Friday, June 3, 2016

Keep on Keeping On

Thought for the day:  Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. 


[morguefile]

After five years of blogging, I still enjoy it, but sometimes my brain freezes up on me when I'm trying to think of something new to write, so why not go with something old? After sticking my nose into the archives, and digging through some of my earliest posts, I picked this one, which originally ran in March of 2011, with the title Grant's Mouth to God's Ear.  It may not be the greatest, but it isn't too big of a booger, either. I was so new to the blogosphere when this first appeared, it didn't garner a single comment, so maybe it'll fare a little better this time.

NOTE: Since this post first appeared, I've published a novel, and worked with a bunch of terrific gals to put together a poetry book to benefit CARE International, so there has been some progress. I'm currently working on another book, the first in an expected trilogy. (If you're gonna dream, ya might as well dream BIG.) I no longer think it's likely that I have another 25 years left, but I might. Who knows? I've already outlived my mother and both grandmothers, so I'm already enjoying some pretty nifty bonus years. Doesn't matter how many years I have left; it's all good. And the original premise of the post remains the same: never give up. And carpe the hell out of each diem.

[Gee, no wonder I was able to post so many times a week back then... the posts were a lot shorter!]




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Thought for the dayThat which we persist in doing eventually becomes easier, not because the nature of the thing changes, but our ability to do it increases.  Heber J. Grant

That's a great thought to hang our hats on, isn't it? If we keep working at it long enough, hard enough, it'll get easier. No promise of actual success, but ... easier. To tell the truth, as difficult as it is some days to pick the perfect words out of my brain, I'd be pretty darned happy with easier.

Things don't seem to get any easier for those mules, but they just put their heads down and keep on pulling that cart, no matter how heavy it is, or how far they have to travel. As writers ... no, as human beings... we have to train ourselves to do the same. We have to assume the stubbornness of those mules and keep on plodding. Oh, and have you ever seen how a mule flicks away flies with a flick of his tail? We've gotta do that, too. Don't let petty annoyances or rejections bite your ass; just flick them away and try again. Keep on going.


Ah, but suppose we never make it to our hoped-for destination, you ask? Suppose the wheels fall off the cart, suppose we collapse? It's a sad fact, but not all of us who work hard at something will succeed. Let's say I have another twenty-five years left, and suppose I spend those twenty-five years writing books that never make it to publication. I say, so what? If I DON'T spend the next twenty-five years writing, I'll STILL end up twenty-five years older, won't I? That's the same argument as when someone says he's always wanted to be a doctor, but, oh dear me, if he goes to medical school now, he'll be forty years old when he graduates. Well, if he doesn't go to medical school, he'll still be forty years old, only, more's the pity, his dream will still be unfulfilled. Where's the positive attitude in THAT? I say, as long as we're here, let's do what we love. Let's follow that passion. The very act of doing may be enough of a reward in itself.

Okay, you got me. So, maybe I am a tad full of caca. Sure, I'll admit it. I'd like to find a modicum of success with my writing. I'm no spring chicken, but I'd like to think I can still lay a golden egg or two before I head for that great big deep fryer in the sky. So, I'll keep at it. But the bigger point is, I'm enjoying it. And as long as it's enjoyable, I'll keep on doing it. We may not be sure of the destination, but we should always... always... try to enjoy the journey. After all, we may not pass this way again.

And who knows? If the flowers in this picture are stubborn enough, and hopeful enough, to bloom in the midst of rubble, maybe we can, too, my friends. Maybe we can too.


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Gonna add a little something here. Not exactly your typical motivational video, but I think it's terrific. Never... ever... give up. And cheese... better eat cheese. (Right, Crystal?) Are you pursuing a dream right now? It's never too late, you know. As long as we're still on the right side of the sod, it's never too late. Keep on trucking.




Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other. 


57 comments:

  1. I am at least as stubborn as stains.
    No dreams though. I muddle along. Which works for me.
    Your mouse video is going to give me the horrors though...

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    1. PS: And of most importance. I am thrilled that you pursued your dreams. I loved your first two books and look forward to as many more as you can create.

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    2. You may be stubborn, but you come across to me as having the appreciative, somewhat romantic, heart of a dreamer, and I'd be willing to bet that at the very least, you dream of a day when the services you and others provide at the suicide prevention call center are no longer needed. If you don't think that qualifies as having a dream, there's not a blooming thing wrong with muddling along, especially when you do it with as much panache as you do.

      Thanks so much. I appreciate the vote of confidence. :)

      Delete
  2. I LOVED the video--& the post!!

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  3. I actually jumped a little in my chair when that mousetrap went off, love how the mouse used the trap to exercise.
    Like EC, I muddle along; I have dreams, but realise most of them are just that, dreams, but that doesn't stop the hoping. Maybe, one day. my stories will amount to something and I'll seek out a publisher.

