Self-Inflicted

Yes, yes, my "glute" is still sore from my self-inflicted laceration, but that's not what this is about.

(But thanks to everyone who suggested or voted on the alternative titles!)

I'm talking about this whole blog-a-day thing. My friend asked me why I decided to do it, like what is the big deal about blogging every day. I'm glad she asked, because then I had to answer for myself, too. And it helps me to remember on nights like this when I'd much rather stay curled up on the couch.

I need discipline. Even though I squirm and procrastinate my way around them, rules and boundaries help me function more like I'm designed to.  I can't ever be a writer if I don't write. And as small and silly as this blog is, it gives me a venue to write. I have to start somewhere, so here it is.

It's good for me to have goals, but even better to make them known. Then, I have accountability. I know nobody's gonna beat me up if I don't blog for a day, but I like the idea of giving my readers a little something to look forward to every day. So this works out to be win-win (at least in my mind I tell myself it's a win for my readers, because if nothing else, my mom, grandma and sister read it faithfully!)

Finally, being consistent with any talent or gifting serves to refine it. I find that when I let the blogging lapse, I lose my writing voice. The writer's block gets harder to overcome. It's the same with exercising, if you think about it. I remember having these muscles called abs, but seeing as how they haven't really been used in the past few months, they are getting harder and harder to find. Having a baby--the size of an eggplant now--hiding them doesn't help, but I don't want to have any excuses when it comes to writing (at least for now!).

Yes, I'm looking forward to the end of the month and accomplishing my goal and maybe taking a break for a few days. I'm also looking forward to a month more of community built with you all and hopefully a stronger sense of who I am or want to be as a writer.

Thanks, as always, for reading! Your thoughts about what helps you in terms of discipline or goals, or anything else you want to comment on are welcome.

(Oh, and happy 63rd birthday, Air Force! You're looking good!)