My other major goal this year: to practice being a writer. PRACTICE is defined as doing something habitually, to pursue a profession, to exercise oneself by repeated performance in order to acquire skill.
I will admit it: I never loved to practice. When I was in elementary school in the 80's, I did my time at the piano bench. I'd ride my bike three doors down to Linda McFadden's house for lessons. We'd do scales, Chopsticks, Three Blind Mice. I'd go home and dream of being onstage like my babysitter, Susan Sellers, who played You Light Up My Life and Nadia's Theme in her recital. That's about all I'd do for the week leading up to my next lesson. The result: we'd do scales, chopsticks and Three Blind Mice again.
I will admit it: I never loved to practice. When I was in elementary school in the 80's, I did my time at the piano bench. I'd ride my bike three doors down to Linda McFadden's house for lessons. We'd do scales, Chopsticks, Three Blind Mice. I'd go home and dream of being onstage like my babysitter, Susan Sellers, who played You Light Up My Life and Nadia's Theme in her recital. That's about all I'd do for the week leading up to my next lesson. The result: we'd do scales, chopsticks and Three Blind Mice again.
In the past few years, in no small part due to my work in triathlon, I've come to love practice. I love the good days when I keep a consistently faster pace on 5 x 800s at the track. I've learned to love the bad days when I can't complete a breathing drill in the pool and feel the real possibility of drowning. I love showing up for ten consecutive practices.
That consistent work in my swim, bike and run creates personal bests, easier races and faster recovery. In short, it's made me a triathlete.
The one dream that trumps my dream to play Nadia's Theme on the piano? I want to be a writer. I'm convinced that consistent work in storytelling, exposition and conflict will result in my best essay ever, easier denouements and maybe even a published piece!
That consistent work in my swim, bike and run creates personal bests, easier races and faster recovery. In short, it's made me a triathlete.
The one dream that trumps my dream to play Nadia's Theme on the piano? I want to be a writer. I'm convinced that consistent work in storytelling, exposition and conflict will result in my best essay ever, easier denouements and maybe even a published piece!
I've been listening to a speech by Natalie Goldberg and reading her classic book Writing Down the Bones. She talks of making writing a practice - no matter the circumstances. So my practice is easy and attainable for me. My practice is 15 minutes a day.
My main body of work right now: A memoir of my mother. I've chosen the title, I've chosen the theme and I've even written the inside cover text. My aim is to fill the pages with the greatest story I've ever told.
Gotta run,
Beth
Here's Mama circa 1993.
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