Body-Mind-Spirit - Inspiration for Writers, Dreamers, and Seekers of Health & Happiness
New Year. New Books. New Publications. New Writing Circles. And Some Ancient Existential Angst.1/10/2024 ![]() On January 1, Robyn Ryle’s Substack landed in my inbox. A sociologist and author, Robyn writes about culture, mindfulness, and writing. In her piece subtitled, “This is not a New Year’s Post,” Robyn says she dislikes the idea of linear time inherent in “the whole New Year’s mess,” which makes us “anxious about our impending deaths.” One year gone, one year closer to oblivion. Or eternity. Depending on your perspective. Either way, we cope with this understanding, Robyn suggests, whether conscious of it or not, through consumption (shopping, eating, etc.) and self-improvement (resolutions, etc.)
I laughed with recognition when I read this post because I’ve been consuming for weeks, and on New Year’s Eve Day I participated at church in a “cleansing ritual,” hailed as “an outer acknowledgment and celebration of an inner process.” “What are you ready to let go of from 2023?” the reverend asked. “What’s calling for transformation? What’s ready to be dissolved?” We were instructed to write a word or two on water-soluble paper, then drop it into a water bowl and watch our bad habits disintegrate before our eyes like magic. If only it were that easy…. Still, I was all in. Ready to surrender—once again—worry and fear. Old friends. And foes. I’ve written about coping with fear in my book Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? Finding Peace of Mind While You Write Publish and Promote Your Book. If interested, you may also read these blog posts: “No Worry Zones,” “Freedom from Fear,” and “7 Tips for Navigating Fear.” Fortunately, I don’t worry as much as I used to, and fear doesn’t rule my life as it once did. Not that I have zero existential anxiety, but as I age, I’m making peace with my mortality, which winks at me from behind trees and clouds. I try to make the most of my time by being present and mustering the courage to challenge myself as a writer, teacher, and coach. There’s nothing like writing to keep me present. It’s healing and clarifying, and it creates hope. I try not to take doing what I love for granted. My work keeps me sane and is a huge blessing. It’s an honor to write, listen to people’s innermost thoughts and fears, and help them lean into and realize their writing dreams. Participants in my writing circles inspire me daily with their creativity, wit, humor, kindness, and grace. Part of my teaching and coaching process involves leaning into my dreams and taking creative risks. I don’t ask my students to do anything I’m not doing. Teachers must walk their talk. In 2023, I submitted forty micro-essays and stories to literary journals and had fifteen published. I also had two short-listed stories, and one was a finalist in Wow! Women on Writing’s Quarter 1 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest. I have three new micros at MacQueen’s Quinterly: “Bad Genes” (Micro Creative Nonfiction) “Museum Muse” (Microfiction) “Spy” (Microfiction) In December, I participated in Jingle Tales and Tunes, an incredible live-stage storytelling event. I wrote about my creative process for writing that story in my November 28 blog post. Last week, I completed an essay about my performance experience. “From Page to Stage—Angst to Bliss in < 48 Hours” will go live on the Brevity Blog on or around January 26. It’s a thrill and an honor to contribute to Brevity’s “DAILY DISCUSSIONS OF CRAFT AND THE WRITING LIFE.” The editor told me they have over 80K subscribers. I posted holiday photos, which include performance photos on Facebook. Here’s a video. I also have work forthcoming in the literary journal, Five Minutes, and one of my stories was selected as an “editor’s pick” in their fall contest. In 2024, I’m doubling the words I send to my editor each month, updating my website, continuing literary journal submissions, and maintaining my dedication to helping writers develop their craft skills, self-compassion, and moxie. I also plan to revive our in-person salons and continue featuring and promoting writing circle participants’ work through live online readings. New Writing Circles begin Monday, January 22. I have two openings in the Monday Circle and one in the Wednesday Circle. Info and enrollment. Blessings for health, happiness, and a rich, productive, creative life in 2024!
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