Jokers to the left of me, clowns to the right of me: reality’s call

Since I attended a writers’ retreat last month—see “The power of networking…”—a mirror image of me moves throughout each day disconnected from reality. The crux of the matter is that my mind and heart still reside in the space I created 1,527 miles away. Yet my body continues to travel on autopilot through the motions of everyday life. Like the old song lyrics go: I’m stuck in the middle… Because if I evaluate my circumstances from the outside in, I observe a 50+ woman striving to serve as a productive member of society, love her family and friends, care for her health and make a difference in her small corner of the world. But the reality is that—even so—from the inside out, I’m stuck on pause as I contemplate my next move and attempt to answer reality’s call: Is this as good as it gets? It’s in this crossroads, I’m certain, where it’ll all begin to make sense.

Are you stuck in the crossroads?

Image courtesy of tiverylucky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The power of networking: why a writers’ retreat pays off

Calling all writers and storytellers: published, non-published, pantsers or plotters and more: If you’re passionate about all things literary, and you’ve always wondered if you should attend a writers’ retreat… go. While they each tout their own merits, it’s not the XYZ annual writer’s conference or your weekly writer’s workshops or critiques I’m extolling here. Writers’ retreats are a different creature. Not only do you immerse yourself into the entire writing experience—aka you write—but, at least in my situation, I was privy to the do’s, don’ts and the how to’s of the craft presented in fresh ways. And, because retreats often limit the number of participants, you get to know your tribe intimately and practice the power of networking. Maybe it’s because I’m still riding the high from my own writers’ retreat (see “How a life-changing adventure works”). Or maybe it’s because I want to share this newfound insight with my fellow peeps. Either way, what have you got to lose?

What’s your networking “go to?”

How a life-changing adventure works

Twenty-two days after I started a three-week factory reboot, I boarded a plane for a life-changing adventure—an opportunity to practice many of the concepts I’ve been studying and writing about: setting intentions, working smarter, finding your support system and establishing a vision. It began with a three-hour flight to SeaTac, my premier ferry ride and 100 miles behind the wheel of a rental car that transported me to Washington’s Port Townsend off the Puget Sound. For four days, along with a fellow tribe of writers, I immersed myself into all-things literary—from tips and tools to hone the craft, to one-on-ones with our host, to free-writing sessions—while making time to explore the idyllic town, savor tea at Pippa’s and sample my first authentic Thai cuisine. Although still processing where to go from here, I’m determined to hold onto the space I created there—a low-key, stress-free rhythm—because it’s only life changing if I allow it to be.

What kind of life-changing adventure do you crave?