Year: 2014

Themes Of Life

Previously on Betsy’s Blog…

Skipper, the Habit Formulation specialist has returned. Betsy and Quest Guide Harry are meeting with her in Betsy’s brain to discuss how Betsy is doing in the initial implementation of her Good Habit Strategy, i.e. writing every day. The verdict has come back – okay so far.

But Betsy seems to have something else on her mind. She seems to have been thinking, which is cause for concern in and of itself.

Join us, dear reader, and we’ll see what in the world is going on now!

*Betsy shifts in seat* So, I wanted to talk to you guys about something else before Skipper has to leave again.

*Skipper looks at her from the top of Harry’s gerbil habitat tower* Go ahead.

It’s about that overall goal thing you were talking about before. I’ve been thinking about it and I think I understand now.

*Skipper puts aside her tablet computer* You do?

I think so. *Betsy frowns* It’s like a…theme, right? Like a story theme?

We’re talking about your life here, kid. Not a story. *Harry settles next to Skipper and braces himself back on his paws*

*Betsy waves hands* No, no I know, but I think an overarching goal is almost like a theme for your life. See, it would have to be big and kind of open-ended, but having one would give you a direction, right? Just like a theme does for a story. Okay, maybe the overarching goal isn’t the theme itself, but it would point to the theme.

Go on. *Skipper stares intently*

Okay. *Betsy gathers her thoughts* In a book, the theme is the overall concept that ties everything together. So, in my book, Hold Me, the theme was forgiveness. Forgiveness of others, forgiveness of self. Just forgiveness. And the book I’m working on now, Handling It, has a different theme. The theme is a…a…stream that flows through the whole thing.

Okay. *Skipper nods*

So, my life has a theme too. *Betsy frowns* It’s a stream or thread that runs through it.

But you can have more than one thread running through your life, can’t you? *Skipper grasps the edge of the habitat tower* More than one stream. And what if the stream carries you in the wrong direction?

But that’s the point. You can choose. *Betsy considers* When you’re writing a book, you choose a theme. It’s there already, but you choose to bring it to the forefront. Hold Me had a lot of possible themes – revenge, family, fear – but when I saw that the concept of forgiveness was underlying a lot of the story, I decided to try and emphasize it. I could have chosen to emphasize another theme, to bring that concept more to the forefront. In Handling It, I had trouble ending the book because I couldn’t see a consistent theme. Now that I have it in mind, I found the ending.

So you have to find the “right” theme? *Skipper gets up* *scurries down gerbil habitat tower* *jumps up onto sofa next to Betsy*

Maybe. *Betsy scratches ear* But that’s what happens in life, right? You have a bunch of possible underlying, well, themes in your life and you have to choose what you want to emphasize. It’s there already – you can’t emphasize what’s not there – but you have to make the decision whether or not to bring it to the forefront and give it importance. The overarching goal is the way you do that – the way you bring the theme to the front.

*Skipper jumps onto Betsy’s knee* *Stares at her with brilliant dark eyes* And what is your overarching goal?

*Betsy looks around nervously* I feel like people are watching me.

*Harry jumps down off gerbil tower and climbs up onto Betsy’s other knee* Tell us.

*Skipper nods* Tell us.

Okay. *Betsy clears throat* The goal is: That I will always walk my own Path, follow my own Guide, seek my own Grail.

*Skipper sits back* Ah. Independence. Freedom. Art.

It’s just…all of my life I’ve been hearing the Muse. Other people don’t hear her and I’ve tried to be like them, but I never could. I don’t want to try not to listen anymore. There are lots of other threads and streams in my life – like family, learning, service, work, self-destruction, escape. Fear. Some of those threads might be turn out to be valuable, and I could emphasize them, but most of them will carry me away directions I don’t necessarily want to go. This seems….right. This feels like me. *Betsy shrugs uncomfortably* I feel kind of stupid putting it into words.

