Truth or Fiction - A Question

You cannot give your life more days, but you can give your days more life.

- Unknown

It's time to wax philosophic. True or false - how do you feel about the quote? Can you or can't you give your life more days? Can you or can't you give your days more life?

I believe you can do both. Only me. Not speaking for anyone else here.

Some might take the stance that our Maker knows how many days we have from the get go. I believe that, but I also believe we, as non-makers, have the ability to mess it all up by eating unhealthy food, playing video games instead of taking walks, in general not taking care of ourselves. So, yes, I think you can give your life more days.

And, well, you already know how I feel about giving your days more life. It's a given. Unless you cannot pull yourself out of the doldrums of hell, life is riddled with disease, addiction, pain - nope, not even that line works for me. I've seen people who could be hopeless be huge contributors to their own wonderful, empowered lives. You can add more life to your days no matter what. Period. And, if you're having trouble, ask for help. Friends, family, professionals are all here to help so you can live free and happy.

The short but sweet beginning to an argument of sorts. What do you think?

Hoping you'll join the conversation, I remain Unstoppable.

Around of Words in 80 Days - My first Wednesday Update

Yes, it's sad but true, I signed on for a challenge at a time in my life that there is no time. Pamela Mason, your comments about a challenge for those of us with a life, to you I say, "Ha!" Waking up = No TIME! Not even for a challenge for which you set your own goals.

So, here I am to tell you that for the first two days of ROW80 I have done nothing but brainstorm. Ideas and research have been running rampant through my head. Now, if someone could take dictation, they might actually make it to the page.

Happy challenge to all of you ROW80ers. Maybe I'll find the minimal 45 minutes I require of myself tomorrow.

Lindy
aka The Unstoppable (currently reconsidering her name) Ms. Start

Wisdom Wednesday – An Impassioned Plea for Hope

It feels like a good day to share a little bit of myself with you. I've been struggling lately to find my ground, somewhere for my feet and my soul to reside during a time of life that is "upside down." In searching for this ground I am forced to remember my whole life, a life that hasn't always been peaches and cream, a life that sometimes has been very black and disillusioned. Why? Because I failed to have hope.

That reigned true for me watching Becky Blanton's video on TED. If you have a little over seven minutes, I hope you will take a minute to watch it to. Our stories are very similar though mine didn't begin with a camping trip.

Becky is a journalist and after losing her father decided to embark on a "camping" trip to find out who she was. But, at the onset, she lost her freelance job and fell into a deep depression. She felt homeless. It took another's wisdom to point out that she was wrong.




I lived much the same way for a period of six months or so back in my early 20s. Struggling to grow out of my first divorce I finally found a job in advertising and hoped to launch into marketing stardom. Instead, I my roommate found a boyfriend and kicked me out, I didn't make enough money to live anywhere but a crack hotel on Jimmy Carter, and I was back to eating mac & cheese and potatoes like a college kid. So, I lived at truck stops, bathed in public restrooms, and for the most part was a vagabond, but darn it, I had my career.

I finally realized after months of this torture that I wanted more. I wanted a home, a family, a job that at least paid the bills, security - so I chucked my idea of being an advertising whiz kid and moved back home to Macon where I lived with my parents.

Now, when I started this post I was telling you that I am in need of finding my ground, so here's the hook - I'm here again! History has repeated it's fickle self. Though this time I have a card up my sleeve that will certainly trick the deck. I. Have. Hope. Those are some powerful words.

So, as I fight to hold onto who I am as a person and a writer, struggle to start a new business, face my failing marriage, raise a happy, well-adjusted three year old, I open my heart and soul to you in the hopes that I can maintain that hope. I want to rise like a phoenix above this mess and emerge a rainbow-hued beauty floating gracefully overhead, at peace. Hold me accountable, will ya?

Feel free to join the conversation. Why do you think history repeats itself? Have you ever lived out of your car? Are you another phoenix rising from the ashes?

Until tomorrow, I hope to remain Unstoppable.

