Monday, March 1, 2010

March: Dare to Dream

March! Yes! We're on the tail-end of winter. Pretty soon warmish days will outnumber cold ones, and with that, I get energized.



This time of year can feel like the final leg of a marathon, and that's why we need to hold tightly to our dreams. We cannot quit because we're vitamin D deprived or life isn't going our way. We cannot slow down because we haven't met our goals two months in a row, or because we got another rejection. We cannot push our writing aside to spring clean, watch re-runs, or moan about the fact that it's almost time to don shorts again.

This is the time to dig deep, run hard, and give it everything we have. This is when we must look forward--not at where we are or where we've been--but where we want to be.

I'm excited. I can see my dreams falling into place. Maybe not this month--maybe not even this year--but I can see them. I trust my dreams will come true. I know where I want to be.

Where do you want to be?

Inspiration: Donna MacMeans will be speaking at an upcoming MVRWA chapter meeting. Her story is fascinating. I thought you'd enjoy reading about Donna's journey to publication. More author journey's can be found at http://www.writeattitude.net/.

Have a terrific first day of March!

28 comments:

  1. I trust your dreams will come true too. And mine.

    I want to have an agent by the end of this year and hope to have at least one book published within five years.

    I see it. I feel it. I'm runnin' hard!
    ~ Wendy

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  2. Thank you for this beautiful thought--looking where we want to be, not focusing on where we've been. Sometimes hard to remember, but important to if we're to have the courage and determination to finish the race. :D

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  3. It's so neat that you can see your dreams falling into place. Love that sense of vision! As for me, I need a bit of renewal. THanks for the inspiration.

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  4. Thanks for this piece of inspiration. Sounds like you've got a lot of kick left in the final leg of your marathon!!
    I hope to have a book contract this year. And, no matter what, I hope to keep pushing myself as a writer. Thanks, Jill.

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  5. Having that forward-vision is a wonderful motivator, keeping us moving step by step closer to our dream destinations! Happy writing to you :)

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  6. Hooray for Spring! Thanks for the reminder that winter doesn't last forever. There are so many good things to remember from this post. Your encouraging words are appreciated.

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  7. Great metaphor, Jill..."like the final leg of a marathon."
    "Keep on keepin' on" is the only way to finish--no matter how many distractions like to intrude. I enjoyed reading Donna's story of getting published. An inspiring read, as is your post. Patrice

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  8. so, so true! soon summer will be here and writing will be pushed aside for trips to the pool and bike rides to the park - which is the way it should be!

    so, here we go. the final push!

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  9. Wendy: Oh, thanks! Your kindness always floors me. And I have no doubt you'll have book published long before the five years!

    Danyelle: It takes a lot of courage, that's for sure.

    Georgiana: March is a great time for renewal!

    Paul: Great! I want to push myself as a writer too. It's so easy to slip into comfortable habits.

    Joanne: Sometimes it's hard to keep looking forward, but it's essential. Happy writing to you too!

    Roxy: Welcome! I am soooo ready for spring!

    Patrice: I don't know how marathoners do it, but you're right. We've got to keep on keepin' on!!

    Tess: Don't tease me! I love the long days of summer. Final push... :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  10. Our dreams are blooming already! Thanks for this morning's inspiration. I'm ready to plow ahead.

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  11. Such uplifting advice. I'm all about the goals and pushing forward. If we stop, we're guaranteed to fail.

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  12. Hi Jill -

    Great motivational post! I sure need this today.

    While I've accomplished several of my goals, I'm still working on the biggies. The current WIP needs help, while I must also finish editing Book 1.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  13. on a warm beach.

    ---up to her armpits in snow ... still

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  14. Thanks for the links and inspiration!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. What a great motivational post. It's so easy to say, "Well, I've failed for two months, might as well kick the bucket here too." Thanks for not letting me do that! :)

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  16. Can I tell you how much I LOVE that picture?!!! It's so beautiful!

    I feel like I'm in a good place right now... moving into the place I want to be. It's exciting! Methodical, but worth it.

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  17. Tamika: Plow on!

    Erica: Ouch! You're right--we ARE gauranteed to fail if we stop. No stopping!

    Susan J: Your ms and my ms could go to therapy together! :)

    Speaking from the crib: Feeling your pain. I'd love a warm beach!

    Karen: You're welcome!

    Elana: Is it a KFC bucket? Cuz I'd kick that bucket! Ha!

    Kristen T: Your enthusiasm pulses through!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  18. Jill, as usual, a dreamy, inspiring post. Hmmm. You know what? My life is so frenetic right now that I just live one day at a time. At least once during the day I land on my knees, just praying for strength, direction, guidance, clarity, encouragement. Yep, I need to BREATHE!!!!!

    Blessings, dear one.

    Patti

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  19. I'll go check her out. I love hearing people's journey stories! Your dreams WILL come true. You're too talented for them not to.

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  20. Your dreams will come true and I'm hoping so will spring...soon:) I'm looking forward to my girls getting more independent so I can spend more time writing.

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  21. Jill:
    Thank you for the shot in the arm. I have not done as well in February as I did in January. But I know what it will take to turn that around.

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  22. I'm right there with you. I can see them!

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  23. Patti: One day, one breath, one prayer at a time, right? :)

    Steph: I love reading other's journeys too--thanks for the encouragement!

    Kara: I waited a long time for that too. It's amazing to be able to sit down and write without getting up to fetch a sippy cup every five minutes!

    QuietSpirit: We all have our off months. Don't worry about it!

    Susan: Awesome!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  24. I saw your tweet this morning about the sunny weather. Sometimes that rare sunny day in Michigan is just what we need to give us hope, isn't it? I could just feel my mood lifting this morning as the sunshine poured through the kitchen window and fell across me!

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  25. So glad you can "see" the end of your journey and I know you will get there. March for we Michiganders is such joy as we can finally feel alive to the newness coming. Glory!

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  26. Inspiring as always, Jill! Thanks for the post! I'll definitely have to check out Donna's site. As I sit here looking out at the two inches of snow that covers my deck and everything beyond - I'm looking forward to those warmish days too!! And I live in GA!! Go figure! God bless!

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  27. I must have neglected to leave a comment. I just wanted to say that I'm glad you are optimistic and I'm sure that your dreams will come true. I love the hint of spring in your post.

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  28. Jody: Yes, the sunshine makes ALL the difference!

    Maria: You poor thing. Isn't Georgia supposed to be warm? At least I know what to expect here!

    Nancy: You didn't forget to post! I have comment moderation on for all comments more than a day old, due to spammers. And we Michiganders need a hint of spring!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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