Environment and the Two Mismatched Earrings

Today I wore two different earrings to class. As I've told people this story throughout the day, I've heard responses like, "Oh, I'm sure your students didn't notice."

Uh, I don't think you realize what kind of earrings these were. Let me paint a little word picture for you. One earring is dangly, about two inches long, and a vintage looking, sparkly flower. The other earring is a giant silver hoop.

Yeah, they noticed. They are the ones who told me.

One girl in particular came up to me after class and said, "Did you know you're wearing two different earrings? I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't realize, so you won't go throughout the day with them on."

Thanks?

Can you say "humiliating"?

I was already off my game a bit today as it was because a couple of the guys in the back of the class seemed a bit giggly. Guess we know why!

This sounds like a stupid thing, I know. But I got to my car, and I sat down, and I felt just completely embarrassed. Thoughts were running through my head like, "What are they going to think of me?" and "How am I going to go back in there with a straight face for their next class?" I started thinking back on all the silly things my teachers did or wore-- the whole chalk-on-the-pants bit or the see-through shirt-- and I realize that all these years later, I still remember.

Now I can officially say I have left an indelible impression on these students' lives. Well, at least there's that.

Then other thoughts started going through my mind. "Someday you are going to be a published author, and then they'll see that you're not a joke." And, "You have friends who really believe in you... even your heros." Now, I know this sounds dumb. I do. It was one of those moments you can only really understand if it occurs in your own mind. But sitting in my car, as I started thinking through the people who God has placed in my path, and most especially my own writing heros who have spoken words of affirmation and encouragement into my heart about my writing, something changed for me. I began to remember who I was again. I began to remember who God saw me as being. The dreams He has spoken over me. The plans.

The point of this whole anecdote, aside from hopefully giving you a good laugh and leaving you all with an indelible impression of me as well, is that our environment matters. I learned that today. Change your environment, and you'll change your attitude. When I was standing at the podium with my newly-realized two different earrings on, I felt like a complete joke of a teacher. When I was sitting in my car, I felt like a literature instructor (albeit a quirky one, perhaps) who has something of merit to contribute to the publishing world. Now I don't mean that to sound pretentious (and if it did, please reread the above anecdote until you realize pretentious is the last thing I was feeling today)-- but confident in my calling.

If you are struggling with doubt, fear, insecurity, or even just plain ol' discouragement, I would encourage you to try changing your surroundings. Become more aware of the soundtrack the voices in your mind are replaying throughout the day. Maybe it means making new friendships and finding mentors who will invest in and affirm your calling. Maybe it's something as simple as getting in a new physical setting, such as a quaint coffee shop, to recharge your batteries, or finding a sentimental place that feels like home. Maybe it means taking a time out today to read your Bible in a whole new light, allowing God to affirm His truths of purpose in your life. But, by all means, position yourself for success. Get yourself in a place--physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, relationally--where you are best suited to develop the skills God has given you and the calling He has spoken over your life.

And take it from me-- you may want to take another glance in the mirror before you head out the door.

Follow Through

Have you ever noticed that several days after a writing conference like ACFW, maybe even a week after, everyone's got that glow about them? They're excited about the new friendships, networking opportunities, lessons learned, and maybe even manuscript requests.

Ever noticed that happens a week or two after that?

Everyone is sick, exhausted, and worn-out.

I actually managed to stay healthy after this year's ACFW conference, somewhat of an amazing feat considering my social stamina usually outlasts my germ tolerance. :) But thanks to my students, here I am a couple weeks later, sitting on the sofa, typing this and thinking about taking my third nap of the day. Stupid germs!

It's oh-so-easy to allow ourselves to get weary when we come off of a mountaintop experience. Suddenly reality hits again, and we begin panicking. Is our manuscript really strong enough to send? Should we even bother connecting with that editor or agent who asked to see our work? Do we really have what it takes to be published?

In these moments, it's so very important we allow positive affirmation of God's calling and purpose to enter our hearts and lives. Remember what your critique partner has said about your story. Remember that feedback you got from a paid critiquer, the verse God brought to your mind? Think on these things.

God has given us this whole room full of gifts. We're talking, way bigger than Christmas morning. We wake up and get excited when we see them, but how often do we then walk out the door without ever having used these gifts He has given us? We keep saying, "God, give us more," when He's saying, "It's time to start using what you already have."

I hope you're encouraged today to see beyond the here and now into the deeper promises God has spoken over your life. When He purposes something in us, He does not forget, and He does not give up. Accept that He has a plan for the stories He has put in your heart, and He's placed them there for a reason. Do not be afraid. You never go alone.

How do you pick yourself back up on those days you'd rather stay in your pajamas and watch a Gilmore Girls marathon?

Those Little Voices

I'm listening to Michael Hyatt's teleseminar on platform right now, and the whole thing has been great, but he just said one thing in particular that really struck a note with me.

He said when we set out to do something great, we all have little voices in our heads telling us why we can't. For you, it might be that you don't have the financial resources, or the amount of time, or even that your message will fall flat--that what you have to say isn't important. But he said that these voices of resistance should actually be used like a Geiger counter to let us know we are getting very close to something dynamic.

What a powerful thought! The way he phrased that really resonated with me, because I struggle with this every day. I think everyone does. I set out to do lofty things, and I get excited, and then I start hearing these voices in my mind that drive feelings of insufficiency. My plot doesn't have enough conflict. My stories are not funny enough. I am not spending enough time writing this. I am not being productive enough. And so on and so on.

But wouldn't it be powerful if we turned that line of thinking around? If instead of becoming discouraged when these voices of resistance come, we allow them to empower us? What if we started looking at doubt and discouragement as a Geiger counter, like Michael said, that shows how close we're getting to our big picture dreams? What a cool strategy to fight against those doubts when they come.

What do you think about this idea? What excuses do those little voices in your mind make for why you can't achieve what you want? How do you work past these voices?





You can find more about Michael Hyatt and the resources he's compiled for writers at his blog: http://michaelhyatt.com/