Tightrope Walking

Life is poetry
poetry is Life
I
stand
in the
middle
and
at risk
of
tipping
over

for Poets United

note: this is my own version of a concrete poem; a wobbly T representing the tightrope that is life, we have to balance.

Chick on a balancing act

On Writing and Living…

for Blogging Around with Rommy

I once tried clog dancing. Ah no, wait! It was actually line dancing. See I can’t even tell the difference. 🙂 I don’t doubt though that clog dancing is a great form of exercise. But I tell you, nothing gets the heart racing like walking the tightrope.

One of the techniques needed to walk on a tightrope is to mount the line on one foot with a friend sitting on the line. I read all this from somewhere, of course, I’m not a professional tightrope walker.

Life is a balancing act. Finding that balance can be elusive at times. But I learned from early on that I don’t have to do life alone.

In my support system, I have words. Words are my friends, I trust them with my confidences. I’m talking here about the simple act of journalling.

With January days full and flustered, juggling all sorts, I found myself reaching for an old notebook as I tried to clear out clutter from the shelves. In that notebook, I came across one long forgotten draft that made me laugh till my stomach hurt.

It’s a draft of an absolute rubbish story that was inspired by frustrated jottings I had put down in my journal. Someone else might not necessarily find the story funny. But it’s a story where I poke fun at myself. I wrote it in first POV and as a male protagonist whose occupation is writing. I’ll stop there…

But rereading this story reminded me that I actually write to entertain myself first, before I worry about the reader. That’s a real good feeling. It takes off the pressure to perform and puts joy back into the creative process.

This is how I walk the tightrope…with words to catch me, if I fall.

A Beginner Every Morn

piping note afar
bullfinch’s gentle call constant
regardless of change
I begin every morn with
delicate days fruitless

for Poets United

Lake in the Neighbourhood

On Writing and Living…

The year has started. I envisioned it to start with a bang. But life takes its own course, and proceeds along regardless of my plans.

I’d fallen into a sort of limbo; going from nowhere to nowhere, and overwhelmed by the idea that I might have to start all over again with something I thought I had it sorted.

Then I thought alright, let me put on some music and do this limbo. For “Life dances and you must dance with it.” to borrow from Phillip Moffitt.

So, I let go of my self-imposed deadline. There will be a delay with the publication of my second chapbook, and honestly it’s not a train smash. There are far more important things that occupy my thoughts right now.

Therefore, I start where I am, using what I have; words. The simple act of putting them on paper banishes my fears.

for (Doing It with Others)

How am I doing so far with my resolution to simplify this year?

On Decluttering

It’s a new year, and another shot at living. May it be the best for everyone!

With each passing year, I have a tendency (and constant yearning) to declutter my life. I do this decluttering in order to maintain balance, joy and freedom to do things I really want to do.

Robberg Hiking Trail – SA

And so, I continue to weed. The following are some of the changes, I’ve made (and continue to make this year) in order to simplify my life:

Books…

Everyone who writes a book buys more books that they will ever write. This abundance mentality keeps us happy, too!” – Joanna Penn

The quote above is so true. Just to be clear, I won’t stop reading as long as I still have a good eyesight. So, in an attempt to take care of my eyesight I’ll reading considerable less e-books from now on, and stick with the print format. This will hopefully help me curb expenses, too.

“Do not shrink yourself in order to fit into spaces you’ve outgrown.”

I can’t tell you how good it felt to get rid of the clothes and shoes that no longer fitted or I’ve simply outgrown. The same goes for human relations.

Stiletto Boots

Clear the Runaway

This term, which loosely means focus and align, I heard from my god-daughter who is a pilot. In addition to focusing on the positive and aligning myself with supportive people, I’m constantly working at being mindful of my thoughts to eliminate self-limiting beliefs.

Scarlet ibis

Commitments

A while back, I created a NOW page on my site in order to address time issues. This helps me not to overcommit and be able to say no to requests, invitations, requirements, etc., if I don’t have the time to fit them in.

Social Media and such

– I clung to Google+ for a long time, not sure why, but it’s gone now.
– Deleted my photo/personal blog, cocoaupnorth. I didn’t have the energy to maintain it anymore.
– I’m in the process of building a new cyber home; a rebranding exercise. I’ll let you know when I’m packing this side.
– Busy editing my Instagram feed to leave only photography. Micropoems will go for print publication (in one form or another) in a distant future. I’m also moving conversations about books to Goodreads. Still getting myself comfortable there, but come join me anytime!

By now you might have guessed my word, simplify, for 2019.

In 2018, my word was self-belief. This word helped me focus on things I wanted to achieve and as well as taking risks. I’m happy with the results.

I’d love to hear your “word” too, if you have any or how you motivate yourself to stay on course, that is, your new year’s resolutions, so to speak.

note: I’ll revert to my weekly blogging schedule, where I’ll also be sharing bits of my Writing and Living and Such… (blogging with friends).