For twenty years I’ve known that my calling was to write. Unlike some authors if I can’t do it – I will NOT write about it. I believe that all authors should make sure their writing is supported by an honorable reputation in their personal life. I’ve read too many books or articles filled with lies because they reflect a dysfunctional lifestyle. The author tries to sell his ineffective theories and lies about his/her own success while in the process thousands of people are hurt. [box] If I can’t live it – I will NOT write it!![/box]
If you read my previous post, “Adult Temper Tantrums” you know that I’m dealing with a lot of stress taking care of my parents, being without Ron and trying to navigate my way to a calmer, better me. Writing helps me. It takes me to a quiet, productive, self soothing place. There’s just one problem. I see the world and my own life exactly like the maps on my Mommy Detective site. When I lose my temper, I know it’s not the immediate situation that caused a meltdown – it’s a combination of facts, feelings and at times memories from the past. My mind is constantly spinning the list of facts that may be reasons for my frustrations. Those facts are wide reaching and often point the blame on me as well as others. Even a fun trip to the mall may cause the facts to start spinning. I can watch a stranger deal with an unruly child and see multiple connectors that would build a large Decoder Map. Every problem in our world is based on complicated issues and is rarely the result of one simple fact.
My talent fits with long explanations in a book but causes me to freeze when I try to write blogs. You don’t have time to read a lengthy article but I feel responsible when I don’t give you all the facts. I worry that you may take one piece of my advice and when it doesn’t work because it’s not combined with another more important absolute – you fail. The thought that you might fail because of something I don’t include in a post hurts me. The guilt I feel keeps me from writing anything.
Last week I was exhausted but instead of going to bed I decided to watch TV. The movie Julie and Julia was playing. It centers on the life of Julie – a government worker after 911 and the life of Julia Child. Julie sets a goal of cooking her way through Julia Child’s book Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She decides to cook 524 recipes in 365 days. As I watched the movie, I was inspired with the thought that perhaps I could offer 365 “tips” to a better life, better parenting and a better America. I know plenty of bloggers that follow a stream of free thought with no overarching purpose. I’ve tried to think of my writing in that way but I could never let go and just give tips. The movie inspired me with the simplicity of her goals. I am positive I could do the same. Perhaps this project could help you even more. Maybe the short bursts of “absolutes” will help you lay the framework for your personal decoder map. Together we could uncover all the tiny issues that punch holes in your ability to be successful. That feels both exciting and doable.
My mouth dropped when I watched two scenes that reminded me of my situation. Julie is trying to complete her task but she is overworked and tired. She arrives at the point in Julia’s cookbook where she has to make aspics. An Aspic is “a savory jelly made with meat stock, set in a mold and used to contain pieces of meat, seafood, or eggs.” That sounds absolutely awful to me.
Her aspic failed and Julie had a meltdown followed two days later by another temper tantrum when her chicken stuffed with livers and cream cheese dropped on the floor. As I watched her lay on the floor, kick her feet and cry hysterically – I saw myself. Stress day in and day out with no relief in sight can leave you feeling like Julie. Her blog read….”And I cried like a small emotionally disturbed child. I’m a failure.” In the movie she rolled over to stretch out on the floor and kick her legs in frustration. The phone rings. It’s an editor from the Science Monitor that wants to interview her and bring one of her idols to supper. In seconds she is transported out of her frustration and into a self-soothing place that turns tears into smiles.
Not too long ago I had the same experience. I was in the middle of a meltdown when my dearest friend and editor texted me. We set a time to talk about a project we wanted to do together. Instantly I was lifted out of my pain and into that peaceful land of purpose.
How can I make that happen more often? Just like Julie, I need a deadline and a defined purpose.
So…my friends…..here’s the challenge. How many tips can I give you in a year? With my schedule it has to be short and sweet. Each tip may have multiple connections to other problems but I’m not allowed to make those connections. I will only have enough time to present the tip. I have three websites and I’ll bounce around between them. Links to my daily posts can be found here. Whatever I write on I’ll post a link here.
The challenge is to do 600 posts in 365 days.
The counter in the side bar will let you know how I’m doing. Encouragement is welcomed and prayer is necessary. I hope you will pass this website along to others. I pray that these tips will help you have a better grasp on your life. I look forward to taking this journey with you – my friends.
P.S. It took two weeks to work out the bugs in Subscriber so I could begin the challenge properly. So my friends the challenge begins today. 600 posts by October 7, 2015