A thank you to my readers.

 It’s been an interesting year for all of us. The impact of current events became so great I broke my own resolve to not share my personal on this, my professional social media. I probably wouldn’t have done this if I had personal social media accounts, but I don’t.

 And while I don’t believe anyone’s social media posts would ever change my mind, and I certainly don’t expect my posts to change anyone else’s, I needed, just the tiniest bit, to feel heard.

I want to thank everyone who came to any of my online accounts expecting Author Chrissy Munder and instead had a front row seat to my anger, fear, anxiety, and discouragement.

Seriously. Thank you.

Thank you for not only listening, but for sharing, no matter your political views, your own uncertainty and day to day troubles. You helped. I only hope I did, as well.

But it’s back to real life. Back to the reason I even have social media accounts, which is to connect with my readers, not to vent my political dismay. Whatever happens in this election life goes on. We go on. My deepest desire is to share my commitment to love, laughter, and happy endings with my readers. To provide entertainment and relief from their worries, not bombard them with my own.

I’m moving into the last few months of 2020 and starting 2021 with hope. Hope we all desire more from life than fear and divisiveness. Hope we are smarter than those who tell lies and pretend to lead us. Hope that we all accept, deep down, to be human is to fail, and try again.  I hope you come along with me. 

May we be well. May we be happy. May we be at peace.

We get out of this world what we put in to it.

July 15th, folks. Here we are, halfway through another month. How are you doing? No, really. How are you doing? As a person, as a parent, as a wife, husband, brother, sister, friend. Employee and employer. How are you really doing in the midst of our 2020?

I'm asking this in all seriousness because so many of the people I communicate with, whether in person or digitally, will take a pause to see if I'm serious, and then share in some measure or another, they are not okay.

Honestly, I've given out more virtual hugs in 2020 than I have in my entire online experience. And, I give a LOT of virtual hugs.

When someone turns the question on me, if I'm honest? I have to admit I'm struggling here. This was the year I was going dive back into my writing, my website, my online presence and interactions. I kept asking myself: how can I stick to my author persona & a happy perky book promoting social media plan when I feel such a burning & deep anger at our current administration's dismissal & denial of our concerns for our loved ones re: health & race?

I've kept the majority of my bile on Twitter rather than spreading it out over my other platforms, because the negativity, anger, and despair I sometimes feel isn't what I want to share. Sadly, every time I decide I'm going to stop, something else comes up that so infuriates me, I have to toss a comment out into the void.

But that's not the person I want to be. That's not the person I am. Deep down I truly believe that we get out of the world what we put into it. That kind of negativity isn't what I want to put out into the world. It certainly isn't what I want to receive in return.

It's easy to project outrage and blame. It's much harder to look inwards for the source of real change, and it's even more difficult to figure out how I can best serve those I interact with.

Which is why I have to try. I know I'm going to fail. Often. I'm human and that's how we learn. All I can do is promise to learn from my failure, get back up, and try again. I hope you'll join me.

And, seriously? Let me know. How are you?


"First realize that your world is only a reflection of yourself, and stop finding fault with the reflection…set yourself right mentally and emotionally. Let alone the reforms and mind the reformer.” –Nisargadatta

We are all in this Together.

We are. But I didn't say that. No, that straight-shooting gem of a comment came from Hal Elrod. Maybe you've heard of him? I've spent my limited social media time over on Twitter venting my spleen on a few current events. But, in the end, that doesn't serve any of us and, while it allows me to momentarily feel better for sharing my sarcasm, doesn't do much to keep my inspired or motivated.

Today I listened to Hal's podcast, episode 314 and it was such a respite from all the stress and anxiety I was feeling this morning I wanted to share the link, and hopefully, the love.

https://halelrod.com/coronavirus-mindset/

You can listen to a on a variety of platforms and I hope you find some measure of pause and peace.

February, February, wherefore art thou, February?

So. Yeah. February is gone. Long gone. So far back in the rearview mirror there's not even a glimpse. And somehow, despite all my careful plans and scheduling I am here in the first week of March feeling overwhelmed, behind, and so far off track I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get back on.

Sigh.

But hey, that's self-indulgent and overly dramatic. When I separate myself from my feelings, I achieved an amazing amount of tasks and items that had been hanging on from last year, and needed doing this first quarter of 2020. Yay, me!!

But the habit of feeling overwhelmed and unaccomplished is a hard one to break. One I'm working on, but one I'm still surprised at how deep it has it's hooks sunk in. Why is it so hard to celebrate the little wins, and so easy to dwell on the items that need to be viewed as feedback, not failure?

Do you struggle with this?

And just like that, it’s July.

Howdy, everyone! The mercury is high here at Chez Munder, and the humidity is even higher. Urgh. Can you tell I’m not a fan of warmer weather? Hard to believe I lived in Texas for 10 years. I hope you are staying cool and comfortable, and don’t forget to keep an eye on your furry companions too.

Long time since an update. But like many of you, our year so far has been hectic. We ended 2018 with an elderly, out-of-state parent ill health situation that quickly escalated into a major source of frustration and concern. Eventually, that turned into an in-state and in-hospital elderly parent ill health situation, which at least lowered the frustration a smidge. Our fingers are crossed that progress, while slow, is there, and hope that they will leave the hospital in the next few months.

We also have a family friend, a beautiful young woman who, while pregnant with her second child was diagnosed in May with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Despite needing to start chemo, she just delivered a healthy, if early, baby girl and is now in the fight for her life.

I don’t normally share personal items, but in both these situations it’s the positive power of love that will make the difference. So, I’m asking for your help. If you’re a person of faith, please keep our two families in your prayers, and if you are not, please share some positive thoughts. We appreciate each and every one.

I’ll be back next week to share some better news of a more writerly nature. In the meantime, kick back, slow down, and enjoy your weekend.

Pre-Holiday and notoriously idle thoughts

This was originally posted in November of 2009 and honestly? I don't think I could say it any better today.
November has been a busy month has it not? Those that know me on a more personal level know that I've spent the last six months preparing for a major life change. Change being the hard bitch that she is always leaves me poking at the things in my life with a sharp stick to examine the linings - both silver and otherwise.

We are two days away from the US celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The official start to the Christmas Holiday season and the kick-off to the odd, shopping frenzy that takes over so many people I know. Yesterday I stood aghast (really!)(and I always wanted to use that word) listening (and biting my tongue) as one of my co-workers proudly announced that she was starting this season's shopping before she paid off last season's.

This really nagged at me. Over the last several years my family and I have found that our wants and needs (always two different things) have leaned more toward the intangible. When I'm asked what I want for my birthday - also celebrated in November - my usual response is a long pause and then I reply "nothing", and I mean it.

The things in life that I want and feel I need on an ongoing basis include good health, more time to spend with family and friends, and more freedom to enjoy the time I have. Not exactly something one can pick up at the local retailer.

So I watch the television commercials, read the circulars in the paper and watch the frenzy of spending build around me with a fair share of confusion. But, as I've constantly voiced - Different isn't wrong.

Without getting too preachy I will ask this - if you participate in and enjoy the giving and getting of gifts over the holiday season please, do a little extra this year.

When you are picking out the perfect gift for your loved one think about those in need. A .99 pack of stretchy gloves, a scarf, some socks, and especially a couple of packages of underwear will go a long way to making someone's day at your local homeless shelter or rescue mission.

Ask yourself if you even know where your local aid group is located. 

As you purchase supplies for your family dinner think about a contribution to a local food bank. The miracle of their ability to compound dollars for food is truly a gift to someone in need.

However you choose to celebrate be grateful for the love and caring that surrounds you, and pass just a little of it on.

Happy Holidays.