Thursday, July 19, 2012

Time To Grow Or Die



The year is 2000.  I'm working in the finance department of an international corporation and I have been there for about 12 years.  I have gone as high in the company as I will be allowed to go and it's time for me to make a decision.  I can either step out into the world and meet new challenges to continue to grow as a person or I can stay where I am comfortable and slowly die from inertia.  For me the choice is quite clear.  If you're not growing, you're dying and I'm not ready to stop growing.  I leave the comfort and cushion of a routine I am familiar with and step into the world of martial arts.  I'm nervous and unsure of my future but know in my heart it is the right decision for me.





I come to the same conclusion in my writing life.  I come back to writing with the intention of being able to grow.  The challenges I come across this past year are hard.  If forces me to be open to the possibility of change...changes within myself, changes in my writing style, changes in how I see the world around me.  When I have doubts about my ability to make this writing thing work I remember that I can either grow as an author or I can die as one.  The choice is mine.

An amazing thing happens as I give myself permission to grow.  I get stronger.  I gather more writer friends around me.  I ride on the wave of positive encouragment from this writing community.  And my stories continue to grow.  If I'm lucky, one day I might even be rewarded for my efforts...








14 comments:

  1. Don't plant that money tree too close to the neighbor's yard. They get to keep all fruit that hangs over or falls into their yard. But by all means continue writing and growing. The neighbors can buy your books with the harvest from that tree.

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    1. Lol, Janet, apparently you know my neighbors all too well! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Having come from the electronic payments industry, I totally relate!

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    1. Hi Julie! I was also an office manager of a large construction company while I started my career in the martial arts but circumstances beyond my control didn't allow THAT job to pan out so I am down to just martial arts which is a good thing since it demands so much of my time to begin with! ;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Money tree!! Yay! You grow, it grows....

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    1. Hi Genevieve! I agree about the tree. Right now it's suffering from the drought but hopefully one day...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Hi, Donna. Interesting post. Sounds like you made the right choices for you to continue to grow.

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    1. Hi Susanne! I think I have chosen what's right for me. Not only does teaching/training in the martial arts feed my spirit, my best friend is both my boss and my chief instructor! My life is complete now that I've returned to my writing.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Excellent post! I could tell you my own story but it would take too long. Same principle however.

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    1. Hi Karen! I'm glad you enjoyed today's post. May YOU continue to grow as well...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Yay! Grow Donna Grow! Now where's my watering can....?

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    1. Hi Diane! I'm trying my best to grow as quickly as I can but I don't want to miss some lessons along the way. I am having so much fun right now I sometimes wonder why I even stepped away from it all in the first place...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. Wow. That seed REALLY grew! ;) I would rather grow too!

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    1. Hi Eric! I use really strong fertilizer...lol...YOU, my friend, are off to a GREAT start!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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