Summer Fun!

As I write this post, I’m taking a break from gathering my gear for my summer break. I’m so excited to be traveling and getting away from the Texas heat. My vacation this year is three weeks where I grew up, in the tiny state of Rhode Island. I’ll spend time with family, old friends and the current hero and heroine dancing in my brain. I’m also excited about being able to see the beaches and eat as much awesome seafood as I can.

When I’m on the beach I don’t swim in the water. Brrrr! (okay, I might put my feet in it) But nothing sounds as peaceful to me as the waves splashing up onto the beach. The rhythm fills my heart and slows my heartbeat. I feel free. Sometimes one of my best friends and I take our beach chairs and books to the beach when most families are heading home. Sometimes we read, sometimes we talk, sometimes we just listen to the sounds around us.

Another experience I enjoy when I visit Rhode Island is fishing. I’m not very good. My first two times out on the boat I caught… a Coke can and a bundle of seaweed. I didn’t even get the teeny tiny fish everyone throws back. This picture is only from a few years ago. The people around me couldn’t understand why I was so excited. When I shared that it was the 1^st first fish I ever caught, they actually clapped for me. (It was yummy!) But the point of the trip isn’t whether I catch something or not. For me, it’s about the soft roll of the ocean, the sounds of the birds flying by, the heat of a summer sun finding its way to me despite me hanging out in the shade.

Another thing I love about my summer trips to Rhode Island is getting time to devote to my writing. I enjoy sitting in the sun room of my parents’ place putting the pieces together of the current book. I love learning about my characters and the suspense angle of the manuscript. But I also love being able to stop mid-morning and have a cup of tea with my mom. These days I can spend as much or as little time writing as I want. Even though I sometimes take day trips for shopping (gotta have chocolates, right?) meet a friend for lunch, or have a cookout with family, the possibilities of my writing progress are open and welcome.

And now I’m here. I’ve probably already seen several family members, had my first serving of fried scallops and French fries, and I’m sure I’ve been plodding in the chilly beach water. But my mind is at ease and my heart is full.

Don't Forget to Say Good Morning!

From December until last week, I had to rely on a friend to drive me to and from work. I would meet her in front of the house. I started going out earlier to take a moment to myself before having to deal with the day job and all its challenges. (I’m a teacher so LOTS of challenges!) At first, I also thought it could be an exercise to help with my scene descriptions in my manuscripts. But the more times I completed the activity, the more I realized it was doing so much more for me.

My friend would text me when she was leaving her house, so I knew I’d have about ten minutes before she pulled up outside. I started going out at least five minutes before she was due, and I’d examine the world around me. I would take several deep breaths and clear my head. I’d recognize where the birds were and see if there were nests in the trees. I’d notice the sounds of different birds and which side of the street they were on. I would study the sky, making note of the colors and how they swirled into each other. I’d touch the rough edges of the stones that make up my front steps, rubbing my fingers over the loose pebbles on top. I would close my eyes and listen to the wind, making note of how it felt as it brushed across my cheeks. I would smell the smoke of the logs people were already burning in their fireplaces in the houses nearby.

Now I’m back to driving myself around, but I’m still starting my days off the same way. I just lean up against my driver’s side door instead of sitting on the doorsteps. The activity has become my own private greeting to the day, a way to bring me closer to God, and a way to open my heart to all the possibilities ahead of me for the following twenty-four hours.

If you’ve done this type of activity, tell us about your experience. If you haven’t, is it something you’d consider? Share your thoughts with us.

Take Time to Play by Christa Sinclair

Hello! This is my very first post and I’m so excited to join everyone here! So, let’s get started…  

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” This is my all-time favorite quote. I have this saying on my refrigerator and on the cork board in my office to remind me every day that if I want a well-rounded life, I need to engage in some silliness from time to time.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be anything major. Some examples of my silliness are rolling across the grocery store parking lot on the cart, riding on a swing while kids played nearby, getting up on a stage to learn dance moves from professionals, and playing hopscotch down the hallway with some students at work. See? Lots of silliness there, but also tons of fun.

Think about it. When we’re children, our lives usually revolve around church, family, school and playing. As we grow, many people do less playing. And by the time we’re adults, we’ve switched over to focusing on a job (or 2), our own families, bills, and many more responsibilities. We’re expected to behave a certain way and be an example of a mature, respectful adult for younger generations. But I say don’t forget your inner child and here’s why…

In August, I began a new school year with some challenging changes. Between that job, day-to-day living, and working on book revisions, I was neglecting my inner child. But I didn’t realize it at first. Instead, I found myself getting depressed, which led me to sleeping a lot, which led me to not getting work done, which added stress, and then the cycle continued. Yep, I was totally wrapped up in “adulting”.

Then, one day last week on my drive to work I heard a new-to-me song that shook some sense into me. ("Joy" from for KING & COUNTRY).  I soon realized how important it is to embrace my inner child because taking time to play makes me stronger. It reminds me not to take myself or life too seriously. It makes me remember who and what are important to me. And it re-energizes me so I can handle all the adult responsibilities in my life with confidence and a clear head.

So, treat yourself. Be a kid again, if only for an afternoon or even five minutes. The “adult you” will thank you for it!

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Christa Sinclair moved from New England to escape the harsh winters and settled in Texas once she received her Master’s degree in education. When she’s not teaching high school English or traveling around the world, she’s creating brave new characters who overcome danger to find love and to make sure the good guys win. Find out more about her at www.christasinclair.com, friend her on Facebook  or follow her on Twitter.