situations differently. Beat myself up a lot...
I also have this publishing career I'm trying to build. Writer-friends, you know how much mental and emotional investment that requires.
Recently, I was asked, "How do you balance it all?" My answer was, "Not very well." (But I'm trying!)
If I'm going to write, edit, revise, and make deadlines, I've got to be able to spend big chunks of time being unavailable to people--including my family. And that bothers me.
So I've been thinking about those times when I am available. And I've been trying to focus very hard on really being available, 100 percent.
That means not letting my mind drift to my email inbox or to the next scene in my WIP when, for example, my daughter is describing all the different characters and their relationships in Fairy World. (Her make-believe play world.)
Or not letting my brain obsess over whether I should even bother with finding a new agent right now, or whether I should just go with the book deal, see what happens, and then decide... or whether I should self-publish the MS my critters/betas loved but editors didn't buy... or whether I should (insert obsessive publishing conundrum here) when, for example, JRM is describing a legal situation that's on his mind.
In other words, during those times when I'm physically available (or claim to be), I've been trying very hard to stay mentally available as well. To focus on the people I love and to give the book biz a rest.
SourceOnce again, it all circles back around to Yoda and being a good Jedi. A Jedi is not always looking to the future, right? S/he focuses on the here and now.
"Do or do not. There is no try."
(Am I the only one who has this problem?)
Either way, that's my contribution for this month: When we're with our friends or loved ones, do them a kindness and BE with them. Who knows, it might even turn out to be a kindness to ourselves!
Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends! Be sure to visit the other TKP posters listed below~
Lately, I've been thinking about something that I think falls under the heading of "kindness." It's the concept of being Available.What does that mean? Well, let me tell ya!
I've got two daughters, and they take up a lot of my time. A lot. Both when they're with me and when they're not.
I think about them, analyze how I've handled situations, how I could've handled situations differently. Beat myself up a lot...
I also have this publishing career I'm trying to build. Writer-friends, you know how much mental and emotional investment that requires.
Recently, I was asked, "How do you balance it all?" My answer was, "Not very well." (But I'm trying!)
If I'm going to write, edit, revise, and make deadlines, I've got to be able to spend big chunks of time being unavailable to people--including my family. And that bothers me.
So I've been thinking about those times when I am available. And I've been trying to focus very hard on really being available, 100 percent.
That means not letting my mind drift to my email inbox or to the next scene in my WIP when, for example, my daughter is describing all the different characters and their relationships in Fairy World. (Her make-believe play world.)
Or not letting my brain obsess over whether I should even bother with finding a new agent right now, or whether I should just go with the book deal, see what happens, and then decide... or whether I should self-publish the MS my critters/betas loved but editors didn't buy... or whether I should (insert obsessive publishing conundrum here) when, for example, JRM is describing a legal situation that's on his mind.
In other words, during those times when I'm physically available (or claim to be), I've been trying very hard to stay mentally available as well. To focus on the people I love and to give the book biz a rest.
SourceOnce again, it all circles back around to Yoda and being a good Jedi. A Jedi is not always looking to the future, right? S/he focuses on the here and now."Do or do not. There is no try."
(Am I the only one who has this problem?)
Either way, that's my contribution for this month: When we're with our friends or loved ones, do them a kindness and BE with them. Who knows, it might even turn out to be a kindness to ourselves!
Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends! Be sure to visit the other TKP posters listed below~
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