Today, I Chose ME ~ Go On & Take A Chance!
Posted: Monday, November 24, 2008
by Camille Strate
JoyZAChoice
Not
sure why we do it, but seems to me that lots of us really
procrastinate when it comes to living our dreams. Some say it's fear
of failure. Others, that it's fear of success. Or maybe it's just
plain lack of confidence. Whatever it is, it sure is funny to me that
so many of us forego our dreams in lieu of what we're "supposed"
to be doing. Our jobs. Our kids. Our family obligations. No time. No
money. No idea where to start. And the list goes on.
The
craziest thing about this is that when we finally DO take that step,
more often than not the success that comes is not only a breeze, it's
uncanny how perfect the timing of our courage can be. And it seems to
me that courage is a big part of our stepping into that unknown.
Courage.
Side
Note:
Before
I continue on with my meanderings here, I want to share this with
you. It's a quote from one of my very favorite books, called "Another
Roadside Attraction" (by Tom Robbins). In this story, the character
named Amanda is forced to live with a number of FBI agents who've
infiltrated her home, trying to locate her husband who has reportedly
stolen the corpse of Jesus from the catacombs of the Vatican. (yes,
it's a very funny story!) Amanda is the epitome of harmony. She
believes in thunderbolts and magick. She believes in butterflies and
flea circuses. She is who I always wanted to be. She also knows that
life is not nearly as complicated as most folks make it. So, while
listening to one of these FBI agents spew about courage, trying to
get her to give up her husband's location, she responds with this:
"Courage?
You risked your life, but what else have you ever risked? Have you
ever risked disapproval? Have you ever risked a belief? There's
nothing particularly courageous in risking one's life. So you lose
it. You go to your hero's heaven and everything is milk and honey til
the end of time, right? You get your reward and suffer no earthly
consequences. That's not courage. Real courage is risking something
you have to keep on living with. Real courage is risking something
that might force you to rethink your thoughts, and suffer change, and
stretch consciousness. Real courage is risking one's cliches."
I
remember the first time I read that passage. I was 22 years old. I
read it and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I must've reread that
passage a hundred times. It made me begin to scrutinize my own
definitions of my life. It made me want to "stretch consciousness".
It made me fall in love with words all over again. I suppose you
could say that it was the beginning of the adventure I call "my
life". And it stuck with me all these years. Now I have it on a
large piece of parchment paper, hand-written in (my) calligraphy. It
sits right in front of me in my office, where I read it many times a
day. It inspires me to do things I'm afraid to do. It forces me to
rethink my thoughts. It makes me remember that I can
.... anything at all.
So...back
to my 'story'...
It
just so happened that not long ago, someone sent me the name of a
publishing company that will accept submissions directly from the
authors (as opposed to needing an agent to do so). I've had this
information for over 2 months, yet every day when I'd look at it I
would say "I'll do it tomorrow". Procrastination at it's very
best (or would that be "worst"??!) The weirdest thing about all
this is that I have the book written. It's not like I'd have to start
from scratch or come up with some new, fantastic idea for a book. I
have it completed! I've had it for almost a year. Yet, for
whatever reason, I continued to just let it sit here, unread by
anyone who might actually put it in print! What the.....???
Today,
when I came into my office, I saw that note stuck up on my cork board
and got flat out irritated. I began to chastise myself for putting it
off for all this time. I heard myself say, "what in the world are
you waiting for?!" And finally, after all this time, I printed out
what they asked for, wrote a biography and an overview (as requested)
and put it in an envelope. Got in my truck, dogs and all, and drove
on over to the Post Office. The moment I walked out of there, I had
this overwhelming feeling of excitement. Huge excitement. I
had clear visions of all sorts of "what's next". I saw the
package arrive and a person open it. I saw that person reading, and
smiling, and getting up from her desk to show it to her boss. I saw,
so very clearly, this other person nodding her head and smiling too.
Then I heard her say, "let's give her a shot. I like the way she
writes and her subject matter is perfect. I think we've got something
here!"
