Giving myself permission...

As I've matured, I've realized that lessons taught to me in my youth don't necessarily apply in a grown-up world.  For example, it's one thing to be told, as a child, to not talk to strangers, but striking up a conversation with someone unknown is an (almost) daily occurrence in adulthood, so while it's outstanding advice for a six-year-old, it's not as pertinent to a middle-ager.  Therefore, it's about time I adopt a grown-up way of thinking about how I choose to spend the rest of my days. 

I have this odd personality trait of which I'm not overly fond.  It's the worry that someone (and by someone, I mean every known and unknown entity in the Universe) is going to judge me for the decisions I make.  Now, I can't say that every single choice I've ever made in my life has been stellar, but I've got a pretty firm grasp on the concept of right and wrong and tend to err on the side of caution when doing anything, so where all of this imaginary criticism comes from, I have no idea.   Something to discuss with a therapist one day, I think.

It's e-x-h-a-u-s-t-i-n-g to continuously stress over what other people may or may not think about how I live my life.  I mean, if my day-to-day activities are all someone has to worry about, they don't lead a very fulfilling existence.  Just saying.  So, after fifty-one years and a lot of internal dialogue, I'm giving myself permission to act, say, and do what I want without worrying about anyone else's opinion - perceived or otherwise.  Whew!  It feels great to say that out loud!  I'm giving myself permission to have crappy days, and eat junk food on occasion, and spend a day in bed binge-watching TV without owing an explanation to anyone about anything.

I'm also giving myself permission to be proud of my accomplishments.  I have a terrible habit of minimizing my achievements, telling myself that they're not important or that anyone could do the same or, by sharing with others, I'm bragging and trying to make it all about me.  You know what?  All of that might be true, but it doesn't negate the fact that, through my own efforts, I attained my goal, no matter how big or small, and have every right to be excited about the win.

I'm giving myself permission to own (and stick to) the guidelines I create for my projects.  I hate inconveniencing other people, even if by doing so I inconvenience myself, but you know what?  In my advancing years, I've learned you can't please everyone no matter how hard you try.  Shocker, right?  Now, that's not to say I'm going to turn into a selfish b*tch who's inflexible and refuses to help someone who needs it.  In my wildest dreams, I could never be that person.  What I am doing is giving myself permission to put me first.      

In a more personal area of my life, I'm giving myself permission to let go.

My father died almost seven years ago.  His passing was sudden, and unexpected, and drove a stake through my heart.  I'd spoken to him on the phone two days earlier with no inkling that it would be the last conversation we ever had.  The last time I heard his voice.  The last time he told me he loved me.  The last time he would be there when I needed him.

For the past six years and ten months, I've been unable to look at a picture of my dad without crying which is why there's not a single snapshot in view.  While my grief has faded from mind-numbing, chest-clenching, nauseating pain to something else and my head's accepted that he's gone, my heart never has.  To think of him, and how much I miss him, brings a wave of anguish as fresh as the day I received the call.  The thing of it is, though; that sorrow, that misery, my heart's refusal to look upon snapshots of his face - none of that changes the fact that he's gone.  Logically, I know that, and it's time that emotionally I face it as well.

Some irrational part of me is afraid that if I purge the grief from my soul, I'll forget him.  I know that's not true.  There's nothing in this world that can take the love I have for my dad away from me.  Nothing!  And moving beyond these feelings that affect me emotionally, as well as physically, doesn't mean that I'll forget him.  I could never forget the man who was, and is, such a part of who I am. 

So, I'm giving myself permission to let go of the sadness, and pain, and silly hope that his death is all a bad dream and he's still a phone call away.  I'm letting go. 

Goodbye, Dad.  I love you, and promise to put your picture where I can look at it with a smile instead of tears.

The process of living doesn't screech to a halt as we get older, and to stop in our tracks and refuse to move forward - to grow; to learn - is the equivalent of dying in my opinion.  Maybe worse, because it's an active choice.  I resist the idea that this - right now, the person I am today - is the best I can be.  I can do more, be more, create more; and I fully intend to because, you see, I'm giving myself permission to do just that.

What do you need to give yourself permission to do?       

I did a thing...

In my neverending quest to promote authors, including myself, I launched a podcast.  Yup!  You read that right!  I can now add podcaster to my list of accomplishments. 

The show is called Word Play with Kristine Raymond.  Where authors get together to talk about writing, reading, and anything else that comes to mind.  Unscripted.  Unrehearsed.  Real conversations.

