This week’s blog post is all about failure. I’m cloaked in it.
I had two goals for the summer and guess what? Kids are heading back to school and I haven’t accomplished either one of them.
I wanted to shed 10-15 pounds. (I think I actually gained weight.) And I told members of my writing group if I was still working on my unfinished book come Fall they should just shoot me. (Now I run the risk of someone packing at Panera.)
If I may offer up my pathetic excuse — I had a houseguest for several weeks. And she’s a fabulous cook and fellow food lover. So, that explains my waistline. But, it’s less of a reason for my stalled memoir. That’s not to say I haven’t been writing. I have. The proof is in this blog. But, it’s become increasingly obvious that I can’t do both.
So, you will notice that some of my usually short and sweet posts have become even shorter and sweeter. And the category “Keeping It Simple” may become quite full.
Meanwhile, here’s a few quotes I found on the topic of failure that cheered me up and reminded me, like my friend Mary, (“goals schmoals!”) not to be too hard on myself.
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
~ Michael Jordan
“There is no failure except in no longer trying. “
~ Elbert Hubbard
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
~Theodore Roosevelt
August 26, 2012 at 10:32 am
Hang in there, Amy. I had the same feeling this week when I realized I needed to post my blog, but I hadn’t even decided what to write yet (fortunately, I keep a backlog of content, just in case). You are one of two people I can credit with inspiring me to write daily–and the other is Madeleine L’Engle. Also, I am going to blog very soon about how to lose weight without going on a diet.
Nice quotes, by the way.
August 26, 2012 at 10:40 am
Lose weight without going on a diet?! I’m in!
August 26, 2012 at 10:33 am
Reblogged this on Full-Time Writer Mom and commented:
This is how I feel quite often.
August 26, 2012 at 11:00 am
Failure . . . forgiveness . . . both begin with the famous ‘f’ letter . . . Time to forgive yourself . . . the rest of us have have forgiven you . . . move on and rub shoulders not only Michael J., Elbert H. and Teddy R., but also Tom Landry, J.K. Rowling, T.S. Giesel, Oprah, Babe Ruth, Ben Franklin, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, Lance Armstrong, Henry Ford, to name only a few. Seems like an astute group of folks with whom to associate. Now, let your light shine return to those high hopes. . . and, as the song says, “Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again.” Besides you have more experiences to add to your memoirs.
August 26, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I’m sure it’s not polite or nice to rejoice in someone’s failure. But when it comes to dieting, I have a tiny little smile on my face. While Carol and Laura were eating kale and you forsook Peterbrook Chocolates, I succumbed daily to the siren song of Lays potato chips and cold coca colas. I regret that you didn’t lose the weight you wanted, but I’m glad to know I won’t be the only one in yoga pants this fall.
Now as for your book. You can only do what you can do. I suggest you go back and read your chapter on eating bon bons. There’s a lot on your plate right now so don’t go beating yourself up.
Words of wisdom from your secretary.