We made it.

The 2023 A to Z Blog Challenge is in the bag. We have two straggler posts, and may get them up; if not, I’m STILL declaring this a win BECAUSE…

1. One of us got laid off.
2. One of us had a family memorial to attend.
3. One of us went to Europe for three weeks.
4. One of us is dealing with the disposition of the estate of a parent.
5. The world is crazy right now, and everyone is dealing with Entirely Too Much (TM).

What did we learn this month?

1. Don’t let the best be the enemy of the good. (I heard this from Colonel Lawrence R. Stack, and he said it’s “an old army saying.”)
2. Some writing is better than no writing.
3. Sometimes rushing gives you an edge. The trick is knowing how much to rush and on what things. Example: I didn’t get this post in on time yesterday, but I have 15 minutes right now and voila. A post.
4. Sometimes stress makes you have to stop. Like, everything.
5. Corollary: when you need to nap, do it.
6. The body keeps the score. (This is from a book by that title, which discusses the impact of trauma on the human body.) But it’s true. If we don’t take measures to mitigate stress’s harmful effects, it will, perforce, HARM us.
7. Meditation makes you faster.
8. Slow down to speed up.
9. Focus on one thing at a time.
10. Multi-tasking is a myth. (No, really. Look it up. Emerging brain science insights prove it.)

And so, my friends, my message to you is this:

Thank you for visiting. You are why we do this.

Well, that, and chocolate. Will write for chocolate. And friends. And words.

Oh, hell. I write because it love it.

And you, Dear Reader. Much love to you. May you find the peace you need, the accomplishments you long for, and the goals you’ve set. Believe in yourself and take regular rest breaks.

And above all,

Write on.