TIME TO TRADE IT IN

I wrote most of a very long post for you tonight, and I feel you deserve a more edited version of what is a complicated thought for me—the concept of home. I'll share it when I have time to be more articulate.

For now, I'll report that the solitary part of my journey is drawing to a close. I've loved my time alone and would actually jump on another week spent this way if I could. But then I'd have to miss what I want even more, which is to hop in Brandon's truck and pick him up in it tomorrow.

As I move on from this part of my experience, I'm happy knowing that this time on my own has done so much that I'd hoped it would.

I celebrated my last day as a solo traveler with a beautiful hike, my hostess Emily as my guide, and enjoyed chatting with her about some of what I've gained during my time at her cabin and Deer Creek.

These last few weeks have cleared my mind, given me a start on new projects, afforded me the chance to briefly reside in the state I love most (don't be hurt, Kansas, you get more of my love than you deserve), and allowed me to try yoga with no one watching. I've woken with the sun and eaten when I was hungry. I've written more, and in more formats, than I have in years.

Some of the most fun I've had writing has been for a big freelance project that hardly feels like work. It's taken me away from my screenplay, but so will whatever opportunity is in my future. Sure, screenwriting could put money in my pocket someday, but it falls firmly into hobby for now. To give it a chance to become something more, I need to build on what I've started here in Colorado, and make sure that writing remains a part of my day, every day, even when I return to Kansas City.

This blog has been good training for that. Once I'd started it, I didn't want to let down anyone who's expecting a new post from me, even if that's only one person. Hi, Dad! Travel safely to Mexico!

But how do we add something—a class, exercise, more time with family, volunteering—to our busy lives?

It's a hot new concept called prioritizing.

But whether I prioritize and continue the blog or not, I want to challenge myself to keep hiking up the mountain of my screenplay. Even if I just click off a scene a day. Because steady progress is how you achieve most big goals, tangible and otherwise. In other words, as Meg and I joked not long ago, How do you eat an elephant?

(First, I guess you have to decide it's your priority to eat an elephant.)

So how do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.