ABCs for New Writers – “E” is for Expectations

Boy howdy, do we know how to have expectations! We expect to be able to stay on top of everything all the time, our kids to do well at school and in activities, our raises or bonuses to come through, and when we say our prayers, now think about it, we ask for what we expect. I’m going to ask you an honest question, and I want an honest answer…how many of you pray (or meditate) only for your Higher Power’s will and acceptance of that will? I certainly haven’t always prayed for what my Higher Power believed was best, I selfishly asked for what I wanted on my schedule. I had…expectations.

Now, I don’t want to get up on my soapbox today, instead I want to talk about our expectations as writers. You probably already know where this is going, but I could throw you for a loop. I often fool myself when I am writing so please keep reading and let’s see where this goes.

As a writer, I (personally) expect to:
Accomplish my goals, no matter how crazy and time-crunched they may be;
Publish this year;
Not get frustrated, overwhelmed, side-tracked (fill in the blank);
Learn something new about craft every day;
Never get my feelings hurt over a critique or a bad review.

You name it folks and every single time I (I can only speak for myself) expect perfection. The thing of it is we’re not perfect. We’re human; flawed in every sense of the word. But, as writers, especially newbie writers, that can be a welcome and wonderful part of our journey.

Take that list of bullet points up there, insert yourself, then see failing at every single one - you can’t meet your word count on a daily basis; can’t get published; got frustrated, overwhelmed or side-tracked for no real good reason; didn’t learn a single new thing; and you took your last critique so personally you folded into a blubbering lump on the floor. Can you see it? Feel it?

I know it hurts, but don’t give up on me yet…

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.” – Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama is a wise man. Don’t have impossible expectations. In fact, try not to have any at all. Instead, remain flexible. Give yourself permission to withdraw and restore when necessary.

Now, imagine loosening your belt a bit (aka lowering your expectations). Your writing goals aren’t as stringent so you’ve been able to accomplish them for the most part; a publisher has requested a full on spec; you had no real reason to feel frustrated, overwhelmed or side-tracked because you accepted each of these emotions as they arose; you learned a tiny little snippet of something new (without voraciously consuming the latest book on craft) almost every day; and your last critique offered up some really good advice from an author you admire. Now how do you feel? Things could still work out for you, right? Do you feel defeated or driven to work a little smarter, maybe change your perceptions?

If you want to find success as a writer or as a human you can’t put so much pressure on yourself. If you do the certainty is that you will fail. But if you relax, stop asking for what you want on your schedule, do the work and let things happen, then no matter how you look at it, you will have succeeded.

Do you have high expectations of yourself? I’ve just added to mine by joining the Round of Words in 80 Days Challenge (ROW80). My tiny goal for the next 80 days is to work on my current WIP for 30 minutes a day and to work on plotting the next WIP for 15 minutes each day. Will you join the challenge?

Until Wisdom Wednesday I remain flexible, open to my Higher Power’s will and Unstoppable.

Truth or Fiction Thursday - The Cleaner Revealed

Sharon fell hard into her large, black office chair and trembled at the thought of some male presence being "attached" to her. She wanted to know more, to go and find Marisol and get to the bottom of this mystery. She felt dirty too and wanted nothing more than to get "cleaned."

Staring at the worn brown stain on the floor in front of her she timidly asked Candice, "Does it hurt? Cleaning, I mean."

Candice tried to contain her laughter, "Not unless he won't let go."

"Would Marisol tell me more about him? Could you make him go away?"

"I will go and get what I need to clean you, and I will ask Marisol to come in, but I can't guarantee she will," Candice looked down at the ground as fast as she could to hide her expression.

"You keep that stuff here?"

"I do," Candice mocked a straight face. "This has happened before, you know?"

"Really?" Sharon was astounded by these women with supernatural powers and how they seemed to be introduced regularly to people who needed cleaning.

"Let me go talk to Marisol."

Sharon became very frightened at the imaginings running through her brain. She couldn't fathom what spirit presence might be stalking her. She lowered her head and in her good Christian way began to pray, "God, please take this evil..."

"April Fool's!" came a resounding scream from just outside her office door.

