Thursday, March 17, 2011

Are you feeling lucky?

Well, are you?

It's St. Patty's Day... but I don't feel so lucky. At the beginning of the year, the world was my oyster, and I just knew that It (exclamation point) was about to happen. By January's end, the bottom had fallen out.

Now I'm working constantly, it's gone radio silence on the MS-front, and we're preparing for an 800-mile move due north.

It's been hard lately to feel anything other than I'm last week's news. Washed up, done for, motivation gone... etc., etc.

Then I read my dear friend Jessica's post yesterday (link), and thank you, thank you, thank you, my dear bleep, for that much-needed kick in the pants.

Sure, it's easy to get beat down in this business--in any business where the results are so tied to individual opinions and the whims of the market. And when one is a touch OCD on top of that (a'hem), it's easy to become ridiculously focused on one thing to the exclusion of all others.

Always Bad.

So instead, lets look at the ways we're lucky.

  • Big one--I'm not suffering through the aftershocks of the largest earthquake in my nation's history. Nor was I (or any of my loved ones) swept away in a tsunami. 
  • Big two--Me, my family, my loved ones and friends are happy and healthy and safe in their beds.
  • Finally, as far as I know, most of us are all making ends meet and still managing to pursue the thing(s) we love. (For me it's that silly dream of being a published author--not dead yet!)

I'm surrounded by a heap of blessings, and I will take today to hop off the pity party train. No promises about tomorrow. *wink*

Have a great, fantastic and very lucky St. Patrick's Day and a super weekend, reader-friends!

Green beverages all around--and don't forget to check out the Supermoon Saturday night (link)~

Til Monday! <3

32 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

I've been linking people to that same article!

But I think you're right, and Jess is too, there is still plenty to be thankful for, especially green beer!

Old Kitty said...

I always feel that if you are feeling low and upset and depressed that it's always good to accept these feelings and to be able to vent them, to be able to reach out to someone who understands and listens and then to move on. I know, know, know there are bigger terrible problems in the world where suffering and sorrow are at unimaginable levels but your feelings and well being are important to you too.

Have a great St Patrick's Day!! Take care
x

Summer Ross said...

I think being lucky is a matter of perception. Happy St. Patricks day! I hope its great

Unknown said...

You're not only lucky, you're blessed! And btw, It WILL happen. ;)

Happy SPD!

Angela said...

I'm glad you've got it all in perspective. Happy St. Patrick's day!

Carolyn Abiad said...

Supermoon? Where? Oh...that one that's supposed to change your life, yada, yada... (OK, I'll admit, I'm secretly wishing there's some truth to it. Don't we all need a little boost sometime? Maybe it'll sprinkle some pixie dust on our manuscripts or something...)

Theresa Milstein said...

I completely agree with your list. Couldn't feel luckier than having that list.

But I know what you mean. February was my luckiest writing month ever. The most good things happened. But this month, two rejections so far.

Happy St. Pat's to you!

Southpaw said...

Yep, it sure is a good way to look at things.

Colene Murphy said...

Good attitude to have, looking at the bright side and all. Good for you! Things will look up. For whatever reason you were meant to move! New beginning. New adventures with life and writing! Happy SPD to you Leigh!

erica and christy said...

Aww, good for you to find the silver lining. Don't worry, the clouds will part, the sun will come out, and most of your dreams will come true before you know it - it *just* takes hard work, great hope, and some time...
erica

Jemi Fraser said...

Jessica has sure made us all pause and re-evaluate. It's so important to do that when we get too caught up!

LTM said...

@Summer--you're so right, honey. And I guess it's OK to acknowledge your feelings like Kitty said, but also, it's important to keep it all in perspective. Thanks~ ((hug))

@Holly--thanks, girl! Every time I see your avatar, I think MBGRRRR!!!! :D LOL! <3

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I think everyone goes through stages like that, but especially writers. It's in our very fibres. And yes, it's good to look at the positives :)
Happy Patty's Day

Jessica Bell said...

