I am ...Rested

I wrote this nearly a year ago, but it pretty much sums up where I'm at. Finally healthy and starting to exercise, life is pretty amazing right now.

Ready to go

No weary no lack

Energy to burn

Exhilarating adventure

Willing to launch

Focus renewed

Freedom found

Soul

Mind

Body

Spirit

Filled and refuelled

Ready to run

Rested in Him

Ready for anything

Rested, complete

What do you feel like when you have rested?

ITCHY!!!

My first fresh Friday Flash fiction for a while.
My soul seriously sings when I write something new… but no promises… I did write this one quickly.




ITCHY!!!
‘Itchy, itchy, itchy!’ Lila scratched, nearly drawing blood.
‘Itchy?’ Noelene asked.
‘Yes!’ Lila screamed.
‘I know it’s annoying, but if you’ll just wait a few minutes longer, we should have the problem solved.’
‘I. T. C. H. Y. !!!’
Noelene walked closer, quieting her voice. ‘It’s obvious you really can’t put up with it any longer. We are aware of it, and if you can just take a seat, we’ll have it all sorted in a few minutes.’
‘Can someone stop it? Please?’ she sat, slapping every inch of her body, seeking the area for a solution.
‘How are you going John?’ Noelene asked.
‘Nearly done, last one almost ready,’ he replied.
‘What is taking so long?’ Lila clawed her fingernails through her hair. John walked away, and was now out of her vision. ‘Where’s he gone?’
‘Lila, relax. He’ll be back in a minute.’
‘Oh! Itchy, itchy, itchy!’
Noelene paced the floor while Lila continued to scratch.
John returned within minutes. ‘Some lotion for your bites, and the citronella candles and mosquito coils should keep those nasty biting creatures away while we eat dinner.’

Inconsistencies

Heavy overload
Out given for reason
Warn out drained
Dreams for the nations
Burden escape
Inspiration led life
Weighed down
Drenched in blessings
Voice almost heard
Deafened ears ignore
Silence wished
Noise that brings joy
Snuffled thoughts
Always heard by One
Tears frozen
Souls to be nurtured
Space cramped
Wings given to fly
Teeth clenched
Healing brings smiles
Obligation unwanted
Loyal to the call
Much time wasted
Years to fill
Words to write
Season suspended
Hours that seem trivial
Life significance
Pulled away
Drawn to the cause
Social pollution
Hungry for clean entertainment
To many ugly words
Overflowing love to encourage
Swept away
Drawn near
Exhausted
Completely rested

Do you ever find you thoughts filled with inconsistencies?
I need to focus on the last line... when I'm completely rested - my thoughts are more consistent
How about you?

Why do you read that blog?

While I’ve been feeling time poor these past few weeks, I’ve taken some time to think about my blog. I began the blog to get some of my writing up on the internet, but soon after I began, I found a lovely community and my blog quickly became a whole lot more than that.


Questioning our motivation for why we do things is good to do once in a while. And this time, I’m asking for some feedback.

What is it that makes you the reader visit my blog?

Is it because I visit your blog?

Which topics found here, do you enjoy?

What could I include more of?


During this season of my life, I will only have time to post once or twice a week. So I want to keep it an enjoyable place for you to stop at.

Ps… I’m nearly at 200 posts… hunting for something fun to giveaway to celebrate

Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a story of sisters. The story shows the love, the envy, the jealousy, the admiration, and many more emotions between the girls. This book will have you laughing and crying with the excitement and complications which are the lead up to the planning of a wedding.



Some thoughts while reading….

There are so many factors influencing families and sisters and their relationship. While reading this novel, I reminisced on my own relationship with my sister. There were many times throughout the book that I could actually see similarities between the fictional characters and my own life.

What is it that keeps a family together? What is it that tears them apart? What makes some people check out and vanish from their family’s lives? What happens to keep a family happy?

I think with my siblings, there is a high level of respect and we choose to be kind to each other. When I look generally at my extended family, including my in laws, added to respect and choice – there is a whole lot of prayer and God’s presence. The peace of God is evident. I love my family.

I can see clearer...