How's that for a tagline?

There are three episodes up already, and new ones drop every Wednesday on PodBean, iTunes, Google Play Music, and Spotify.  (More channels are in the works.)  The thing I like most about recording the show is that my guests don't feel like they have to prepare for an oral exam; instead, it's a casual conversation between two friends (even if we've never met) where we talk books, the weather, pets, Star Trek (that's on next week's episode with Jocie McKade)...well, pretty much, anything and everything!  And it's amazing the things you learn about a person just by listening.

So, that's my next big thing.  I'm still writing, of course.  Enduring Traditions releases next Tuesday, and I'm currently increasing my word count on Finn-agled.  And, given enough time, I'm sure I'll come up with something new to try because the one thing I never run out of is fresh ideas.

Until next time...

In general, I'm a quiet person...

...it's fine.  I'll wait while you enjoy the humor of that statement.  Better now?  Stop laughing?  Catch your breath?

As I was saying -

I'm generally a quiet person.  By that I mean, I'm more comfortable in solitary surroundings than I am in a group setting.  I have little desire to socialize on a regular basis (though author events are SO MUCH FUN!), but to just hang out with people on a monthly, weekly, or - gulp - daily basis...nope, not for me.

This is nothing new.  As a kid, I didn't have many friends and spent most of my high school years alone in my room listening to records.  I also read a lot (go figure) and took pictures of clouds.  How I didn't end up becoming a meteorologist, I'll never know.  Anyway, as I said, this trait of keeping to myself is nothing new, and I'm okay with it -- for the most part.  But, here's where it gets tricky...

Writing is a solitary endeavor.  Perfect for my personality type.  I spend my days (and, sometimes, nights) playing with my imaginary friends, and since I make them up, they have to like me.  It's the rule.  Promoting, however, is anything but a solitary endeavor.  The entire point of it is to stand up and get everyone's attention and say, "Look at me!  Look what I did!  I wrote a book (or a song or painted a picture or created a piece of jewelry or...").  You get my drift.   And, quite honestly, that's the part I suck at!

I don't mind sharing my new releases; in fact, I usually can't share them fast enough.  But once that book is out there, it's difficult for me to keep talking about it.  And, that's a bad thing, because, without the constant hype, my name and the titles of my stories quickly fade from peoples' minds.  There are soooo many books out there and so many being released each day that readers have a hard time keeping up with the ones they see, much less those that aren't promoted.  Hence my issue...

You might have noticed that I don't post on social media or my blog with any regularity.  The main reason for this is that I don't have a lot to say.  Nothing that would be of any interest to anyone - at least, in my opinion.  So, to only promote my books, especially the older titles, when I do get on social media seems self-centered and braggy, neither of which exist in my bag of personality traits.  Oh, I have no problem promoting other authors' books; in fact, I love doing it.  It's my own that trip me up.

However, realization is the first step towards change, right?  And, I know I have to start promoting my own books even without having a new release.  No better place to start than here.  So, without further ado, here are the books I've written and published to date, and, might I add, I'm proud of all of them.

                                     

  

There you have it.  These are my books.  If you're interested in learning more about them, please visit my website.  The promotional part of this blog post is now over.  You may return to your regularly scheduled reading.

Hmmm...maybe I'm starting to get the hang of this...

Taking it for granted...

I don't view myself as someone who's technologically-dependant.  Oh, sure; I never leave home without my smartphone - an iPhone 5s with a measly 12gb of memory - but it still rings and makes calls and connects to the internet when I need it to, so why upgrade?  And I have my original iPad - the one that only works with a WiFi connection, and a second generation Kindle.  Do you see a theme?

So, I had no intention of replacing my functioning (albeit a bit slowly, but, hey, I'm no spring chicken either) 8-year-old desktop anytime soon.  Apparently, Windows 10 had a different idea.  No longer able to support the updates that continuously buffetted her systems, last Sunday my Gateway decided she'd had enough and cloaked herself in the Blue Screen of Death.  No amount of cajoling, begging, or pleading on my part could convince her to change her mind, so off to the tech hospital she went.  It was touch-and-go for a few days, my hopes rising mid-week only to be dashed on Thursday by news that the old girl just couldn't handle the demands being placed on her.  Allowing her to retire gracefully seemed the right thing to do - she had, after all, been a faithful companion for well over her projected lifespan - and a shiny new Dell Inspiron was purchased to take her place.

