Well?

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve had several people (friends, acquaintances, relatives) ask me why there hasn’t been a blog post? “Isn’t it time for another one?” “What are you going to write about next?” “I’m waiting…” “Well?”

Well, I've been busy, okay? The holidays. Family visiting. Present wrapping. Menus to create and food to buy. And now the de-Christmasing! The obligatory Netflix binging and movie going! The clearing out of last year’s files and setting up for 2020! Plus, I have to put together the syllabuses (syllabi?) for the classes I’m teaching starting shortly. And…

Well, I guess those really aren’t excuses, are they? It's all just stuff, and there will always be stuff. And it's so easy to get caught up in all of it – and lose what should be meaningful. What's that you ask? For me, it's family. Whatever and whenever, they will always come first. Celebrating with them, supporting them, laughing with them, crying with them.  Being a parent, grandparent, sister, aunt, cousin. ( I tell my students that the only calls I will answer during class are from family.)

Of course, we all have responsibilities too. People that count on us, jobs to do. What gets lost in all of this? You and me.

Which brings me back to the blog post. I am very grateful (and a little surprised) when people tell me they enjoy my “words of wisdom.” If I can bring a laugh to someone’s day or express something they might agree (or disagree) with – that’s great! But I am finding I am really doing this for me. As I think I have mentioned in previous posts, I’m an observer, a visual person. And I find great fun in putting my thoughts down on paper (or, in this case – keyboard). It’s not a chore. It’s not an assignment. I do it because I want to, not because there is a deadline to meet. (I couldn’t think of writing every day – and I admire the bloggers who do. Now that’s commitment!)

Just this morning, a friend of mine mentioned that in the last quarter of the year, he hadn't been able to find time to do things for himself – his focus being his business. But he knows that's not sustainable either physically or mentally. His comment resonated with me.

And then I saw the Picasso quote you see above that another friend posted. (Is the universe reaching out to me? Who knows?) I have always felt that my ability to write is a gift. So, my only resolution this year is to keep giving it away. I think that’s one I’ll be able to keep.

  Happy New Year everyone!