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August 21st, 2014 Linkedin informed me and a lot of my friends that it is my one year anniversary of working at Koko FitClub. I can’t believe it’s been a year. When I think back to last August when I first started at Koko, and I look at myself one year later, I’m astounded.
One year ago I remember being so tired after my three hour shift I could barely drive home. There were weeks last September I was wondering if I would have the energy to work even a mere 15 hours a week and doubted whether or not I could keep this job. Do you know what I did today? I worked 11 hours, across two clubs, closed at 7:15, did TWO cardios and a full strength workout, and spent 20 minutes doing yoga stretches. I left the Dennis club at 8:40 and arrived home at 9:10. (This is due to losing a key person and for a few weeks we all need to pitch in until we can get some new hires up and running, so if I fall off the grid for a bit, you know why.) From where I was one year ago, this is an amazing feat.
I like anniversaries if they show progress. This anniversary definitely showed progress. One year later I have more stamina and energy than I had 20 years ago at 41. At 41 I was in bed by 8:30 pm. Now, even after an 11 hour day I’m watching the news and writing this post. I’d say that’s progress.
Never, ever, accept age as an excuse for slowing down and taking it easy. Find something that fuels your passion. Yesterday I was telling a friend how every July I was so anxious to get beck into my classroom that one sumner I climbed in the window because the hall floors were being waxed. She replied that was going above and beyond. Then she said something that struck me. This young girl, in her early 20’s, with her whole life stretching before her, remarked, “I hope someday I could love something that much.” Her remark struck a chord with me because I can’t ever remember a time in my life when I lived without passion like that for something. When I was nine it was building a fort in a tree or putting hand brakes on my regular bicycle. When I was 15 it was doing backflips and being a cheerleader. When I was 20 it was learning to teach children to read and write. And the rest of my decades were fueled not only by the teaching passion, but by the passion to be a good wife and mother. Looking back, it was all about the passion.
No matter what stage of life you are in, it is what you care about deeply that gives you your energy. Forget your age. Fuel your passion. Your energy will skyrocket and you will accomplish things you never dreamed were possible. Gravitate to what pulls you.
And so, as another day goes by, I’d better end this post and get to bed because tomorrow I have to open the Dennis club at 8 am, work until 12 and then head to Truro to meet with the author I’m illustrating the next book for. Passion, it’s where I get my energy, and…I have written.
August 19th, 2014 My husband and kids would say that I’m just about the best value shopper they know. 90% of what I buy I never pay full price for. Yet, there are times when the thing you need will not be on sale, and you have to have a really good one to do the job. This is the time to be creative.
Yesterday I set out to buy a floor lamp for my art desk. I knew I wanted an Ottlite, and I knew they had them in Michael’s. In my head I figured I was going to spend about $50 for it. I don’t know what planet I was on because when I got there I found it was $199. But it was exactly what I needed..okay, I bit the bullet and bought it. Driving home I stopped to the AT&T store to do something about my $300 a month cell phone bill. They were able to change my plan and bring my price down to $142 a month. So….since I saved $150 on this month’s cell bill, my lamp really did only cost me $50, right? That’s creative shopping.
An Ottlite is really the only answer because my desk is now in my yoga room turned art studio and there is very little natural light in there and I really want to be able to work at night. For the price, this light allows me to see true colors and does it without heat. Perfect. Buying a lamp of that caliber today made me realize that I am getting serious about the illustrating. Illustrating is not just making pretty pictures. By taking on the responsibility of illustrating someone’s work, you agree to hold and nurture their “baby”‘ for the better part of a year, participating in its growth and you need the right tools to make that happen. Last week I moved my desk and set up a serious work space – a studio, as I like to call it – with all my tools and supplies at my finger tips. No more sprawling out on the kitchen island and searching the house for a certain tool or art material because I forgot where I put it.
Serious workspace:
Sitting down to work on my next project yesterday felt different. It felt real. It felt serious in a new way. Do you have a thing you always wanted to pursue? The best way to begin is to put yourself in that setting. Get the tools or supplies you need. Imagine yourself doing it. Then, little by little, your passion is fueled and it begins to happen.
And so, as another day goes by, doing something that makes you and others happy is a deep well of energy, and…I have written. (And yes, Diane , I have done my art today!)
First quick sketch under my new lamp – meet my latest “babies”, Alistar and Octavia:
August 17th, 2014 
Of course I will. Never did I meet a quote that I could let stand alone. When this one flashed across my newsfeed this morning I thought Hmm…what a novel idea…duh. Of course you’re going to find yourself in a new place if you do something you’ve never done. What a great motivator to take that leap and do that thing you’ve been contemplating. It doesn’t have to be big. It could be something as small as opening that twitter account you’ve been so hesitant of doing. Or it could be taking that step and retiring. Or it could be fixing up your resume and taking that first step toward finding a new job. It could even be walking a different route on your daily walk. Point is, something new begets something new.