No. *Harry touches her hand with his paw* Not stupid.

No. *Skipper’s voice sounds powerful* *Energy pulses* *She sits up on haunches* The only way you can go where the Muse wants to take you is if you follow your own path.

*Betsy nods* Yes.

*Harry stands on hind feet* This overarching goal flows through your whole life. The Quest you are on is more than you thought it was. It’s more than merely becoming a successful authorpreneur, isn’t it?

*Betsy nods* Yes, although that’s part of it and a huge, long-term goal.

*Harry stares at her intently* And what is your bigger Quest?

*Betsy thinks* *stares into Harry’s big, black eyes* *draws in a deep breath* To become exactly who I am.

*Harry smiles* Yes.

To be continued…

September 17, 2014
Skipper Returns

Previously on Betsy’s Blog…

Betsy and Harry, the Guide for her Quest to become a successful indie authorpreneur – and a gerbil – have been meeting with Skipper, Habit Formulation and Implementation Specialist – and a chipmunk. Skipper has given Betsy lots of good advice, but when last we met Betsy was almost led astray by a Minion of Misdirection! Egads! Thank goodness the real Harry showed up in time to keep Betsy on her path.

Now Skipper has returned to see what’s going on. Has Betsy actually made progress on her assignment – to develop the habit of writing every day? Has she already failed miserably and fallen into the pit of despair always bubbling in her mind? Or has she just gone out for ice cream?

Let’s see….

*Betsy walks into her brain* *Looks around* Harry? Are you– Skipper! You’re back!

I am! *Skipper waves from top of gerbil habitat* It’s AWESOME to see you again!

I thought you’d given up on me and gone back to the International Muse Council.

That was just a lie the impostor gerbil told you, doll. *Harry climbs up on edge of habitat* Skipper here was always coming back.

Yeah, I was called away for an emergency Bad Habit Regression Intervention. *Skipper rolls eyes* Musicians. Don’t get them anywhere near gin.

Oh, but I’m so glad you’re here! *Betsy claps hands* *jumps up and down* *brain sloshes*

Easy, there. And look at you with your peppy pants on. *Skipper stuffs peanut into cheek pouch* I’m not saying I can stay forever, but I’ll be popping in regularly until we have some good habits established. You’re still in the Good Habit Formation Infancy stage.

And you always have me, babe. *Harry smacks his chest with a paw* I’ll Guide the hell right out of you.

*Betsy smiles* I know you will.

*Skipper stuffs another peanut into her other cheek pouch* So, how awe you doin?

*Betsy studies Skipper* How can you even talk with your cheeks stuffed like that?

Pwactice. *Skipper chews for a moment* *Swallows strenuously* This way I carry enough snacks around with me for the whole afternoon. So? How’s your habit implementation program going?

Pretty good. *Betsy sits on sofa* I think I’ve written every day for the past two weeks and I’m making a lot of progress. *Betsy looks at Harry* Right?

*Harry nods* *Beams* It’s been aces, doll.

It’s amazing how much more…fluid everything seems when I’m working every day.

Good, good. *Skipper pulls tablet computer from fur* *taps in a few notes* What is your schedule?

Well *Betsy leans forward* I went through my time and what I do and all and I told myself I would write two hours every day. I said two hours every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. I also said, “damn it!”

Two hours a day? *Skipper looks up* *Raises eyebrows* That’s ambitious. I mean, other authors would spit at two hours a day, but your schedule gets kind of packed and you’re not that good at prioritization yet.

I know. I’m sure it doesn’t seem like a lot of time to some people, it is kind of ambitious for me. *Betsy chews bottom lip* I just wanted to, well, stretch. I seem to do better when I have to reach for something instead of settling for what is easy. It’s like if I think I can do it, I let it go until the last minute. And then I don’t get it done because I’ve waited too long. But if I’m pushing my boundaries I do the work because I know I don’t have a choice.

