Writing and Walking
I’ve been obsessively writing for a few weeks. I’ve entered a secret world of words that I can get lost in for hours. Picture some kind of matrix scene where probes are attached to my head and I’m twitching and people are shaking me and yelling, “Maery! Maery! Wake up!”
Okay. It’s not quite that dramatic. Still, I do have to force myself to get up and go ride my horse or walk the dogs or (gasp!) clean the house. Do something to break the spell for awhile.
I’ve been visiting people through my writing that I haven’t seen for quite awhile – some because they live faraway, some because they’ve died, and some because our lives have taken different roads and we’ve lost touch.
It’s been bittersweet, this trip down memory lane. It’s been fun reminiscing about family gatherings and old traditions, things I might have forgotten if I hadn’t written them down in such detail. Not all the memories are pleasant, but I learn valuables things from them. With the distance of time comes some wisdom and peace.
But thank goodness for dogs that visit my desk, place their noses on my lap, and if that doesn’t work, bark at me or squeak a toy that they carry in their mouths. They draw me outside to sunshine, powder snow, and a nippy breeze.
It’s a return to the living and the now and the simplicity of a moment in time when all that’s asked of me is to move my feet, one step in front of the other.
That’s all it takes to make my dogs happy. And maybe that’s all it takes for me too.
What a balm for the soul to be able to get lost in your writing. When I taught English I used to encourage my students to write until they get to where the words are. Writers know that place. I long for that and have been working on a way to formulate a silent retreat for myself – even of 3 or 4 days duration. The silence would be so helpful, I’m sure. And what a lovely break your puppies give you – I can almost feel that crisp air in my lungs and that winter sunshine on my face. Happy 2016!
It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to get that “in the flow” feeling. It took sitting down for 30 minutes every day for a week, then 1 hour every day for a week, then 3-4 hours on a long weekend before I hit it. I think starting out very small helped take off the pressure, but even the small amount of time was difficult at first. But it made it easier to lengthen the time until it began to go by very quickly. Now I’m back to work and squeezing in time, which is okay. I’ve got some of my confidence back. I hope you find your own “sweet spot”!
So great to hear what you’ve been up to in this start of a new year. Great images, too!
Thanks Susan! Happy new year to you!
What an inspiring way to begin. I – too – am familiar with the happy distraction of my pups. Happy New Year!!!
Writing is such great therapy for the soul…and our loved ones are special for reminding us to come up for air! Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Wonderful to start your new year off in a writing dream, ha! Happy New Year and look forward to seeing what 2016 brings for you!