Thursday, August 23, 2012

I'm A LOSER, Are You?





When I was growing up, I stayed on the outside edges of society.  I was labeled a LOSER and it was a name I bore all through my school years.  Kind of a harsh road to travel and at times, I wondered what it would be like not to be considered a cast off?





But, as I grew older, I began to wonder if those things which made me unique...which set me apart of those around me...were actually gifts to set me on a path few were willing to travel?  If all the dreams and visions swirling in my head, just begging to come out, weren't the bits of magic I might share with others?

And when I returned to my writer roots in 2011, I began to see the label LOSER in a whole new way.  I discovered a caring community of fellow writers, editors, agents, and publishers waiting to welcome me.  They travel this path to publication with me and lift me up when I feel weak.  But just as importantly, I found a world of readers waiting for the stories I was eager to share with them.  They let me know when I have done something right, and they also let me know when I need to start over.  Now, being a LOSER stands for something more to me...

Lucky
One
Surrounded
Everyday
     by
Readers

And THAT is good enough for me.  How about you?







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41 comments:

  1. Charlie N. HolmbergAugust 23, 2012 at 11:09 PM

    Heck yes I want to be a loser. XD Thanks for stopping by today, and looking forward to GUTGAA!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 23, 2012 at 11:23 PM

      Hi Charlie and welcome to my blog! Please take the time to look around and check out the post of how you can win some great prizes on my latest contest..http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-that-time-again.html

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  2. L.G. KeltnerAugust 23, 2012 at 11:20 PM

    I loved this! I grew up being labeled as a loser too. I guess those unique qualities that singled me out will ultimately work to my advantage. It's good to find other people who grew up on the fringes of society for similar reasons.

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 23, 2012 at 11:28 PM

      Hi LG! Yeah, not a label by choice but one I can now wear proudly! We can all join the LOSER club...

      Hey, maybe someone will create an illustration for some cool t-shirt? ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. Jeremy BatesAugust 24, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    I've always been the kind of guy who befriends so-called losers. I recall one time (it was a long time ago!) I was at a roller skating rink with my date as she was a skater aficionado. Well, all was going well until the rink's "in crowd" (about 30 of them) started picking on two other teens.

    Jeremy to the rescue. I skated over, broke up the crowd and voiced a few choice words at the clique. A few thought they'd retaliate. Needless to say, I was booted out by the manager for, get this, inciting trouble.

    Never did date that gal again, but the other two teens and I made friends.

    Nobody is ever a loser and all are loved.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:13 PM

      Hi Jeremy!

      So nice to find there are still "knights in shining armour" out in the real world...;~)

      I feel the same way about people in general...all have qualities worth knowing and all are worthy in my book...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    mmm.. I wasn't so much a loser as the quiet one, usually hiding in a corner somewhere with her nose in a book. It was easier to stay unnoticed. But yeah I would join a losers club :-)

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:15 PM

      Hi Diane! Well, my only "crime" for being a loser was the fact that I had an unacceptable last name in the social circles and I was very quiet...usually hung out in thelibrary and yes...reading a book...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  5. Mark KoopmansAugust 24, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    Aloha Donna,

    Lol! Great post and put me down on that Loser List :)

    (I'm already following you - otherwise I'd sign up today :)

    Take care !

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:16 PM

      Hi Mark and welcome to my blog! Thanks for your kind words...my loser list is growing...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  6. Michelle WallaceAugust 24, 2012 at 5:17 AM

    Love your L-O-S-E-R idea...
    As a teen, I was never one who joined up with the "In-Crowd"... does that make me a loser?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:16 PM

      Hi Michelle! THAT definitely makes you a "loser" but at least you are in good company...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    I LOVE being that kind of loser! Great spin on things, as usual, Donna.

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:17 PM

      Hi Genevieve! Thank you for your kind words. My mind is a little twisted so how ELSE could I look at things but with a little "spin"...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  8. Mia CelesteAugust 24, 2012 at 7:57 AM

    Donna,
    I love your take on being a loser.Grin, you make me feel special. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:19 PM

      Hi Brenda and welcome to my blog! Ahhh, but you ARE special...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  9. Nick WilfordAugust 24, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    I identified with this post. Who wants to conform and fit into the masses, anyway? At school, that meant things like being into football - erm, no thanks!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:21 PM

      Hi Nick! Nope, the "in crowd" wasn't for me during my school years. And it seemed I was the magnet for many other "outcasts"...lol...we should have created our own OUT CROWD and made the others jealous with all the fun we would have! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  10. Jeanmarie AnayaAugust 24, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    I find that most of the "losers" in my high school went on to be the most successful adults. How's that for revenge? Hahaha! :)

    Love your blog (new follower!) and thanks for stopping by mine!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:24 PM

