The Unstoppable Blog

Welcome to the new and improved Unstoppable Blog!

I heard recently that it is better to be whole than to be good. That one dwells with the Divine by embracing his or her nature. Do you believe that to be true? If so, I hope you will "Follow Me" this year as I journey down my path and Emerge Unstoppable in 2011.

If you want the back-story, please read my profile. Today is the first day of my new life, not a day to dwell on the past. Good-bye old me. Hello world!

I'll bet your wondering what's so special about this blog. Well, not much up until now, except that it is written by me. Ha! Kidding. My older posts are still available if you are interested in knowing more about my spirit, my writing, and who you are reading. But, looking ahead, I promise to bring you entertaining content, wisdom as I know it, and tips to make the journey of becoming a new writer your own.

Here's the plan:
Every Monday is Malleable Monday. That means I am giving you permission to take what is usually the worst day of the week and make it what you want it to be - bend it, shape it, make it your happy day. My Malleable Monday posts will focus on the ABCs for New Writers. In other words: Inspiration, Direction, Motivation. At lease, until we get to "Z".

Wednesdays are Wisdom Wednesdays. This is where we will share with each other little bits of wisdom we have gained as individuals.

And finally, Truth or Fiction Thursdays. Each Thursday I will share a short with you that is so incredible, so unbelievable, that you will have to ask yourself - Is it truth or is it fiction? Then hopefully, you'll share your answer with the group.

As for today and the re-launch of the Unstoppable Blog, I would like to gain 25 followers. How do you follow? Just click on the Follow button at the top of the page and follow the directions. (Lots of following to be done!) If you "Follow Me" today, midnight February 28, 2011 to midnight, March 1, 2011 (EST) your name will be entered into a drawing to win the Unstoppable T-shirt (or another Unstoppable product of your choosing). It's a cool shirt and it will get you started on your journey to Emerging Unstoppable in 2011!

Until Wednesday, I remain,
Unstoppable

Be Your Own Valentine!

Last night I sat alone in my living room bored to tears by commercials, missing the three-year-old love of my life that is on vacation with her dad, wishing that a heart-shaped box of chocolates would magically appear on my doorstep. How silly is that? After realizing I was throwing myself yet another pity party, I made a command decision: I rented Eat Pray Love and poured myself a glass of wine. For the next two hours I blubbered like a fool over how closely my life resembles fiction (or in this case, semi-non).

Here I am in the throes of reinvention, terrified about what is going to happen next, just starting to gain that unique perspective that: I am a strong woman, the Universe has determined my path, now all I need is to pay attention and do the work. I get it! I'm listening! I'm doing the work. My dream of being an author is being realized. My project calendar proves that. I can revise a novel in a week (without a three-year-old in tow). I can write a novel in a month. I can learn new things, accomplish goals, and add all of them to my resume. I can make money, live healthy, move forward and be happy, or I can just survive.

The heart-shaped box of chocolates isn't going to magically appear at my door, I don't need them to because I no longer want to be a survivor. I want the spice, the seasoning, the varied colors and textures of my favorite chocolates. I know what I want. When I'm craving good chocolate, I know where to find it. I can find it 365 days of the year. It doesn't have to come wrapped with a bow, though I might do that as a treat just for me. It's all my choice. I own it.

Now, don't get me wrong, one very important lesson learned from last night's "boo hoo fest" is that sometimes you need the imbalance of love to balance life, but that isn't where I am. I'm at the second act. I know what I'm missing, I'm out to discover it, and once I do maybe the Universe will see fit to throw me for a love loop AGAIN. For now I am content to get to know myself and what I am capable of. That's the sweet realization I need on this Valentine's Day. What about you?

Be you married, single, in limbo, in love, in pain, or otherwise, I hope on this Valentine's Day you will charge out your door, head straight to your nearest chocolatier and surprise yourself with the treat YOU desire, and deserve, most.

Until next time, I remain,
The Unstoppable Ms. Start

Inspiration from God, Church and Music

Okay, so not too many of us bloggers blog about church life, but if you're going to know me, you're going to have to know about these incredible moments in my life. Like the ones that happened yesterday.

