First, Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., day! I wrote a post about Dr. King that you can see here (link).
It's incredibly inspiring to remember people who have dreams, and who go after them in the face of such terrible realities.
I have a dream, although it's not as world-changing as MLK's.
And at the beginning of this month, I was pretty low thinking about it and where I am in the process. I was driving to the store in the snow and Fresh Air was playing.
I've shared my love of NPR podcasts before--remember Gazumping? (link)
Well, this time T.G. was interviewing Louis C.K., and they played a clip from his Fox television show. In this particular clip Joan Rivers scolds Louie for quitting his gig after discovering he can't insult Donald Trump onstage in a Trump hotel.
Her words really hit home for me and how I was feeling that day. See, I was having a little writer's pity-party and telling myself I couldn't do it anymore. (TMI: It was also that time of the month, so there might also have been some hormones involved.)
Anyway, here's the short version of what she said (and remember, this is for me, but I thought you might like it):
"You know what's wrong with you guys? You don't know when you're lucky. Appreciate where you are for god's sake."
For some reason, that lifted my little chin. (The entire episode's worth a listen--if you're interested, here's the link.)
It's like what Yoda told Luke Skywalker when Luke was doing his Jedi training. The part about how a Jedi focuses on the present and isn't distracted by all the "what ifs." (Right?)
So look around. Appreciate where you are and what you're learning and who you're meeting. And don't forget to keep swimming.
Til next time~ <3
It's incredibly inspiring to remember people who have dreams, and who go after them in the face of such terrible realities.
And at the beginning of this month, I was pretty low thinking about it and where I am in the process. I was driving to the store in the snow and Fresh Air was playing.
I've shared my love of NPR podcasts before--remember Gazumping? (link)
Well, this time T.G. was interviewing Louis C.K., and they played a clip from his Fox television show. In this particular clip Joan Rivers scolds Louie for quitting his gig after discovering he can't insult Donald Trump onstage in a Trump hotel.
Her words really hit home for me and how I was feeling that day. See, I was having a little writer's pity-party and telling myself I couldn't do it anymore. (TMI: It was also that time of the month, so there might also have been some hormones involved.)
Anyway, here's the short version of what she said (and remember, this is for me, but I thought you might like it):
"You know what's wrong with you guys? You don't know when you're lucky. Appreciate where you are for god's sake."
For some reason, that lifted my little chin. (The entire episode's worth a listen--if you're interested, here's the link.)
It's like what Yoda told Luke Skywalker when Luke was doing his Jedi training. The part about how a Jedi focuses on the present and isn't distracted by all the "what ifs." (Right?)
So look around. Appreciate where you are and what you're learning and who you're meeting. And don't forget to keep swimming.
Til next time~ <3
43 comments:
Amen! This is pretty much my everyday mantra this year. I NEED to keep reminding myself that life is good and not to let the little stuff get in the way. Lovely post. :o)
Happy Martin Luther King Day!!! It's not everyday I get to see MLK with Joan Rivers or Yoda! Yay! LOL!
I work with someone who constantly sees the negatives in her life. I've worked with her now for over 10 years and I realise that she's turned her wallowing in self-pity as her raison d'etre - it's what defines her - or rather it's what she sees as her. If I am to see an example of how not to see yourself as, I turn to her. Poor woman!
:-)
Take care
x
Happy MLK Jr day! And great post, and great point. Gratitude is essential, and makes achieving goals all the more sweet while keeping things in perspective in the meantime.
A great Yoda moment indeed. Some good advice, one should always appreciate what they have.
Great advice! So only dwell on the 'what ifs' when it comes to planning a novel. To do otherwise is just wasting your time and making you miserable.
okay, a great reminder and one to begin the day with....I AM lucky and just need to be reminded from time to time...
:)
It's very easy to get distracted by the what ifs or I should've been there by now thoughts. It's best to not focus on those and like you said - keep swimming!
Stupid hormones. ;-) Happy MLK and thank you for this post. Perfect way to start my day. I have been feeling right below the surface...time to bob up and start the doggy paddle. Sending you more *best*!
Fortunately, I'm a very thankful person. I do appreciate where I am and who I'm with. This is a great saying to live by.
