How to Keep Writing When Life Happens

 What do you do when you've got your writing world all planned out.  Your blogging and social media boards and schedules are all laid out, outlines for all future blog posts are finished, you've even started your outline for your book project. Then all of a sudden the drama and crisis of life sets in. Being the quiet storm that I am, I just want to give the trials of life a swift kick in the "you know what", but alas, no matter how hard I kick, the realization that I have to deal with life issues sets in.

Right before Thanksgiving 2019, my mom fell. Even though she's had issues with falling as long as I've been in the world, this time I knew this was different. As a result, I moved her into our home. After the doctor visits, a hospital stay, (for observation), and turning our house over to home health nurses, physical therapist, and social workers, I was done. Oh yeah, did I mention all of the mental and emotional stress and adjustments my hubby and I had to endure? Thank God for blessing me with a prayer life. God is good!

The first couple of weeks were touch and go for all of us, but by God's grace, we made it over and have settled into somewhat of a routine. Since I'm all about self care, I carved out some time just for me. I make sure each night, once the house settles down, I have my journaling and devotional time with the Lord. My journaling usually consists of the events of the day, and pouring out all of my feelings. Getting it all out on paper is not only cathartic, but it keeps my writing juices flowing as well.

We are still taking it a day at a time. I will keep you all posted as I start back on my book projects and will continue to post content to teach, inspire, and encourage you as I encourage myself in the Lord.

 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

• Make sure you make "God and me time" a priority
  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• Try to do some writing each day to keep those juices flowing
• Set aside time to read and expand your mind

New Year New Mindset

New Year New Mindset

Are You Willing to Change Your Focus?

Now that we've crossed over into the New Year, have you started to gear yourself up with new beginnings, resolutions, and strategies to be and do better. How's it been working for you so far? For me it's been iffy, but sue me, I'm human. If you're anything like me, I'll start out with good intentions. Somehow by  February, all of my intentions and efforts start to fizzle and wane.

Matthew 26:41 states: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Unfortunately we start to make excuses for our lack of focus and willpower, then make friends with compromise to justify our feelings of guilt and frustration.

Have you been through this? I know I have many times. That's why I stopped doing resolutions years ago. My reasoning is if I start a resolution I'm just setting myself up for failure. Through careful self-examination, (sheer desperation for real ya'll), I began to find out why I started sabotaging my efforts. When the light came on, I discovered my focus on past failures stalled any goals I set for future success. So I had to make the choice to redirect my focus. Redirection will give you a new point of view that will grow into a new mindset. Different mindset = Different results.

So how do we start?

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE GATHERING

Proverbs 24: 3-4 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

You know, as the saying goes, Knowledge is Power. And knowing how to apply that knowledge is wisdom. I began to research new strategies and techniques to accomplish my goals. I began to gather the tools and even some shortcuts to make accomplishing my goals easier. This helped me to stay focused on the results I desired.

WRITE YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS DOWN

Habakkuk 2:2b Write the vision and mke it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.

The best tool that I've used for goal setting is writing them down. Make it fun and interesting for yourself by getting a beautiful notebook or journal just for your goals. Set aside a special time and make it all about you. Don't rush yourself, really think about and meditate on what areas of your life that need improvement. The system that I've adopted is: Write your goals, fill in the desired results for each of those goals, then start at the beginning with small daily steps.

STAY FOCUSED ON ONE GOAL AT A TIME

 James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Are you one of  those people that dive in, all or nothing? When we try and do too many things at once, it only causes chaos, confusion, and frustration. List your goals in order of importance to you. Then just like a skilled contractor, build upon your foundation with careful precision. If you happen to veer off course, don't beat yourself up, take your time and get back on course.

TAKE IT A DAY AT A TIME AND JOURNAL YOUR RESULTS

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the tings of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Remember to take it slow. this is a process of moving forward and gaining ground. Everyday is a step to a better and greater you. Celebrate each milestone and keep going. Before you know it, you'll be reach your goal successfully. Be mindful that success does not just happen when you meet your goal, it happens when you start the process. It makes me think of that famous quote: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Zechariah 4: 10 Who [with reason] despises the day of small things (beginnings)?