My husband and I are about to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on June 5. As a part of that celebration, I’ve been preparing a power point presentation for the small party and looking back over 50 years of pictures and memories. It’s been fun even though the work has taken me away from my WIP, COMPROMISE, which I really need to finish and send to my Beta Readers. I tend to focus on what is most imminent. Our anniversary has a hard deadline. Sending the book to the Beta Readers is flexible. 😊
I discovered an interesting take-away from looking at all the pics and thinking over the events and emotions, and I want to share that with y’all. Way too many times I didn’t feel good enough or smart enough or thin enough or pretty enough or capable enough. In looking back I realize I was all of those, or at least “good enough,” but I missed it in a search for perfection.
Perfection only exists in nature.
Don’t let a search for perfection keep you from recognizing and celebrating the wonderfulness of now. I don’t mean to imply you shouldn’t keep striving to improve. Of course you should, but don’t let that overshadow who and what you are right now, this very minute. Which is unique. No one else is just like you with your talents, skills, and outlook. I need to remind myself of this daily.
When I first started writing, my self-esteem was getting battered weekly by well-meaning critique partners (who incidentally I learned a ton from). But it was exceedingly difficult. I’d leave those meetings thinking I should just give up. I’d never get the hang of this writing thing. Why should I go back the next week to get beat up again? Query letters led to rejections or just being ignored. Dark times to be sure. Somewhere I ran across a quote from an author whose name I don’t remember, and I don’t even have the quote exactly right. Here’s a paraphrase of what she said:
You have your own unique voice and perspective. No one can birth the words of your story in exactly the way you can. Tell your story.
So I kept on keeping on and now I have 8 published books, not best sellers, but “good enough.”
Each of us, whether a writer or reader, no matter our age, the age of our kids, whether we have kids or not…each of us has our own uniqueness to contribute to the world. Let’s remember that and show a little grace to each other and to ourselves.
Please take a moment over the weekend to remember and honor our military men and women who gave their lives that we can learn, grow, make mistakes, regroup, try again.
I’ve shared this quote on our Sunday Lies before, but it’s worth repeating.
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Word by Word 
What a LOVELY and timely post!
Feeling “good enough” is difficult for most, especially women, but like you, I too, remind myself often – I AM a child of the Most High God and I AM enough! If ‘they’ don’t like it, too bad, take it up with HIM. LOL!
Good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
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Hey, Pam. Yes, we do need to remember, we’re all God’s children. And while we might be a work in progress, we’re okay and getting better every day. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great weekend. 🙂
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Ever since I’ve had kids, I haven’t liked my body image. In truth, there was nothing wrong, I was wrong. I am unique.
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Hey, Vicki. Isn’t that the truth?! We are so hard on ourselves. You are beautiful. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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A wonderful post, Marsha—overcoming many road blocks on the way to eight books! An d congratulations to you and your husband on fifty years of marriage!!
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Hey, Reggi. Thank you for your kind words. Some wise person told me the only person who could keep me from being published was myself. There were so many times, I nearly threw in the sponge. Glad I didn’t. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Congratulations on fifty years of marriage to a guy you still love. And to an eight book series on second chances. What you say is so true. We are so hard on ourselves and yet would not be that way with friends or family.
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Hey, Pat. Thank you. We’ve bickered a lot planning the get-together for the 5th. The other day, my hubby muttered, “Two more weeks.” And we both laughed. Laughter has kept us going. You are so right, Pat. We’d never treat a friend the way we do ourselves. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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Hi Marsha, It’s surprising how many writers feel the same. Never quite… good enough. By whose criteria? Your own…It’s a hard road to tread but well worth treading. Congratulations on reaching 50 years of marriage. Have a wonderful occasion. And pat yourself on the back for tenacity!!. Very best wishes. xx
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Hey, Joy. Yes, I think you’re right. Lots of writers have this feeling of inadequacy, but really, if someone reads one of our books and loves it, shouldn’t that be enough? The year I was president of my local RWA chapter, every monthly newsletter post was a message to myself about keeping on keeping on. It was the year after that I sold my first book. Tenacity is a good word. Thanks for your good wishes and for stopping by. 🙂
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Excellent post filled with wonderful insights! Thanks for sharing, Marsha 🙂
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Hey, Joanne, so nice to see you. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing. 🙂
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Congratulations on your upcoming wedding anniversary…that’s quite an accomplishment:)
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Hey, Becky. Thanks. We certainly had our hard times along the way, but the good outweighs the not so good by a ton. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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What a great message you’re putting out there, and 50 years? Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this inspirational post and for reminding me that I need to focus on being in the now.
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Hey, Stuart. Thanks for your kind words. Keep on keeping on is my mantra. Have goals, but don’t let those goals interfere with the enjoyment of now. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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Loved your post. I’ve been struggling with my writing, and reading about your journey helped steer me back in my seat. Congrats on 50 years of marriage.
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Hey, Janet. I’m so glad my words helped. That’s why we write them, right? You hang in there and you tell your story your way. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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