On my desk I keep a deck of cards.  Not your ordinary deck, but rather “Attitude is Everything” cards. **  Each card has a motivational message about being positive on the front and a kind of mantra on the back.  Sounds hokey, I know, but if you’re like me, it’s super easy to be negative. I don’t know why that is, but it is true for me.  Keeping a positive attitude is a conscious effort. I’m not always successful, but I keep trying.

Hopefully I’m getting better at it.

What does this have to do with writing? I can hear you saying as you scratch your head.

The more I write, the more I find that writing is actually a metaphor for life… or maybe Life is a metaphor for writing. I’m not sure.  Anyway, last week I met with my dissertation advisor.  I told him about our Writers March group, and no big surprise, he approves whole heartedly.  I told him my goal was to write five hours a day…   he was suitably impressed, then asked, practical man that he is, “So what happens if you don’t do five hours a day?”

“Nothing,” I said. “I do better the next day.”

As the words came out of my mouth it was almost as if someone else was talking.  That statement represents a big change for me.  Part of that not beating myself up stuff I wrote about at the beginning of the month.

And so, as I head off to Portland to witness the nuptials of my friend, and recent MFA grad Nari–  and visit my cousin Katie Spain (the fabulously talented artist), I suspect the five hours a day won’t be happening.  I am taking my computer, I am taking two books and I do plan on writing.  But I’m also planning on taking the advice (with a little writerly license) on today’s Attitude is Everything card:

Take a minute to think about all the positive things in your life.

Mantra:  I count my blessings and name them one by one. I am grateful for what I have [written] and hopeful for what I do not have [but will write over the weekend].

So I hope you’ll take a minute at this midpoint of the month and look at what you’ve accomplished so far.  No matter what, give yourself a pat on the back, take yourself out for an ice cream cone and celebrate!

**looks like the cards are no longer available…  what  a pity