Pressing Pause
- 12
- 19
- 09
Last April, I started this blog. To be honest, I was utterly ignorant about this world, about its residents, about the conversations that go on here. All I knew was that I loved to write. I knew that I had written a book of which I was maternally proud. I knew that writing every day would be both a treat and wonderful literary discipline.
What I didn’t know is how much I would come to love this world. And how quickly. What I didn’t know is that my mind would start brewing post ideas at all hours and in my dreams. What I didn’t know is how much time, and energy, and soul I’d throw into this place. What I didn’t know is that I would make friends, actual friends. That I would find a community, an actual community.
To be honest (and this is really honest), if I had known these things, I am not sure I would have started this blog in the first place. I kind of assumed this would be a good little platform to make book announcements from time to time. I didn’t know it would eat hours of my days and occupy such a footprint of my mind. And of my heart.
But there is no turning back now. I love this place and I am here to stay. I need to figure out what that means for me. How to create balance. How to make sure to keep writing my fiction. How to make sure to give my family the love and attention and focus they deserve.
But. Today is the Saturday before Christmas. My entire family is here, within reach. There are presents to buy and cookies to bake and memories to carve. There are stories to live. And this, right here, right now, is the perfect time for me to press pause. To stop. To immerse myself in my moments and my days and my little creatures. You know what? I will never again have another Christmas season when my daughters are three and one. I want to soak it up. And so I will.
This isn’t easy though. What I am realizing as I type these words is that pressing pause is not just an act. It’s an art. Truth be told, taking time off makes me a bit anxious. I hear those proverbial voices. They are clear and compelling. My book is coming out in May. Now is not the time to ease up.
(Yes, shameless self-promotion. This gives me the willies, but apparently it’s time to start doing this.)
The voices echo. Things are just beginning to really grow; This is not the time to relax. What if people forget me and my words? What if a little time off undoes all the hard work put forth for several months?
What if.
What if.
What if.
As we were climbing into bed the other night, Husband said something to me. Something that pierced me. He said, “If you had stayed at the law firm or had left to go to another desk job and your boss made you work seven days a week, you’d be miserable. You are now your own boss. Why are you making yourself do this every day?”
I am boss. Even if it doesn’t always feel this way (and believe me it doesn’t), Husband is right. These are my decisions – and my mistakes – to make. Maybe it is a mistake to take a bit of time off now. Maybe it is. But my hunch, my hope, is that you who read these words now won’t see it this way. My hunch, my hope, is that you will see me for who I am – a parent and a person who needs to press pause. Who wants to.
Maybe you will take my lead and shut down for a day. Or two. Or several. Maybe you too will force yourself to spend a few days without screens.
Mark Twain said, “The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.”
And I think he had it right. Before you know it, this pause will be history and my words and I will be back. With a vengeance.
Happy Holidays!
_________________________
Are you able to press pause and give yourself a break? Are there any topics you would like me to write about in the New Year? Please feel free to drop your URL below and I will visit your blog sometime soon. I will be checking and moderating your comments, so please go ahead and leave one. See you soon!
I admire you recognizing the need for “pause.” Especially at this time of year and when your girls are so young. And I’m anxious to see how well you do it – not because I think you can’t but because I know *I* can’t. What you described in your post (how the *need* to blog took over in ways you didn’t imagine, how much you LOVE to blog) could have just as easily been plucked right from my heart. I ADORE blogging. My home is about to fill with guests – from all over – for about 2 1/2 weeks. I’ve pressured myself to continue to blog. Even though I don’t want my sister to know I’m blogging – so keeping up will be tricky during HER stay. I’ve thought about just ‘pressing the pause button’ but I can’t. Every time I think about doing that I begin to hyperventilate. Ok, I’m exaggerating – but you DO know what I mean. I don’t want to let go. I don’t want to loose touch. And deep inside I think I’ll be forgotten if I disappear – even if just for a little while. Isn’t that pathetic? I just want YOU to know *I* won’t forget you. Your blog is one of the first I check every day. You are a dear, bloggy friend that I treasure. And I treasure you even more knowing the private/personal sacrifice you are making to spend this special time with the ones you love.
It genuinely amazes me how this world can feel so whole and good and empowering. Technology and virtual connections are so often criticized, but there are so many redeeming qualities of these things (when used and enjoyed appropriately – whatever that means) that are rarely articulated. What amazes me – and alarms me – is how addictive this space can be, how it can suck us in, how it can have such a purchase on who we are and who we are becoming. This is one of the many reasons I am forcing myself to step back briefly (and one might argue that I am not truly stepping back if I am here responding to comments). I guess I want confirmation that spending so many moments of my days here is not changing the essence of who I am. I guess I need to know that I *can* press pause, that I can live my stories without recording them. (We will see how long I last!)
