Failing Enthusiastically

Posted by tmycann on Mar 16th, 2015 in indie, writing | 3 comments

I got the sick that’s been circling the office this weekend, but also got to see an Aunt I hadn’t seen in 5 years… It’s hard to live up to your commitments when life keeps getting in the way. It’s useful to remind myself that even the greats had to contend with this, so I’m sharing Winston Churchill’s wisdom today.

To enumerate: I’m WAY behind on the critiques that are all due… TUESDAY. As anticipated, I haven’t written any new words for my own work, either.

On the other hand, the weather has warmed up enough to tease us with thoughts of spring. Naturally, there were icy patches too, so on both Monday and Tuesday when we took the three punkaninies on their morning walkies, I managed to find them. And slip. And fall. I have some interesting scrapes and bruises now. Which also make for a disinclination to sit for long at the keyboard. Still, we walked 6 of the 7 days of the week, for a total of 7.1 miles. Not bad for a slow ramp-up.

Part of my exhaustion for the week was also related to the day job, where we’re starting a new project that has me driving an unaccustomed amount. In DC-area traffic. I racked up 140 miles over the course of four very long days. In the process, though, a colleague told me about Categories, (also available on iTunes) which promptly led to two nights of giggles and fun with hubs as we passed the game baton back and forth. So yay on twice the date night.

😀

It’s possible some of my exhaustion and lateness-with-assignments is self-induced. whistles innocently

Hubs also shared a useful list of questions to help sharpen my inner focus/priorities. In particular, I think some phases of experience really are about giving yourself a mental break and reconnecting with people/beings who are important in your life. Or helping them through surgical recovery. It’s funny how those times creep up on you unexpectedly though–difficult to make plans when they’re so regularly upended. And it’s one of the most regular frustrations in my life: Plan one thing and a series of events puts the kibosh on achieving the plan. There aren’t many times I would consider Woody Allen a source of wisdom, but his quote “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans,” has played out with dismaying frequency in my life.

Nonetheless, I keep putting one foot in front of the other, keep embracing the detours, and am still enjoying the ride–stuffy head and sore throat notwithstanding. Here’s crossing my fingers that I catch up this week, to set myself up for a small writing success at the end of the month. Meantime, check out the other ROW80ers and their progress.

3 Responses to “Failing Enthusiastically”

1. Cindy says:

   March 17, 2015 at 1:39 pm

   Love the title!! The last two weeks have felt like that with my goals (at least my show was a success though). I hear yah with the sick. I am currently fighting a nasty cough (not bronchitis. It was caught early). Here’s to a better week with less sick and more sunshine!! 🙂

   Reply
2. Pamela Morse says:

   March 16, 2015 at 9:41 am

   I think it is apparent that all of us have run into circumstances beyond our control as well as habits, families, jobs, classes, that take time and resources. It is not realistic to make goals inflexible or bum yourself out overtime.

   Reply
3. Beth Camp says:

   March 16, 2015 at 1:03 am

   I enjoyed your report that you are ‘failing enthusiastically’ and ’embracing the detours,’ as my own experience in the last two weeks mirrors yours. Yet spring will brighten the days ahead, you will write more, and carryi good memories from this week with you. Thanks for the links — I’m checking out the one re focusing priorities. Have a good week ahead.

   Reply

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