First things first. I want to say a huge thank you to BJ and Brandy for filling in these last few days. I loved reading their posts. Thanks to Brenda for uploading everything and mega thanks to our loyal readers and commenters. You all rock. Me? I so do not rock. Not today anyway.My first solo post since my return from my writer's retreat/sister adventure... and I'm going to crap out.
#1 I know exactly what I want to write about, something I realized this past week, but I want to include pictures and...
#2 My laptop is down. I'm writing this on my netbook and I can't access the awesome CDs Barb burned for me. Not to mention...
#3 I'm crunched for time. Between work, catching up on writing business, working on an article for Romantic Times Magazine and bearing down on the deadline book... Big time crunched.
Tune in next Friday for the post I'd intended to share today. Inspiring and motivating, I hope. For now, I'm going to share at least one picture that I was able to download from the trip via an email from Barb.
Yellowstone National Park. Little Grand Canyon--Lower Falls.We climbed down 500 steep stairs to get to this point. I'm not sure which was the hardest: Braving my fear of heights or the 500 step climb back UP. This proved the enduring theme of the trip to me. Physically and mentally pushing yourself beyond what you think you're capable of. Paraphrasing Barb, "If you want it bad enough, you'll make yourself do it."
My theme, my life lesson for next Friday's post: SEE IT, BE IT!
Question of the day: Have you ever taken a trip (even a day trip) and experienced some kind of epiphany? If so what and where were you?
SIS Beth
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16 comments:
Hi Beth!
Actually, I think I said..."If you have to do it or die, you'll make yourself do it!"
I find a lot of trips inspiring. It seems that I always want to be somewhere other than where I am. I'm never content, but perhaps that's because I haven't found the right place yet. Although I do think I would be extremely happy in Florida or Texas. (I'm just sayin')
I loved everything about the area of Wyoming we visited. However, I could not live there in the winter so that's out.
I love the palm trees and the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. I find myself just staring in awe at the beauty when I'm there.
And sometimes, when the breeze is just right, I find the farms of Indiana stunning. I actually LOVE the smell of farms including manure. It just makes me think this is fresh air. I know I'm crazy but I'm okay with it!
SIS Barb
Hi Beth. I loved Wyoming, but my trip to Ireland a few years ago convinced me that I was an Irishwoman trapped in an Italian American's body. I've since converted and now I'm Irish. Then again, I haven't been to Italy yet... :-)
Love the picture!
I don't know that I've ever had an epiphany on any trips but the Superstition Mountains in Arizona always... they don't make me happy exactly, but they are pretty inspiring. :)
Hey Tori,
I also love the Superstition Mountains. I get to go to Phoenix about once a year for work and always look forward to it!
Well, it wasn't a lightning bolt epiphany, but once I volunteered at Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, a desire to move here began to grow.
It's almost 8 years since I moved and I've never regretted it.
Hi Beth, Great picture! I don't get to travel much, but Chris and I try to go to Indy once a year for a weekend away from the kids. Last year we got to see Alice cooper in concert. He's still rockin'. I love Indy but don't think I could live there. Not enough natural beauty.
Barb, I'm with you. As beautiful--and I mean knock-you-socks-off STUNNING as Wyoming was, I couldn't live there. Mostly because what we heard about the winters--long and harsh.
I've traveled extensively for business and I've been fortunate to share some fabulous overseas holidays with my husband. I've gotten the wondrous I-could-live-here vibe in three places. Vencice, Italy. London, England and Canterbury, England. Taking my husband's likes into considertion and finances, I'm planning on Canterbury. :)
SIS Beth
Allison, Ireland is on my MUST visit someday soon list... along with Scotland and Alaska. I've been to Italy and it's pretty darn mesmorizing. You could be in trouble. ;)
Tori, I LOVE the Supersition Mountains! I've had the pleasure of seeing them in person and was so taken, I included them in all three of my westerns! I used to think I could live in Arizona--I'm partial to the Tuscon area--but I don't think I could take the scorpians and tarantulas. I'm a mega wuss when it comes to creepy crawlers.
SIS Beth
Mary, THAT was an epiphany and doubly cool because you followed through! :-)
BJ, it's not how far you go or how often. It's being in a place that brings you joy or peace. Your trips to Indy sound delightful! Have you ever been to the 500?
SIS Beth
Rather than post, as I haven't in SO long, I feel I need a "catch-up" question answered. I see this again and again in your posts, Beth, describing how busy you are: "...my JOB..."??!?!? And, sorry for being naive (I KNOW that what we aspire to and even what we MANAGE to do re: our "dream jobs" don't always [often?] pay the bills), but what "job" do you have that takes time away from your SEEMINGLY successful and at least somewhat lucrative talent, e.g. writing? And, if it's not related TO writing, REALLY? Is it THAT necessary? Just a broke-ass musician doing nothing BUT music all the same asking here;)!
Quick note re: Wyoming --- my Mom lives in Montana, near Bitteroot Mountain Range Missoula. BRUTAL, long winters up there, too --- BUT, where she ACTUALLY resides is in a "bowl" called Stevensville, just south of Missoula, VERY common throughout the Western Mountain ranges. In other words, an area surrounded by mountains --- they get snow, they get cold, but it is relatively temperate since the WORST weather is defeated by the mountains that surruond them on all sides. And, OMG, what a VIEW from her porch;)!
OOPS! Didn't address your question;)!
In brief, yes, I did. Around 1988, the band played a gig in Key West. At that point, more strongly than ever, it hit me, "How GREAT is it I am being PAID to go to, have enough time off and money to ENJOY, a place that many/MOST people save up for months, YEARS to just VISIT!!!??"
If I ever had before that point, I afterwards NEVER took for granted my talent nor my fortune hooking up with Sequel!!
All I'm saying is that when I went to Ireland (twice) it convinced that a better life for me is just across the pond. I'll get to live there someday soon enough!!
Hi, Richard,
In addition to writing two books a year, I work a fulltime job (40 hours a week) as a library assistant at my local library. It supplements my writing income and provides healthcare for my family. Yes, it's necessary. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of mid-list writers (in all genres) do not make enough money from their writing to support themselves. Also, these days, publishers expect writers to do a huge share of their own promotion. So in addition to writing fulltime and working fulltime at the library, I also handle on-going PR projects.
In hindsight, I realize now that perhaps everytime I mention how crunched I am for time, it comes across as whining. Apologies to all. I'm not actually whining, just trying to explain why I sometimes seem like a 'blur'. In a time when people are hurting for jobs and money, I'm really quite fortunate.
SIS Beth
Hi, Taylor,
I know how much you love Ireland. And since I've seen the pictures I know why. You WILL live there someday, or perhaps just relocate for a time. See it, Be it. ;)
SIS Beth
Wow, Beth --- you're my hero! And I think it's a crime that artists of any ilk who do good works, have numerous successes to show for their efforts, etc. have to clock in for those 5/8s.
And, I NEVER felt you were whining (though you have PERFECT right to -- I would be!) -- I was just curious about "The Job" you kept referring to -- pity. And, I suppose in a sense you're right: I'm broke and can't find a side gig to save my LIFE! So, yeah, you are fortunate (though for some reason right now, I felt as if I were talking to an animal trainer and saying, "Yeah, but he coulda bitten off BOTH hands." :) ).
Beth, welcome back! Your trip sounds very exciting. I love traveling, but I don't think I had any epiphany except for old one, Home is where the heart is.
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