The last two months have been difficult for me. Unfortunately, my situation is worse than what I mentioned in my last IWSG post. But I'm in a better frame of mind. How? Well, I started reading Soul’s Perfection by Sylvia Browne. Whether you believe in Sylvia or not (she was a psychic and recently passed away), that doesn’t matter. I didn’t believe in much of what she said, but the lessons in this book helped me to gain a more positive outlook on life and a more positive attitude. I read a little every night and there was one thing I read that I knew I just had to share with my insecure friends:
“Insecurity has always been defined as a negative emotion, yet it can be a motor, a driving force. ‘I’m insecure, but I’m going to work harder to be better’ . . . an insecure person is always striving for perfection.”
When I read this, I was nodding energetically and thinking
of all of you. Don’t view any of your insecurities as negative. I was always insecure that my writing wasn't good enough, especially after reading a book by a great author. But because of this insecurity I learned to refine my writing and appreciate other writers' talents without feeling envious.
I also want to share
something I started last month, a photo challenge called 100 Happy Days. Since I have
been going through a hard time, I figured it would be good for me to
find something that makes me happy every day.The aim is simple. Take a photo on each of your 100 days of something that makes you happy then share it wherever you want. For more info go to: www.100HappyDays.com
Thank you, Fi Phillips, for sharing this info on your blog.
Here are a few of my happy photos from May:
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| I was nominated for the Liebster Award...TWICE! |
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| I finished a short story titled "Swans" that I hope to enter into a contest. |
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| I won Despite the Fangs and some awesome swag from Dylan Newton! |
I have an important day coming later this month. One that could change my life for the better, if it goes my way. I would appreciate any prayers, positive energy, and good thoughts you can send my way. THANK YOU!!
QUESTION: What made you happy today?
Hope that day goes well for you!
ReplyDeleteInsecurity makes us humble and realize we can do better.
Right now I'm happy my manuscript is done.
Thank you, Alex!
DeleteInsecurity does humble us, and from time to time we all should feel humbled. It's good for us.
That's great! Congrats on finishing your manuscript!
Sending all the good wishes and energy I can your way for that important day coming up. Hope it changes things for the better for you.
ReplyDeleteLove your happy photos and I'm glad you've found a way to make the difficult time you are going through a little easier.
Thank you so much, Julie! I appreciate that.
DeleteI'm having fun with this challenge. I'll be sharing more photos for the upcoming IWSG days. :)
Good for you on finishing the story! And yes, I totally agree about insecurity. In good doses it can be good as it makes one strive for the best. Not too much, though, as perfectionism is known to cut one's wings. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, E.E.! It's a very short story, just past the word count for flash fiction. But I am proud of it. :) You're very right about that.
DeleteAll we can control is our attitude, so keep yours up. Taking happy photos sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI am doing my best. :) Thanks, L. Diane!
DeleteI'm so sorry you've been having a rough time, but it's great that you've found something that helps you deal with it. That's really the only thing we can control sometimes--our reaction to things. I wish you tons of luck on your upcoming big day and always. <3
ReplyDeleteAs for me, what has made me happy lately is two different radio stations want to interview me about my blog! I have no idea how they discovered it, and as I've struggled for so long to get people to realize that my blog exists, this feels really good.
Thank you so much, Holli! I really feel like everyone's good wishes is giving me more strength. :)
DeleteThat's awesome! Didn't I tell you you'd get readers, and you got the most important kind! Way to go!! :D
I'm happy when I make it to the weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'll hold you in my prayers Chrys.
So am I! lol Thanks, David. :)
DeleteSending positive vibes your way! And thanks for the great quote. :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Thank you, Madeline! And you're welcome. I knew I had to share it. :)
DeleteI like to look at insecurity that way, too. If we all thought everything we did was perfect and didn't work on it or do any editing, well, we'd be in for a rude awakening when we start getting rejections.
ReplyDeleteExactly! :)
DeleteFocusing on the positive is a wonderful approach. Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time. I look forward to seeing your pictures. Are you going to post them to your blog?
ReplyDeleteI will be posting a few to my blog on every IWSG day from the last month. I'll also be sharing some on my FB page. :)
DeleteThat is an amazing quote about insecurity. I really hadn't thought of it like that, but I totally get it.
