Slice of Life: The power of a little positive talk

  On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

  

I had my first "big girl" pickleball match over the weekend. Back when Ben asked me if I'd be interested in playing on the interclub team, I wasn't sure. I still feel like I'm in recovery mode with a new knee (TKR in February 2025.) I know the other people who play, and it's a tight (and friendly, very nice) group. I'm not used to having time to do things like this (but I do). 

There was a time in my life when I loved playing inter-club tennis matches, so I expected and knew the drill. I got to the away club a little early with a full water bottle and some decent snacks. 

(Side Note: I stopped to get those snacks along the way, and I have a funny slice to share from that stop. I'm saving it for next week.)

Nerves were at play when they announced the first matches. I'd never met my partner until that afternoon, and she didn't share much other than how much she plays competitive racket sports. I have a lot of theories about her. Maybe she was also nervous. Maybe she'd had a bad morning. Maybe she wasn't happy to be paired with a newbie.

We fell behind in the match through a collection of their good points and our mistakes. After they won a second (or third) point by hitting in the middle and capitalizing on our lack of communication, my partner communicated. 

"If it's in the middle, it's my ball," she said. "You go for it, and then we're out of position."

I made sure to clear out when the ball was in the middle, but I also had to work to clear out my self-doubt and negative self-talk. All part of the game. 

But man, if you're wondering about the power of positive for anyone who is on shaky ground, don't wonder. Maybe it would have made the difference of the three points between us in the final score. 

Slice of Life: Learning to Snowblow

 On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

  

My husband pulled his calf muscle a couple of weeks ago. The whole family feels his pain in one way or another, but I especially felt it when we had some unexpected snow accumulation. 

"I can do the driveway," I said. "No problem."

He's always made the task look pretty easy, and he has only complained a couple times when the snow has been extra heavy or deep. The snow I was facing was the light and fluffy variety. 

It's good no one videoed my first couple of passes. 

Garth had to explain and show how to aim the blower, so it didn't send the snow into the part of the driveway that I'd already done. And even when I tried to do it, my aim was a little off, so the snow came flying back into my face. My fingers didn't understand how to pull and turn, and our driveway is long enough that by the time they had to remember the move again, they'd forgotten. (IYKYK.)

There were several moments during the experience that I wanted:

• to quit
• to tell Garth to be quiet with his (helpful) coaching
• to blow the snow right in Garth's face with his (helpful) coaching

I was not terribly proud of my far-from-perfect final product. I don't really want to do it again. If I have to, I will. 

Possible spoiler alert: 

This story and this picture will become part of my presentation when I talk about early writers. All insights to the connections between first-time snowblowing and early writers are welcome.  

One Little Word for 2026

Ali Edwards gets the credit for beginning the tradition of One Little Word in my life. This year will mark the twelfth year that one word has been the focus of my intention. At the beginning of each December, I start to hunt for a word for the upcoming year. I’ve found that my favorite words– and the most powerful ones in terms of guiding meaningful and positive changes– have had multiple meanings. Present remains a favorite since it can guide attention, gift-giving, and even running meetings. One of my favorite things about the OLW practice is that each word stays with me, even when it’s not the chosen word of the year. My words have braided and twisted, winding their way around and throughout who I am and how I live. 

Heal has been the perfect word during 2025. I’ve recovered from foot surgery, and I’ve rehabbed a new knee. Having taken early retirement, I’ve also been nurturing myself with more time for activities I love. All good healing, both physical and emotional. Given the serious nature of heal, I’m going with a lighter 2026 choice. 

My new book, Foundational Skills for Writing, has a lot to do with brain involvement, so I’ve been thinking about the physiology of the brain a lot, as well as neurological chemicals and transmitters. Endorphins are hormones that boost pleasure, raise pain tolerance, and produce a relaxed sense of well-being. They spike when people laugh. Dopamine is an endorphin that is frequently associated with learning, reinforcing experiences and improving motivation. Success increases dopamine levels, and so does laughing. 

When I researched the benefits of laughter, I also found significant benefits. Just last night, we played family games that had me laughing so hard, it was hard to breathe… so it makes sense that laughter can raise heart and breathing rates, as well as oxygen intake. But, who knew that is also linked to improved blood vessel function, lower cardiovascular risk, stronger immune responses, and even improved bone density. What a perfect follow-up to my #OLW2025–heal!

During 2026, I’ll be on the hunt for opportunities to laugh. I may gravitate toward funnier books and movies, and I’ll notice and appreciate laugh-worthy absurdities in daily life. This upcoming year will be one for seeking out humor, and I’m looking forward to my One Little Word of 2026 being laugh. #OLW2026-laugh 

Feel free to send me anything that’s made you laugh!