      Hi Jeanmarie and welcome to my blog! There were people in my senior class who were SHOCKED to discovered that I was Salutatorian of my graduating class as well as chosen "Most Likely To Succeed" and "Smartest"...I just have a very different outlook on what I consider "success"...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  11. PK HREZOAugust 24, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Hi Donna!! Sorry I'm just now getting over to visit. It's been a busy month. But I love this! The things that make us feel different as teens, are they very things that make us more interesting as adults. I learned to embrace those things as I grew older and appreciate being different and having my own style and personality. Plus, being a loser at some point, gives us empathy toward others and a wealth of character to dig into for our stories. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:28 PM

      Hi PK and welcome to my blog! Wouldn't it be great if our future self could go back and chat with our younger self? We could avoid all the stress of being a teenager by telling them not only will it NOT matter what happened in school once they are older...heck, they won't even remember most of those people anyway! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  12. writing and living by Richard P HughesAugust 24, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    If being a loser is a springboard to being a 'winner' then it was well worth it. Many winners in the early years turn out to be losers in the long run, and vice versa (look at all the smart jerks in college who turn into monsters, shooting people, etc.). Life is so unpredictable.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:29 PM

      Hi Richard! I know what you mean...I feel if everything is given to a child as they are growing up, then they create a shallow "foundation" to stand upon in their later years. I'm not ungrateful for my upbringing...it has created a stronger spirit in me and a much more compassionate one than others I grew up with...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  13. janetAugust 24, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    I never cared enough about anyone not running with me to know whether they thought of me as a loser. I was one lucky ignorant girl. But I am with you, Donna.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:39 PM

      Hi Janet! Yes, I think in some ways you were one lucky ignorant girl since we grew up in the same environment...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Lovely punchline to your post. What a shame you've had experiences that made you feel like a loser. I can empathise, as I know someone, who always confirmed on a daily basis that I was a failure, a victim and a loser. This someone still tries to twist my successes into failures. It's incredible!
    So good for you for finding out that you are not a loser after all.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 1:42 PM

      Hi Madeleine and welcome to my blog! While it was challenging growing up, I'm not sure I would have wished for a different life. I don't think I would have grown into the person I am today without those experiences and I like myself a lot these days...;~)...and please don't allow anyone in your life to con you into thinking you are less than incredible!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  15. Barbara WatsonAugust 24, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Great way to think about a loser! Anything that involves being a reader and surrounded by other readers is okay with me.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 9:45 PM

      Hi Barbara and welcome to my blog! Thank you for you kind words...and I agree...anything involving readers and me is A-okay! ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  16. UnknownAugust 24, 2012 at 10:15 PM

    I think I like you. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 24, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      Hi Angelina and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  17. jpAugust 25, 2012 at 3:13 AM

    I've always been a WINNER
    Whining
    Insensitive
    Narcissic
    Nonentity
    Effectively
    Retarded

    ReplyDelete
  18. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 25, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    Awwwww, JP, even WINNERS are loved for the special people they are! And the JP I am getting to know better through his writings can be part of my LOSER club any time...;~)

    Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Annalisa CrawfordAugust 25, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    I'm not sure I registered on the radar at school at all :-/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveAugust 25, 2012 at 3:59 PM

      Ahhhh, Annalisa, but just look at you now! Those people just WISH they would have paid more attention to you back then...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  20. OneBigMistake, andSomeOctober 9, 2012 at 2:28 AM

    Hey Donna, I just discovered your blog through the Blogging Facebook page and of course loved this post and added you to my reading list :) Need to get some sleep now, but will be reading more tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveOctober 9, 2012 at 1:04 PM

      I'm glad you like it...please check out some of my other posts whenever you get a chance. I try to make my posts interesting, inspiring, and informative...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  21. BehrouzApril 30, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    Hi Donna,
    to be honest, I was just searching for a photo to attach to my post and I ended up here. I read the post and really enjoyed it. Well done!
    Also, I used the first photo, I hope you don't mind (I used it with a link to this post. you can see my blog at http://behrouz.jafarnezhad.com/category/blog/).
    I can say my post is related to yours, but I'm not sure if it's as good!
    Anyway, your blog just got a new subscriber!

    Read you soon!

    ReplyDelete
  22. BehrouzApril 30, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    Hi Donna,

    to be honest, i was just searching for a photo to attach to my post and i ended up here (which now i am happy about!)
    i read your post, very well written. well done.

    i used the first photo in the post in my post, i hope you don't mind. (not without credit, i used a link to this post. you can check it out at http://behrouz.jafarnezhad.com/category/blog/)

    anyways, this one post was enough, and you got yourself a new subscriber!
    read you soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveApril 30, 2013 at 9:33 PM

      Hi Behrouz and welcome to my blog! I'm honored you have chosen to hang out with me here...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete

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