Warning: This post isn’t my normal inspiring, motivating, uplifting kind of post–it’s pretty depressing in fact so if you’d rather not feel sad, you might want to skip along the cyber highway and wait to read my next post….

Wow. Time flies by so fast….

Where I’ve Been

I haven’t forgotten about the contest I told you about– honestly. Circumstances beyond my control have kept my focus away from blogging lately. I mentioned in my last post that I’ve recently lost two cousins (only in their thirties). Well, since that posting, I’ve lost a third cousin (only 28). Major shocker. I grew up with two of these cousins and was around them all the time, so they were more than just a “cousin” or “relative”, they were extremely special to me.

I went to school with the cousin who was 32. He just didn’t wake up one morning. It was his heart. The 36-year-old cousin lost his life in a car accident, and the 28-year-old cousin who just passed away also lost her life in a car accident. She was like a little sister to me. She was so special and we were so much alike. I’ve been devastated and have been at a total loss for blog posts. I haven’t even been writing/blogging for editors/clients since she passed away. I’ve taken some time to try to absorb all of this. I mean, one death is one thing, but two? That was hard enough. And then a third one? And for her to be such a beautiful, special soul? That’s when I realized I had to step away from the page and just let it sit there blank. The Muse–and my creative inspiration–has taken a flying leap and deserted me. But that’s okay for now. I am relishing the quiet moments. I need them. I crave them. I am using these quiet moments to find strength, hope, and healing. I’m using them to find renewal and to fill back up on the energy I need so I can move forward. This has all been so exhausting, it’s unreal. The bad news, the services, seeing my family members and even my cousins’ friends hurting so badly, missing their loved ones so much…. And realizing I’ll never see my cousins again–not on holidays, not on family visits, and there’ll be no more opportunities to send a birthday card….

Life, Death, and What Comes After

I won’t pretend to be a genius and concoct fancy images of the after life for you to figure out. Those of you who have followed me from the beginning of this blog and who have become close to me along the cyber highway and my freelance journey know that I am a Christian. No, I don’t say it in every blog post or on every social media site. I don’t try to force my beliefs on others and I have found that even those of you who don’t believe in God at all respect me (and my walk with God) because of that. Am I ashamed? No. And those of you who know me, know that too. Some people (okay, a lot of people) disagree with me on that. They think I should shout from the rooftops that I’m a Christian. I firmly believe what my Grandmother always taught me: actions speak louder than words. I can say I’m something until I lose my voice, but if I show what I am by my actions, then you’ll know without a doubt. Simple, eh?

So, anyway… I do believe there is life after death but the life after death I’m referring to here is on this side of the world. I’m talking about those of us who are left here to pick up the pieces and to wonder why: Why did they have to die so young? Why couldn’t they have lived and why couldn’t have God taken someone else? Someone who did horrible things and who was a horrible person who hurt people? But He didn’t. He took my cousins. All of them had children. Now their children are minus a parent.

What to Do?

Sometimes there just aren’t any answers. Sometimes we have to leave it at that. We don’t know everything….

So, what do we do? What can we do? We can wake up each morning as the sun kisses our face or the rain pelts the window or the dark clouds hover over our homes and be truly thankful in our hearts that we are alive and can gobble up all the goodness that day will bring! Don’t think there’ll be any goodness in a new day? Then be the person who brings goodness to the world!

Love your family and friends as if there were no tomorrow. Remember: tomorrow may never come for some of us. We aren’t guaranteed to wake up when we go to sleep, or to make it to our destination alive when we hop in our car–or someone else’s–and drive away.

Don’t take the people you love for granted. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today: let them know how much you appreciate them, tell them you love them instead of just assuming they already know it, buy them a beautiful (or even silly) card “just because”, make time for your loved ones–even if you don’t think you can.

There are definitely potholes in the roads of life. Nevermind them. Stop to smell the roses and enjoy the journey as best you can. Cherish every moment that you breathe. Live so that you won’t have regrets. Forgive and forget–even if it hurts. Love yourself enough to love those around you. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you can’t…

I leave you with this thought: life is a book.

Be sure to subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s Feed or by e-mail! In the next couple of posts, I’ll be sharing photos and details about my visit to an old-fashioned festival where I dressed up as a pioneer woman (bonnet and all!) and also had the amazing opportunity to meet an Editor-In-Chief and an Editor. Eeek! I’ll also be posting that contest I’ve been telling you about, so keep up with me on the cyber highway!

