Monday, August 18, 2008

the pain of discipline...


I'm making a little collage and I need some help. Anyone interested?



Let me back up a bit and explain what I'm doing. I promised myself I'd do a lot of things when school started back up and the Great RC Dust Storm of 2008 began settling. I would go to the gym. (Yeah, right). I would start in on home projects. (See previous editorial comment - then double it). I had high hopes that something productive could actually happen in those areas. But I'm willing to put those things on the back burner for the moment, because the project I really want to happen more than anything else is for me to try writing this book that I feel I have burning at me. I've spent the summer pondering the universe and filling countless pages with notes and ideas. Now it's time to put my money where my mouth is.



And for the most part I think I'm ready. I wasn't ready earlier. I found that it was really hard to write about something as I was living it. I needed a little distance and a little clarity. I'm on that road now, and have been for a while. It's time. However, I need a little kick in the pants. And that's where the collage comes in. I want to make a kind of motivational visual that I can put where I normally write, just to help keep me on track. And keep me going when I want to stop or I feel overwhelmed. And to remind me of how very much I want this.



I have a few things in mind already. I've saved a tattered LA Times clipping of Brandi Chastain from the 1999 Women's World Cup for years. (This picture also reminds me that we could have gone to this game and didn't, but that's a whole other story). I also have a clipping of Kim Basinger when she won her Oscar, and she's looking at Alec Baldwin backstage with this absolutely indescribable expression on her face that almost moves me to tears. And I don't even like Alec Baldwin. (Neither does she, come to think of it). And, of course, I have some quotes.



The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret.



The best way to predict the future is to invent it.



And, of course, my mantra at the moment from Nora Ephron's Heartburn:



Vera said: "Why do you feel you have to turn everything into a story?"


So I told her why:


Because if I tell the story, I control the version.


Because if I tell the story, I can make you laugh, and I would rather have you laugh at me than feel sorry for me.


Because if I tell the story, it doesn't hurt as much.


Because if I tell the story, I can get on with it.



I'm ready to get on with it. And if you have an idea for my motivational board I'd really like to hear it.

18 comments:

Rudee said...

Well, good for you. I'm sure it'll be an amazing process.

This quotes sounds fitting for the gym or writing:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Lao Tzu

Devon said...

Everyone here knows you have a great way of writing about life situations that make us laugh and sometimes just take a deep breath!

There is no doubt that you can do this... the question is, do you want it enough to do it?

My inspirational quote is:
"If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always had."

...me thinks you may want to change it up a bit.?.

laurie said...

i thought that was Mia Hamm!

aims said...

One small phrase: I have a destiny!

LCM said...

I want to see that picture of Kim Basinger. A quote from the bible that always makes me chill is Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. It always causes me to focus on right now rather than what my wild imagination could conjure up.I don't know how motivational it is, but it seems to work.

Anonymous said...

Ask my daughter, I told her I thought you should write a book on your experiences. You have such a knack for humor. How does Gumby like Jr.High, takes some getting used to. Marti told Lu those are the 3 worst years of your schooling! KCGinny

softinthehead said...

Glad you are now ready RC, because we are all waiting with baited breath. (No pressure :) )

Marti said...

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Kind of a long qutoe but the last part really hits home. I think you will be fantastic at this. Good Luck and I am always rooting for you.

Jill said...

i think the question is, what REALLY motivates you? a goal, a simple quote surrounded with pictures of your kids? something compeltely different, and then use one of those elements or make several different boards to switch in and out as the mood strikes..

Anonymous said...

I think that's a fabulous idea. And distancing yourself from the idea can only help you see things from a different angle.

CJ xx

Stacie said...

I have nothing to add to your board, but I did want to say that I know you can do it. Much love to you!

lebanesa said...

If you're sure you are ready and far enough away to focus, go for it.

My first advice is get started - but be ready to find out you're not really far enough down the road yet.
Sometimes things are rawer than we think and we are less healed up than we imagine.
Like all these things, if you can, you will. If you can't you won't.
My other advice is, if you find you're not ready and able now, don't take that as a failure, table it and return another time. You will be able to do it some time, we don't doubt that - take your time and don't beat yourself up if it doesn't happen NOW. You rock, woman.

Potty Mummy said...

Used this one myself recently on a post about - well, won't bore you with the details. Anyway:

Because I'm worth it.

Trite, but we are.

Nearlydawn said...

You can steal the one off of my email tag line... I have carried a small scrap of paper with this slogan since I was about 10.

Protect the time and space to carry out your dreams.

It works for me. :)

-Ann said...

I'm afraid I've got no pearls of wisdom in the visual inspiration department - that's just not the way I roll. I do, strangely, find that Eminem song from 8 Mile oddly compelling and inspiring. (Which is weird, because I think he's a misogynist, racist gobshite.)

If you ever want to talk shop about writing, feel free to send me an email.

Iota said...

A pic of Hugh Grant? Or would that be a distraction?

Anonymous said...

for your wall in moments of despair:
1. You're alright.
2. There's no rush.
3. You can do this.

I got this from a website recently, but I can't remember where. Almost sure its a quote though.

Unknown said...

You might enjoy this Mr. Media podcast interview with US Olympic gold medal winners Brandi Chastain and Kerri Strug.