Sign of the Times

Happy Belated Valentines Day to all you good people and, hopefully, readers out there! Since I haven't touched base for while, I thought I would give you the low down.

I am still teaching art and loving it, feeding that creative side of me - though I miss writing. But there are times in life when you just need to step back from things and take a look around. As an artist, I call that gaining perspective. In this hustle and bustle world of Facebook rants and fragile opinions, taking time out to think something thoroughly through has become a rare event. Kind of like those movies that slow down the action to show what the character is imagining might happen - Should I stop at this intersection to look both ways, or should I plow right through? - pondering can not only help us formulate our plans, but might just save us from making a huge mistake. 

I've slowed down to look around a lot lately, taking a break from some of the "extras" in my schedule. While I love singing with a local hospice choir, time off from it has allowed me to focus my energies on healing my own body, and spending more time with my family. Not everything we give up is bad for us; sometimes it is just a matter of prioritizing. That holds true for writing as well, for me at least. Even though becoming an author was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, the road forward was fraught with so many speed bumps and barriers  (not to mention wrong turns and extra mileage; see former posts) that I wondered sometimes if I was even on the right road. Being the smart cookie that I am, I pulled off the road to check my map and ask for directions. I yielded to the times rather than barrel through them hoping to come out the other side unscathed. 

Sticking with the automotive metaphor, if you were behind me you might have gotten frustrated when I slowed down to look around, maybe even cursed me out (I hope not), and flipped me off as you sped by when I pulled over. But I really hope you are still with me. Goodness knows I could use the company on this journey! Because.... all signs are indicating that it might be time to move forward again. Emrysia, here we come!

Story ideas have been overflowing like the sweet, maple sap soon to take priority in this neck of the woods. My head is reeling with new plot twists and adventures for my three, brave heroines; they have been waiting far too long for their tale to continue. Last month I was contacted to give another book talk, and am looking forward to it in just a few days. And just last week, out of the blue, I was contacted by a marketing/publishing company in California that hopes to partner with me in promoting my work. Not that I'm going down that road, but still, it was nice they showed interest.

I hope you still do, too.

My takeaway from this - and hopefully yours, too - is that yielding can lead to smoother flow - in life, in writing, and all along the road. 

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Here's to continuing the journey, and happy travels!