Shedding

[Photo courtesy zaps06]

I’m in the process of reinventing myself, shedding my skin, and uncovering a new Lori. A Lori that accepts the cards she’s been dealt and learns to play the hand with grace and gratitude. Actually, to be honest, gratitude remains a stretch for me, but I can certainly focus on living with grace. (Thank you, Nadia!)

Recently, I noticed that I’ve been included in Aline’s “Jedlight Writers” List on Twitter (@Jedlight), which tickled me pink in light of my future plans. Sure, you may be saying to yourself, “Big deal, it’s just a list on Twitter.” But that’s not how I see it.

Someone ELSE thinks I’m worth being included in a list of writers. Aline, this deed gave me huge smiles. Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate you! However, this also made me realize that I no longer need approval to give my subconscious self permission to write. I write because I love it. I write because I must. It’s like air—I must breathe (and write) to live.

2010 is going to be my year of the BOOK—finishing my book as well as reading as many books as I can get my hands on. I can’t deny it any further; I am in love with writing, creating, and steeping my self in the written word.

My Mantra for 2010

I am a writer.

I am a writer.

I am a writer.

(OK, and I am a graphic designer, musician, scientist, and therapist, too.)

As I continue my writing journey in 2010 having spent 2009 performing massive amounts of homework to prepare for reaching my goals—including a NaNoWriMo warm-up exercise, research about the craft, and starting this blog, please know you’ve been a treasured part of my journey thus far. I love this community, thank you!

What’s in store for JBN for 2010?

• Occasional posts about my journey from ‘average Jane, starting from the first manuscript draft’ to ‘published Jane’
• Articles of randomness (hopefully entertaining and fun) to help you meet your day with grace
• Front Porch stories on most weekends
• Occasional additions to the Your Body is a Fortress series

I followed Aline’s link from Twitter to her Jedlight blog and found an interesting static page there—Aline, thanks for your inspiration! Following Aline’s example, here’s my list…

13 Reasons Why I Know My Life is a Dream

• I’ve met three Nobel Prize winners while attending grad school and shook their hands while my heart pounded out of my chest.
• I’m still on this side of the dirt.
• I was my Army buddy’s birth partner/coach, we were both single and 18 years old, and was blessed to help her during childbirth.
• Growing up a Midwest farmer’s daughter, I learned the value of growing crops for food and raising animals for sustenance. I’ll never take food for granted.
• I had trouble walking to my brother-in-law’s house on Christmas Eve this year—but that means I am still alive!
• I formerly trained with Ironman Triathlon athletes in Kona, Hawaii—and kept pace with them.
• I am part of a stimulating and kind blogging community. (Oh, the joy!)
• I achieved a decades-long dream of becoming a scientist—earned a Ph.D., was awarded grants, and completed a challenging post-doctoral fellowship. (Check!)
• I formerly (temporarily) could not see from my right eye and now have nearly perfect vision in both eyes.
• I formerly worked alongside an amazing writer and editor named Alison who continues to help mold me as a writer. (Alison, a.k.a. @FairyBlogMother, you rock!)
• I survived an overseas war and several cycling accidents.
• I have an iMac with skills to pay the bills. (Hells yeah!)
• I found my life partner and we’re helping each other grow (follow the link to a great article about this topic by Nadia at Happy Lotus).

What are some of the reasons your life is a dream? Talk to me, mates!

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