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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

IWSG - Life

Aloha,



It’s Insecure Writers' Support Group time, and as always, a huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, who founded IWSG (and is owed an adult beverage for his troubles.)
Oh, and the co-hosts for this month are Laura at My Baffling Brain; Shah Wharton; Sheena-kay Graham and some bald dude who scares people when he walks outside with his coconut bra and grass skirt.

Last month, I had nothing to report because all was good.

Since then, so many things have changed, and the loss of Tina Downey has made me reflect on my own mortality.

So, I guess I'm "only" insecure about life this month.

Moving forward, I aim to focus more on my writing goals - and achieve them - instead of making excuses.

What a shame - how insecure of us - to waste even one of our precious days.



65 comments:

Michael Di Gesu said...

Thanks Mark....

I needed to read this. I need to "get a grip, too!" Time to get back to my writing.....

dolorah said...

I've been reflecting on the things I've left undone too. Life is short really, no matter how many years you pack behind you.

Good luck with your goals.

Elephant's Child said...

I think Alex is owed oceans of adult beverages, from many, many people.
Cherish every precious day - and moment.

Lisa said...

So very true. We waste such a valuable resource with needless worry or excuses. Good for you for honoring Tina with a change of habit... She's not my only loss this year and I too, think about mortality right now, a lot. Thanks for co-hosting Mark!

SittieCates said...

Thanks for co-hosting!

You're right. Losing someone often alters things--making us see what we're missing in life and allowing us to ponder on what we can do to move forward.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Mark, hearing about Tina in the same week as another author has rocked my boat. Life is short & precious. We need to prioritize. Good Luck with your writing accomplishments.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Losing Tina really made everyone think. Time is so fleeting and precious.
Thanks for co-hosting. And without the coconut bra and skirt.

Melissa said...

Losing Tina has shaken us all up, I think.

Thanks for co-hosting, bald dude. Have a pint. :)

IWSG #179 until Alex culls the list again.

Crystal Collier said...

That's right. Now wasting precious days. =) I'm right there with you. Shortly after Tina passed away, a close friend of ours, a young father with two little girls passed away. You just never know when your time is going to be up, eh?

Anonymous said...

If it wasn't for death, how would we remember to live?
You are doing the best possible thing, and honoring the memory of your friend, by choosing to live every day with purpose and gratitude.

So write, drink, and be merry! (Coconut bra and grass skirt optional, but greatly appreciated)
:)

Samantha Bryant said...

Time is such a slippery creature, and the main ingredient in most kinds of joy and success. Here's to making the most of what we've got!

Anonymous said...

Very true. I feel like I find an excuse every day, and I'm conscious I'm doing it!

Miranda Hardy said...

Her loss has made me ponder life as well, and how few days we really have. It's important not to waste them.

Anonymous said...

Tina' s loss shook me so badly. She was such a positive voice; she always had good things to say as I struggled through not only building my new blog, but dealing with my hard times. I miss her so much.

You're right, life is too short and precious. Thanks for co-hosting this month. Eva

Unknown said...

Losing a friend is always difficult. I hope you can keep her memory with you as you move forward with your writing.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room

Huntress said...

<>
Because we need one every now and then.

Thx for hosting.

Huntress said...

oops. a *hug* was in-between those HTML symbols. Doh!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month. When we stop to think how fragile life is, we can get motivated and stop worrying about insecurities or what others think, and start DOing something!
Play off the Page

Dean K Miller said...

We either do or we don't. It's as simple as that. A good friend and great writer let me know he has stage IV cancer. Though prognosis is still uncertain, he looks to publishing his memoir and finishing his novel.

Tough news, but inspirational as well. It is time to do.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

One of the things I've noticed as I've aged is that I hate going things that seem like they're wasting my limited time. I hate standing in line, just watching TV without doing something else at the same time and even hours spent shopping. Don't waste a minute.

Tanya Miranda said...

Hi Mark. I didn't know Tina Downey, but it appears she left a lasting impression on a lot of people in the indie writing community. Seeing the memorials about her made me reflect upon my life as well.

As Neil Gaiman said in his commencement speech at the University of the Arts..."When things get tough, this is what you should do. Make good art."

Robin said...

Losing someone unexpectedly really puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?

Robin said...

Losing someone unexpectedly really puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?

Diane Burton said...

It's a wake-up call when we lose someone. Living our lives to the fullest, enjoying each day, not worrying about the future.

Thanks for cohosting this fab group.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Very early on in my online presence, I lost a dear mentor who I was so sure I couldn't manage without. But he taught me to hold me head up high and to carry on. Also to trust my instincts. Tina had that same effect. We're all so much better people for having known her. I give thanks every day for IWSG. Have a super month, Mark. And know that you've touched a lot of people too with your good heart and your generosity.

Lucinda Whitney, Author said...

It's a good message to keep in mind. TFS!

lucindawhitney.com

Jenni said...

I didn't know Tina, but I feel like I have from all the touching memorials that have been on the net.
It's so true that we need to make the best use of the time we have--that's why I've been avoiding Netflix lately so I can finish my revisions. :)

Jenni said...

I didn't know Tina, but I feel like I have from all the touching memorials that have been on the net.
It's so true that we need to make the best use of the time we have--that's why I've been avoiding Netflix lately so I can finish my revisions. :)

Anonymous said...

I just heard about Tina this morning. I was heartbroken. She will be missed by many. You're right, it really makes one take stock about life.

Thank you for co-hosting, bald, scary, coconut wearing, guy.

ElsieI

Jacqui said...

Such a healthy attitude--month to month. Never let an insecurity control more than a day... a week... or at the most a month.

David P. King said...

Just remember to keep the mantra alive:

"While alive, while alive."