Okay, but you can’t let it be oppressive either. *Skipper frowns* If you’re going to smack yourself down, that’s no good either.

I haven’t been meeting the goal every day. *Betsy shrugs* But so far I haven’t been beating myself up too badly when I don’t make it. And when I do make it, I really feel like I’ve accomplished something.

*Harry touches Skipper’s arm* I’ll keep an eye on her and try to Guide her if it seems she’s getting too self-abusive. But so far she’s doing pretty well. She’s even getting work done, which is kind of a miracle.

So the Muse has been showing up?

Oh, yes. *Betsy smiles* Sometimes she waits. I think she’s testing me and wants to see if I’m serious. But I keep going and then suddenly she’s there talking to me! It’s freaking awesome!

*Skipper nods* I know.

It’s just so freeing to work regularly. *Betsy thinks* To not have to feel guilty because I didn’t work, because I DID work, if you know what I mean.

*Skipper looks confused* Not really.

I want to try to keep it up. I’m so glad I started this habit. I feel….*Betsy thinks* Complete.

*Skipper smiles* Good.

To be continued…

September 14, 2014
Intermission

—–Intermission—–

The Muse was whipping my butt last night, so I didn’t have a chance to write up the next installment in the adventures of Betsy, Harry, Skipper, Muse, Dark Voice, Obsessia, Fake Harry, Coffee, Blogosphere, etc. because I was actually working on my book. However, since I hadn’t posted anything on Sunday (I was busy weeding the garden I’ve neglected all summer), I thought I’d write a quick status update for those who may (or may not) care.

New habits are being initiated in many areas (more on that to come in future blog posts) and so far so good. I expect that situation to fluctuate wildly from time to time, so for now I’m just enjoying each day I manage to stay on task. 🙂

I am working on the last few chapters of the revised second draft of my book, Handling It. These chapters are a bit complicated, but going pretty well – especially after the Muse pointed out last night that a pivotal scene wasn’t working because I was protecting a “darling” instead of cutting it. When I recognized that, I wept over my darling, coddled it, smothered it with kisses, deleted it, and a log jam I’d been struggling with for two days miraculously opened up.

Funny how that happens.

After the second draft is finished, I’ll have a quick third draft to read the book through from start to finish in one sitting. I know I need to fix a few issues I noticed during this draft, but barring any unforeseen ickiness, it should be ready to go to beta readers soon (yes, I know I’ve said that before).

As you may have guessed, I’m going to be self/indie publishing this book. It will be the first of a series, so I’m debating whether to hold it until more books in the series are finished. That’s what “they” say to do (have more than one book ready and then put them all up at once), but I feel like I’ve jerked my readers around and I want to put up a book as soon as I can. So, we’ll see. It kind of depends on how quickly I can get the next book finished. I’ve been floundering a little bit since Hold Me was published, but I’ve made some key decisions and I think I’m in a better place. Sometimes you need to go through turbulent waters before you see your Ithaca (just ask Odysseus).

I actually have the cover for Handling It pretty much finished and I’m eager to share, but I want to wait until it’s a little closer to being out (tease). I want to start a newsletter, but I have to figure out what I want to say in it first. I’d like to be more consistent with the day-to-day production writing before I add yet another task, but I can see the value of a newsletter, so that will be high on the list. I’d also like to look into selling directly from my website. There are pluses and minuses to that, and I have to a lot more research, but it might be a way of getting books out there if I decide to wait until I have more inventory before publishing on the main platforms.

Listen to me being all business like!

Anyway, more to come on all of that.

I guess that’s it for now…I hope you’re enjoying the blog. I sure enjoy writing it!

And, yes, all of those voices DO talk to me. Why do you ask? *blink blink*

—–End Intermission—-

September 10, 2014
Fake Harry

Previously on Betsy’s Blog…

Betsy and Harry, the white gerbil who is Betsy’s Guide on her Quest to become a successful independent authorpreneur, have been spending quality time with Skipper, a Habit Formation and Implementation specialist sent by the International Muse Council to help Betsy develop goals and habits. After a long and arduous process similar to birthing an elephant, Betsy has finally set out to form a concrete habit – writing every day.

