Which is why I love to write them. I firmly believe that everyone is entitled to a pick-me-up now and then. A book that entertains, uplifts, and requires little thought or concentration. An escape.
There are days when I feel blissfully happy and I love it! I want to hold onto that emotion and never let it go. I want to feel like that every hour of every day, because no other emotion holds a candle to happiness. It's such a great feeling!
Inevitably, though, the kids start to fight or complain, the dinner burns, or that upstairs faucet gets left on, resulting in water dripping through the kitchen ceiling. One thing after another happens and suddenly that once great feeling seeps away, leaving less pleasant emotions in its wake.
And it's decision time. Do I let those less pleasant emotions thrive or do I find ways to combat them? Do I allow myself to become the grumpy wife and mother or do I try to locate one last shred of patience and hope it's enough?
Over the years, I've come to realize that there are some things I can do to help bring back that equanimity. I can take the kids and go outside (there is nothing as rejuvenating as fresh air). I can throw the burned dinner away and go pick up a pizza (which I should have done in the first place). I can turn off that upstairs faucet, mop up the bathroom floor, and put a bowl under the dripping ceiling. Then I can load up the kids and take them to a park or playland. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
And later, after the kids are in bed and quiet is restored, I can open a book or turn on a movie. One that makes me smile, laugh, and gently reminds me not to take life too seriously.
Now what about you? What's your escape?
***Thanks for being my guest today, Rachael. It's been great getting to know you better.
nice to meet you rachael! it was great to get to know you! i'm glad i'm not alone trying to find balance with work, kids, and writing. though, i prefer to lock myself in my room and let them duke it out on their own (thankfully mine are old enough that i can do that)!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rachel! You're right, life is too short to take too seriously - and I love escaping with a great romance.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael. I read some of Luck of the Draw on amazon.com. Sounds like a fun read. And as far as the water leaking through the kitchen ceiling - I had that happen to me not to long ago - except they dumped a ginormica tote of water. The joys of mommyhood. =D
ReplyDeleteThe water leaking down through my ceiling was from an overflowing toilet. . . yep, pretty disgusting. I like to escape by watching a romantic comedy, exercising, or reading a good book. Can't wait to read "Luck of the Draw."
ReplyDeleteWe have things in common besides loving to read and write, but first of all, I got over my fear of heights by learning to snow ski. Did you ever try that? And, I never bit my nails until I started writing my current novel. It's totally irritating! I also drive too fast, and I'm petrified of bees. Embarrassingly, I've been known to jump into the arms of tall, dark, and handsome strangers more than once! Can't wait to read your novels!
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