So I've done a bad thing--I've let myself slide all week long ...

I find that I work better under pressure. After all, I managed to crank out the last 4,000 words to get me over the NANO 50,000 word mark on Monday. But since then, I have done a whole bunch of nothing.

At night when I reflect back on my day, I wonder what I did. I can honestly say that from Tuesday through Friday, I haven't been productive in any way. I've played computer games, surfed the Web, piled more junk up on the tables in my office. It's not good.

I decided this morning that I have to do something substantial today so that when I go to sleep tonight I can feel like I didn't spend hours merely consuming air, food and water. I am going to accomplish great things!

There is never a shortage of things to do, and I feel so much better when I can say I completed tasks that moved my life forward.

Here I go--I'm on my way to a great day!

Hard to believe it's almost the end of November--and the end of NANO!

I fell woefully behind last week because of some family medical emergencies. So I took my current word count, figured out how far away from 50,000 words I was. Then I counted the number of days left in November. By doing some simple math, I figured out that I had to write 2,834 words a day to get to my goal. So far, it's worked, and there are only 2 days left.

I am looking forward to December 1. It will be a glorious day in my life!

But I will also rejoice because I overcame some curveballs and with perseverance, will once again reach my goal.

I do vow to continue to work on my novel every day until it's done. My new goal is to complete the horrible thing we call a rough draft by December 31. I don't want to lose the momentum I've built, and I want to start 2010 with another piece that I can work and polish so I have another manuscript ready to send out.

The difference is the pressure won't be the same. I'll have to finish under my own self-imposed rules.

I'll let you know how it goes ...

The stress of feeling behind all the time can be overwhelming.

I always have a plan, a tight schedule, that I try to follow. It helps if I map out my day by the hour, so I can stay on track. I love being able to cross off each hour because I feel a sense of accomplishment. But sometimes I have to be flexible in my rigid schedule, and that throws me off.

Sometimes, life gets in the way.

I was right on target with my NANO word count, and the unexpected happened. Last Monday, my mom fell and broke her hip. We live in a small town, so the ambulance had to take her to a hospital that is 55 miles away. I tried to keep up with the 1,667 words a day. I tried to work with a new client. I tried to stay on top of my coaching program assignment. But my life fell apart this week and I am woefully behind.

I realized that all my good intentions don't matter when it comes to some things, like family. There will be long hours for the rest of the month as I type as fast as I can to reach 50,000 words. There will be other clients. And I might turn in my assignment late, but it will get done.

Family trumps all, and I know that somehow, my life will fall back into place and I'll be a stronger, better person when the dust settles.

I'll keep reminding myself : inch by inch it's a cinch; yard by yard it's hard.

Yesterday was Friday the 13th.

I'm not superstitious, but there was a lot of craziness yesterday, and I didn't get much done. I vowed last weekend to stay on top of NANO to avoid getting so far behind. It was hard writing 8,000 words over two days. So you think I'd learn. But I didn't write at all yesterday. That means today, I'm looking at 3,334 words.

Life taken in small pieces is so much easier than tackling them in big chunks. Lately I've been chanting over and over, "inch by inch it's a cinch; yard by yard it's hard". My to-do list is overwhelming, so I break it down: an hour for this task, an hour for that task. Of course I have to be a little flexible because if I'm on a writing roll, I don't want to stop on the hour. I let my muse go and then try not to stress out because I'm off schedule.

So a few hours set aside today for NANO, and I'll be back on track. I'll chip away at the other things that need to be done as well and see what I can accomplish. By the time I hit my bed tonight, I should be content in knowing I did my best.

I'm behind and I hate it.

I love NaNoWriMo, a whole month of getting a great start on a new novel. It's exciting, it's invigorating . . . and it's frustrating. I don't know who I'm kidding, but I was really sure my book was going to erupt from me and the words would just fall out on the screen. I know a lot of details about my book. I know the beginning, the middle and the end. I know the characters, the theme, and the subplots. It's all in my head, churning and eager to get out.

So what's the problem? I haven't really gotten started yet, and I should be at 10,000 words today. I am great at making excuses.

On Monday, we had to go get two cords of wood. It takes about seven hours and it's hard work. So I decided I was too tired to sit down and knock out a page or two.

