Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives the “Victory” sign to crowds in London on Victory in Europe Day. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Many writers, including myself, have our ups and downs in terms of our livelihood and craft. I’ve found that often our greatest growth happens during times when our efforts may appear to be faltering to everyone including ourselves.
Earlier this year, on the occasion of my birthday, my brother sent a lovely letter to support my path as a writer.
It occurred to me that some of what he wrote to me might apply to many of you as well, so here is an excerpt of a pep talk from my younger brother to me, reframed for you my fellow writers.
Dear fellow writer:
You are capable of great things and I wish you all the success in your endeavors, even if I don’t entirely understand them.
I have been reading a book entitled “First Thing Every Morning, Turn Your Life Around One Day at a Time” to give me ideas and inspiration. One quote I read reminded me of you and your present work:
“As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.”
- Denis Waitley
Winston Churchill said, “Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm”. Ben Franklin said, “If you want to be remembered when you’re dead, write something worth reading or do something worth writing about.”
Writing has always been your greatest gift so use it well. I know you can write great things and, regardless of the compensation, be entirely fulfilled. I wish you great fulfillment, great friends, a loving spirit and God’s peaceful assurance that you are on the right path. Forget much, treasure the moment and forgive freely, not so much for others as for yourself.
We all need someone who supports us when times are challenging, and I appreciate these words of encouragement from my brother.
May you find deep support for your writing and great fulfillment in all your work!
Daily Contemplation:
Do you have anyone in your life who supports your writing? If so, what might they tell you now to keep you encouraged?
Have you ever had to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm?
How do you stay on the “right” path with your writing?
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That is beautiful. How wonderful to have a kind and supportive brother.
I thought what my brother wrote was beautiful too! I am very lucky to have a brother who supports my dreams!
That is probably the best present any writer can receive. What keeps my enthusiasm level high is being able to do the work, and then let it go. Doing that seems to push me ahead to the next project.
This was a great present from my brother! Isaac, I also agree that letting go of the work is a great approach for keeping our enthusiasm high. It’s something I’ve learned to do over time and really helps!
This morning YOU are my support. I am carving out writing time from 6-7:30 AM before I go to a job I should be thankful to have, and wish I didn’t feel the need to have. Writing is what I love.
I am so glad to have been of support today! Best wishes to reach our goals with your writing!
Reblogged this on Tales of Energy and commented:
Accurate!
Something to think about today
Thank you so much for the reblog!
There is strong encouragement here for writers AND non-writers. So much is about following your path and not letting discouragement creep in to take you away from that path. I know you already know that well, Karen. This is a lovely encouragement for today. Debra
I agree that it’s tough to stay on our path, no matter if we’re writers or anything else. As always, thanks for your comments Debra!
Every day I come to my blog to write, I embrace the voice that expects me to fail and the reactions that try to confirm it and then I press on… People will always disappoint but God and our inner will won’t… just my two cents and observations of humankind.
We do have to press on as writers overriding those inner voices that would keep us from expressing ourselves. Great observations, thanks for sharing them!
You just did, thank you xox
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
I always feel like my writing is all over the place and totally random, but its hard for me to tell, since I wrote it, actually I can never tell if I’m doing a good job no matter what I’m doing, until a little time has passed.
That’s a very good point, we have to be careful about what we deem a failure. I now see my writing as an evolving process, and the biggest failure would be for me to give up on it. I enjoy your meanderings, keep up the good work!
I love this.
“As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.”
- Denis Waitley
You are so lucky to have such a supportive and loving brother.
That was my favorite quote that he offered, and I’m trying to keep that in mind on my own journey. I am very lucky to be supported as well as I am in my life. May you be as well supported in all that you’re doing!
Karen, Denis Waitley’s quote is lovely, inspiring and so comforting, as are your brothers words to you…letters between writers are a joy to read…big hug Alexandra
Thanks Alexandra, I really appreciate the hug and support!
Thanks for the inspiration, Karen!
Erin, thanks for reading!
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