I was looking through my journal entries from 4-5 months ago recently. I had forgotten about this, but it was a powerful reminder of the power of visualization.
Four months ago I was unemployed and applying for jobs. My savings was nearly gone and the only way I knew to get an income was to get a job. So I applied for many.
While looking and applying, and perhaps even slightly before that, I was at an event in a building, and from where we were seated at the tables on the main floor, you could see the offices on the second floor - their windows overlooked where we were. I distinctly remember looking at one office, a rather large one. I could see the desk and chair. I could see a large poster or picture hung on the wall.
I don't know why, but that appealed to me. I wanted an office like that. I wrote about it in my journal. I wrote that for some reason, I felt that I wanted to work in an office. I wanted my own desk and window. I wanted to hang my posters and pictures on the walls. I could see myself in an office like that.
Yet, I had never worked in an office before. I've worked in schools, and a variety of retail shops, but never an office. And never a multi-floor office.
In my journal I also wrote that I felt like I was too late. I wanted this experience of working in an office, with my own desk, window, etc, but I felt like I was too old to get in that game. I felt like the people who had those cool offices had started out in an entry level position, and worked their way up to that office.
But wouldn't you figure... the job I got (I got hired at the end of February and started March 3rd)... I got my own office, with a desk and a window!
I got what I had visualized and desired. I got it. That is the power of visualization and of setting your intentions and desires.
I remembered that this has occurred for me throughout my life. I usually didn't know how it would happen, and often I didn't really expect it to happen, but many things that I desired did come to pass for me.
From wanting a little, fluffy dog, but already having two big dogs and not really looking to adopt... I found my little Betty at the humane society and adopted her! To various relationships I've called into my life.
In college, I wanted a fairly casual, yet deep relationship. I remember writing in my journal that I knew I wasn't ready for anything too serious, but I wanted a relationship. That's exactly what I got. Four years ago I felt ready for that marriage-bound relationship finally, and a few months after I started saying affirmations for that, I met the man I will be marrying in just over a month.
Shifting to jobs, when I was teaching, I knew I didn't want to be a teacher, but I didn't know what else I would want to do. By chance, I saw a sign language interpreter at my sister's basketball game. That experience stuck with me, and I never forgot it. After I decided to quit my teaching job, I found a very good ASL program just a few miles from my house! I enrolled, making it in just a couple weeks before the deadline for that semester. The timing was perfect.
Then, when I finished that program, I desired a job as an interpreter. Though I wasn't sure my skills were good enough, and I didn't know how to go about getting a job in that field. In a chance encounter, I ran into a woman I knew from one of my sign language classes (we just had 1 class together and were not more than acquaintances). She was working as an interpreter for a school district and knew they were hiring. She told me she would put in a good word for me. I applied for the job, and got it.
See, the Universe takes care of us. If we are clear about our intentions and desires, the Universe has the power to conspire and bring together events and people to help us.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
What's Your Target?
I read an article by Dr. Phil in O magazine a couple days ago. It's actually from the May 2014 magazine, so if you subscribe, you can find it there.
Dr. Phil says we "have to name it to claim it." He discusses how so many people just want to "be happy," yet they haven't defined what that means to them. What will MAKE them happy?
To quote Dr. Phil: "You've got to have a goal in mind, or you will never have the opportunity to claim it. Once you have an idea of your true priorities, you can catch yourself before you do anything that doesn't move you toward that target. And that's a key word here -- target. If you don't have one, then you're like an unguided missile, and who knows where you're going to land."
Have you ever felt like that? Asked yourself the question, "How'd I end up here?" Well, it's because you weren't focused on your target, or likely didn't have a target at all.
First step: Define WHAT you want for yourself in your life. What is important to YOU? What lights you up, drives you, or makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
I firmly believe that we're all here for a reason; a purpose. Each of us has a message to share. And until we figure out what that is, and find a way to share it that is in line with our true selves, we'll go on feeling unfulfilled.
I believe that is why I have bounced from one job to the next... I've been continuously searching for how to fulfill my purpose in life. I've been trying to figure out my unique message, and how to share it. So I followed interests, which led me into a variety of jobs and industries, only to feel that familiar feeling of unfulfillment once I'm there a few weeks or months.
But I beleive that's part of the process. Sure, some people "get lucky" and tune into their personal message at a young age and hop right on that train. But others (like me), bounce around a while until they find it.
I think the key is, if you're feeling unfulfilled or unhappy with some aspect of your life, then there is more for you. Keep looking. Stay open. Be willing to make changes.
As Dr. Phil encourages too: "The most you will ever get is what you ask for - so be bold enough to reach for what's truly important to you. You deserve more, and you can have more, but first you have to name it to claim it."
"The most you'll ever get is what you ask for."
I think that's a very important concept to understand. If you're content with less, with "settling," then by all means, stay where you're at. But if you're feeling that urge deep inside... that urge to do more, be more, that something isn't quite right... listen to that and respect it. That's your Spirit guiding you.
And remember, you don't have to make major changes right away. Take little steps if that's more comfortable for you. And honestly, that may be the wiser course of action too. But take steps. Don't give up on yourself. You have passions and dreams inside of you for a reason!
Take some time to narrow down what's really important to you... focus your target... and let that be your yardstick to help you make choices moving forward. If something is a step towards your target (dream), take it! If it's not, let it go and move on.
I'd love to hear what your target(s) is/are! Listening to other people's dreams and life paths is so interesting to me, as is helping in any way I can. Feel free to leave a comment below, or find me on Facebook (Sarah Noel), or Twitter (SarahNoelAuthor). I'm working on creating a Facebook page dedicated solely to "Be You. Live Your Dream!" I'll let you know when that's up.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Dr. Phil says we "have to name it to claim it." He discusses how so many people just want to "be happy," yet they haven't defined what that means to them. What will MAKE them happy?
To quote Dr. Phil: "You've got to have a goal in mind, or you will never have the opportunity to claim it. Once you have an idea of your true priorities, you can catch yourself before you do anything that doesn't move you toward that target. And that's a key word here -- target. If you don't have one, then you're like an unguided missile, and who knows where you're going to land."
Have you ever felt like that? Asked yourself the question, "How'd I end up here?" Well, it's because you weren't focused on your target, or likely didn't have a target at all.
First step: Define WHAT you want for yourself in your life. What is important to YOU? What lights you up, drives you, or makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
I firmly believe that we're all here for a reason; a purpose. Each of us has a message to share. And until we figure out what that is, and find a way to share it that is in line with our true selves, we'll go on feeling unfulfilled.
I believe that is why I have bounced from one job to the next... I've been continuously searching for how to fulfill my purpose in life. I've been trying to figure out my unique message, and how to share it. So I followed interests, which led me into a variety of jobs and industries, only to feel that familiar feeling of unfulfillment once I'm there a few weeks or months.
But I beleive that's part of the process. Sure, some people "get lucky" and tune into their personal message at a young age and hop right on that train. But others (like me), bounce around a while until they find it.
I think the key is, if you're feeling unfulfilled or unhappy with some aspect of your life, then there is more for you. Keep looking. Stay open. Be willing to make changes.