Then Tuesday, I taught at the high school until 1:10 p.m. and had an appointment to donate blood after. Even though I was home before 3:00, I didn't open what I'd started on Sunday because I didn't think I was in the right frame of mind. Besides, I had my watercolor class at 7:00 and had to get the family fed before 6:30 so I could go.

Wednesday I did everything that didn't get done on Monday and Tuesday.

On Thursday, I went to Salt Lake and got home at 4:30. I turned on my computer, read my email, played a few games, then decided it was more important to watch Bones than write.

Today, I realized this great book inside of me is going to stay locked up unless I sit down and get serious. So what did I do? I did all the laundry I could find. I worked out--twice. I skimmed two magazines. Then I finally opened up my document and started reading what I'd written.

It was nice. It flowed. It wasn't half bad. I rolled up my sleeves and wrote. I am to 3,000 words now, still a long way from where I should be, but I wrote. And I will write tomorrow and the next day and the next until November 30 when at least 50,000 words are down.

To outline or not to outline?

That's a question I've struggled with many times. The first year I participated in NANO in 2007, I wrote a very detailed outline using the book First Draft in 30 Days. I found my book easy to write because I knew exactly where I was going each day and I didn't stray from the course at all. I love my characters and where it ended, but I haven't gone back to that manuscript to revise and edit, and to see if I still love it.

In my second year of NANO in 2008, I had an idea floating around in my brain. I sort of knew who my characters were, the setting, the plot. I went forward with my half-baked (more like quarter-baked) idea and my characters grew through the story. I thought I knew where the book would end up, but it took a surprising turn in the middle--one that I went with even though I didn't know where it was going. The end result? A book I love, characters I love, and so far, 16 rejection letters from agents. But it is a book I am willing to put out there because I love it that much.

The new year of NANO starts on Sunday. I've been toying with an idea since last spring, and it has been percolating for a long time--at least long by my standards. I'm going middle of the road this time: I wrote a summary that is nine pages long and like it so far. We'll see how the 30 days of November goes with this novel writing method.

I have no doubt I'll make my 50,000 word goal as I have the past two years. I love this challenge and hope to create a new manuscript that I'll love and want to market!

Yesterday my husband and I went to cut wood. We found a huge grove of standing dead trees we could take. As we worked, I thought about how many people cut their own wood and how long the forest can sustain the loss of trees.

But my husband pointed out that we are contributing to the ecosystem by taking out the dead wood. We're making way for new growth and limiting the spread of forest fires since the dead trees burn faster.

Applying this to my own life, I considered all the dead wood I carry around: grudges, dislike, opinions, beliefs, prejudices, biases. If I take the time to clean out my forest, I can make way for renewal and growth.

And isn't that what life is all about?

I got my first rejection letter already for my book. It's okay though. The way I look at it is this: I wouldn't have gotten the rejection letter if I hadn't sent the query, synopsis and sample chapters out to begin with.

Admittedly, it's been a while since I've sent any writing out, so it's been a while since I've gotten a rejection letter. And maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones who got a yes on the first story I ever sent to a magazine, and on the second and third one as well. I have a fairly decent track record when it comes to acceptances vs. rejections, but I'm bracing myself for more rejections as I try to find an agent for my book.

Rejection is a part of life--not always to be taken lightly, but not always to be taken so seriously either. Yes, I have my heart set on finding a publisher and seeing my book on bookstore shelves. Yes, I have my heart set on writing more novels and seeing my BOOKS on bookstore shelves. It all has to start somewhere, and by my estimation, a rejection letter is a fine place to begin.

There is a great service that every writer should know about. It's called Writer's Relief.

The Writer's Relief newsletters are full of great information, writing tips, and punctuation and grammar primers. I learn something with every issue, and appreciate their humor as well. I somehow managed to win their a la carte service with a silly little poem I wrote for their 15th anniversary. With the a la carte service, Writer's Relief will target markets for your writing, and send address labels so you can submit your stories, poems or novel.

This kicked my writing into high gear! I finished and polished my novel, and completed the Writer's Relief form. A short time later, I received address labels for 29 literary agents. I rewrote my synopsis, wrote a query letter, and polished the first 3 chapters of my book.

