caffeinatedwords

We reserve a particular thing to look forward to way later in the day and only after we’ve accomplished “that really important thing that we need to do.” It’s fine to have something to look forward to, but, as a result, we’re waiting to live.

We’re waiting to feel enjoyment.

And consequently our day just passes us by without us really living it or feeling it. There’s a saying to “stop and smell the roses.” I know it’s cheesy, but what if we took a moment to just look around and enjoy what we have? What if you’re stuck commuting and instead of hating it, you put on that favorite song and enjoy the sights? Or relish the taste of hot morning coffee when you’re not a morning person?

I know that I’m not the best at doing this. I always think of my to-do list, but I’m gonna slow down, and enjoy what’s around me.

I don’t have many opportunities when I get to experience being a student again. So, when I go to a gym class that’s when I’m reminded of what it feels like to be in that position again.

I went to a gym class today. I’ve been intensely working out the past few weeks at a different place, and I was met with an instructor I’d never met before. Now, instructors are, of course, meant to motivate you and help you better your technique. But this teacher WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE. It was like he was a helicopter teacher.

For the first 15 minutes, he constantly made sure to come over to me, check on me, provide advice on how to fix my technique, made a few harmless jokes that displeased me etc.,

It left me feeling incredibly stupid. I felt as if he said, “Lift a dumbbell” and instead I kicked a soccer ball kindof dumb. Now, I have sense, and I know that he had good intentions, and I left the gym feeling fine. He’s not my cup of tea. Thankfully, I know that I am happy with where I am, and whenever I get to that next level, that’s when I’ll get there. I can navigate my life fine and choose to go to a different instructor.

Kids have no choice but to go to the same person again and again, be it someone they love or not. The experience reminded me to be mindful of how I choose to help a student. Some students are fine with some attention and guidance, but some feel uncomfortable with all of that focus on them–and even defeated.

A strategy I like to use is:

Flexible Grouping: a way of temporarily group kids together based on skills, interests, etc.,

I’d like to know:

I always turn to Neil Gaiman when I need to summon writing courage.

Writing a new story has been like trying to mash pieces of a puzzle together, and lately, I’ve struggled with starting Book 2 of my series. It feels like my head is all scrambled. I’ve sent out queries to a bunch of agents, and I’m waiting on responses. I’m trying to haphazardly ascend to the next step, but right now I feel stuck. As a result, I feel like there are these thoughts whirling about in my brain while I’m trying to focus on a completely different project.

I’ve been trying to figure out whether I should outline, research, or just write. I feel like I need to make this perfect product, when in reality, I can’t make a perfect product all in 1 shot. I need to write in pieces. I need to plan in pieces. I keep acting like I’m just going to have a completed master puzzle, but I’m skipping the step when I’m trying to push the cardboard pieces together, one at a time.

I think it’s time to take a breath and reset my mind and be ok with the fact that it’s a new project, and that it's obviously not going to be done like Book 1. It’s fresh, and I’m allowed to take my time putting all of the pieces together.

I know I’m going to sound like a lunatic, but I woke up at 445 am, and I was thrilled. Before you’re like, “she’s an insane person, and I hope she seeks psychiatric help” there’s a reason for my madness.

Earlier this year, I realized I had NO time to write when I would get home. I would be so completely drained and mentally exhausted that I found myself not being able to do it. So, I started to wake up early and not only write, but to also meditate and journal, and it’s really transformed my mindset to something more positive.

With how demanding jobs can be, it’s hard to get time for yourself, but now, I do. It’s totally changed everything. My friend, Melissa, put it best, “When I take the time to do this, I feel like Teflon.” I’m able to do the things that I really care about and am excited about early, and for the rest of the day (while it might not be every day) I feel like there is a light on inside of me.

When you research things for your book and find these gems:

Samurai women

and war elephants:

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing queens out there taking care of their babes and slaying every day!

Top 8 Fantasy and SciFi Moms

Query 14 and 15 WITH A SYNOPSIS!