I submitted my first story to an outside journal

 I am very excited as I write this. I should have done this much earlier, but I have issues. So today, for the first time in my life, I submitted a story to a journal outside ISU. I think it came out well. I received very generous feedback from my friends, and I’m so lucky to have friends from around the world who bring wonderfully different ideas and perspectives to my stories. I can’t even begin to thank you enough… Gloria, Michelle, Jeanette, Nancy, Molly, Krista, Tess, Sally… thank you from the very depth of my heart. Tomorrow, if all goes well, I will begin another story. I might submit what I wrote today to other journals that accept multiple submissions, too. How exciting! J

I took the Blue line to Milner and worked on my story before submitting it to the journal. I had coffee at the Bone Center, and enjoyed being by myself. There was a lot of planning going on in my head today. This week is fairly relaxed, and I want to get as much as possible done. Tomorrow I will go to the YMCA and get my swimming membership for the semester. I’m excited to see Sandy who works at the front desk. She’s such a sweet lady, and once asked me if she could get me something from the vending machine! I guess I am spoilt! Oh, that reminds me! I should get HER something tomorrow as I got paid today! Blessed are the pure of heart. I really believe that. That was, in fact, the message at church yesterday: The Beatitudes! Jan and I decided to call these “Tudes”!!

The weather was not the greatest today, but there will always be such days. Tonight, I will get some reading done and meditate for fifteen minutes. I already spent fifteen minutes on the cycling machine. I will have some green tea with honey and lemon after I finish this blog. I didn’t have a lot of balance today, but it was a great day. It’s a blessing to see smiling people… people who encourage, motivate, add joy, and hope. I’m blessed to run into such people at every corner; they made this day a joy. Tonight after I meditate, drink green tea, read, and figure out what journals I want to send my stories to, I will take a hot shower and try to let go of anything negative in me. I will let go of my fears, worries, and anxiety. This is a good place to be. I think I’m doing really well with my New Year resolutions, too. I drink green tea, I write, I exercise, I’m kinder to the world, and I’m almost beginning to like myself! J

Ah, my wonderful friends, would you do me a favor? If you read this, can you say something positive and beautiful in response? (not about me, but about the world, or your day… there’s enough sadness and tragedy around, but I think we need to see and hear the good, too) May you be blessed as I am in knowing you…