They say the first step toward self-improvement is admitting one has a problem. To that end, I stand in front of a virtual room of perhaps thirty people on this cool fall morning, somewhere in Canada…
Me: Hello. My name is Donna and I am a writer.
#Group: (Mild applause.)
Cindi (the moderator): Welcome, Donna. What brings you to our #group?
Me: It’s kind of hard to talk about…
Cindi: You’re among friends, Donna. You’re safe here.
Me: Ok. Well, it’s been 3 days since my last Chapter. My life is spiralling out of control. I’ve had ‘whiteouts’ -- too many errors. Sometimes I can’t tell the difference between the story and ‘reality’. I feel so…alone. My sponsor is buried in her own revisions.
#Group: (Some shaking of heads.) Yeah, man. That’s rough.
Cindi: How are you coping?
Me: Not sure I am, coping, that is. Just trying to keep busy. Trying to keep my mind occupied. Following my husband around like a lost puppy. Doing some baking, helping the kids with homework, knitting….
Cindi: Go on….
Me: (Looking at my feet) Well, a bit of blogging.
#Group: (Gasps) No! Don’t do it!
Cindi: We’re not here to judge you, Donna.
#Group: That’s right. We’ve all been there, man.
Cindi: The main thing is you realise you need help. You’ve come to this #group looking for something – some way to fill the void of empty hours.
Me: (shoulders lifting with suppressed sob) I can’t help it. I’ve always been a writer. I don’t know how to DO anything else. It’s how I identify myself.
Cindi: But you have a husband, a family, friends, a job…. Surely there are other things in your life besides this crazy dream of making a living by the Word?
#Group: (Claps loudly and slowly) Yeah! Right on, Cindi. He who lives by the Word, dies by it!
Me: I don’t think I can do this. I’ve made a mistake in coming here. (I start to leave the front of the room)
Cindi: What’s really holding you back, Donna? What’s stopping you from planting your feet firmly in the ‘real’ world and giving up this crazy addiction?
Me: (Standing up straight at last) I have to accept it. It’s just who I am. I Am A Writer.
#Group: (Loud applause) Bravo! Bravo! (Rises to ovation)
Cindi: All right. That’s enough for today. We’ve made a major breakthrough here. Now, for God’s sake, let’s all go get a drink!
Donna Carrick, Sunday, October 18, 2009
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A little humor goes a long way, doesn't it, Donna? Enjoyed this interlude. :) I want to thank you for taking the time to read Take Care. I'm delighted it resonated with you so well. I think taking care of ourselves often comes last on the list. That's why, I believe, it is a message that resonates, especially with those of us who have to be very deliberate about taking the time to refresh ourselves! Glad your family appreciates you for being 'you'.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
Be Refreshed!