For me, personally, it’s this illustrating thing. The more I try to write, the more illustrating work comes my way. I’m currently working on a picture book for a lady from Minnesota who is a relatively new writer, but I fell in love with her story and I’m willing to act as editor, too. Children’s illustrator Jeff Pinkney said in an interview I read in response to the question of what advice would you give to a new, shy illustrator just starting out, “Choose each project because there is something in it that speaks to you in a personal way and sparks creative thinking.” I hung that quote in my work area and that is my compass for choosing new projects. Then yesterday (see What A Find for back story) I get a message from my rocker/writer friend. She was so excited to find I was a children’s author/illustrator because she is working on a children’s and teen’s book of poetry and wanted to know if I’d be interested in illustrating it.
By doing something new – something I’d never in a million years ever planned to do, I’m going new places and meeting new people everyday. Along with this comes new personal and professional growth as a result of not shying away, despite the fear doing something new can bring.
And so, as another day goes by, it’s time to leave my chair and go out there and try something new today, and…I have written.
August 16th, 2014 I love mornings. News on the telly playing low in the background, sitting in my recliner next to my open back door, iPad on my lap with a hot cup of good coffee within easy reach completes the picture. I tend to my email and browse the Facebook newsfeed. After awhile, feeling all is okay with the world, I’m ready to leave my chair and begin my day. Not having to be somewhere at eight o’clock is perhaps the greatest gift of retirement.
Next I climb the stairs to get ready for one of my many missions of the day. Already my mind is spinning, putting my mental to do list in a proper order to save both gas and steps. It right here I pause. I remember that I must calm the jabber of my brain before it gets overwhelming. I sit with God for a few minutes. I begin with my tiny prayer of Jabez that starts with “Lord, bless me indeed.” A sense of instant peace comes with that verse. I am once again reminded that in order to accomplish what is set before me each day, I must tend to my needs first, so I can go out and be strong for others. Then I take time to ask for blessings for those I love. Lastly I stand before God and “drop everything” and tell Him to direct my day and give me the courage, wisdom, strength and energy to do whatever He sets before me.
These small moments end with peace. I’m not in charge. I cannot change the world. I can’t change people. I can only control my own thoughts and actions. It is here all anxiety disappears and I bask in the rest of God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.
And so, as another day goes by, if I begin my day by resting in God, I go forth with a sound mind, and …I have written.
August 15th, 2014 Some years ago I became acquainted with a rock musician from LA. She needed a place to stay while playing a gig here in Boston. We corresponded back and forth, but then the gig didn’t happen. We lost touch, but I kept following her musical career on Facebook. Since then she’s made two CD’s and does quite well on the west coast music circuit. Today I found out something amazing about her. I came across this on my newsfeed:
What? This looks like a blog, or a story of some sort. Low and behold it’s the fourth chapter of a novel. I went back and started at chapter 1 and by the time I was through chapter 4 I was hooked. I feel like I am witnessing the birth of new writer. It’s eloquently written and the story line keeps you moving and wanting more. Then! The way she ended chapter 4 made me sign into blogger and sign up to follow her because I don’t want to miss a chapter. This has all the makings of a great book.
And so, as another day goes by, meet my friend, writer/rocker VK Lynne by clicking the link below, and…I have written.
Enjoy!
Even Solomon
August 14th, 2014 The birthday tide has washed over me with its warm wishes and fun activities and the first day of being 61 is now upon me. My day started with news on opposite ends of the spectrum. First, a birthday card from a long lost friend lifting me up, then news of a very good high school friend’s recent passing, making me very sad.
Happy and sad. Good and bad. Success and failure. These are not just opposites, they are the way of life. These, and many more opposites, will come our way everyday. In every 24 hour period we will ride both highs and lows, and spend a lot of time sitting on an even keel. What decides how we view these highs and lows? What decides if we are a glass half full or a glass half empty person? We do. We get to choose which path we want to follow. If we choose to be a victim of circumstances and fixate on our failures that is where we will remain – wallowing in the “poor me” pool. Conversely, if we choose to view our failures as stepping stones to success we will climb out of the pool and head back up the ladder for yet another dive.
This morning I came across a great blog post about dealing with failure. The author took a very in-depth look at the power that failure can have over us and what to do to rise up and exercise our own power of choice and move past it. This particular post came to me at the right time – as I believe all writing does. Every piece of prose and poetry is written to be read by a certain person at a certain time. This was again true for me today. I was at a crossroads in my own writing and have made a choice after my experience at the writers conference over the weekend. Having since made the choice, fear of failure inevitably begins to seep in. This blog post was just what I needed. If you, too, are finding yourself in a place where the fear of failure is trying to have power over you, check out the link to this post below. Here is just one little excerpt:
~ James Chartrand
Can you imagine? Check out the link below and begin writing YOUR story today.
