Getting Through the Fog by Carlton Hughes

A new year is normally a time of reflection, of goal-setting, of looking forward to possibilities. That’s normally the way it is for me, but this year was different.

Right after New Year’s Day, I was diagnosed with the flu. I haven’t been that sick in years, and my vision-casting, planning, and reflections melted away. I spent several days in bed barely able to think, and then, when I was able to return to work to try to function, my mind remained in a fog. I would do my work and then return home and collapse on the couch. The illness took a lot out of me.

I gradually returned to the land of the living . . . and of writing. Thankfully, I did not have any major deadlines during my down time, but I did have some things on the “back burner.” Two friends had sent invitations to do guest posts on their blogs, with the stipulation that I could take my time in submitting. What a blessing to have friends without deadlines!

One thing I learned through it all is that I have to be patient with myself. I’m certainly not getting any younger, and the bounce-back time for illnesses like the flu is longer than it used to be. I made lists—sometimes in the middle of the night when the thoughts came—and wrote rough, rough (really, really rough) drafts as I could. I even spent time thinking about a new project, and I hopefully I will actually remember those thoughts when I sit down to put something on paper.

I used the down time to truly rest, and, in the end, I think that’s what I needed. It would have been nice to be able to rest without the sneezing, coughing, and aching feelings, but, hey, I took it as it came. So, when life happens, roll with it, rest, and make lists. Those big tasks will be waiting on you when you emerge from the fog.

Carlton Hughes wears many hats—some serious, some goofy.

During weekdays, he sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher (wah-wah wah-wah-wah) as a community college professor of communication and journalism. On Sundays and Wednesdays, you’ll find him playing games, performing songs with motions, and doing object lessons in his role as a children’s pastor. He and his wife also attempt to keep up with their two college-age boys.

In his “spare” time, Carlton is a freelance writer who has been published in numerous books, including several recent releases from Worthy Publishing: The Wonders of Nature, So God Made a Dog, Just Breathe, Let the Earth Rejoice, and the forthcoming Everyday Grace for Men. He has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul and other publications and is represented by Cyle Young of the Hartline Agency. He contributes regularly to two writing blogs, almostanauthor.com and inspiredprompt.com. He specializes in humorous observations of everyday life, connecting those experiences with spiritual application.

Carlton loves watching classic sitcoms like I Love Lucy, eating way too much chocolate, and rooting for his favorite college and high school basketball teams. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child.