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    1. I love that mouse video, and the accompanying music makes it even better.

      Dear lady, your stories already amount to something. You've got a terrific imagination, and a great way with words. Keep going.

      Delete
  4. I've been in a psychological rut for a long time and desperately need motivation. Thanks for providing it in this inspiring post. I should probably thank the mouse, too!

    As long as we can still navigate, we have the ability to pursue our "dreams". Success is wonderful, but it's not as important as the quest. It would be a shame to look back and realize that we didn't even try.

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    1. If you found motivation here, I'm thrilled. You're right, though. The mouse deserves most of the credit, the feisty little bugger.

      Agreed. Like the poem says, some of the saddest words are "what might have been." Not trying is much sadder than failing.

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  5. Hi Susan - I think I'll stick to my own way of being led, don't much fancy the donkey style ... but as you say we don't have that much time - so we'd better get on with things ... before the great sky comes descending down ... onwards and writing happily ...

    Cheers and keeping showing us cheery jokes! Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Absolutely! Ever onward, and doing our own thing.

      Cheers back atcha.

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  6. Susan, I'm sure you'll get more than a few comments on this. I'm glad you persevered with writing and that you still do.. I agree we all need to follow our dreams because as you say we're going to be older anyway, why not enjoy our time doing something we love. I'm looking forward to working from home soon so that I'll have more time to write :-)

    Have a great weekend ♡

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    1. It's exciting that you're going to be able to work from home soon...one step closer to following your dream.

      (Thanks. I had a super weekend... with four of our grandchildren. :))

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  7. I always say, what else am I going to do? Knit? No thanks, I'd rather be creating worlds and stories even if no one ever reads them but me.

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    1. Nothing wrong with knitting... :) But you keep on writing, and I'll keep on reading what you produce.

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  8. Have to keep on keeping on and enjoy it indeed. I'm too much of a stubborn sob to quit lol

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  9. no boogers here and indeed look where you are at in blog world - popular! great books and goals - keep plodding along and laughing for easily 25 or more years. A trilogy? Can't wait!!! Have a super weekend!

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    1. Plodding and laughing works for me.

      Thanks. I did have a super weekend. We were with our grandkids in Alabama. :) I hope you had a fantabulous one, too.

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  10. I look forward to reading any new books you create! Thanks for the inspiration and pep talk today too. :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm writing as fast as I can. (Which, admittedly, isn't very fast...)

      Rah! Rah! :)

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  11. So enjoyed your old/new post today.
    This one came with some great thoughts.
    Happy that you kept on blogging. I so enjoy reading your ideas.

    cheers, parsnip and thehamish

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the post, and I appreciate you reading my cockamamie posts.

      Cheers back atcha.

      Delete
  12. I don't think you have to worry ever again about a post going without comment, Miss Popularity. I hate inspiring sayings.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Well, I don't exactly "worry," but I don't want to take it for granted, either. :)

      Not me. I love sayings that are meant to inspire. And still, in spite of our great differences... we can be friends! That's... that's... inspirational! HA

      Delete
  13. I have no idea if it's a consequence or if our brains are "synched up". I am actually writing about "grit" now. Your image sums pretty much how I feel about the genius vs graft conundrum. I will take hard work any time. Fall and fall again, but always, always, GET UP and CARRY ON. :-)

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Cool. What can I say? Great minds really DO think alike. :)

      Yep, it isn't how many times we fall that matters; it's how many times we get back to our feet.

      Greetings back atcha.

      Delete
  14. You're always working on your dreams! And making them reality! I have so many dreams- and there are new ones every day- it's tough to prioritize. Do a little of this, then a bit of that, hopefully it'll all get done before I croak, but if not who cares? It's the doing I enjoy. If you never give up, you never lose, and I'm a stubborn one. :)
    x

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    1. Exactly. It's the "doing" that matters. That, and having the tenacity of a mule. :)

      Delete
  15. Loved the video - ha!

    And I agree...we just need to keep on going. Because, what's the alternative? On the last day of my old job, the owner of the company said to me that he always liked how I "just soldiered on" when things got tough/busy/stressful. That was one of the best compliments I ever got.

    Glad you kept blogging and writing!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Isn't that video great??? Especially with the music that was chosen for it.

      That is a GREAT compliment, and your "soldiering on" mentality probably explains how you are able to find jobs so quickly. Your attitude is what every company wants to see in their employees, but too seldom finds.

      Thanks! Me, too. :)

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  16. I never think anything's too late and I'm persistent. I've encountered people who've done nothing with past and current years and are stuck in a forever rut of no progression. This is too negative, when I'm a positive person.

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    1. Judging by how many books you've written, and how many more you read and review, I already knew about your persistent nature. A "forever rut." Good way to put it. That isn't a place I ever want to be, either.

      Delete
  17. I will do as you suggest in this wonderful post, Susan. You must promise to compare our progress 25 years hence. But speak loudly and clearly --I shall be 91 in 25 years and my hearing's shot already.

