Winter Soon Be Over, Children

I knew this winter was predicted to be a long one, but no one could have warned me just how long it would turn out to be. Though we've had nearly record breaking levels of snow, and still sport it knee-deep at this elevation, the fluffy white stuff was the least of it. Looking at the weather map that says the next storm may dump another foot on us isn't the worst. 

What makes this winter so intolerably long (besides the political climate) is that I am currently suffering a writing slump. I started the fall season great guns, and got up to chapter 12 on my WIP - a prequel for my Emrysia series - before Christmas vacation and a busy houseful derailed me. I've been so busy with other things since then it has been easy to neglect my writing. Unfortunately, I can't neglect the fact that I miss it desperately. (Self-inflicted wounds are always the worst!) Fortunately, I'm nearing my pain threshold.

One of my recent visitors from Japan told me that after visiting Harvard and MIT, he now regrets not attending an English speaking school when he had the opportunity. I wanted to encourage him that it is never too late. (He is young, so it's actually really early in his game.) It is important to acknowledge our mistakes, but also to realize that regret doesn't help in the slightest. You can only push through a barrier by recognizing it as such, and moving forward. Sure we might get sidetracked -  I've made a habit of it! - but like an in-breath in yoga, a pause before you reach higher can help ease you toward your goal. (I just started doing yoga, so hopefully this analogy makes sense.) A moment of mindfulness helps you release where you are, and move further into where you want to be. It is just as important as the movement that is contingent upon it. But, you shouldn't stay there dwelling on things any more than you should hold your breath forever.

Spring is coming. I'm almost ready to exhale again.

​My long moment of mindfulness is almost over.

*****

A shout out to Fumihiro, Kai and Ryoma - thanks for visiting; we miss you already! And Yuto, come back and see us sometime. Our door is always open.