Full Moon

It’s the full moon, and I’ve been a sleepy girl. I got class time off today, and I took full advantage. I napped on the couch with the news on in the background. I’m not a news person, but these days, it’s almost like if you don’t have the news on, you’ll wake up to an entirely new world. I’m just not ready for that.

So about the Full Moon, it’s supposed to be the third and final super moon for 2025. It’s called the Beaver Moon. We’re supposed to be busy building our winter dreams. I have a million winter dreams

What are some of your winter dreams?

Become Fully Yourself

“Woman is learning for herself that not self-sacrifice, but self-development, is her first duty in life; and this, not primarily for the sake of others but that she may become fully herself.” -Matilda Joslyn Gage

Unbecoming and becoming happen all at the same time. As a woman and a mom, I had to learn to let a lot go while welcoming the more authentic parts of me. Once I really took the time to learn about myself and my values, I was able to pursue things that I loved deeply without shame. The world will really tell you all sorts of things, and most of those things are just a reflection of their own fears, their own limitations and critical voices. Finding ways to bloom into the fullest version of yourself is one of the surest ways to combat all the silly billies who limit you from your own greatness.

Writing and Liberty

“I’m free from pain. It’s where nobody tells me what to do; it’s where my imagination is fecund and I am really at my best. Nothing matters more in the world or in my body or anywhere when I’m writing.” — Toni Morrison on NPR’s Fresh Air, 2015

This is exactly the vibe I was talking about in yesterday’s blog. I’m glad I happened across this. I was actually looking into Toni Morrison’s book Imagining Freedom. Here’s a brief summary.

“Toni Morrison’s non-fiction explores the power of word work as a practice of freedom, emphasizing the responsibility of writers to imagine new forms of liberty.”

I’m intrigued by this thought, and I’m interested in reading more of her thoughts on writing and liberty. I think I’d like to step into this challenge if I haven’t already.

What books have you recently added to your TBR pile?

Favorite Feelings

When you’re writing and the world falls away; that’s one of my most favorite feelings.

There’s a million things that bring me joy, big and small. Those are often moments that go as quickly as they came. But when I sit down to write stories that fill in all the nooks and crannies of my life, it feels like heaven. This must be how God felt when He was creating all this.

With that being said, I have a lot of things that bring me joy and I usually seek those things out every Sunday. Not all the things at once. Just one or two things that stand out in my mind by the end of the week. This weekend my focus was getting a new nail polish. I got a shimmery nude, and a base coat, and a quick set top coat.

This may seem a little off topic but I have to say it.

I’m grateful that I had my writing community to support my inner writer. She’s still thriving because of their consistent and intentional connection. I wouldn’t be able to appreciate this feeling without them. So, Thank you writers. I appreciate you.

Your turn! What’s your favorite thing about writing? Or how do you treat yourself?

I’m Getting Excited About Christmas

I’m ready to get our Christmas tree, and I think next weekend would be the perfect time to go. I love Christmas so much. I hope we get a white Christmas this year. Our family tradition is going to cut down our own tree. My husband thought of it, and we’ve done it ever since. The girls love it. I love having us all together outside walking around in nature. Sometimes, there are food trucks at the tree farm, but not always. Another mini tradition is painting ornaments together. I’m getting so excited just talking about it.

Do you have any annual traditions. (Doesn’t have to be limited to Christmas or Family. ) What are your favorite holidays?

Rest and Recover

“Resting well means going beyond just getting enough sleep. It involves intentionally giving your body, mind, and emotions time to recover from stress and stimulation. This could mean taking a mental break during the day, spending quiet time in nature, saying no to draining social events, or practicing mindfulness.” Calm.com

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “prioritize your rest.” I’ve reached a point in my life where I do my best to romanticize my rest: candles, my favorite tunes or audiobook, something comfy to wear, and time away from whatever it is I’m taking a break from. I’ve also started to use mobile games as a tool for rest.

There’s a time to feel the pressure and a time to release it. Right now is the time to release it.

What are your favorite ways to rest?

Let’s Talk Winter

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ” -Albert Camus

I found my love for winter when I became a writer. I like snow days. I like being in a cozy space with a movie or my writing. I like naps when the weather is really bad. And soup in the slow cooker just simmering away all day. That is what I love about the cool months.

It could be a good sign. Anton Chekhov says,

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”

What’s your favorite thing about winter?


Seers, Your Vision is Valuable

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” -Jonathan Swift

Some of us are gifted with the ability to see what is invisible to others, and it doesn’t always feel like a good thing. I want to take this moment to remind you that your vision is more valuable than gold and that gift can’t be taken from you. Your ideas can be stolen, but your ability to see cannot. The good news is that since you have the ability to see, there are always more ideas to come. You are an idea machine!

On another note, the trick to bringing your vision into reality is making it an adventure. To make it to the starting line and beyond, you must first value your vision. That can take people a lifetime. But it doesn’t have to take you a lifetime, does it?

What do you see?

You Don’t Have to Suffer to Create

“We must—yes, must—make a daily and even hourly choice to focus on the good, the true, and the beautiful.” -from The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr

Like most other humans, I have seen my life from both perspectives: an optimistic state and a depressed state. Art lives in all states, even the apathetic ones. I think it was important for me to learn that we don’t need to be depressed and sad to make great art. We can create stunning art even while we’re happy. We need the entire journey of ups and downs to make art that has universal resonance.

That’s not all though.

I have to leave you with the cliché secret to great works of art.

I hate to say it. But it’s pressure. Pressure makes diamonds, and it doesn’t stop there. However, it’s important to note that pressure applied to an undisciplined artist means that there’s a good possibility art won’t come from it. Pressure applied to a dedicated and disciplined artist will almost always guarantee art to come from it. So the only real difference isn’t what state you’re in; it’s your level of discipline and dedication.

Do you write in all moods?

Writers, Don’t Forget to Play

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” -Carl Jung

Play is the keyword there. That’s where I find my ability to keep going regardless of all the hurdles I face. I like when things feel like they are fun and light. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I lose sight of the fun, but my tank returns to full when I find the fun again. The hard stuff is so much easier when you make a game out of it! The same goes with writing.

How do you find fun on your writing journeys? I find fun through my characters!