As Dr. Phil encourages too: "The most you will ever get is what you ask for - so be bold enough to reach for what's truly important to you. You deserve more, and you can have more, but first you have to name it to claim it."
"The most you'll ever get is what you ask for."
I think that's a very important concept to understand. If you're content with less, with "settling," then by all means, stay where you're at. But if you're feeling that urge deep inside... that urge to do more, be more, that something isn't quite right... listen to that and respect it. That's your Spirit guiding you.
And remember, you don't have to make major changes right away. Take little steps if that's more comfortable for you. And honestly, that may be the wiser course of action too. But take steps. Don't give up on yourself. You have passions and dreams inside of you for a reason!
Take some time to narrow down what's really important to you... focus your target... and let that be your yardstick to help you make choices moving forward. If something is a step towards your target (dream), take it! If it's not, let it go and move on.
I'd love to hear what your target(s) is/are! Listening to other people's dreams and life paths is so interesting to me, as is helping in any way I can. Feel free to leave a comment below, or find me on Facebook (Sarah Noel), or Twitter (SarahNoelAuthor). I'm working on creating a Facebook page dedicated solely to "Be You. Live Your Dream!" I'll let you know when that's up.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Friday, June 13, 2014
Melt-Downs are Big Indicators
I had my first melt-down at my new job today. I still say "new" even though I've been there over 3 months at this point.
Fortunately I was alone in my office, with the door closed, and no one knew about it. But I knew.
This isn't unusual for me. The longer I continue down a path that it's my spiritual path, a melt-down is eminent. It's only a matter of time. I'm just a little surprised, still, at how short of a time I needed this time for the melt-down to occur.
When we're doing things that are 100% aligned with our true Self, our Spirit, our destiny...whatever you want to call it... life is great. We feel happy and at peace.
And when we do things that are out of line with our purpose or our mission in this life, we feel that too.
Usually that presents itself in the form of anger or sadness. Sometimes it's a complete melt-down/tantrum. Other times it's a slow-building sadness, depression, or general malaise or apathy for life.
Think about yourself. How do you feel after you've been doing something for some period of time that isn't what you want to be doing? Do you find that your fuse is shorter? That you're more easily prone to angry outbursts? Or do you, like me, feel like you could burst into tears at any given moment, with the slightest trigger (or sometimes no trigger at all)?
That's how I've always known, for sure, that I'm off track. The tears are my guide. My tell-tale sign.
There are things that come up in the course of life that aren't ideal. That's to be expected. There are aspects of life that you'll have to deal with that are unpleasant, unwanted, and a huge pain. And sure, sometimes those things can cause temporary sadness or anger as well. But that's not what I'm talking about.
The key word there is temporary.
Say you get in a car accident - a minor fender bender. It's the last thing you want to happen. It's a huge pain. It likely disrupts not only your day, but your week, or even longer, depending on how long it takes to get the repairs done, and deal with insurance. But then it's over.
Compare that to a relationship or a job. Those are day in-day out parts of our lives. When we're not in the right relationship or the right line of work, it will eat away at us over time. It won't go away. The feelings aren't temporary.
That's how you know. That's how I've always known, without a doubt, that a change needed to be made. When the sadness doesn't go away (at least surrounding the aspect of my life that's out of line... in other parts of my life I will likely be very happy).
I hit that point today in my job. I know. No doubt left. I am not built to work a traditional job. I'm a writer. That's when I've been truly happy and at peace with what I'm doing for a living -- when I was writing.
I had this same revelation when I realized teaching wasn't for me. I had finally found the most ideal possible teaching situation (for me anyway). And yet, the feeling that there was something else I was meant to do just wouldn't leave me. I was not happy and there was no getting around it.
I'm at that place with my current job. It's the most ideal possible job (again, for me). Yet, I can't shake that feeling that I'm meant for something more. That this just isn't it.
Have you felt that way in your life? What did you do about it? What did it take for you to realize you needed to make a change? Have you made that change yet?
I am grateful for my melt-down today because it left no doubt. When I finally do leave my job I'll be able to do it knowing it's the right decision. That I gave it a shot, and it's just not for me.
When I leave my job is still to be determined. The fact is, I still need the paycheck. And I am grateful for the steady paycheck my job provides. My intention is to remain at this job until I have secured another source of income to replace it.
When that will happen, I have no idea. I'm hoping sooner rather than later, but I am practicing faith in the Universe. Remember, everything that occurs in our lives is for us.
I have learned a great deal at my job already, in just 3 short months. And apparently I still have more to learn. I believe when we've learned the lesson, life graduates us to the next lesson.
Before I conclude this post, I want to make another point. Even when we find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in, remember we got into them in the first place, for a reason. We had something to learn. The Universe had something to show us or teach us.
I believe I needed to learn, once and for all, that working a traditional job isn't for me. I had thought that before, but then I had my doubts. And I found myself wanting a traditional job again.
So I got one. How's that for the Universe providing for us? If I could have hand picked all the aspects of a job that I consider ideal, put them together, and come up with a single job that contained them all, I would have ended up with the job I have now. The Universe gave me exactly what I wanted.
And I learned the lesson.
That's what life's all about. Taking things one step at a time. Learning the lessons as they come up. And continuing to learn and grow into the person we're ultimately here to be.
As long as we remain open. As long as we continue to learn. As long as we return to love, and focus on all that is Love in our lives... We will be just fine.
Let the melt-downs be the indicators in your life that they're intended to be. Don't beat yourself up for them. Accept them. Allow them. Use them.
Melt-downs are just a sign pointing us where we need to go.
Stay Open and Live in Love.
In Peace and Love,
Sarah
Fortunately I was alone in my office, with the door closed, and no one knew about it. But I knew.
This isn't unusual for me. The longer I continue down a path that it's my spiritual path, a melt-down is eminent. It's only a matter of time. I'm just a little surprised, still, at how short of a time I needed this time for the melt-down to occur.
When we're doing things that are 100% aligned with our true Self, our Spirit, our destiny...whatever you want to call it... life is great. We feel happy and at peace.
And when we do things that are out of line with our purpose or our mission in this life, we feel that too.
Usually that presents itself in the form of anger or sadness. Sometimes it's a complete melt-down/tantrum. Other times it's a slow-building sadness, depression, or general malaise or apathy for life.
Think about yourself. How do you feel after you've been doing something for some period of time that isn't what you want to be doing? Do you find that your fuse is shorter? That you're more easily prone to angry outbursts? Or do you, like me, feel like you could burst into tears at any given moment, with the slightest trigger (or sometimes no trigger at all)?
That's how I've always known, for sure, that I'm off track. The tears are my guide. My tell-tale sign.
There are things that come up in the course of life that aren't ideal. That's to be expected. There are aspects of life that you'll have to deal with that are unpleasant, unwanted, and a huge pain. And sure, sometimes those things can cause temporary sadness or anger as well. But that's not what I'm talking about.
The key word there is temporary.
Say you get in a car accident - a minor fender bender. It's the last thing you want to happen. It's a huge pain. It likely disrupts not only your day, but your week, or even longer, depending on how long it takes to get the repairs done, and deal with insurance. But then it's over.
