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We're about two months or so into 2017, and I think it's time for a pep talk. Or a kick in the pants. Or both.
Those resolutions we set in January? Those goals from 2016 we shifted over to this year? Those dreams we had long ago? Remember all of them? Good.
Now don't you forget them. And don't let anyone else convince you to forget them.
"THE WORLD IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE
WHO HAVE GIVEN UP ON THEIR DREAMS
AND NOW SPEND THEIR LIVES
TRYING TO GET OTHERS
TO GIVE UP ON THEIRS."
(Grant Carbone)
I've met those people. Sometimes they look like teachers, family members, friends. Some told me that I couldn't do this writing thing. A lot don't read my work. Some breezily say things about my blog, like "Oh, I don't think to look at it." Others never ask about my writing at all.
But you know what? I'm still here. I don't know what they're doing, but I'm still creating, still dreaming, still setting goals, still writing.
And so are you.
You better be. Don't you give up and leave me all alone out here.
*****
Are you kicking 2017's rear with all your accomplishments and successes? Are naysayers getting under your skin? Are you struggling with obstacles, with setbacks? Have you had to re-evaluate your goals, find a different path for achieving them? No shame in that - I've been there!
That is a very wise quote. It explains the millions of miserable people out there who think everyone else should also be miserable. You just keep after it.
ReplyDeleteIt really does explain a lot. It makes me look at people differently, wonder if they're being a wet blanket on my excitement and passion because they're miserable. In that case, it has nothing to do with me, it's all them.
DeleteI've never read that quote but it's so perfect! I've never understood people who try to rain on others' parades. I do think they are often bitter and miserable themselves.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're still here! I am too and promise to keep up the good fight. :)
Maybe they're jealous or miserable, maybe they're just not thinking or paying attention. Who knows?
DeleteYeh for keeping up the good fight! :)
So true, the dream killers. So busy sucking the life out of the world they don't even know how to dream!
ReplyDeleteKnow way to many of those!
Good for you - keep at it. Writing makes the world go round!
I wonder sometimes if they're even aware they're doing it? I think some are, sure, but others might just be hurting and don't even know it.
DeleteI avoid talking about my writing or my pursuit of an agent with non-writerly friends. It's just easier. Get you some awesome blogger, twitter etc writing buddies so you can chat and stay sane!
ReplyDeleteI still think friends, etc should be supportive and encouraging even if they don't "get" the whole writing thing. I'm interested in their lives, ask them questions, etc.
DeleteI stay "sane" because of my husband and all of you guys! :)
Awesome pep talk! Yes, there are those people that try to hold us back, but we can do it. Never give up!
ReplyDeleteWe can totally do it!
DeleteI struggle with personal goals, but that doesn't stop me from chipping away at them. It's a slow process though. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Slow process? You're talking to a person who owns pet tortoises. Or, um, I guess I should say a person who is OWNED by pet tortoises. :)
DeleteI absolutely love this! You're not out there alone. I am hanging out there with you. And yes, I have heard all the wonderful excuses from people who tell me, Oh Pat, I forgot to read your blog post again. I've come to the point that I know why I write. I'm called. It's my purpose in life and those who do read my posts now are days are strangers I don't even know. And that gives me a big boost when someone accidentally lands on my page and then sends me an email and say thanks. They don't usually trust themselves to write a comment but every now and then I get the email that says, thank you.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem,
Pat
I love your comment, Pat! I often find strangers or acquaintances are more interested in my work than the people who are "supposed" to be. And those "thank you's" that you receive are something else, aren't they? :)
DeleteI love this quote by Grant Carbone. Its so apt for me at this point of time. Sometimes I feel that people get sadistic pleasure from trying to make others give up on their dreams. I had the misfortune of encountering such people this week. I want to kick these nasty creatures in their butts!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people want others to give up on something that's so important to them. I'd like to think I wouldn't do that to someone, even if I don't understand their dreams and their goals. For me, it's about their passion and their commitment.
DeleteYou hang in there, Rachna!
