Yesterday I came across a site where the author of that site described himself as “failed” in endeavors that were obviously important to him. It automatically got me to thinking about myself and others…those of us who haven’t “hit it big.”
I felt for the guy.
I read further, and among his other descriptions, “daddy” was mentioned.
Okay, people, and here I do speak from experience (not the “daddy” part): read the title of my post today. Take it to heart and internalize this mantra. I don’t care where it came from nor who is credited with saying it first (but, hey, thanks, Jason Nesmith!), just live and breathe the words Never Give Up and Never Surrender!
Persist.
I started writing when I was 6. I’m freshly turned 51. Yes, I’m published in a few places (even internationally), have a self-published work, and yes…am still writing and trying to sell “that one” that some publisher will feel s/he can sell and take me under their wings. I also come to find (thanks to WordPress’s end-of-year analysis) that my blog posts are read worldwide (Canada, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia…). Years ago someone asked me (in a roundabout and polite way, the more I think about it), why I kept going to writers conferences and have not been picked up.
Simply?
I don’t believe I’m a failure and I just don’t give up.
Ever.
Persistence is the key. Believing in yourself is the key.
Yeah, and the alternative is not acceptable.
There are many parts to everyone’s existence, a part of mine is to write. Other parts are to learn patience, to learn to better interact with others, to better create my reality, and on and on. Life is multifaceted. Internalize that one, too. Look at it this way: if your other “many parts” to your existence did not involve your art…how much more miserable do you think you’d be?
Exactly.
So, why not use this “other part” of you…be it writer, athlete, parent, whatever…and enjoy that personal superpower of yours. Enjoy just flat-out doing it.
Enjoy the journey.
Just because your work–whether it be an up and coming athlete, artist, or parent–doesn’t get worldly recognition, doesn’t get published, or your kids didn’t “turn out right” doesn’t make you a failure. All you can do…is your best.
Now, there are many reasons out there for why a thing is or isn’t working for you…but does that really matter? Your belief systems are where you’re going to look for that answer, I can’t tell you how to deal with that–that’s just another part to your personal existence, but to this other stuff, of considering yourself a failure, I can say…if you have an ability use it. If you’re an artist, draw and paint…a writer, write. An actor, act. Just because others seem to be “more successful” than you is background noise. Don’t compare. Everyone, and I do mean everyone has their own issues. We all put on faces to the public (anyone outside yourself), for good or ill. Chose your “face” wisely, and have an optimistic, positive outlook on life.
Be happy.
I know there is a lot of evil and angry out there, but if there was more evil and angry than happy and positive we wouldn’t be here, now would we? And if you genuinely have a depressive mindset, please, get that looked into. But try to focus on the positive. Try to create more good and positive with your actions.
Create.
Enjoy your creation.
Persist.
Never give up and never surrender!
