Tues Ten 091509: The Post Behind the Post

Over Labor Day weekend I had the opportunity to do some thinking, brainstorming and evaluating about my blog in between looking after a little one-year-old flu statistic and giving out big-brothers-of-the-year awards. I’m still hammering out the results, but so far they involve some re-thinking of how I approach my writing. I thought I’d share some thoughts as a preface to the “PBP” Tues Ten list.

As you might imagine, I have precious little time to devote to writing, what with 3 preschoolers, a full time job, a house and a family to feed and care for. Even less of that theoretical time is uninterrupted. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The hugs and “I love you”s and DVD changes and “why”s are all little motivators to focus on what really matters.

I started EyeJunkie.com as a creative outlet with just those interruptions in mind. Unlike other creative pursuits I enjoy like painting or crafting or book-making, writing lends itself more easily to the serendipity of day to day living, and requires very few materials. And, from the mundane to the profound to the much sought after to the little noticed, subject matter is all around for the taking.

As I was thinking about my writing habits in general, time constraints seem to be the deciding factor for much of what I envision. I enjoy writing. Time is limited. Facts. I want to make sure I use my time in the way that brings me the most joy. To that end, I decided to re-appropriate my writing time and focus less on writing freelance articles. While I enjoy writing about specific topics, it doesn’t give me the most joy. And, life is too fleeting to choose options of lesser joy. In short, I want to spend less of my “free” time frenzied by a deadline, writing pieces I’m not all that excited about. I’ll be limiting the weekly and monthly commitments I make for article writing in search of more writing joy. Yay!

I hope to focus more attention on this blog as my primary writing outlet, building it with more regular content–writing that gives me fulfillment. Quality writing that earns your trust and support–and maybe even a few of your giggles and tears. I’m sure I’ll fine-tune themes and goals more specifically as I delve in, but suffice it to say that I want to write it for my own joy. I hope it will, in turn, add something to your day as well.

In my brainstorming, I’ve made lots of notes about the post series on this blog–what’s working, what needs extra attention, what I’m tired of. I’m made notes on how to incorporate more of my design work as a supplement to the writing–how to give it a fresh look, how to extend the life of pieces I post, how to share more. I’ve listed out a few hair-brained ideas that may see the light of day at some point. Time will tell. I’m sure I’ll share more “writing about writing” as thoughts gel and turn into some kind of gooey subscriber-worthy confection. Until then, I give you this week’s Tues Ten Twelve:  The Post Behind the Post.

The Queen once gave me a book called QBQ: The Question Behind the Question. It is a little book that challenges some of the traditional notions of customer service with a heavy slant toward personal responsibility–a concept I can absolutely get behind. It challenges us to answer the question behind the question in our dealings with others in a business setting and beyond.

So, I listed (in my compulsive list-making sort of way, the way that involves illegible hand-writing) out twelve post subjects or goals that underly much of what I write. Articulating the post behind the post is a good barometer for whether I’m writing for the most joy (woo!) or settling for a lesser joy (bleh!).  Hold me accountable with your comments! I love hearing from you.

I find the most writing joy and fulfillment when my words:

1. Observe and communicate effectively

2. Tell stories

3. Get real

4. Articulate values

5. Make me laugh

6. Turn the mudane into the profound

7. Find ways that faith intersects with real life

8. Show how kids are gifts that keep on giving

9. Encourage responsibility

10. Share working mom antics we all know, but are reluctant to admit

11. Remind that media and culture are often ridiculous

12. Help me pay attention

15 Minute Fruit

Two posts about writing/blogging back to back must be a record for me. Writing about writing can sometimes be a little redundant and sometimes a little too theoretical for my tastes, but the post behind the post on this one is really about discipline.

Given the wild hare trail of the previous post, I was reading back through some of my notes and early paragraphs that were spent defining what EyeJunkie.com would be. The trip through cyber memory lane reminded me that one of my beginning goals for creating a blog was to discipline myself to actually write more consistently. Journaling is a practice I’ve enjoyed for much of my life, but had gotten away from it a bit. I had become entangled in the burden of recording thoughts, and the burden of the actual thoughts that are a prerequisite.

If you read the tips and how-tos on writing (whether creative writing, blogging, or freelance writing) you will invariably find this one: The best way to become a better writer is to write more. (My paraphrase, of course.) And, I suppose there’s a reason why so many people advise it. The daily practice of writing requires practice. The daily practice of idea-generation requires practice. The daily practice of picking content fruit before it sours on the vine requires practice. In keeping with the theme of EyeJunkie, the daily practice of paying attention to what’s right in front of me before it escapes requires practice. Practice, practice, practice. (Now I’m sounding like Mrs. Winstead, my childhood piano teacher.)

To that end, I think I’m ready to get back to some of the entanglement of that journaling process again. I’m ready for that daily activity of simply recording aspects of daily activity, and the profound thoughts it often generates. Recently, I have been thinking about the Mississippi painter, Walter Anderson, because of a project I’m working on at my day job. His watercolor and block print works have long inspired me, and there is no better example of the practice of paying attention with a paint brush or pencil in hand than his. I remember reading somewhere that when Mr. Anderson was a child, his mother required he and his siblings to write and draw some each day. It was part of there routine of “chores” so to speak. I like that. Time spent each day in self expression is so valuable to nourishing the creative spirit.

My day job offers me the opportunity to draw (or at least design) most days, and while it’s not quite the same when done for someone else’s marketing pursuits, I’m willing to let it suffice for the drawing requirement. For writing, on the other hand, I’m ready to regain the discipline of that daily, intentional, time-sensitive writing diary again. I’ve decided to begin the “practice” of writing for at least 15 minutes at the end of each day about something relevant to my experiences during those 24 hours–whether deeds, words, distractions or thoughts. I originally thought of the concept with my “500 or 15″ posting tag featuring 500 words or 15 minutes on the topic at the top of the heap. I still like that topical approach (and will pursue it), but I’m eager to hone my attention span with a more time-centered requirement. I don’t promise to share the fruit of every 15 minutes, but I’m sure you’ll be privy to the scores and highlights.

