Murphy You're Not Allowed

This morning I awoke to an extremely negative voicemail (not mean just negative) and I learned something really important. As I got dressed for work--which is now over an hour away again, and tried to remember all my food for the day, relaxation tools and not forget something major like brushing my hair.... I realized that there are indeed many different levels we exist on.

That said I also know that as I see these things it's important to change them. Especially since I've now got to worry about another little human (now the size of a mango!) who will arrive and rock my world, I can't soak up negativity anymore. Tis not an option.

The other day a friend asked me if I heard what happened to this woman we know. So I simply said "nope but I hope she's well." And I noticed that this have my friend pause and she immediately dropped the little piece of gossip and moved on to whether we should get Starbucks or Dunkin. It felt really good.

Last week I spoke with a family member who is always stressed out and needs a huge amount of validation. So much so that there is almost always "Right?" Or "Don't you think?" placed at the end of each negative comment. I have found that smiling and nodding works wonders. But for the times I don't agree I do say so. No catastrophe has occurred.

In another area of my life where things are usually really zen and relaxed, I've been feeling pressure and stress about deadlines and seeming to run out of time. of course the universe sends me a friend who feels the same way and we talk each other down and agree to stop worrying because IN THIS MOMENT, nothing is wrong. And we are fine.

I am writing this as I'm on the way to teach in NYC. Something I had agreed within myself that I would be winding down months ago. There are all of these curveballs being thrown and I get that life is unpredictable. That's one of the things I love about it. On the train are some chatty women knitting, a woman on the phone with the school nurse and business people on conference calls. That will not be me once my mango has hatched, but right now we are fine.

As the school nurse reports ear ache, she sends a sitter to pick up said ears and take him to the dr. I can't help but think I'd be getting off at the next stop and doing so myself... But that's just me. Priorities change quite frequently indeed. Yet as we all have different views, we have different reactions too.

A few months ago I may have thought this was gonna be "one of those days" and here comes Mr. Murphy (you know him--of the law) to tell me all is upended. But not today. Today we are fine. At this moment it's all good.

Press on and embrace the good, but send that negativity packing. We don't need it anymore.

Spring has Sprung!

As I prepare to welcome my students back from spring break, I look forward to shaking it up a bit with this: Don't Fear the Paper because we all do at some point... don't we?

This week was chock full of friendship, love and baby registry fun. I'm grateful for yoga in my life, the ability to share my words and all the wonderful people around me.

I've not written here much lately, for several reasons: most importantly treating myself to quality offline time and taking life slower--very much needed and well deserved. I suggest you try the same. Nourish your brains and bodies this season. We all need some Spring Cleaning.

Love and Lotus,
Keri

Memoirs: They shouldn't be so painful...should they?

After a long as hell 10 weeks of read this and summarize, read this and reflect, read this and debate, read this and discuss (and I know you may only be speaking out loud because participation is an actual grade in the class) we finally get to the juicy goodness of the last 2 weeks. This is where everyone writes about themselves. We love it right? I mean we have been reading everyone else's writing for ages (or 10 weeks) and now we get to say more than just a paragraph about what we think.

"I know I'm ready to jump right in...aren't you all? These stories are good stuff!"

Blank stares and nervous jitters are complemented by the inevitable question of "So like what are we supposed to actually write about?"

I used to sigh in exasperation and stare back for a sec. Now, after five consecutive years of this, I smile and say "Who wants to fill us in?" And behold! There are always at least three people who answer through gritted teeth and eye rolls. I always fall in love with whoever says "READ the DIRECTIONS."

So I am looking at stuff to read. Mind you I like variety so I decide to bring in the big guns:

We go right for Junot Diaz's MISS LORA and I explain that it is fiction, but reads like a journal entry so why not look at it first? Then we look at an excerpt of DRY by Augusten Burroughs and of course we hit up Sedaris' ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY which after Diaz and Burroughs seems a little tame, but inevitably someone giggles at his exaggerated lisp when we hear the audio.

Looking at my chosen titles, I love what I see. Wit, humor, sarcasm, blunt honesty and pain. It isn't often that I get the responses I would like to hear. People are still afraid to curse in class (after ten fuckin weeks with me...imagine?!) but I press on.