And so, as the first day of my sixty-first year goes by, I’m going to begin my story by moving my art desk to a new place, continue to seek out advice and read the works of people living the type of success I’d like to have, look instead to the needs of others and practice finding ways to lend a hand, and, with that, I have written.
Check out this post:
How Failure Keeps Writers From Producing Their Best Work
August 13th, 2014 Birthdays, as birthdays go for most people, are not something we like to discuss unless you’re in grade school or about to be able to get a driver’s license or be allowed to drink legally. After that birthdays are not well-received. The first feared birthday is the 30th one. This one leaves childhood far behind and signifies real adulthood. (Pop song chorus – “Don’t go cryin’ to your mama ’cause you’re on your own” Ain’t It Fun ~ Paramore). By the 40th you have your own kids and are too busy worrying about their birthdays. The 50th makes you stop and realize just how fast time flies. The 60th is the one where you begin to realize growing old is a reality and now is the time to invest in health and exercise (you think you really should’ve thought of this twenty years ago).
I never minded my birthdays as much as most people do. Each decade held new and fascinating periods of life. Today I turned 61 and driving home at the end of the day the thought crossing my mind was It was such fun turning 61 today!. It was fun because I work in a fabulous place surrounded by wonderful, lively, positive people who boost the energy a 61 year old covets. Today my members and co-workers made my day super fun with cards, warm wishes and hugs . We were also doing the “bucket challenge” for ALS that’s sweeping the internet. I knew this challenge of dumping ice-water over my head wasn’t going to escape me for long, and sure enough I was called to do it on my birthday. Another fun thing to begin my new decade with. See? Each decade holds new things. I wonder what they’ll think of in these next ten years. Check us out at the Mashpee club:
The one speaking is Melissa my dear friend and fellow fit-coach. The one putting the ice in our buckets is our manager, Rob. He manages all 5 Koko FitClubs on Cape Cod. He’s a great guy and not only a wonderful manager, but an awesome dad to his little girls. The other three people are just a small example of our wonderful members we work with everyday.
A Bucket For My Birthday
The best thing was Koko donated $10 for every person that showed up today. This challenge is only for ALS awareness and no money is required to participate, but the members gave me money all day long to donate anyway.
I ended the day by getting my nails done, then returning to the club to workout. I left the parking lot about 6pm feeling blessed and lucky to be 61 and be able to do all I did today.
Once home, I relaxed with a Panera salad and the cookie they gave me for my special day. I found a lovely card from my friend of more than 40 years in the mail. Thank you, Karen. Then I sat reading all 104 Facebook wishes. Thank you all for your lovely messages – each one of you makes my life joyful. A special thank you to my daughter Erin for the picture collage of my life she created and posted. I love it! Then my husband texted me and promised a celebration this weekend when he gets home. And to think some felt sorry that I was alone on my birthday because he is away all week. That just means my birthday lasts until Monday! Lol!
And so, as another birthday goes by, here I sit, loving my life, and knowing it is what it is because of all of you, my dear family and friends, thank you for being you, and…I have written.
PS – Brandon you better be filling three buckets and have your parents out on that deck tomorrow! I’ll be looking for the video!!!!!
Appreciate what you have before time teaches you to appreciate what you had. ~ Unknown
August 12th, 2014 On a day when the news about Robin Williams saddens me, I feel the need to share something lively and positive. RIP Robin Williams – because you were always so funny and made me laugh like no other – but you also found a way to bring the serious things to the surface, too.
A few weeks ago a fun little song came on the car radio. (Yes, I listen to my local cape radio, WQRC, while driving because it’s the only way I keep up with new music – and it tells me why the cape highway is a parking lot). The chorus of the song, as well as the artist’s unique voice caused me to turn up the volume and listen to the words. I loved it all. It was a song about girls being happy with their body image. Such an important message on a day when we are all thinking about what depression can lead to.
The next time it came on I was on my way to Boston. Again, I turned up the volume. This time I caught the artists name. Meghan Trainor. On the train into the city I googled her. I was amazed to find out she grew up on Nantucket and her family moved to Cape Cod so she could go to high school here. They built her a recording studio in their home. Right out of high school at 18 she was signed to Yellow Big Dog Records to write songs for the likes of Rihanna and Rascal Flatts. “All About That Bass” – now with Epic – is the first time her producers allowed her to sing her own creation. So far she’s been on The Today Show and Michael & Kelly. Not bad for a Cape Cod girl.
Check out Meghan Trainor – All About That Bass and listen to a fun song with a great message for all of us women and girls! My favorite part is when she steps it up in the middle. See if you can find it.
