I was pretty excited when I found out I would be doing the WOW! Blog post on Cinco de Mayo. What better day to encourage fellow writers to celebrate than on what is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride? Today is a great day to talk about pride in our vocation, and how we deserve to celebrate our successes. Author Joel Osteen said it eloquently: “When nobody else celebrates you, learn to celebrate yourself. It’s not up to other people to keep you encouraged. It’s up to you. Encouragement should come from the inside.”
If you have always been confident in your writing abilities or have always been embraced by agents, publishers, and readers, I want to know your secret! Many of the rest of us view each rejection as a step closer to our goal, and yet there are those moments when we wonder if maybe the school guidance counselor was right and we should have chosen what was categorized as a "real job." Wherever you are in your career or your literary journey, you have something to celebrate, and pride is a lovely thing. Pride plays a vital role in self-confidence. You may not want to go as far as commissioning a European sculptor to create a life-size statue of yourself in the center of town, but find a way to celebrate that feels comfortable to you. Our family has a large framed picture in the entry way (pictured below). Within this frame are some of our proudest moments and we have strategically hung it where we can see it when coming and going. It is a reminder of hard work and goals. It keeps us focused but is also a daily reminder to celebrate who we are. Other celebratory ideas include (but are not limited to):
• Throw yourself a book launch party
• Start a writers' group in your community (and don’t forget the coffee and snacks)
• Start a Facebook page and/or blog for yourself as an author
• Frame a copy of your book cover, magazine article, newspaper article, etc. and hang it in your office
• Treat yourself to a massage, manicure, pedicure, or whatever makes you feel good
• Buy yourself something you wouldn't usually buy (ie: dinner at a particular restaurant, a new hand bag, a fun necklace, etc.)
• Buy a bottle of champagne or your favorite wine and enjoy a glass with that special someone in your life
There’s a time and place for being humble, but when you’ve reached your goal (whatever that means for you), remember to make time to celebrate. Better yet, celebrate without hesitation or guilt. The celebration will help you stay encouraged to set new goals and achieve those too. Remember the quote at the beginning of this post—“encouragement should come from the inside” and this is no time to be bashful. Take pride in your work and get out there and celebrate everything that you are!
Thank you WOW! for today’s blogging opportunity and the daily opportunity to work with so many talented individuals. Readers, I would love to hear from you—what are some ways you’ve celebrated you and your accomplishments? If you haven’t celebrated in the past, tell us why and maybe let us know how you plan to celebrate in the future.
~Crystal
Crystal J. Casavant-Otto is a church musician, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Reedsville, Wisconsin with her husband, two young children (Carmen 6 and Andre 4), three dogs, and nearly 200 Holsteins. Crystal is expecting another child at the end of September.
9 comments:
Crystal:
I love the idea of accomplishments in a frame. GREAT IDEA and decoration for an office, too. . .time to go get some frames.
As for celebrating--I love celebrating--when one of our critique group members signed her first book contract before we went on a writing retreat, we bought some champagne to share on the retreat! I had a super fun book launch party at a local coffee shop when my first kids' book came out, and it was so fun. I completely agree with you!
I have the rejection letter (it was a genuine letter) from my first serious writing. It's framed. I love the idea of framing book covers/articles.
Thanks for the wonderful celebration suggestions, Crystal.
What a lovely, positive post, Crystal. Thank you! You're so right-- it's important to celebrate. I too love the frame idea!
Great post! I have newspaper articles from my launch party and signings in a notebook - I love your frame idea. I celebrate by hanging a LARGE poster of my book cover on the wall in front of my desk. No matter what happens in the rest of my life, the accomplishment of writing that book is worth celebrating.
Oh, and I recently got a pedicure and a new-to-me OPI color - Kiss Me On My Tulips, an awesome pink, just before the MWG conference. Love it!
Thank you all so much for your fabulous comments, encouragement, and great ideas! If you lived closer, I'd invite you all over for coffee this morning and we could keep the celebration going!
Hugs!
~Crystal
I so need to do this! I have a certificate I received for a pretty big writing award four years ago still sitting in a file folder on my desk. Why have I not framed it yet? I think along with a new paint color my office needs some more visual reminders of what I have accomplished over the years. Thanks, Crystal!
I love your positive, uplifting spirit, Crystal! You're so right. It's important to take time to celebrate the successes. So often I just move on to the next thing when I really should step back and appreciate myself a lot more--without guilt! As you said. :)
Crystal, I didn't know you were expecting until I read your bio! Congratulations, love! How exciting!
Great tips and a wonderful, uplifting read! Sounds like you have some extra celebrating to do since you are expecting a baby. Congrats!
Angela -
I didn't realize I was doing such a good job keeping this little man a secret, and thank you! We are super excited!
MP -
Thank you! I hope you made some plans this month for some celebrating of your own!
Hugs,
~Crystal
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