☀️It Dawn on Me… (#2)

peace when everything spins out of control, so you (and I) want to write a book?, the fertility crisis, what I'm reading and watching

Occasionally I need a reminder that I have no idea what the people I encounter are going through. The world can turn upside down so quickly. It’s easy to judge others when we don’t know the situations they are facing. Can we ever truly understand another person’s circumstances?

This is an excerpt from my latest (in)courage article, Peace When Everything Spins Out of Control. Click the title to read it or listen to the (in)courage podcast HERE.

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In my last newsletter, I mentioned I am going to “try my hand at writing fiction.” This vague language made me feel better because it gave me a pass if it doesn’t work. I use a writing program (Scrivener) that keeps a running total of my words per day and my total word count. Fiction is different than non-fiction—obviously—and some days my word count has been looooow. As in, at this pace I will complete my book in 2030. (If even.)

Since 2015 I have released six non-fiction titles and without fail, at every book signing or whenever I meet people who learn I am published, people tell me they want to write a book. They aren’t tentative: they have a strong desire and know exactly what the subject matter would be.

So what’s the difference between a person who wants to write a book and a person who has written a book? To write a book you have to park your butt in a chair, day after day, when you could be taking a walk, reading a book, hanging out with friends, or bingeing Netflix.

It. Is. Work. And all the while, you wonder Is this any good? and Will anyone read it?

I’ve committed to myself that I will stick it out and I’m declaring it here for accountability. I need 80,000 words. No small feat, but as I’ve always told myself and my children: Time will pass anyway. You might as well do something with it.

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I recently listened to a podcast about the male fertility crisis; it was disturbing. But males aren’t the only ones having fertility problems. The chemicals in our environment are doing a number on us. Here’s a excerpt from the Davana chapter of my book It All Began in a Garden:

Companies in the United States are not required to disclose the ingredients they include in personal care products in order to protect their trade secrets. But who’s protecting us? If these components were natural, it wouldn’t be so bad. Instead, it gives manufacturers a free pass to hide ingredients from unsuspecting consumers who might be appalled to know they purchase for their families products that may cause allergies, disrupt hormones, decrease fertility, and more. Early exposure to phthalates, a chemical hidden under the fragrance category in a number of personal care products, can lead to lower thyroid function in girls and a host of other related problems.

[For further reading: How Household Chemicals Can Hurt Young Girls' Health.]

These chemicals are difficult to avoid; they’re everywhere. We stayed at a VRBO rental recently where the sheets were so saturated in fragrance from detergent and fabric softener that my husband and I could hardly sleep. My face broke out in a rash that lasted for days, just from rubbing against the pillowcase. After the first night, we stripped the sheets and washed them twice in water only. I dreaded washing and drying my hands because I picked up more fragrance from the soap and hand towels. It was overwhelming.

If you want to explore ways to ditch and switch products in your home, I’ve put together a list of favorite household and health and beauty products that are free from synthetic toxins. Every little bit helps. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

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I’m currently reading two books, Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz (currently included in Kindle Unlimited!) and another I’ve decided not to name. Moonflower Murders is the follow-up to Magpie Murders, which I read last summer in one of my book clubs. There’s also a series on PBS Masterpiece.

I’m a sucker for mysteries and Horowitz writes a lot of them. Last month I read The Word is Murder, the first in a series of four “Hawthorne and Horowitz Mysteries,” where a fictional detective asks the actual author to document his work, Holmes and Watson style. It was an interesting merge of actual and fictional events and characters. Horowitz is very creative!

I’m not mentioning the name of the other book because I’m over 30% in and honestly tempted to return it to the library. I don’t like to be critical. It’s hugely popular, but I’m hugely disappointed. I keep waiting for the magic to happen…

In November, Starbucks Rewards emailed to offer two free months of Apple TV+ so we could stream the Christmas movie Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. We never got around to watching Spirited, but we devoured both seasons of Ted Lasso. Yes, there’s a lot of language, but there’s also a whole lotta heart. Oh. My. Word. I love this show! Eagerly awaiting season 3.

Thanks for reading and happy weekend!