Am
I insane? Nope. Don't think so. (Don't all crazy people say that?) I
just know that there are times when our logical Self makes way for
our inner Self to emerge. When this happens, all manner of magick
happens. And I also know that when I envision things this clearly,
it's because it is actually going to occur. I am NOT kidding. More
often than not, it's the action we take that causes another action
(this would be called a "re-action", yes?). It's those very clear
images that we can actually see in our Mind's Eye that make way for
whatever it is we're calling to us. When we're kids, we do it all the
time. But little by little, we get told stuff like, "you need to
stop all that nonsense. This is the "real" world and your crazy
notions are just your imagination. Stop all the daydreaming and do
your homework." Or some such thing.
Little
by little, we begin to believe what our parent or teachers or other
'grown-ups' tell us. We ditch the imagination, which is really our
Inner Self telling us our truth, and we stop believing that we can do
the things that bring us the most joy. It's one of the cruelest
things our elders do to us. Even if they don't mean it to be cruel,
it is. They unknowingly steal our dreams away and demand us to be
'sensible'. ICK. And so, we leave our whispers behind, telling
ourselves that it's just child's play, and we dive into the
'grown-up' world, where working a job we loathe becomes our demise.
Terrible. Horrible. No good, very bad stuff.
Today, when I mailed my book submission, I took back my dreams. I took back the magick of my
child and said a very loud YES. I made up my mind to follow my
dreams, regardless of how little sense they may make to others. I
chose MY life. And from here on out, it's going to be the Life I've
always dreamed of living. Filled with wonder and learning and all
sorts of new adventures. Today, I chose ME.
Hi Camille.Very beautiful. I loved the dialogue you quoted. It certainly is inspirational and so true. I am adding this to my favorites so I can look at it again and again.We don't often enough choose ourselves. It can be scary. Bernd and I are making do with less so that I can pursue writing as well as making jewelry. Only time will tell how it will all turn out.I bet your book will be a blazing success!Thanks.DianneYou are so lovely! Thanks, Dianne. And, for what it's worth, I'm honored to have you "fave" it...I hope you will continue to choose YOU. By the way...BRAVO on your choosing to pursue your writing along with you jewelry (which is beautiful!). "How it turns out" is SPLENDIDLY! Take my word, dearheart.
Happy Turkey!
Camille,Great words of wisdom! I am so proud of you for choosing you and sending in your manuscript. If this article is a sampling of your writing skills, then let me be the first to congratulate you on your successful book. I am truly inspired by your article and think it was a timely message for me to continue with my writings! Bless you and thanks for the kick in the behind! I needed that. (smile)Blessings,StarDear Star~
Many thanks for your lovely words and your confidence! To inspire is my greatest wish. I'm so happy I have. As for my book, I thank you. I'm seeing it as successful too, so now I shall expect those checks to start rolling in! (LOL..really!) Great blessings to you too, Dear One.
Happy Turkey~
This is great, inspirational, chastising reading, Camille! I loved it! I am requesting an autographed copy. (Not free!) LOL I say chastising because I am guilty as charged. A swift kick in the bum from you. I choose me, too. In choosing ourselves, we get to bless many others. Thank you! Congratulations on your first published book!
Enjoy happy days!
AvisAvis ~ you're such a hoot! thanks for your honesty! and, yes, you may have an autographed copy (NOT for free! LOL.) I'm always pleased when folks read my stuff and get off their 'bums' to make some needed changes. Makes me feel like I've actually accomplished something! Thanks, too, for the congrats. I have such great visions about this!
Hugs & Giggles~
Camille
hi camille,it's amazng what we can do when we're in the right frame of mind, isn't it? i am excited for you and your book. you must have felt fantastic walking out of that post office. i wish you all the success you deserve. is the binding in purple:) thanks for a very uplifting and encouraging article.my best to you,suethanks, sweet sue! i truly do appreciate it!
Camille OMG!! What incredible timing! I am on the brink of a vast, major life change myself! Awesome article and very encouraging. You are the bees knees!!!
Wow it is funny how the universe works huh? I will share my story here soon as well but you reenforced several observations I have made recently. Congratulations on your books and other future successes.
