One Foot in Front of the Other
A couple of weeks ago, when LD Masterson, Angela Brown and I attended ConDFW we met up with an old friend of mine. I hadn't seen her in a couple of years and she asked me what I'd been up to.
My first thought was--nothing. I haven't done anything of import, and truth be told, half the time I feel like I'm running in place.
But then Angela started chiming in on the books I had published, and LD mentioned my work with Book Cover Diva. I was gobsmacked as they rattled off a laundry list of my accomplishments.
Even though it felt as if I'd been standing still, I really had been busy. I've been a good mule, completing or mastering tasks slowly but steadily.
It made me wonder if I'm the only one who feels they never move forward. Maybe we all move forward, but the steps are so incremental that we don't realize we're making progress.
For instance: Writers, I'll bet your writing is far more mature than it was two years ago. If you're a gardener, I'll bet you don't make the same mistakes twice. And if you're a reader, I'd wager your range and understanding has grown from where you were a couple of years ago.
The point is, none of us really stand still. We're always growing, maturing, and accumulating experiences for our life's resume. Click to reTweet this quote.
So what does your life resume look like? Tell me what you've accomplished in the last two years. Jobs, children, education, WIPs, publications? Which accomplishment are you most excited about?
My first thought was--nothing. I haven't done anything of import, and truth be told, half the time I feel like I'm running in place.
But then Angela started chiming in on the books I had published, and LD mentioned my work with Book Cover Diva. I was gobsmacked as they rattled off a laundry list of my accomplishments.
Even though it felt as if I'd been standing still, I really had been busy. I've been a good mule, completing or mastering tasks slowly but steadily.
It made me wonder if I'm the only one who feels they never move forward. Maybe we all move forward, but the steps are so incremental that we don't realize we're making progress.
For instance: Writers, I'll bet your writing is far more mature than it was two years ago. If you're a gardener, I'll bet you don't make the same mistakes twice. And if you're a reader, I'd wager your range and understanding has grown from where you were a couple of years ago.
The point is, none of us really stand still. We're always growing, maturing, and accumulating experiences for our life's resume. Click to reTweet this quote.
So what does your life resume look like? Tell me what you've accomplished in the last two years. Jobs, children, education, WIPs, publications? Which accomplishment are you most excited about?
Comments
In two years I've made a career out of writing (freelancing) so I could give up the day job (daycare, etc.), I've launched a website (jury's still out on that one), written a handful of novels (not published), co-authored and published a book on the craft of writing, and published my first novel. There are other achievements in there, but just those relating to my goals are pretty darn good. I might not be where I want to be, but like you, certainly not standing still.
Thanks for this post. I was feeling a little stagnant today. This was a good morale booster. :)
Plus you have children. Granted, according to you, your housework sucks, but hey, that's a small price to pay for greatness. :o)
When people ask me what's new, i always say "nothing" because it seems that way to me. But obviously that's not true
I suppose life truly is just a collection of moments...
If i go back two years, that's 2011. Since then, I completed my bachelors in business degree program, started a blog that is slowly and steadily growing (thanks Maria for the encouragement to start it!!), self-pubbed Neverlove, have Ripped Ties in the ABNA, have Frailties of the Bond (novella) coming out in a few weeks and am working toward ending my first MG fairytale smash up draft so I can get the sequel to Neverlove on paper...while working full-time still (trying to get to where I can write full-time) and taking care of my Chipmunk as a single mother.
Hmmm...insanity may be imminent lol!!
You've definitely had a productive few of years! You exhaust me :)
Maria you put people in their teens to shame, never can I say have met someone with as much drive and energy as you in one package! Keep on trucking woman, staying active is the best medicine to keep you "young at heart" and "sound in mind and body".
What a good way to put it. By themselves it doesn't seem like a lot, but when you look back, it's like, whoa, no wonder I'm tired. LOL.
And you've blossomed in the last two years. I can tell you're more confident and more mature in your writing and networking. I'm taking lessons from you now. :o)
Raising kids is like an extreme sport.
Re: energy
If it's any condolence to teenagers, I am slowing down a bit. Now they can catch up to me. LOL!
I try to remind myself of this, but when someone asks what I've been doing, I tend to use the equivalent of "nothing": "not much". :)
I know that's been true for me and for every other retired person I know. It just works out that way.
I will admit that it took me six months before I stopped waking up at 4:30am. It took me that long to accept I didn't have somewhere else to go.
^_^
But I do know what you mean - I feel like I'm standing still at times. I'm just slow, lol. At least I'm not backing up.
How wonderful you got to meet Angela and Linda!
Two years is the perfect time frame. Almost to the day, two years ago we took in our grandboys, then aged 1 and 2. My priorities underwent a huge reset, but the rewards have been amazing. And I manage to get some writing in too.
Hard to believe you question all you've done, though - I am always in awe of you!
Within two years I've had three novels published by a small press company., and I'm just about to publish another. So the stepping stones are in place. Two years from now I hope to reach my ultimate destination.
I'm so glad your grandboys had you in their lives.
But I hope you reach that step very soon.