I came to my office dormer nook, computer on the lap, cup of tea at hand, ceiling fan revolving peacefully. I had just opened the post when I heard the doorbell below. Down I go to attend to the nurse visiting my bed-ridden mother, confer with the nurse for half an hour, during which time I make necessary decisions and also greet the arrival of the housekeeper. See the nurse out the door and confer with the housekeeper. Forty minutes after I first open the post, and after turning my head from half a dozen matters calling my name, I’m here again, trying to remember what great thought I had that I was going to write about.
“Are you writing again?” a friend asked.
“Yes. It is the only way I’m going to keep a shred of sanity.”
No matter what goes on in my life, I have to breathe, eat, sleep. No matter what goes on in my life, I have to write. Writing is the trail of bread crumbs to keep me finding myself. For this reason it is as important as breathing and eating.
There is the popular book, Eat, Pray, Love. For me it would be Pray, Love, Write. Or maybe Pray, Love, Write, and don’t forget tea.
After twenty minutes of writing, I sigh deeply and my body relaxes. Ah…
Try it. It is good for everything and for everyone. If you don’t type, get a sheet of paper and just start to write. Write for ten minutes. Write praise, or a plot, or grumble and rave. Write a list of all the things you love, or hate, or wish you could do. See how you feel afterward.
And now I’m off to take the new kitten to the vet. But I’m still writing in my mind.
“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”
― Thomas Merton
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
Your words ring true. I was just asked the other night, how the sequel to my book was coming along. I stuttered and stammered trying to come up with a proper answer. It is in my head, it is scattered in the notes written on the pages of my calendar, it is partially written chapters tucked into the computer. But a book? No where close to being completed! I thought this one would be so much easier, but I cannot seem to make myself sit down long enough to make sense of all those scattered parts. Like my diet, or cleaning house, or getting organized….I’ll start tomorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother at this time of transition. Transition took on a whole new meaning for me a few months ago and I am still working on my own personal transition. It is much harder than I could have EVER imagined! Thank you for your words of wisdom! Hugs to you!
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Whoo, girlfriend! Perfect word: Transition. I’m going to be mulling on that one. Transition is the term Unity Church of Christianity uses. Mama is in hers, and I’m in my current one. We are always in transition. You just sit yourself down for twenty minutes and do something, anything, on the book. Keep doing that, and a book will bloom.
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Writing, a “shred of sanity.” I might have to try.
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Do try it, Ruth!
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Your words echo my current life and I so understand how important the written word can be. Thank you for the reminder to go center myself. You are a treasure.
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Hey, sister! You have inspired me for years. Mama is now bed ridden. I have caretakers coming round the clock. I’m a CEO clinging to the idea I’m a writer. Love you.
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