Enjoying the Journey- No, Really.

Hi Y'all, Here's my book update as it were, for July 31st, which was the date I was shooting for to be completely finished with my first draft. Well, life happened and although I didn't reach my goal, I did get a lot done, which I'm proud of.  So, how many words did I finish??  I finished just shy of 40,000 words of content for my book (over 40k if you include my chapter summary and my writing log). So, I was a wee bit disappointed that I didn't reach the 60k mark, but then I thought, well.. If my goal had been 40k words the whole time, I would be pumped about this accomplishment. So I went ahead and crossed out the 60k and put 40k, and actually I felt better looking at it. Go figure:) I am still doing the writing in the dark method, which works for me. And I find that if I write when I'm feeling like writing, it goes a lot smoother and I get more words per sitting than if I force myself to write when my consciousness keeps resisting ...

Hi Y'all Jordan as a puppy trying to eat a water bottle:) Four days ago was the last day of my meditation challenge. Something keeps occurring to me, just popping my head, multiple times during the last few weeks and this is what it is: I waste a lot of time and energy giving a shit about what people think about me. About their opinions, feelings, likes, dislikes, whatever. I just feel like paying attention to this has my brain pipes a little clogged with unnecessariness. So, I was thinking about doing another 30 day challenge, and calling it the 'Not Giving a F*&# challenge'. For example, where I'd normally concern myself with what someone is thinking about me,  like in a retail store when I'm looking a hot mess or I feel they will racially profile and follow me through the store as I shop, and I get worried about these different perceptions. But instead I'd consciously decide not to worry about it or worrying less. I was doing this the other da...

I pull up to the front of her... our? house and get out of my car. We park in the front in the horseshoe driveway and kill the engine. I step out in my flip flops onto the slate grey cobblestones, and head toward her door. A modest fountain is surrounded by impeccably pruned scrubs and other landscaping. Gorgeous flowers near the front door! I knock on the  classy doors with wrought iron and old country feel, and when I realize that didn't do much, I ring the lit up doorbell and wait. I can hear dogs barking--my dogs-- and some of our kids, older now, running up and down the stairs.  She opens the door with such joy, you'd think I was Oprah showing up on her doorstep. I walk in and the door stays swinging open. She has faux locs this time, and she's a little thicker but still looks healthy. She's beaming, and we're still hugging-- by this time both jumping around. I'm gonna remember that perfume... and I really can't catch up with her hairstyles.  ...

Jordan smiling- he has huge dimples! haha Hi Y'all, I am on day 19, and I feel good. I feel like I am starting to gel with this and it's nice to feel like I'm rolling down hill with this, ya know? I thought I'd share some techniques I like to use to clear my mind because I know sometimes with busy minds it can take longer than you might have to spare.  counting my fingers - I sometimes don't breath out all the way so focusing on my breath often takes away rather than adds to my focus. So instead of focusing on breath, I like to count my fingers, or typically the knuckles on each hand continuously. Think of it as like counting sheep but in the daytime:) humming or chanting - I chant or hum, or say "ahhmmm...", whatever sound works for me at the moment to focus and deepen my focus. self-massage - If my shoulders are tense or my neck has a crook, I massage the area to release the tension, sometimes allowing me to focus better  visualizing - i...

Jordan getting a bath Hey Y'all, So, I this is an update for days 10 thru 14 of my 30 day meditation challenge. Well... I am pleased to say I have been doing quite well, even with being smack dab in the middle of PMS (note to self: get dark chocolate and more tea!!). Anyways, yeah... I am still noticing I can get into a meditative state quickly , sometimes even when I am not meaning to meditate like when we went crabbing or cooking or whatever. I think that maybe I will be putting more emphasis on the positive thinking part because meditating is all well and good but I don't want to meditate, be good until something pisses me off and then be irritated for damn near the rest of the day. Just some food for thought:) I'm also noticing that I'm sleeping a lot better , which is a really nice bonus that I didn't expect. My husband told me the other day that my eyes, meaning like underneath eye area, looked really good. I thanked him, but also wondered how bad...