What's Up Wednesday is a blog hop created by Jaime and, Erin Funk, to help writers connect. ***Please remember to link to their blogs and/or use one of the WUW buttons provided.***
WHAT I'M READING
Right now I'm reading Killing Ruby Rose. Jessie Humphries is a WUW participant, and I found Killing Ruby Rose because so many other bloggers were loving it. I'm only a few chapters in, but it is awesome.
WHAT I'M WRITING
I haven't written much this week--see below.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
TIME! It's not inspiration so much as panic. But also this quote:
"...the threshold to all that is extraordinary in life opens only when we devote ourselves to giving attention, not getting it. Things come alive for us only when we dare to see and recognize everything as special. The longer we try to get attention instead of giving it, the deeper our unhappiness." --Mark Nepo
In my life, its not so much about getting attention as it is wanting to be left alone so I can get things done! But to my surprise and chagrin, I find that I get more done, and feel more inspired when I give other people my attention and only let writing fill up the cracks. Weird. And hard to remember when I feel so much pressure.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
We just got back from a vacation to New York City and Pennsylvania. We walked 30 miles in the first 3 days, and it was incredible, because I recently found out that all that pain I've been feeling for so long is probably arthritis. I'd been trying to get in shape by walking a lot, and 2 weeks before we left I gave it up for yoga. Smartest move of my life, because I did all that NY walking with no problems at all, and I was almost positive it was the yoga. Then we got to PA and I didn't do yoga for a couple of days, and then went on a walk--and the pain was back! So yoga is going to become part of my daily routine. Gladly.
So much awesomeness in New York! We saw Matilda and Les Mis, and went to Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Natural History Museum. We did Chinatown and 5th Avenue and Times Square. My favorite thing was Ellen's Stardust Diner though. Amazing stuff.
(This isn't the video we took--the waiters move around so much, and I'm not much of a videographer, but this will give you a taste of it. Our waitress was amazing--she could sing and dance and waitress all at the same time!)
Then we went to Pennsylvania and had a good time with our family there, including a lot of futbol viewing (go Netherlands!), and a little lacrosse playing. It was a crazy full week and so much fun.
Melanie-- okay-- so many comments I want to add! First, that quote is profound. It really speaks to me right now. I also find that writing works for me when it "fills up the cracks" of life.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my husband suffers from arthritis, particularly in his knees. LONG story, but he just started drinking this great smoothie recommended by the Food Babe. I'm not going to insert the link, because that feels spammy, but if you google Food Babe and anti-inflammatory smoothie you will find it. I think the secret is tumeric and ginger. He has been RAVING about it.
Bent-u een Nederlander? I see you like to watch Oranje futbol! We lived in the NL for five years and we LOOOOVE to watch the Dutch play.
Nice to "meet" you through WUW!
Here's to daring to see everything as special.
Thank you for the smoothie idea! I'll try it for sure. I'm really hoping I'm catching the arthritis early enough that I can control it through natural means like that.
DeleteMy husband's family is Dutch, so they inducted me into the Oranje-love. I've never been to the Netherlands, but I would dearly love to. It's great to meet you!
Sounds like you had a really fun trip! :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you. You too!
DeleteSounds like a great vacation and chance to recharge.
ReplyDeleteHope you find those cracks to get back into writing soon. :)
Thanks Meredith. I think my writing path is slowly becoming clear. Great to see you here!
DeleteSo jealous you saw Matilda and Les Mis. I want to go to NYC so bad. One day... thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEven though we had the nosebleed seats, the performance was spectacular. They really make an effort to play to us in the back. I hope you get your chance soon!
DeleteI think the trick is striking the right balance between giving other people attention and finding those moments where we can be left alone. I totally stink at finding that balance lol. I'm so glad you had a great trip. It sounds fantastic! :D
ReplyDeleteIt was a great trip, but it is so nice to be home. Good luck finding that balance this week!
DeleteNext time in in NY, I am so going there! :D
ReplyDeleteSometimes I find it easier to work under pressure, too.
Have a wonderful week.
It was truly amazing. And you would think, given how incredible Ellen's Stardust Diner is, that we would be waiting in line forever. But we weren't. They got us right in. It's magic!
DeleteSo jealous of your trip to NYC! I've been there for one whole day so someday I want to go back and experience as much as I can- especially Broadway and that diner- looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe were only there for 3 days, and we packed a little too much into those days. If I had it to do again, I would stick to going to one place during the day, and one event at night with a little more downtime in between. But I'm a huge fan of downtime. My husband? Not so much.
DeleteIt's hard to get a lot of words down when there's so much else going on, but I figure part of giving to the world has got to be sharing your unique voice: your writing!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to just put everything in a time and place, so blogging in the morning or last thing at night, and writing every evening after work. :)
Good luck! And that quote is awesome.
I thought so too. I do need a routine. That would help a lot. Maybe we'll have established one by the end of summer. :D
DeleteOkay, you convinced me. I've been meaning to try yoga for months now to see if it will help me with some back pain (and other aches and pains of getting old!). I keep putting it off. Sounds like I need to get my act together and get to a class! Your trip sounds amazing. My daughter saw Newsies on Broadway when they were there last week and it was her favorite part of the trip. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI was shocked at what a difference yoga made. I'd lost so much mobility in my hips I couldn't even sit cross-legged (or even come close!) and every single day its gotten better. This morning I was sitting cross legged during yoga--it wasn't quite normal, but soooo much closer than I thought I'd ever get again. And it's been less than a month!
DeleteHey! Glad the Yoga is working out for you, and it sounds like you had a great time on your travels. I know what you mean about the panic of time! We only have so much time, and we need to balance it between the things we need to accomplish, and the little moments of life that we can overlook.
ReplyDelete