We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in
our hand — and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.” ~Marie Beynon Ray
As snow falls here in
the Northeast, blanketing us with white so deep we have no choice but to stay
inside, it’s a good time to ponder our goals. Back in January, when the year
was new and shiny, many of us made resolutions. Often by now, we’re off track, and
all those promises we made to ourselves seem even farther from reach because
we’ve also lost our motivation. The passion that birthed those resolutions has
long since died. And that makes it easy to forget our dreams and plans, to let
the pressing details of everyday life keep us stuck.
We have so many
commitments, we have little time to squeeze in the things that are dear to our
hearts. Perhaps an emotional or physical crisis is draining our time and
energy. Once this is over, we tell ourselves we’ll make time for writing. But
before that difficulty passes, another takes its place, and soon we’re spending
all our time dealing with emergencies. We shelve our dreams, but it’s “only for
now,” we promise ourselves. We’ll get back to it someday, but soon a few days
stretches into weeks, months, or even years.
So how do we stay
motivated once reality has set in, and we’re not finding time for our writing
or other important projects?
One of my favorite
pieces of advice is to look back for motivation and forward for inspiration.
Planning and dreaming can inspire us to move ahead, but looking back can be
valuable to see how far we’ve come. I’ve found it’s often the perfect solution
to getting unstuck.
The key to looking
back is not to beat yourself up over uncompleted projects, but to remember your
past successes. Even if it seems these have been few or nonexistent, reframe
your past from a positive perspective.
For many years, my
only progress consisted of stacks of rejection letters, half-finished
manuscripts, and a brain full of ideas. Although I put in work, I didn’t feel a
real sense of accomplishment. Now I wish I could go back and appreciate those
achievements, because if it weren’t for those years of drudgery and
disappointment, I wouldn’t be published today.
So wherever you are
on your journey (whether in writing or other pursuits), honor the hard work
you’ve put in — even if it didn’t bring the rewards you hoped. Find a way to keep
track of what you’ve done and celebrate the small milestones along the way.
Rejection letters indicate you’ve been submitting, partially finished
manuscripts prove you’ve been writing, doodles in your sketchbook show you’ve
been drawing. Yes, you may not have gotten as far as you’d hoped, but rather
than looking at where you expected to be, rejoice in how far you’ve come.
You’ve made progress, and that’s the most important thing.
Another way to look
back is to ask yourself what you wish you’d accomplished at the end of your
life. So many times, we forgo the important things for the petty. How valuable
are the activities taking up your time each day? Would you rather spend your
time sweeping dust bunnies in the guest bedroom or touching lives with an
important message? Thinking in terms of an eternal perspective can also be
motivating.
And as the quote (and
the Bible) reminds us, we
have no guarantee of tomorrow; the only time we have allotted is now. This
point was driven home to me this week when a beloved writer I know lost her
battle with cancer. Although those of us who knew her mourn her loss, we’re
grateful for the books she’s left behind – books that still have the power to
change lives for years or even generations to come. What about you? Are you
waiting for someday? If God has given you a message to share, do it now. Don’t
put it off until it’s too late.
Inspirational
author Rachel J. Good
writes life-changing,
heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She is the author of
several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends
series, Hearts of Amish Country series, and Love & Promises
series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books. She also writes
the contemporary inspirational series, Hope Chapel, and the first novella
in that series, Angels Unaware, recently released. Her March release,
Buried Secrets, is on blog tour with Celebrate Lit. You can connect with Rachel on Facebook and her website.
Links
www.racheljgood.comhttps://www.facebook.com/racheljgoodnovels/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-J-Good/100009699285059
https://twitter.com/RachelJGood1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661177.Rachel_J_Good
https://www.pinterest.com/racheljgood1/