I'm proud to say that I went to the post office this morning and mailed off 29 envelopes with my fingers crossed that one agent will want to see the full manuscript. Writer's Relief does say that it generally takes 100 submissions before you get a "yes", but I'm hopeful that it will only take 29. We'll see how it goes!

The point is, Writer's Relief made this part of my work so simple. I can't begin to imagine how many hours of studying the markets they saved me. Without a doubt, I will use their services again, and I hope that you'll check them out as well!

Yesterday I did squats and lunges for the first time in months. Boy do I feel it today!

I thought about how much I dislike squats and lunges because they are painful. Because I know the feeling, I tend to avoid them.

I realized I do the same thing with other aspects of my life. I avoid doing the things I don't want to do for whatever reason I don't want to do it. There's nothing wrong with that approach I suppose, if I don't want to grow.

Sometimes I hold myself back in my writing because I think it's silly or stupid or I think I'd be embarrassed to have my family read it. I found though, with the last story I wrote, that if I let myself go for it, I have something really good. Some people might not agree with me, and they may not enjoy it, but I can't please everyone all the time. I have to let go of the self-editing, and put what I feel or what my character would feel, down on paper. If someone wants to be critical about it, so be it.

I can't avoid topics because I fear people talking about me behind my back, or shunning me because I wrote something they think is inappropriate. I have to be who I am and who my characters are. I have to be true to myself.

My husband and I almost finished packing up my mom and dad's house yesterday. There is so much stuff--a lot of it is junk that has accumulated over the past 43 years.

They didn't throw anything away. I found their tax returns and canceled checks with receipts all the way back to 1965. Either the shredder is going to have to work overtime, or we're going to have a big bonfire!

They kept empty pill bottles. They kept the green foam out of flower arrangements. They kept boxes that people sent things in.

But they also kept some gems. I found an old trunk with silk quilts my grandma made. Old photographs of people I don't know. Old 78 records. Old cameras. Old dolls. Old coins. Old sewing machines. Things that are absolutely priceless.

I look around my house at the things I keep and wonder why I have them. I'm not much of a pack rat--when something has lost its usefulness, it goes in the trash. But I realize that what is important to my parents, may not be important to me. And what is important to me, may not be important to my husband.

My mom and dad are having a great time seeing all these things they've forgotten about, and remembering old friends and other events in their lives.

Life isn't always about throwing away the old for the new.

I've been reading up on how to write a synopsis because I need to get one done for my almost complete novel. The problem is, I'm scared to write it! Every website I've looked at has called it the "dreaded synopsis" in some form or another. I keep reading about how difficult it is to write and how painful the process is.

If I have to start from an attitude like that, of course I'm worried. But in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that I've written the whole book, so how hard can it be to boil it down to mere pages?

I finally discovered Lisa Gardner. Her website is fantastic, and I am not so intimidated by the synopsis any longer. She has an entire course about synopsis writing on her site, and she's even posted a few examples. What I've learned is, I need to go through my book, chapter by chapter and find the plot points and turning points. If I can do that, the synopsis should write itself.

Of course I have to obey all the rules, such as writing in present tense and giving away the ending. But I can conquer this scary beast. All I had to do was filter through all the information and find someone who could help me.

Yes, there is a lot of information out there. And because each of us learns differently and absorbs things differently, the variety is good.

The Pocatello Half Marathon was terrific! The goal has always been to have 1,000 runners across all the running events, and this year, in the 10th anniversary, they made it! 1,044 people signed up. Unfortunately, the original race director died 5 weeks before the race. But as my mom said, he was up above with the best seat in the house.

I did a good job of pacing myself. I let everyone else take off, then picked them off over 13 miles. I ran a nice race, and never wore myself out. If I had picked up the pace a little at the end, I may have ended up in 2nd place instead of 3rd place, but I felt fantastic after!

And I made a new friend. Her name is Bridget Simpson, and she's from Tennessee. Her goal is to run a race in all 50 states, so she carefully chooses her races. She looks for the ones where she'll get a finisher's medal, something to show for her efforts. Pocatello was number 31. What an awesome goal! And she took first place in the Master's division in the 10k. She's an inspiration.