Sharon looked up to find Marisol, Candice, and the rest of the administrative staff looking at her and laughing heartily.

Her tear-stained face red with embarrassment, Sharon couldn't help but join in the prank.

It's your turn. Could the story keep going? I guess you'll just have to wait and see.

Until next we meet, I remain Unstoppable.

Truth or Fiction Thursday – The Cleaner

The first day on her new job, Sharon was joined by her officemate, Marisol. A Spanish beauty, Marisol swept into the office bringing with her the scent of warm, ripe cherries. She wore bright colors and hummed a tune, at least, until Sharon caught her eye.

“You’re new,” her voice a questionable lilt with a hint of accent.

“Sharon McMurtry,” she extended her hand shyly. “And yes, I am new.”

Marisol was gracious and took her hand. She seemed cautious, guarded. After a second rise and fall of their dainty hands, Marisol jerked her hand away from Sharon, “You’re not alone?”

Sharon shrugged her shoulders, looked around the room, and then looked back at Marisol, “Huh?”

Marisol retreated quickly, like if she remained close to Sharon much longer she might fade into the fluorescent light of their office never to be seen again.

“I’m sorry,” Sharon said, “did I say something wrong?”

Marisol didn’t say anything. She glanced over her shoulder at Sharon as she left what would be their office.

What the hell did I do? Sharon was upset by Marisol’s reaction. She had hoped more than anything to make fast friends and find some distraction from her current circumstances. Disappointed, she sat at her desk and started reading through the stack of orientation paperwork that had to be completed before she could officially begin work.

Sharon was lost in the red tape and didn’t bother to look up from her paperwork until she sensed someone walked into the office. Thinking it was Marisol, Sharon said in a flipant tone without looking up to verify, “So, I’m so bad I chased you right out of here?”

When there was no reply, she looked up and met eyes with a tall, thin, redhead. She would be beautiful if it weren’t for the stark contrast between her bright auburn hair and her pale, almost translucent skin. “Oh, I’m sorry,” Sharon smiled. “I thought you were Marisol. I’m Sharon.”

The young woman returned Sharon’s smile, “Candice. You’re new.”

“People keep pointing that out.”

Candice looked at her shoes, “It’s obvious, you know.”

“No. I guess I don’t,” she said trying to avert her attention back to the papers in front of her.

“Marisol is scared to come back in here.”

Disturbed by the notion that someone was afraid to be around her, Sharon couldn’t help but question, “Why? What the hell did I do to her?”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand, Sharon. You’re new.”

“I know!” she barked. “And what exactly does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“You’re not clean,” Candice responded, the corner of her mouth turning up in a grin. “Yet.”

“Candice, I don’t mean to be rude, but what the exactly does that mean?”

“Marisol is a medium. The reason she won’t come back in here is because someone is attached to you. You’re not alone.”

“What?” Sharon couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Attached to me? Not alone? What is wrong with you people?”

Candice twitched at Sharon's latest insult, “Look Sharon, it’s not us with the problem. It’s not us who Marisol is afraid to be around. It’s you!”

“But why?” she said a little softer, frustrated tears welling up in her eyes.

“All she told me was that there is someone very dark attached to you and until he was gone she couldn’t be in the same space.”

“He?”

“Yes, the presence is male.”

“Are you clairvoyant too?” Sharon couldn’t help but ask.

“I am.”

“And,” she hesitated, “why aren’t you afraid?”

“Because I’m the cleaner.”

Sharon took one step back and tripped on the caster foot of her tall, black office chair, forcing her to fall into the seat.

It’s your turn. Dare to finish the story. What are Sharon’s “circumstances”? What happened next? She’s having a bad enough first day, what could happen, right? Do she and Marisol end up sharing an office? Does she emerge clean? Who is the “he” attached to her?

Until tomorrow, I look forward to hearing your creative ideas and remain a medium, or not a medium (it’s truth or fiction day after all) and Unstoppable.