Thank you for your kind words, support, and friendship. I hope you have a wonderful time over the next couple weeks with your family.
Oh! I almost forgot! CONGRATULATIONS on your book coming out – shameless self-promotion be damned! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to read it!
I really feel very uncomfortable with the self-promotion thing, but this must change. I want people to read my story, so I must talk about it from time to time. I can’t wait for you to read LIFE AFTER YES either!
Now is the ideal time for a pause. It’s the holidays! And you have family and beautiful babies and you should soak up all of that. Enjoy every moment of it. The words don’t disappear. Sometimes they need a break, too!
Happy holidays, Aidan and family. Enjoy your hard-earned break!
In making this decision (which, let’s be honest, is really not that huge a deal – I tend to infuse drama into bland things), I thought about the fact that it is not just my family and me that will benefit from a breather. My words will. I think words need time and space too. They are far less compelling and crisp when forced. They too need timely rejuvenations too.
And thank you for reminding me that words don’t disappear. I encourage all of you to dig through my archives. Not missing a day since April means there is A LOT of stuff to read. Perhaps a sign of my own egotism, but I sometimes go back and read my own words from the early days to see how my words and I were different not long ago.
Happy holidays!
oh I can’t wait to read your book!! And pausing is fantastic. We have to do it.
I can’t wait for you to read my book either. And we will see how fantastic pausing turns out to be. Does anyone know the symptoms of blogging withdrawal?
It’s such a delicate balance.
I used to write up to 3 times a week in my blog. Now my blog is lucky if I remember to update it once a week. I’ve learned these people and voices that compliment my life will still be there in a week, sometimes more. If we don’t take care of ourselves, how do we nurture the minds of those we love and befriend?
As for writing, Paul said something to me when I first started (a period were I was delirious and insanely writing for hours and days at a time): If you were still working a regular job, you would have a certain amount of sick days and vacation days wouldn’t you?
So I use that thought process if I’m not feeling well one day and take a sick day, or if I just need some personal space I take a vacation day. Yes, we’re writers. We are also very much human and need to refresh our minds and spirits from time to time. (Hugs)Indigo
Thank you for this reminder. It sounds like Paul and Husband share certain sensibilities. I think that it is too easy to forget or neglect the fact that we are human and that we have limits and that this doesn’t make us weak. I was talking to Husband about this last night. I asked: Do you think taking a break is a sign of weakness or strength? There was instant agreement on this one. Perhaps a self-serving conclusion, but I think dialing back, pressing pause, is evidence of fortitude of some sort. I think we should embrace our limits, treat ourselves kindly, and realize that we are not ultimately detracting in any detrimental way from future happiness and accomplishment.
Cheers to refreshment of mind and spirit!
Congratulations on making what I’m sure was a difficult decision. I am very happy for you – for your breathing room and family time and the mental break that will come with both. Of all the wisdom you impart here, your example of balance is one we should all take to heart.
I wish for you cookies and carols and candy canes; hugs from far flung sisters; long stories accompanied by cushy arm chairs and many glasses of wine. Shifting into a lower gear is a blessed opportunity and I’m glad you’re taking it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – to all Donnelleys and Rowleys and Donnelley Rowleys.
Thanks, Gale. You touch on something here which I have not thought much about, namely setting an example. Truth be told, I have always thought of this place as a repository for my stories and questions. I hope that people read these stories and consider these questions, yes, but I have not heretofore consciously thought about the fact that anything I say or do (or don’t say or don’t do) might affect people however minimally.
And you are right. I am the girl who said bye-bye to a law firm because I wanted to taste passion and happiness and have a family. And this is another instance (however far less existentially consequential) where I am saying “enough is enough.” I am one person and I can only do so much. I do not want to be a robot. I want to live and laugh and celebrate. And so I will.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Book deal aside (I wish!), I feel the same about our blog. It has become a way bigger investment than I ever thought it would be, but the dividends of that investment have been tenfold. I’m batch blog posting for the next week, which I will spend in Mexico where my mother-in-law lives. Hopefully, I won’t be on the ol’ Interweb too much during that time. Merry Christmas!