Compare that to a relationship or a job. Those are day in-day out parts of our lives. When we're not in the right relationship or the right line of work, it will eat away at us over time. It won't go away. The feelings aren't temporary.
That's how you know. That's how I've always known, without a doubt, that a change needed to be made. When the sadness doesn't go away (at least surrounding the aspect of my life that's out of line... in other parts of my life I will likely be very happy).
I hit that point today in my job. I know. No doubt left. I am not built to work a traditional job. I'm a writer. That's when I've been truly happy and at peace with what I'm doing for a living -- when I was writing.
I had this same revelation when I realized teaching wasn't for me. I had finally found the most ideal possible teaching situation (for me anyway). And yet, the feeling that there was something else I was meant to do just wouldn't leave me. I was not happy and there was no getting around it.
I'm at that place with my current job. It's the most ideal possible job (again, for me). Yet, I can't shake that feeling that I'm meant for something more. That this just isn't it.
Have you felt that way in your life? What did you do about it? What did it take for you to realize you needed to make a change? Have you made that change yet?
I am grateful for my melt-down today because it left no doubt. When I finally do leave my job I'll be able to do it knowing it's the right decision. That I gave it a shot, and it's just not for me.
When I leave my job is still to be determined. The fact is, I still need the paycheck. And I am grateful for the steady paycheck my job provides. My intention is to remain at this job until I have secured another source of income to replace it.
When that will happen, I have no idea. I'm hoping sooner rather than later, but I am practicing faith in the Universe. Remember, everything that occurs in our lives is for us.
I have learned a great deal at my job already, in just 3 short months. And apparently I still have more to learn. I believe when we've learned the lesson, life graduates us to the next lesson.
Before I conclude this post, I want to make another point. Even when we find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in, remember we got into them in the first place, for a reason. We had something to learn. The Universe had something to show us or teach us.
I believe I needed to learn, once and for all, that working a traditional job isn't for me. I had thought that before, but then I had my doubts. And I found myself wanting a traditional job again.
So I got one. How's that for the Universe providing for us? If I could have hand picked all the aspects of a job that I consider ideal, put them together, and come up with a single job that contained them all, I would have ended up with the job I have now. The Universe gave me exactly what I wanted.
And I learned the lesson.
That's what life's all about. Taking things one step at a time. Learning the lessons as they come up. And continuing to learn and grow into the person we're ultimately here to be.
As long as we remain open. As long as we continue to learn. As long as we return to love, and focus on all that is Love in our lives... We will be just fine.
Let the melt-downs be the indicators in your life that they're intended to be. Don't beat yourself up for them. Accept them. Allow them. Use them.
Melt-downs are just a sign pointing us where we need to go.
Stay Open and Live in Love.
In Peace and Love,
Sarah
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Follow the Energy, One Step at a Time
I read a short article/story today on Henri Juntilla's blog that fits nicely with what I've been thinking and feeling lately. I'm not sure if the story was true or not, but the message is still the same, regardless.
A man in his early 30s was unhappy in his corporate job. Despite never feeling like he fit into the traditional working world, there he found himself. He made good money and had a secure position. But he wasn't happy. He felt like his soul was dying.
One night, unable to sleep, he decided to organize his closet (an activity he found soothing). He came across an old notebook that he had written thoughts and dreams in many years ago. He began writing in that notebook again.
The man continued to work his corporate job, but also continued to write in his notebook, as well as on a blog he started. In little ways he did things that brought him joy and peace (his writing). Henri called it "following the bread crumbs."
Henri also reminded us that we don't have to know our passion right this minute. We don't have to figure out our life's dream before we take a single step.
If you're unhappy with an area of your life right now, just do something. That's it. Something. One little thing that is in the direction of where you might want to go. You don't have to have it ALL figured out. Just take a step.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step."
After I wrote the post from yesterday, I still felt in a funk. I had orignally sat down to work on my latest fiction novel, but decided to check out that writer's forum first. After reading the negativity I found there, my desire to write my novel was gone.
I sat, somewhat stunned, unsure of what to do. Then I suddenly felt the urge to work on a non-fiction book I started several months ago, but haven't touched since. So I pulled up the file and started working on it again. My excitement was back! Just like that.
That's often how it is. Excitement that we felt just moments before can suddenly vanish. But many people stay in that place of disappointment and not knowing what to do, instead of taking another step, perhaps in a different direction.
Wayne Dyer says it too: "Follow the energy."
Our energy is our Spirit guiding us. Our passion. We're all made up of energy... of Love. Pay attention to when you feel, and don't feel, energy (aka Love) in your life. Where you do feel the energy and interest... follow it! Do whatever it is you feel energized to do. And where you feel no energy, look at how you can make a change in that area.
In peace and love,
Sarah
A man in his early 30s was unhappy in his corporate job. Despite never feeling like he fit into the traditional working world, there he found himself. He made good money and had a secure position. But he wasn't happy. He felt like his soul was dying.
One night, unable to sleep, he decided to organize his closet (an activity he found soothing). He came across an old notebook that he had written thoughts and dreams in many years ago. He began writing in that notebook again.
The man continued to work his corporate job, but also continued to write in his notebook, as well as on a blog he started. In little ways he did things that brought him joy and peace (his writing). Henri called it "following the bread crumbs."
Henri also reminded us that we don't have to know our passion right this minute. We don't have to figure out our life's dream before we take a single step.
If you're unhappy with an area of your life right now, just do something. That's it. Something. One little thing that is in the direction of where you might want to go. You don't have to have it ALL figured out. Just take a step.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step."
After I wrote the post from yesterday, I still felt in a funk. I had orignally sat down to work on my latest fiction novel, but decided to check out that writer's forum first. After reading the negativity I found there, my desire to write my novel was gone.
I sat, somewhat stunned, unsure of what to do. Then I suddenly felt the urge to work on a non-fiction book I started several months ago, but haven't touched since. So I pulled up the file and started working on it again. My excitement was back! Just like that.
That's often how it is. Excitement that we felt just moments before can suddenly vanish. But many people stay in that place of disappointment and not knowing what to do, instead of taking another step, perhaps in a different direction.
Wayne Dyer says it too: "Follow the energy."
Our energy is our Spirit guiding us. Our passion. We're all made up of energy... of Love. Pay attention to when you feel, and don't feel, energy (aka Love) in your life. Where you do feel the energy and interest... follow it! Do whatever it is you feel energized to do. And where you feel no energy, look at how you can make a change in that area.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Monday, June 9, 2014
How to Get Past the Envy
Let me start off by admitting that I do not have the answer to the question that is the title of this blog: "How to get past the envy?" It's an on-going question in my own mind, so I figured I would blog about it, as that has always helped to provide clarity and guidance.
It's ironic because I just wrote a week or so ago about being genuinely happy for others' success. That by being happy for them, and sending out happiness, you are guaranteeing that you will receive happiness and success in return.
That's a fantastic concept, idea, and theory. And I do believe in the merit of it. But that doesn't make it easy.
