Close but no cigar

For anyone who has ever written a story and sought to publish it, in all likelihood, that person has also learned what its like to be rejected or kindly turned away.  If you've authored a book and sent out query letters to publishers, you may also know what its like to wait months Perhaps the writer was told that "the time isn't right" or "the material isn't suitable" or "market trends are changing."  Perhaps you didn't receive any details about the rejection. Whatever the reason, this kind of experience is humbling.  Yet, if you permit it, you can choose to learn a great deal.

1.  Don't take rejection personally: learn to step back and see yourself separate from your writing. What other people like or dislike about your writing isn't necessarily personal criticism.

2. Recognize a blessing in disguise: take this opportunity to reflect on your work, rethink or re-edit pieces and re-submit it to publishers. Remind yourself you're better off with a new chance. 

3. Request feedback: in many cases, you can obtain valuable comments from publishers, editors or friends and other people whom you permit to read your material.  Be brave. Ask! 

4. Consult an agent: if you have no agent, it would be in your interest to find someone who respects your work and encourages your writing development. Seek one out. Submit material.

5. Incorporate your spirit: rejection may postpone the unveiling of your true masterpiece.  While you review your work, decide whether you write with your heart or even from the soul. 

In the nick of time

As it happens, I was recently in walking through Chinatown in Sydney and became caught in a torrential downpour of rain. I wasn't carrying an umbrella and took shelter under a green awning. I was surprised at a Chinese woman. She stood beside a large flat screen tv that stood flat on the concrete. Her husband was backing up his car so that she could place it in the trunk along with other belongings.  She smiled at me.  I struck up a conversation with a British tourist who also waited uner the awning. She shared with me her story about her 3 weeks of sightseeking, all the sights she had seen and her preferences. 

This stranger also drew my attention to the fact that we were supposed to flip back an hour from eastern daylight savings to eastern standard Australian time. I had been unaware of that and I was leavnign early the next morning to catch a plane.  The fact that this woman told me this enabled me to awaken on time. This woman also talked about the value of time and how her Australian experiences had led her to redefine her priorities. This reminded me of the benefits of listening to my inuition.  

Not what you think

What if it isn't perceived misfortune or fear of insecurity which requires your attention as much as the impact of surprise on your life? Re-examine the value of surprise in your life. What do you learn? What do you overlook? How is it valuable in ways you hadn't anticipated? Think about the positive side to the element of surprise. Reflect and write about something meaningful you can see in the surprises you have known. They aren't always as bad as you might think!

Lightning bolt

When the day comes that you decide to make a change, it may hit you like a lightning bolt. You may not be used to taking steps to do anything differently than before. And then, an idea hits you. You’re dumbstruck. You think, “Eureka! I’ve it!”  Now is the time to focus on it. The idea is what you work toward. The act of taking a risk may seem daunting. Yet, deep inside, you know that you're ready. You sense its time to move ahead in ways that may shock other people, but that wouldn't bother you. The biggest risk you think you're taking is finally listening to yourself. 

Make it so

You may have a boss whom you respect.  You may have a partner and/or fmaily who's advice you've been known to take on occasion.  You may have friends who's views tend to make sense.  You may meet strangers who tell you a story that ignites sparks in your mind. Then, there's you.

• If someone tells you they don't believe in you, you can still choose to believe in yourself. 
• If someone tells you that your dreams aren't possible, then you can choose to disagree. 
• If someone tells you they'd advise you against your choices, you can say it's your prerogative.
• If someone tells you that you'll never achieve your desire, then you can prove them wrong.
• If someone tells you you're too lazy to make it, you can act to reveal selective blindness.
• If someone tells you you'll never advance, you can decide for yourself how to move ahead.
• If someone aims to dissuade you from a vision, learn to listen to your heart and go for it!
• If someone tells you that you'll never feel happy, tap into you untapped resources inside.
• If someone tells you they think you'll never change, remind yourself the verdict isn't yet in.
• If you've never listed affirmations before, its never too late to start meaningful, new things.