The NaNoWriMo Experience

No, this had nothing to do with Mork from Ork, but rather something any human being with the propensity to write can have.

I have never taken this trip before in challenging myself to participate in National Novel Writing Month where one is asked to take up the deed of writing out 50,000 words from November 1st all the way to the end of the month. Technically, a novel is 40,000 words or more, so if you complete the month that could be it, though there are people who say that you need to hit 60K for it to be considered a novel and 40K is a novella..... opinions differ on this and the whole thing is a bit of a grey area.

Regardless, there is no BIG monetary prize or anything for any winners, it is all in the spirit of writing and fun. But the spirit was not what moved me to enter this year, it was more of a personal reason. I've had a bit of a rough 2014 and while I did continue to write for certain blogs that do I stopped with a few other things, like this blog, and more importantly, I wasn't working on the book I kept playing over in my mind.  So I used NaNoWriMo to kick start my story telling.

The challenge worked in that regard, I began writing, but I did not get to the 50K mark. Honestly, I kind of felt a little pressure in not completing enough words per day. Even though I know this was not the idea, it was hard for me. My brain does work well under pressure.... and that kind of relates actually to what I am working on, which I have titled Challenging Barriers and Walking the Path.

I am working on it and will have it ready for release (I am hoping) for early Spring 2015. As for next years challenge, I may pass I may not. Depends if I get a writer's block. I know about challenges, I've experienced different one's my entire life, they are not easy; but most do allow you a fairly valuable lesson. Challenges make life interesting and keep things moving. We learn and we grow.... I have.

Balancing Busy

So I recently obtained a new job and things have been going real good, a little busy, but good. After quite a bit of time away from the bloggershere and the workplace, (something that was beyond my control) after dealing with some emotional and physical health issues, after dealing with some personal and individual stresses, I am more than happy to be dealing with a little busy. I’ve come to realize that what I need most is a balance, not too busy but just enough. (And really, who doesn’t want this?)

When I am at work, volunteering, writing, even working around the house, I have a flow that keeps me going well enough to benefit myself and others. But if I am not paying attention and not too careful and I overstep, I can become overwhelmed and things can begin to spiral.

Life is full of challenges, some have more than others, and some of those can be worse and flutter up and down. Because of this there is something else that I have realized more than this needed balance thing, (though I suppose it is another form of balance) is that while I cannot ignore my health and other challenges, I cannot ignore my work; I cannot ignore my busy. While I need to remember to keep my (MY) pace and keep my (MY) style of organization and to keep my doctor’s appointments and continue seeing my social worker, I need to also remember to keep working and all of those other things that I mentioned, because I am good at them. I am good at being a Communications and Administration Coordinator, I am good at Mentoring and being an Advocate, I am good at being a writer.

We all have our ups and downs, and I truly understand that there are some downs worse than mine, but if I can get back up, I don’t see why anyone else can’t; or at least can’t try. Limitations may present themselves, but I really do think that with the right attitude, they can be made livable. I suppose creating a busy balance is all about perspective and it is gained only through life’s experience. We learn more and more as we go and grow. I don’t think reading one awesomely written blog post is going to change things…. but then again… livable, balance, perspective… one step at a time. Then we can all keep and maintain a proper, well balanced, busy.