Life has finally simmered down for me, enough that I may hopefully get back into the blogging habit. You're so close on your goals, too. Bird by bird. You'll get there! :)

ELAdams said...

Thanks for co-hosting! :)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I sometimes start to worry about how much time I have left, but then I remind myself that no one but God knows. Plucking me off the earth is on His calendar, not mine, so I'll trust His wisdom and head on out when He calls.
(If I get there before you, I'll be sure to haunt you and hide your car keys for the rest of the time you have on earth. Remember that. Make fun of my email capabilities....)

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Excuses are the parking space you get too comfortable in. Hi fellowIWSG Co-Host. Tina will be missed and focus on accomplishing your goals Mark. God Bless.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thank you, Mark. We all have this amazing gift of life and stopping to recognize it is so good.

kjmckendry said...

Great post! We have to keep things in perspective and just get done what needs to get done, because life is too short.

Laura Clipson said...

This is such a great post - I make a lot of excuses not to achieve my goals, and it really is something I need to stop.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thanks Mark, I too needed that reminder. I have been ignoring my writing for the past few days. Need to get back to it.

Chemist Ken said...

Sometimes we just have to pause and reflect on life. It's what keeps our writing batteries recharged. thanks for co-hosting the IWSG!

Lori L. MacLaughlin said...

Thanks for the kick-in-the-butt post. I need to stop sweating the small things and focus on the big picture, because I well know that life is too short to do otherwise.

Juneta key said...

Sorry for your loss. Yeah I think about my own mortality a lot, since hitting a certain age. I too had a friend die this month. It does make you think and wonder what can you do different. Thanks for hosting this month.

Juneta at Writer's Gambit

S.P. Bowers said...

Life truly is insecure. Even if we don't leave it, we never know what could happen. You're right about needing to make every moment count. Sigh, guess I should get back to work.

Al Diaz said...

We must make the best out of life indeed. Get those goals done, Mark!

Michelle Wallace said...

Sawubona Mark!
Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
Tina's passing was a shock! What a blow to our community... and it reinforces the brevity of life... here today, gone tomorrow...
It reminds me of this saying - Don't count the days, make the days count...
(Thanks for the wonderful validation at my post on the IWSG website...)
((((Ubuntu Hugs))))

Shah Wharton said...

Yeah I hear that... get stuff done instead of making excuses! Good luck with that. X

shahwharton.com :)

Kristin Smith said...

Thanks for hosting, Mark! Well said. Make the most of life and don't waste a single, precious moment. Thanks for the reminder!

Michelle Athy said...

Thanks for co-hosting, Mark. I didn't know Tina, but it seems like she made an impact and an impression. It is important to remember that life is fleeting and we have to make the time count to make an impression, too.

J.Q. Rose said...

Thanks for co-hosting, Mark. I've lost 2 good friends lately. It is a big adjustment to move on, but you can! Find peace by remembering the good times you shared.

Kirsten said...

Yes, losing one of our own has made me thoughtful about the place writing has in my life-- not only that I need to keep at it, but also that I need to treasure the people in my life.
We all need more hugs, more kindness, and more smiles. :)

Heather M. Gardner said...

We do tend to get complacent. This did remind me to hug and kiss more of my family and to tell them how much they mean to me.

Now, go write!

Thanks for co-hosting!

Heather

Cathy Keaton said...

The loss of someone can make us present to our circumstances and our reality. We realize we need to live our lives as fully as our hearts can handle. I need to get out my head and stop thinking so much. I make up stories non-stop, so many more than I write in a document and hope to sell one day.

God bless....

kimlajevardi.com said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Seizing every day and making progress on your dreams sounds like a great way to honor such a loss.

Patsy said...

You're right that it's a shame to keep making excuses rather than to get on and do the things we want to do. I'll try hard to waste less of my time this way.

Tonja Drecker said...

We should use every moment to the best. (Now, to figure out how ;) )

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark .. living life to the full and with richness is one of the keys ... sharing and just caring for those around us .. Your little ones will keep you focused ...

Cheers Hilary

Fundy Blue said...

Thanks for co-hosting, Mark! I wasn't able to visit IWSG posts yesterday, so I'm visiting today. I'm sorry for your loss ~ I read about Tina through Alex's blog. It's very difficult to lose people who are close to us. And you are so right ~ we should make the most of each and every day. All the best to you!

Anonymous said...

Forgot to thank you for co-hosting. Thanks for co-hosting! :D

Jeff Chapman said...

Yes, life is short and you don't have control over when it will end. I became very serious about writing after a couple brushes with cancer.

Melissa Sugar said...

Ah! I finally managed to make it to your blog and comment section. I don't know what the heck is wrong with my computer or my browser of whatever is causing the problem, but for the last few days whenever I clicked on your name or link, my browser refused to open. I finally managed to read your post after clicking on your name in the comment section of someone else's post, but even then I couldn't get your comment section to open for me. I kept trying each time I ran across your name and today it finally let me leave a comment.

Whew! Out of breath. You have written some very poignant words and such a true statement with such clarity and brevity. Indeed, every day of living should be treasured. It is sad that at times it takes a tragedy for us to recognize the gift we have in front of us.

My heart goes out to Tina's family.
Thank you for reminding me to appreciate life.

Anonymous said...

Losing someone always puts how little time we have into perspective. Reminds us to remember to live (and write of course.)

Doreen McGettigan said...

You are so right. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
I intend to be present in each moment.
doreenmcgettigan.com

Annalisa Crawford said...

Yes, the news about Tina helped me to put a lot of things in perspective - and I'm determined to make the most of my time, and - like you say - no excuses!

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for the reality check and for co-hosting. I wishing everyone the best at reaching their goals.

Elise Fallson said...

Hugs.

Nicole said...

Live. That one word says so much and is such a powerful reminder!

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