Someone without dreams and aspirations is sad, but someone who tries to kill the dreams and aspirations of others is downright tragic. Never ever let 'em get you down!
ReplyDeleteI just bought one of your books, so THERE! Deal me into your dream, girl. We can aspire together.
Susan, thanks so much! I really hope you enjoy it. :)
DeleteAnd you are totally in! :)
Well, I'm certainly not kicking 2017's rear with my accomplishments. It's really been just one setback after another (and c'mon! It's only March!), but I'll get there eventually.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pep talk!
You will totally get there, MJ, no doubt here! And the year is still in its early stages - you've got plenty of time.
DeleteI'm pretty close to getting done what I hoped to do. I'm lucky not to have naysayers around me except in my own head.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that Internal Naysayer is the loudest and/or nastiest one of all.
DeleteI avoid negative people at all cost. I feel sorry for them, but that doesn't give them the right to rain on my parade too.
ReplyDeleteI think people who are directly outright negative are easier to spot than the ones who come at you from a different, more insidious direction.
DeleteI've come to expect that nobody will read my writing/blog/anything really. Therefore, I'm undisturbed by not getting any readers. I suppose having low expectations tends to make me a happier person. :) I'll keep plugging away at what I do.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten better at handling my expectations. The raining on my parade still hurts but not as much as it used to - feels more like a drizzle than a storm now.
DeleteLOL! I love it. It's so funny how when we start up, everyone is excited for us (or may pretend to be), but even the big supporters can die away after a year or two. So still creating? Yeah, that's huge.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I had lots of support and encouragement. The older I got, the less of it I received. and I still have no idea why. But, oh well! I'm still here. And so are you. :)
DeleteThat's a great quote. What keeps me still here is being too darn stubborn to give up. =)
ReplyDeleteBeing stubborn can be both a blessing and curse. I've learned that lesson, believe me!
DeleteYup always re-evaluating my goals and rethinking but hoping 2017 is my year. Its been slow plodding but good so far.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
I'm glad the year's been good so far, Juneta!
DeleteI think re-evaluating our goals, our progress, etc. is a good thing to do. Sometimes we need to change tracks and by checking in with ourselves, maybe we can catch ourselves before we travel too far down the "wrong" one."
I do need a kick in the pants already. I've been lagging.
ReplyDeleteConsider your pants kicked! :)
DeleteDon't worry, I'm out here with you, still fighting and trying:) Sorry not everyone is supportive of your writing. I know how much that can sting. Well, you are awesome regardless.
ReplyDeleteWE are awesome, Murees! :)
DeleteIt's good to see you so fired up! Personally, I'm not surrounded by naysayers so much as personal doubts about my own credibility. But even that shouldn't put me down for long! Thanks for the pep talk, I know a lot of people need it, not least of which myself.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us can use a pep talk now and then. :)
DeleteI loved your post!! Great pep-talk. Let's keep on keeping on! :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, fellow writer!
www.jessicatherrien.com
Glad you liked it, Jessica!
DeleteI haven't been lagging, but forget writing and editing until near the end of this month. It's all been admin, publicity, promotion, etc. So much stuff to do!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get back to putting new words on the page.
But it's all for a good cause - your books!!! :)
DeleteYou'll be back at the page soon enough, no worries.
A writer may be born, but an author is made over time.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to keep at it, and to hell with those who say you can't do it. But then you're doing this for yourself, and not them. I've had people tell me that I would not make it as a writer, and I am still working to prove them wrong.
Excellent reminder about doing this for ourselves. And our readers, of course. :)
DeleteI'm struggling with obstacles, but I'm still here, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this awesome, kick-in-the-pants post!!!
A lot of us are still here! :)
DeleteI think I'm doing much better than last year but I do wish I was kicking a bit more butt. I've kinda stopped talking about my writing and blogging with people I actually know (except the hubby). I just got sick of them not caring or not getting it.
ReplyDeleteKicking some butt is better than not kicking any, right?
