Scribblous

Before I can write well, I have to relax. If I try just pushing it all out, I get some pretty sad dialog and then toss it out, disgusted with myself. I’ve found a list of things that help me to relax, to find my inspiration, and to be able to move past whatever else is on my mind so I can write.

1. Go for a walk (or a run). I like to do this almost every morning. Not only is it great exercise, but my son enjoys it and my mind clears.

2. Listen to good music. Dancing can also help. I recently discovered the joy of dancing with a young baby. He loves music, too!

3. Let it rain. This one is difficult… I’m still working on the logistics of convincing the clouds to rain. But staring out the window staring at the falling rain or listening to the sound of it hitting the pavement while smelling that awesome smell… there’s nothing quite like it.

4. Bake bread or anything creative. I can’t do this too much, or I won’t get to the writing but the kneading process is great for relaxing!

5. Take a bath. Now, this one… it’s questionable as I will probably take in a book and never get around to writing myself but it is good for relaxing.

6. Have a good chat with my husband. Somehow when the conversation is over, I feel relaxed and ready to write.

7. Sit and watch a child play. My favorite is my son, but I’m sure any child would do. Their play is so innocent and everything is new. It reminds me of times when life was more simple.

I’m sure there are more on my list, but these are the ones I’ve used lately. They’re also great for getting me out of the dismals or for just about whenever.

Today I read a post that got me thinking and then I came along a quote that seemed to parallel the same idea:

“Success is a state of mind.
If you want success, start thinking
of yourself as a success.”
- Dr. Joyce Brothers

Life is full of mental challenges. For some people that means school, and for others it means family troubles. For people like me it means a constant push to achieve my dreams without giving them up. There are always time contraints, babies to feed, floors to clean, and my brain to find and return to my head. But if I focus on all the things stopping me from writing (or from achieving any goal), I’ll spend more time thinking about them than on my goal.

So, I’m going to take Dr. Brothers’ advice and start thinking of myself as a success. I won’t think about what trials I may have to go through tomorrow, but instead think about the success I had today. Hopefully that will push me in the right direction.

I’m not one to jump to writing a blog post when I come across a quote or idea that I like. I usually wait a while, discuss it with my husband, think about it, and sleep on it. Then I might write a post and then I might post it. But today I’m going to act differently. Since my husband is the only one who regularly reads this, it’s almost the same thing anyway.

I found this quote today:

“Come to the edge, he said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They came. He pushed them, And they flew…”
- Guillaume Apollinaire

I have no idea who Guillaume Apollinaire is, although I assume it’s someone famous, but this quote hit me. I hate to admit it, but I feel fear pretty often. I don’t want to take risks. I don’t want to be pushed to the end of my stretching point and then farther. But it’s the best thing for me, somehow.

God leads us with a gentle hand, but it is also a firm hand. He alone knows what’s best for us and how to get us to ultimate happiness. He can lead us to the edge and help us to fly when we might have been happy to crawl on the earth for all of our days.

Sometimes we are led by words or thoughts, sometimes by tragedies or achievements. The way changes for each person and each instance, but He knows what will help His children.