Shelving the Project

I was just looking at my last post- and realize it's been some time since I've updated it. Therefore, I only have myself to blame that this project has gone off track. I guess I was hoping and waiting to see what my September 1 deadline would bring, but then life just happens.
Jenna started Kindergarten- and with that an unfortunate new sleep routine that leaves me drained most evenings (we're working on it ;-)
Then, as some of you know, Bill's mom began losing her battle with cancer and she died on Thanksgiving Day. Our lives are forever changed with losing Nina, and we're still trying to wrap our heads around it.
Through all this, I keep thinking of what I'd want to write for Jenna about it all and how it applies to the book I wanted to write.
And that, of course brings me to think of our project...
A few of you have returned your contribution, a few have said you've written yours, gotten a lot out of it, and just need to get it to me. Some of you thought the project was a great idea, but I'm sure, life happened for you too :-)
So, I've decided to stop badgering you, and will just shelve the project. For those of you who did send yours in, thank you for trusting me with your very personal information. I am happy to return it if you'd like. Otherwise, I'll keep it in a secure place in case we decide to take another stab at it! Just let me know what you decide.
In the meantime, I hope the questions inspired some interesting thinking for each of you. I certainly enjoyed writing mine, and will update it over the years. Perhaps one day I'll find a way to make this happen!
With much love, Jodi

Winter Doldrums and That Scary Send Button

Well, the journey continues!  In recent weeks, mired in the post-holidays/ February doldrums, I was thinking that maybe this book will never happen. I must confess that I haven’t even gotten my answers done! I imagine it’s a mix of perfectionism and waiting for the perfect time to sit and write! I am halfway through, however, and I was amazed how quickly that writing flowed (once I sat down and did it!).

Last week I had lunch with one of the amazing women on my list. We’d been trying to get together for months, and when we finally connected the sparks began flying. I haven’t shared this concept to anyone new in a while. Doing so with some so dynamic ignited the energy again!

That night I ran into someone who’s gotten hers written out, she just needs to type it. But life got in the way, and sadly she is dealing with a huge loss right now, so hers is understandably on hold for a bit. I’d venture that the loss of her mom may prompt her to expound on her answers as she types them…

Then I ran into another of you the very next day! She said, “Mine’s done, I just can’t seem to hit ‘send’!”.  I totally get this! These are some personal questions!  Since she’s not alone in the funny tummy feeling about hitting “send”, I have two thoughts to share. It’s likely that I won’t print all of everyone’s answers. So that allows for the anonymous section I’m planning for the answers we just don’t want to own J. Just identify those you want attached to your name, and those you don’t.

Finally, on Monday I had lunch with the first woman I’d met with from my “amazing” list. I told her that I’m writing an updated blog where I might say, “If you know you really won’t get this done, please let me know, as I’ll need to replace you”. She thought that was her “out”. I laughed and said “no way”! That’s when I realized: I asked each of you for a reason! So I really hope you can make it happen. Again, those of us who have done (at least some) of the writing, have found it to be a great experience. And I have big plans for this when we finally pull it all together!

Which brings me to our new and improved deadline: since Fall is my favorite time of year, I plan to take time off from work in September to pull it together. So, September 1 is our deadline to get all the answers in. I hope this helps you- but that it doesn’t cause you to lose any momentum from our initial meeting about this project.  Please call me if you’d like to get together to discuss where you’re at with it!! Thank you everyone-- With Love, Jodi

Gently Nudging to Discovery

I hope this posting finds everyone well! Recently, I’ve had some interesting insights that I’d like to share. Last week I went to my massage therapist, Bonnie, for some healing work. The Saturday before I had crashed my mountain bike and was left fairly banged up. Nothing broken, thank goodness, but Bonnie commented that it was my 2^nd crash inside of a month.

“Hmmm…” she said, “when people are crashing or falling a lot it can mean they’re not feeling grounded”. My first thought was that I have been feeling very scattered! While I am happier than I have ever been, and energized by this project, by new tasks at work and the holidays approaching, I have had that feeling like I’m always forgetting something. While I often have a lot of irons in the fire, I realized my scattered-ness is due to the fact that I have these wonderful women committed to working on this project, but I have no control over getting it done!

I know, however, that all I can do is to keep up these gentle nudges! You may have found that answering these questions is a process that keeps changing. Take for example, an experience I had that affected one of my “answers”:

On Wednesdays Jenna takes a ballet class with five other pre-school girls. She absolutely loves going to class. To me it’s worth every penny to watch the joy on her face while she’s “dancing”. I’m sure you can picture the place- pink everywhere, princess décor, trophies, and of course, walls covered in mirrors. Since last week I've held an image in my head of my little four year old flitting past a mirrored wall with total abandon in movement and smiling at her reflection. There was no expression of judgment or disdain. There was no looking at the part of the body she doesn’t like. I just witnessed total joy and self-love.

I got to thinking… What would go through my mind if that were me?  What expressions do we make when we pass ourselves in the mirror?  How can I help her harness that kind of self-love and acceptance? And how can we help ourselves?

I’m sure you can imagine this affected one of my “answers”, and you may have had similar experiences. I hope that, if you haven’t done so already, very soon you allow yourself the time for self-reflection and the let creative juices flow!! I’ve heard from many of you that this has been a great exercise in self-discovery. Make it a gift to yourself- whether it’s an evening alone, time in the woods, or even an escape to a library!

As I’ve shared with each of you, this project is something I’ve felt compelled to for some time- thank you for joining me on this journey!

Progress and Timelines

Yesterday I heard from two more women who have decided to commit to this book project! As I shared with them, they are in the company of some of Western North Carolina's most amazing women! I am honored by their participation and energized by their feedback about the project in general and the questions in particular.
In the letters, each of you received a deadline for the materials. That deadline is really intended as a commitment deadline and receipt of the release form. Please do not feel rushed to finish your end of the project by that date as I don't expect to receive all the answered questions until the end of 2010. While I have met with and received commitments from several women, I have a few remaining on my list to reach out to. (This has taken a while since I am meeting with each woman personally.)
When I receive release forms, I will announce the names of the participants. My plan is to compile and edit responses during the first quarter of 2011 and have it ready for publishing by late spring.
I thank you all for your encouragement and support. As I have explained to you, I have felt compelled to this project for some time and it's a blessing to see it coming to fruition! I hope you are all enjoying addressing these questions! And keep the ideas coming… I am pulling ideas together for the accompanying workbook!

Why I created this Blog

Greetings! Welcome to the Blog site for Mountain Tides Productions.  If you're at this site, you probably already know that I am working on a book that entails help from many wonderful people. I created the Blog Spot as a place to post updates on the project. More to come!! (and I'm open for title ideas!)