Having worked on this habit for several days, Betsy has come back to her brain to report on her progress. (It should concern everyone that she has to “come back” to her brain.) However, something seems to be amiss. Her brain seems a little dim and fuzzy, as if she is viewing it through an antique looking glass. And does Harry feel okay? He looks…funny.

What’s going on here? Let’s see….

*Betsy enters brain* *stops* *looks around* It looks different in here.

It looks the same to me. *Harry steps out of the shadows*

Hi, Harry! *Betsy gestures around brain* It’s dark in here. Normally the lights are on.

And nobody’s home.

Oh, ha ha. I was just coming to report in on my writing. Is Skipper here?

No. *Harry steps forward* *jumps up onto sofa* She was called back to the Muse Council.

Oh. Okay. *Betsy studies Harry* You look different too.

Different how? *Harry settles on arm of sofa*

*Betsy shrugs and goes to sit on the cushion next to him* I don’t know. You just look…gray.

Ah. *Harry scratches his side* I’ve been wandering through your brain. I must be dirty.

Yeah. *Betsy tilts head* You know, you sound different too. More, I don’t know, formal.

*Harry shrugs* I am merely trying to up my game, so to speak. Skipper said that the Council requested it.

Oh, well then do it because I don’t want to lose you. *Betsy relaxes* So, I wanted to talk to you about–

I wanted to talk to you too. *Harry folds paws* I was very disappointed with your last blog post.

*Betsy straightens* You were?

Yes. I thought it was stupid.

*Betsy puts fingers to lips, aghast* Stupid?

Please. *Harry waves paw* All of that hemming and hawing just to arrive at the conclusion that your goal was to be an author, which is what your Quest is anyway? And that your habit should be to write? What a waste of everyone’s time. No wonder Skipper went back to the Council.

Oh. *Betsy frowns* *toys a with dangling brain cell* I guess I was feeling self-conscious, so I tried to force it.

*Harry sits on his haunches* You are in the public eye, in however limited a fashion. You must be careful about what you say and you must always be perfect in how you say it. Any mistakes or missteps will be judged.

*Betsy squirms in seat* See, that’s been bothering me. Knowing that people might read what I’ve written and then come to conclusions about me, or misunderstand what I’m saying…it makes me uncomfortable. Plus, when I think about it, I feel pressure to perform.

The Internet is forever. *Harry nods* You must always be aware of that. You must always be flawless.

Flawless? Aren’t I supposed to be honest? “Unto thine own self be true” and all that? If I know people are looking and judging me, I won’t write anything.

You can’t be honest. You can’t afford to be. You need the audience and you need their approval. You must write to please if you want to sell books.

No… *Betsy studies Harry* *Gets slowly to her feet* No, that’s wrong. I have to be honest to the story and I have to be truthful. I can’t write to please the audience or force things just because I know people are watching.

*Harry shakes head* This is a business. You must always be aware of the people watching you and write accordingly.

*Betsy steps back a pace* I have to be true to who I am. I have to be authentic. The readers will know if I’m not.

*Harry jumps onto the sofa* *Advances towards Betsy* Be who you are? Please. *laughs nastily* Don’t worry about that. Worry about the people you know and how they will view you. Worry about the comments you get and the emails and the reviews. Worry about making missteps and mistakes and having people get angry at you.

But I want to tell a good story–

No! *Harry slashes paw* You want to SELL a story. You want to MARKET a story. That’s what matters.

*Betsy puts hands up to mouth* *eyes wide* Who are you?

*Harry smiles* *shows teeth* I’m Harry.

*Betsy shakes head violently* No you’re not! My Harry would never say those things. My Harry would never try to Guide me down these paths. My Harry knows I have to be who I am. My Harry knows that if I’m constantly aware of the people reading what I write, I’ll never write anything.

