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Dear :
Saturday was a BIG BIG BIRTHDAY! Six decades. Sixty years of life.
Mango made it even bigger by extending an offer for another book contract! More about that below.
I wish I could say I handled turning 60 with grace.
Instead, my inner three-year-old moped because the pandemic robbed her of the surprise birthday party her big sister wanted to throw. While the adult me knew the "grown ups" would have made my 60th a huge deal if they could have, all day Saturday that tiny person deep inside kept throwing fits.
I also wish I could report that I immediately wrapped my arms around that tiny being. I would have saved face by acknowledging her more quickly.
Near the end of the day, once I finally heard her cries, I asked what she needed. Her answer was clear. If she couldn't have a party, she just wanted someone to sing happy birthday to her while she blew out a candle.
I rifled through our kitchen drawers until I found some red chile-pepper shaped candles from our years in New Mexico. I carried one into Ed's office where he was getting ready for bed, and lit it.
As Ed and I sang our horridly wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday, I let that tiny being make a wish, and blew out the candle. With that, she relaxed and so did I.
Not everyone needs these dialogues with their "inner child." And, I don't need them all the time.
But when I do, ignoring or shaming or yelling at this tiny inner person does more harm than good. When I let her have a voice, it helps us both find solace.
Yes, I'm still the adult. No, she can't always have her way. She didn't get a giant party in the middle of a pandemic when virus numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to skyrocket.
But when I found that candle and we sang, that part of me felt seen and heard. That's all she ever wanted.
Do any of you have this type of dialogue with parts of yourself? Whether or not you relate, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
ABOUT THAT NEW BOOK!!
I'm over the moon to share that Mango will publish my next book. The working title is MAKE EVERY MOVE A MEDITATION: Mindful Movement for Mental Health and Well-Being. It's due out Fall of 2022. Stay tuned for more
details as I put my head down and get to work on it.
MOVEMENT MEDITATION
I continue to post movement meditation videos on Instagram. Do you have a focus when you exercise? If that interests you, please check out my videos and let me know if you find them helpful.
MEDITATION LEADER TRAINING
If you've considered a deep dive into meditation training, whether you intend to lead groups or not, please consider Sage. Sensei Sean Murphy, the mentors and staff are phenomenal.
SAGE INSTITUTE 200-Hour Meditation Leader Training.
The next cohort begins September 7th.
BOOK CLUBS
If your book club would like to read and discuss Depression Hates a Moving Target, I'm game to join for a virtual author visit. Please contact me. I'd love to meet your group! I created a kit to foster discussion: Book Club
Kit!
Mind, Mood, and Movement
Check out the weekly unicorn meme in the Mind, Mood, and Movement group. Also, share your business link in the comments on my Feature Friday post.
The Writer's Mind
My writing practice group, The Writer's Mind, is for people interested in using Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones) tools and methods to create work aimed at publication. We'd love you to join us.
YOU FOLKS ARE AWESOME!
I will never stop thanking you for the positive reviews of Depression Hates a Moving Target and You Should Be Writing. If you enjoyed either book and haven't had a chance, please leave a review. Even a few words go a long way.
These direct links to Amazon make reviews easy:
YSBW - Paperback
YSBW - ebook
DHAMT - Paperback
DHAMT - ebook
DHAMT - Audiobook
Don't have your copy yet? Purchase Nita's books here!
Need it in Korean? Here you go!
Do you need help with writing?
Whether you're a new writer, already published, or somewhere in between, chances are you're up against something I've already faced.
If you'd like help, we'll hop on zoom or that phone thingie. Tell me your quandary, and I'll share my expertise. I have a ton of resources, and decades of experience heading people in the right direction.
I wasn’t sure where to start. Your ideas provided a 'heads-up here’s where you need to go' path. The biggest challenges with new authors are the deep-dive editing surprise, the author platform, and the publishing world. It was helpful to know what to expect.—Susan
Email me at nita@nitasweeney.com to discuss this service.
A Resource for Writers and Readers
For 18+ years Write Now Columbus, a once-a-month email newsletter for central Ohio readers and writers, arrives in inboxes. Editor Tami Kamin Meyer and I compile author events, workshops, writing conferences and other resources in central Ohio. If that interests you, sign up HERE.
Reach Out
If I can help, please ask. Email is always the best way to reach me.
Take care and be well.
~ Nita
Sharing is caring!
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About Nita:
Nita Sweeney is the award-winning wellness author of the running and mental health memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink and co-creator of the writing journal, You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving. A certified meditation leader, ultramarathoner, and former assistant to writing practice originator Natalie Goldberg, Nita founded the group
Mind, Mood, and Movement to support mental well-being through meditation, exercise, and writing practice, and The Writer’s Mind
, to share how to use writing practice to produce publishable work. Nita also publishes the writing resource
newsletter, Write Now Columbus. She lives in central Ohio with her husband, Ed, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Scarlet. Follow her on your favorite social media channels!
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