So Long. Good-bye. Farewell

Last week Bonnie Gray invited me in a blog comment on Beholding God (Messy Monday) to take a "What If" challenge.

Brainstorm five "what if" questions, she said. Fast. Choose one. And then let's jam about it.

Like today. A week later.

Say what?

I took the challenge and posted my response over there, although it fits here, too. Maybe better.

Anyway, follow me and check it out.

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

Habits: Breaking Old, Making New - Part 2

 

I have to adjust the plan. 

Because a timer is not going to work for these morning pages. 

And no, I did not eat those M&M's early in the morning. I just sat them on the notebook for your enjoyment. I ate them later. After breakfast.

Anyway, when the timer went off, I did not want to stop. I kept going. Even though my hand and arm periodically cramped. And I felt like I could scribble more drivel, but I had to get to the next thing on my list. 

Jesus.

I felt guilty putting the writing before Him. 

Except I never really sensed a separation.

It was like dusting the corners, sweeping under the bed, shaking the rugs, dumping the garbage, cleaning the cup, opening the drapes. Making room for fresh words from the Word. Feeling the Spirit's breath. Turning on the creative faucet. Like filling an empty grocery cart with all manner of new gourmet foods. Organizing them and planning the next meal to share with company.

It. Was. Yummy.

An early morning habit to cultivate in solitude and silence. Jesus AND my journal. No timer. At least three pages filled. Time for the Word. Time to sit and listen. 

Away from the computer. Away from the television.

Quiet time.

I can't wait until morning.

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

Habits: Breaking Old, Making New--Part 1

I bought these today.

Well, I bought the Moleskines. I meant to buy a timer, but I forgot. This is my kitchen timer. Vintage Cracker Barrel. It actually crows. It will do until I buy one that better fits my writing room decor.

Anyway, I've been thinking over last week's post and comments, and I've started to formulate a plan.

Key word: Started.

Currently, my morning routine looks something like this.

Cell phone alarm goes off. I open phone slightly and smack it closed.

Cell phone alarm goes off. I open phone slightly and smack it closed.

Cell phone alarm goes off. I open phone slightly and smack it closed.

Cell phone alarm would not stop yesterday. Because the alarm was really the ringer. Jeremy trying to call to tell me his truck broke down on the way to work. I kept hanging up on him.

I should probably change the ring tones.

Anyway.

Once somewhat awake, I say good morning to God and tumble out of bed. I quickly make the bed (if Dennis is up), which amounts to throwing the comforter up and fluffing the pillows. It helps to have gone all white.

Then I stumble across the hall and turn on the computer.  Next I head downstairs to go you know where and do you know what and brush my teeth. While still brushing, I go back upstairs to hit "enter" so the computer can wake up. Then back downstairs to spit.

Then to the kitchen to flip on TV news, drink some water, and make coffee. Then back upstairs with my cup (see how much exercise I've already gotten?) to settle in and check Facebook and Twitter and do a blog run.

Yup, before devotional time.

Or writing.

Sad.

Bad.

Priorities.

So here's my new plan. Just a morning jumpstart. I can only handle so many new habits at once.

I will start my day in silence. If Gracee is here, I will have to get up earlier. When my feet hit the floor, I will force myself directly downstairs. I will not turn on the computer.

Repeat. I will NOT turn on the computer.

Before I leave the you know where, I will shower and pray and let ideas flow.

Then to the kitchen. I will not turn on the news.

Repeat. I will NOT turn on the news.

But I will start the coffee.

And I will open one of my new journals and begin to write. A prayer. Dream memories. Freeflow thoughts. Whatever comes to mind. For 15 minutes. By the timer.

Then Jesus and me time.

Finally, I will get dressed, slap on some simple makeup, and catch the headlines while I break my fast.

No more bathrobe garb. I am a perfeshunal.

Then and only then will I turn on my computer.

So if you see me online at 6 a.m., you know I've been up at least since 5. Or even 4:30.

That's as far as I'm going for now. Obviously I need to work in some exercise and decide on my best study times and writing times.

Stay tuned.

What do you do during the first hour of your day?

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

I Need a Plan

It's been brought to my attention (by me) that I am not using my time wisely.

In fact, I am even (gasp) wasting time.

Don't even mention Bejeweled Blitz.

I need a plan. A system. A schedule.

I used to be a good multitasker, but now--not so much.

I'm not even a very good start-and stop kind of person. I mean, if I start writing in the morning, I don't want to stop. I may not eat. I may not feed anybody else. I may not get dressed until 5 p.m. If at all. And if I start household chores first, well forget the writing.

Operation Declutter helped some--a lot--but I'm not there yet.

There's no point in dividing tasks into writing and nonwriting, because as we all know, a writer is writing when not writing.

So I need a plan for:

• Blog writing.
• Blog reading.
• Blog commenting.
• WIP research.
• WIP writing.
• Article writing (for money.)
• Writing craft study.
• Book reading (nonfiction and fiction, contemporary and classic)
• Devotional and worship time.
• Inductive Bible study.
• Preparing lessons.
• Social networking.
• Household and yard chores (cleaning, laundry, cooking, groceries, weeding.)
• Financial planning/organization and bill paying
• Exercise and diet (other than rolling my chair from desk to bookcase and back while munching M&Ms.)
• Sleep.
• Family fun time.
• Do-nothing dream time.
• Time to plan a plan.

That's too much to devote a day to each. So I've got to break up my day and learn to breakaway.

That's my mission--should I decide to accept it.

And I do.

Have I forgotten anything? Do you have a plan? How do you break up your day?

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King