formerly Diane's Addled Ramblings... the ramblings are still addled, just like before, and the URL is still the same...
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Writer's Workshop: Just Do It!

It’s Writer’s Workshop time… see Mama’s Losin’ It for details. This week I chose the prompt, “Write a list of 10 things on your mind this week.”

I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. A ridiculous amount. Too much. Something you may not know about me is that I think everything to death. Sometimes that’s OK – even helpful… but most of the time it’s not. It certainly hasn’t been OK lately because, you see, I’ve been thinking and not doing. And it’s time to start doing. It hit me hard last night that I can theorize ‘til I’m blue in the face about why I’m feeling sad or lacking motivation or resisting forward movement… but in the end, none of my theorizing matters one iota. The bottom line is that I’ve always been motivated by accomplishment but I’m not accomplishing anything these days. And that has to stop. I simply have to start.

So today I took some time and got a few things done that needed doing. And I plan to do the same tomorrow… and the next day… and the day after that. I’m adopting Nike’s slogan as my mantra… Just Do It!

Here are some of the things on my mind that have moved from ‘in my head’ to ‘in process’…

1. The breast cancer walk… I’ve decided to do it so I’ve registered and now I’m planning my fundraising effort and training schedule.

2. Money… I’m sorting out some financial issues that have been wearing on me.

3. My work website… I got some of the text to my friend Alan (who's helping me with the site) today and I’m sorting out web-hosting and my PayPal account.

4. My new work certification… I’ve scheduled the test date.

5. The summer… Ryan and I want to camp out to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, so I’ve started putting together a plan to pay for the trip.

6. My car… I scheduled an oil change, which my poor car needs desperately.

7. My creativity workshops… I’ve designed the flyer to go up at the big book fair next month.

8. Sundance… my boy seriously needs a bath. Good lord. I’m calling the groomer tomorrow.

9. Weekends… I’ve been feeling really lonely lately and I need some face-time with a friend who makes me laugh ‘til I pee in my pants, so I’m figuring out when I can go down to visit Mel.

10. My Aunt Jean… she's one of my favorite people in the world; my safe place. Her huge, generous heart rebelled last week and she had a heart attack and two surgeries. She’s OK now, demonstrating, as always, woman’s resilience. I’m sorting out when I can visit her, too.

27 comments:

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Good. A fair bit of rebuild and refresh going on in there.

Coachdad said...

I am glad you decided to do the walk... when you figure out how us out of towners can help, be sure to tell us. The Grand Canyon is an incredible trip!

blognut said...

Good for you! Let me know if I can put a link to your fundraising site for the cancer walk on my blog. I was totally serious about that and I will help you any way that I can help you.

Ronda's Rants said...

Okay...I am in for the walk too!
I think I've talked my daughter into it! :)
I am in awe of you and all your plans!

San Diego Momma said...

You've got the good plans. I especially like the Grand Canyon and Sedona deal...it's been a long time since I've been to both and I love 'em.

Also...the Pooh quote? One of my favorites. I recently put it in a card to a dear friend (my friend Rebecca who passed away in Nov.) and reading it again brought a smile.

Jenners said...

I'm glad you are doing the walk. I will defintely donate.

I hope you can see Mel and pee to your heart's delight.

I'm glad you are taking some action ... once you do, hopefully you won't have so much worrying you. (I do the same thing).

And I must say I'm intrigued by your creativity workshop and work website. : )

Pearl said...

Look at you go! Excellent decisions made!
Pearl

namaste said...

I "over over over" think everything too but that sometimes works out really well.

I like your 10 things.

Isn't Sedona beautiful! I would love to live there.

The breast cancer walk; good job. GREAT job! My neighbor does it ever year and I'm so proud of her when she completes it. It's a major event and I'll be so proud of you too!

I'm glad your daughter recognized flat stanley! That's the best. I'm obsessed. I had to give flat keke back to my son tonight. He repo'd her. So sad....

