Happy Thursday! I hope everyone has had a great week. Onward toward Friday, right? First up, reading progress! I’m still reading Flight Patterns, by Karen White. I’m really enjoying it. And in the non-fiction front, I reread the Better Health in 120 days, and I’m reading Jesus Among the Secular Gods by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale. Very good read. I’m a third of the way through. I had the privilege of hearing them speak at our church one Sunday. Such a love for God and humanity!
I’ve inadvertently taken the summer off writing. I didn’t plan it, I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. And I guess I needed it. I’ve got 3 projects lingering, 4, actually. Ah, 5! But this time off has been well spent, I realize, as I look back.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t do everything. And as I look at my calendar for next year, projects I want to do, I’m inclined to mark off June, July and August as reset months. I’m a mom to 2 grown children, a stepmom to 2 grown children, a Gigi to 3 grandchildren, I have a husband whom I adore and we love to do things together. I have a full time job which I like a lot. I host a readers’ luncheon every February, I attend and serve a church. I’m a daughter to my father who is terminally ill with cancer, a mother who I talk to almost every day, and daughter in law to an amazing woman. I’m a sister to 2 brothers, one who just moved onto a houseboat! (Yes, I’m visiting in 2 days. Dinner on the houseboat.!) I’ve been blessed with many friends whom I love spending time with, a lot of them I’ve met through reading and writing.
Through all the things and times mentioned in above paragraphs though, my brain still thinks of stories. I’m constantly plotting, planning, thinking of characters. I guess after twenty years it doesn’t go away. I find I’m itching to get back into the writing game. I have a story I’ve been stuck on, but maybe now I can move forward.
The story is Beautiful Heart of His. It’s the story of Scarlett, who had her fiancé stolen by her twin sister, Savannah. Scarlett meets Mason, who unbeknownst to her is A: a twin, and B: broke up his brother and his girlfriend. When Scarlett meets Mason he’s running a homeless shelter for men. Scarlett thinks he’s the cool guy with the all together perfect life. And she’s a mess with losing her job and finding out her twin not only broke up with the guy she stole, but now she’s moving back to Atlanta and wants to make up with Scarlett.
So, that’s where I’m at. :) Thank you for letting me share my heart on this blog. Now, my question for all of you: Have you ever felt like you needed a reset? Have you been able to do that without kicking yourself? (Trust me, I spent the month of July in guilt!)
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Hi Lindi, your reset time sounds lovely. I have to say, Ravi Zacharias is one of my favourite authors/speakers. I thoroughly enjoy his podcasts, books and sermons on youtube and am slightly envious that you got to hear him speak in person!
I love the idea of a reset and as a teacher, I cherish and jealously guard my Christmas break- time with family and friends and NO SCHOOL WORK! Christmas break for us is our Summer holiday, so we get 6 weeks off. It can be hard not to feel guilty, but for my own mental health, and the well being of my family, (my husband is also a teacher!), we have to take that time away.
Happy reading, Blessings:)
Hi Linda! Blessings to you. I remember the sandwich years caring for my aging parents with our youngest son living at home and trying to squeeze time in with my grandsons, while working full time as a teacher and being a pastor’s wife. My father had heart disease and my mother had cancer. As a teacher, I did have the summer and Christmas break to reset and recharge. Retiring at age 62, I had a year to reset before I began caring for my grandkids Monday thru Thursdays. Even though retirement is busy with the grandkids ages 12, 9, 4, & 7 months, I cherish my 3 day weekends. Often feeling guilty that I am not doing more, but then I say “Lady you deserve a break after working for 47 years, raising children for 30 years, caring for aging parents for 20 years.”
Taking a break is healthy even though it seems like its not productive. The older I get the more I realize I need it. Lord bless your time of renewal!
Books sounds so awesome , hope I will be able to read it ! ! Us people need a break now & then , love to take the time to curl up with a cup of tea or capochino & a great book !!!
Taking a break is sometimes needed to keep your perspective. I retired about two years ago and didn’t realize how full tilt I was going! Now I feel lazy. Need to get back into an Excercise routine, though! Keep up the good work!