I could not agree more. The dividends are incredible. I am thrilled to hear that you too are pressing pause in your own (more ambitious!) way. I hope that Mexico is fantastic. Merry Christmas to you too!
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a little time off! Posting every single day is really a lot of work (I wouldn’t know, I barely click publish once a week, and I’m weeks behind on emails…)
bottom line is, it should be fun, not an obligation.
Enjoy your holidays!
What’s interesting is that, yes, blogging has become an obligation, but for me it is also a lot of fun. I do feel the pressure to post every day, but when I sit down to do it, I get riled up, immersed in my topic. I love piecing words and ideas together. I love wrestling with unique metaphors. This blogging thing is immensely rewarding to me. What’s fascinating is that I now have two very different things in my life – parenting and writing – which both involve tremendous amounts of obligation and joy. What I am realizing is that even joyful things must be kept in check.
Happy holidays!
Aidan,
Glad you are taking a break, I envy you and desperately want to emulate you but I can’t right now, despite the time of year. My work continues with brief pauses for the eves and days of Christmas and New Years. I miss my husband and kids desperately, but I know what I am doing is important and finite and pressing pause isn’t possible right now. Someday soon (February?) I will be an Aidan copycat and press pause. I suspect by then you will have pressed play once again and I will catch up with you and all the other “regulars” here. In the meantime, may your days be merry and bright.
D
Your comment reminded me of something simple. Something which I really must not overlook. Pressing pause is for me an option. But for so may people, for you, it isn’t. We are all lucky to have a modicum of control over how we spend our moments. Your comment has made me realize how fortunate I am to be able to make this decision, however tricky it is for me. Good luck with your pressing matters. (I do hope I get a chance to see you in action!) Relish the time you do have with your family and set your sights on your impending pause.
Merry and bright to you too!
As I sat down at the computer I literally thought to myself, every time I visit Aidan’s blog she has something new posted. I marvel at your daily posts and know I couldn’t keep up the same pace. Neither my brain nor my marriage could handle so much screen time. For your sake, I support a pause. For my sake, are you saying no ILI until the New Year? Cold Turkey? I feel jilted.
In your off time come visit me at foodtrainers.net (you think you’re the only shameless plugger)
Cold Turkey indeed. I particularly love this phrase coming from you, Princess Protein
Truth be told, I have no idea how long this pause will be, or how good I will be at staying away. Again, this is not a stellar sign that I am here spilling words into the comment box on what is supposed to be the first day of my vacation. We will see… I look forward to an energetic return to regular blogging and to brainstorming collaborations with you in the very near future.
Don’t worry, your readers won’t stop coming just because you take a break! I wasn’t blogging nearly as much when Ezra got sick. I had made up these imaginary standards I thought I had to follow, once I let go of those standards and just blogged when I felt like it, I loved it sooo much more!
Imaginary standards. Exactly. Why do we concoct these stringent requirements for ourselves? And, really, the vast majority of the pressure is self-inflicted. I am curious to see how taking a bit of time will affect me and my attitude about this blog. I can already feel a weight has been lifted and that’s only a good thing.
Happy holidays to you and your family!
Don’t worry, your readers will still be here after your pause, even if it’s a few weeks (or even months). If there’s one thing I’ve learned from taking many blog breaks, it’s that people give you a fair bit of time before removing you from their RSS feeds!
So great to hear from a great blogger who has taken some blog breaks. I like to think of this place as a home away from home. I won’t necessarily be here all the time, but it is still very much home.
(If you are reading this now, please don’t remove me from your RSS feed. That would make me cry like a toddler. Not that Toddler cries. Ever. Just hypothetically speaking.)
press pause hun. you deserve a well earned, relaxing, and FUN break. trust that your audience will be here when you return… in the meantime, love on the audience that is within your grasp for snuggle and kisses.
xoxo.
Ah, audience. We each have several, don’t we? Thanks for the encouragement, Nic, to focus on my most important audience. (Readers, please don’t be offended. It’s just that your cheeks aren’t chubby enough.)
I didn’t realize our kids are about the same ages! How did I miss that?
I can’t wait to read your book.
And turning off the computer is a great thing to do now and then! Though it’s harder to turn your brain off when it comes to thinking up posts at all hours…
Enjoy every minute, lady
I didn’t realize that about the similar ages either. Fun! You make an interesting, if disconcerting point. It is easier to shut down the computer than one’s motoring mind. My hope is that shutting down the former will help me shut down the latter. (Again, that I am here right now, blinking into my favorite screen is not a good sign, but comments are not posts and I am all about baby steps!)