Just now I was perusing a writer's forum, looking for marketing advice for novelists. While I did not find any great marketing gems, I did find a good dose of negativity, mixed in with others proclaiming the success of their novels (aka: selling thousands of copies each month!).
I have to admit, after the short few minutes I spent in that forum, I was feeling down. I probably will not return to that forum for a very long time, if ever again because of that.
When I read the posts from authors sharing their own successes, I would love to say that I felt nothing but heartfelt happiness for each one of them. However, that's not the case. I felt happy for them after I reminded myself that that was what I was supposed to feel, but my first feeling was envy.
Thoughts such as, "Why aren't my books selling like theirs?" "What am I doing wrong?" "Maybe I'm not cut out to be a novelist after all." "What if I never make it?" ran amok through my head.
The truth is, I want sales like they claim to have (thousands each and every month). That is my goal. That would enable me to live off my writing. So to read of others achieving that goal, made me more envious of them, than happy for their success.
I am happy for other writers' success though. I am. (Do you believe it yet, because I'm not sure I do.)
For me, this is one of the hardest parts of life. Dealing with not getting what you want, while others get what you want, and maintaining the good spirits and positivity to keep pushing onward anyway.
I know I'm not alone here. I have a teacher friend who is looking for a new position in a new school district. She's very qualified and a great teacher. Yet, she continues to get turned down for positions that she applies for, and other (seemingly not as qualified) applicants get hired.
I have no doubt no matter what your profession or what it is you're going for, disappointment isn't a foreign concept. Watching others succeed while you continue to flounder, struggle, and "find your way" is a common facet of life.
One of my favorite types of stories are stories of how now-successful people made it - especially when the story includes the early times of struggle and rejection. I identify with those stories. I'm still in the early times of struggle, so reading how they "made it out" and achieved the success they were aiming for, is very inspiring for me.
If you want something bad enough, you're not going to give up on it. And if you don't give up, chances are, it'll happen for you eventually.
A couple tidbits of stories I read recently: Morgan Freeman didn't achieve success as an actor until he was in his 50s! Scottie Pippen only made his college basketball team as an equipment manager! Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Sidney Poitier was told at one of his first auditions that he should stick with washing dishes. Wayne Dyer was told that he didn't have potential as a speaker or author.
There are so many stories like that. The reason is, it's such a common human experience.
Sure, there are those people for whom success seems to just fall into their laps. Who hit a home run their first time up to bat. But if you have noticed, those types of people don't seem to make it long-term. They might hit it big right out of the gate, but they tend to self-destruct. There are plenty of those stories as well.
I think the point to remember is everything happens for a reason. That is something I have always believed. We are where we are at this moment because it's where we're supposed to be at this moment.
If you have a dream, a desire, within you, then it is possible for you to achieve. You wouldn't have the desire if it weren't within the realm of possibilities for your life.
These are the things I also have to remind myself.
So to circle back to the title of this post: How to get past the envy? Just keep on movin'. Recognize that envy just came up in you, let it go right on out of you, and return to the state of peace, happiness, and love. Even if you have to remind yourself to return to that state!
That's how we all learn. Through making mistakes (such as feeling envious), and continuing to practice whatever it is (thinking happy thoughts and wishing others well, sincerely).
And whatever your dream is.... Keep moving towards it. Some days huge leaps are made, other days it's all we can muster to take a tiny step. But keep steppin'! Each step you take, each action you do, brings you that much closer to your dreams.
So keep an open heart. Keep an open mind. Be grateful for where you are right now. And keep moving in the direction of your dreams.
In peace and love,
Sarah
It's ironic because I just wrote a week or so ago about being genuinely happy for others' success. That by being happy for them, and sending out happiness, you are guaranteeing that you will receive happiness and success in return.
That's a fantastic concept, idea, and theory. And I do believe in the merit of it. But that doesn't make it easy.
Just now I was perusing a writer's forum, looking for marketing advice for novelists. While I did not find any great marketing gems, I did find a good dose of negativity, mixed in with others proclaiming the success of their novels (aka: selling thousands of copies each month!).
I have to admit, after the short few minutes I spent in that forum, I was feeling down. I probably will not return to that forum for a very long time, if ever again because of that.
When I read the posts from authors sharing their own successes, I would love to say that I felt nothing but heartfelt happiness for each one of them. However, that's not the case. I felt happy for them after I reminded myself that that was what I was supposed to feel, but my first feeling was envy.
Thoughts such as, "Why aren't my books selling like theirs?" "What am I doing wrong?" "Maybe I'm not cut out to be a novelist after all." "What if I never make it?" ran amok through my head.
The truth is, I want sales like they claim to have (thousands each and every month). That is my goal. That would enable me to live off my writing. So to read of others achieving that goal, made me more envious of them, than happy for their success.
I am happy for other writers' success though. I am. (Do you believe it yet, because I'm not sure I do.)
For me, this is one of the hardest parts of life. Dealing with not getting what you want, while others get what you want, and maintaining the good spirits and positivity to keep pushing onward anyway.
I know I'm not alone here. I have a teacher friend who is looking for a new position in a new school district. She's very qualified and a great teacher. Yet, she continues to get turned down for positions that she applies for, and other (seemingly not as qualified) applicants get hired.
I have no doubt no matter what your profession or what it is you're going for, disappointment isn't a foreign concept. Watching others succeed while you continue to flounder, struggle, and "find your way" is a common facet of life.
One of my favorite types of stories are stories of how now-successful people made it - especially when the story includes the early times of struggle and rejection. I identify with those stories. I'm still in the early times of struggle, so reading how they "made it out" and achieved the success they were aiming for, is very inspiring for me.
If you want something bad enough, you're not going to give up on it. And if you don't give up, chances are, it'll happen for you eventually.
A couple tidbits of stories I read recently: Morgan Freeman didn't achieve success as an actor until he was in his 50s! Scottie Pippen only made his college basketball team as an equipment manager! Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Sidney Poitier was told at one of his first auditions that he should stick with washing dishes. Wayne Dyer was told that he didn't have potential as a speaker or author.
There are so many stories like that. The reason is, it's such a common human experience.
Sure, there are those people for whom success seems to just fall into their laps. Who hit a home run their first time up to bat. But if you have noticed, those types of people don't seem to make it long-term. They might hit it big right out of the gate, but they tend to self-destruct. There are plenty of those stories as well.
I think the point to remember is everything happens for a reason. That is something I have always believed. We are where we are at this moment because it's where we're supposed to be at this moment.
If you have a dream, a desire, within you, then it is possible for you to achieve. You wouldn't have the desire if it weren't within the realm of possibilities for your life.
These are the things I also have to remind myself.
So to circle back to the title of this post: How to get past the envy? Just keep on movin'. Recognize that envy just came up in you, let it go right on out of you, and return to the state of peace, happiness, and love. Even if you have to remind yourself to return to that state!
That's how we all learn. Through making mistakes (such as feeling envious), and continuing to practice whatever it is (thinking happy thoughts and wishing others well, sincerely).
And whatever your dream is.... Keep moving towards it. Some days huge leaps are made, other days it's all we can muster to take a tiny step. But keep steppin'! Each step you take, each action you do, brings you that much closer to your dreams.