Photo Credit: wowacom

By

Michele L. Tune

Rebecca Laffar-Smith just shared her long road to writing with us. Since I read her story, I’ve been reflecting on my own. I’ve mentioned before I need to stop pulling the reins on myself so I can go to the next level in my freelance writing business. So, why do I feel I’m still holding myself back? Why do I feel I could have already acccomplished so much more? Am I just too hard on myself? Do I expect too much of myself? Or, am I truly – without even realizing it – allowing my past to keep me from stepping into a future I desire with all my heart? Am I locking myself out of my own future?

Just as Rebecca shared that she drifted to and away from her writing dreams, my own writing has drifted to and fro throughout the years. I’ve always been a writer – even if I was just jotting down what happened on any given day in my journal, or pouring my heart onto a loose piece of paper in the form of poetry. I’m a writer. It’s who I’ve been since I was a little girl; it’s who I’ll always be.

Maybe you’re feeling the same way I am. Maybe, just maybe, you even feel like I’ve written this very post just for you. And, you might be right. (I’m a firm believer that stuff always happens for a reason.) I’m inspired to write this post, to share my heart, my fears, my struggles with you because I want anyone who comes to read this blog to know they aren’t alone.

Some things I’ve struggled with as a freelance writer and blogger are:

• maintaining a lot of confidence
• selling my writing and blogging services
• overcoming my hermit tendencies
• finding the courage to approach the publications/people that intimidate me
• overwhelming myself with too many resolutions

You might find it odd that I feel this way - or that I’d spill the beans about it for a gazillion eyes to read. I have wondered why I feel this way as I contemplate my future with words. My conclusion? It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be to move forward in life after escaping domestic violence. Bruises from the physical abuse fade in no time, but the bruises from the verbal abuse are etched deep in the heart, mind, and soul of the victim.

Off the topic of writing:

If you’re prone to saying things you don’t mean in the heat of the moment, find a way to change yourself. Your hurtful words can’t be erased. They’ll stick with that person forever. Think about that.

So, what am I doing to stop reflecting on the past so my writing can take me where I want to go?

Here’s a few things I’ve been doing:

• take risks like hitting send for a query to that high-paying market
• polishing my queries so they portray me in a positive light
• trying to find ways to come out of my hermit shell
• focusing on short-term goals (you’ll notice I didn’t share a resolutions post this year)
• unlocking the door to my destiny

I’m not sure where this writing road will take me. What I do know is that the journey will only be all it was meant to be if I’m forging ahead in confidence, and not glancing over my shoulder allowing my past to direct my footsteps…

At the end of Rebecca’s guest post, she asked us what our long road to writing was. Today I’d love to know where your writing road is going to take you. Will you travel it with your eyes on the future? Have you already been doing that? Or, like me, have you struggled with your past tugging at you all along the way? Share your writing journey in the comments!

Be sure to subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s Feed or by email, so you won’t miss upcoming posts and updates. Look for news from my own writing life, as well as interviews with amazing and inspiring folks. I’ll even be sharing the links to my mom’s new website and blog!

Photo Credit:http://www.sxc.hu

By

Michele L. Tune

Photo Credit: buboo_kt

Tired, Burning, and Itching

We’ve all been there, right? Our eyes are aching from staring at the computer screen but we have to write nonetheless. Sometimes there’s just no way around it. You have to be in front of that bright screen, that window to cyber life.

There’s hope! There’s relief! No, really, there is.

I’m going to share with you what I do.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cucumbers cut in slices
• Small freezer bags

Here’s what to do:

Place the the cucumber slices in freezer bags where they’ll lay flat and not stick together. Lay the bags flat in the freezer. When your eyes are burning, itching, and hurting, go to the freezer and grab a couple of those slices. Let them thaw a little. You can also place a folded, cool wash cloth over the cucumber slices and your eyes. Lean back or lay down in a quiet, relaxing spot – if that’s possible! – and let your poor overworked eyes soak up all that cool goodness. Your eyes will thank you and you’ll love that refreshing feeling the cold cucumber leaves.

I took my own advice and did this just today. It’s great! I loved how my eyes felt afterward. Take care of your eyes; take a few minutes out of your day and reward them with this amazing treatment. You’ll be so glad you did!

And, you’ll definitely have a much nicer time writing the cyber highway!