Letting go . . .

 Recently, I read an article. Can't find it now, but the underlying message stayed with me: Consider what you have. What do you treasure? What do you use most? And, why are you keeping the rest? 

I looked around in the clutter of my office and three bookcases, I began to sort them out. Surprisingly, I just didn't need, read or plan to read many books. So, a few bags later, and they're off to a new home (friends, library, and donations). Part of following this process led me to think about when these 'things' were important. Good memories of teaching, but I'm not teaching any more. Good stories, but I'm not going to read some of these books again.

One half shelf of books is about those wonderful codices from the Maya and Aztecs, precious and sacred books written with hieroglyphs and intricate pictures. The Spanish burned these books, yet a very few remain. I couldn't let these books go . . . even as I learned today that new codices are being discovered -- which means new books will be written!

Pages from a Mayan Codice (Source)

New Aztec codices have been discovered (Source)

The office feels less cluttered. I feel lighter. Now I'm beginning to look at the rest of the house. What do I truly need? What do I treasure and why? Do I really need two kitchen scissors? Okay, in that case, yes. But this is kind of a fun process. 

What would you keep? What would you consider letting go?

IWSG: If I could be anyone . . .

As we march into Spring, the Insecure Writer's Support Group challenges writers to answer this question on the first Wednesday of March:

March 5 question - If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

When I was a kid, I read as many books as I could check out of the library, falling into historical fiction as if it were an escape from what surrounded me. My dreams were to sail to the Southern Seas, to travel the world, to climb mountains. I never actually thought this would happen, holding the current book in my hand, lost in places so far away I couldn't hear anyone at all. 'Nose in a book,' my mother would say, losing her patience and whacking me. I left at seventeen and never looked back. I also don't drink.

I never thought I'd fall in love, get married, have children, or live in a lovely cottage on the hill with a white picket fence in front. That cottage never materialized, but I still remember that day I met Allen, my husband of now over 50 years. He said, "I really like you, but I like to travel." My reply? "So do I." Did I say that he loved bookstores and libraries as much as I do?

I've traveled more than I ever imagined, explored cultures that yet resonate, and I became a college teacher of writing, helping others find ways to express their dreams and set their own goals. Once retired, we settled near family, with two grandkids who brighten every week.

And I began to pursue my longheld dream of becoming a writer, starting with historical fiction (somehow I got stuck in the 1840s), then dabbling in other genres -- police procedurals and art crime mysteries. All inspired by that lifelong love of travel.

So, if I could be anybody, I think I am simply happy being myself.

And, starting tomorrow, March 6, my latest book goes on special. Unleashed Pursuit, a story about a woman police officer on the run who winds up in a small town in Oregon. Take a look, if you like. I still love to encouraging reading, so all of my books are available on Kindle Unlimited.

Now, the snow has melted, temperatures are slowly warming. Maybe spring will truly be here with first flowers in a few more weeks -- a good spring for all of us.

Consider visiting the awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages! Say hello, leave a comment, and celebrate each day! 

Oh, and there's still time to read a book!