Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices. Then our choices make us. ~ Anne Frank
Two great quotes, words to live by really, from two vastly different real life heroines.
We all change direction, depending upon what life chooses to throw our way. That’s what I was always taught, how my husband and I raised our kids.
Aside from the studies and grades, they knew it was also their job in school to get along with everyone, difficult people or not. Though we always provided the basic parental support, they were the ones who needed to solve any problems for themselves. Right or wrong, my philosophy is – if someone wants something bad enough, they’ll figure it out.
It’s how we all learn and grow. Even survive.
A magazine article I read recently brought home to me how very important having that adapt or else mindset can be. It seems a young girl grew up with her life all mapped out. She went to college, networked her way into the job of her dreams and happily, if not naively, settled in for the long haul. Then the unthinkable, better known as budget cuts happened, and valuable as she thought she was, this young woman soon found herself out of a job. To paraphrase the gist of what she said. Our generation was given trophies simply for showing up. I’d never faced true adversity before and was utterly stunned, with no clue how to proceed.
The article actually had a happy ending, in my mind at least, because she was forced to ‘figure it out’. Necessity made her reevaluate her skill set and re-engineer her life.
Finally.
I still drive my kids nuts-part of the mother’s job description to be sure-with the phrase ‘welcome to the real world’ as they discuss their current problems, along with possible solutions.
And believe me, I do take my own advice in this real world of ours.
In the spirit of sails readjustments, making choices and such, I took back the rights to three previously published novellas, did a bit of editing, then self-published them in a single volume. Many who have read me here and on my own blog, already know that.
Saturday In Serendipity is three stories about love rediscovered at a twenty year high school reunion.
Then I was faced with another choice. Let the book sit out there, all but unnoticed, or pound the virtual pavement to, hopefully, invite some interest.
So, beginning March 16th and continuing through April 11th, I’m traveling the internet thanks to Buy The Book Tours. Click here to see where I’ve been and where I will be along with everything about the tour in between. Hope you can join me at some point.
My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and my stories, please visit my website.
9 comments:
I like what the girl said about the trophies. When my girls were little in sports, the philosophy was "everyone's a winner!" Hello, welcome to the real world where everyone isn't a winner! We aren't doing our kids a favor by telling them they're wonderful at everything--makes the wake-up call they encounter a little later on doubly hard to take. Best of luck with your tour!
Thanks for the luck wish! It's been fun so far. You are so right about that inevitable wake up call. We've all been there. Personally, if I could have spared my kids, I would have. Isn't an option in the 'real world'.
This is SO true. I do not understand why the began the pee wee sports where they didn't keep score, so no kids would end up losing. Losing is part of life, and if you make kids think they're good at everything, they'll never find out what they are good at. Also, if you never lose, you'll never experience the joy of winning. Life is hard, wear a helmet. :) I've never done a Buy the Book tour, but I've considered it. Hope yours is a resounding success!
Love that line - Life is hard, wear a helmet. Kind of sums it all up. Thanks for positive success thoughts re the tour. I'm doing my best! Buy the Book Tours is the way to go.
Margo, good ideas in this blog post. I focused on the fact you took rights back for a book...which I just did. What a scary thing, to have that book be my complete responsibility now. But by taking the book back I have a whole series to launch on my own...otherwise the publisher would have one book and I'd have the other two. Gosh, I hope I can make this series sell just as you have! I'll be watching your pathway to success...good luck, my friend!
My daughter has taught her children 5 & almost 8) their "theme song"--you don't always get what you want. Lot of truth to that.
Roland. Hope my pathway can do justice to your watching. ;-) Good for you taking charge of your series. It is a big step. I was fortunate to 'leave' with my editor's blessing. And to have Jannine, who had done this before, as my 'driving force' and back up.
Oops, ROLYNN. My iPad is too good at correcting me when I don't tell it to. Sorry.
Diane. You have an extremely intelligent daughter. Hmmmm. Wonder where she got those smarts!?
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