Wisdom Wednesday – A Change of Pace and a Recipe

So, if you’ve been with me the last few weeks, since the re-launch of this blog, then you know that I firmly believe in harnessing your inner strength, being flexible, and being the person you are meant to be. Yep, that’ me in a nutshell.

It hit me this morning as I was lying in bed listening to the rain pelt the trampoline outside my open window, that you haven’t really, and I mean really, seen the other facets of my personality. Could I possibly preach all the time? That would be a resounding, “Hell NO!” I have many other beliefs, joys and passions, not the least of which is cooking. So today, I wanted to share a recipe from my first novel, the one that went nowhere but taught me so much I owe it homage (crying uncontrollably, writhing in pain over THAT birthing). The name of the project is Feel Better Butter and someday I will go back and revise it with all that I have learned and try again to find a home for it - other than the file box underneath my desk - but for today I will share with you a little piece of it – the recipe for Feel Better Butter and a feel good snack. Don’t laugh! This is for real. I promise. And, you won’t regret it if you make your way into the kitchen to prepare the recipe.

Many thanks to Tyler Florence for being the inspiration for my butter recipe that morphed into a novel. Buddy, I’ll cook for you next time you make it to Atlanta!

Now, before I dive right into the recipe you need to understand the healing powers of some of its ingredients. 1) Rosemary helps in depression, muscle-relaxation, anxiety and calmness. I’ll bet you’re feeling better already. And 2) Lavender is used in treating various emotional problems like body relaxation during pain by acting as a cooling herb. These two healing herbs work together with other yummy, comforting ingredients to make the recipe for Feel Better Butter absolutely magical (Sarah Addison Allen…keep out, or call me).

Feel Better Butter

Ingredients:
1 qt. heavy cream
Zest of one orange
1 tsp. dried lavender (the culinary derivation)
1 tsp. dried rosemary
½ cup good honey
1 pinch salt

Method:
In a food processor bowl add all the ingredients and turn on high. The liquid will slosh, whip, then separate after about four minutes. When the mixture separates (these are the butter solids and buttermilk) stop processing and strain out the buttermilk (reserve the buttermilk for the fried chicken you will be making for dinner because you feel inspired to cook) – there should be just under a cup. Take out the butter and squeeze dry. Kneed the butter a bit to form a nice ball then refrigerate it until you are ready to use it. Easy enough, right? Thanks again, Tyler!

Butter is done; now let’s look at our pantry. Let me give you a little black bra insight – every time you go to the grocery you must purchase the following items: fabulous dark chocolate (not the cheap kind), a fresh toasty baguette, the best brie available, soft goat cheese, fresh fruit of your liking (I prefer pears and apples), and a bottle of your favorite wine. Hey, at least I didn’t tell you to buy snails. Any successful woman needs these staples in order to survive. Don’t believe me? Okay, next time you have a rough day toast up the following recipe, pour yourself a glass of wine, and snuggle up with a good book. You’ll see what I mean.

A Truly Feel Better Snack

Ingredients:
Toasty baguette
Brie
Dark Chocolate
Feel Better Butter (from above)

Method:
Cut baguette into 4 inch sections (if you are making for more than one person, otherwise, slice 4 inches for yourself and reserve the rest for tomorrow because you will want this again). Slice baguette in half cross-wise like you are making a hoagie. Spread open-face baguette with a generous helping of Feel Better Butter, then lay down the lovely chocolate squares, enough but not too many because it gets all sorts of messy, and on top of the chocolate lay ½ inch brie slices enough to cover the bread. Place the open face baguette on a piece of tin foil and put it in a 350 degree oven for approximately ten minutes or until it looks just perfect (you’ll know). If you can’t wait ten minutes, use the broiler but the bread won’t be as crunchy. I’m just sayin’. After you have waited ten minutes, you must wait another ten for this yummy goodness to cool unless you want to drip brie and melted chocolate on everything. I personally don’t mind a little mess. Enjoy!

So there you have a little light-hearted wisdom this Wednesday and a new recipe for a day when you really need it, or you just want it. It’s what makes me Unstoppable. Give it a try. Until tomorrow, I remain grateful you are with me on my journey.