Lila Johnson's Blog - Posts Tagged "living"
Just Breathe
Bear with me for a moment or two. My thoughts are scattered and I need a moment to pull it all together. I know that someone out there will understand when I say, at times you must take a moment to breathe. The sheer force of exhaling seems to, not only open the lungs but the mind, spirit and every cell in the body. So here we go...
I shared with my readers that in August my aunt Angela passed away. Why is it that eight months later, her youngest daughter, by way of the most unusual, died?
And almost two months ago I spoke of my cousin Freddie who, in an untimely, unexpected way, died. Now his mother, my aunt, is in ICU battling blood clots in her lungs. Let's not forget the surprising deaths of singer Prince, Billy Paul and Les Wass, the advertising legend behind the Mister Softee ice cream jingle.
This much sadness is enough to make a person want to sit down and stop trying to live. Sometimes you say what's the use? Well after I cried a little and moped a lot, I realized one thing. All these people did something in their lives that they loved and or enjoyed.
For example, my aunt Angela loved to read and after a few twists and turns on life's road, finally found love and marriage. My cousin Freddie volunteered his time and energy to so many causes and people. Aunt Louise gave the most wonderful handmade Christmas ornaments that remain in my collection to this day. The singers sang, the jingle on a ice cream truck made children laugh, scream and beg for a surgery delight and Angela's daughter danced to her own tune.
When I think of things in this way, I can't be sad. I'll miss their physical presence but what each person presented in life, will remain in my soul forever.
So, it's time to move forward, not linger on the things I can't change and breathe.
"One way to break up any kind of tension is good deep breathing." Byron Nelson
I shared with my readers that in August my aunt Angela passed away. Why is it that eight months later, her youngest daughter, by way of the most unusual, died?
And almost two months ago I spoke of my cousin Freddie who, in an untimely, unexpected way, died. Now his mother, my aunt, is in ICU battling blood clots in her lungs. Let's not forget the surprising deaths of singer Prince, Billy Paul and Les Wass, the advertising legend behind the Mister Softee ice cream jingle.
This much sadness is enough to make a person want to sit down and stop trying to live. Sometimes you say what's the use? Well after I cried a little and moped a lot, I realized one thing. All these people did something in their lives that they loved and or enjoyed.
For example, my aunt Angela loved to read and after a few twists and turns on life's road, finally found love and marriage. My cousin Freddie volunteered his time and energy to so many causes and people. Aunt Louise gave the most wonderful handmade Christmas ornaments that remain in my collection to this day. The singers sang, the jingle on a ice cream truck made children laugh, scream and beg for a surgery delight and Angela's daughter danced to her own tune.
When I think of things in this way, I can't be sad. I'll miss their physical presence but what each person presented in life, will remain in my soul forever.
So, it's time to move forward, not linger on the things I can't change and breathe.
"One way to break up any kind of tension is good deep breathing." Byron Nelson
All is Well
Things haven't changed much since I posted of my brain tumor.
I continue to travel all over the country with my work as a travel nurse. I'm in my twentieth year and I still love it. My work as an author keeps me up until the wee hours of the morning, like now at one a.m. as I try to get my characters, Angela, Nicki and Sissy under control in my new novel, The Fat Girls Club Hawaii Five-NO!
A return trip to Maui, Hawaii has been paid for and next month I depart to celebrate and enjoy my belated birthday gift to myself and conduct the research for the new book. I look forward to seeing my former co-workers as I revisit my old stomping grounds.
My heart has mourned the loss of my maternal grandmother whom I loved dearly. I can't be sad because she is where she has always wanted to be, with her Lord, Jesus Christ. Just a few days ago my dear aunt died suddenly. I can't shed any tears for her because she lived her life to the fullest and for that, I applaud her.
I continue to exercise although at times I question myself-why? I take in all the warmth of the days of summer knowing they will soon end. I eat ice cream and frozen custard with abandon.
