Our eyes, the windows to our world that we destroy a little each day.

As I got older, my eyes got weaker. Something I blamed on age. It never crossed my mind that it was my lifestyle. Boy was I wrong.

I went to the doctor, and had an eye opening experience. No pun intended.

I work during the day as an ultrasound tech, which means I am in front of a computer, with the lights dimmed for eight hours.

Then at night I’m in front of the computer working on my next story. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, I found out how wrong my lifestyle was for my eyes. I was told that my eyes had weakened over the last six months, mainly due to overuse, and strain. Now I understand strain, but how do you overuse your eyes? I can’t take them out, or elevate them with an ice bag. I know, bad medical humar but I couldn’t help it. After some research, and a long lecture from my optamologist, I found out that my eyes will continue to get worse unless I make some changes.

I love my job, and I love to write, as do so many of you. So I’m going to give you a list of things that will harm your site, and a few things we can do to keep our eye’s healthy so we can continue to enjoy our writing, reading or whatever we love to do.

#1

Focused staring is the number one reason for the loss of vision. What does that mean? When you stare at something your eyes blink about 3 times slower than normal. So when you’re watching TV, a movie at a theater, your computer screen, or reading a book, your eyes become dry and this creates damage to your eyes over time.

There are things you can do to reduce the problem, other than avoiding these activities all together. Which none of us want to do. When watching TV, take breaks during the commercials. That doesn't mean to stare at your computer screen during commercial breaks.  Get up, look away, anything that takes your focus away from the screen. Watching a movie at a theater is different.  Try to glance around the theater every once in a while. Maybe force yourself to take that annoying bathroom break during a slow part of the movie. You may have to get creative here, but find something to do that doesn't require you to stare at a fixed object. You can apply these principles to your computer time, reading time, etc. A random fact, there is no evidence to suggest that reading in a darker area causes any more damage than reading in a well-lit room.

#2

The sun's rays, or ultra-violet rays, are the number two reason for eye problems. The ultraviolet rays that come from the sun and tanning machines do massive damage to our eyes. Sunglasses with UV protection are an absolute requirement for everyone, in my opinion. The sun's UV rays bounce off of many surfaces. They also pierce many surfaces. Just because you are turned away from the sun or are driving in your car doesn't mean that you are protected from those damaging rays. In fact, it is usually the most common situation where the sun damage takes place. So buy some sunglasses that have UV ray protection. This will keep your eyes healthy, and you looking younger longer. A little FYI, when you squint, you deepen the crows feet around your eyes making you look older.

#3

As if there were not enough reasons to quit smoking tobacco. Smoking is the number three cause of loss of clear vision. Smoking cigarettes causes macular degeneration, which is a problem where the part of our eye that sends the signals that it receives to the brain degenerates. Over time less signals get sent  and our eyesight becomes poor. There is little else to say here except quit smoking, we all know how horrible it is for us.

#4

Injury to the eye is the fourth reason for loss of vision. This can be work related from chemicals or debris in the air, to pollutants or sports injuries. The best way to prevent an injury is to wear protection while working, playing or doing anything that could possibly put your eyes in any danger and if you do damage your eye get medical attention as quickly as possible. Especially around the Fourth of July. Fireworks have sent so many people to the ER and left many with permanent eye damage.  

This is a short list of the top things that can cause damage, but our lifestyles can to. We are so in tune to our social media that we find ourselves in front of a screen all day.

Here are some useful points to remember.

Don’t stare at one object for too long

Blink often

Keep your eyes moist-use drops if needed, and stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.

Look away from your screen, book page or anything that you have to focus on.

Wear sunglasses

Feed your eyes. They need proper nutrition and vitamins to stay bright.

Get enough rest. Sleep is the only way we give our eyes a break.

Reduce stress. I know, easier said than done. But stress raises your blood pressure, which increases pressure in the vessels in your eyes, causing a decrease in blood supply. A big factor in site loss.

And most important, see your eye doctor once a year. If you do have any changes in your sight, catch it early.

The eyes are the windows to your soul and you don’t want anyone pulling the shades down before you're ready.

So protect your site so you can finish reading all those books on your to-be-read list, and write all those books you want to write.

New Years Resolutions that went all wrong.

Last year at this time I had my first contract and was working diligently through all my edits, getting ready for my release in February.
The days rushed by and before I knew it New Years had arrived.

2013 was going to be my year. I had so many plans. Release my new book on February 16th. Have my second book ready for submission by March and work towards my third by the end of the year.
I had goals.

Well father time was not my friend.

It is the beginning of September and I am three fourths of the way through two books. So close to the end but life keeps getting in the way.

As writers we realize the best made plans can go so wrong so we must be flexible.

If we push, the words won't come, or at least that's the way it works for me.

So I made a list. of ways to stay on track

1.  Set up a calender and mark out time to write.

This gives me a schedule so I can't say I don't have time.

2.  Keep a journal 

This keeps the ideas flowing. If I happen to sit in front of the computer with nothing to write I grab my journal.

3.  Plot my success

I no longer mark out on the calender when I want a book done. I mark word counts. Each scheduled writing time I plot my total words written. 

4.  Set a goal to write one more word than the last word count.

Each scheduled writing time I attempt to hit just one more word than the last. This gets me one more word closer to the end.

5.  Find a tangible prize for each goal you have set.

Mine is a new book. I am a writer, but I have always been an avid reader. 

My goals are still tangible this year, just more towards the end of the year.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated towards your goals? 

I'm off to write more words for today. Like I said earlier it's September and another New Years is right around the corner.

Until Next time

Lynda

www.lyndakayefrazier.com

A Look At Romance

Lets talk about romance....the word even sounds sexy doesn't it?

There are many ways of looking at this subject.

Some people think romance is a cozy gettaway for two at a bed and breakfast.

Others think being together for the weekend without your children is very romantic.

A woman who works out of the home....may think coming home to a back rub, dinner, and a movie with that special someone is romance too.

A husband surprising his wife with sexy lingerie is the ultimate romantic thing to do, and isn't that devine?

From the womans point of view....I think anytime you get special attention from your love partner....that can be sensual and errotic.

Women are visual and emotional....therefore, we need actions and especially words to make that very strong sexual connection.....so as to feel needed and loved.

Men on the other hand have very basic needs....put a woman in the room and they can take it from there....they are tottally physical and their needs can be met with far less trouble.

When you put the right two people together...Wow...it can be fireworks, and sky rockets all the way.

So you see...Romance is in the eyes of the beholder.


Romance....By Patsyanne