Monday

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"The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means." - William Faulkner
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"Those rituals of getting ready to write produce a kind of trance state." - John Barth
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Besides being Halloween, I get a two-fer for quotes.

I like and understand the second quote better than the first.

My writing is a ritual.

I begin by opening the blinds. I open the slider. I get my music ready. I may or may not prepare a cup of tea.

This is the beginning.

I then look at my writing prompt for the day, type up the quote and then attempt to write to the prompt. Some days the prompt does not work into how I am feeling and so I ignore it.

What is important is that I go through my usual beginning routine. When I do this, my writing flows and sometimes I write away very fast. My fingers can hardly keep up with what is going through my mind. Other times, I feel like it is pulling teeth to get the words onto the paper.

However, I feel the important part is that I show up every day whether I want to or not and write.
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I did change out my pillow and I my neck did not bother me as much as it has in the past. I will try this out for the next few nights and see what happens.

I am fussy that I made plans for this morning.

I do not get up in time to perform my ritual of writing. This is mildly irritating. However, I am the one who chose to stay in bed until the last minute.

One good thing, I will get my walking in today since I am meeting my ride at the local Starbuck's. This walk takes a good ten minutes.

My business this morning is attending the Monday morning Al-Anon meeting. Even though I had been fussy about leaving the house and not doing any of my usual morning stuff, I am glad I am doing what I had wanted to do.

Arriving at the meeting, I am greeted by old friends and people new to me come up and speak to me. Although I was not in what I considered costume, I did have my overhauls on and my walking hat. I looked like a farmer. Others came and were in costume and looked very cute. Someone else brought in rice crispy treats. The treats were very good I might add.

Thoughts from the meeting I got was when our house guest was thinking I was subdued, what she was really seeing was my serenity. Granted there were times when I was fuming about her actions, my serenity came through much stronger.

Another thought a member shared was dealing with a business deal, he came to realize that God was on both sides of the table. I liked this because when dealing with my Michael who may have another train of thought going. And this thought is different than mine, God is on both sides of this table. It is okay for us to disagree. It does not mean either one of is right or wrong, we are only in different places. As they say, "do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?" I choose to be happy than to beat Michael over the head because I feel I am right.

Another key point: Resentments are premeditated expectations.

By the end of the meeting, I could gracefully say, I was very glad to be flexible this morning and do something different. I met some new people. I was energized by the energy shared in the meeting.

Plus, I got some exercise in that was not even planned for.

I do have to say that by the time I made my way home, I was tired and ended up taking a nap.

Oh how I love my afternoon naps.

Well, I am ready for the little ghosts and goblins that will come to our door. Later I shall light a candle to my relatives who have crossed over. I will spend a little time with them and remembering the good times.

Happy Halloween everyone.

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Currently reading:
-- "Taltos" - Anne Rice
-- "The Daily Book of Art/356 readings that teach, inspire & entertain" - day 34
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