Which brings me to the title of this post.  I take for granted that I can work whenever the mood hits and being unable to walk into my office and sit at my computer this past week has been stressful, to say the least.  Those seven days felt more like seven months, and it occurred to me that I'm as plugged-in as the rest of society.  Bringing home my new desktop last night filled me with a sense of contentment, and while I'm not enjoying the process of reinstalling 1439 fonts one file at a time, it felt great to wake up this morning and plop myself down in my well-worn chair and power up my shiny, new contraption.  Still, I think I'll wait awhile before I get a new phone.  Don't want to overload my circuits with too much new techy stuff to learn. 

Besides, these font files are keeping me busy... 

When my characters stop speaking to me...

I occupy my time by working on other book projects.  This week, it was redesigning the covers for the Hidden Springs series.  While I love the original versions, it was time for a makeover - a bit of freshening up, if you will.  After all, who doesn't love a new look now and then?

So, without further ado, I present to you the Hidden Springs series!!

Aren't they pretty?  I'm hoping new readers will think so too, and one-click one - or all - of them.  They're pretty great stories, or so I've heard!  Of course, I have an 'in' with the author!

Now that I can check this project off of my to-do list, it's time to get back to writing.  Hopefully, I can entice Finn and gang to come out and play, and crank out some words in my WIP.  Finn-agled is still on track to be released by the end of the year, so I'd better get to it!

For more information about Hidden Springs, or any of my books, please visit my website.

Now, back to my manuscript...

5 years...

Five years ago today, I sat down and began to write.  Eighteen days later, Here to Stay was born.  With the help of my friend and fellow author, Laramie Briscoe, the first novel in the Hidden Springs series made its debut two months later, and my life changed in ways I'd never imagined possible.

I've befriended people from around the country - and the world - who have since become family to me.  I've written seventeen stories and published fourteen books (Seasons of Love is a collection of four short stories).  I've attended author events in cities around the US that I otherwise would've never visited, and I've hosted two of my own.  I've expanded my vocabulary, brushed up on my punctuation and grammar skills (though I heartily recommend Grammarly as an additional tool), and photographed models for some of my covers.  I've counseled other authors in their moments of doubt and been blessed with the same from them during mine.  I've laughed, cried, and cursed; at times, swearing that I was never writing another word, only to turn around the next day and pound out four thousand of them on my keyboard.

I've received emails and messages from people who've cheered on my characters as they faced life's challenges; for a time, enjoying the escape from their own.  One reader (who's become a dear, dear friend) pestered me until I turned a stand-alone story, By Dawn's Early Light, into a trilogy because she wanted to read more about the town of Celebration and its inhabitants.  You're welcome, Barbara.

I've left my comfort zone in the dust and embraced new challenges (most of the time), have spoken up and asked for what I want; no longer afraid to hear the word 'no'.  I've grown as an author and as a person, and, most of the time, am proud of what I've accomplished.

Still, five years ago, when I envisioned what this day would look like, it wasn't this.  I've fallen short of almost every goal I've set for myself, sometimes due to personal reasons (surgery and the issues leading up to it sidelined me for close to a year) and sometimes due to my own lack of experience and motivation.  Sadly, time is the one thing I can't get back, and I've wasted more than my share over the past sixty months.  Wow, when I put it that way...

I'd like to say that I'll not waste a moment going forward, but I know that's not true.  I'll grow uninspired, frustrated, melancholy from time to time over lack of sales or missing a deadline and opt to binge watch a Netflix original rather than suck it up and write, but - and this is a very big but - I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!  For better or worse, I'm an author.  Writing is in my blood.  It's in my breath and sweat and tears, and I'm going to achieve my version of success if it kills me!

So, here's to another five years.  Sixty months.  Two hundred and sixty point seven weeks (have to account for those extra 'leap year' days).  New goals.  New achievements.

Never giving up!

When life is going well...

it's easy to become complacent.  Worry and stress disappear, your guard is lowered and you cruise along like nothing bad will ever happen again, and then one day, out of the blue, BAM!  Life throws a curveball that sucks the breath right out of you.  That's what happened to me yesterday.

I have no problem standing up and admitting that I'm not overly fond of change.  When I like something, I don't want it 'new and improved'.  I'm satisfied with it just the way it is.  I'm that person you know who buys three pairs of the same style shoe so that when the first pair wears out, there's a pair to replace it, and so on.  (I do this with clothing, too.)  But it's easy to become too comfortable with life, and apparently, the Universe decided mine needed a little shaking up.  Gee, thanks, 'verse.