So keep an open heart. Keep an open mind. Be grateful for where you are right now. And keep moving in the direction of your dreams.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Friday, June 6, 2014
Do It YOUR Way
One of the things I'm learning from the book, "The Power," by Rhonda Byrne, is that our lives can go any number of ways. Things can unfold in countless different scenarios. How things go are due, in large part, to how we think they'll go, and our belief about life and everything in it.
One take-away from this is to not take someone else's reality as your own...if it's not what you desire or see for yourself.
There are people all over the place telling you what to do and how to do it. Most of them are doing so with the best of intentions. They genuinely want to help others by sharing what they've learned along their path. And that's great. We certainly can learn a lot from other people. As they say, You don't need to reinvent the wheel.
But, be careful of assuming how things went for someone else is how they'll go for you.
I'm a writer. My dream is to make a living through my writing, and even more specifically, through my fiction novels. That is my dream and my goal.
I enjoy hearing other people's "how I made it" stories. But how Stephen King "made it," or how Jodi Picoult "made it," or how any other successful novelist "made it" could be (and likely will be) different from how I "make it."
I know part of what launched Nicholas Sparks's career is when a producer bought the rights to make his novel, "The Notebook," into a movie. Nicholas was also using an agent in that process. I also read that Hugh Howey launched his series, "Wool," with a few short stories that he priced very cheaply on Amazon, for kindle. People bought them, loved them, and demanded more. Sales took off.
Just those two successful writers alone may have different advice to aspiring writers. One may advocate for finding a good agent, the other may push for self-publishing and pricing low, so more readers can afford to buy your books.
The same can be true for you, in whatever career path you're in, or want to be in.
Each of us has to tune into our own guides. I believe it was Liz DiAlto who wrote a recent article about spirit guides on TheDailyLove.com. Every one of us has our own unique guide. Whether you believe in angels and spirit guides as such doesn't matter. We all have our inner intuition. That is, or should be, our ultimate guide.
Other animals follow their intuition every second of their lives. It leads them to water, shelter, food, and keeps them safe from danger. But humans have developed a bad habit of ignoring our inner voice, in favor of thoughtful reason and analyzing.
Analyzing and reason have their place, certainly. But I believe we need to tune more into our intuition, and use that as our guide more often. Even if our reasoning mind may not understand right away.
I think that's a hang-up for a lot of us. Intuitively, we can know what to do in an instant. But once we get our minds involved, it gets muddy. We become uncertain and unclear. Then we try to think ourselves out the doubt and into clarity... when we came from a place of clarity to begin with.
This is what I'm trying to do in regards to my career as an author. I'm still listening to webinars, reading articles, and open to suggestions and input. But I'm trying to listen to my inner voice above all others. Do what feels right for me, whether someone else thinks that's the way to go or not.
It's not easy. But the reason it's not easy is because we are absolutely inundated with input from outside sources. And everyone claims to have the proven "keys to success."
So my encouragement to you (and myself) is this: Listen to YOU more. Tune into YOUR inner voice, inner knowing. Do what feels right to you. Find your path. Do it YOUR way.
You have every bit of likelihood of succeeding doing it your way as following someone else's advice. Believe in yourself. Trust your inner spirit to guide you towards your own success and happiness.
In peace and love,
Sarah
One take-away from this is to not take someone else's reality as your own...if it's not what you desire or see for yourself.
There are people all over the place telling you what to do and how to do it. Most of them are doing so with the best of intentions. They genuinely want to help others by sharing what they've learned along their path. And that's great. We certainly can learn a lot from other people. As they say, You don't need to reinvent the wheel.
But, be careful of assuming how things went for someone else is how they'll go for you.
I'm a writer. My dream is to make a living through my writing, and even more specifically, through my fiction novels. That is my dream and my goal.
I enjoy hearing other people's "how I made it" stories. But how Stephen King "made it," or how Jodi Picoult "made it," or how any other successful novelist "made it" could be (and likely will be) different from how I "make it."
I know part of what launched Nicholas Sparks's career is when a producer bought the rights to make his novel, "The Notebook," into a movie. Nicholas was also using an agent in that process. I also read that Hugh Howey launched his series, "Wool," with a few short stories that he priced very cheaply on Amazon, for kindle. People bought them, loved them, and demanded more. Sales took off.
Just those two successful writers alone may have different advice to aspiring writers. One may advocate for finding a good agent, the other may push for self-publishing and pricing low, so more readers can afford to buy your books.
The same can be true for you, in whatever career path you're in, or want to be in.
Each of us has to tune into our own guides. I believe it was Liz DiAlto who wrote a recent article about spirit guides on TheDailyLove.com. Every one of us has our own unique guide. Whether you believe in angels and spirit guides as such doesn't matter. We all have our inner intuition. That is, or should be, our ultimate guide.
Other animals follow their intuition every second of their lives. It leads them to water, shelter, food, and keeps them safe from danger. But humans have developed a bad habit of ignoring our inner voice, in favor of thoughtful reason and analyzing.
Analyzing and reason have their place, certainly. But I believe we need to tune more into our intuition, and use that as our guide more often. Even if our reasoning mind may not understand right away.
I think that's a hang-up for a lot of us. Intuitively, we can know what to do in an instant. But once we get our minds involved, it gets muddy. We become uncertain and unclear. Then we try to think ourselves out the doubt and into clarity... when we came from a place of clarity to begin with.
This is what I'm trying to do in regards to my career as an author. I'm still listening to webinars, reading articles, and open to suggestions and input. But I'm trying to listen to my inner voice above all others. Do what feels right for me, whether someone else thinks that's the way to go or not.
It's not easy. But the reason it's not easy is because we are absolutely inundated with input from outside sources. And everyone claims to have the proven "keys to success."
So my encouragement to you (and myself) is this: Listen to YOU more. Tune into YOUR inner voice, inner knowing. Do what feels right to you. Find your path. Do it YOUR way.
You have every bit of likelihood of succeeding doing it your way as following someone else's advice. Believe in yourself. Trust your inner spirit to guide you towards your own success and happiness.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Be Happy for Others
The section of "The Power," by Rhonda Byrne that I read last night was especially eye-opening for me. Every time we think a negative thought, it brings more negativity to us. No matter what the thought is.
We, or I should say I, can be very judgmental. I see someone wearing something cut too low, too short, too tight...and I judge. I judge other drivers all the time when I'm on the road behind them. I judge the decisions others make.
They say we judge others more severely in areas where we feel most insecure. In some ways, I see truth to that, other times, I'm not so sure. But that's besides the point today.
Each time we make a judgement, what we're doing is sending out negative energy. Because those judgements are most often negative in nature. We're essentially saying, or thinking to ourselves, that someone else isn't good enough, in whatever it is we're judging them for.
How many times do we feel not good enough in our lives? It could be due largely to all the "you're not good enough" vibes we're sending out all the time! What we give out, we get back!
I know for me, not feeling good enough is huge. I wrestle with it nearly every day in some aspect of my life. I've slowly been making progress, but I foresee even greater progress now that I know more about it, and about the laws of the Universe.