You’re right! *corner of brain opens* *light streams in* *a figure appears, silhouetted against the light*

Harry? *Betsy gasps* *Looks from gerbil on sofa to gerbil standing, paws on hips* There are two of you?

No, there ain’t, doll. There can be only freaking ONE of me! *True Harry advances on Fake Harry* Get out of here, you Minion of Misdirection!

*Fake Harry raises soot colored paws clenched in fists* Foiled again! Curse you, Quest Guide!

Darn right your foiled. *Harry cocks out a hip* Now hit the road.

*Fake Harry shakes fist* You haven’t seen the last of me!

*Vanishes*

*Betsy sinks down on sofa* Wow. *Looks around brain* It’s so colorful in here now. *Looks at Harry* And you’re so white and sparkly

*Harry climbs up on Betsy’s knee* *grins at her* You knew, babe.

I knew what?

You knew that creep was trying to Guide you down the wrong path. You knew you had to be true to yourself.

That’s because of you. *Betsy scratches Harry’s ear* Who was that?

*Harry shrugs* What I said. A minion of misdirection. Probably sent by that Dark Voice jerk who lives in your brain.

*Betsy thinks for a moment* Do you think he’s gone for good?

*Harry sighs* No, kid. He’ll be back. Sometime.

*Betsy rolls eyes* Wonderful. Another foe to battle.

*Harry shrugs* Hey, if it was easy everybody would do it.

*Betsy smiles* True.

To be continued….

September 3, 2014
Underway

Previously on Betsy’s Blog…

Harry, Betsy’s Guide on her Quest (and a white gerbil) has brought Skipper, an expert in Habit Formulation and Implementation (and a chipmunk), to Betsy’s brain to convince Betsy that not only are goals and habits good, but she needs some. Betsy allows as how she doesn’t like goals because she never achieves them and that makes her feel like a loser. And why should she make herself feel like a loser when so many people are willing to do it for her?

But Skipper hasn’t given up yet. After taking a quick break to do research and for some, er, liquid refreshment, she’s back and better than ever.

Good luck, Skipper! Let’s see how things are going…

*Betsy enters her brain and walks into Harry’s office* Harry? Skipper? Where are you guys?

Oh, hey. There you are. *Harry sits up on top of his gerbil habitat* *waves*

I didn’t see much of you last week. I was afraid you’d gone one another bender *Betsy walks over to the habitat*

Nah. *Harry flaps paw* That was Skipper.

Skipper! *Betsy stares at him* Skipper got drunk?

Yup. *Harry shakes head sadly* She was so distraught over the whole goal thing that she dove right into that sewer section of your mind to drown her troubles. Got into the peanut wine. It was ugly.

Oh. *Betsy shifts uncomfortably* I thought I’d cleaned up that sewer section.

*Harry snorts* Right.

Here I am! *Skipper jumps into Harry’s office* *Does series of handsprings across floor of brain* *Jumps high with paws above head* Go! Team! Goals! Goooooo Habits!

*Betsy watches her* *shakes head* Wow. I thought Harry said you were depressed. You sure have a lot more energy now than the last time I saw you.

*Skipper runs up gerbil habitat and sits next to Harry* Last time I was trying to be all mature and stuff. Yuk! *Makes face* I need to be who I really am, you know? And this is it!

I kind of liked mature Skipper.

“Skipper ignores her* See, that’s the main goal in life – to be who you really are. To be authentic and not just what you think you should be or what somebody else wants you to be. For other goals to be meaningful, they have to feed into that. One goal to rule them all!

All right. *Betsy shrugs*

*Skipper settles back on haunches* I’ve been poking around in your brain a lot this week.

Oh. *Betsy winces* Sorry.

So you say you want to write.

*Betsy glances at Harry* She just figured this out?