Without going into detail, the next few days, weeks, possibly even months are going to be tough for my family.  But this challenge won't do me in because I've faced it before in times when we've been a lot worse off than we are now and we've made it through, more often than not for the better.  It's just those damn stormy skies appear a bit scary right now.  My fears have already begun manifesting in my dreams, leaving me tossing and turning and restless at night, yet I know they will pass once I embrace this unexpected change thrust upon me.  And while I'm scared and sad and a wee bit fearful, my brain is already scrambling to find a solution, mapping out new avenues to travel, daring to take chances where previously I've been too contented to try.

Change isn't always a bad thing; more times than not it motivates us to try something new, rattles us out of limbo, dares us to become creative, even when we're nursing the pain of insecurity.  The challenge facing my family and me is daunting, but I'm up for it.

Time to aim in a different direction... 

What if...

What if I stop doubting myself?
What if I believe I will succeed?
What if I stop criticizing the person looking back at me from the mirror?
What if I love the person I am today?
What if I celebrate my achievements instead of lamenting my defeats?
What if the person I want to be is the person I already am?
What if I stop putting off those things I really want to do?
What if I stop making excuses?
What if I stop for a moment and just breathe?
What if I change my priorities?
What if 'real life' is this life?
What if I stop worrying and start trusting?
What if I stop saying "what if" and start living my life to its fullest?

What if we all do?

Copyright © 2018 Kristine Raymond

I've been feeling invisible lately...

until last night, when I read a report that showed me where my books have been downloaded.  This blew me away -

Australia
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Costa Rica
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Finland
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
India
Italy
Lithuania
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United States

Thirty-three countries.  And this is just in 2018.  How can I possibly feel invisible when my books are making the rounds worldwide?

It's easy to get caught up in things that haven't happened yet which can leave us feeling small and unnoticed.  Sometimes you need to take a step back to see just how far your reach is.

I'm truly humbled by this list.  That my stories are becoming part of peoples' lives around the globe fills me with awe.  I'm so grateful for each and every one of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of my dream.

💞 💞 💞

~ Kristine Raymond

Yesterday was release day...

I know, right?  I've written and published another book!!  Yay, me!!!

It's called Tempted, and is a departure from the kinds of stories I've written in the past.  It's not a romance by any stretch of the imagination...well, at least not to me.  It's a contemporary drama laced with eroticism.  Don't you love making up descriptions?  I do!

So, here it is.  Tempted.  The story of a married woman who, feeling unappreciated by her husband, gets drawn in by another man, then is kind of surprised that nothing is as she expected it would be.  The story is dramatic and thought-provoking and HOT!!!  Sound like something you'd like?  Check out the cover, then continue on for more info.

Okay, so how about that cover? Pique your interest? Need a bit more? Here's the synopsis...

Thirty years of marriage to the same man. An illicit proposition by an attractive stranger. Which would you choose if you were tempted?

Taking care of her husband’s every need while putting her own aside, Jane Sims’ life seems picture-perfect. There’s just one problem. She’s desperately unhappy.

A chance encounter with a total stranger changes how Jane looks at her marriage, her life, and herself. At first, flattered when the charismatic man flirts with her, she quickly dismisses him. When they run into each again, a casual conversation over coffee leads her to fantasize about more than talking. Convinced her husband no longer finds her attractive, she considers accepting the man’s proposal of a liaison, oblivious to the fact that her choice will affect not only her life but the lives of those around her.

As the temptation to take a lover grows, her world spirals down around her, threatening to obliterate relationships that have taken years to develop. Is a moment or two of passion worth ruining the life she’s worked so hard to create?

Desire. Deception. Tempted. 

**Mature content including sex, adultery, and language.  May not be suitable for all readers.
  
Now that the disclaimer's out of the way, let's get back to it.  I love this book.  Yeah, yeah, I know.  I'm the author so I'm supposed to say that.  But even if I hadn't written it, I'd still love this story.  I won't say anything else - don't want to give it away.  Oh, wait; I'm going to say one more thing...

Buy it!  Read it!  Enjoy it!  I guess that's three things.  Let me know what you think of it.  Here's where to get it.

Go on...one-click.  You know you're Tempted!

Something's been bothering me...

A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend of mine and mentioned that I'd joined a new group on Facebook.  We talked about it for awhile, the pros and cons of being a member, and then I mentioned the name of the organizer.  My friend's reply was that she'd heard from so-and-so that the organizer is not a nice person and I should be careful in my dealings with this person.  My immediate response was "Thanks for the head's up."