Let's talk about this topic a little more. I'll share some examples from the book that really hit home for me.
Have you ever been single, but not really wanted to be single, and so every time you saw a happy couple you made some sort of complaining or negative-based remark, or thought the thought to yourself? What you're doing there is projecting the thought that you don't like happy couples. That you don't want to be a happy couple. Even though it's what you say you want, your thoughts and feelings don't support it, because you're not supporting and happy for other happy couples.
The key is to be happy for other happy couples, which will send out positive vibes, and the right kind of frequency to attract happy coupledom into your own life.
You see, and here's something I didn't realize, when you're spending so much time thinking how much you want to be in a relationship, and then you see other people in relationships, that IS the Universe sending you your desires. It is showing you what you, too, can have. If you only remain in a place of Love on the subject. If you love seeing happy couples. If you love hearing stories of how other people met. Drop the jealousy, envy, and doubt... Love!
"When you feel good about anything any person has, you are bringing it to you." (p. 101, "The Power")
How many times have you been obsessed with a certain car, and then you seem to see it everywhere? That happened to me a few months ago when I was considering getting a new car. There were a couple models in particular I liked, and I saw them all the time!
What that is, is the Universe giving me the car of my dreams/thoughts. It's showing it to me, saying, "You can have this too." All you/I have to do is Love the car, Love that other people have it, and know and believe that you/I can have it too.
Of course sometimes that's easier said than done. But that's the key. Be happy for other people when they have whatever it is you're wishing for your own self. Don't be jealous, envious, judgmental. Those thoughts say to the Universe, sure, I might like and want whatever this is, but I don't believe I'll ever have it. So you feel negative, and send out negative thoughts...thereby keeping the object of your desire from yourself, when the Universe is trying really hard to give it to you!
So Key #1: Be happy for others, especially when they have or are something you desire for yourself.
And Key #2: When you encounter people that are or have something you genuinely do not like, still do not send out negative thoughts and judgments. Instead, "turn away" from it, ignore it basically, and remain neutral.
Avoid at all costs sending out any negativity. Negativity attracts negativity, and you will get it back, someway, sometime, somehow.
Remember, before you start stressing out and think, "I can't have another negative thought!" and then berate yourself when a negative thought or judgment does cross your mind... Stay in Love. Start with yourself. We're human. We're not perfect. We will still have negative thoughts, feelings, and judgments from time to time. Let it be. And just let it go.
When you feel negativity spreading over yourself, and you catch it (whenever you catch it), just think "Love." Douse yourself in Love. Be kind to You. Be gentle. And return to Love.
This chapter of the book got me to excited. It was definitely an "a-ha" moment for me. I hadn't made the connection between how I feel about other people, especially when they have or are something I desire for myself... and myself getting, or not getting, whatever it is.
But now I'm excited to go out into the world. I will now be genuinely happy for people when they win the lottery, go on amazing trips, and have really cool houses. At least I'll be working on that.
It all starts Today. And it all is Love.
In peace and love,
Sarah
We, or I should say I, can be very judgmental. I see someone wearing something cut too low, too short, too tight...and I judge. I judge other drivers all the time when I'm on the road behind them. I judge the decisions others make.
They say we judge others more severely in areas where we feel most insecure. In some ways, I see truth to that, other times, I'm not so sure. But that's besides the point today.
Each time we make a judgement, what we're doing is sending out negative energy. Because those judgements are most often negative in nature. We're essentially saying, or thinking to ourselves, that someone else isn't good enough, in whatever it is we're judging them for.
How many times do we feel not good enough in our lives? It could be due largely to all the "you're not good enough" vibes we're sending out all the time! What we give out, we get back!
I know for me, not feeling good enough is huge. I wrestle with it nearly every day in some aspect of my life. I've slowly been making progress, but I foresee even greater progress now that I know more about it, and about the laws of the Universe.
Let's talk about this topic a little more. I'll share some examples from the book that really hit home for me.
Have you ever been single, but not really wanted to be single, and so every time you saw a happy couple you made some sort of complaining or negative-based remark, or thought the thought to yourself? What you're doing there is projecting the thought that you don't like happy couples. That you don't want to be a happy couple. Even though it's what you say you want, your thoughts and feelings don't support it, because you're not supporting and happy for other happy couples.
The key is to be happy for other happy couples, which will send out positive vibes, and the right kind of frequency to attract happy coupledom into your own life.
You see, and here's something I didn't realize, when you're spending so much time thinking how much you want to be in a relationship, and then you see other people in relationships, that IS the Universe sending you your desires. It is showing you what you, too, can have. If you only remain in a place of Love on the subject. If you love seeing happy couples. If you love hearing stories of how other people met. Drop the jealousy, envy, and doubt... Love!
"When you feel good about anything any person has, you are bringing it to you." (p. 101, "The Power")
How many times have you been obsessed with a certain car, and then you seem to see it everywhere? That happened to me a few months ago when I was considering getting a new car. There were a couple models in particular I liked, and I saw them all the time!
What that is, is the Universe giving me the car of my dreams/thoughts. It's showing it to me, saying, "You can have this too." All you/I have to do is Love the car, Love that other people have it, and know and believe that you/I can have it too.
Of course sometimes that's easier said than done. But that's the key. Be happy for other people when they have whatever it is you're wishing for your own self. Don't be jealous, envious, judgmental. Those thoughts say to the Universe, sure, I might like and want whatever this is, but I don't believe I'll ever have it. So you feel negative, and send out negative thoughts...thereby keeping the object of your desire from yourself, when the Universe is trying really hard to give it to you!
So Key #1: Be happy for others, especially when they have or are something you desire for yourself.
And Key #2: When you encounter people that are or have something you genuinely do not like, still do not send out negative thoughts and judgments. Instead, "turn away" from it, ignore it basically, and remain neutral.
Avoid at all costs sending out any negativity. Negativity attracts negativity, and you will get it back, someway, sometime, somehow.
Remember, before you start stressing out and think, "I can't have another negative thought!" and then berate yourself when a negative thought or judgment does cross your mind... Stay in Love. Start with yourself. We're human. We're not perfect. We will still have negative thoughts, feelings, and judgments from time to time. Let it be. And just let it go.
When you feel negativity spreading over yourself, and you catch it (whenever you catch it), just think "Love." Douse yourself in Love. Be kind to You. Be gentle. And return to Love.
This chapter of the book got me to excited. It was definitely an "a-ha" moment for me. I hadn't made the connection between how I feel about other people, especially when they have or are something I desire for myself... and myself getting, or not getting, whatever it is.
But now I'm excited to go out into the world. I will now be genuinely happy for people when they win the lottery, go on amazing trips, and have really cool houses. At least I'll be working on that.
It all starts Today. And it all is Love.
In peace and love,
Sarah
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Where's the Love
I'm reading a new book now: "The Power," by Rhonda Byrne. It's the follow-up book to "The Secret." If you have not read it yet, all I can say it Read It!
I'm familiar with "The Secret," though it had been a while since I read the book. And I'm finding "The Power" incredibly powerful!
