September 14, 2011

I sat down to write four times this morning, but my mind simply wouldn’t stop jumping the tracks.

One second I’d be thinking, “This backstory paragraph slows down the opening and should be moved.” The next minute, with a catch in my throat, I was thinking about Laurie again.

Get a Grip!

My daughter is on her fourth deployment (Afghanistan this time). Being her fourth tour, you’d think I’d have a better system for mind control, but not today, for some reason.

I pray a lot, email her, try to write, and it lasts for just a few minutes. So, like all writers who can’t focus, I check email. I love Thomas Kinkade paintings, and someone had emailed me the above picture. I just sat and stared at it for a moment, feeling the peace steal over me.

Peace Like a River

While I don’t often have time to steal away and sit by a stream–something always so calming–I plan to “sit” by my Thomas Kinkade stream several times today. I made it the photo on my desktop, so all I have to do is minimize what I’m working on, and there it is!

Without leaving my computer, I can walk along that little footpath, sit on a rock by the stream, and watch the water flow by. What a great use of technology and our imaginations. When my worries have floated away, I can go back to work.

Writing is a mental activity, so emotional issues interrupt that activity. During stressful times, find things that work to calm you…and then pick up your pen again. [NOTE: if you have a simple idea like this one that works for you, please share it!]

11 Comments »

1. 

   Glad you found your piece of peace, Kristi! I often put on Gregorian chant music to be soothed while at my desk.

   Comment by Jane Heitman Healy — September 14, 2011 @ 6:02 pm

2. 

   Jane, your comment reminded me of when my oldest daughter was just six years old and the newest baby in the house was screaming. She very quietly said to me, “I need a piece of quiet.” She apparently had heard my request for “peace and quiet” often enough! I agreed with her–even just a small piece of quiet would do it!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — September 14, 2011 @ 6:43 pm

3. 

   Kristi,
   I know what you are feeling. My husband was over there for a year and your mind often goes places that it shouldn’t. I made a playlist of music, the most soothing sounds, no voices just music and I can close my eyes, focus on the sounds and the music calms me down. It’s like meditation for my ears. It’s also a good background for prayer, which is another way to soothe your soul and overcome your fears.
   Patty Laidley

   Comment by Patty Laidley — September 15, 2011 @ 4:29 pm

4. 

   Patty, what a good idea! The soothing music would calm the inner turmoil and make prayer a lot easier. I am going to try that today. You are certainly one that speaks from experience. I hope your husband came home healthy in both mind and spirit as well as body.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — September 15, 2011 @ 6:46 pm

5. 

   I’m so sorry your daughter had to go on deployment again. No wonder you can’t concentrate!

   Nature photos and relaxing and/or inspirational music calm me. Finding and pondering a Bible verse, a devotion, or a chapter of an inspirational book help, too.

   I wish you strength, Kristi. Thanks to your daughter for her sacrifices to protect our freedoms!

   Comment by Trudy — September 15, 2011 @ 7:19 pm

6. 

   Trudy, thank you for your comment. Definitely words of wisdom! There’s no better solution for those times when you know without a doubt that things are beyond your own control.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — September 16, 2011 @ 6:48 am

7. 

   Hot tea. Feet up. No music. No TV. Just peace, quiet, deep breathing, and telling the Lord all the things I’m grateful for, even in the midst of my difficulties.

   Comment by Heather — September 16, 2011 @ 8:16 am

8. 

   Heather, all those things sound beautiful. The perfect Sunday today! And doing it “in the midst of difficulties” is where it really matters.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — September 18, 2011 @ 3:46 pm

9. 

   Kristi – Thanks for sharing that picture. I love wathcing and listening to flowing water. I pray for safety for your daughter. I can understand the distractions. I just lost my mom after a tragic fall down some steps. I want to get back into writing but am struggling. So far I’ve been best to keep my mind busy (like spending time on the computer reading) but have a hard time when my mind has time to think.

   Comment by Jennifer Rathe — October 1, 2011 @ 9:25 pm

10. 

    Oh my goodness, Jennifer, I just saw this. I wish I had the words to convey how sorry I am at your sudden and tragic loss! I should think you’d be in shock for quite a while! I recall after losing my dad that it took me quite a number of months before I could concentrate at all well. I finally had to write a book about losing him before I could move on. I wrote THE ROSE BEYOND THE WALL that year. You have my deepest sympathy.

    Comment by Kristi Holl — October 4, 2011 @ 1:11 pm

11. 

    Thanks Kristi

    Comment by Jennifer Rathe — October 4, 2011 @ 5:28 pm

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