Pantser, planner or a little of both?

 

If you’re a writer, the term ‘pantser’ is as familiar to you as the beloved setting where you daydream about all the writing you wish you were doing. Basically, it means to ‘fly by the seat of your pants.’ Writers like this generally begin with a basic plan, then let the story write itself. In life and in writing, I tend to follow the ‘planner’ route; i.e., I like to know what, when, where and how something will happen. Although this rarely transpires outside the confines of my laptop or notebook, I find comfort in staying between the lines. I might consider my living and writing style more middle-of-the-road, however, a ‘plantser’ who performs a little of both—more so now that simplicity is my New Year intention. A loose outline, whether for the day or the next blog or that story idea I’ve contemplated and picked apart for months, simply sets the stage for magic to unfold.

Are you a pantser, planner or a little of both?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The last laugh

[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers.
And once you find laughter, no matter how painful
your situation might be, you can survive it.
~ Bill Cosby

Nearly a decade ago, our family experienced one of the worst blows we could ever imagine.  I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for laughter, it would have been a lot tougher for us to get to this side of the trauma.  Lately, the work and home fronts have been filled with their share of ups and downs.  Probably more of the latter than the former.  I’ve prayed a lot, performed a lot of Yoga and eaten a lot of comfort food.  And I’ve laughed.  A lot.  Laughter, for me, is the quickest way to diffuse a tense situation, mend a bruised ego or soften an ill-timed word.  Laughter is also one of those things that is contagious.  Thankfully, there’s no cure for it, either.

Do you laugh your way through the hard times?

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

[Image credit: digitalart]

The true way to soften one’s troubles is to solace those of others.  
~ Francoise D’Aubigne

Some say “misery loves company,” and maybe in a tiny way it’s true.  It’s nice to know we’re not alone, that others share our trials and disappointments.  But what if we could take our troubles and blur their sharp edges under our critical eye, obscuring them beyond our peripheral vision?  I believe that happens when we remove the focus from ourselves and zoom in on comforting our “company” — those around us who suffer with their own hardships and heartaches.  One of my friends shared a little story with me about how if everyone put their own baggage — the stuff that knocks the wind out of us and leaves a permanent crimp in our backs — in the middle of a pile, and then were presented the opportunity to pick up another’s burdens, we would inevitably choose our own each time.  As much as they drag us down, they’re ours and they fit.  But taking time to help someone carry their own load, however, might just make ours feel a whole lot lighter.

Is there someone around you who needs a little extra comfort today?