AW, thanks sweetie! I'm so glad my post influenced you! KISSSESSSSSSS!!!!!!

Al said...

Hope it all improves.

Hang on to those dreams and take a moment to enjoy little things.

Tracy said...

I needed this post too. I had some bummerific news yesterday (hate when anything kills my St. Patty's Day joy) and it's easy to both doubt and pity yourself when your shiny dreams are tarnished a little.

Hang in there, chicky!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I was (and am) in the same phase you were in January. Work seemed to consume all my time. Agents that seemed to have wanted to say YES were either not responding or giving those terribly kind "This does not resonate with me but good luck anyway" rejections.

But you're right. We have so much to be thankful for and hurting people to pray for.

I have lost my home to fire, been evacuated out of my city by a killer hurricane, endured three more hurricanes tearing apart my city, lost loved ones, lost a business, three cars to sugar in the old tank.

But I am still here, still with friends, still with a dream in my heart. How cool is that?

Like you, I have health, friends, job, and love -- we are both rich.

Roland

Talli Roland said...

Aw... I do hope tha you've had some green bevvies and that you're feeling better. There is a lot to be thankful for, but I totally get that sometimes it's hard to see the global picture.

Hugs!

RaShelle Workman said...

Leigh - Great post. The world is still your oyster. Promise. As for the moving. Blech. Hang in there.

Michelle Merrill said...

Way to be positive. I really like this post. Thanks and good luck with everything you've got going on.

Lydia Kang said...

Happy (late) St. Paddy's day, and thank you for that burst of positivity. It's always good to remember what we have to be thankful for.

N. R. Williams said...

We are blessed. I understand were you are coming from though. I had a pitch session with an agent that was from hell two years ago. After that I gave up, put my book away and didn't know what to do. Then I started meeting with a friend to talk about the publishing industry. Long story short, I decided I wasn't going to let any agent or editor destroy me and my love of writing. I'd self publish and see what readers think.

Prayers for Japan and not to forget New Zealand or our Australian friends.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

nick said...

May all your clovers be four-leafed!

Stina said...

Somehow rejections don't seem so bad in light of Japan's problems.

I hope you had some luck of the Irish yesterday. :)

PK HREZO said...

So, so true, Leigh. It's a tough gig we choose for ourselves--a world where rejection is a way of life. But it's so great we have each other to lean on. I know I need it.. and I'm especially grateful for those who are honest about their journey and the peaks and valleys they face. It helps us all to know we're not alone with our insecurities and self-doubt.
Good luck with your move. I'm off to read Jessica's post.. thanks for sharing it. I'm so behind with my blog reading. I just can't keep up. :s

Theresa Milstein said...

LTM, I'm having a contest, if you want to visit.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

LTM said...

@Nick--Thanks!!! ((hug))

@PK--*sigh* it's true. This is a great, supportive network. And the camaraderie grows as we lean on each other and learn from each other. And give back~ <3

Have a Super Weekend!!!

Tracy said...

Leigh,
I know life seems 'uncertain' right now but I'm glad you can at least recognize that you are blessed. I find myself looking back at last year and interesting, my husband was out of a job and extremely unhappy, we were scared for the future and what would happen because of the job market...
I will be thinking of you and hoping you have some peace of mind over your situation.

Jennie Bailey said...

It can be overwhelming at times and hard to remember how good we do have it even in the midst of the tornado swirling around us (metaphorically speaking, of course). It's good to do gratitude lists sometimes. Hope you have a fantastic weekend - and you aren't yesterdays news in MY world. You're front page news, baby! ;-)

Ellie Garratt said...

It's about putting it all into perspective, which your post says. Still, it gets pretty frustrating at times!

Anonymous said...

I have never drank green beer. True story. And back in the day I drank a lot of beer. Weird never green beer though.

LTM said...

@Stephen--I find this hard to believe... but I confess, I never cared for food coloring in my beverages... :D Hope your weekend was great!