I'm a big fan of PBS. Actually it's only one of four television stations we get here at my house. Even when I had cable, I used to watch PBS.
Any-hoo, I'm also a big fan of Dr. Wayne Dyer. If you don't know who he is, you might want to find one of his books and take a gander. Prolific mind. He said something on one of his PBS shows that I've written down and keep on my bulletin board next to my desk. I suggest you write this down too.
I'M BETTER THAN I USED TO BE.
Yeah, I know. Funny how seven little words can change a lifetime of thinking.
In the last two weeks, since querying this new book, I have to keep reminding myself, (especially in light of the re-vision to MASQUERADE)
I'M BETTER THAN I USED TO BE.
I'm a better writer.
I'm a better querier.
I'm a better synopsis putter-togetherer.
I'm not so good at handling rejection, but I'm better than I used to be.
And that's really all there is to it. I may not be great, fantastic, fabulous, super-duper, awesome, inspirational, or even right-out-of-the-box-shiny, but you know what...
I'm better than I used to be.
How 'bout you? What are you better at than you used to be?
40 comments:
Yeah! I love that one.
I heard another quote that was similar and it went "I am not where I need to be, but that God I am not where I used to be."
I am a better Mom. I am a better lover of life :)
Yes. Definitely. And I don't care how many Rs we get, it never gets any easier!
I've been a fan of Dr Dyer for many years. I have read several of his books, listen to some of his CDs and lately, I watched his movie "The shift."
I'm glad you are applying his encouraging words to your writing project.
By the way, I didn't know you were back from your break.. I hope you enjoyed your time away from blogland.
Good to go back to read your posts :-))
Doris
**listened.
This is my first comment this morning... ahhhh....still zzzzzz lol
I like this and will put this next to my laptop as a reminder. I'm a better writer than I used to be. I can see the difference between stuff I wrote two years ago to stuff I wrote last week.
I guess that's progress.
Thanks.
Tabitha -- I am a better Mom too. I think.
Laura -- No, rejection is never easy, in any way, shape or form.
Doris -- No worries about typo's. It's only a blog. Have another cup of caffeine. Love Dr. Dyer. I'll have to check out the movie.
Christine -- Yes, you are a better writer. If you didn't care and angst so much about what you've written and how to improve it, you'd still be stuck. So keep on keepin on.
That is a super powerful statement. I love Dr Dwyer. I read all his books. And this is so good to remember while in the query doldrums.
Lovely photo of the lighthouse.
I (hope and pray and believe that I) am a better mother, wife and friend.
Simple, and so true. I like it. :)
I'm better at being patient than I used to be. That's a survival mechanism in the writing biz. ;)
I'm always reminding myself that I'm a better writer than I was even a year ago. But I also remind myself (after reading a novel that I love), that I still have lots of room for improvement.
I'm not sure if I'm a better querier. I still suck at them. But at least I'm better at realizing this. ;)
Pk -- I have several of his I should probably reread. Love him.
Suze -- Thanks. It's in Rhode Island. Being a better Mom is always something I strive for.
Linda -- Oh Patience. How true. I'm good at waiting, it's the not getting what I want at the end that I need to be better at.
Stina -- But you're better than you used to be and that's all that counts.
I love that, Anne! Now, I need to buckle down and try to be a better synopsis writer. Meh.
I'm a better writer, and I'm better at identifying what is important to me.
ooh, so simple and so genius!
This is very good. As I wrote it down I realized how true it is. Thanks Anne!
Oh, I love this, Anne. It's so easy to be down on ourselves but this gives an immediate lift, doesn't it?
I'm definitely a better writer than I used to be. Remembering that always makes me feel good!
Love that quote. I like Wayne Dyer a lot. I went to see him speak not too long ago. Very inspiring.
Tara -- Like you said, Meh. I never worry about my synopsis. Sort of.
Liza -- That's crucial. What IS important?
Sarah -- Absolute genius! Love that guy.
Bish -- Very true in so many many ways.
Talli -- Just makes me all light-headed and breezy. Like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Domey -- I'm just now getting it.
