My precious grandchildren gave me a coffee mug for Christmas that reads: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” – a quote from Thoreau.
My granddaughter Maya saw me looking at that mug one day when we were Christmas shopping. “That’s what I’m trying to do,” I said.
What I didn’t say was that I feel as if I’ve gone after my dreams enough times already, imagined my goals and even achieved them enough times already, and I am more than a little tired.
Today I press on toward a new year with the mug here to remind me that, tired or not, I am challenged by circumstance to go and imagine and maybe even achieve yet again.
You haven’t heard from me for a long time because I have been rather discouraged by those circumstances I mentioned. I’ve tried to write to you before this, perky pieces about hope and perseverance, but they didn’t ring true so I never sent them.
On the other hand, persisting somehow, is the Buddha quote I so often press on others, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” Those words fly back at me now as I gather courage to get up again. There are a couple of projects on my plate that require this rising to the occasion.
First a book, written out of the darkness of my cancer experience, miraculously turning into pages filled with light. My agent likes what I've done so far, and that is a good beginning step. The title is Focusing on the Angels: A Story of Struggle Told from the Bright Side of the Road.
Next are the personal appearances necessary to convince publishers I can market this book for them. Five booked so far, and I’ve hired a publicist to help me come up with more.
We will target writers’ groups, in 2010 at least, with a new seminar titled “The Do It Anyway Guide to Getting Published: Adopting an Attitude of Abundance in a Time of Scarcity”. Feel free to suggest possible venues if you can think of any.
Thus… I am standing again, for whichever numbered time this may be, praying to proceed confidently, improvising the dream as I go.
It occurs to me that many of you are doing the same as we enter the unknown territory of this particular new year. I wish us all Godspeed in the direction of our dreams.
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2 comments:
Dear Alice I am so happy for you with all you have been through. This year has been a difficult one for me with four deaths since last Oct. My sister-in-law with Alzheimers, my Mom at the age of 98, my cousin who I remember when she was born, 61 and last week, my ex husband from Alzheimers. Don't want any more for awhile. Hoping!!!
I am trying to publish my book but need help with the technical end of it. Hoping I will be able to get someone to help me. Will be glad to see your new book. Hope we will see each at the next IWWG. Take care of yourself and stay well. Hilda
Dear Hilda... This has definitely been a year of struggle for you. I send you my prayers and blessings for a safe passage from sorrow into healing... As for your book, is there any guidance I can give to help make the process easier and more productive for you? Feel free to have that discussion here where others may benefit also... Alice
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