I have something on my site for you. I hope you know that you deserve it VERY much.

Sending you big hugs, neighbor.

Melanie Gillispie said...

be right back...water-proofing my sofa.

Sherri Murphy said...

Your list prompted my list in my head of things that need DOING!

The campout with your daughter sounds like a blast! The ultimate slumber party! Enjoy those special moments.

Hope all goes well with your aunt.

Lee said...

There is something wonderfully powerful about writing a list and working through it. Good skills!!

♥ Braja said...

You think everything to death? You, Diane? Really? No.... :)

Michelle said...

Your to do list that you are thinking about is giving me an anxiety attack because it is making me think of my huge TO DO list. :)

mo.stoneskin said...

You're an inspiration to us all. Well done. I'm gonna have to write a list now.

Zuzana said...

Good luck with getting all the things on your list done; I know so well how it is when you lack motivation.;)
I envy you the visit with Mel; can I come too?

Michelle said...

Hi Diane,
I love you today!!!

Your attitude brightens my day!! So great girlie!!!

#5 is great!!! Camping at the Grand Canyon!!! HOW GRAND!!!

And the walk!!! WOOHOO!!! If i can i will join you, if not i will definitely contribute and help you reach your goal!!!!

HAPPY THURSDAY!!!!

Gal Friday said...

Hello Diane--I have come over via Protege(hello to her up top! ;-)

I was lying awake this morning at 4:00 AM going over in my mind the things I need to do and take care of and feeling overwhelmed(after a dream in which I broke down in a strange house and was crying to my mother that I couldn't take care of everything). Maybe a constructive list like yours would help. And then I would have to "just Do It"..as you say

lLans to visit the Grand Canyon are not on my list currently, but seeing that so many people have been there already...I would love to go one day. What an experience it'll be for your daughter.

*Tina

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Excellent stuff, Diane - Well done for managing to achieve so much in so short a space of time - You are so right to try to schedule a little bit of time for you in all of this - and laughing with a best friend, making grand Grand Canyon plans with Ryan, and sharing love with your aunt seem like good medicine!

Good luck with all the fundraising work - Just tell me what I can do to help, and I'm there!

All the best xox

Heather said...

I'm glad you decided to do the walk. :)
And I want to go camping this summer... and come pee in my pants with you and Mel. Pencil me in - k?

Anonymous said...

I like that list! A good mix of charity, personal goals and work goals is comendable. But diligence is something I think most of us struggle with at times. I gotta go and get something done now. Cheers, OOYSA

Sometimes Sophia said...

Glad that you decided to do the walk. Of course I'll donate.

Kudos for your organizational skills. Making a list is so therapeutic. Seems to help motivation because it's so satisfying every time you cross off something you've accomplished.

I, too, have a tendency to think things to death... especially in the middle of the night. Not a good time to ruminate on problems.

Cathy said...

I think money is first and foremost on everyone's minds. Glad to know that your aunt is doing ok.

Amy McMean said...

I'm glad you are doing the walk. It's a great cause and Imagine how great you'll feel about yourself when you finish.

Your summer trip sounds fun.

Sam_I_am said...

Time with friends is the best cure for anything :-)

Anonymous said...

You know I'm here to help (well except for anything with Sundance..I've got my own 70 lb princess to deal with HA) Glad to you know are 'just doing' its a great start, #1..I'll be the first donating LOL. #2 you know I can help you sort things out..heck its all I do all day long. Or what I should be doing when I'm not sidetracked by the internet!!

Missy said...

Wow! I feel so unworthy! Now, I have to get my big butt up and do something! Thanks! LOL

Kate P. said...

I am soooo with ya on the non- accomplishments.

1. no cake ordered for b-day party in THREE days

2. Grandmothers Photo CALANDAR that I was supposed to give her at Christmas...is still unfinished and floating inside my computer. nice.

3. TAXES....we wont even go there

Way to go on getting it done! I used to be the one on top of EVERYTHING. Not anymore.