If you're not familiar, the brief summary of the concept presented in the book is that we create our lives through not just our thoughts, but the feelings behind our thoughts. And it's all grounded in Love.
So we can think a certain thought, over and over and over, but if we don't have feeling behind it, it doesn't do much good. Yet, if we can muster a passionate feeling to support our words and thoughts, then watch out!
I've seen it happen both ways. I'm a big believer in affirmations. I have said affirmations that while at first it felt a little awkward and I wasn't sure I'd get whatever it was I was affirming, the more I said it, the more I believed it, and it came to pass!
An example of this is in my relationships. Four years ago when I was single, I felt ready for "the" big relationship of my life. I was dating, though not much, and had no one I was seriously interested in. But I started saying the affirmation, thanking the Universe for my long-term, loving relationship. I said the affirmation countless times, over a few months. Then I met my now-fiance! Would I have met him had I not been saying the affirmations? Who knows. But I believe it certainly helped. I believed it "called" him into my life.
An example of it not working for me was when I said an affirmation about being a successful writer. This was about a year ago. I was struggling at the time and desperately wanted to "make it" as a writer, yet I didn't know how, when, or if that would happen. I had major doubts. But I dove into the affirmations anyway. Unlike the affirmations I said regarding relationship, this time I never really felt it. It always felt like a stretch, and always felt more like it wouldn't happen, than like it would happen. And guess what? It didn't happen.
My writing "career" took a nose-dive, causing me to look for other employment, and leading me to where I am today... working a full-time job, and trying to get back on the writing track. I had no positive feeling behind the affirming words I was saying about becoming a successful writer. I tried... but I couldn't seem to make myself believe it would happen.
This time it's different though. For one, I don't feel the desperation I felt before. My bills are paid, thanks to my steady job. And two, I have more belief that I am meant to be a writer... and make a good living at it!
So ok... you have the thoughts and affirmations, and you have the positive feelings behind it. How do you increase it? How do you give those thoughts and feelings power?
Love.
That's the predominant message in the book, "The Power." Anything we send love to, will increase and grow.
When we feel uncertain, scared, anxious, frustrated, etc, all that is is a lack of love. And the answer to overcoming those feelings that we all feel from time to time is an influx of love.
As Rhonda Byrne instructs in the book, we can't take away our negative feelings. They'll always pop up from time to time and that's not the problem. When we feel anything less than good, happy, and joy, all we need to do is send a surge of love into ourselves, or into that area of our lives.
Not happy with your job? (I've been there... quite recently in fact.)
Focus on the love you feel for your job. Love that you have a steady income. Love that you can pay your bills.
Not happy with a person in your life?
Focus on the love you can and do feel for them.
In relationships, it's easy to let our egos take over and want what we want. We want to be loved. We want to be taken care of and cherished. We want the other person to do all this for us. But what are we doing for them?
By sitting back and wanting to receive before we give, it won't work. In order to receive what you want, give love first.
None of this is new. I suspect most of you have heard this same message from at least one other source. Wayne Dyer professes it in many of his books and talks. Sometimes, though, we have to hear something multiple times for it to sink in and have power over us. I know I've heard how important it is to give in order to receive, and to think positive, and all sorts of that type of message. And I've tried to do it, with periodic success in the past. But this time, for whatever reason, it feels different for me.
And that's my hope with this blog. Even if you've heard these concepts before, I'm hoping that at some point, whether it's today, tomorrow, or next month, it'll feel different for you too. It'll finally click, in entirety, and you'll be able to soar in your life and create the life of your dreams!
Step 1: Focus on the Love.
Stay tuned for further blog posts on this topic, as I continue to read and study, "The Power." I'm excited!
In peace and love,
Sarah
I'm familiar with "The Secret," though it had been a while since I read the book. And I'm finding "The Power" incredibly powerful!
If you're not familiar, the brief summary of the concept presented in the book is that we create our lives through not just our thoughts, but the feelings behind our thoughts. And it's all grounded in Love.
So we can think a certain thought, over and over and over, but if we don't have feeling behind it, it doesn't do much good. Yet, if we can muster a passionate feeling to support our words and thoughts, then watch out!
I've seen it happen both ways. I'm a big believer in affirmations. I have said affirmations that while at first it felt a little awkward and I wasn't sure I'd get whatever it was I was affirming, the more I said it, the more I believed it, and it came to pass!
An example of this is in my relationships. Four years ago when I was single, I felt ready for "the" big relationship of my life. I was dating, though not much, and had no one I was seriously interested in. But I started saying the affirmation, thanking the Universe for my long-term, loving relationship. I said the affirmation countless times, over a few months. Then I met my now-fiance! Would I have met him had I not been saying the affirmations? Who knows. But I believe it certainly helped. I believed it "called" him into my life.
An example of it not working for me was when I said an affirmation about being a successful writer. This was about a year ago. I was struggling at the time and desperately wanted to "make it" as a writer, yet I didn't know how, when, or if that would happen. I had major doubts. But I dove into the affirmations anyway. Unlike the affirmations I said regarding relationship, this time I never really felt it. It always felt like a stretch, and always felt more like it wouldn't happen, than like it would happen. And guess what? It didn't happen.
My writing "career" took a nose-dive, causing me to look for other employment, and leading me to where I am today... working a full-time job, and trying to get back on the writing track. I had no positive feeling behind the affirming words I was saying about becoming a successful writer. I tried... but I couldn't seem to make myself believe it would happen.
This time it's different though. For one, I don't feel the desperation I felt before. My bills are paid, thanks to my steady job. And two, I have more belief that I am meant to be a writer... and make a good living at it!
So ok... you have the thoughts and affirmations, and you have the positive feelings behind it. How do you increase it? How do you give those thoughts and feelings power?
Love.
That's the predominant message in the book, "The Power." Anything we send love to, will increase and grow.
When we feel uncertain, scared, anxious, frustrated, etc, all that is is a lack of love. And the answer to overcoming those feelings that we all feel from time to time is an influx of love.
As Rhonda Byrne instructs in the book, we can't take away our negative feelings. They'll always pop up from time to time and that's not the problem. When we feel anything less than good, happy, and joy, all we need to do is send a surge of love into ourselves, or into that area of our lives.
Not happy with your job? (I've been there... quite recently in fact.)
Focus on the love you feel for your job. Love that you have a steady income. Love that you can pay your bills.
Not happy with a person in your life?
Focus on the love you can and do feel for them.
In relationships, it's easy to let our egos take over and want what we want. We want to be loved. We want to be taken care of and cherished. We want the other person to do all this for us. But what are we doing for them?
By sitting back and wanting to receive before we give, it won't work. In order to receive what you want, give love first.
None of this is new. I suspect most of you have heard this same message from at least one other source. Wayne Dyer professes it in many of his books and talks. Sometimes, though, we have to hear something multiple times for it to sink in and have power over us. I know I've heard how important it is to give in order to receive, and to think positive, and all sorts of that type of message. And I've tried to do it, with periodic success in the past. But this time, for whatever reason, it feels different for me.
And that's my hope with this blog. Even if you've heard these concepts before, I'm hoping that at some point, whether it's today, tomorrow, or next month, it'll feel different for you too. It'll finally click, in entirety, and you'll be able to soar in your life and create the life of your dreams!
