Posted on May 4, 2012 - by Kav
Believe
I think we’ve covered every possible item we can put into our writer’s survival kit. Chocolate would be at the top of my
list every time, but Kim’s ladder is high on my priority list as well. And that brings me to what I want to talk about.
Believing.
Why is that so hard to do? Why are we so hard on ourselves? So relentlessly unforgiving of our mistakes and short comings? I bet we are all kinder giving a critique to a friend then we are at critiquing our own work. And cheerleading on the sidelines of another’s victory seems much easier than mustering up the same enthusiasm for ourselves.
This believing stuff is hard work, especially when it comes to writing. At least it is for me. Hard to sustain. Harder still to apply in steady doses. I’m fickle when it comes to believing in myself. I have highs and then lows and lots of meandering in the middle ground. That’s why I need to remind myself every day. The words from Believe (from the movie Polar Express and sung by Josh Groban) might have a Christmas connotation to most, but this is my anthem song all year round. I especially love this stanza:
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly.
You have everything you need
If you just believe.
I don’t really need a fancy writing survival kit. I don’t have to lug that ladder or break the bank on chocolate purchases. Not if I believe.
And because no day is really complete without a serenade from Josh Groban, here’s a link to Believe.
Listen and “believe in what your heart is saying.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoZsS0zq1hs
JUST BELIEVE.
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May 4, 2012
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Brenda Anderson said:
Kav – Thank you for the Josh Groban serenade. An excellent way to jump start Friday!
I think it’s the neurotic artist in many of us that leads us to question our gifts, but then maybe that’s part of what compels us to persevere, to keep learning & improving.
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Marianne said:
Hey, writers don’t have the corner on not believing! i am harder on myself than i am on my family…i am trying to learn that i have value even if i can’t do what everyone else does as well as they! i have been trying to learn this for over 50 years. Thanks for the song…that is one movie i have seen, and loved it.
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Kav said:
Who are you calling neurotic, Brenda?! LOL
Marianne — I wonder if it’s a woman thing too? Are men as hard on themselves as we are? And if not, why? Ouch, I think I need to listen to Josh again.
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Lynn said:
Kav
What a perfect ending to these posts. I read yours at 6a this morning and spent the next hour watching Josh Groban videos. What an uplifting hour. Did you see video of him and Michael Buble? Although they didn’t do much singing, I love them both and have GOT to get their CDs. Now I’m going to get back to Believing I can empty all my closets today in some semblance of order so painting can start on Monday.
Thanks again for all the survival tips. Most of them can be applied to anything we are passionate about doing with our lives. They really uplifted me these past two weeks.
Lynn
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Kav said:
Lynn — my internet was in jeopardy when I was searching for Josh Groban videos so I didn’t linger, but I’m going back. Love his voice! And haven’t seen him together with Michael Buble, so I’ll have to check that one out for sure. Enjoy your closet cleaning. Mine could use a turn if you have some time.
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Dawn Ford said:
Kav,
Believing is what keeps me going. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Josh Groban. Lorna can attest to this fact. Thanks for the video. I’ll just meditate to his voice now.
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Kav said:
I wonder if ol’ Josh realizes he is our source of comfort and inspiration. LOL. I still get goosebumps when I listen to Believe. Happy grobaning, Dawn!