The S words I’m quite familiar with as a wannabe writer. Here’s the rocky road of one dream pursuer. It’s not always easy. In the November 2009 issue of O, Oprah says, “What has made me successful is the ability to surrender my plans, dreams, and goals to a power that’s greater than other people and greater than myself.”
The hard part of that beautiful quote is the surrender part. Surrendering to what is and the possibility of what life can be is in great contrast to the shallow and often shaky dreams we believe will make us happy. What I’m learning on this very unpredictable and sometimes heartbreaking path is that success is another falsitude. If I’m dependent on external sources, positive feedback, and even job offers to make me believe that I’m healthy, wealthy and wise, then that happiness will be short-lived.
What an invaluable lesson that is. It is worth it’s wait in unpaid credit card bills, dreams of home ownership, and frequent trips abroad.
Here’s what’s key: There is a big, gigantic even, purpose waiting for all of us. We are here for a reason. There is much truth in what Oprah says. Maybe if we let go of the dream we think we need to be happy, we can surrender to and embrace a bigger dream.
I’m learning to not base my self-worth on the feedback I get from the outside world, which is a hard feat for a writer. But I also realized the harm that it does not only on myself, but on my future self. To get from here to where I want to be, I need to learn how to accept every moment-even if it’s a moment I’d rather not be experiencing.
The result? I feel a whole lot lighter, more hopeful and positive about the future and willing to let life play out for itself. I’m still working as hard as ever but also realizing that I don’t need positive responses to feel positive as a writer.