Waking up yesterday morning, I had no idea what my day would bring; a blessing to me as I love to take things as they come. But, yesterday felt different. I decided, among other things, to attend my home church. Despite the pain that comes from sitting in one of those old wood pews in the church where I was married, I find a great deal of peace there. The peace of knowing my church family cares for me and my little girl; the peace of familiar faces and greetings; of knowing that my pastor will ask me, "Where the hell have you been?" (Love her!)

I attended church yesterday to receive all of that peace, to hear a wonderful message in a place I call home. I heard that the Agnes Scott College Collegiate Chorale was going to provide the music, but I had no idea what it would mean. What a joy! They performed in a way that brought out the best in our small congregation. The energy in the room was palpable as parishioners listened to the exquisite melodies and lifted their heads in response.

One particular poignant moment for me was listening to There Is No Rose (Z. Randall Stroope). I closed my eyes to listen to the harmonious sounds of the chorale and witnessed beautiful whitish-pink smoke fill the room and enter into each of us, like the Holy Spirit filling us with the peace, passion, inspiration each of needed for the day. It was amazing; a moment I will treasure always.

I would be remiss in my blogger duties if I didn't tell you how tickled I was to hear the chorale, directed by our own Elise Eskew, perform Hail, Holy Queen (traditional arrangement by Shaman) in a stylized (aka. Rock n'Roll) version. Recall the movie, Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg. There you go! An exciting, updated arrangement that had us all tapping and clapping along. The Agnes Scott Collegiate Chorale did an amazing job as did Elise.

Breaking from tradition is what inspires me about our little Emory Presbyterian Church. It's not all about the Order of Service, or getting things just right. It's not about following the Good Book chapter and verse, but more about loving each other for who we are. Where I am in life speaks to this. Most of my church family knows my husband isn't home watching football. Some don't, and they ask where he is, but that's okay. I can honestly say he wasn't able to come. No matter the depth and breadth of knowledge, they all love and except me as separated or married, working or jobless, happy or sad, faithful or doubting. And that, my friends, is what makes my church home so valuable and inspiring to me.

Until next time, I remain Unstoppable.

New Hope, New Year, New You

New hope, New Year, new you! This is the 2011 credo emblazoned on the signage for the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church just up the street from my home. Driving home on Friday after picking up my daughter from school, I noticed this sign, as I often do, and the words so carefully placed for passersby to take note. And, as they rarely albeit unfortunately do, these words spoke volumes to me.

I never thought 2011, the changing of the year, or of the decade, would bring such dramatic transformation to my life. And when that change came at lightning speed, without so much as a quick alarm, I never thought that the possibility of hope could exist. But, here I am on January 10, 2011 with five inches of snow on the ground, a gift from the God of my understanding that brings with it a wash of frigidity to clean my slate again, only a couple of short weeks since it was washed before.

With the New Year I find myself a single mom without a job in a house with a mortgage and hope comes in the form of friends and loved ones with food, wine and good cheer to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year, a job interview (already) that, unnervingly enough, was quick and went particularly well, and a transition that has, despite the pain of it all, been pretty smooth.

So, now on January 10, 2011, what's next in this new year, new decade, for the new me in this new world? Some might think life to be bleak, dreary without the commitment to carry on a life together as husband and wife, but not me. Though I do miss the companionship that comes with that shared commitment, the joy in good times and bad, the steadfast love, I know that I will be okay. Alone is not a word I am afraid of because, quite frankly, I'm not. Remember those friends and loved ones, well, we've had more laughs, dinners, time together than normal and truthfully it's been a lot of fun.

My husband might be critical of the way I look at life because most don't choose to take such a view, but the people I love and choose to surround myself with do. They constantly fill my head with the hope of a new year and a new me and for that I am truly grateful.

Happy New Year to you who have taken a moment to read this. Join me in this journey of change and growth in 2011. May you experience the same blessings I have.

Until next time, I remain Unstoppable.

Thankful...