I was just thinking to myself before I came over to read your always beautiful words, that I think I also need to take a break from my blog. I think I may follow your lead and take some time off as well. I need a recharge!
And although I’ll certainly miss coming and seeing a new post from you each and every day, I so respect your realizing that you need some time to breathe. That your family needs you to take some time to breathe.
We’ll definitely still be here when you return! xox
Cheers to recharging. We all need to relax and recharge from time to time. It is so good to hear that I am not the only one who feels the need to step back briefly, to get my bearings in the world sans screens for some time before returning here. Breathing is good. And not illegal. I checked
I hope that you too enjoy your break (if you do take one). I look forward to comparing notes on how it was for each of us to press pause.
balance is hard.
it’s funny that you wrote this, because i just read danielle’s post http://whitehottruth.com/white-hot/entrepreneurial-time-management-how-i-rock-it/
I love that post of Danielle’s and have savored it several times. It seems like a wonderful system and great approach. My problem is that I don’t do very well with systems and schedules. Sometimes, I have a flood of ideas on a Sunday and need to write then. Sometimes, at noon on a Wednesday I have nothing. For me, I need to work when things come to me. But I do think the idea of having days totally off is compelling and probably makes for a healthier existence. Will be contemplating these big questions about balance and time-management over my “break.”
Greetings Aidan. Merriest of Christmases to you and yours!
I think that it is wise to press the pause button. You are right. You are the boss here and no one, not me nor any other person, is telling you to write. Do it only because you want to. Once you feel you have to then it is no fun and life is too short not to do things that bring you joy.
I started my blog with the intention of writing once per week. Now I am up to at least three times. But having specific things to write about on specific days does it for me. I post a 30 Words Thursday where I have to tell a “story” in just 30 words. No more. No less. (Very hard I might add for someone as verbiose as moi!). And on Fridays I started the RAW Fridays (Random Acts of Wisdom). These two give me a framework for my week. But beyond that my subtitle to Treasures Found is “Inspiration is Everywhere” so that is what I celebrate with my space in the blogdom.
I would be interested to know about you. Where does inspiration come from for you? How does your inspiration manifest itself in your life? When you are without inspiration, how do you cope? Have you have had too much inspiration in your soul? Can there ever be too much?
These are the things that this inquiring mind would love to know more about.
Other than that, I am so very glad to have stumbled across your blog. I really enjoy all that you write. And now that I know that there is a book in your future, you can be sure that I will be on the look out for that as well.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration today.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Tesori Trovati ~ “treasures found”
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Erin, Thanks for your comment. I appreciate your insights. Here’s the tricky thing for me… I love writing. I love blogging. I love blogging every day. Rarely, if ever, do I feel like I am publishing a post because I *have* to. To the contrary, at any given moment, there are dozens of post ideas floating in my head, taking shape. So, this was actually a tough call for me to press pause for a bit. My dilemma is not so much how to stop doing something that doesn’t bring me joy, but how to limit something that does.
In terms of inspiration, I am not sure I truly grasp what that word means. I get my ideas from many places. Overhearing conversations at Starbucks, from interactions with people I know, from books, etc. I agree with you that inspiration is everywhere…
Thanks for this note and these Christmas wishes. (Apologies it took a bit for me to publish and respond, but somehow your lovely words ended up in my spam folder, so I just fished them out!)
Aidan – have a wonderful, snow-filled Sunday and fantastic Christmas! Breaks always make what we come back to sweeter!
Thanks, Nicki. I agree. I remember how important breaks were in school. They were times to live and rest and float. And I was always excited to go back to school and dive back in. I am confident that will be the case here. We will see how long I last. A two day pause would be pretty pathetic, no?
And this NYC snow? It is magical. I could write a post about it right now. But I won’t. Not yet.
Balance is hard. Most weeks, I take weekends off. I don’t blog and I don’t comment. It’s my time to re-charge and spend time with my family. I think I need to set those kind of boundaries for myself; otherwise I’d always be working and I’d miss out on family time.
Good for you! We’ll be here! Enjoy the holidays!
Balance is not just hard. It is impossible. I think it is a fiction. A fairy tale. And yet we should all strive for it, right? I think the weekends off thing is probably the way to go. Boundaries are critical. Family is paramount.
Hope you and yours have a delicious holiday!