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    1. If I'm still breathing 25 years from now, I promise to speak as loudly and clearly as I can. If I'm not breathing, I won't bother.

      Delete
  18. That video NEVER gets old.
    I'm the type that always helps others to persist and to find their direction. The downside is, I haven't found my won because of it.
    Great and inspiring post, even second time around, and a beautiful header picture to match.

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    1. I agree. That video is super cool.

      Like you. It's terrific of you to help other people find their way, but don't forget to take care of yourself, too, kiddo.

      Delete
  19. Hey Susan,

    After five years of blogging, you should get some sleep. Okay, my pedantic moment has ended.

    An archived post, well and truly, a worthy repeat. Of course, all your posts are worthy repeats. I know, somebody hand me shovel.

    You've been busy and accomplished a lot since this post. You have my admiration, Susan. You do what you enjoy. Your passion for the written word resonates within this fine post.

    I just write for therapeutic reasons. I love being a smug amateur.

    Thanks for this post and that video. A Rocky ending and you Gouda be kidding.

    I'm going now, it's very early in the morning. Time zones!

    Gary :)

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    1. Hey, Gary.

      you're right; at my age, I definitely need as much "beauty sleep" as I can.

      HA! I like your line about being a smug amateur, but I don't think there's anything smug about you. Your sincerity and sense of humor always shine through.

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  20. Awesome to read this post, I had not read it before.

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    1. Cool. I don't think ANYONE read it the first time around. :)

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  21. Great motivational words...Do not give up ever.

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    1. Absolutely. Reminds me of an old poster, where a frog is hanging out of a bird of prey's mouth... and the frog has the bird around the neck in a stranglehold.

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  22. I think the key is blogging about what we WANT to blog about, the frequency we WANT to blog, etc. So often, we blog for our audience...and we forget ourselves and why we started blogging :)

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    1. Blogging is a very personalized thing. My interests are eclectic, and my mind is very curious, so whatever catches my attention is what I'm gonna write about. YOU write about some of the most thought-provoking topics to be found in the blogosphere, and it's obvious that curiosity and deep thought come naturally to you.

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  23. Great post, and wow, you've beat the comment problem! :) I was told I'd live to be 94 by a fortune teller, so hell yes, I'm moving on to this new life with gusto! Well, when the aches and pain allow. LOL I knew a chiropractor who followed her dream and graduated with a degree at 55. She made a great doctor! It's like getting a second chance - change careers, find a new adventure! I'm trying! :)

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    1. Thanks. HA! Yeah, we got some comments this time around. Last time, I don't think anyone even read the post. :)

      Very cool about that chiropractor graduating at 55. Good for her! One of my friends, a retired nurse, has been taking a number of college courses lately, and she's in her seventies. (That's one good thing about living in GA... old farts like us can take college courses for free, as long as there's a space available.)

      Yes! Every day's a potential adventure. (It's called retirement...)

      Delete
  24. The joy you get from writing shines through in your work, making it a joy to read. What good are our days if they aren't spent doing what we love? And I know, we still need to earn a living, but if you love something, you'll find time for it. Writing for me is like chocolate. I'll take it in nibbles or mass quantities. It's just what feeds my soul.

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    1. It's a real blessing to be able to do what we love. I think we were meant to live joyfully. But chocolate? I'm afraid I have little self-control when it comes to chocolate. (But I'm getting better...)

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  25. I have absolutely no control on the matter of chocolate! Totally out of control!

    But yes, I read like a maniac too!

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    1. I feel your pain. It's best for me (and my waistline) if we don't have a bit of chocolate in the house. If it's here, I will sniff it out and gulp it down. :)

      On the plus side, reading isn't fattening!

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  26. I'm so glad you shared this again. From now on when I get the urge to whine I'm going to remember these mules and just move on. Love the analogy!
    Also, how exciting about your trilogy. Yay!!!

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you liked the analogy. (We've gotta keep our asses moving!)

      Delete
  27. You don't think you'll live another 25 years, and yet my grandma keeps celebrating birthdays year after year, and as she steadily nears 100 she continues to proclaim, "Well, I guess nobody wants me dead yet."

    It's awesome to hear about you still writing. It doesn't matter how many years have passed, or how many novels you've put out. As long as you're putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) you're contributing toward the cause.

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    1. Your grandma is my kinda lady. I've already "beat" death so many times, sometimes I feel like I'm on borrowed time, but mostly I just kid about it. I'm happy for however many years I have left.

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  28. Borrowed time is one thing you don't have to pay back.
    Plants and flowers grow in the most unusual places. Sheer will, and God's grace.

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    1. True, on all counts. I've seen plants thriving in places you wouldn't think it possible for anything to grow.

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  29. I liked the quote
    http://shilpachandrasekheran.blogspot.ae/?m=1

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