Patience Vs. Force

"Our patience will achieve more than our force."

Everyone has heard, 'Patience is a virtue'. It truly is. Patience I believe is one of the hardest thing to learn. As humans in this day in age, its all about instant gratification which has become part of our nature. In order to grow in patience we have to deny ourselves of instant gratification. Our hasty decisions can have unfavorable results.
I'm finding myself in a great hurry to query for my novel. But my novel is currently under revision. I don't want to rush through it and live with regret afterwards. I'm sure no aspiring author would want that. So for now I'll be patient. :)

What Worry Does and Doesn't Do

"Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength"

Worrying will do nothing but totally exhaust you. All your time & energy is wasted on too much thinking.
Don't fret about all the little things. I know. Easier said than done. But focusing on the bigger picture helps tune out the white noise. So take a deep breath...and don't worry yourself sick.

Any tips that help you not to worry?

When Adventure Finds You

"When you least expect it, great adventure finds you"

Let me just tell you, I love adventures. Whether its to the grocery store or to the library, anything can be an adventure. And adventure makes everything fun. Maybe its my inner child. I do know enough to never turn down an adventure. Who knows where it will take you?! The possibilities are endless.

Making Up Your Mind Has More Power Than You Think

Forgive the miss on last week. I'll give you a double dose of encouragement today!

"If you made up your mind that you can't do it, you're absolutely right."

"You can't test courage cautiously."

The first quote reiterates the point of many. Once your mind is made up, its the direction your life will take. It's the one block in Jenga that sends the tower crumbling down and scattering the pieces. This is so powerful. Your mind can give you unfailing determination and the will a of super hero. Your mind, likewise, can poison your entire being down to your soul, leaving you like a whithered flower. Pretty powerful stuff. So think hard before you make up your mind. No. No you cannot test courage cautiously. It's all or nothin' so throw your chips in, kind of thing. You're either acting courageously or sitting in the corner. What little knowledge I have of the publishing world, I have discovered the publishing world requires one to be courageous. If you're not courageous, you'll never get that nice advance or publisher. You'll never snag that agent with a witty query letter, you probably won't even write a query letter. You'll be too shy to ask for a critique. Who am I kidding? You won't have any one read your manuscript. This my friend why you need to be courageous without hesitation. If the cowardly lion can become courageous, then so can you. w

Sometimes It Takes More Than Once

"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."

This gives me courage. Instantly I feel myself covered in heavy armor swinging a long sword with fatigued muscles knowing it could be just moments before the battle is won and giving myself inner strength to endure.
When you're in that hard place of battle, don't focus on how tired you feel but look ahead to the bigger picture. Imagine winning the battle and it will be so.
In many ways sending query letters is like a battle. So when you get those rejects, smile knowing you can win the battle, it may just take one more submission.

What do you think? What encourages you to press on?

A Good Place To Start

"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

With the holiday right around the corner, a lot of the quotes I found related to being free & having freedom. But I wanted something different. I found it. :)
Reflecting back years ago when I started my novel it was necessary to write this story & put to life the story living inside me.
Now it seems plausible, possible even to get published. Just having that hope that it is possible is enough for me to keep pushing through the trenches of Query Hell. I'm hoping someday I will accomplish the impossible; To have a sweet deal with one of the Sister Six.
Impossible...I'm hoping so.

The Road Goes Uphill

Today's quote is yet again from a Menard's ad. This just may be a weekly thing!

"You can tell when you're on the right road-it's uphill".

I can give you many reasons why I love this right off the bat.
But what I truly believe it's saying...anything worth your time & effort, is not going to be easy. It's a soft edge to a hard life. It makes me think all the sweat & hard work I put into life will pay off in the end.
What if all life is, is just a trial to see how badly we want things in life?
Some may think of this said statement as negative but being an optimist I love the bright side! I also love a challenge.
It goes to show you how determined you are to accomplish any goal.
Are you going to let a hill stop you from climbing?
I'm certainly not. 

Food for thought.