LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner
When you stop to ask, “Why?” and are open to hearing the answer, everything changes. The answer isn’t always what we expect it to be. And instead of feeling right, it ties our stomach and intestines into reef knots. It mimics the most unbearable case of constipation, the kind that forces you to bend over in pain. While there’s not over-the-counter relief, the cure is simple: go into the zone that holds you to your why. [Read more…] about Get into the Zone
Even before the COVD-19 pandemic, I rolled out of bed somewhere between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. Now, on what I call a ‘good day,’ I wake up consistently around 3:00 a.m., give or take ten minutes. No alarm clock. I’ve never needed one. Perhaps because I’ve been dealing with insomnia for most of my adult life. It’s during the quiet of those early morning hours when I am able to focus, uninterrupted, on my creativity. Getting up that early makes for long days. But with my fiftieth birthday on the horizon, I’m thinking more about how I spend my time. And, more specifically, I’m thinking about how to ensure I am getting enough rest.
I’ve never been good at rest/relaxation. Whenever I’ve travelled, spending a day at the beach was never high on my to-do list. If you wanted to leave the resort and explore the nearby towns and villages, I was in. (Getting lost in a foreign country at night, where I didn’t speak the language, was a little scary!) As a flight attendant, I often worked the overnight flights to London, Copenhagen, Dublin or Paris. Unlike most of my colleagues, I never went straight to bed. I showered, changed, and headed to a museum or for a run—dodging the curious looks the hotel staff threw at me as I crossed the lobby. And a lot of times, when I use my vacation days (like I will this week), I’m taking time off to write and move my creative projects forward. [Read more…] about A Call to Rest
There are some books that you read over and over again. Because each read-through lets you discover new gems that had been left buried. Sometimes those new discoveries lead to an ‘aha’ moment. You get it. Finally. Other times, what you actually experience is an ‘oh, shit!’ moment. Your kidneys dropkick your intestines because you get it, all right. The author is speaking directly to you. They know your darkest secret, and now you’re paranoid they’re just waiting to expose it to the world.
One book that I have read, and reread, and pulled out again for the fifth time (I think) over the weekend is Tim Grover’s Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable. Because no matter how hard I try, I fall back into old habits that keep me stuck. Not all old habits, just the most destructive. [Read more…] about Becoming Relentless
Since 23 January 2023, I’ve been [more] intentional about how I start my day, intentional about the things I do and don’t do. My frustration with the lack of progress in certain areas of my life had been palpable for months. Still, I found it hard to change some habits that were, undoubtedly, the source of that frustration. I’d been wasting too much time streaming movies and TV shows, and on certain—not all—social media apps that didn’t provide value. All because I had lost sight of my why. [Read more…] about It Really Does Begin with WHY
This is a continuation of ‘The Inner Circle‘
“Is this really necessary?” Michael asked as the male makeup artist brushed his forehead.
“It’ll reduce the glare of the lights,” Sam said and chuckled as he sat down across from Michael. “That’s what happens when you shave your head.”
“Ha-ha.” When the guy moved off, Michael locked gazes with Sam. “You remember what’s off limits?”
“I can’t ask you anything that may compromise national security.” Sam glanced down at the iPad resting on his lap. “That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.”