ReplyDeleteI hope things get better for you! *hugs*
I hadn't thought of insecurity in those terms either until I read that. :) Thank you!
DeleteUsing what life throws at us, especially the negatives, and turning them into a drive to keep going is exactly the best way to deal with things. Loved the post. I hope things ease up for you; I'm sure the 100 Happy Days project will make a huge difference. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. :) Thank you, S.K.! And so far, this challenge really is helping.
DeletePrayers coming your way. I hope you get good news. And I will be in touch in July (since you have so much going on) about an interview. I have some ideas for questions that might make you smile.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I hope you have wonderful news to share soon.
Diana
Thank you so much, DIana! I really appreciate it.
DeleteThat's great Diana! I look forward to the questions! :D
This is a great way to look at insecurity - instead of it being something bad, let it be something that makes you better. A great lesson, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Laura. :)
DeleteChrys-I missed your last IWSG post, so I don't know what's going on, but I am sorry to hear whatever it is isn't any better. That's a long time to go without an upswing. If you need me, I'm there for you. My email is Melanie@melanieschulz.com. I check it at least once a day.
ReplyDeleteTo put my troubles in a few words . . . I'm in a HUGE financial crisis. As in I have $8 in my bank. Thank you so much, Melanie! I appreciate your support. :)
DeleteI love this idea of 100 Happy Days! Wishing you all the best this month, Chrys! Hope it works out and you certainly deserve a break. Congrats on finishing your short story! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa for the best wishes. And thank you for the congratulations. I'm pretty happy about this short story. :)
DeleteEep! You just unmasked the reason I'm a perfectionist. Shh! Keep it under wraps, eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteOops! ;)
DeleteI hope your luck turns around for the better really soon.
ReplyDeleteI was made very happy today when I found my keys. I was all ready to leave for Shavuot services when I didn't see my keys in their usual place. I looked all over for about an hour, even in the hallway, and finally found them in the door. They'd been in there for an entire day and two entire nights (I've just gotten over a cold and haven't gone out much). Thankfully I live in a nice, secure, out of the way apartment complex uptown. Things probably would've gone much worse downtown or lower midtown!
Thank you, Carrie-Anne!
DeleteOh dear! I'm very happy you found your keys, too, and that you live in a safe neighborhood!
Hello Chrys. I'm glad to hear you're pushing through the difficult times. I wish you every happiness, and hope you have some good news in the future.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise! I'm hanging in there. :)
DeleteHi Chrys
ReplyDeleteYou have me worried. Prayers. Hope all goes well.
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy!
DeleteAll my prayers, positive thoughts for you! Hope it goes as you want!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kelly! I hope so, too. :)
DeleteTossing positive energy in the air toward you! I hope things get better very soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, River!!! :)
DeleteMy weight on the scale this morning made me happy and all those miles on the road worth it. Hope things get better soon.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteThank you, Susan!
It does help to take one's insecurities and use them to make yourself better. I hope things get better for you soon. What made me happy today was finishing a really good book. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine! Finishing a really good book always makes me happy, too. And a little sad because I can't read it anymore. lol
DeleteYou can turn them around and make yourself better indeed. I guess the cat is happy with Pat or the other way around lol
ReplyDeleteIt's always good that the cat is happy with you . . . and vice versa. ;)
DeleteI'm definitely sending prayers and good vibes your way! What a great way to tackle insecurities - I'm so glad you're in a better frame of mind. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kimberly! :)
DeleteAn old Lakota warrior was once asked asked by the Great Mystery: "What would you have me give you?"
ReplyDeleteHe thought a long time, and then, he said, "Good times weaken me. I ask only that you give me one great enemy that I might become stronger, better."
Thanks for visiting my blog today. :-) May your storm soon end and may you grow only stronger because of it.
That's a great message, indeed. Thank you for sharing it with me, Roland! I do look forward to the new strength I'll have when this is all over. :)
DeleteI think learning to take negative experiences/emotions, and use them for positive things, is one of the hardest yet most important life lessons. And it's ongoing! I'm still working on it; sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I don't, and that, too, is OK. This is such a great message today. Thank you so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'll absolutely send good vibes your way!
DeleteIt certainly is, Liz! I'll probably always be working on taking things that are negative and making them positive. As most of us will.
