Hi all,
When you read this header, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I haven’t posted for quite awhile. But my intent is not to complain about the lack of writing time in my life. Instead, I want to talk about what we can do not to get hyper-crazed when we move through times when writing has to be temporarily tossed aside. I think if we use these busy times to pay attention to the world and pay attention to our own sensory experiences, we’ll come back to writing with a deep sense of appreciation for the details of our world and excitement that we can use these specific details in new projects. So, instead of getting all freaky about the papers or reports we might need to review, family members who seek attention or all the minutiae (I love that word) of our daily lives, we can try the following —
Meditate – it will calm your soul. Trust me. It really will.
Take a look at the art all around. I’ve noticed that some wrought iron stairways
contain amazing designs, ceiling lights can turn me on, and graffiti can teach me something. But I’m also thrilled by some of the subtle details in photos and advertising – like fog or smoke or backgrounds. And, I’m trying to take the time to study stained glass windows, the lines of people’s faces and the colors and textures of what everyone is wearing and carrying. Okay, so maybe I’m becoming a bit obsessive about this one. But the world really is an amazing work of art!
Take a moment to smell the world. I figured this one out many years ago when I quit smoking. My sense of smell came screaming back about two weeks into it. When I hit mad-crave moments, I discovered that a quick drive past restaurants eased the craving and left me as satisfied as if I’d eaten the best meal in the world. My two favorite drivebys became McDonalds and Jakes Restaurant – they both shared the lovely smells of beef and onion rings.
Pay attention to the small things — the way warm water runs over your hands, the sound of the washer and dryer in the background, the feel of the air when it’s warm or cold.
And then, if you have a minute or two, create a quick poem about the small things. I hope you’ll be back to writing time in no time. And you’ll be fresher for the break. 