So this morning we talk about the readings. And it seems nobody has read them except for two painfully shy kids who look like hives are about to bust out of the sheen of sweat glistening on their brows. SO I go for it: "I know you two have read the stories, so tell us what you think." One says he didn't read it, and the other goes, "I don't even know what the fuck to say... I mean, shit...I'm speechless"

BRAVO when they get to the point of at least knowing it's okay to reiterate vocabulary from the text.

That said, I look forward to one more session of this tomorrow where the class will likely share their red faced chagrin and MAYBE one or two will break the pattern and earn those 20 participation points. But I guess that's the beauty of this. Always a different story and always room, for what it depends on the campus, the season and the ballsy factor to start. I can't wait for Summer when our angry inner bitches come out! Man do they have good stories.

Hope the end of your semester is as much fun as mine!

Memoir & Prenatal Massages

K

Taking a minute to OM

I get this email from the Daily Om, as I'm sure many people do and I thought this was the most appropriate quote (as often happens) and wanted to share it:

"Having daily ritual or ceremony in our lives is very important to keep us connected to what really matters."

Today I spent writing all day, and have been trying to catch up on all the stuff that seems not to fit into the days we have each week. I've written four papers, a column and did some editing to my book in progress. And now that it is night, I of course have a second wind that I prayed for all day and tried to lure in with coffee.

All I suggest is taking a second to take care of yourself because you are the most important person you know. As I tell myself every day, just keep practicing.

Namaste,
Keri

February!!

OK OK I know I haven't been blogging, but give me a break I have a lot goin on! ;-)

(Yes that's a baby bookworm and I think he's adorable...don't you?)

 

So what have I been up to that has taken all my time for the past month plus? Well let's see... There 's teaching--which somehow worked it's way into FIVE whole days of my weeks this semester--I KNOW!! WTF?? But I love teaching so it's all good. And there is my short story collection which is getting polished and handeled with love on it's way to fruition. There are also a few projects that popped up and I've enjoyed collaborating on--more on that soon as well.

 

 

In the mean time, check out Alike But Indie: Safe Haven if you enjoy Nicholas Sparks. Valentine's Day is right ahead you know--embrace some romance!

 

 

Writing something? Take a look at 7 Tips to Help you Make Time for Writing if you procrastinate like a champ (aka like me...I'm the champ)

 

 

Here is where I've been at with my own work for a while: 50/50 or Halfway There 

 

 

And check out Pam Olson's fabulous book if you haven't already: Fast Times in Palestine and read my Interview with Pam Olson on Indie Reader.

 

 

I'm collaborating with some wonderful people and beaming about how cool our finished products will eventually be. And of course, all this while remaining calm and remembering to breathe.

 

 

So yeah...2013 is hella-busy! But I'm super glad to have the chance to pop in to say hey to all, hope all is well and wishing you all a Bookish Valentine's Day!

 

 

Hearts and Pages,

Keri



Something to Read

As I sit on a lazy Sunday reading This is How it Ends by Kathleen Macmahon, I am thinking that it has been a year of good reads for sure: both mainstream and indie. I think I will make a list this week of all the books I loved in 2012. Until then...here are a couple of pieces that I enjoyed writing at the end of this year. (Click the titles to read)

 

WORLD GONE MAD

 

 

 

 

FILL UP YOUR KINDLE!

Looking forward to a year of good things. Stay tuned for some more suggested reading and lots of surprises in 2013!

2013

Since it's 2013 and all, I figure I should pop over here to say hey and Happy New Year! As everyone is winding down from the fear of all that Mayan forboding, it's good to be able to do so from Earth indeed. This year, so much exciting stuff will happen... I can feel it quite literally. I have some well thought out plans for several crazy but long awaited projects to happen. More on those as the year unfolds, but for right now I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and thought provoking New Year. May you all find peace and calm in everything you endavor to do this year, and may happiness seek you out and wrap you up in warm blankies.

Beginning another semester, another chapter and another life in some ways, I think this year is going to be one of the best ever. It's as if we have a fresh start, a new place to begin and brand spanking new colored pencils. They are sharpened and paused eagerly over the sheaf of crisp white paper that 2013 hovers within--ready to be written, drawn and sculpted to life. Make sure you have every color you need (and doubles of your favorites) It's going to be an interesting year!

Peace and Pages in 2013
Keri