“A life without discipline is a life without joy.” Anonymous
My well-written day?
I’m up and showered by 6 a.m. I write for a couple of hours before going to Zumba, a Latin dancing class, then I take a brisk walk on the beach. Back home by 10, I eat a cup of yogurt while at my keyboard. I write until noon.
I eat salad for lunch, then take a walk around the block before returning to work.
As for afternoon…
No, not tea or a nap, but articles and chapters. Write, then chores (good prioritizing), and dinner at a local restaurant. My husband and I spend the evening puttering through neighborhoods on our golf cart. I’m in bed early and reading a good book.
My truthfully written day?
I’m up and showered by 7:50, just in time to arrive at Zumba five minutes late. Afterwards, I spend an hour or two surfing Facebook and the Web, answering e-mails, and planning a get-together with friends.
I started this post, but Facebook dinged. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner.
In between, I ate sour cream and onion chips with a hot dog. Watered plants, folded laundry, and vacuumed. I thought about writing, but instead I swept the porch. My husband and I ate at a nearby restaurant so we could take the golf cart. If it wasn’t illegal to ride after dark, I’d probably still be out there.
I wrote until 1 in the morning.
Just a few hours later and too little sleep, it was morning again …
I’m skipping Zumba. I opened a daily devotion delivered to my inbox. It began with this quote, “A life without discipline is a life without joy.”
I mulled over a solution for my strewn habits of exercise, eating and writing. I took a walk and found two pennies lying on the ground. For me, finding money is a longstanding sign from God that I’m right where I’m supposed to be – painfully aware of my messy days and my lack of self-discipline.
Now, what am I going to do about it?
What does a well-written day look like in your life? Do you need to practice more self-discipline to make it happen?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – Dear God, left to my own devices, I’d choose the easiest path to well-written days. Instead, you’re showing me what’s best: nearby places to exercise, healthy foods, and writing deadlines. Well-written days include discipline.
Another test comment since one reader said she couldn\’t leave one. Aaaaahhh, my figurer outer is about tired of thinking!
As I read the first paragraph, I was in awe of your well-organized, self-disciplined day, Kim. Felt so much better after reading the rest! :o)
For me, a well-written day starts with being up and showered early, which is no problem during the school year, but tougher in the summer when my teenagers are home. I wish I could say that I write BEFORE checking e-mail and FB, but that\’s not true. Perhaps that should be my goal for a well-written day.
Great post!
This made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
Thank you both for your comments.
Beth, I was tempted to lie and not add the second paragraph but I have friends reading the posts – they know better. Good luck to us both as we try to put writing first.
And Lyn, you made my night.
Sounds like how some of my day can go! What are your suggestions for breaking the procrastination virus that tends to plague me when it comes to writing??
Did you really read the post, Jenine? And you\’re asking me how to break the cycle? That\’s too funny. I don\’t have any answers, but I love you for thinking I might. I feel great the days I beat procrastination and frustrated to pieces the days I don\’t. I try to remember that and choose feeling great, but I often have memory loss. I don\’t know if this helps, but we\’re in this procrastination predicament together. 🙂