Reasons to Dance in the Rain

It's raining.

Again.

Another dull and dreary wet wet day. Another chance for the grass and trees to take another step closer to green and further from white (remember all of that snow!?) So what is it about rainy days that makes them feel so blah sometimes? Maybe its perspective. I find that if I let my mood be swayed by the passing clouds and color of the sky, its easy to fall into a state of ennui... feeling melancholic or even lethargic. Which is fine some of the time... I'm all in favour of chill-days. But in spring when we have more rainy days than sunny ones, well there has to be an out or I'd never get anything accomplished. My solution; I've decided to look for all of the wonderful things about rain, and then look for all of the wonderful things about what I do, and then all of the things I love about my life, and before long I'm on a whole different path and feeling a sense of gratitude for the fresh April showers. That was exactly what I did this morning as I drew the curtains to greet a pale grey sky. And low and behold, as I sipped my latte and counted my blessings, the skies began to clear.... coincidence?? ;).

Then I clicked open my email to discover more to brighten my day. My novel Fire & Ice has been nominated for a RONE Award by InD'Tale Magazine!!! It made it to the final voting round to be presented during the RNC in Las Vegas this summer!

So exciting! Any excuse to get dolled up and attend a formal awards banquet... I'm so there! And of course I'm super grateful to everyone who votes and who loves Fire & Ice!

I wonder what other surprises today has in store. Have you looked for them yet? I highly recommend it.

The rain has stopped. The skies are clearing. The trees look happier and so am I. And now, I can share their enthusiasm and let it inspire me back into productivity with the final round of edits for BITTERSWEET, book 2 of Fire & Ice. I just added a scene where Adrius and Lorelei dance in the rain... super romantic.

And while I'm not the most patient person in the world, I've been holding on to some extra exciting news... have to hold it for a little while longer I'm afraid, but I promise to reveal jut as soon as I get the green light!

Have an inspired day today and if you get the chance, remember to dance in the rain! Or at least find reasons to! ;)

Just Do It!

Is there something you've always wanted to do? Something deep in your heart that you'd love to try, follow, pursue, if only _______________ (Fill in the blank with said lame excuse). I asked myself that question the other day. Then while writing a dance sequence for my latest manuscript, (and struggling with the challenge of putting dance moves into compelling words) I decided to watch the movie Dirty Dancing (Patrick Swayzee and Jennifer Grey).... and it hit me like the proverbial bolt of lightning...... dance!

I want to dance. But not just any dance.... (having already taken Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hyland...ask my mother about that one, I was only 4) I want to learn to Tango, Salsa, Merengue, Rumba! All of those sexy sultry up-close-and-personal Latin dances....heck, I'd sign up for Dirty Dancing lessons if they had classes near by. As it is if I want to fulfill my Dirty Dancing fantasy of filling the role of Baby, I'll have to go somewhere like Brazil, or at least the UK to take a class with the dance troope from the stage production of the show.

But I did stumble upon a studio offering a whole host of Latin dance classes....and in case my husband bows out (which I doubt he will.... I mean, come on have you seen these dances!?) And while the idea of being pressed up against some hot young Latin dancer is appealing to most, I'd be more than happy to be pressed up against my own hot husband. But, if he decides not to go...then, hey, I'll adapt and suffer through the hot Latin dance partner... I mean what else is a girl to do!?

 (Yes, very sadly I realize I won't be taking lessons from the late beautiful Patrick Swayze....but I can dream, right)

When you have a burning or even a simmering dream, idea, spark.... I think you owe it to yourself to see it through. At least give in to it once and see where it leads. I've had lots of those moment that became duds faster than you can say refund please...but there have also been some that took hold and anchored themselves in my heart....becoming a  piece of me....like writing. So what sparks are you holding that you've never tried for this reason or that. I invite you to set aside the reasons....whatever they may be. Where there's a will there's  a way and when would now be the perfect time to follow through?!

Go for it, at the very least you'll have an interesting story to tell....like my pole dancing classes (don't ask... suffice to say it's way harder than it looks & I have a great deal more respect for those dancers whose routines invovle a pole )

And at the most, you'll come away with a newly formed passion.... dare to dream and dream BIG!