Taking a Break

Ever pushed yourself to reach ambitious goals? It's difficult finding the balance between pursuing a dream and realistically counting the cost. And not just the financial cost. But the effects on our families, work performance, relationships, health, and sanity.

If you don't take the time to make consistent deposits, you'll find yourself overdrawn.

Which is where I find myself.

I adjusted my daily routines to account for having the family around the house this summer. It seems I didn't adjust enough and my chronic fatigue syndrome is flaring up again. I've tried pushing through with a slower but steady pace. It feels like I'm slogging through mud and falling further behind. After another week of trying to hold it together, I made the reluctant decision to cut back on blogging (and a few other things) for the sake of my health and family.

I just didn't think taking a break would break my heart.

Why did I tear up when typing that last sentence? Because I've enjoyed sharing my heart with all of you and hopefully passing along a little encouragement.

So, while my journey has detoured to the shop for an overhaul, I'm still cheering you on. As soon as I'm able, I'll be back.

What about you? Have you ever had to take a break from something you loved?

The Power of Fresh Eyes

Living in Colorado, I should enjoy the scenic and majestic view of the Rocky Mountains. A panorama of snow-capped peaks against a deep blue sky. But I miss the view.

Why? Because I'm too close to the foothills. To see the full effect, I have to put distance between myself and the mountains, driving east out onto the plains. Then, when miles away, I can turn and see the Rockies in all their song-inspiring glory.

The same is true with my writing. I can be too close to my words and miss the big picture completely. In order to get a clear view, I can try to distance myself by putting the first draft on the shelf for a few weeks. After time, I can come back to the project and edit it from a fresh perspective.

But, the freshest eyes are those who have never seen it before. Like the out-of-state visitors to our state who gawk at the peaks (and gasp for air at the higher altitudes).

Enter the critique group. I am part of two online groups of writers who turn their skills toward my words. Finding plot inconsistencies, point-of-view slip-ups, and cliche characterizations. Pinpointing passive voice and places where I told the story instead of showing it. But, most importantly, they have uncluttered reactions to the story itself. Did they laugh? Or cry? Or ponder?

In seeing my writing through new eyes, I discover my story anew. Like when friends from Kansas see the mountains for the first time and I appreciate the scenery I had grown accustomed to.

What about you? Do you have someone to provide objective feedback? What benefits have you found? Any problems?

Celebrating Differences

This past weekend, my special-needs daughter was special for another reason. Anna was the center of attention, courtesy of the Special Olympics.

The party started with the Law Enforcement Torch Run. As part of a fundraiser for the Special Olympics program, members of local police and sheriff's departments ran with the torch. This year, the local television channel and newspaper both turned out with cameras to document the event. My 13-year-old got to carry the torch at the beginning of the run and receive it again at the end of the course. Oh, and her brothers also got to participate in both the run and the Bar-B-Que afterward.

The festivities continued at the Summer Games. Dozens of volunteers helped the athletes get to each event and then on to the awards podium. Anna competed in the softball throw, the standing long jump and the 50-meter dash. Earning one silver and two bronze medals awards by plumed and caped Knights of Columbus members to the tune of the Olympics anthem. And photographed extensively and congratulated loudly by her family and friends.

In a culture prizing perfection, it was so refreshing to celebrate our differences and honor those who daily overcome challenges. And to be supported as a family.

What about you? Is there a special someone in your life? What can you do to celebrate our differences?

Being a Servant

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." ~John 13:14 NKJV

The feet around my house are in desperate need of washing. Summer has arrived. Along with the pile of crocs and flip-flops worn by dusty bare feet. Not to mention the sweaty feet inside baseball cleats.

But Jesus' instructions to wash feet had more to do with the attitude of serving than the action of cleaning. As much as feet need a bath of soap and water, I need a humble attitude even more. And my Teacher, knowing how difficult this is, led by example.

Just hours before He would lay down His life, Jesus laid aside His rights and took on the lowest task. Almost as if He was foreshadowing what was to come and tenderly loving His disciples to the end. Leaving them a memory of His love in tangible ways by performing a routine task.

What about my life? Washing feet is not a common task in today's culture. But there are other ways I can be a servant to those around me. Things such as providing clean sheets and clean clothes. A listening ear when I have a busy schedule. Time to read a book when I have a deadline. Giving up the television remote. Showing patience, gentleness, kindness and love.

Is it easy? No. But if Jesus can do it, then I can at least try.

What about you? What does washing feet look like in your life?

Changing Routines

It's five months into the year, and, with the exception of a Spring Break trip and the week the entire family took turns with the stomach flu, I've had a solid and productive writing routine going.

My quota? One new chapter a week since the first of the year. Divided into the two mornings I drove the kindergarten carpool. Instead of heading home only to turn around and go back to pick up the boys, I'd drop them off, find a parking spot and pull out my AlphaSmart. No Internet, email or blogs to distract me. No solitaire or sudoku. No laundry or cleaning. Just a quiet car and the freedom to create.

And then came summer vacation.

My teaching husband and our three kids are all home. This means frequent interruptions and distractions. Noise (both happy and not-so-much) from the kids, the television, and the slamming door as they go in and out to play. I can work for my part-time job in the middle of chaos. I can blog, critique, read, and even edit previous chapters in the middle of the active household.

But I'm finding it very hard to create. I get a feisty string of dialogue going and lose it mid-stream. I think of a hook and then it's gone. I find myself telling instead of showing. Falling back on cliches instead of fresh comparisons. Not to mention the word count per writing session is less than half what I normally would write.

If I'm going to push ahead to the end of this story, I have to change my writing routine for the summer. Instead of trying for time on several different days, I may block out a single day each week for creating. By leaving my kids in the care of their father or a nearby grandmother, I can sneak away for a large chunk of time in an isolated place. Armed with snacks and drinks, I'll pound out the words until the chapter is done. And return home one step closer to "The End" not to mention happier for having accomplished my weekly goal.

What about you? Do your routines change with the seasons? Do you have any suggestions for this fledgling writer?

Dividing the Labor

My kids have jobs for the summer.

I mean, from mid-August through May, their job has been learning at school and doing their homework. But once school is out for the summer, does that mean that I should continue pulling all the weight at home on top of my part-time job and writing?

I didn't think so. Especially since they're now ages 6 to 13.

So, my refrigerator door holds a chore chart for my kids. Every weekday, they have to make their beds and clean their rooms. (It should go without saying, but these same kids will stay in their pajamas all day if I let them.) The little guy is in charge of getting the mail every day. The 12-year-old gets to mow the lawn once a week. And my special needs daughter gets to clean out the inside of the van every week. In addition, they will take turns weekly helping with the laundry, the dishes, or Mom's cleaning chores.

As an incentive to get their work done, we're planning "reward" activities. A trip to the pool. A movie night. A backyard campout. A trip to a water-spraying playground followed by milkshakes.

Work, then play. And everyone pitches in. How's that for a lesson about life and family?

What about you? Do you reward yourself for getting work done? If so, how? If you have kids, do they do chores? How old were they when you started?