I’ve spent most of the day finishing up some projects and sending the last of my revisions off to editors. After tonight, work will be set aside until January so that I can indulge myself in the sweet simplicity and quiet of the holidays.
This year I’ve taken a lot of time off; there was 6 weeks out of the summer I closed my work doors, a two week fall break and now comes the winter one. I find it essential to give myself as many of these breaks as possible so that I can continue to enjoy writing but also, so I can continue to renew myself.
There was a point when I first started that I was so afraid to stop that I worked myself into oblivion. But I realise now what I do is a lifestyle which means to me that I don’t have to do everything right now. It can wait.
Waiting is hard at first but when you’ve been at it for awhile patience kicks in when you gain a certain sense of accomplishment and calm from your work. Also, this year has been wildly successful for me, which I think helps me to feel as though I’ve earned every break I take.
I should, however, like to share what my definition of success is.
Although I was published like mad this year, sold over 200 prints (this after failing art 3 times in school!), created several web sites, had drawings published in newspapers, was up for a huge design award, made good money throughout the year and created a book (details to follow at a later date), those things (while wonderful and wanted) aren’t what made me feel successful.
What made me feel successful this year was the fact that each day I was in love with my life; even during the messy and overwhelming bits. I was able to bring dreams to fruition and realise new ones. I became involved in an amazing community of women and met a whole bunch of fabulous new ones. I was able to give back with mentoring, volunteering and donating money. I created a beautiful and massive painting that hangs in my living room � something I had always wanted to do but was terrified. I learned to garden and spent a great deal of time outdoors. I feel like I woke up each day and did what I could do and went to sleep rather satisfied. I travelled a lot and realised a new direction for my writing. I overcame writing challenges and ideas. I sought out help and received it. But most of all, I think I was successful this year because this year I felt particularly useful to others which is my goal.
Most people who write me want to know how they, too, can be successful but what they�re really asking is, “How can I make a gob of money and have a flashy lifestyle?” Truth is, you can do that with writing and art if you want to. There are many books on writing that show you the ways to sell your articles and books for the biggest buck. However, for me, that is not important. I have a quiet, simple, happy lifestyle which affords me lots of luxuries that don’t require money and so my needs are different. Besides, I think when you do something for the sole purpose of money, you miss the point of living and growing.
And this year, I grew a whole lot which I think is also a good way of measuring success.
I’d like to share a poem which I think sums up this long-winded entry rather nicely:
Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much,
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children,
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends,
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
Or a redeemed social condition,
To know that even one life has breathed
Better because you have lived,
This is to have succeeded.
The Chronicles of Girl at Play began in April 2001 as a way for me to chronicle my leaving a successful corporate position to become a self-employed writer.
