Ever feel like the world is leaving you behind?

I remember a time as a youngster when some of my siblings and neighborhood friends were walking to the park, and I had to run to catch up. I wanted to stop and watch the ants crawl single file across the dirt, to throw a stick in the  water flowing  through the culvert under the road and watch it come out the other side, to listen and try to identify the bird singing in the topmost branches of the climbing maple, to pet the velvety noses of horses gathered along the fence, and to pop the hot tar bubbles on the pavement with my bare toes. All they wanted to do was get to the lake and swim. It's not that I didn't, but there was a lot to experience along the way. 

Sometimes I feel like my whole life has been about trying to catch up. I buy clothing resale years after the fashion fades. I didn't have kids until my thirties. I learn to navigate technology at a snails pace. I didn't publish till my second half century. 

But what if all of my stopping along the way was REALLY what the trip was all about? Maybe what the world needs more of is time lived fully, not spent trying to play catch up. I'm getting where I want to go, but I plan to enjoy the journey.

No matter what anyone tells you to the contrary, people like to talk about themselves. Granted, most of us aren't exactly in our comfort zone in front of an audience, but the kids I met yesterday were so interested and gracious that I could have spent another hour reading and talking to them about the publishing process. The data isn't in yet as to whether or not it helped my sales at their school's Book Fair. Profitability isn't always measured in dollar figures, thank goodness! Since this was my first book talk presented to students, I'd say I'm already a winner. Thanks GSCS  5th - 8th grade students, for being my test group, and the reason I'm excited to move on to Public Speaking 201 - you were boss! 

This morning I am the moon
sitting at my keyboard
half sunlit, half in shadow
the bisected ridge of my profile
reflected ruler-straight
in the monitor
where these words appear
upon it
 almost of their own volition
and, in the warmth
which faces east
I feel the coming Spring
much more than
the lingering chill
of its western
 negative.

Navigating the murky waters of social media makes me feel like a fish out of water! But it's sink or swim: I may be in over my head, but drowning is NOT an option! I just joined Twitter, so now I'm learning to Tweet, Follow Tweets, Re-Tweet, etc., etc... I recently joined Pinterest, but haven't had time yet to play there. Instagram, SnapChat, and whatever else is out there will have to wait until I get my fins....er... feet under me. Wish me luck in this brave, new ocean of connectedness! If I can do it, anyone can.

And if you want a REAL adventure, check out my new novel: