This is the first day of The Way blog, or how to live a balanced and stress-free life. Last year I had written a book called The Way to help a friend with his ideas. But life got in the way, oh, the pun, and even though the book was published and many people bought the book, the project did not work out. But I really liked my story, especially Wanda McBroom the wise woman who resides in all of us, so I prayed for a way to revise the book so I could take this book where I think it needs to go. In the night, she came to me with the seven steps to balance and stress-free living. I meditated on these steps, discussed them with a wise friend, and rewrote the book. It will be released later this spring.

In the book, which is written as a novel and has workbook pages, the reader follows the lives of three women who  have endured horrific circumstances and are in search of balance and stress-free living. The Way helped them achieve their goals.

I have decided to “practice what I preached” and implement these steps into my own life. I had written in my journal for years, which many times seemed like “bitch” sessions, followed and taught “The Artist’s Way”. There is no time line on this blog, just my growth.

You can follow me as I struggle to live a balance, stress-free life in the midst of owning and operating an RV dealership, husband, children and grandchildren, and my labradoodle, Lulu. I hope you learn from my struggles.

The rain is falling lightly outside my studio window as another storm slams the Sierras. And with it’s arrival a slight touch of depression encircles my body, which I have concluded is physiological, not psychological. It is my body, weary, going through the change of life, and in need of the dazzling sunlight that is our normal weather. In my area, like many areas across the country, winter has been harsh, cold, and cruel. Oh, I know we need the water, but it is never enough and they will still call drought, drought! I try to limit the amount of information I store in my mind from the state-controlled media outlets.

Today I have reminded myself to follow the tenets of The Way, which are seven steps to achieve  a balanced and stress-free life. I am keeping myself in good health, but I must confess I have been remiss with my spiritual side, which is the seventh step of The Way.  It’s not an excuse, but there have been many demands on my time from work and others.

So, today is Tuesday, my art day, and I am working on a novel set in Reno in the 1930s, which I find to be a fascinating period.  Back then this state had the foresight to create a way to get them through the Depression.

And unless there is a crisis, I will light a candle and meditate.