I'm ashamed of myself.

My immediate response SHOULD have been - "Thank you, but I reserve judgment until I get to know someone."  Because I do.  I appreciate my friend's concern.  She's looking out for my best interests.  It seems that nowadays, especially on social media, you can't be too careful with whom you interact.  And, I've dealt first-hand with some who've turned out to be less than good people - in my opinion anyway, though plenty of others would dispute my viewpoint.  Hell, there're even some out there who don't like me!  I know, shocker, right? 

But it seems that, as a society, we're quick to form our opinions based on how someone else thinks or feels about the subject.  And that bothers me.  As my mother can attest, I don't like anyone telling me what to do or how to feel or what to think.  There's a reason I'm an indie author.  I like to make my own decisions, even when they come back to bite me in the ass.  I'm not disregarding the wisdom of paying attention to a cautionary tale, but I do believe we should form opinions based on first-hand knowledge.

Another shocker - we aren't perfect.  There's not a single one of us out there who hasn't made a mistake (or two, or twelve) at some point in their life.  A mistake that hurt other people, whether by chance or intent.  A lapse in judgment for which they are trying to make amends.  We all want a second chance, don't we?

Maybe this person did do the things being talked about.  Maybe it was their intention to deceive.  Maybe they're a nasty person.  Or, maybe, it was a misunderstanding, poor communication, or they just plain got in over their head.  I don't know.  I wasn't there.  That's not the point.  The point is, we should each form our opinions based on our own experiences and interactions.

Think of the worst mistake you've ever made in your life.  Is that one transgression how you want others to view you for the rest of your life?  How you want them to talk about you to their friends?  I don't.

This isn't a post in defense of that organizer.  As I stated, I don't know the person, have had zero interaction with them, had never even heard the name until I joined the group, and, to be honest, may never get to know them.  But until that person directly harms me or someone I'm close to, I'm going to reserve judgment on their character.  It's how I want others to treat me.

You have the power to make up your own mind. 

Trust your instincts. 

It's that time of year...

I've lost people in my life.  Both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and more furbabies than I can count.  But none have affected me as deeply as the loss of my father.

It'll be six years mid-February since my dad died.  Six years since I've heard his voice or felt his arms wrapped around me.  No...that's not true.  Dad visits me once in a while in my dreams and there are times, I swear, that I feel him hug me with the same strength and love he possessed when he was alive.  I love those dreams, for I truly believe his spirit is dropping by to say hi.

The man Dad was made me the woman I am.  His strength, his perseverance, his affinity for animals, his smile.  I miss him so damn much!

Some years, the anniversary of his death doesn't bother me much.  Oh, sure, I get a bit teary, but I'm able to go about my business without too much emotional upheaval.  Others, like this year for some reason I cannot fathom, send me into a tailspin. 

I'm moody, depressed, sad beyond belief.  I've been dreaming of him almost every night for more than a week.  Is he trying to tell me something?  Convey some message he thinks I need to know?  I'm listening, Dad.  I am.  Or has he merely stepped up his visits because he knows I'm having a hard time of it this year?

Dad died before I began writing.  He never had the chance to hold one of my books in his hand or read one of my interviews.  For those of you who don't know, my pen name is a tribute to him - his first name is Raymond.  Also, Abby's Heart is dedicated to him, as I released it on the second anniversary of his death.  My dad is so much a part of my writing life and I can only hope that I've made him proud.

I love you, Dad, and I miss you so much!  Thank you for being the person you were and for being such an influential part of my life.  You were a good teacher, an incredible role model, and a great friend. 

You still are...
  

On writing authentically...

I've read several posts and articles lately suggesting that authors should be 'writing for the reader' and letting reader expectations dictate the plot of the story.  Now, I don't discount the importance of keeping readers happy.  Without them, our books would be nothing more than words on a page.  What I disagree with is the notion that authors have a responsibility to pen their stories following trope-specific guidelines, and never veer from the script.  How boring!

The way I look at it, I owe my readers an engaging, entertaining story; one that elicits feelings of joy and doubt and suspense and love (in the case of my romances).  But I also owe them something else.  Honesty.  They deserve to know that the words they're reading came from the depths of my soul, not from some how-to manual on writing the perfect book.

