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The Happiness Challenge: Let's get the new year off to a happy start!

12/31/2015

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As I reflect on 2015, I see many blessings in my life:
  • a phenomenal teaching partner and inspiring students in my last year at St. Luke School
  • a poetry performance by a group of those former students who recited one of my poems
  • a bittersweet end to an eleven year life as a parent at Ascension School
  • a wonderful job opportunity that is more rewarding than I ever dreamed possible
  • countless moments of pride and joy with my sons (academically, personally, athletically)
  • fun outings and meaningful conversations with friends
  • memorable family gatherings
  • this website and the new relationships being built with WD PlatChal writers
  • the self-publication of a poetry chapbook and historical fiction novel
Yes.  I was blessed.  

But I have to admit that 2015 brought melancholic times as well:
  • Maybe it was all the endings that went hand-in-hand with the new beginnings? 
  • Maybe it was Dad’s brush with death and his present road to recovery? 
  • Maybe it was the daily stresses and time restraints that came with a busy life? 
  • Maybe it’s the disappointment of not maintaining the healthy lifestyle I started, especially when I was finally conquering my goals? 
Yes. I had melancholic times.

So, what’s in store for the upcoming year?  Well, I’ve never been one for resolutions, but I’ve been thinking a lot about a TED Talk I watched a short time ago that presented a 21-day approach to “creating lasting positive change.” I was unfamiliar with TED Talks until a fellow writer posted this on her blog.  I watched the full 12+ minute video, and there was something about the speaker, Shawn Achor, and information that made me smile. I jotted down his five daily tasks, and that was that.  I never went back to the list—until now.

You’ll notice a new tab on this website called “Happiness Challenge.”  For the first 21 days of January, I’m challenging myself to abide by Achor’s five daily tasks: 
  • List three gratitudes
  • Exercise
  • Meditate
  • Send a Random Act of Kindness email
  • Journal about one positive experience in the previous 24 hours 

This challenge is what I need to get back on track with happiness and health, which can’t help but have a ripple effect on my personal and professional lives, as well as my writing hobby.  What do you think?  Wanna join me?​​
Happy 2016!
As always, thanks for your support!
- Geralyn

(FYI: I’m thrilled that Traci was the recipient of my first giveaway, but her Ted Talk post was not the reason for her winning.  Thanks again, Traci!)
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Sign on the LINES--

12/23/2015

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​Well, the book is published.  I think of that as a personal milestone, but the public part of this experience is just beginning, and I’m trying to take it all in stride.  I have to admit that I’ve been uneasy when asked to sign a copy.  Seriously, Mom?  Those who are asking for signatures are people I’ve known for years, and in my mother’s case, my entire life!  I never imagined that I’d feel uneasy, but I do.   

I have to keep reminding myself of an article I read about the transition from personal writing to public sharing.  The author said something along the lines that no matter the praise or criticism we receive, a writer should take pride in the accomplishment of writing a book, that it’s okay to be proud, even if we acknowledge that next time we might do things differently or that we hope to get better at the craft.  In making the decision to let go and publish a book-length work, we need to accept the fact that people are going to read it, and good or bad... YOU WROTE A BOOK!

It’s easier with strangers. I randomly picked a G-Lines subscriber winner, so Traci Walker was notified, and I chuckled when I saw her tweet her joy.  She’s tweeting about LINES—? I signed her copy, packaged it, and went to the post office.  Did I just send out a giveaway novel?  Ha!  I wrote a book!  The anxiety subsided for a moment and was replaced with a hint of excitement.  Embrace this like you’ve embraced every step of the writing journey, Geralyn.  

So, now what?
  • I might have a release party at the end of January.  I know I’ll feel supported because, if it happens, it will take place at my favorite coffee house, The Friendly Coffee Lounge.
  • Then there’s a local book store, The Looking Glass, where I might have a book signing. I’ll need to get over this signing issue before then!
  • My local library is sponsoring LINES-- for the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project.  When the application is complete, the ebook version will go live.
  • I’m working with a talented group from the Writer’s Digest community in creating an anthology of stories, essays, and  poems.
  • G-Lines will be my hobby throughout the school year.
And as for the “novel-in-progress” that I’ve been talking about for a decade?  Next summer I’ll get back to using that phrase because I think Livia’s family has another story to tell!  Yikes!
​


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It's Coming!

12/12/2015

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I haven't posted since writing a short reflection on Thanksgiving morning, and that's because my teaching and parenting lives have been quite busy.  I have, however, dedicated a couple hours each weekend to book revisions.  This coming weekend is no exception.  With the final proof in my hands, I'm making the last of my necessary edits, and if CreateSpace and Amazon.com are timely, I'm looking at December 18 as the projected release date.  YIKES!  Just in time for Christmas?  Fingers are crossed!
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