Sunday Sentiments: Delight

 

            I took Friday off work so I could write. I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation day from my day job just to have time to write! In truth, I usually spend evenings or weekends writing, but in this first quarter of the year, that just hasn’t been a possibility, so I took Friday.

            I have some spring speaking events coming up that either needed finished, tweaked, or (gulp!) started, so I took the day and set apart just for writing.

            Ryan went to work, I put on my “It’s a Good Day to Write” t-shirt, and out of all the times I have worn it this year, this time it really was my uniform.

            I kept the coffee flowing, settled in at my sit/stand desk, and moved Lexi’s bed next to me so she could be as close as possible. For eight straight hours, I prayed and typed and sorted through books for quotes and prayed and typed and sorted through books for quotes. I took short breaks for food and coffee, and that was it.

            Before launching into this day of writing, I told some friends how nervous I was that the creativity might fail me. Writing is an art and a mystery. At least for me, some days it flows and some days it really, really doesn’t. I had this one day off work, set aside for writing, and I didn’t have a back up plan. If the creativity didn’t flow, I didn’t know when I would write instead.

            I was so grateful when it showed up for me. I was so grateful to write. Smoke probably came out the side of my keyboard, because my fingers flew. 15,000 words in one day. (In case you’re curious, most professional writers write anywhere from 500-2500 in a day, apparently.)

            I was pretty exhausted toward the end, but I pushed through, determined to meet my goal of finishing the last piece on my list for that day. Then I headed to the couch and fell asleep for about a half hour.

            The whole day was an utter delight. I adored the things I learned while I wrote about them. I adored the word pictures I was able to craft. I adored the chance to simply sit and write. I have missed it so much.

            Writing probably doesn’t bring most of you the same level of joy it brings me, and that’s okay. But I hope you’re able to spend some quality time with whatever brings you sheer delight. It is so filling for the soul!