Aidan,
Absolutely must you press pause and focus soley on your precious family. I think this often about you (although I’m a new reader and such an admiring fan)…that nothing in this world is more valuable than your family and your marriage. These gifts must always come first, and us next. Yes, I was looking forward to being on Christmas holiday and getting to really relish your posts without distraction or work or pressing duties, but I think every one of your devoted fans would tell you that we want what means most to you to be prioritized. We understand, we will live, although we will miss your delicious words and meaningful thoughts dearly. So, enjoy your holidays, your beautiful girls, your wonderful husband and family, and we’ll be waiting anxiously for you (and your book!!) when you get back.
The merriest of Christmas’s to you!! K
Thank you. I am already enjoying my time with my sweet and screeching children
You are so right. Priorities are incredibly important and tricky things. Here’s the interesting thing: My family *always* comes first even when I blog every day. Over the past month or so, I have blogged in the cruel early morning hours (hello, 4:30am) or late at night after my kids have gone to bed. I have done this purposefully as a way to put family first.
But the problem is that doing this is not sustainable and exhausts me, so there is actually less of me to give my family. What I am trying to figure out – what so many of us are trying to figure out – is how to pursue things, good things, outside of family without losing sight of what matters most. This dilemma of balance is constantly on my mind. I really don’t know what the answer is. As always, I think answers are overrated and it’s crucial to ask the right questions.
I am thrilled that you have enjoyed my writing. And, hey, if you have a little time over the holiday, roll up your sleeves and dig through my archives. There is a lot of stuff there.
Happy holidays to you too and welcome to ILI (or at least the comment box!)
I accidentally fell into blogging every day, earlier in the year, and found it was eating up an insane amount of my time. I love blogging, and I love all my new blog-friends, but every day is not the right schedule for me. I’ve dropped back to 1-in-3, and now I have so much more time to actually live the life I’m writing about… and I’m sure it’s good for the quality of my blog that I can be more selective.
I hope you find the balance which works for you, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. Enjoy every second of the break!
I only just found your blog, but I’ll certainly come back in the new year to see what else you have to say.
You make a compelling point here. If we spend all of our time (or too much of it) blogging stories, we are not actually living stories. I think that this blog – and all of our blogs and respective professions and pursuits – will benefit from loosening the reins from time to time. I am confident that when I come back here, I will be stuffed with stories and ideas and that my writing will reflect a renewal of creativity and purpose. (I hope so at least.)
Thrilled that you found your way to my blog! Happy holidays!
As usual, I’m late catching up to the conversation so I can’t say much that hasn’t already been said. So I’ll just say “bravo” for choosing balance, and for savoring the season. A very happy holiday.
Thanks, Anne. Hope you take the time to savor the season as well!
WAAAHHHH!!!! I kid. Kind of. I always look forward to reading your posts every day and, hopefully, having something to contribute to it. Your blog helps my work day be a little more bearable. But of course, you must do what is right for you. And as others have said before me, we will be here when you get back!
Love the faux devastation, Niki… Sorry I won’t be around to make your work days more bearable, but I will be back and soon. Happy holidays!
Do it.
I’m shutting down for two weeks. The balance is possible but it is difficult!
Hope you have a lovely break.
Good to know that I am in excellent company in making this decision to shut down for a bit. Hope you have a lovely break as well…
I too am pausing for a couple of weeks to re-charge and spend some time with my family. Not to worry…we will all be here when you return.
I look forward to more posts..and your book.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks, Linda. Nice to hear others are pressing pause at this magical time of year. Recharging seems to be the way to go. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday as well!
I imagine by now you have some perspective. You’ll know what to do with your blog.
A well-written book will sell. With or without a daily post on a blog. With or without a blog. Period. Authors have done it for decades.
When in doubt go back to the basics. Family. That tends to bring clarity to other areas of life, the grays of life you talk about where things aren’t always clear.
Just enough wisdom for today is my policy. Make the best decision you can in the moment you have. Figure out tomorrow, tomorrow.
See you when you get back:)
Merry Christmas
Thanks, Christina. Yes, have a shred more perspective than I did even a week ago. And I’ll take it. I miss blogging, but this time to breathe is priceless and elucidating. Yes, it is all about family for me. Always has been. Always will be.
Happy holidays!
what are you doing?? you can’t shut it down! you’ve got a book coming out in MAY for cryin’ out loud.
