“Taking a place at the table is not guaranteed. Not everyone makes it to a seat of power…Ah…but taking a chair at the forefront of your dreams, that is possible. And, it is necessary, even if our dreams can change and evolve over time, even if our dreams may be a subsidiary to our work life or family life.” Israelmore Ayivor
I believe we are called by the world, by our own inner yearnings, and to me, by God, to find a way to live our dreams, to be true to own selves, to find our passions. I think when we fail to do this we do ourselves injury. Larger than that, when we discount or diminish our dreams, we do a much larger injury as well. For if we hold a missing piece the world needs and we withhold it, the world is diminished by that loss. It certainly may take incredible effort and commitment to achieve a calling, live a purpose, or fulfill a dream. But whatever the cost of doing that, it is nothing to the cost of not doing it. Proverbs says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I think that is personal and communal.
Phoebe Coelho says it this way, “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting……Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams master the lessons we have learned as we have moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which most people give up…. [At this point] Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”
Someone one said, the most important things we learn are those we already know, and I know all of this. Part of the reason I dedicated this blog to all who are trying “to find and live their call” is that I believe you know it, too. There are literally a million reasons to give up. I have stared accruing mine.
This week brought the first rejection to a query letters and if I don’t hear by Friday on another I can infer that agent has taken a pass as well. Failure hurts. My only answer: learn from it. That translates to revise and tweak my letters and my synopsis, research more agents, and keep going. I refuse to quit. Failure is just one step on the path to success if you keep going.
I don’t know where you are in your journey, your understanding of your call, or in your effort to live or fulfill it. I do know that however hard it may be, it is easier together. So, thanks to all who have been encouraging me, and I hope today brings you a sense of renewal in your efforts.
Can you feel your spine stiffening? Mine is. There’s no time for pity at the forefront of dreams and no more waiting for it. Knocked down…I’m picking myself up. How about you? ……So, ready to begin again? No? Well, we can get ready while we go for it. Come on! ….Wait, is that a mountain ahead….ok, no stopping us, deep breath, we will just climb it. Now, let’s go…..our dreams are calling us…full pursuit ahead.
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A lovely post, Joanne. I think there’s a balance between striving for a dream which lies in the future and living in the joy of the doing in the moment regardless of the outcome. Writing books and publishing (especially traditional publishing) is such a long, long endeavor that being present and living the dream in the now is almost critical for success (and stamina). I’ve had plenty of rejections, and as the years have gone by, I’ve developed a thick skin, but more so, I’ve let go of some of my expectations, of which there is a steady stream. It’s allowed me to trust my work and just enjoy the journey. I have my fingers crossed for you. I hope your dream comes true 🙂
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You are certainly right, Diana. I think many, like me at the moment, need a message to keep going when working on a dream seems so difficult. But I agree we need balance in all things. In general that need to stay rooted in the present is critical, and I can struggle with that at times. Way too easy for me to go all in….with the unfortunate counterweight of then getting frustrated and wanting to put all the way out. Perhaps, what I didn’t capture in this post very well was the one step at a time approach I am trying so hard to strive for. Thanks for your insight…I always value the wisdom you share!
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You captured the one step at a time approach well, Joanne. I just got stuck on the old “waiting for agents” part, which was torturous for me. Talk about living in the future and hinging my day on the arrival of the mail truck! Ha ha. I switched to self-publishing for that reason – making my dreams happen 🙂 Loved your post. Happy Writing!
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I really may end on that route…my kids keep telling me to go that way. But I am giving myself this year.
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There are advantages to both routes, so your dream can be fulfilled either way!
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Awesome read. I needed this one today.. Thanks Jo… Doug Barry (H) 864-952-5012 (C) 803-315-3420
From: joanneeddys blog To: thedougbarry@yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, March 9, 2016 10:19 AM Subject: [New post] Advancing at the forefront of dreams #yiv8903063999 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8903063999 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8903063999 a.yiv8903063999primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8903063999 a.yiv8903063999primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8903063999 a.yiv8903063999primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8903063999 a.yiv8903063999primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8903063999 WordPress.com | joanneeddy posted: “”Taking a place at the table is not guaranteed. Not everyone makes it to a seat of power…Ah…but taking a chair at the forefront of your dreams, that is possible. And, it is necessary, even if our dreams can change and evolve over time, even if our dr” | |
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Thanks, Doug!
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Hang in there. I know how you feel. It’s frustrating when agents or editors won’t even read your stuff. Writing a query is tough. It’s also not fun like other writing is, but I’m not giving up either. I enjoy my column but I still feel I have something to say as a novelist. I know you feel the same way about your writing. I also am confident you’ll eventually get a book deal and the struggle will make it even sweeter.
Ted
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Thanks so much, Ted! It means a lot coming from you. And you know, I, also love your series and really think it deserves publication. People should read it. Love the characters and their interactions.
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Joanne, What an inspiring response to a disappointment. But as you have put it more eloquently than I ever could, the only way to truly fail is not to try. A person who writes with such wisdom and eloquence as you will eventually find the right fit for publication.
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Thanks, Bernadette!
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So, one person you queried said he’ll pass. And hundreds of us are telling you, “This guy has no idea of what a treasure he has overlooked.” Who are you going to listen to? Him or us? Think about self-publishing and keep on sending in those queries. Someone will recognize your writing and then you can say “I told you so” along with all of us who believe in you.
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Thanks, Clare!
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Seriously! It’s well-known around here that I’m always right!
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Making me laugh…Doug says I always ‘think’ I’m right!
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No “thinking” necessary. You’re right!
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