When I was in stretched state last week I blogged about being time poor. Your friendly responses encouraged me, Thank you.

There was one comment that spoke directly to my core. One comment that helped me to see clearer.

"Michelle I know exactly how you feel! I know that different seasons require a pulling back in other areas, but I always call those seasons a drawing near. It is in these times that i feel God is drawing me near to Him, and He wants to teach me something. So I usually have to give up the thing I love for a season and find 'myself' in the midst of the chaos through hearing His sweet voice.... at these times it seems that I am not moving forward and feel like my feet are stuck in cement, but when I emerge from these season I run faster than I could pre-season, because of what He has done in me. Be patient my darling, you will emerge with this with a renewed strength and able to write far more effectively than ever!! xx" Captivating Fi

I have come to a stage in my life where I have cut out everything that isn’t a priority. Everything I do in my life would have a #1 priority listing status. I could never put an assessment due before my children’s schooling. And I could never say that anything is ever more important than finding time for my husband. But cleaning… well the house could do with a little more effort.. but that one does come down the list.

I’ve cut out TV. I’ve cut right back with using social media. I limit my time reading and writing blog posts. I don’t go shopping. I get my groceries delivered. I don’t go out for coffee, or dinner or anything unless it’s planned and has a reason attached to it.

But in 10 years time I won’t be centring every move I make around my children. Right now, I choose to enjoy my children. I choose to love this season I’m in. Which means I get to do some of things I really want to do, but other things have to wait – possibly not 10 years … but at least four months – until I have finished my certificate IV.

I’ve decided to put my WIP, my novel, on hold. I was hoping to have it ready by April/May to apply for a mentorship program in June. But there will be other mentorship programs.


When life is full, sometimes you have to decide what to let go of, to fit more in. Have you ever had to let go of something to allow room for more in your life?

the only 12.5 writing rules you'll ever need

I've seen this before.

I even blogged a link

To another blog

Where it was found.

That was six months ago.

I just found it again.

And loved it over and over.

So for you - here it is

I love to share a good thing

Read and enjoy

Smile

Writing and Groups and Critiques

I know that a good critique group is beneficial.

I know that a good writing group is beneficial.

But I don’t really have either.

I have a circle of encouraging friends whom I love dearly.

And I have some lovely online friends who I communicate with.

I know the benefits I’m missing out on.

But, I am in a season which leaves me time poor.

The writing group I joined meet a fair distance away on a day that is nearly impossible for me to negotiate to get there. Every other writing group I’ve looked into has virtually the same scenario – I just can’t see myself committing to get there.

I write. I love to write. I know I’m not the best. But I have a humble confidence that I am gifted to create worthwhile stories that could really speak to people.

I recently challenged a friend who is often running late. Her response was, ‘walk a day in my shoes.’ My thoughts were … ‘Walk a day in mine!’ but I held my tongue and remembered that we all have our ‘lot’ to deal with.

Perhaps I need to focus more on my family, my friends and everything else that is going on in my world. But then I remember that writing brings joy to my soul. When I write I feel alive. Why would these stories keep coming to my mind, if it wasn’t my calling in life to write them down?

Recently, I heard the full story of an amazing family. I have known about their miraculous story for a couple of years, but to hear the story from beginning to end has inspired yet another book.

It left me pulling myself away from the computer all day. All I wanted to do was plot out my new storyline.

Right now these things are pressing for my time and energy… a court case, kids schooling, workbooks (kids) that need to be checked, college – reading, assignments etc. And outside of that I have hubby, family, friends, church etc. I have had a cold for over a month. I feel like I am finally getting over it – but I also feel completely behind in other things that need to be done – housework, mail, tidying etc.

So what do you do when you are time poor?

What do you do when you know what you need to do, but you can’t negotiate your way through your season to fit everything in?

I know this season is short. I must be patient.

Images via Google images

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Lisa Heidke has been blogging about it... and I opened my big mouth and got a mention.

Check out Lisa's blog... Judging a book by its cover - do you?

I just won a copy of Lisa's book Claudia's Big Break over on

Goodreads - First reads... so excited!!!

Can't wait to read it.