JUST KIDDING.
couple of things here… i started my blog, at least regular posts, in the middle of November, so i’m even newer to this than you are, but i must say, many of the things you wrote are things that i feel as well. especially the community aspect and the addictive nature of it. (by the way, i’ve moved my blog to johncaveosborne.com)
Merry Christmas! john
At least I don’t have a book coming out in April like someone I know! Yes, there is an incomparable and unique community here and this place sucks you in. In the best possible way of course. But as with anything, I think it is good to press pause from time to time. I am a full week into my pause and it was a good call indeed. Can’t wait to share my new shreds of perspective with you and other readers very soon.
I look forward to checking out your new site!
A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I am impressed that you have remained silent for all this time. I keep saying that I am going to do it, but I never quite make it through.
To be honest, I too am impressed (actually more surprised) that I have managed to remain silent for all this time. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fantastic. I can’t wait to get back – and will soon – but there is something intangible and magical about stepping away from something you love for a short time. You know that old adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder”? Very true in this case.
I encourage you too to press pause when the time is right.
It has been many days since I have turned on my computer. While my mind spins posts and plays with ideas, my fingers have remained silent. And happily so. I am glad that you took a pause as well. It is refreshing, no? It is it’s own kind of magic to leave this enlightened world for a bit and then come back to it.
Happy happy new year, new book, wealthy life…
Thanks, Sarah. Cheers to silent fingers. Yes, there is something uniquely refreshing about pressing pause. For me (and I imagine for you as well), it hasn’t been easy. There have been so many post ideas percolating in my head, fighting for expression. Ultimately, I have felt a jolt of new energy that I can’t wait to apply to this enlightened world once I’m officially “back.”
Happy new year to you and yours!
I have shamelessly avoided my computer and all of your spaces within it a lot over the last couple of months. I needed space in my brain for other things. But I missed you all. It really is a community. Amazing and whole.
Congratulations on your book, I am looking forward to it!! AND Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I think there are times when we all need that space in our brains for “other things.” And I think it is important, crucial even, for us to be able to recognize those times and those needs. Yes, this is its own odd and illustrious community.
Happy holidays to you too!
Hi Aidan
I’m just seeing this now (after having taken my own “pause” to wrap up some end of year work projects before heading to California for Christmas).
Happy holidays to you as well! I see you’re taking your break seriously. Live those stories. We’ll be here when you get back.
Hanni – nice to hear you were able to take a pause too. There is something magical about stepping away and shifting focus. Yes, I have taken this break seriously. To be honest, it was very hard at first. I felt there was a void in my days. But very quickly I filled it up with important and incomparable things. I am so excited to come back – and will be back soon! – but this break has been so good for my me and my family. And, hopefully, for my writing too!
Happy New Year!
I’ve been on pause myself. I hope you’re enjoying the break. I know what you mean about this world. We’ve been at it since March, and it’s easy to make it an all-encompassing world. I’m still trying to figure out how to navigate it, where it fits in, how it fits in…
I must admit that I was very encouraged and inspired when I read your post about shutting down right around the time I decided to press pause. There is something so engrossing about this world, so encompassing. It is so hard to draw lines and fashion limits, but I think we all owe it to ourselves to do so. Which is not to say that doing so is easy or ever will be. I look forward to pressing play. And soon!
Everyone deserves a break, specially during the holidays (but hurry on back)!
Yes, everyone deserves a break. Why did it take me so long to realize that? Hmmmm… Don’t fret – I will be back very soon!
I hope you enjoyed your pause. I resonate to your struggles and appreciate your honesty and your intelligence in trying to find that balance between self-promotion, generosity and whatever we choose to call Zen these days.
I too have loved jumping into these waters, this community—this place where I can be an introvert and still venture forth in my own style, appreciating the range of voices, styles, agendas and the overall collective din of an ageless marketplace fronting cathedrals, temples, shops, restaurants, libraries, palm readers and countless sets from every Fellini movie ever made leading off to Misasake and Diagonally.
There is what we think we are doing, and then there is the zeitgeist… a fickle, unwieldy and unpredictable beast. For one, I send good wishes that it will give your book a good ride, but even more I wish that you will be happy no matter what comes your way.
Namaste
Thank you for this lovely and thoughtful comment. You are so right that we are only in control of so much. We set forth with ideas and with purported agency, but our words and ideas, humbly combined, react with the ether of what’s out there in tricky and unpredictable ways. That’s what makes this world – and any world – so wild, so exciting, so big.
I truly appreciate your words and good wishes. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Don’t feel guilty about pausing, it is much needed! Without taking breaks and stepping back once in a while it is hard to really appreciate the things we love. Enjoy your time off!!