Betty -- Oh color me jealous!!!
Just what I needed to hear, Anne. Thanks :)
Wonderful post. One thing I'm much better at now is seeing the big picture. Illnesses, disappointments, and even deaths, became much easier to assimilate after I learned how to put them into perspective with a broader-than-the-moment world view. Comes with getting older, I suppose.
What a wonderful affirmation to remind ourselves of. Thanks for this gem!
What a great way to remind ourselves, that we're always improving.
That is such a simple and perfect reminder...Yes, I AM better than I used to be.
Thanks, and now I FEEL better, too! :)
PBS is a gem. With all the crap on TV, it's so nice to have something that is intelligent and thought provoking on the air.
I like that message too.
Natascha -- You're welcome.
Susan -- The Big Picture. I hear you. It does come with age doesn't it.
Lydia -- You're Welcome.
Patti -- It's just a simple shift in thinking.
Bridget -- I'm glad I could help.
Austin -- Which is why I won't get cable. I miss my HGTV but that's what my mother's house is for.
Wow, so simple, but so profound too. It's always comforting to know that even if we're not where we always thought we'd be, we're in a better place than we used to be.
P.S. Hoff's car wasn't a Camaro...but a very good guess considering all those cars look the same to be anyway. I'm going to post all the 80s TV trivia answers in May.
Everything. I'm not getting older, I'm getting better. Like a fine wine or aged Scotch. My writing has improved and my editor thanks me for that. Makes his job so much easier.
I'm much better at recognizing people that are dangers to be avoided at all costs...
...and at recognizing real friends, and true heartfelt kindness.
<3 bru
Yes you're right, we should all keep this in mind. Especially when all those other thoughts threaten to crowd in. I waver all the time between "hey, this isn't so bad" and "this is the worst crap ever! I'll never edit it into shape!"
I'm a better writer and it feels good to be able to say that. Thanks for the uplifting post :)
I think of it a little bit twisted, but have the same belief.
I remind myself: You'll look back tomorrow and realize how stupid you were today.
Sure, you're better than yesterday, but that also means you're not as good as you'll be tomorrow.
I wrote this once in one of my private writings:
How stupid am I? Onward I go from each day to the next, thinking, for God knows what reason, that somehow I am more than I was yesterday; thinking I'm perhaps wiser or smarter, less hollow, and maybe more capable of opening blind eyes to the light of tomorrow's sun; thinking God has heard my prayers—or ignored me entirely—and that this life has revealed itself to me more fully; thinking I have answers. How stupid am I?
So I guess my saying would be this, pinned to my board: How stupid am I!
- Eric
Good to meet another PBS viewer!
Dr. Wayne Dyer is a positive thinker & always has loads of good advice. This is a very important post because the longer you write, the better you get. The longer you write & don't quit, the better off you are & will be. So keep on writing! :)
I'm so much better at knowing what's important...and what's not.
I'm so much better at knowing when to speak up and when to shut up.
I'm so much better at posting comments instead of lurking. ;-)
This is a nice postitive way to start my day. Thanks.
Denise<3
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Nicki -- A much better place. Durn! I thought for sure it was a Camaro.
Stephen -- EVERYTHING! I'm not laughing but it is funny. And I can't wait to get an editor.
Bru -- Heart you right back, baby!!!
Deniz -- Oh the wavering. It follows me around like a bad storm.
Lynda -- Good for you! Thanks for following.
Eric -- I totally hear that! I'm glad you're getting sleep now.
Lisa -- I can't give up now. I'm too far in to the game. If I gave up, I'd never forgive myself. I'm this > < close. I can feel it.
Anne -- Another Anne, Yay! I'm so much batter at picking which battles I want to win. Thanks for stopping by.
Denise -- Well, good morning. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Huh, that's a good one. What am I better at? Um, a little better at following through. Letting go of things that anger me; quicker to say 'I'm sorry' and to forgive.....
Love this post!
For one step back, two steps forward. I've worked hard at moving forward/improving over the decades, and like you I know I'm better than I used to be in very many ways.
What a lovely post!
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