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Alex Cavanaugh intimidates me ...
He spends SIX HOURS a day visiting 100 BLOGS DAILY!
This week it must be TEN HOURS DAILY!
I don't know about you but I work looong hours. There is simply no way I can equal that. Can you?
Does this mean we are destined for the back bleachers of blogdom?
I can hear Yoda right now: THAT IS WHY YOU FAIL.
1) COMPARING OURSELVES WITH OTHERS IS A SURE WAY TO DERAIL OUR WRITING
Exercise the muscle --
Write. Write. Write.
Be better today in some small way in your writing than you were yesterday. You are the only competition you truly ever have.
Vincent Van Gogh once said,
“In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.”
2) A FABLE:
The devil offered all the tools of his trade to
anyone who would pay the price.
They were spread out on the table, each one labeled-
Hatred, Malice, Envy, Despair, Sickness-
all the weapons that everyone knows so well.
But off on one side, apart from the rest, lay a harmless-looking, wedge-shaped instrument marked “Discouragement.”
It was old and worn, but it as priced far above all the rest.
When asked the reson why, the devil explained,
“Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get inside, I can use any tool that suits me best.”
3) COURAGE:
The word encouragement means “to put courage into.”
Conversely, discouragement takes courage out.
How can you reach for the stars, go brave, or climb the highest mountain if you lack courage?
4.) LORD OF THE RINGS:
The Breaking of the Fellowship did not stop the various members from fighting on, each in their own way. We, too, must fight on in our own way -- always searching for new paths that will lead us to the victory that awaits a heart that will not quit.
Everyone in the Fellowship had the opportunity to turn back, but they didn't.
They believed in what they were pursuing, even if they knew that pursuit might lead to death.
Believe in your dream. And if it is so very dark and you feel so very small, remember Galadrial:
"I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
There is a Light at which our world scoffs, but it is a Light that will lead us through our darkness if we but look for it. May it be there for you today.
They were spread out on the table, each one labeled-
Hatred, Malice, Envy, Despair, Sickness-
all the weapons that everyone knows so well.
But off on one side, apart from the rest, lay a harmless-looking, wedge-shaped instrument marked “Discouragement.”
It was old and worn, but it as priced far above all the rest.
When asked the reson why, the devil explained,
“Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get inside, I can use any tool that suits me best.”
3) COURAGE:
The word encouragement means “to put courage into.”
Conversely, discouragement takes courage out.
How can you reach for the stars, go brave, or climb the highest mountain if you lack courage?
4.) LORD OF THE RINGS:The Breaking of the Fellowship did not stop the various members from fighting on, each in their own way. We, too, must fight on in our own way -- always searching for new paths that will lead us to the victory that awaits a heart that will not quit.
Everyone in the Fellowship had the opportunity to turn back, but they didn't.
They believed in what they were pursuing, even if they knew that pursuit might lead to death.
Believe in your dream. And if it is so very dark and you feel so very small, remember Galadrial:
"I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
There is a Light at which our world scoffs, but it is a Light that will lead us through our darkness if we but look for it. May it be there for you today.
Blogger decided to make me crazy today and mess with the color of my font! I have to go to work, or I would fix this -- I think. Sorry. :-(
ReplyDeleteNow, I am discouraged!
No discouragement!
ReplyDeleteI won't scare you with how many hours it takes to put together a blog post as well. (That's why I don't post very often.)
We can't compare. There are things we each do well and that should be our focus.
You probably know how I feel about comments. Too many do not reciprocate. So I do what feels right to me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes that light you mention is within, Roland, and sometimes we find that light in others. The light can mean many things, however, and what it means to you may be a bit different than what it is for me. I like to think, like Galadriel, that it lights my way. I don't need to search for it.
Good description of discouragement. It is a wedge and a wedge is meant to split things, destroy the cohesion, and break that object apart.
Have a good weekend, hope you aren't working too hard.
This really encouraged me and I had a very discouraging morning. I think I'm going to share this post and my reaction to it on my blog.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the Devil use his little wedge tool to get the better of you.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend who told me that when things got tough grab a root and growl!
You work long hours and still you manage to get out at least one post a day, often more! I don't know how you do that! Not to talk about all the books you have out there for us to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't know how Alex does what he does, even though he can blog at work.
I think it is human nature to want and than want some more...To do and than want to do some more. Want...we all want. Try to get some rest and stop being so hard on yourself.
A note to DK, if she comes back here...I would love to comment back to you but I don't get your comments in my mail.
ReplyDeleteHi, Roland,
ReplyDeleteGod only knows I try ... but life has it's own schedule. I have stopped being discouraged and comparing myself to other more established and brilliant writers/bloggers.
We all have our own special light and my it sparkle for all to see! Yours certainly does.... Never forget that!
Nissa:
ReplyDeleteI'm honored that you would comment on this post on your blog -- I hope your discouragement flees from you!
David:
What did Will Rogers say? His idea of diplomacy was to say "Nice, Doggie" until he could find a big enough stick!
Siv:
Thanks for the words of encouragement. We must do the best we can with what we have, right? :-)
Michael:
Life certainly has its own schedule and its own mind! May your wrist heal quickly!! Thanks for the nice words about my prose. :-)
I don't even TRY to compare myself to other bloggers. I simply can't visit that many. I get overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteA wedge. How clever! And insightful. Wow. I needed this, thanks!