Because I felt so good last weekend, I'm going to take on another half marathon tomorrow. This one should be much more interesting. It doesn't start until 10:10, so the weather could be a big factor. It is a loop course, so I have to run around 4 times plus a little tiny bit at the end. And I got stung by a bee on the top of my right foot, so it's all swollen. Why not add another challenge, right? Like I told someone else, it's all mind over matter!

As summer winds down, and the days get cooler and shorter, I know my running days are numbered for this year. But I will run every day I can--mind over matter!

It's been a busy, hectic week!

I've been looking at my to-do lists since Monday and see that very few things have been marked off as being done. Sometimes when the unexpected happens and there is a shift in priorities, I have to take a deep breath and tell myself it's okay. There are a lot of phone calls that I haven't made. There is a lot of writing I haven't done. There are a lot of emails that haven't been answered.

But my family is more important than these other little tasks that I feel I have to do. I'd rather spend time with my mom and dad because that time is starting to wind down. I'd have a hard time forgiving myself if I let other things take precedence over their lives. Sure it stresses me out sometimes, but I don't want to look back and wish I had another day or another hour with them.

Sometimes I think people forget that life is limited. We rush here and there and over-schedule our days. For what? To get a raise or a bonus? To move up the ladder? To impress people who shouldn't matter as much as our family?

No. I'm going to put first things first and if I miss an opportunity, so be it.

My mom fell and broke her leg on Sunday. I know it's not a good thing to be 78 and have a broken femur, but if nothing else, it has brought the family together.

All the family on both sides who live in Utah, have come to visit. I haven't seen a lot of my aunts and uncles and cousins in years. Although the situation wasn't ideal for a get together, it was nice to catch up on what's going on. Most of my aunts and uncles talked about their ailments, prescriptions and doctors. My cousins talked about their jobs, kids, and hobbies. We all connected, and I forgot how much I miss my extended family. We were so close at one time, but life has taken over. We've become too busy to keep in touch. We've all gone our own direction. We've all changed our priorities.

We agreed we need to get together again, under better circumstances. We say that, but whether or not it happens, only time will tell.

I sure hope the next time I see them isn't at a funeral for one of us!

There isn't much time left before my half marathon. And because I lost a month of training thanks to my fractured toe, I realized I needed to ramp up the runs. I knew I could run 9.5 miles, and that would probably be good enough to get me through. But I don't want to just make it through my race. I want to feel okay after.

So last Saturday, I left the house and started running toward town. When I got to one particularly lonely stretch of road, I called my husband and told him to get in the car to come get me. I said I didn't think I'd get all the way into town before he reached me, but that was okay because I was tired.

I kept running and was shooting for a big group of trees off in the horizon. I looked at the ground and started counting footsteps to make the time pass. As I ran, I kept hoping my husband would come up behind me and rescue me. But when I got to the trees, I looked ahead and saw it went downhill . My spirits were lifted and I flew down the hill all the way into town.

I ran 14 miles that day. But I had to push myself past the mindset that I couldn't do it. I wonder what I would have done if I got to the trees and it was uphill?

Last week I failed to write. And the reason is really stupid--I didn't think I had anything to say.

Everyone who knows me knows I never run short on commentary. But what I did, was convince myself there was nothing to write about. I put up a fence in my mind that I couldn't get over, under or through. I let myself believe I was meant to be silent.

I thought about this when I watched my Rottweiler, Sami, walking through the living room. He can walk around the ottoman going one direction, but not the other. For whatever reason, he decided the floor is scary in one spot.

I usually push my way through the scary spots in life, and so far it's worked out well. I rarely believe I can't do something. But last week, I fought my muse and I won. It wasn't a victory--it was defeat by the mind.

Isn't it amazing how we learn things and sometimes have to unlearn them to move forward in a different direction?

For example, I was practicing a sales call on the phone, and jumped right into the nuts and bolts of the call. I had to stop and start over because I wasn't creating rapport. I've never had to do the nice touchy feely chit chat before. It's so different, but so vital to my new career.

I'm having to transform myself in a lot of ways. I have to bite my tongue. I have to know that my customer is always right. I have to play nice in the sandbox. In my previous life as an attorney, those things weren't mandatory.

