THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE
SOMEONE OUT THERE...
WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE IN YOU OR
WHO THINKS YOUR HEAD IS TOO BIG OR
YOU'RE NOT SMART ENOUGH.
BUT THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE
YOU NEED TO IGNORE,
AND THOSE ARE THE TIMES
YOU NEED TO JUST KEEP DOING
WHAT YOU LOVE.
(Jimmy Fallon)
As the holidays roll around, many commercials, movies, TV shows and social media pages will describe gatherings of families and friends, portraying everyone as happy and loving and supportive. If this is your life and the people in it then that truly is wonderful and you are incredibly lucky.
But what if you're someone whose friends keep asking when you're going to make actual money with your art? Whose siblings roll their eyes when you mention the latest ebook you've published? Whose parents ask about everyone else's work but yours? Whose uncle wonders when you're going to get a "real" job?
This is when we need to believe in ourselves even stronger, even harder than we usually do. We have to believe with every bone in our bodies that we are creative beings doing what we're meant to be doing.
Let's not eat any humble pie this holiday season. Let's have a big old hunk of apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Let's enjoy who we are and all the gifts and talents we've been given. Be grateful! Be passionate! Be proud!
Well said! Do it in spite of those people.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Fallon is a class act.
When I came across this quote of his, I knew I had to use it here.
DeleteI've always been very lucky - the people that matter to me, support me unconditionally. I feel so sorry for people who don't have that - it must feel like a constant battle.
ReplyDeleteI've been around the blogosphere and read enough IWSG posts to know that there's a lot of people who don't have encouragement or interest in their passion from the people closest to them.
DeleteI am incredibly lucky and grateful that my husband is my biggest supporter in everything and in anything I want to do. :)
I'm so lucky to have the support of my family. We all get along most of the time. I'm so proud of my children that they've grown up to accept each other's faults and love each other anyway. Enjoy your holiday.
ReplyDeleteThe posts you write about your family are always so lovely. :)
DeleteHave a great Thanksgiving, Susan!
Here, here! Great post. :) My family isn't the most encouraging, but at least I don't get any eye rolls that I've seen. I'm so grateful I get to do what I love. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteIf you don't see the eye-rolls then they don't really count. :)
DeleteI'm thankful I get to do what I love, too.
When I started writing, I told no one. I wasn't even sure myself so I didn't want to spread the news. Slowly, I immersed myself in writing groups so I could learn the trade.
ReplyDeleteWhen I finally did publish my first book, my friends and family were shocked that I could do so much in secret. :)
I would've made a good spy. LOL!
Ha! You really would have. :)
DeleteGreat advice. I'm lucky in my family and friends don't bug me about my writing too much. The in-laws like to ask when the next one is going to be out, but no one asks me when I'm going to start making money.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that your in-laws are interested enough to ask about your upcoming publications.
DeleteYes, I've heard all of that before. I especially get that from my siblings and my dad. It is mean and depressing but my own pride is lower than their words, questions, etc.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, Chrys! Believe in yourself and in your writing. Your blog alone touches many of us. Remember that! :)
DeletePerfectly said! The apple pie sounds good too. I'm one of those people who always gets asked "When will you get a real job?" and whose mom never asks how the writing's going. But you are so right. I should be proud of what I'm doing and not always listen to all the negativity.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier said than done, I know. That negativity and disinterest can wear down our spirits, but only if we let them.
DeleteI don't see a lot of that. Most of the people around me know that writing makes me happy and that's enough for them. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
Wonderful! I'm happy to hear that. :)
DeleteGreat post, Madeline! My parents are supportive, but quietly so. They don't like to brag, and they rarely ask me about my work. It takes my mom forever to even read it.
ReplyDeleteI try not to let it bother me. I know they're proud in their own way.
It's good to recognize support when it's given, even if it's not always in the form we'd like to receive it.
DeleteI agree 100%! I hope your Thanksgiving is happy and all your relatives supportive. :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!
DeleteI agree Madeline about eating that huge hunk of Apple pie and keep a healthy distance from humble pies and enjoy our talents and gifts. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have some apple pie and a healthy dose of gratitude for the gift of writing!
Delete"Whose siblings roll their eyes when you mention the latest ebook you've published"... You know, that's my brother right there. But he and I have differing views on entertainment. He doesn't read unless he has to. I don't let him get to me.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
I feel like people can be still be encouraging and supportive even if they don't fully understand where we're coming from. Good for you for not letting him get to you!
DeleteI always liked Jimmy. So true!! I believe!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great day, too!
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