Good morning,
Below is a piece I want to share with you from my upcoming book—
A Real Ballbuster: Our Tangles with Testicular Cancer.
Running and writing were two actions I would take to help me show up in the way I wanted. I discovered reading bible verses, books, and articles to inspire, encourage, and keep hope alive was another action to keep me anchored.
Do you know the small things that keep you anchored?
I noticed when I was on my runs my mind would race to the worst-case scenario. I let it all come and didn’t fight it then I worked hard to flip the script to the best-case scenarios. The treatment works, Jeff is cured, and we grow, learn, and become a stronger family on the other side.
To get out of my head I would pay attention. What do I see, hear, and smell in nature today? The cardinal, blue jay, the wind on my back, snow-covered fields, sunrises, anything to shift my focus to remind myself of the beauty and goodness all around me.
Noticing gave me pages to write about when I came back home to sit down with my pen and notebook. During this time I was working on my next book, Staring Down a Dream, but found myself struggling to focus and get it done. I didn’t want to stop my writing practice. I instead turned to poetry.
I took a break from my book and wrote poems. It looked different than I had planned yet not fighting it and accepting where I was, kept me calm. I was able to ride this wave of change.
It’s okay to pivot and shift focus. It’s okay to change gears.
This took deliberate coaching from me. My inner judge, Aunt Phoebe stands over my shoulder— You’re not tough enough. You’re lazy. You should be working on the book!
I know these old thought patterns, it happens sometimes more than I would like, but I know what to do. I acknowledge my good old friend Aunt Phoebe— I’m not lazy, I’m still creating. I’m still showing up it just looks different from what I planned. I will embrace change and not fear.
Onward!
How do you handle change?
Thank you for reading.
Take good care,
Julie
Yes, life is a verb
We must learn to surf the waves
Grace under pressure
As you describe, we have so many choices to help us scale our Everest. Sherpas everywhere to help guide. Choose wisely and summit…!
Much earlier in life I read works by great statesmen, orators, military leaders, expecting that greatness would rub off on me. Osmosis?
In my life now I have quietly set about finding encouragement and support from small groups of kind, smart, caring folks. Just as you’ve done today, I find inspiration in your writing and aspirations.
With the words that result, I’m always grateful for your running.