I hope this newsletter finds you and yours, safe and sound.
The isolation is taking its toll on the extroverts, but my introvert friends appear to be happy as hogs in mud.
We’re postponing Noa Baum’s A Land Twice Promised. That’s postpone, not cancel.
We will let you know asap when we find a new date.
The April Stories Matter! Online Workshop over subscribed and we will be announcing a May Online workshop in time for people to register.
Meanwhile, I thought I’d share a story about how I’m coping with the isolation.
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Remember: You Matter. Your Stories Matter. Tell Them Well!
Gayle Turner
The Storytellers Channel
One Bite at a Time
When I was a little boy, my mom would send me to clean up my bedroom. I had the ability to walk into a perfectly ordered space and create chaos in moments. I’d have toys and clothes and books and papers spread out everywhere. Well, I’d begin reordering and the next thing you knew, I’d discovered something incredibly interesting. My bedroom was right off the kitchen. So, mom would look in an see me seated among the mess, reading, or playing or just dreaming and she would get upset.
It would be about this time that my dad would come in and say, “Let’s get this done.” And in five minutes the two of us would whip the space into shape.
I learned a lot from those whirlwind clean ups.
First and foremost was, I work best with a team. Daddy used to say, “There’s nothing we can’t handle, one bite at a time.” I’ve written of this before. I used to think it was about breaking tasks into manageable pieces, but as time has gone on, I’ve realized that for me the key is ‘we’. I need people.
The Covid-19 quarantine has put a real crimp in my working with people. Sure, I’m doing lots of virtual meetings, but there are no extra hands for cleaning up, and bringing order.
Over the years I’ve developed the habit of straightening up on my way to bed at night. I walk through the house turning out lights, hanging up clothes (frequently on the bedroom door, something my wife would like to break me of) and putting stuff away. This desire to catch the chaos before it gains control has been fighting a losing battle for the last twelve years.
Ever since Marie and I got together I’ve been bring stuff home. I’ve closed down three offices around the country and have shipped books, clothes and files home. I’ve closed out storage spaces and brought stuff home. And I keep finding new books, magazines and stuff we just have to have and, yes, I keep bringing them home. And guess what, I married a woman with the same proclivities.
Well, I decided I’d had enough. The quarantine was providing us with the perfect opportunity to bring order to our lives. Marie and I have distilled boxes and boxes of office equipment, supplies and books. And we have stored them in the attic. What we are left with are three cardboard, file storage banker boxes full of paperwork that I believe are worth keeping.
I’m overwhelmed, but once again, I hear my daddy’s voice. “There’s nothing we can’t handle, one bite at a time.”
And so, Marie and I are now commencing the process of once again going through piece by piece and deciding how to file them, so we can find them and use them when needed.
And it dawned on my how happy I am to have her with me. I’m not alone. I’m still likely to be found sitting among the papers and books; reading and dreaming, but once again We are going to handle it.
One bite at a time.
DOWNLOAD
Tales of Deadly Matrimony
by
Edgar Allan Poe
Audio Book E-Book
I Want to Hear from You
I’d love to hear your stories.
Share with me stories that matter to you.
Stories of how you’re coping with the pandemic.
Send them to gayle@storytellerschannel.com
Til next time,
Gayle Turner
Executive Producer.