Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Best Advice I Ever Received

I have been working on a book for close to a year now. At this point, I am not convinced that I am a book writer. Life gets in the way of long term writing. If God wants me to finish the book then it will happen. If not, then my children will have a nice memoir of their mother someday and her musings. It takes a lot of time to sit down and write a book. And the problem for me is I feel like my thoughts are all random. To put them into a book seems more like a toilet book or a coffee table book that would be something people would read while on the toilet or sitting for a moment. 

And then there is the topic of what to name the book. Fun Thoughts on Life?  Uniquely Genius?  Everyday Extraordinary?  These are things that keep me up at night. I feel that if I had a title, it would all flow. I think that God doesn't require a name right now. I think he says, "write it and don't worry about what it will be called. I will let you know when it's time. It will all make sense soon."  

My "job" is what is getting in the way of finishing the book right now. I don't have enough time to keep it flowing and the chapters coming when I am focused on driving Blue Hairs to doctor's appointments and Walmart. It's where God has me right now and I like it. So I feel like He doesn't need me to finish the book right now. He needs me to feed those who can't feed themselves. I'm ok with that. 

The best advice I ever got was from an elderly lady in a fabric store. I wish I could remember who she was but I can't. What I do remember was what she told me. She was looking for fabric for a quilt. I stated to her that someday I wanted to make a quilt. I said I would wait until my children are grown because now I can make clothing for them and want to focus on that and not worry about a quilt. She said, "Honey, if you want to make a quilt, make one now. Look at my hands. I said the same thing when I was young like you and now that I have time to make a quilt, I can't because my hands are crippled with arthritis. Whatever you want to do along the way, do it then. For tomorrow may never come, and if it does, you may not be able to do it."

I have never forgotten that advice, made a quilt at that time and now have no desire whatsoever to make a quilt. So I am glad I took her advice and did it when I wanted to. There are quite a few other things I have done when I had the chance. I'm still working on the book, but it is slower going than I ever wanted it to be. I am going to be like Nike and Just Do It when I want to because I may not be able to later when I have more time. 

Seize the day today and do something you always wanted to do. Let me know what you do!

Thanks for reading my blog. Please subscribe in the box at the right. If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click on "view web version". Then you will see the box at the right. 

Also, don't forget to hire me to speak at your next event!  I can speak on your topic of mine. Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com for more information!  

Jennifer

1 comment:

  1. Very good advice! Thanks for sharing and hang in there with that book!

    Mike Ryan

    ReplyDelete