And so, as another day goes by, on a sad day, it’s time to turn up volume and sing along, and…I have written.
August 11th, 2014 The day after retuning from a weekend writer’s conference I find my inbox full of invitations to connect with the wonderful people I interacted with throughout the weekend. While this is wonderful, it also causes a tiny bit of fear – as in Oh dear, I’ve been slacking in my social media obligations and I haven’t updated those profiles in years, so today was the day. I spent the morning not walking the beach as I intended, letting the inspiration from the conference take hold, but sitting at the computer rebuilding an ancient LinkedIn profile that didn’t even contain a profile photo.
Why do I let these things get out of hand? Because I hate social media just as much as you do. By “hate” I don’t mean I dislike spending time reading all the recent news about my friends and family. I do. In fact, my morning coffee time is spent browsing my Facebook newsfeed. I really do like knowing what’s going on with both personal and professional connections. What I DO mean about “hate” is the time it takes to learn to use each platform quickly and efficiently. I literally just spent two hours updating LinkedIn and trying to figure out how to thank two people for retweeting and favoriting yesterday’s blog post. And I couldn’t figure that out so thanks Jim Hill and Devon Ellington .
When you spend three days at a writer’s conference you are told over and over how important social media is to promote your work. As a beginning writer I thought I had years to worry about building a network and what they call a “platform”. Not so. Now, for a writer, the time to start building this platform is two years before you even write your first word. At first I was taken aback by this concept. Over the weekend I’ve come to adjust my perspective. If you are a beginning writer – or a beginning anything – what better way to establish belief in yourself than to begin to build your audience two years before you even accomplish anything.
The network you build is your greatest teacher. Watching people you idolize do what they do keeps you focused on your goal and constantly fuels your passion. Also when you get stuck you have a plethora of help just a message away. So if you’re like me and “hate” the time and effort it takes to build your social media platform and tend it like a garden, try adjusting your perspective.
And so, as another day goes by, sometimes putting a new frame around an old picture creates an enhanced portrait, and…I have written.
August 10th, 2014 Once again it was time for the Cape Cod Writers Annual conference. Instead of a week long camp this year it was reduced to a long weekend to give working people a chance to take more courses.
This was my first year not taking a course. This year I chose to spend my money on discussing my work with a prominent literary agent whose trained eye showed me just what I need to do to improve my work. The picture book I brought her carried such emotion – pent up for three years – that after sharing it with her I felt a tremendous weight lift off of my heart. A weight that, unbeknownst to me, was keeping me from going any further in my own writing.
I paid for 30 minutes with her, but she spent over 60 with me. We had a great discussion and I walked away feeling better about my writing than I have in the five years I’ve been doing it. We just clicked and I knew I could work with this woman should the day ever come that I produce that quality of work.
When I arrived home late that evening an Amazon package was waiting in the mailbox. Excitement brewed. I ordered a picture book that I just fell in love with. It’s called Bear Has A Story To Tell by Phillip C. Stead, illustrated by his wife, Erin Stead. I was able to read only the first few pages on Amazon so I didn’t know the end to the story. I ordered it because the illustrations were done in pencil and crushed pastels. They were beautiful and the technique intrigued me. I opened the package, and as tired as I was at 10:45 pm, I immediately read the story. Then I was truly in love. I hugged the book and wanted to carry it around like a five-year-old.
I took it with me to camp the next day. I read it to all my friends. When my mentor-agent came into the bookstore, (I work in the conference bookstore), I showed it to her and asked if she knew the book. She said, “Oh yeah, I do know THAT book.” I told her she inspired me and THIS is the kind of books I want to write. She replied, “Linda, if you write THAT kind of book, Rosemary Stimola is going to come running with lights flashing!”
I accepted the challenge. And just like that I felt like a chapter was closed and put to bed and I have new path, with clearer direction than I ever had in my writing.
Other conference moments included pulling out a copy of Through The Widow’s Window by Linda E. Williams, the book I did the cover for, (see left) and hearing Rosemary say, “Wow. I didn’t know you were such an accomplished illustrator.” Ok, that comment sent me on an immediate high coming from the likes of her.
The next big moment came today when Linda, the author of the book, came and told me literary agent Marilyn Allen took the book! Whoa. A major agent took our self-published book. Unheard of. We don’t know what will come of it, but both of us are happy and full-filled that our work meant something.
There were many little moments at the conference that made my spirit soar. People were picking up the book because of its cover. We sold out and had to replenish our supply. I was also asked to sign two copies. My first ever book signings! Lol! All in all, it was the best year at summer camp yet – and I didn’t even take a course.
And so, as another Cape Cod Writers Center Annual Conference goes by, I leave with a new path and a huge challenge set before me, and…I have written.
Check out my goal:
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