It’s Thanksgiving this week here in the United States. I’m going to use this occasion to bring up something that has been eating at me a little bit lately. You could call this a bit of a rant, although I’m not much of a ranting type of person.
Please, can we all change our attitude a little bit? As I weave my way through the world of self-publishing and writing, I hear way too much complaining. Enough already!
If I hear another …
“I won’t make enough in sales this month to buy a lunch”
Or, “I’m a starving author …”
Or, “I can’t afford that …”
Or, “My anemic sales …”
STOP.
JUST STOP. Yes, I’m screaming.
What do we think is going to happen if we keep repeating all of these things over and over and over? Of course, they are going to happen. It’s the law of the universe!
I’m not saying that they can’t be true; just stop talking about it. We are the luckiest people on the planet. We get to escape to our fictional worlds and leave the real one behind. We get to create masterpieces from a thought.
… We get to INSPIRE people.
… We give people hope.
… We help people develop a passion for reading.
… We help people escape the realities of their lives.
… We make people laugh.
… We make people cry.
… We help people realize how lucky they are.
In some cases, we help kids learn to read. I received this email a few months back from a librarian at an elementary school in Hawaii.
“… I’m not sure if I told you about Reese. He was a struggling 6th grader who had a difficult time adjusting to a new school environment. He was also not a reader but he had to find something to do a book report on. I knew he loved baseball so I pulled your book out, mainly because it was recommended to me by another student who plays baseball. He begrudgingly checked it out and when he came back to return the book, he had a big smile on his face and said, “This was a great book! Do you have the next one? …”
This is why we do this. Let’s be thankful for what we do have—no more complaining about what we don’t have. Can we do this? The next time you’re ready to throw out another tired cliché, stop and think about what you are saying. Reword it into a positive before it escapes your lips. We’re AUTHORS for crying out loud; we should be able to revise our negative statement into something positive.
Meanwhile, wherever you are in the world, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, stop for a moment and give thanks. While we’re at it, I’d like to say thank you to Indies Unlimited for providing us a platform to share and thank you readers for making Indies Unlimited so successful.
Happy Thanksgiving.
You forgot one, Jim. We get to impress our friends and relatives with the fact that we’re published authors! 🙂 I thank my lucky stars every day for the opportunity to indie publish, and also for IU – always an inspiration.
You are so right! Thanks for the comments.
We do tend to lose sight of the bigger picture when we sit at our computers, navel gazing. You reminded us. Thank you.
I know that I do sometimes. Thanks!
I have seen you share your successes with us, and I have heard you ask for help by reading and giving a truthful review. Even to share the review in different places. But never, ever, have I heard you complain about sales or lack there of.
The man practices what he preaches! But then he always has.
Thanks Tony, everyone should have someone like you as a friend.
Jim, you’re absolutely right. If getting rich was our first priority, we’d all be lawyers … or CEOs … or football players. But we love to tell stories and we love that they can touch other people. Great reminder about what’s really important.
Thanks Melissa, I appreciate the comments.
Jim,
You and I are on the same wavelength. Now I have to tweak my next post. 🙂
The Law of Attraction works, for good or for bad.
One of my favorite sayings is, “you are what you think about.” Confidence in your dream and surrounding yourself with people who are positive is a must.
Great post.
We are definitely on the same wavelength! Thanks.
I keep wishing for a like button when I read IU blogs and comments.
We should talk to the Evil Mastermind about that, but for now, I’ll say thanks for the great comment!
Jim, the story about Reese says it all. That is the reward. Every night before I fall asleep I program my subconscious with positive thoughts. We do have so much to be thankful for, and as one of my friends once said, “Not everyone writes a book.” Food for thought.
I call you Mr. Happy; your energy is contagious. Thank you, and a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks Aron, that means a lot. Yes, the story about Reese is amazing. It definitely helps fuel the fire to know that you can have that kind of effect on someone. Also, I don’t mind being called Mr. Happy!
Well said! There is so much to be thankful for and too often we forget that.
Rant on Jim! Sometimes we all need a gently boot up the rear to make us look up and see the good things all around us. 😀
Nicely said, great post!!!
Thanks Frank, I appreciate the comment.
You got it, Jim! And what you wrote is so true! Every time I hear someone gripe about being a starving writer or joke about how low their sales are, I always think, “Well, if you believe it, it’s got a much better chance of being true.” I always find it odd when people concentrate on the negative. Why on earth would you do that? Great post, Jim. Thanks for reminding us.
Thanks Daphne, it is so true. I don’t get it sometimes. The key is to make sure we don’t fall into the trap. Not even once. It is hard not to jump into the fray when the comments are flying. But, I try to keep it positive and turn the conversation when I’m surrounded by it.
Thanks for your post Jim. My Dad past away a few days ago. He thought I could do anything, and I’m trying to prove him right. It is not about what you do, it is about how you do it.
Thanks for the reminder!
Dick, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I’m sure you will prove him right. Keep on writing.