Goals – Jenny Grace's Poetry and Creative Writing Techniques

Don’t Forget!

Okay, I have previously posted a few times about my novel “Bully Another Day,” I have previously posted about my other books I have written: “Spaces between the Pause” and “Life at the End of the Rainbow” (Poetry), and “Short Stories and Vignettes.”

I write because I love to express myself; I write because I hope that my words can encourage readers to see the world in different perspectives; I write to entertain in the sense that reading can help us escape from our own reality for awhile.

I love to read because it offers me the opportunity to understand the way someone else sees the world; I love to read because it is soothing to just escape sometimes through the pages of a book. A book opens our minds to so many possibilities. We don’t have to agree with everything we read, but we can learn from each book we read. Literature is about learning; it is about experiencing someone else’s view through their unique lens. It is the freedom to express oneself that makes reading and writing so very essential to our existence in this world. We learn from each other. We might not agree, but that’s fine. It’s our uniqueness that makes us all necessary to this beautiful tapestry called life.

So, don’t forget to read my novel “Bully Another Day.” It is on Kindle/Amazon. “Life at the End of the Rainbow” is on Kindle/Amazon, as well. “Spaces between the Pause” and “Short Stories and Vignettes” are available on Amazon but only in paperback at this time. I am still considering putting them on Kindle as an e-book, but I’m not sure.

Anyway, thank you for considering reading my books. Please let me know what you think.

Do Something! Don’t Just Sit There!

man riding white surfboard — Photo by Oliver Sjöström on Pexels.com

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”- Benjamin Franklin (Brainyquote.org)

It has been said that life is an adventure. I truly believe that. We limit ourselves by our own negative self-talk. We procrastinate and put off what we should be doing to move ourselves forward toward the fulfillment of our hopes, goals and dreams. If we don’t take the first step then nothing will ever change in our lives.

Tonight, I submitted a poem to a magazine. Last night, I did the same. I am doing something to move myself toward my goal as a writer. I want to be published and I am taking actionable steps to fulfill my goal. There is a certain risk that I might fail; there is also the possibility that I will succeed. Doing nothing is a definite way not to succeed so I have chosen to do something tangible in order to succeed. I am working toward my goal each and every day now.

If there is something that you want to accomplish, set aside at minimum an hour a day to accomplish your goals. Make time for your goals. Write them down in a journal and check them off. Do not be discouraged; do not worry about whether you will fail. Consider that you will succeed only if you persevere and do not give into the negative self-talk that holds you back.

Do something! Time is precious. Cherish it.

May God bless you and keep you and give you courage to reach your full potential.

I look to Him for my strength always.

Onward to 2020

photography of fireworks display — Photo by DreamSky on Pexels.com

2020 is just around the corner and I am inspired to focus on what I can accomplish in those 365 days. In years past, I wasted far too much time looking back at my mistakes and mulling over my regrets. I have come to realize that life is about ups and downs, successes and failures. Sometimes I win; sometimes I lose. That is just the natural rhythm of life. In this post-modern age we have unrealistic expectations that there is some “perfect” state of being we are supposed to become. It is a taboo to admit that we are sad, angry, lonely, confused or otherwise not “centered” and “mindful.” We are supposed to be “enlightened,” whatever that is supposed to mean.

The truth is that it is emotionally, spiritually, and physically messy to be human. There is no perfect state of being. I say it is more emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy to just fess up to the hard truth that our lives are not always going to be perfect. There are going to be those inevitable days that we veer off the road and land in the ditch. There are going to be those inevitable days that we just want to sit in the dark and cry. There are going to be those days that we order a large sugary, five-thousand calorie coffee drink from our favorite coffee shop and top it off with a side order of a three thousand calorie chocolate infused pastry. There are going to be those days your mouth opens up and your true thoughts spew out and the sound of your escaping words sound very, very ugly. Life is very, very messy, indeed.

We all make mistakes. We all have regrets. In this upcoming year, my focus is going to be on the future not the past. I have promised myself that if I do make mistakes (and I will inevitably) I will pick myself up and brush myself off and show grace and forgiveness to myself. Maybe in some circles that attitude would qualify me as “enlightened.” I think it just qualifies me as showing self-compassion.

In 2020, my goals include finishing up my writing projects and publishing my work. 365 days are a lot of days. I promise myself not to procrastinate. What is my passion? Writing is my passion. If I don’t focus on my passion I have no one else to blame but myself, after all I am in charge of my own life. I claim 2020 as my year to succeed in my goals. I set my sights on the future.

The writer George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) wrote “IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN.”

Actor John Wayne said “COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH-AND SADDLING UP ANYWAY.”

We are all scared in this life. If you are not scared you must not be paying very close attention. It is a very scary world. It is also a beautiful, wonderful world filled with kind people. Surround yourself with beauty and kindness. Be the change you want to see.

Just as John Wayne said, I plan to saddle up in spite of my fear. Just as Eliot (Evans) wrote, I plan to be who I want to be.

Happy 2020 to everyone! Have a blessed New Year!

Source for quotes:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes