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Hello one and all.
When I lived in Seattle proper, on Capitol Hill, I easily got in 10K steps per day. While there were hills if I went east or west, going north or south was relatively flat. Every morning I’d walk a mile before before breakfast, and I’d do what I referred to as my “evening constitutional” after dinner.
About two blocks away from my house some gigantic Oregon grape plants grew. They were easily seven feet tall.
I harvested grapes from them and then grew a bunch of plants from those grapes on my back patio in the city. I planted them out here on the property in 2017 or 2018.
This picture is one of those plants. I’m five feet two, and when I stand next to this plant, I’m looking directly at the top of it. In a couple of years, it will likely be taller than I am.
Oregon Grape
Obviously, this growth didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken years for this plant to grow from a seedling into a big-ass bush.
I’ve been somewhat discontented with my life currently. There are several legitimate reasons for this.
However, I believe that part of my issue is that I’m in a hurry, and some of the things I’m waiting for can not be hurried.
Like losing weight. Like healing. Like finishing writing this novel or that. Like rebuilding muscle.
This morning, looking at this plant has reminded me that I can’t rush these things. I need to change my perspective. Celebrate the achievements that have been made. Be content with the change I do see, instead of discontent with how far I still have to go.
So that’s my project for myself. To change my perspective on a number of things.
I’m using a system that I heard about on the Humberman Lab podcast (https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-marc-brackett-how-to-increase-your-emotional-intelligence) that goes into developing more emotional intelligence in some detail.
None of this is going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time to shift my point of view.
However, though this is long and not always easy work, I think that I’m going to be much better as a result of it.
How about you? How do you approach projects that are going to take a long time?
Cheers
Leah
Hey - did you know that I have a new book coming out in November? It's another cozy fantasy, in the same vein as A Dragon's Guide to Killing Gods (And Other Lies).

Ice & Berries is a cozy fantasy tale of friendship, work, and going out into the world. Oh, and snow cones!
It's available for pre-order through the KRP shop, and will be delivered on November 10th. It's also available for pre-order though all the regular retailers, but it won't be delivered from them until November 21st.
(If you're going to Author Nation, it will be available there as well)
Pre-order your copy today!
Ice & Berries Cover
It's September! The new book on sale is exclusively available on the Knotted Road Press site at this time. It's the complete box set, all three books, of the Forgotten Gods Trilogy by me! A haunting dark epic fantasy trilogy with stirring battles and unique magic.
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