The Thing I do Best is Now the Thing I Do FIRST

Shifting Priority

I have decided to change my priority
without worrying about inferiority
or the ways of the majority.
No longer will I pretend to put domestic concerns
ahead of my life’s purpose — Writing!

Back in the day any writing I did was secondary,
or confined to the secretary’s desk.
For a housewife back then
furtive moments were doled out as rewards
or stray opportunities to pen
wayward words or purloined phrases,
words of wisdom…
a note, a word, a reminder
–confined to the backs of envelopes
or shopping lists,
written in pen or pencil…or lipstick
or eyebrow pencil…

Gone are the days when making soup,
baking cookies…
and pies
scrubbing and ironing…
or dashing through the store with a grocery cart
–all had top priority over the Writing Art.
No frilly little aprons or caps
are needed to fulfill MY kind of Real Work–
no pretty cotton dresses
and certainly no high heels!

For now on–I have decided that Writing has top priority
and rather than hide it (regardless of seniority)
the thing I do best is the thing I do FIRST.

©Sometimes2015

Posted

November 11, 2015

Blogging and Writing, My Place, Poetry, This and That

Gradmama2011

Tags:

housework, poetry, Sometimes, writing

Comments

43 responses to “The Thing I do Best is Now the Thing I Do FIRST”

Bushka

November 11, 2015

Lovely! Enjoyed reading this – had to smile, though at the end.
Not sure if it was intentional, but found very amusing the last two lines of the post:

“the thing I do best is the thing I do FIRST.

©Sometimes2015”

Sometimes? 😉

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  November 11, 2015
  
  awkward? it’s about priority, the thing I do best is write…so that needs to take priority over anything else. I have always been a terrible housewife…not a bad cook…
  
  Reply
2. Gradmama2011
  
  November 11, 2015
  
  this is the one I zapped yesterday…it was awful, but it insisted on coming back! So I rewrote it. Maybe I should say “the thing I do best is the thing I NOW do First?”
  
  Reply
3. Gradmama2011
  
  November 16, 2015
  
  Hey…I got it finally. slow gal here… maybe not always 🙂
  
  Reply
thelonelyauthorblog

November 28, 2015

Good read. I enjoyed reading this.

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  November 28, 2015
  
  thanks…I really changed my priority and I’m much happier…writing first! …
  
  Reply
  1. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    That is my priority as well. Take care.
  2. Gradmama2011
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    its a good priority to have, I don’t want to pass on without leaving some traces in cyberspace…even if no one reads my blog, its out there. 🙂
  3. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    Never really thought of that. We are out there. Traces of us will remain. How profound.
  4. Gradmama2011
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    yes…theoretically out there forever. Comforting thought. 🙂
  5. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    It is. That has always been my goal with my novels, but without realizing it, I have accomplished that with the blog.
  6. Gradmama2011
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    I know what you mean, my novels are stalled at various points…but my blog just sort of pours out. Some of it is nonsense, but its all sincere and honest I think.
  7. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 28, 2015
    
    I understand. I have 3 completed novels, but I can’t find an agent to represent me. I keep trying. I don’t quit easily.
  8. Gradmama2011
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    have you tried the Amazon plan?
  9. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    No. not interested in self publishing.
  10. Gradmama2011
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    no, I think they also publish on contract, not self-publishing
  11. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    Oh, thanks. I will research this. Maybe you have something there. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
  12. Gradmama2011
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    your welcome, I don’t know a lot about it, but you might just google “publishing companies” and see what comes up. self-publishing has gained more stature over recent years, I think, there are some reputable possibilities out there.
  13. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    I know. I am trying to “make it” by traditional methods. At some point I will have to consider the possibilities. Thanks. I will research this. Really appreciate your input.
  14. Gradmama2011
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    IF I had anything ready I would do just what you are doing, work through traditional methods. I’m 81, so I’m pretty much old-school…though I sure do enjoy publishing stuff onto the blogs.
  15. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    God bless you. Yeah, I will try the traditional road a little longer, but you have given me another option that may work.
  16. Gradmama2011
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    check various pubishers’ websites for info, too. I think they still publish The Writer’s Market…it has always been an excellent source.
  17. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 29, 2015
    
    Oh, yeah. My printer recently broke down. That will be my Xmas gift. In January I start contacting publishing house. I am determined to try all traditional avenues. Thanks for the suggestion. I see you are sincere. Thanks so much.
  18. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    I mentioned Writers Market…I don’t get it any more, but it used to list every conceivable publisher…what they want, genres, etc. and gives query information, who to contact, what to say…etc.
  19. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    I also use it for the update lists of literary agents. One of the most important reference books for a writer.
  20. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    yes indeed…I can stop nagging now…just think if I hadn’t mentioned it and you didn’t have it–I am, therefore I nag. :-0
  21. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    Hahaha. Love that one.
  22. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    I’m just so relieved…
  23. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    I am very nice to my printer LOL. I have a three-way scanner/copy/fax that does a great job, cost me a bit over $100.
  24. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    That is exactly want Mrs. Santa will give me.
  25. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    nice…be extra nice to it from the very start, and it will reward you…
  26. thelonelyauthorblog
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    Hahaha. I will. Wear and tear killed the last one.
  27. Gradmama2011
    
    November 30, 2015
    
    🙂
hallenterprises132

January 3, 2016

Congratulations on finally accepting that your writing is your priority in life! You will be so much happier now, because of reaching this decision. Have fun in your writing pursuits!

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  January 4, 2016
  
  thanks
  
  Reply
amanpan

January 18, 2016

You did an awesome job of putting your site together and you are an excellent writer, as well.

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  January 18, 2016
  
  thank you very much, that is high praise!
  
  Reply
mliae

February 10, 2016

I need to print this and put in my fridge door as a daily reminder. Lovely!

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  February 10, 2016
  
  I saw a quote by Gloria Steinem (I think) “Writing is the only thing I do that I don’t feel like I should be doing something else.” Not verbatim, but it sums it up well. 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. mliae
    
    February 10, 2016
    
    Yes it does 🙂
Majka

February 10, 2016

I admire people who know their priorities and don’t put the “ordinary” stuff before them. If our hobbies and deeds can be a source of our health, joy and life energy we should do it and express ourselves as best as we can.
Great poem! ☺

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  February 10, 2016
  
  thanks so much! If it were up to me I’d never do anything but write! As it is I wasn’t able to do my priorities until recently…one of the perks of getting old is you get to do whatever you want, pretty much. LOL
  
  Reply
  1. Majka
    
    February 10, 2016
    
    I know a lot of people are scared of getting older and how their life will be but once you have something you can do, writing, painting, handcrafts, gardening, anything and it’s deep in your heart and mind it will be a pleasure to be “old”. Btw we are as old as old we will allow to ourself become.