That’s me. The eternal optimist.
I wake up on the right side of bed every day. I aim to be cheerful as much as possible every day. I always believe that today will be better than the day before.
I’m an onward and upward type of person. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and move on type of person.
In the past year, I’ve had some heartache like I’ve never experienced before – in several sectors of my life. But I refuse to dwell on heartache and pain. When I moved into my apartment, I found myself pacing quite often from room to room to room (it’s a pretty open layout). It’s one of the reasons I made myself go out – to dinner, to a movie, to the mall – anyplace to be with people.
It took a couple of hit-or-miss places before I popped into our local pub. I was thrilled the employees – bartenders and kitchen staff alike – made me feel welcome right away. I’ve made numerous friends there – guys to play cards with, women to go out with, a gal thirty-six years younger than me who likes to hang out and ride bikes with me.
With the pub being part of the local hotel, it’s been a perfect spot to meet people from all over the country. I’m collecting stories to incorporate into some of my future writing. “Captain Daddy Butch” bugs me all the time to put him in one of my books.
It’s slow going, but I know I’m healing. Having friends and good people around me certainly help with that.
I still have the feeling I’m on the verge of something big. I still believe I have a bright future. It’s the eternal optimist in me.
Want to know what prompted this post about optimism?
I realized I’ve been entirely too optimistic about saying when I would finish a book or when it would be published. I said my new Two Sisters and a Journalist book would be published last March. Ha! Here we are in September, and it’s just now been released.
Am I embarrassed I do this all the time? Maybe a little, but I’m usually excited and optimistic when I post information about writing and publishing. The first book in my new cozy series is finished (Delicious Death). I’m going to publish this book in October. Do you think that will happen? I’m optimistic it will, but I won’t be upset if I’m overly optimistic and it doesn’t happen until November.
Optimism. I think being the eternal optimist has served me well. I think I’ll just keep being me.
Murder Runs Amok – book number NINE in the Two Sisters and a Journalist series – has been published at Amazon and Smashwords. Look for it to be available today at all outlets – Amazon, Apple iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, etc.
Breezy Books 
Well, good luck with the launch, and glad to hear you’re not just holding on but progressing toward the better.
Take care, stay safe, and enjoy life.
Thank you. I have my days, but for the most part, I do push forward “toward the better.”
For my business, it helps that I’m finally settling into a routine that incorporates writing at a set time and on a daily basis. I’m presently toying with the idea of National Novel Writing Month! Yikes!
I did three NaNoWriMos and have three books (which I’m very happy with) . . . but, I think the only reason to do NaNoWriMo is if you’re having issues establishing a writing routine.
If you have a routine going, you might do NaNoWriMo for fun or to sharpen your ‘fast writing’ skills, but otherwise, if you’re happy with your writing, it’s not needed, and the added pressure of 1,666 words per day can result in ending up with a mess and a massive editing job at the end of it.
All very true! I did kind of swear I’d never put myself through that again. The first time was a breeze; the second time was an editing nightmare. I liked the idea of putting another book together quickly, but you have given me pause. I’ll probably be fine on my own. 🙂
Looks to me like you’re right. Optimism HAS served you well. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Thanks, Tim. I’m one of those people who can drive you batty with a “cheery” attitude. 🙂 But I wouldn’t want to be any other way.
P.S. – Time to put your shoes on.
I just took them off! 😎
Just got back from a walk.
Hahaha! I have a vague memory of knowing that you like to go barefoot in the warm weather. Is that right? Unless we get some warm days in October, it feels like cool air is here to stay.
You’re right, Maddie. I still like to wander around the yard barefoot if it’s warm enough. The older I get, though, the warmer it has to be before I’m comfortable being barefoot. 🙂
Good job, another book to add, I like them all so far. Cool that you have wrote so many. Takes me forever. Maybe that’s why I wrote a small novel. 🙂
You will write more! I’m so tickled you like my books. And your small novel was very entertaining. Keep up the good work, Julia!
i better catch up. lol
This is a beautiful blog Maddie. I am glad that you always have the positive mindset every day and that is great because being optimistic enables you to always appreciate the little things in life such as being grateful for another day. I like meeting new people too, watching movies and yes eating food such as Biscuits. How I wish you were in Swaziland, we would hang , I know the best places for tourist attraction such as the Velvet Monkey Restaurant(you can google it on Facebook) is such a delightful place in Ezulwini a city in Swaziland.
I am happy that you always wake up feeling positive and meeting people who will cheer you up is what makes life worth living😊🙏
Thank you for your lovely, supportive comment. If I were in Swaziland, I suspect you are right – we would hang. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by. It’s nice to meet you.
Ahoy! Stay optimistic even when you fall off the bicycle– that’s MY motto! Sorry to be a strange, Maddie– keep smilin’ and Happy New Year!! 😊
Happy New Year to you as well, dear Mark! Hopefully, I won’t be falling off the bicycle as I bought a stationary bike for indoor riding over the winter. I’ll try not to ride while tipsy.
I hope to keep in touch with you more this year. I have loads of hopes for this year. 🙂
Love and hugs to you, Mark. Stay warm and stay well!
I can relate. Too often I will give unrealistic deadlines for projects when I’m feeling excited or optimistic about how they’re going, not taking into account the inevitable road blocks and endless revisions I’ll run into down the line. Tough habit to break!