*Harry shrugs*

*Skipper snaps paw to get Betsy’s attention* Listen to me. When you say “I want to write” that’s a dream. It’s wishy-washy, comes and goes… Oooo I want to write…I want to drive a race car….I want to be an astronaut…I want to kiss Bradley Cooper….

Well, as to that–

A dream is a good start, but it doesn’t have any meat. It’s just your brain sloshing back and forth like one of those lava lamps.

*Harry sighs* I love those things.

So first you have to think about WHY you want to write. What are you hoping to get out of it?

Well…*Betsy frowns* I want to tell stories and…entertain people. Wait, Harry and I went through all of that in another blog post.

I know. *Skipper nods* And you estabished the goal of becoming a successful independent authorpreneur. How will you know if you’re successful? How do you define it?

Um…*Betsy glances at Harry* I think I said that in another blog post too. My definition of success is to write consistently and publish regularly. I mean, yeah, I’d like to make money – who wouldn’t? But what makes me feel most…complete is telling stories.

There! *Skipper throws paws in the air* And just like that, we have a major goal and our first habit. Your goal, should you choose to accept it, is to be a successful independent authorpreneur. The first habit you need to establish is to write consistently.

*Betsy looks at Harry* Are you paying her for this?

Now. *Skipper gets up and begins to pace* Your other goals have to lead up to the main one. Where do you want to be in five years? In three years? In one year? At the end of this year? You will be an independent authorpreneur. To do that, you will publish such and such number of books within the next year, two years, three years. *she whirls on Betsy* *points* because your definition of success is to write a lot and publish a lot.

Yes. *Betsy nods* But I also have to market–

Eh! *Skipper slashes a paw through the air* That may be true, but it will be secondary. Because your goal is to be a successful independent authorpreneur, and your definition of success is to write a lot and publish a lot.

Okay. *Betsy nods slowly* I think I understand. My goals have to reflect me, who I am, what’s important to me. I’m the only one who can decide if I’ve achieved my goals, so I’m the one who has to decide what will determine whether or not I’m a success.

Right! *Skipper leaps up into the air* *Does a split*

Jeeze. *Harry gapes at her*

So now this week, what are you going to do? *Skipper points at Betsy*

Um… *Betsy’s eyes jitter nervously*

You’re going to write! *Skipper throws her paws into the air* When are you going to do it?

Um…now? *Betsy raises her hands to shoulder-height*

Exactly! That’s your first habit, the foundation goal essential to achieving all of your other goals. Your initial goal is to write every day. *Skipper puts her paws on her hips* CAN YOU DO IT?

YES! *Betsy jumps into air* *Brain sloshes when she lands*

Then get out there, do it, and report back to me. Make me proud! Win one for the Skipper!

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!! *Betsy goes thundering out of brain*

*Harry turns to Skipper* You just couldn’t resist, could you?

Eh. *Skipper settles back* *winks at Harry* Why don’t you go get me some peanuts, lovebug.

To be continued….

August 31, 2014
A Rudderless Child

Previously on Betsy’s Blog….

Harry, Betsy’s Guide on her Quest to become a successful independent author / entrepreneur, has just done a stint at the International Muse Council to undergo psychological testing. But he’s back! Better yet, he brought a friend with him – Skipper the Chipmunk, a specialist in Habit Formation and Implementation.

Betsy was a trifle surprised to find another unexpected voice chatting in her brain, but figured what the heck. Skipper was a trifle surprised to find that Betsy doesn’t like setting goals or forming habits. In fact, it would be more accurate to say she was disconcerted and even a little unsure of how to proceed.

This is not an encouraging start to their relationship. Can they recover? Can they find their way to a partnership? Can Skipper convince Betsy that goals and habits are actually good things and not of the devil? Join us and we’ll see….

*Skipper exchanges a long look with Harry* Fun, you said. Almost like a party, you said.

*Harry shrugs* I guess we all define ‘fun’ in our own way.

I’ll say. *Skipper turns back to Betsy* Okay. So you don’t like goals.

