Finally, a breakthrough

Good news.  I have resolved the ISBN number issue!  This morning I talked with a colleague here at work that had a contact number for someone who works in the same department in the government that also manages the ISBN registration.  I called and spoke with an incredibly friendly woman who gave me the number of the department where they actually assign the numbers.  I called there and got through immediately. Amazingly, in both cases, I called the government and they answered on the first ring!  Anyway, I talked with the woman at the assignment department.  Poor thing, she had been out for three weeks with a car accident and was just back to work.  As a consequence they are behind in getting the work out the door.  I felt bad.  It put it in perspective, there I was worrying about a number to process a book so I can get it loaded to the publisher, she was dealing with the after effects of a car accident. It reminded me that life is going on with millions of people in millions of different circumstances.  She was wonderful, explained the process to me and told me that she would chase down my records and get me set up and assigned an ISBN number this week.  I can’t tell you what a load off my mind it is to have that last piece sorted out.  Now I can just concentrate on finishing the last push on the cookbook and I can move on to the next phase in this publishing journey.  I did quite a bit of typing last night, transcribing my chicken scratches into reflections in the cookbook and today did a few more during my lunch break. Tonight, I need to first assess what is left to complete, prioritize and for certain work on some more reflections for the book.  The end is in sight. Now I just have to fight off doubts, lingering worries and laziness to finish.  I am amazed at how fragile I can be right now. The smallest things can discourage me or demoralize me; last night I was strangely sad and I am not entirely sure I know exactly why.  I think I feel pretty vulnerable right now and really wan this to succeed.  I can almost imagine that I have accomplished this goal and yet right now so close, every little twinge makes me worry that it will not come together to happen.  So same old strategy, head down and concentrate on what is immediately in front of me and no worries about the rest for right now!