What is the most frustrating thing for you as a writer? Is it the inner critic who constantly tells you lies? Is it that rude editor who sent you a very unkind reply? Or maybe the editing of your story drives you drink diet soda and eat salted peanuts.

For me, it is the constant waiting. Waiting to hear back from an editor. Waiting to get feedback from people who bought the book or heard your speech or read your blog. Waiting to find out if you placed in the writing contest. It's like being eternally pregnant.

So I'm guessing you can tell what's going on in my life right now, huh? I'm waiting to hear from a travel writing contest.

Last night I found out how trivial my wait is compared to some. My nephew is in Afghanistan. Last night, we waited. The family waited. By the phone. By Facebook. By Skype- anywhere we could get a connection. And the not knowing was awful. Late in the night the call came that he was alright. Others were not.

Things are in clear, shining perspective today for me. I will spend today living, not waiting.