California Dreams: Just Breathe

When I planned my trip to California, I didn't care what happened or didn't happen as long as I got my beach day.

Beach day selfie. (Not excited at all!)

In June alone I finished the school year (i.e. testing five-year-olds, something akin to teaching cats the polka), spent several days cleaning my classroom, flew to California for a whirlwind trip, and returned for an arts training, a roadtrip, birthday party planning for a friend, and finalizing the details for our upcoming Writing Retreat.

That's a recipe for a big girl tizzy fit right there. Unless you figure a brain break into the scenario.

With the understanding that many of you are also dealing with your share of life's craziness, I invite you along on an afternoon trip to the California Coast.

Happy place reached!

Our journey starts with a meandering trip down coast-hugging Highway 1. Only the daring--and those not prone to motion sickness--will follow it that far. 

But if you do, this is what you'll find:

Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach is a public beach in Northern California. But because it's located well off the beaten path, it's rarely teaming with crowds. Feel free to dip your toes in the water, sit on the rocks, sunbathe, or simply drink in its beauty.

Breathe in the peace, quiet, and joy. And just relax.

 It's not only a physical vacation, but a mental break a well. Couldn't we all use that?

No shoes required.

There's nothing but the smiling faces and pleasant greetings of other explorers disguised as daytrippers. (And they won't pass judgement if you walk around with your flip-flops in hand.)

The gentle push and pull of the ocean as it rushes up and hurries off.

Whether you're in inland beach girl or and outdoorsy introvert, no one will judge you for excessive selfies, taking pictures of your feet, or just perching on the rocks and matching your breath to that of the ocean.

Just breathe.

Remember that no matter how ridiculous or stressful life becomes, we are a part of something bigger, grander, and more beautiful than we can comprehend. Because of that, we can survive all the ridiculous nonsense life throws at us. And live in quiet moments like these.

I'm an inland beach girl. However that works...

Headed anywhere wonderful this year? I'd love to hear all about it. Leave me a message. And feel free to share what helps you live in the moment.

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Would you like to read more of my travels?
Sun, Surf, & Solace
Unexpected Sweetness
Author on Vacation

Humor & Inspiration in Writing: Abandoning the Comfort Zone

Kaley Tallman & Grounded Soul Massage

The best of plans goes awry. The Humor & Inspiration  features were going like clockwork. Until they didn't. Authors and bloggers dotted the schedule, but illness and life kept a couple from submitting on time. Feeling nervous, I reached out to my Facebook connections and my friend Kaley Tallman offered to fill in. 

To help you understand how amazing Kaley is, allow me to share a bit of insider information:

1. Kaley is a self-made business woman. Regardless of many obstacles, she has established her own massage therapy practice in Northern Utah, Grounded Soul Massage. 
2. She is a healer. Kaley is not only well-trained, but her hands work magic. Her focus is on improving her clients' quality of life.
3. As well as a meditative nature, Kaley has a wonderful sense of humor. Both qualities aid her clients in tapping into a place of peace, understanding, safety, & personal well-being.
4. Kaley is a giver. Among other things, she donated time during Parent Teacher Conferences to treat elementary teachers to a little TLC. 

Over the years, I have enjoyed Kaley's levelheadedness, professionalism, and whit. We have laughed and learned together, and Kaley has been an integral part of my healing process. I am pleased to share her with you now. Enjoy her words of wisdom.

* * *

Recently, my friend Sarah Boucher posted on her Facebook page that she was looking for a guest blogger this week. Without thinking too much, I volunteered. I figured it would be a great opportunity to get out of my Comfort Zone.

To be honest, I had a difficult time deciding what I wanted to share with a new audience. She suggested something to do with health, wellness, and inspiration. And being a massage therapist and self-employed, I thought it would be easy to share this kind of information.

As it turns out, I have been feeling stuck on what to share.

Today on my Facebook news feed, there was a picture that said, “Have total belief in yourself. Your future success depends on it.” This reminded me of a theme that has been showing up for me daily.

My future success depends completely on me being willing to step out of my comfort zone and believing in myself.

It is scary and thrilling all at the same time.

Every day, I get to create my future.

I share all of this to hopefully inspire you, the person reading this. It's okay that you feel stuck and vulnerable. Heck, I feel that quite often. However, I find my daily inspiration in the people that I meet or even a little reminder on my Facebook news feed.

I invite you to step out of your comfort zone and have faith in yourself. 

You just might be surprised at what can happen.

* * *

Isn't she marvelous? Kaley isn't a writer in the conventional sense, but she blogs, runs an inspirational Facebook page, and was recently featured in an article about  Myofascial Release Therapy. 

To learn more about Kaley, Myofascial Release, or Grounded Soul Massage, find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on the Grounded Soul Massage website. Happy healing!