So you see, nothing much has changed. I celebrate life, all the good and bad of it. I celebrate living because like a child, I want it all.
I continue to travel all over the country with my work as a travel nurse. I'm in my twentieth year and I still love it. My work as an author keeps me up until the wee hours of the morning, like now at one a.m. as I try to get my characters, Angela, Nicki and Sissy under control in my new novel, The Fat Girls Club Hawaii Five-NO!
A return trip to Maui, Hawaii has been paid for and next month I depart to celebrate and enjoy my belated birthday gift to myself and conduct the research for the new book. I look forward to seeing my former co-workers as I revisit my old stomping grounds.
My heart has mourned the loss of my maternal grandmother whom I loved dearly. I can't be sad because she is where she has always wanted to be, with her Lord, Jesus Christ. Just a few days ago my dear aunt died suddenly. I can't shed any tears for her because she lived her life to the fullest and for that, I applaud her.
I continue to exercise although at times I question myself-why? I take in all the warmth of the days of summer knowing they will soon end. I eat ice cream and frozen custard with abandon.
So you see, nothing much has changed. I celebrate life, all the good and bad of it. I celebrate living because like a child, I want it all.
Breakout!
Hello everyone! First things first. I want to say the past two months were hectic ones. As I worked a contract that handled the last vestiges of the Covid-19 virus, the hours became long and tiring. It was nothing to work 21 hours, rest one day and return to it all over again. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining because that is what we, as nurses, do. The medical profession, in times of war and disease in years past, have worked the non ‘standard hours.’ Couple that with a part-time job while working on the manuscript of my sixth novel, well, you get the picture.
So, for two months I had to step back and breathe. Things began to change and I had to make some decisions that were for the best. As I complete the final book in the Fat Girls Club series, I will step away from writing. Self-publishing is tough despite what you may have read or heard. You are the author, editor, publisher, advertiser, seller and bookkeeper. Behind it all, you have to be your own cheerleader, believing in your work and self. I guess I’ve just run out of steam.
This holiday weekend, I hope you do as the title of this article says—breakout! This is also the title of one of my favorite songs by the group, Swingout Sister. Get out there and have a great time with family and friends. Hug and kiss one another while shouting with all the air you have in your lungs that you are grateful to be alive and healthy. Let the sun kiss your lips and wash its energy all over you.
And me? I’m heading to South Carolina to find myself again. It was the first time I worked as a travel nurse, twenty-four years ago. I dared to place my writing in front of people as a freelance newspaper writer in Orangeburg, SC and I developed a passion for photography in the same area. I need the sand on my feet and the smell of the ocean. I look forward to finding my favorite lighthouses along many shores and taking the stairs to the top. The need to explore has taken a hold of me so I plan to follow the path of discovery.
Have a wonderful, safe and fantastic Fourth of July!
So, for two months I had to step back and breathe. Things began to change and I had to make some decisions that were for the best. As I complete the final book in the Fat Girls Club series, I will step away from writing. Self-publishing is tough despite what you may have read or heard. You are the author, editor, publisher, advertiser, seller and bookkeeper. Behind it all, you have to be your own cheerleader, believing in your work and self. I guess I’ve just run out of steam.
This holiday weekend, I hope you do as the title of this article says—breakout! This is also the title of one of my favorite songs by the group, Swingout Sister. Get out there and have a great time with family and friends. Hug and kiss one another while shouting with all the air you have in your lungs that you are grateful to be alive and healthy. Let the sun kiss your lips and wash its energy all over you.
And me? I’m heading to South Carolina to find myself again. It was the first time I worked as a travel nurse, twenty-four years ago. I dared to place my writing in front of people as a freelance newspaper writer in Orangeburg, SC and I developed a passion for photography in the same area. I need the sand on my feet and the smell of the ocean. I look forward to finding my favorite lighthouses along many shores and taking the stairs to the top. The need to explore has taken a hold of me so I plan to follow the path of discovery.
Have a wonderful, safe and fantastic Fourth of July!