Day one of the 15 minute experiment down.

Tues Ten 051209: Showing Up

“Decisions are made by those who show up.”

The statement is variously attributed to Woody Allen and Aaron Sorkin, most memorably quoted by Mr. Sorkin’s fictional President Bartlett in the first season finale of The West Wing television program (I’m a huge fan.) It’s been a rallying cry for political and social involvement with Generation XYZ for the last few election cycles. It resonates in the language of my “coming of age.”

I have been thinking about the statement lately, however, in my more seasoned continual process of coming of age. I wonder if “showing up” is really enough. For sure, showing up is a definite prerequisite for getting yourself in a position to make decisions.  But, I’m not convinced that just being there makes you a decision-maker.  An element of the “bring it” vernacular of the Y and Z end of those generations seems important.

Just showing up for life doesn’t really work for me. There’s a level of engagement, of paying attention, that I want to characterize my short time on this earth–my short time of greatest affect on the three gifts God has given me to raise, my short time of interacting as other lives brush against mine, my short time of capitalizing on my version of the sphere of influence inherent in every life. No, showing up just doesn’t cover it. Showing up with no quality of experience is an incredible waste. Better is the “this worldliness” Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in my last eye opening quote. Better is a life lived unreserved. An unreserved, unsaved life is a life spent. My goal is to spend it wisely. For this week’s Tuesday Ten, I share a few personal caveats to “showing up.”

Decisions are made by those who show up…

1. and aren’t napping.
(because dreams are realized when you’re awake.)

2. and don’t lollygag in the bathroom taking care of their own business.
(because minding your own business is highly overrated.)

3. to listen.
(because that’s how you learn.)

4. to speak.
(because that’s how you teach.)

5. without a bunch of stuff in their hands.
(so they can pick up someone else’s load.)

6. with their Blackberries turned off.
(because the most important conversation is the one you’re having face to face.)

7. because they had it on their calendar.
(and planned their day around it.)

8. with Cokes and cookies for everyone.
(because decisions are easier on a full stomach.)

9. ready to move boxes.
(because clutter gets in the way.)

10. and hang around to clean up afterwards.
(because you don’t really understand a mess until you make it your job to clean it up.)

Where Resolutions Come From, Part 1

I’m behind.  Again.  This post has been procrastinated and interrupted so many times that it’s dangerously close to being ridiculous.  Still, I am compelled to write it.  Compelled by whom, it’s hard to say.  Maybe by glances at the multitude of now-outdated January magazine issues boasting 276, 10 or just 1 brilliant way to do something or another “new” with your life in 2009.  Maybe by society’s continual quest for “more” and “new”, the rat race of discontent.  Maybe by my own thinking.  Where do resolutions come from?

Thinking is a funny thing.  I think.  Although I do it constantly, it tends to be something I plan to do.  I have a running mental list of topics, choices, concerns, and ideas that need further mulling in order for me to decide on a stance–thoughts that have been relegated to the pile of “this requires more brain capacity than I have available at the moment.”  It happens especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed in mind, spirit and schedule.  That’s where I’ve been.  But, invariably if left unattended, those thoughts sometimes gain strength and power, bunch together with other thoughts, jump on board with various reminders from the world of my experience and wriggle their way to the top.

Thus, the resolution post.

It started as an obligation, something I felt I ought to do if I call myself a thinking, responsible human being.  And, of course, any self-respecting blogger must post said obligation for all the internets to see and thereby hold virtually accoutable.  Ick.  Plus, shouldn’t I prove myself to be a “now” woman by adopting some habits to better myself and my surroundings in the year to come?  Double ick.  Since nearly 1/6th of the year is behind me, the ship of self-motivated, on-top-of-it Super Woman has clearly sailed.  Still, my mind has been insistent on resolution-making in some form.  How can I pay attention, if I can’t look at where I am, where I want to be, and how to get there?  I even Googled “resolution” to try to gain some inspiration/motivation.  You’ll be happy to know that the U.S. Government offers a glimpse at 13 popular New Year’s Resolutions.  Thank you.  About.com showcases a bunch of top ten resolutions, and not your average ones.  There’s a top 10 list of resolutions for everything from your yard to your human resources department.  Oh, triple ick.  This year’s inspiration was hard to come by.

I usually take the 252 approach to New Year’s Resolutions–following Jesus’ model of growth found in Luke 2:52. (More on that in part 2.)  But, this year, I just couldn’t start there.  My thoughts were too scattered.  Still, I wanted to come up with at least some semblance of a resolution before the year got away from me.  Then, I came across a post at slightlycosmopolitan.com [awesome blog, btw] that inspired me.  She described reading on one of her favorite blogs [don't know the one :(] about the concept of a theme word for the year.  She described it as:

“choosing a word to represent your year, a word that inspires and centers you, a word that reminds you what’s most important and what’s at the heart of all your other goals.”

Wow!  It was satori, boo-yow, an aha moment, whatever.  It struck me as the very thing I needed.  I started with the basic question:  What do I want to be different about my life this year?  The core-level answer bubbled up almost immediately, and I’ve been brainstorming on it ever since.  I’ll be sharing it soon (I promise) because it’s at the end of the resolution story, but the beginning of the resolve.  And, I hope to explore it in greater detail at EyeJunkie as the year progresses.  But first, the 2nd part of where resolution come from…