Straw

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It’s a gorgeous fall day. I’m getting ready to go for a bike ride, followed by some writing time. Yet it feels like my inward landscape, my interior weather is at odds with the beauty of the day. My inward landscape and weather is affected by who knows how many forces, some obvious, some unwanted, some self-imposed, some hormonal, some downright mysterious and I’m thinking that right now I can’t sort out what, exactly, is making me unhappy. Because that is what I am. I am eaten with anxiety, abuzz with nervous energy, my mind whirling, distracted, bewildered, impatient, upset. On my brief run this morning, I attempted to be mindful: pay attention to the sounds around me, pay attention to what I was seeing, pay attention to smells (not good — it was garbage day). Within seconds, my mind was already flitting down dark alleyways of repetitive negative thought. I would bring it back to the streetlight shining on a pile of wet leaves, but a few steps later, my mind was gone again, chasing thoughts that feed on misery.

Why would my mind want to feed on misery? Why wouldn’t it, instead, be drawn to the sound of my feet making a rhythmic beat on the pavement? Why not sink into the sound of breath, patterning with the beat of my feet?

I have upon my back a straw. I either have to figure out how to contain it, how to compartmentalize my responsibilities so as to contain it and carry it, or the straw is going to break me.

That is what I’m thinking about today, as I prepare to climb onto my bike and pedal across town, with the hopes of finding a new scene for my book. My books needs many new scenes. That is the other news of the day, but that does not discourage me. I love these characters — why would I not want to spend more time with them?

Wish me luck, friends. So much depends upon it.

xo, Carrie

The world is too much with me
Notebook work: write while looking out of a window (15 mins)

5 Comments

  1. Kerry

    Good luck Carrie.

    Reply
    • Carrie Snyder

      This made me smile! Thanks, Kerry!

      Reply
  2. Rea Tarvydas

    do your best, Carrie. it’s all a girl can do. in the meantime, can i compliment you on your drawing skills? your lines are more certain and free.

    rea

    Reply
    • Carrie Snyder

      I’ve been doing these quick cartoons — I try to let my hand show me what to do.

      Reply
  3. Miriam Maust

    Go, Carrie, on your next story. This cloud cover doesn’t encourage the positive emotions–keep looking through that tunnel of clouds, willing that patch of blue far above to open!

    Reply

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