But it's good for me to step out and have a whole new perspective. I think it's going to make me grow in many ways and make me a better person.

I was thinking the other day about how my problems seem enormous and sometimes they overwhelm me.

Then I hear a news report that says 1 in every 8 people go hungry. And I read about people who can't find work and their unemployment has run out. Then there are those who lost their home. And those who go to great extremes at great risk to provide for their families.

Every time I think my life is bad, I need to stop and take a look around at true suffering of others.

I am incredibly blessed.

So many things have happened over the past week, it's crazy!

First, I lost out on both jobs. BUT, I am now in coaching and feeling pretty good about it. I think I'm taking a huge step forward, even though it's setting me way back monetarily. I have to be positive and believe that what I'm doing is going to pay me back thousands-fold! It's scary to walk into a new venture with peer critiques, but I've got to take that leap of faith and know I can.

I did get some great news--the Pocatello Arts Council is going to engrave my poem on a paver and embed it in the sidewalk in Historic Old Town. I'm really excited! It's like having my own "star" on the Walk of Fame. I am thrilled about it!

I'm steadily making progress on the edits of my novel. I've got to get some help to make sure I've got facts correct. But I did set a date of July 31 to have the editing done, so I've got to get moving.

Karate was a blast last night. We're making progress there too! I like learning the moves, but actual combat with someone else is a different story. We were practicing blocking, and I didn't do so well. But practice makes perfect, and practice is what I need.

Hopefully next week will be great too! I really need to be patient and learn and perfect my skills. It is all going to pay off in the end!

It's been a great week . . .

I tried going for a little run to see how my toe felt even though it's still bigger than a sausage. It was a great 2 miles. I felt free, I felt happy, I felt alive. Then I paid the price. My foot is in a little more pain, and the dogs keep stepping on it. But this too shall pass and I'll be back on the road.

I had a fun interview then lunch with two fantastic friends. When did interviews ever become fun? If nothing else, it was a great experience. I love answering questions on the fly. I also found out I'm in the running for another job that would be the greatest opportunity I've ever had in my professional life. And another thing that made me smile--I got a new writing assignment from a client I absolutely love.

Like I said, it's been a great week!

My husband and I did a triathlon last Saturday. I was worried he would come in dead last, which he did, but I came in next to last only because he pushed me over the finish line before him.

I thought I could swim 1/4 mile with no problem. I got halfway out and caught a jet ski ride back. I didn't dare to put my face into the water because it was really dirty, and I couldn't swim in a straight line on my back. My legs got tired too, and I can see how easy it would be to drown. Water is powerful.

I thought about how easy it is to drown outside of water. Too many bills, too many activities pulling us in every direction, too many stressors that take over. Pretty soon, we don't control our own lives, but let our circumstances control us. I don't like living like that, and I don't want to drown.

It's hard to put ourselves first when so many other things seem more important. But just like the flight attendants tell you, put your own oxygen mask on first before you help anyone else because if you become incapacitated, you're no good to anyone.

This past week, I scheduled "me" time into my days. No, it's not time I devote to other activities such as my workouts. It's time I can just sit and play Solitaire or read or watch television--whatever suits my fancy. The first day I thought I was wasting time, but by the third day, I realized I like having 30 minutes to goof off.

I'm not going to drown. How about you?

I don't know if it's just me, but I'm not feeling like my usual chipper self. In fact, some days this past week, I've felt downright rotten! My husband seems to think we need a vacation, but I don't think that's it at all. What I need is a confidence boost.

When things don't seem to come together for me, I stress out. Then I feel like I'm worthless. Then I dig myself a hole. I know I have 2 choices: dig deeper or get out. Of course, getting out is advisable, but it's not always easy.

For example, I've been reading a book to help me revise the rough draft of my novel. I keep wondering how people have published 48 books, or even 4 books for that matter. I'm not a slug, but I wonder if I'm missing something here. I can't even seem to get one book out the door to agents, let alone think about writing any more. So it depresses me.

I keep telling myself that I need to revise one word at a time, one sentence at a time. And I need to keep writing. It will all come together eventually!