Nope.

*Skipper types something on her tablet computer* Mind telling me why?

*Betsy frowns* Well, I guess because I never seem to accomplish them. So they just make me feel like a loser. Why should I make myself feel like a loser when there are so many people willing to do it for me?

*Harry sidles closer to Betsy* *Looks at Skipper* She’s got a point, Skips.

*Skipper sighs* Okay, okay. *Thinks* Look. Let’s say you’re out on a ship.

Ooo! *Betsy brightens* Can it be a yacht?

*Skipper shrugs* I guess.

Sailing the wine-dark Aegean sea?

Sure. And–

Can I have a yacht-boy named Nico?

Hey! *Harry pulls away from Betsy* *Looks offended* What about me?

*Betsy pats his head* You can be there too, love-a-lump. But Nico would be, well, human.

*Harry relaxes* Oh. Okay.

Yes! Yes! *Skipper waves paws in the air* You can be on a yacht sailing in wine! What do I care?

The wine-dark sea, *Betsy corrects* Homer, you know. *blushes* I’m an English Major.

What. EV. Er! *Skipper jumps up and down* And you can have a million yacht boys and name them whatever the heck you want.

*Betsy settles back in chair* Okay. Then that sounds good.

ANYway. *Skipper straightens fur* You’re on your ship – excuse me, yacht – and you’re out sailing some damn where. You have someplace you want to get to, right?

*Betsy thinks* Not necessarily. I mean, sometimes you just want to travel to see what you see.

I did that once. *Harry sighs reminiscently* Spent a hell of a week in a habitat in Paris with this hamster–

PRETEND you want to get somewhere! *Skipper jumps up and down again* Pretend there’s a certain place you WANT to be. You WANT to sail towards it. You WANT to get there. Just PRETEND!

Oh, okay. *Betsy blinks*

*Skipper shakes herself out* The place you want to get to is your goal.

Ah, I see. Metaphor. *Betsy shrugs* All right, using that symbolism I would say most of the time I just sail around until I bump into something.

*Skipper rolls eyes* Why am I not surprised?

*Betsy thinks* So if the place I want to get to is my goal, then what are habits?

When your habits are in line with your goals, they keep your ship on course and heading in the right direction.

*Betsy thinks* Like a steering wheel?

*Harry looks thoughtful* You know I don’t think ships have steering wheels.

*Betsy purses lips* They don’t? How do they steer then?

They use a rudder! Oh, my God! Who cares? *Skipper draws in a deep breath* *Lets it out again* Anyway, habits can keep the ship on course, but they can also get you all screwed up or stop you from moving forward.

Like an anchor. *Betsy looks at Harry* I know ships have anchors.

Okay. *Skipper heaves a long-suffering sigh* The goal is your destination. It’s important to have a goal, because then you have something you’re aiming for. If you’re not aiming for anything you’ll just drift around and eventually wreck your ship on rocks or a reef or something. You should know all about that sort of thing.

*Betsy thinks* But I have goals then. I have places I want to be. I WANT to steer my ship to certain places. But I never seem to get there. I get wrecked anyway. I guess sometimes I feel like a…a…rudderless child!

*Skipper sits back on haunches* And that, my dear, is what we have to work on. First we have to identify your goals, then we have to figure out steps you can take to work towards them.

But I have a goal. *Betsy repeats* I have a Quest. *Points at Harry* I have a Guide. The Muse Council is on board and everything.

*Skipper casts eyes heavenward* No, I mean we need the steps you can take to REALLY work towards a goal, not just give it lip service. What are your big overarching goals? What little goals should you be working towards to feed into them? What habits do you need to develop to meet those goals? Because your goals and habits are a structure you can use to live your life.

Structure? *Betsy blinks* My life is supposed to have structure?

Uh huh. *Skipper considers her* Oooookay. Looks like we need to start from the beginning.

To be continued…

August 24, 2014