We all need a reset, and I hear you about even during a reset time, the stories don’t go away. You story sounds like a wonderful read.
I can’t imagine a summer-long reset, but I do try to take vacation days seriously! Or… playfully.
When my husband and I were active missionaries, coming back to the US for our home assignment year was always a reset time. Even though we were busy speaking in supporting churches, we still had lots of time for camping with family, sightseeing, catching up with friends, etc. It would take a whole year before we were ready to head back to the field!
That sounds like a lovely break!! How cool that it falls over Christmas. :) Thanks for visiting the blog today!
Renate–caring for grandkids is tiring! I admire anyone who does that. They are so fun, though! I love being with mine–just got to spend 10 days with 2 of them. So much fun!
Diana–I think that’s where the struggle comes in–the not feeling productive–but I keep remembering we need sleep–and it does our body so much good–so we have to sleep to recharge—
Nikki—Love that past time, too. I love going on vacay and reading book after book. :)
You’re right, sometimes we don’t realize until we are doing it. I bought a spin bike and am exercising from home. I hope I can keep that up.
Thanks, Merrillee–I love how the stories don’t leave. That’s hope, right?
Yeah, I know, Val. I haven’t ever done this. But…..it turns out it was much needed. I love all your new covers, by the way.
Margaret–I can imagine how much you would need that rest. And I’m sure you were always missioning—:)
Thanks for sharing Ravi’s book! I was blessed to hear him speak last May at a Conference. And oh yes, I’ve needed to reset. I would certainly encourage you to do what you need to do when you need to do it. Looking forward to reading what you’re currently plotting!
Yes, often I’ve felt the need for rest. And it’s come in spurts, so I am thankful.
Your book in progress sounds super fascinating! Keep on writing!
Julianne–Ravi is an amazing speaker and man of God. And thanks for the encouragement.
MH—Thank you for your support and encouragement!
Feeling in need of a reset is a feeling I have from time to time.. the guilt part is the one that is hard to work on.
Yes, we all need to take time to do things we enjoy.
I’m so ready for a reset! :-) It’s been a busy summer watching the grand-girl 5 days a week, I’m looking forward to the slower season on the coast.
And my son will be starting his second year of Community College at the end of September. Hopefully it will be quieter around the house…lol!
sometimes
I definitely need time to reset and by taking that time, it makes me a better everything…wife, daughter, friend, etc.
Sounds like a great book
I really enjoy Ravi Zacharias’ books! I think everyone needs a reset sometime, in addition to a day of rest each week. I often have to just drop things because one of our 6 kids decides to come see us. (And 3 of them have children.) But then I remind myself that, while I didn’t accomplish what I thought I had to do, people and our relationships with them are so much more important. I really try to live my life without regrets. I’m sure they will still be there because we are human, but when I live a day at a time, I become more thankful for what I do have.
Hi Lindi. I feel like we all need to reset once in a while, but not all of us are fortunate to find the time to do it. I took a leave of absence during my pregnancy last semester and, honestly, I did absolutely nothing other than take time to get to know my son for the first 3 months.. (best thing ever). My mom and sister kind of dragged me out of the house at some point, because life was just the 3 of us (son, husband, and myself) for a while. He was a premature baby, so I was also very protective of him early on.
As for guilt, I’ve felt it at some point when going back to work meant I had missed so many deadlines and had friends waiting for me to get back to them on collaborative work we did. I still have some of those deadlines to meet, but taking time for myself and him was a wonderful thing. Fortunately guilt came when I started working again, so our time together was precious. (I still feel some of the guilt as I have so much work to catch up.. I’ve been back to work for 3 months now and I’m soooo much behind.)
After a particularly busy week, yes, I need a “reset”. My introverted self can only go and give for so long before I need to be at home. Baking is a form of relaxation for me so I need to bake every week or so in order to stay sane. I sometimes think about taking an entire week off of work to just stay home but haven’t quite convinced myself to do it yet.
HI Lindi! Yes I believe resets are needed. I have to have resets or times to decompress throughout the day. If I don’t I pay for it later. :)