The Parisian Writing Goal

The end result of a promise kept

I finally turned over my calendar page to a black and white photo of one of the most recognizable structures in the world – the Eiffel Tower. My daughter extracted a promise from me a few years ago, that I would take her to Paris. I will. And she knows that I will. We lived in Italy for three years, and we did that because I wanted to.

Looking at that photo brings calm to my soul. I love Europe. I love the people (although I’ve heard stories of wicked Parisians purposely sending tourists in the wrong direction when asked the stock question of “where is……?”) I love the constant exercise that is naturally worked into your day because walking is the most common mode of transportation. I love the food that is not GMO enhanced (tell me that hasn’t caused Americans to gain weight! When I returned to the USA from Italy, all the fresh food here tasted like metal. It took me weeks to get the taste out of my mouth – reacclimation to GMOs I guess – and a subsequent weight gain without changing my eating habits – tell me our government doesn’t have a hand in the obesity problem!)

Back to the picture of the Eiffel Tower. My first morning glance to my future travel destination reminds me of my goal and why I get up every morning and slink down to my writing desk, hoping just once that the coffee pot has developed a smart chip and the sweet nectar is already waiting for me. Yeah, no. It takes me about 15 minutes to get myself together in order to take my first glance at the computer screen. With the image of the Tower still in my mind, I begin work relaxed and focused on the work that brings me one day closer to taking my own photograph of that impressive structure. My coffee in hand, rabbit under my desk bucking her head against my foot to start stroking her head with it, my writing day begins. I have repeated this routine often enough over the last few months, that my workload has increased substantially. I was able to cut four hours out of my time every week as a nurse because I have dedicated myself to making that happen in a way that has, once again, surprised even me. That was my goal, and I reached it. I didn’t reach it because I kinda wanted it or I said “someday I’m going to write more and be a nurse less.” (I’m always a nurse, anyway, so that automatically negated that train of thought.) I obtained the goal because I sat at my computer long hours into the night when I should have been sleeping. I obtained the goal by constantly researching markets, carrying a notebook with me for jotting down ideas, and networking with other writers. I also obtained it by not talking about my goals too much with other than the three people that I trust the most: my lover, my daughter and my best friend. I told only those people that would in no way bring negativity to my easily influenced New York Times inner critic. These three people brought hope, calm, and unshakable belief in me, and I couldn’t let them down.

So, now the first rung of the goal has been met. Now I must reach skyward and pull myself up to the next rung. Here I go.

The Redhead Says…..

To beat The Stress Monkey….

1) Stick your head outside. Take in the sunshine or fresh air, no matter how cold or rainy it is. The fresh air perks up your senses and gives you a little taste of mother nature. Too many people spend their lives indoors. Is it any wonder that people living in the South tend to look a little healthier? Increased sunshine, Vitamin D synthesis is their secret.

2) Do something creative. Caught in a work-all-day, every-day quagmire? Take a few hours or a day and do something completely creative. Activate that right-brain, right now and feel the relief from worry and strife. Right-brain activities enhance our mood and refresh our perspective.

3) Contact someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Look at your cell phone or email contact list and send them a text or catch-up email. Often we are so consumed with our own lives that we forget people that we love talking to or spending time with…. check up on them and catch up!

Come back tomorrow for another set of tips!

Gloria Attar RN aka Redhead Writer Girl

Stress abounds!

Our lives are continually inundated by that monkey on our backs called STRESS.  Interruptions, noise, children, finances, partners, bad news, the economy, disease, sleep deprivation… all fuel for that monkey to get bigger and stronger until we are so weighed down by stress we are quite literally ready to collapse.

It’s a wonder we have energy to walk to the bed sometimes.

De-stressing techniques and solutions range far and wide.  Some of the topics we will be covering here will include: technology, food and nutrition, sleep, relationships, finances and topics that you may suggest.  Reviews of books, recent magazine articles, health journal articles and television programs will be covered here as well.  If you wish to see something specifically addressed, please let us know.

Blessings,

Gloria Attar RN BSN