DeleteIt's hard not to share stuff you're excited about though. After all, I listen and ask questions when people tell me what they've got going on. I also try really hard not to be wet blanket. :)
Great quote, Madeline. Let's keep on dreaming and following our dreams.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteOh my gosh! I needed this pep talk today. So badly. Thank you! And yes, you're right, it's so easy to let their dismissal of what's so important to us bring us down. You rock for this post!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, SK! Hmm, not sure I've ever "rocked" before, but I'll take the compliment. :)
DeleteTruer words were never spoken. I have finally just accepted that I cannot share my writing dreams and schemes with the Debbie/Danny Downers of my world. I am so grateful to have found a supportive writing community online.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonderful community, isn't it? I'm so happy I found it, too.
DeleteTimely words, Madeline. Persistence pays!
ReplyDeleteAnd even if it doesn't pay in money, it pays in the knowledge that we've lived aiming for our dreams and goals. :)
DeleteI don't know what you took but I want some.
ReplyDeletePOST. OF. THE. DAY.
Aw, thanks, Caitlin! :)
DeleteA kick in the butt - JUST what I needed. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Most of us can use one of those kicks now and then.
DeleteThis was exactly what I needed to hear. Great inspiration. I like your advice on keep creating and keep following your dream. Unfortunately, the world is full of haters, but it sounds like you have the right attitude for them.
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling,
Yawatta
It's taken me awhile to get my attitude together, to get it where I feel stronger and more confident in who I am and what I want. Of course, some days it's easier than others.
DeleteI'm struggling with obstacles and setbacks, but I like your take on it: celebrate!!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll handle it, Lynda, no doubt here! Keep on going and you'll find your way through or over or around, whatever works. :)
DeleteForward on! :)
ReplyDeleteYou know it!
DeleteYou're so right. We can't let anyone else interfere with our dreams. Even the demanding Sassy Dog and Katie Cat must give way to writing time. :D
ReplyDeleteMaybe think of them as your furry/hairy Muses. :)
DeleteI'm still here too, lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Belated Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Glad to hear it!
DeleteNOOOO - don't give up on your dreams!
ReplyDeleteWho? Me? Never!
DeleteThat is a brilliant quote! I'm still here and I'm glad you are too :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree! I'm glad so many of us are still here. :)
DeleteMisery loves company, right? I'm still here, too, even though nobody remembers what I'm trying to do. It doesn't matter because I'm not doing it for them.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing it for ourselves and for our readers. :)
DeleteToo funny. I have had people I care for (and presumably who care for me) dismiss my blog and my writing, too. You are so RIGHT. Just keep going. We are in charge of where we end up, no one else, and perseverance is key! Best wishes Madeline.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what makes it so hard - when the people who you'd think would be excited for you, interested in your life's passion, etc aren't, it can really throw you.
DeleteBest wishes to you, too, Liza!
I am kicking 2017s rear in some ways, it is kicking mine in others ;)
ReplyDeleteAt least you're doing some of the kicking! :)
DeleteThat's a great quote, Madeline. I also want to add that some people might've reached their dreams but feeling unsure about themselves, they say discouraging things to others who seek support from them. That is something that has happened to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm still hanging in there and doing the best I can!
I'm sorry that kind of thing happened to you! You keep hanging in there with the rest of us - you're not alone. :)
DeleteWe don't need to listen to people who aren't encouraging or don't think creativity is important. Inspiring post! Doing my best to give 2017 a good kicking.
ReplyDeleteCreativity is sooooo important and there's so many ways it can be expressed. Everyone can do it in their own way. :)
DeleteMy goals are inching along, but slow progress is better than no progress.
ReplyDeleteYou got it!
DeleteI'm hanging in there!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't talk much about my writing. Just the other day, an artistic friend said to me: "Your family don't really know that you write?"
She had bumped into my eldest sister and the topic must have come up. That evening, my sister sent me a facebook friend request. Since I keep facebook for reading/writing-related purposes, and I don't have a personal photo, my sister didn't even know I was on facebook.
So there you have it. It is what it is.
I'll keep plodding along.
You keep going, Michelle! You're not alone out here. :)
DeleteYES, Madeline!
ReplyDelete:)
Delete