DeleteYou're welcome! And thank you for the good vibes! :)
Sending good thoughts that more happy things come your way!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry!! :)
DeleteHow fun! Happy pics!
ReplyDeleteI once made a list of things I love. It's been fun to re-read over the years. Also a good thing to do is make a list of things you're thankful for. It's a bona fide cheerer-upper. :)
Yes, I used to try to come up with at least three things I was grateful for at the end of every day, but I stopped. Maybe I should pick that up again. Thanks for your comment, Pk! :)
DeleteYou know you can always count on me for prayers, Chrys. And I will be praying extra hard for you, especially for this important day.
ReplyDeleteThe book you mentioned by Sylvia Browne sounds intriguing. I love her take on turning our insecurities into something good. I might have to grab a copy for my summer beach reading. I had no idea she passed away! I remember watching her on the Montel Williams show all of the time.
Good luck with your short story. I hope you win so I can read it once it's been published in whichever contest it will be read in!
Yes, I know I can count on you for prayers. Thank you so much, Gina! You truly are an amazing friend. :)
DeleteI think you would life this book very much. I learned a lot about life in general.Sylvia passed away a few months ago. I can't recall exactly when. I used to watch her on the Montel Williams show all the time, too.
Thank you!!! I hope I win, too, because the prize is a once in a lifetime thing. But I first hope I can enter as there's an entry fee. Eek! lol
Oh, AND I finally posted the Liebster Award! It's no surprise I nominated you back on my blog. I've told you this before and I will say it again... your blog is one of the best I know of!=)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'll be hopping over to your blog soon to read your answers. :) Oh, wow! Really? You're the second person to re-nominate me. I feel so honored. Thank you so much!
DeleteSorry to hear about your struggles Chrys, and I am praying for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat made me happy today? It is early June, but a sunny and refreshing 68 degrees. I can ask for more than that in being outside to watch a kiddo's game.
Thank you! I appreciate your prayers. :)
DeleteI wish it was 68 degrees here in Florida! haha It's HOT, HOT, HOT!
Sending you positive energy and prayers. I hope the rest of this month is better for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat made me happy today? Taking time out of a busy day to enjoy being outside with my two youngest children. We went swimming in the pool and I realized my five-year-old is a little fish! He put a smile on my face with his enthusiasm and love for the water. So fun. I love the idea of the 100 Happy Days. Great idea!
Thank you so much, Kristin!
DeletePlaying with kids is always a mood-lifter. I had my nephews here with me for the last four days. They kept my mind off all of my troubles. :)
Wishing you luck on that day and I hope June is better than May for you.
ReplyDeleteInsecurity at first makes me down and then it motivates me to do better.
Thank you, Medeia!!
DeleteIt does that to me, too. :)
More positive energy coming your way! I'm sorry you've been going through a rough time. I hope things get better for you soon! Best of luck with your upcoming important date!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori!!! I will take all I can get. :)
DeleteYes to insecurities making you aim to be better, at least we're not complacent and thinking we've got it made! Good luck for your big day, I hope you keep us updated!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nick! I will keep all of you posted on the next IWSG day. :)
DeleteWhat makes me happiest is being useful to my family + writing (of course) :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Those things make me happy, too. :)
DeleteI'm sending prayers and a boost of positivity all the way across the blogosphere-------- WHOOSH-------------
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the big day later on in this month.
Thank you, Michelle! They arrived safely. ;)
DeleteSo true about writing and insecurity. Thank you for your comment on my blog http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com Iowa could use more good people.=)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Heather. I would love to come to Iowa, at least to experience it. :)
DeleteSorry to hear about your recent struggles. Sending positive vibes your way...
ReplyDeleteInsecurity is definitely a powerful motivator - for some people. I think that's the secret for those we identify as overachievers: their own self-doubt propels them forward. For too many others, though, it's crippling. I'm with you in hoping to always be the former rather than the latter.
Thank you so much!
DeleteI think the people who make it crippling could make it a propeller if they wanted to, if they refused to let it cripple them. I used to, but I learned to accept my insecurities and live with them. By doing that, I conquered them. :)
Hi Chrys!
ReplyDeleteSending positive energy for you to overcome all your struggles.
Thank you, Kelly! :)
Delete