#Writing101 – Unlock the Mind

Assignment #1:  To get started, let’s loosen up. Let’s unlock the mind. Today, take twenty minutes to free write. And don’t think about what you’ll write. Just write.

Keep typing (or scribbling, if you prefer to handwrite for this exercise) until your twenty minutes are up. It doesn’t matter if what you write is incomplete, or nonsense, or not worthy of the “Publish” button.

And for your first twist? Publish this stream-of-consciousness post on your blog.

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What is on my mind? What is my stream-of consciousness? Am I brave enough to just free type for 20 minutes and publish what comes of it?

Today is the first day of #Writing101, and our first assignment is to take 20 minutes to free type.

The “twist” is to publish it.

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Feel free to stop right now and read no further – truly – it’s not worth it!!

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Immediate writer’s block.

Paralysis.

I think I worry too much about what I will say….. Who it will affect… Will I say something that will upset someone if I say all the things that are going on in this crazy head of mine?

Mostly what I feel is love and gratitude.  Today was an absolutely gorgeous day!  (photo above)

But when prompted to share my stream of consciousness – YIKES!

All kinds of crazy things go through my head!

Who wants to hear that?

I don’t want to be like “poor me – let me tell you my woes – my heartbreaks – my betrayals – my losses – those that have lied to me……”

That is the stuff I keep tucked in the very back of my mind, because what I prefer to focus on is the good. The beautiful family that I have. A faithful, supportive husband of 32 years, two wonderful young men that are my sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, friends that are like family to me, extended family that has come into my life late. But then there are some people I have lost – that are no longer in my life – for various reasons – in the back of my conscious – which I will not write about – will not share. It’s not the right thing to do.

So I push it back.

Why does that come into my “consciousness” for this exercise!!!????!!!

Focus on good. Focus on blessings. Focus on love. Focus on goodness.

I’ve always thought I wanted to write a book.

Probably all bloggers have that in the back of their mind.

I wonder if I could ever be disciplined enough to do it??

I wonder if I could ever feel “free” enough to truly express my thoughts and feelings??

I think of Jeannette Walls and The Glass Castle.

I think of Lenore Skomal and The Bluff.

Her words run through my mind so often.

“Write what is in your head, in your heart. Don’t worry about what others think. Your thoughts and your feelings are real, and they are yours. Own them. Share them. Express them.

But I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

It’s part of my DNA. I’m a “pleaser.” My greatest pleasure in life is to make others happy – to encourage others. I don’t do it at my own expense. But I do guard.

Oh boy – already I have proofread and backspaced and erased. More worried about what this sounds like than just allowing myself to “free type.”

I’m really not as crazy as this makes me sound!  🙂

Sheesh!  I hope the next assignments are not this difficult!

Wouldn’t you rather see pretty cards and yummy recipes and nice photos?

Now – seriously – this should not be difficult – to just free type – but I worry nobody will want to read the nonsense that comes of this.   And oh brother is this sounding like N O N S E N S E !

I know!!!!!!!!  GREAT IDEA…..

I will title this blog with a disclaimer that says you will not want to read this. LOL!

I wouldn’t as a blog follower of mine!

Oh bear with me my friends, and know that this is just an assignment – and one that I am challenging myself to do. To allow myself the freeness to do.

If you got this far, I apologize!!!!!!  SORRY!

Remember – it was a challenge to just “free type,” so it is not meant to really make sense.

I will try to find a great picture to go with it and make it a little more appealing!! LOL!!

Hey – Marty and I had our Wagyu Steaks tonight. Remember those ones I got on “SALE” for $19.95 per pound!?!??!! Oh My! They were pretty delish!

Does this photo of my dinner plate help???  🙂

Phew – the 20 minutes is up…….

Not sure I like this……

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi