What Do You See?
This is a picture I recently sent my daughter and niece who were visiting New York City for the day. It was December the 23rd, and their long anticipated independent day of fun was finally upon them. The entire trip was planned by themselves with no input from someone older and wiser. They were going to re-create the adventures of Buddy the Elf' (a favorite movie character of theirs) and they knew exactly what they were going to do. When I noticed ahead of time that the chance of rain on their planned excursion was increasing by the hour, I suggested they change their date. Mom, we know what we're doing. Oh, okay. Well, why don't you at least take the train...it's faster and more comfortable, my husband jumped in. Dad, we don't want to hurt your feelings, but we know what we're doing. It was now Officer Buckle's turn to raise his eyebrows. So off they went in the pitch black and pouring rain early that morning with umbrellas tucked safely inside their bags at my request. Text me throughout the day, was my only request. And a long and miserable five hours later they were able to stretch their cramped muscles by getting dumped off the bus and onto the cold and rainy city streets. I'm sure at this point (and it wasn't even noon) they began to replay the suggestions from those much older and wiser. When my daughter called a short time later, I wasn't surprised to hear that they had already taken refuge in a restaurant...and just to tease them a little, I sent them a picture of my slippered feet propped up in a recliner...nice and toasty.
I don't know why, but they didn't enjoy that picture...hmm.
Soon afterward, the mother and teacher in me took over so I sent them another picture...this time, the one shown above...of the wood pile...and I asked them what they saw.
And I'll ask you, too. What do you see?...other than Officer Buckle's handiwork? Look closer...
I asked them if they saw the owl's face. I know it's really part of the cover and a piece of wood, but can you see it? And I think they began to understand. I know you paid all this money...and it's raining (even though I had already told you that), but you're in NEW YORK CITY... two days before Christmas...and you have a plan! Now get out of that restaurant and stick to your plan!
You know, it really was one of those moments that made me feel like I had done something good. I told them to remember to take pictures (as if) so they could look back on this day and laugh at the remembrance of all things fun and good. Were they able to re-create Buddy the Elf's adventure? Part of it. Did they ice skate in the rain at Rockefeller Center? Yes. Did they have fun shopping and did they enjoy the hustle and bustle the city provided....two days before Christmas? Certainly. Did they get wet? Soaked...right down to their toes.
But I think they were able to stop...stop griping and complaining...stop feeling sorry for themselves...and SEE the picture (their situation) from a different viewpoint. And here is how they appeared from the new viewpoint.
and and
So apparently, they weren't the only ones in need of that particular advice. As great as it was, I took the advice that I so freely shared with them and recently re-dished it out....to me.
I had an opportunity just last week to feel pretty sorry for myself when I received yet....another rejection to my book. I'm sure I felt what most people would have at first...low...sorry for myself...questioning...just all around yuk. So after I allowed myself some time to wallow, I, too, looked at my situation, my rejection, to view it differently.
And this is what I came up with: With each rejection, I've had an opportunity to look deeper into the whole process of publication...a world so brand new to me...new terminology...publication houses (is that where agents and editors live?)...formatting...editing...re-editing...polishing...query letters-can you believe I didn't know what that was?...hook-and I thought a hook was what Officer Buckle used with his fishing pole...log line-what? And then there was genres...sub genres...agents-I mean, literary agents...writing clubs-CWG-Christian Writer's Guild-which I'm proud to say I am now a member! I've even emailed a couple of literary agents...well, 2... more than twice at their request-is that a rapport?
All in all...the older and wiser...SILVER side of me...once I finished wallowing...realized that success is not necessarily the destination, as much as it is the journey. I still have a long way to travel, but as long as I am learning with every step, and realize that getting lost and making wrong turns is part of the journey, then I am well on my way.