I went on an 8 mile run on Wednesday. It's amazing what the body can do! My route takes me out the door and down to the reservoir and back home. Of course, going down is the easy part. All along the first 4 miles, I remind myself that what goes down must go back up.

I thought about how it relates to life. When things seem so right and perfect, I know that something is going to come along to challenge me. Right now I'm in an uphill battle, trying to find clients. I know that one day in the near future, I'll look back and laugh at my current situation, as I have done so many times before.

Stay the course, be strong, be persistent, be patient. I'm looking forward to the downhill when I crest this one!

The rain and hail has been crazy this past week! I'm kind of a fair weather runner, so I've not been faithful to my running shoes lately. It's not that I don't like running in the rain, but I worry more about cars coming down the road and slipping and sliding in the mud.

I was sure our garden drowned. Today we had a little break in the weather, so we went to investigate. Unbelievably there are signs of growth from most of the seeds we planted.

I thought long and hard about perseverance and the staying power necessary to succeed. Some days I feel defeated and want to give up. But I always go back to my personal motto. You see, I have this picture of a hurdle hanging on my wall with two words above and below it: Obstacles? Opportunities.

I try to remind myself that no matter how bad I think things are, there's always someone else out there who is in a worse situation. I have my health. I have my family. I have my faith. I have a house. I have food. I have clothes.

It's the difference between needs and wants.

Like those little sprouts that are hanging in there without drowning, I can turn every obstacle into a growth opportunity.

We had a family reunion at our house last Sunday, my mom's side of the family. People came from California and Utah, and we had a fully house!

The great thing about having people over is that I clean my house really well. Because I'm not a fan of cleaning, I've devised a new plan--clean a little each day. So I'll clean all the bedrooms one day, the bathrooms the second day, the kitchen the third day, the living room the fourth day, my office the fifth day, the weight room the sixth day, rest the seventh day, then start over again. My husband can clean his own office. If I do it, he'll never find anything!

Family reunions are great for other reasons, and probably more important reasons as well. We re-connect, eat great food, laugh, and have a picture-fest. Our once-a-year gathering reminds us that no matter where we are, family matters.

I'm very blessed to be surrounded by wonderful, supportive people. And as we all get older, I think we realize that coming together once a year is good for our souls. At least I know it's good for mine.

Procrastination

I am the queen of procrastination! I know I have a deadline. I know I have a zilliion things to do. But I always wait until the last minute.

Here's a great example: I enter a quilt contest every year. I get the fabric in June or July and it doesn't have to be turned in until the following May. I started my quilt in April this year. I thought I was doing good! But starting didn't mean finishing--until the last minute. I stayed up until after midnight last night, sewing like a crazy woman, then got up at 5 this morning to finish it up.

Yes, I could have done it over the weekend, but I didn't. And now I feel kind of bad because my sewing isn't very good and I keep thinking I shouldn't have turned it in because it was a little crooked.

I thrive on stress and work harder if I'm pushed up against a deadline. I know I could have a much calmer life if I wouldn't do that.

I am promising myself, right here, right now, that I will get my quilt for next year's contest done by Christmas.

Don't worry, my fingers and toes are crossed . . .

What a beautiful day to start the long Memorial Day weekend!

I took my parents to the cemetery yesterday to leave flowers on 4 graves. My paternal grandparents are buried in an old cemetery, and every year I look at the headstones of two nuns who are buried just above them. No one ever leaves flowers on their graves, and my grandparents' grave gets inundated with them.

I often wonder about the dead who never have anyone visit them. Maybe they have no family. Maybe their family is out-of-state and can't travel to visit. Maybe their family doesn't care. Does anyone even remember they were once alive? Did they not leave a footprint behind?

It gave me a chance to remind myself that what I do in my time here on earth matters. It doesn't mean I have to be famous, but just that I should do good things to touch the lives of others.

Yesterday my little pit bull got stung by something or another. He ran into the house, straight for my husband, and my husband freaked out. Poor Zeb was swelling up and had hives all over his body.

I called the vet and we got out the Benadryl. Within 20 minutes, Zeb was resting and the swelling started going down.

I started thinking about adverse reactions. I've had a few over the past few weeks, and it created some self-doubt about my ability to write. I really stressed out when I sent some articles to my newest client, convinced he was going to hate them and tell me I was no good. To my surprise, he liked them and offered me more work.