Yoda also said, "Do or do not." I agree with that. You either do or you don't do. I do do.
Well said, well said!
Happy MLK day. Thanks for all the important reminders. :)
How is it that a little green guy who says stuff backwards can make such common sense so much more enlightening?
Have a great day! ((hugs))
We'll swim together, okay? There's safety in numbers.
@Laura--right. I've found nothing kills creativity and inspiration so much as looking around at what's happening. Sort of like walking on water that way... :D
@JRM--Silly Jack Donaghy. LOL! :D
@Carolyn--Right? I was thinking about the part where Luke's trying to decide if he should finish training or go save Luke & Han. But Empire Strikes Back was always my fave. You know me and the cliffhanger endings~ <3
I had a similar thought the other day, when I was mentally whining about how my life hadn't turned out the way I thought it should - suddenly the thought hit: "Are you going to let that stop you from going out and doing what you need to do?" Nope, I won't.
Happy MLK Day, and thanks for reminding me that that's what it is!
LOVE IT! Joan and Jedi wisdom to live by. Very hard to remember, but important to try and KNOW every day. I'm glad you didn't give up! ^_^
Happy MLK Day! Another favorite Yoda quote is, "Do or do not. There is no try."
An excellent point, Yoda made.
Seriously though? I was feeling a bit overwhelmed this morning, but I really do have so much to be grateful for.
Appreciating where I am is something I need to work on, I think. Thanks so much for the reminder!
Hey Leigh. I had the same little pity party (TMI - also during that time of the month) Freakin hormones. Thanks for sharing.
I needed a little boost from the blues today. Thanks!
thanks for the nice advice, Leigh!
Always good advice. Enjoy the journey!
yes indeedy! A great reminder!
@LisaG--or at least try, dangit! Thanks, girl~ <3
Great post - this is a lesson I seem to need reminding of over and over . . . and over. Sigh.
Sounds like an interesting interview. I will check out the link.
What a lovely post. Yes, indeed. Be grateful for where we are.
Thanks for the reminder.
There's just something about that time of the month. I was feeling the same way. I love your advice of not focusing on the what ifs and stay in the present.
Happy belated Martin Luther King Day.
I need inspiration sometimes. When I find it, those words mean the most. And they can come from anywhere.
You're right, we shouldn't focus on the what ifs. How about what is? (Deep, right?)
Keep on keeping on. There are so many phrases about this subject, you'd think we'd all be able to remember, but no. We do get down and forget. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy MLK Day!
A great and inspirational post!
Look at me....backstroke!! :)
Great post!!
I enjoy NPR, too, but don't hear it often enough. Seriously, aren't we so lucky? I agree that we don't realize that often enough.
No what ifs. They only lead to madness. Great post, NTM!
Absofreakinglutely. Great post! I love all the optimism floating around these days. . . actually makes me feel inspired after I visit blogs:)
Excellent point. Your post is full of inspiration and a perfect guide for how I want to write in the year 2012. I am pretty much thankful for where I am but I too often forget to give thanks for the small successes in life. Thank you for the uplifting post.
Please check out my blogfest. I have some pretty cool prizes including a kindle fire e-reader.
@Lindsay--URAWSME. ;p <3
Thanks for this reminder. I often catch myself complaining about all the things that take time away from my writing, when actually I am SOO blessed to even HAVE all those things!
@PK--you are awesome, your writing is awesome, and just hang in there. It will happen! Thanks so much for those encouraging words, too. Because you're right. We HAVE come so far. And I needed to hear it. :o) <3
I have a quote posted above my desk. "Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be." I also have a picture of Dory that says "Just keep swimming." LOL. Great post. I'm heading over to listen to the whole episode. Thanks. :)
Great post; I needed the motivational speech! Thank you Leigh, for shining the light on what is important, the here and now~
<3 (((hugs))) 555
Oh man, do I get distracted by the 'what ifs' a lot! Not just with my writing, but with my entire life - what if this happens, what if that happens, what if, what if, what if! SO WHAT! This really resonates with me. Appreciate where you are for god's sake - I can just hear Joan Rivers saying that too!
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