Today, and every day, I am thankful for my husband, my little red-head, a father who pushed hard and a mother who cared almost to a fault; sunshine, wind, clouds, and rain, and even on occasion, fog rolling in over grey sandy beaches reminding me that even the most joyous places sometimes need a blanket to snuggle under; trees, and grass, and flowers of all sorts that share with us the power of growth and renewal; I'm thankful for hand-sewn quilts and the nimble fingers that so carefully stitched them; for dogs and cats and squirrels and all the little critters that keep us entertained on afternoon walks; for friends that come in all shapes, sizes, and origins who care nothing about the mistakes I've made, but who I've become because of those mistakes; for a family who so lovingly and joyously celebrates the goodness, shares hugs in the sadness, and rejoices in the light of each new day; Today I'm thankful for everything I've learned this year as a woman, a mom, a wife, a novelist, a domestic, a freelancer, an editor, a friend. Most importantly, I'm thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. May your day be filled with everything you are thankful for.

Until next time I remain, Unstoppable.

Your Whole Life Changes So Pay Attention

Sitting here on my balance ball in front of my desktop, I've vowed to myself to: be a better mom, a more loving wife, a good friend, a weekly blogger. It's Monday, so making a new start sounds like a good plan. Why wait for the New Year?

Life changes each day for this busy mom and wife. Saying prayers with my three year old before bed, I realize the improvements, mainly friendships that mean so much to us. The days when I would sit at a Georgia Romance Writers meeting at a table alone are long gone. Those moments at the playground pushing my little girl in the swing wishing for another mom to come along and strike up a conversation are far in the past. Now, along with the loving support of my family and cherished friends, I have critique partners who share in my agony over transitioning present tense to past, and moms and dads who text to say, "We'll see you at he playground at 3:30!" I look forward to dinners with new friends, and coffee with old, and most especially alone with my husband, or on a blanket in the middle of the living room with my daughter. To think I could have missed all of this.

So friends, as Thanksgiving quickly approaches and Christmas falls in line like a tin soldier, take note of your life. Do you feel strapped? Trapped in a rut? Or, are you seeing all the things you want out of life come to fruition? Whatever the case, pay attention. Otherwise, the wonderful things just might pass you by.

Until next time, I remain, Unstoppable.

Powerful Friendship

Recently, I've discovered a lot of new things about myself. I don't really know if it's because I'm breeching that BIG 4-0 in the next couple of years (as we all know wisdom comes with age, at least for some); or if my life has taken on new meaning; or, maybe I have finally reached a point so close to blissful perfection (for this minute) that I can stand back and look at myself. But what I have seen is nothing short of outstanding.

Listen, I've spent years putting aside my needs and desires to make sure everyone else in my life had what they needed. It's only fair that, at the ripe old age of 38, I can change that and take care of myself and even give myself a little credit. Life's hard enough without putting off today what you can do tomorrow. Right?

So, I started writing again. Proudly, I just finished my second novel, Releasing Saint Angel. For me that means the draft was finished a month ago, the first revision is complete, the prologue and the epilogue are written to my satisfaction and my critique partners and close friends/editors have it in hand to read and give me a thumbs up or down. Either way: it's done. I've finished what I started. My first toot your own horn discovery about my new and improved self.

Believe it or not, I was once a very lonely, isolated person. My only friends were those that I worked with, so whenever I changed jobs, I got to leave those friends behind (for the most part) and start anew. Guess what? I really enjoy having friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, furry friends - it doesn't matter the make or the model, it’s just really nice to have someone to call when you are ironing and watching the toddler play naked in the backyard with the neighbor's dog and the water hose. You know? To the old friends that I decided were keepers, I've added a host of new friends. Friends that I met in places I love like the Georgia Romance Writers meeting I attend each month. This month I met two wonderful new writers/girlfriends and we formed an instant critique group. I'm honored to have them in my life. You know who you are. Pam and Pam! So, my second toot your own horn discovery about my new self is Wow! It’s really cool to have friends and feel like you are part of something.

My final lesson about my new and improved self, and one that warrants the loudest toot is that staying grounded while doing what you love gives you the inspiration, heart and soul to keep going, letting go of fears that might hold you back, to produce your very best work. Not the work of writing, but the work of life. Karen White spoke at our Georgia Romance Writers meeting last Saturday and told just such a story. It was a powerful lesson in humility for anyone, not just writers. One minute you are up, with the next rejection letter you are down, but in between is the stuff that really matters: like the toddler playing naked in the backyard with the neighbor's dog and the garden hose.

Until next time, dear friends, I remain Unstoppable.