Don't get me wrong--I can take criticism. And I understand that not everyone will like my style of writing. But I can also adapt, given the chance. It's when I don't get the chance that my mind starts to work overtime, wondering what I did wrong. When someone just tells me "I don't like it" without more explanation or any further communication, I criticize myself. And we all know we're are own worst critics!

I try to learn and grow from every experience I have. But it's hard to do when I have nothing to base the adverse reaction on. What I am taking away from all this is that I need to do a better job of communicating with others when I don't like something.

I don't like to feel like a failure, and I don't want to make anyone else feel that way either.

I taught at the local high school this past week. The kids are so funny and engaging to talk to.

I participate in a program through the state bar association called Lawyers in the Classroom. Four times a year, I teach the government class, all 60 or so high school seniors. It's interesting to hear their perspective about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Human Rights and responsibilities when they turn 18. Their world is so small, especially since they've been raised in a rural community.

My hope is that I've enlarged their world a little bit, and taught them something valuable they didn't know before. They have so much living ahead of them, and so many new experiences and challenges to face.

I remember being as eager, confident and protected as they are. The world is a big place, and it's easy to get lost. I still get lost, but am appreciative of the guidance I receive along the way.

I met an incredible group of women last night. They have enthusiasm. They have vision. They have synergy.

They gave me a lot to think about in terms of my own business and life. They are all so positive and empowered and happy. I said I didn't have time for Facebook or Twitter. I've told many people that, and many people agree with me. But after last night, they've got me excited about having a community of support and friendship. I'm rethinking my whole attitude about social networking.

What I noticed most about these wonderful women, is that they truly seem to want success for everyone. As humans, we tend to be selfish and what we say isn't always what we really think. But I believe I met the most generous and genuine people who want to expand their community and bring everyone into their circle of goodness and joy and success.

They want to manifest dreams.

And I have no doubt they will.

Living Life

My friend Stuart ran the Boston Marathon last Monday. I tracked his progress and marveled at how well he did. He is an amazing runner, the kind you're jealous of because he makes it seem so effortless. And he cranks out the miles, day after day.

He was going to come to Idaho to run the Pocatello Marathon in September. I opted for the half marathon, just like last year. But I digress . . . I asked Stuart if he signed up, and he said he met someone who offered him a free place to stay in Chicago, so he's going to run Chicago in October and Athens in November.

Athens, wow.

I commented on how well-traveled he is and how I told my husband that he is the only person I know who lives life to its fullest. He's been all over the world and is so amiable, that he makes friends everywhere he goes.

His comment back? Life is too short so you just have to get out there and do what you want. He said he's poor, but happy.

He may be poor monetarily, but he's one of the richest people I know.

It's been a long, long, long week.

But, the snow is melting, and that means I can finally get out and run. I love my quiet surroundings, when all I hear are my shoes pounding the pavement, my breathing (in for two steps out for two steps), and the birds chirping.

Hopefully it will stay that way, but I know my solitude will end. The land across the road is being developed and more people bring more noise with their four-wheelers during the summer and their snowmobiles during the winter.

The deer no longer come around; the bunnies will leave too. And I'll be back to having too many neighbors.

It's a shame we can't preserve open spaces but instead litter the world with houses and pollution. I would have liked to see God's original creation before we made a mess of it.

All is well . . .

It's Good Friday, and it really is a good Friday!

It's not raining.

My rottweiler, Sami got out of the yard this morning, but we found him.

I got my first client yesterday.

I feel like nothing can go wrong in my world.

I wish the same sense of peace for people everywhere, although I know it's a big wish. This morning, I realized how small my world really is when I was out looking for Sami. Our mountain is big, and trying to find one dog, no matter his size, wasn't easy. But even our mountain is small when compared to the entire mountain range. And to the county we live in, the state, the western United States, the entire United States, the world, and all the universe.

I am but one person, one tiny part of this vast space. Putting my life into perspective like this means I have to work extra hard to make a difference.

I try to leave positive imprints on others every chance I get, but will try even harder. Who knows what a smile, a kind word, or a compliment can bring to the lives of others?