I saw an old friend and co-worker at Bill’s novel writing class last night. She looked fantastic! When I left the company, she looked exhausted and crumpled into herself. I worried about her and about all of the people I was leaving because the work environment was so hard and did so much damage to them. I felt lucky that I could leave to pursue my own dreams.
Almost two years later the environment has changed. Part of this is due to removing bad management but I suspect some of this is due to the competitive environment that companies now have to compete for workers in. She is well-treated and happy. She’s lost weight and looks vibrant. I’m so happy for her and for the rest of my friends.
However, the last month has been a difficult period for my writing. I’m a year and three-quarters into my novel-writing career and even if I discount the first six months when I had many things to do associated with my father’s death and the needs of my family, I’m still more than a year into this. I’ve started three novels, one of which I fired for cause early in the first year. The other two are in a difficult place and some days writing is so difficult I can’t remember why I started.
Today LinkedIn notified me that one of my old colleagues had posted a job that I would have killed for five years ago. It’s in my sweet spot. So, I hesitated before closing it. But that part of my life has passed. I am living my dream and part of that dream is overcoming difficulties associated with writing and publishing. I can never have the sweet, sweet joy of overcoming if I don’t pass through these difficulties.
Dean Wesley Smith wrote a blog post a few days ago that really speaks to me. He said:
Reaction to failure makes your success.
That’s not all he said, of course, but that is the gist. It’s a good post and worth the read.
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Healthy eating continues without too much drama. It’s been much easier than I anticipated. I particularly enjoy Brussels sprouts laced with balsamic vinegar and mustard for breakfast. After two weeks I’ve lost six pounds and am sleeping better.
I’ve upped my backpack training weight to a 30 pound pack and, while it’s not an easy burden, it’s also not terribly hard. I can carry it for about an hour and a half without fuss, perhaps more. Tomorrow we have a long hike and it will be my first long one with the extra weight. I’m interested to see how I do.
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Writing in Public blog streak… Day 17
— Short Fiction: 00 new words.
— Novel-Length fiction: 1354 new words.
— Blog Posts: 489 new words.
— Editorial Work: 00 words.
— Year of Short Fiction Goal: 3 short stories finished and sent out by year end.
— Novel Goal: 1 complete novel by year end.
Healthful Eating Streak: Day 14
Keep doing what you do Carolyn. Guaranteed, difficulties can come up in any profession. The path to success is not always an easy ride. However, try your best, and trust in God. God has the power to present you with new opportunities, a new source of strength, hope, a new mindset, and so much more. it is God who knows the road that leads to walking in our purpose, because it is God who designed us for our purpose. He would not forsake you. I would suggest that you begin a relationship with God if you do not already have one. Prayers to God and faith in him are useful ways to invite his presence.
If you want to know about God in more detail, you can find further information here https://christcenteredruminations.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/a-few-things-that-i-have-learned-about-god/ And Here https://christcenteredruminations.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/how-to-build-a-relationship-with-god/
Stay strong sis <3 <3