Lifelines.

Among the many things I love about books and reading is that sometimes you come across something where the author can express in words exactly what you are thinking or feeling in way you couldn't figure out how to do.

I find this happens to me especially at times when I am going through something life changing. Whether is meeting someone or breaking up with someone, making career changes or exploring new adventures I always happen to stumble across a book expressing my exact sentiments that I couldn't find the words for. And when this happens, these stories become life lines- something to hold on through as you figure your way through. It keeps you grounded and serves as a reference point to which you can look back for inspiration, courage or remembrance.

When I find books like this I hold on to them and find that I reread them over again when I am faced with a situation similar to the one that latched my onto the story in the first place.

One of my favorites is a book by Alison Pace called Through Thick and Thin. It tells the story of two sisters, Meredith and Stephanie who lead completely opposite lives. They both bond and separate because of dieting and they try to deal with the issues of their lives while trying to lose weight. At one point Meredith adopts a dog and decides to try a dog yoga, or doga if you will, class. As Meredith struggles through poses her teacher says something so simple, yet so brilliant. "Try easy," he says. What a revelation! And this can be applied to so many things in life. I recall the scene from this book constantly when something is giving me trouble. I'll take a moment and repeat: try easy. I think we have a tendency to make thing far more complicated than they may actually need to be. We get ourselves all worked up into a frenzied, stressed out state of madness until we can't see which way is up. If we take a moment, breathe, and try easy things just might turn around.

Another book I turn to constantly because it's so full of wisdom that I learn something new every time is Eat, Pray, Love. Elizabeth Gilbert offers such insightful views on so many important aspects of life: love, relationships, self discovery, work... to name a few. I tend to turn back to Eat, Pray, Love after things turn sour in my love life. I see a lot of similarities between myself and Gilbert in the way we behave in relationships (as I'm sure many women and maybe even some men do too.) It's nice to turn back to this book and rereard Gilbert's comforting words, like wrapping myself in my coziest blanket and settling in for the period of "getting over it" or "moving on."

Another book I've mentioned here that offers some great advice is Cathy Kelly's Past Secrets. In it Maggie suffers a devastating breakup after discovering her boyfriend's been cheating. Her friend suggests getting back at him, making him suffer and other sorts of revenge. Instead of giving in Maggie says, "I'm trying to put myself in the happy Zen state where the only true revenge is living my own life well." And it's true. You can't look anything but fabulous and confident when you are living your best life to its fullest potential. Instead of worrying about him (or her if the case may be) you focus on you. You make you better and you sink your teeth into carpe diem.

Most recently I've been reading Now and Then by Jacqueline Sheehan. It's been an interesting read so far. I've been enjoying it but I'm only half way through so I don't have an official opinion yet. Anyway, While I reading before bed last night I came across a great droplet of wisdom. The main character Anna is thinking about her situation (which is that she and her nephew have time traveled back to Ireland 1844 and don't know how to get back) and she realizes: she could endure the most excruciating circumstances as long as she knew there was an end. Similarly Anna thinks that "surely she can do anything for a few days." We as people don't do well with any sort of uncomfort. Pain. Confusion. Anxiety. Helplessness.  But we forget it's only temporary. Those feelings don't last forever. I know for me, when I'm in the middle of something, I feel like it's never going to be any other way. When I'm in it, I can't see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. But as cliche as it is, it's there. The feelings fade back, time makes it better and it ends.

Thanks Dr. Suess

Just for fun...

Escape.

I rarely travel without a book in my bag.

It's why I insist on carrying such a large purse....

But having a book is the perfect way to escape when I need a break from big city living. Like today. Mondays are generally busy for me with teaching group exercise classes in the morning, working as the web editor for my grad school's newpaper all afternoon and then going to grad school class at night.

However, sometimes I have a couple of hours of break in between work and class. Lately I've been taking myself over to Starbucks to work on crossword puzzles (which we can turn in for extra credit! also, because I am terrible at them and am determined to get better) and enjoy an eggnog latte (because really there's not a whole lot that's better as a treat when it's windy and chilly). Today I worked on my crossword for as long as I could (read: for as many words as I could figure out) and then called it quits. Still having time to kill, I pulled out my book (which happens to be Eat, Pray, Love again because i love it so much) and enjoyed an escape for just maybe 15-20 minutes.