Meet the other writers featured in the Humor & Inspiration Features: 

Lydia Thomas: No, I Won't Write Your Memoirs 

Prairie Wife in Heels: The Idyllic Country Life 

Anne Goodwin: When Words Behave Like Toddlers 

Terry Tyler: Art Inspires Life

Heidi Doxey: British Book Invasion

Carol J. Hedges: So You've Published a Book...

Allison Maruska: Four Steps Away From the Cliff
Colleen M. Story: Writers with Personality
Tamara Copley: The Magic of Humor
Sarah E. Boucher: Beating the Blaaahs
Jenniffer Wardell: All the Best Jokes

Laughter is the Best Medicine. Also Percocet.

You're all well aware of my philosophy on drama, right? Suck it up, laugh it off, only deal with what you have to? That's me. 

So when this summer's health problems hit, I was taken by surprise. (I didn't freak out horribly.) Honestly, the one million allergies diagnosis was a relief because it meant I wasn't sick all the time and with some treatment, I would feel better. I didn't panic about carpal tunnel surgery until I was on the gurney under the huge, bright surgery room lights and the anesthetic hadn't kicked in.

Before that point, I'd been making jokes. My mom said, “You're silly. And all they've given you is sugar water!” I was trying to ignore the large needle they'd shoved in my arm and the fact that we'd already waited a good two hours for the doctor to get started. A girl has gotta do something instead of just sit and stew, right? And it kept us both amused.

Later on when my friend sent me a selfie in a truly goofy pair of glasses, I remembered something else in my arsenal. My own crazy glasses. That first day we got some funny comments:
Hoe-lee-crap.
Are you surprised? She was completely drugged!
Well, you're having a goooood time!
I promise it wasn't the meds, but hey, a good dose of pain meds never hurt a gal, either! 

So, this is me. Saying thank you for all the laughter, support, prayers, kind thoughts, flowers, treats, and everything else that came my way. Every day I'd post updates and receive so much love in return. If my recovery is going well, it's because of you. Thank you, friends, family, and wonderful far off friends who support from the other side of the globe. I certainly needed it, because Percocet or not, we all need the to feel the love from time to time.

If, like me, you're going through a rough time, please remember that you're never alone. There are many who will uplift and tease until you feel like yourself again. Thank you, my friends.

Here's a bit more inspiration for you! What Doesn't Kill You, Cringe Worthy, Panic City, Population: 1, and Plot Twist!

Hell, High Water, & Deadlines

Stuff happens. And it happens when you have other plans. Like vacationing for the summer. Or writing another book.

Eight years ago, I started teaching at a new school. That first year we survived what I call Hell and High Water. The upstairs flooded. We kept teaching. The power went out for five hours. In the dead of winter. We kept teaching.

Because of the many challenges that have come my way, this summer has felt oddly like that year. Hey, I thought, why don't I apply the stick-to-it-iveness I learned as an educator in public school to my summer writing career? So today, my writerly (and not so writerly) dears, we're chatting about facing Hell, Highwater, and Deadline with grace. (And only a little swearing.)

Hell-o
I've already talked to you about my crazy health issues this summer. People have more hellish problems than what I've faced, but it has certainly thrown off my groove. Just like last year when my dad had a heart attack in the middle of everything. Nothing makes you more nervous than when someone you love is hurting physically, mentally, or emotionally. The trick to overcoming the hellish things that come your way? Take care of yourself and make sure you take time for yourself. 

Hi, water!
Also, I've talked about the changes in my career. It's pretty rough facing all the goodbyes and huge changes, but it's necessary. What I haven't mentioned is that my friends and family are going through some pretty heinous things this year as well. Words like cancer, Hashimoto's disease, court dates, and unemployment keep rolling in like waves endlessly burying me and mine. How do you deal with that? Share the love. Keep close to those you love and hold tight to the beliefs and practices that keep your heart and mind in the right place.

Dead, deady, dead (lines)
Lastly, we've discussed the woes of editing. (Now there's a process that never ends. It's like laundry, but with words.) Last summer, I was vacationing AND editing Becoming Beauty at the same time. I hate deadlines. Self imposed or otherwise, they come right in the middle of all the drama and the good and bad times. They're obnoxious, but without them, little would get done in a timely manner. Here's how I cope with the drama of deadlines:

• Get organized. Schedule in all the things that I need to do and prioritize tasks in order of importance. (Even when you're crazy busy, it's amazing how good it feels to check things off the list.)
• Ask for help. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you can't do it on your own. We all need a healthy support group to bounce ideas off of. (And occasionally laugh like a crazy person with.)

Good luck, my dears! We all deal with a healthy amount of turbulence in life and writing. Take a breathe, eat a cupcake, and jump back in. If it helps, I'm in the same muddled mess.

I'd love to hear your tragedies and triumphs in overcoming them. Leave me a comment!