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Opportunity. What a lovely word. Two more that I love are Optimism and Optimal. The letters OP nestle within one of my favorite all-time words: Hope.
Sometimes the business of writing—whether it be the necessity of revisions, the frustration of wrestling with plot-points or the pressure of looming deadlines—can overwhelm our initial sense of joy. Leading us to forget what led us to becoming writers… The opportunity to write.
You know, one thing writers strive to understand is how words can be phrased to elicit emotion. How our choice of language can lead our reader to one conclusion or another. How even punctuation can transform the meaning of a sentence.
Consider this sentence:
A woman without her man is nothing.
Now, let's examine two ways of utilizing punctuation to completely transform the meaning conveyed.
1. A woman, without her man, is nothing.
2. A woman: without her, man is nothing.
Fascinating, Captain!
If punctuation can make such a dramatic difference, imagine what one chosen word might accomplish. Yet in our fervent quest to select the right choice in our writing (bless you, sweet thesaurus), we often forget the impact our words have in everyday life. Not just in how we write, but how we think. Just for an experiment, read the next five sentences aloud, reaching deep and *feeling* what comes up as you speak.
"Today, I have to write five pages."
"Today I need to write five pages."
"Today, I get to write five pages."
"Today, I have the opportunity to write five pages."
"Today I will write five pages."
"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." --Chinese proverb
Being a successful author isn't just about pounding out pages. The small steps we take in our approach to writing can be as significant as our productivity. And words have immense power. They really do. Words create magic, not just in our stories but also in our life. Let's try another sentence.
"I am a success."
Now, let's say it like we mean it! I AM A SUCCESS.
The same power that allows you to sweep a reader away into a world of intrigue or romance is at your fingertips, giving you not only the Opportunity To Write, but also the Opportunity To Succeed In Life.
Often we forget we have this power. For all the care we exert in selecting the proper word to express our chosen emotion within a story, we forget this same power exists within our life. This is why I encourage us all, every day, to shout WE ARE WRITERS! Words have power. Within our books and within our life.
"Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it." ~Author Unknown
This week, let's focus not just our minds but our hearts. Along with our goals of productivity let's forge a path to success with our thoughts. Once a day, every day, let's invest five minutes in focusing on our success. Feel it, breathe it, believe it! Five minutes where we imagine our life is exactly what we choose it to be.
And consider this… Studies show that the subconscious responds to our beliefs as if they are facts. Read that over one more time. Take a moment to savor the thought.
Our beliefs influence our experience. Visualization has improved the performance of athletes as significantly as actual practice. The thought is astounding. Do you realize what this means? Success Comes To Those Who Believe In Success. NOT because positive thinking is cool but because Our Beliefs Shape Our Experience.
Five minutes. "I am a successful, published author. My books are popular and engaging. I love to write. Writing comes easily to me."
Select the words that give you a tingle and repeat them with passion. Tell yourself—for the next five minutes I will suspend any belief in what my present experience APPEARS to be, and believe fully in the reality I choose. I AM a success. I hold within my hand my published book.
Why not? As writers we grasp better than most the need to "suspend disbelief." And the power of initiating beliefs. Now's the time to Create The World You Want. On paper and in life.
Let's seize the moment and begin anew!
"Our ideals resemble the stars, which illuminate the night. No one will ever be able to touch them. But the men who, like the sailors on the ocean, take them for guides, will undoubtedly reach their goal." –Carl Schurz
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. .... All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world." --Gautama Siddhartha Buddha
"If you can dream it, you can do it." --Walt Disney
--Chiron O'Keefe
Also featured at Pop Culture Divas
6 comments:
I need to kickstart my dreams...
Great post, Chiron!
Tessy
Sometimes we all need a good kickstart, Kathy! I hear that.
Big hugs,
Chiron
Thanks, Tessy!!
CHIRON--there's a saying--"Anything man can think, he can do." We can apply this to writing, I suppose. If we can dream it, we can do it. But I will qualify that--there may be numerous things I dream about doing, but that's doesn't mean I can--or will. we do have a limits. I doubt I'd ever be an award-winning author know around the world and show up on Oprah. No matter how much I dream it! Good post, my dear--well thought out and very helpful, as usual. Celia
Hi Celia!
Yes, sometimes limits have to be incorporated into our dreams. However, it's amazing sometimes how much further we can go than we imagined. I certainly can see you as an award-winning author who goes on Oprah! *grin*
Now, my friend Misty Evans got published through Samhain and a top agent (who is chairman of Trident Media Group) contacted HER (no query ever sent out) and offered her representation. He's determined to make her as popular as Tom Clancy. Did she imagine such an opportunity would appear?
Heck, no!
But sometimes miraculous things do occur. The key for me is to remember that we can't have 'dreams come true' unless we dream. :-D
Thanks so much for stopping by!!
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