It's okay to shake things up, take a chance, go in a different direction with your manuscript.  Will some readers hate it?  Possibly, but let's be honest.  Does every single reader out there love what you write anyway?  Judging by the 1- and 2-star reviews on some of my books, that would be a HELL NO!!  Do you run the risk of alienating readers by writing authentically?  Of course, but see my first question.  It's impossible to make all of the people happy all of the time, so take risks, take a chance, write in a new direction rather than writing to the market.

Now, before the comments start rolling in that I'm trashing other authors, let me be clear - I'm not.  I believe, and have always believed, that each writer should create the storiy that speaks to them.  It's not my place to tell anyone what words they should or shouldn't send out into the universe.  Lord knows, I don't let anyone tell me what mine should be.  But I hate seeing new authors who've yet to publish ask for advice and be told "you should be writing X, Y, and Z.  That's what readers expect."  How about giving readers something they don't expect?  Some twist that only you can devise because it's part of who you are.  Stop trying to make your books be exactly like all the others out there and rather let the words flow through your soul to the paper (or keyboard, or dictation device.  You get my point.)  Be you.

One thing I've never been successful at is conforming to - well - anything.  My historical western romances aren't historical enough.  My contemporary romances are neither sweet nor erotic.  None of my books fall squarely into a specific genre, and while that presents a challenge finding readers, I'm satisfied with the stories I've told.  They are exactly what they're supposed to be.  Mine.

Stop worrying about creating the story readers expect.  Instead, give them a story that they'll love because it came authentically from you.  Be bold with your words.  Be confidant that what you write will find an audience.  Love your words because they truly are a reflection of you.

Now, go write that book!

Redefining the term 'blue-haired old lady'...

There was a time in society, in my lifetime, as a matter of fact, when it was unheard of for a woman over the age of 50 to dye her hair electric blue.  Come to think of it, it wasn't that acceptable for women under the age of 50, either.  I'm so glad those days are over!  One of the things I enjoy about growing older is how the norms have changed - for the better, in most cases.  But even if society (or my peers) have a problem with it, I don't really give a damn, because I've decided life's too short not to try new things.

I've wanted to dye my hair blue for a few years, but I refrained.  One reason was due to my upbringing. (I can't imagine either of my grandmothers sporting a non-conventional 'do, although I think they both would've rocked the look!)  The other was how I viewed myself as an adult.  I told myself it was silly; dyeing my hair one of the colors of the rainbow was something teenagers do, not mature women.  But you know what?  I'm still going to be 50 if my hair is blue or brown or silver or if I'm bald, so what in the hell am I waiting for?

As you can see by the pic, I was conservative with my dyeing endeavor.  The color is subtle.  There are two reasons for this.  One, I didn't want to do too much until I could see what it would look like.  And, two, I'm too lazy to bleach my hair first.  The dye would've shown up a lot brighter if I'd followed that step.

It's okay, though.  I'm happy with it, and, next time (yes, there will be a next time) I'll make the effort to strip some of my natural color from my hair before beginning the dyeing process.  Or wait for more silver to grow in.  Either way works for me.

In the meantime, I like my new look.  It makes me feel rebellious!  I know, I know, it doesn't take much. lol.  Hey, at least it's not permanent like a tattoo!

So, which term are you going to redefine in 2018?  Time's not going backwards, you know.  We're all getting older, whether we want to admit it or not.  Might as well try something you've always wanted to do.  It's okay to start small.  You can't get much smaller than a half dozen, 1/2 inch blue streaks in your hair.

Maybe I'll go with purple next time...

2018, oh, how I've yearned for you! 

As years go, 2017 wasn't all that terrible, but it also wasn't the best on the books.  So I'm viewing this new year with high expectations.  Time truly does go by in the blink of an eye, and I need to make the most of it.  For instance, it seems only yesterday that I embarked on this writer's journey of mine when it's actually been more than four years.  I loathe thinking that another four will go by leaving me to wonder if I could've made better use of the seconds, minutes, hours each day bestows upon me.

I have big plans this year.  Huge plans.  Epic.  And I'm determined to accomplish them.  Better yet, I WILL accomplish them!  Because the sand is slipping through the hourglass faster than any of us imagine, and in a heartbeat, I'll be looking back on my life, evaluating the choices I made.  I don't want 'wasting time' to be one of them.

Don't wait to live your dream.  Take the first step.  Set things in motion.  Get the ball rolling.  Whichever idiom works for you, use it to take charge of your destiny.  Your life won't change overnight.  It might not even change much in four years.  But the time will go by anyway, so you might as well spend it working at what you love most.

Here's wishing everyone realizes their dream in 2018.

Happy New Year!