That's the thing about reading vacations, if you will, that they don't need to be a lengthy ordeal. Even if you're got 10 or 15 minutes to spar, jumping into that story and getting lost is a wonderful break from reality. It calms me if I'm frazzled or gives me some energy if I've hit a lull, which happens a lot after working, working working on Mondays.

No matter what I'm reading or where I am in the story, I can jump right back in a take a little time away from whatever it is I was doing or will be doing or finished doing.

Sometimes a little escape is refreshing and enough to get through the rest of the day.

Sunday Funday food for thought.

Confessions and where it comes from.

I have a confession to make.

Wait, I have two.

1. Sometimes I don't feel like writing.
2. Sometimes I don't feel like reading.

I know, but I'm a writer who started a book blog. How is that possible? Well here's how: like everything else, sometimes I hit a wall and burn out for a short period of time. I'll sit down all set to write a blog post or a theatre review or crack open a new book and all of a sudden I'm overcome with an overwhelming desire to anything else.

In the case of my writing, it's usually a story of writer's block. I can't think of anything clever or funny to say or something anything at all. I get stuck and before I know it, I can't put a single word to the page. Or as the case my be, to my blog.

Then with reading, I'll get all settled in to get lost in a novel or memoir and instead I find myself extremely tired and in need of a big ol' nap.

Luckily these are only phases and as quick as they set upon me, they are over and I can't wait to connect with new characters and write out all my thoughts. Because I know, I love writing and reading; there's really nothing like becoming engulfed in a new world created in an author's mind with characters I know I'll either fall in love or loath with.

And if you ever wondered where my affinity for reading comes from, I will tell you.

From my mother.

For as a long as I can remember, my mother has been more of an avid reader than I am. Chances are, in my parent's house you will find my mom curled up on her chaise lounge or in her bed with one of many books she is reading. Her coffee table is always full of five or six or seven different books she will get through in only a matter of weeks.

And when we talk, the conversation more often than not will turn to what we are reading, recommendations we have for each other, books we've heard about and are interested in or books on our reading lists. She's always discovering new, amazing authors or fascinating books she feels I must read. So I do and I love them. I can't think of a book she's recommended to me that I haven't enjoyed. She's the reason I brought you Past Secrets and Eat, Pray, Love.

Since I was a little girl, my mom has told me (and my siblings) just how important reading is. When I was little, I read because she made me but now I read because I love it. And I learned that from her.

Just do it.

"One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, go places and explore. Another is that writing motivates out to look closely at life, at life as it lurches by and tramps around." Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird.

Anne Lamott by Brent Ward

Not that long ago, I shared with you this book and a story of taking things slowly, piece by piece, until you reach the final end point. This is how I write and that's in large part due to that very story.

In her infinite wisdom, Lamott also expresses this quote above. It hits home with me because it's exactly one of my favorite reasons that I am a writer. I can't sit back on the sidelines and watch life go by. I have to be in it, right smack in the middle, exploring and prodding and questioning and doubting and wondering.


I get to go out and do things, even sometimes things i never would have done before. I'll go see a speaker I normally wouldn't so I can report of it. I'll watch a movie I never would have thought twice about as research for a story. I'll walk into a bookstore and pick up something totally different just to see what else is out there.


One of my favorite writing related outings is the theatre. Not that I need an excuse because I love the theatre and honestly don't get there enough. Aside from the book reviews, though, I write theatre reviews as well. Actually when I started reviewing theatre was my first go at it. (Clearly I took to the writing style.)  I get to see all different kinds of theatre: some good, some bad, some I never would have chosen to see on my own will and some I've been dying to see. Then not only do I get to be out there in the world taking part, but I get to come back and analyze. Figure out why that particular show worked or didn't. What made me connect to a certain character or what turned me off from another. It's the same with book reviews. Reading the book isn't quite as out there, but I get to delve into it after and share with all of you.


Everything I do, I try and absorb fully. When I go out in in the city be it to a museum, the park, the beach or even a class I'm teaching, I try to fully participate in what's going on around and within me. Even if I'm not directly writing about what I'm doing, I can always use it for inspiration for a later article or blog post.


I appreciate the quote from Lamott because it's always nice to hear that people feel that way you do. Lamott was able to express exactly my feelings and and one of the greatest parts of being a writer.


Now I turn it to you: Make it out a point to do out and do. Whatever it is, take it all in and think it over. Appreciate the experience and maybe even try your hand at writing your thoughts about it!