Small Considerations: April 2015

What's in a name?

According to my Apple dictionary, admittedly not a definitive source, a ‘consideration’ is a thought, reflection, meditation, concern, rumination etc. I would like this blog to do those things. I’m hoping I can keep the posts positive because, as someone once reminded me, it is important to practise the habits of mind that you value and want to foster. For me those are: positivity, curiosity, openness and self-reflection (hence, a blog is a good forum).

Also, I’m calling them 'small' because I would like to try to get into the habit of blogging briefly but often. That way I can reflect on everyday occurrences and make this form of writing and thinking a habit, hopefully.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Post injury gratitude

Photo credit: Carolina Egaña

This morning I did a Yin Yoga class. About mid-way through, the instructor said we might be feeling frustrated at her when in a difficult pose or disappointed with ourselves for our inability to do a pose to our satisfaction. This made me realise that, although the pose was difficult, I only felt gratitude: joy that I can move mostly pain-free now; appreciation at my body's ability to heal and at the physio therapist and doctors who have helped me; and thankfulness that I can participate in a yoga class on a Wednesday morning. This feeling of relief and gratitude often arises after I've had a bout of illness or injury. During that period I am so pleased to be better than I was before that I actively appreciate healthiness.

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Post-rejection plan

I am getting ready to submit a short story to a competition and pitch my YA manuscript to publishers. Although I've mostly got over the crippling fear of submitting, I still get an oh-my-god-what-am-I-doing rush when I hit send. Each time a rejection comes back in I remind myself that many published novelists were rejected multiple times (It's an interesting list, but I take no responsibility to the writing).

In this image the treasure is publishing a novel.

I have a magic number of rejections in my head, after which I'll get contracted. I know it's a delusion, but it keeps me going. I have recently struck on another tool to get me through rejections – this short story competition and pitching my latest manuscript will be the test. When (I can't even say "if" anymore) these get rejected, I'm going to invest in a mentor. I will go to my local Writers Centre and sign up for a writing mentorship program. I'm pretty excited about it and that will hopefully cushion me through this round of rejections. It has the added bonus of being a pro-active approach to reducing further rejections too, I hope.

Maybe this technique could get me through other undesirable events: I'm putting off making a dentist appointment – after I go, I can buy a bottle of wine (and drink it). I don't like mopping the floor – after I do, I get to sit down with a chocolate and a book.