Step 1: Focus on the Love.
Stay tuned for further blog posts on this topic, as I continue to read and study, "The Power." I'm excited!
In peace and love,
Sarah
Paying the Bills
Bills. We've all got 'em. And if we want to continue living the way we're accustomed to, we've gotta pay 'em. That's the "new" mindset I'm taking on in regards to my current job.
It's certainly nothing new. People have been "working to pay the bills" for centuries. But for me it is new because I haven't believed in living this way. Until now. And even now, I'm still on the fence about it.
I would love it if I made ample income through the sales of my fiction novels. That is the ultimate dream and goal. But, the reality is, I am not at that point yet.
This was a hard pill to swallow when I realized I wasn't "making it" through book sales alone and I needed to find another job to bring in some money. I felt embarrassed. I had been telling people for over two years, "I'm a writer now!" It had taken a while to get used to announcing that, and now that I had, I could no longer claim that that was my sole profession.
But I'm coming to two realizations about that.
1) I can still say, "I'm a writer." I can still proclaim that as my profession. It's still true... and no one needs to know it's not my primary source of income. After all, is income alone the sole decider of what is one's professional title? I think not.
2) There's no shame in working a "regular job" while pursuing your dream at the same time.
I always thought, at least to some degree, that people who pursued their passions on the side weren't that passionate about it. If they were, they'd jump in with both feet. Dive in head first. Really go for it.
I see things differently now. I see that sometimes our life circumstances dictate the choices we make.
So that's the "new" mindset I am approaching my job with these days. Instead of thinking, "I have to go to work now," I think about it as, "I'm going to pay the bills now." My work is still my writing.
Job = paying the bills (temporarily... as long as it's necessary)
Work = my life's work, passion, heart's interest (for me, writing)
It's a small delineation, but, surprise surprise, for the writer in me, word choice makes a difference.
I have also given myself permission to just do my job. By that I mean, I am working on accepting that it's just a job, and its purpose is to pay the bills. It's not my passion. It's not my Spirit's and Heart's desire. So I needn't give it the time and heart space as if it were.
When I first started my job I devoted a lot of time, energy, and attention to it. I worked well over the required amount of hours each week. I directed countless thoughts towards job-related things. It was new, it was exciting, I was happy with that.
Until I wasn't. As I've mentioned in previous posts recently, it didn't take too long for my true Spirit to surface and realize, yet again, that this job was not my passion and dream. Yet I still wasn't at the financial point that I could quit the job and live off my writing. That simply isn't feasible right now.
So I've come to an understanding. I can and will devote the necessary amount of time, energy, and attention to performing the tasks of my job sufficiently. I still take pride in what I do and always want to do and be the best I can be. But I'm cutting myself some slack. I'm learning how to do my job, but not make my life revolve around my job.
It's a learning process for me. I'm used to giving all of myself to whatever pursuit I'm currently pursuing. That is natural for me. But I notice I am finding more peace in my current situation, the more I give less of myself to my job, in order to have more of myself to give to my dream.
It's not ideal. But it's workable. I'm still hopeful that it'll be temporary (hey, all of life is temporary). I have no idea how long I'll need to continue at this job, or any job, until I've built up sufficient readership and following as a writer. That may never happen. But I choose to believe that it will.
I don't believe we would have the desires, passions, and dreams that we have if it weren't possible for us.
What desires, passions, and dreams do you have? Are you pursuing them? If not, why not? And if not, is there a way you can pursue them, even on a small scale right now?
Every step counts. Every action is important. Everything you do now sets up your future.
I am setting up my financial future at the moment by doing my job. And I am setting up my dream future by continuing to write and looking for ways to grow that business.
Continue to grow!
In peace and love,
Sarah
It's certainly nothing new. People have been "working to pay the bills" for centuries. But for me it is new because I haven't believed in living this way. Until now. And even now, I'm still on the fence about it.
I would love it if I made ample income through the sales of my fiction novels. That is the ultimate dream and goal. But, the reality is, I am not at that point yet.
This was a hard pill to swallow when I realized I wasn't "making it" through book sales alone and I needed to find another job to bring in some money. I felt embarrassed. I had been telling people for over two years, "I'm a writer now!" It had taken a while to get used to announcing that, and now that I had, I could no longer claim that that was my sole profession.
But I'm coming to two realizations about that.
1) I can still say, "I'm a writer." I can still proclaim that as my profession. It's still true... and no one needs to know it's not my primary source of income. After all, is income alone the sole decider of what is one's professional title? I think not.
2) There's no shame in working a "regular job" while pursuing your dream at the same time.
I always thought, at least to some degree, that people who pursued their passions on the side weren't that passionate about it. If they were, they'd jump in with both feet. Dive in head first. Really go for it.
I see things differently now. I see that sometimes our life circumstances dictate the choices we make.
So that's the "new" mindset I am approaching my job with these days. Instead of thinking, "I have to go to work now," I think about it as, "I'm going to pay the bills now." My work is still my writing.
Job = paying the bills (temporarily... as long as it's necessary)
Work = my life's work, passion, heart's interest (for me, writing)
It's a small delineation, but, surprise surprise, for the writer in me, word choice makes a difference.
I have also given myself permission to just do my job. By that I mean, I am working on accepting that it's just a job, and its purpose is to pay the bills. It's not my passion. It's not my Spirit's and Heart's desire. So I needn't give it the time and heart space as if it were.
When I first started my job I devoted a lot of time, energy, and attention to it. I worked well over the required amount of hours each week. I directed countless thoughts towards job-related things. It was new, it was exciting, I was happy with that.
Until I wasn't. As I've mentioned in previous posts recently, it didn't take too long for my true Spirit to surface and realize, yet again, that this job was not my passion and dream. Yet I still wasn't at the financial point that I could quit the job and live off my writing. That simply isn't feasible right now.
So I've come to an understanding. I can and will devote the necessary amount of time, energy, and attention to performing the tasks of my job sufficiently. I still take pride in what I do and always want to do and be the best I can be. But I'm cutting myself some slack. I'm learning how to do my job, but not make my life revolve around my job.
It's a learning process for me. I'm used to giving all of myself to whatever pursuit I'm currently pursuing. That is natural for me. But I notice I am finding more peace in my current situation, the more I give less of myself to my job, in order to have more of myself to give to my dream.
It's not ideal. But it's workable. I'm still hopeful that it'll be temporary (hey, all of life is temporary). I have no idea how long I'll need to continue at this job, or any job, until I've built up sufficient readership and following as a writer. That may never happen. But I choose to believe that it will.
I don't believe we would have the desires, passions, and dreams that we have if it weren't possible for us.
What desires, passions, and dreams do you have? Are you pursuing them? If not, why not? And if not, is there a way you can pursue them, even on a small scale right now?
Every step counts. Every action is important. Everything you do now sets up your future.
I am setting up my financial future at the moment by doing my job. And I am setting up my dream future by continuing to write and looking for ways to grow that business.
Continue to grow!
In peace and love,
Sarah
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