"I am somebody. I am me. I like being me. And I need nobody to make me somebody."
~ Louis L'Amour
In the crazy world of publishing, it's easy to fall into the mindset that we NEED an agent to validate who we are as writers. Then we NEED a publisher to validate our stories. Then we NEED sales to validate our publishing success. Then we NEED a second book to validate that the first book wasn't a fluke. And so on and so on . . .
THAT'S NOT TRUE. Those things are all wonderful and are all part of the journey we are trying to take, but they do not make us somebodies.
I am a somebody every time my husband tells me he loves me. I am a somebody when I hug my kids and tuck them in at night and watch their Christmas programs or athletic activities. I am a somebody when I help my students become better readers and writers. I am a somebody in a hundred different ways each day. Because I AM ME.
When your heart starts to doubt,
what makes you feel like a somebody?
Having Charlie run towards me as I return home! Seriously! All my neighbours love him but he runs home to ME! Yay!
ReplyDeleteAww Shannon! I'm so glad you are wonderful YOU! Take care
x
Such an awesome post Shannon. I so agree with it. I do try to remember that getting an agent and published is not what defines us. It's who we are as people.
ReplyDeleteI'd say my family and passion for life makes me feel like somebody. All those 'needs' you mentioned do not define us as people. We define us. Lovely post, Shannon.
ReplyDeleteShannon, well said friend! And don't we all need these reminders, even when we know? We need to stay in close touch with our somebody self. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I am somebody when I'm with my kids and hubby for sure. And also when the dog greets me every time I return home. Seriously, my hubby plays a game where he blocks her from getting to me, and she won't give up for anything. It does make a girl feel loved. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I feel like someone when they care, when they don't have to. When my kids want to be like me when they grow up. When my husband is jealous of time not spent with him. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's posts just like this that help me regain perspective!
ReplyDeletexoxo--
Shelley
Thanks for the reminder Shannon.
ReplyDeleteI look for motivational stories. Reading about persons who had more reason to feel sorry about themselves yet instead inspired. And, I am never disappointed in what I find.
I am going to blog about something similar today--you are totally right!
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
Lovely post, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do feel happiest when I am ME with my family!!
Good words today Shannon. :)
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me smile. Because you're very very right. The things we "need" aren't the things that make us who we are. It's what we do -- who we are with our family and friends that matter.
ReplyDeleteI'm more "me" when my kids remind me how much they love me. That's the best.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, when someone likes what I've written. ;)
You have such an encouraging spirit, Shannon. I always leave here either inspired or enouraged. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteMy Blog
The writing itself returns me to myself...
ReplyDeleteCheers!
I am a somebody when I write. It reminds me that I have a passion and a goal to strive for!
ReplyDeleteMy family, of course, but my best writer friend more than anyone.
ReplyDeleteStill, I NEED that validation. I don't WANT to need it, but I do. *sigh*
Of course my kids! And my dog greeting me at the door. And do I dare say every time someone leaves a comment on my blog? :-) But it really does light me up each and every time.
ReplyDeleteNice quote to share at this reflective time of year.
It is so great to be reminded of this! Hard to keep form falling into that trap!
ReplyDeletegood post
ReplyDeleteLooking at what I have accomplished; even if that's just a short story or a just-written chapter.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote!
What a great post, Shannon! My hubby and kids definitely make me a somebody, thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI needed the reminder today. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteOne of the many great things about teaching is that the kids give us so much in return for our time and effort. They always make me feel like a somebody!
MY blog friends seem to post the exact right thing when I need it. (hugs)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon!
ha I feel like somebody when I'm writing. I feel like somebody when I meet & connect with other people, other writers :) I also feel like somebody when I comment on blogs...usually
ReplyDeleteThis is outstanding Shannon. Thank you for it. I am a somebody when my husband holds me. And like you, a countless other ways every day. Thank you for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteJust knowing that God put me here for a reason, making me who I am.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this uplifting post, Shannon.
When my teenage daughters hug me and tell me they love me for no reason. And when they let me reach for their hand when we cross the road because I STILL do it without thinking - and they just laugh and hold hands anyway :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is sweet. I feel like somebody for the same reasons you do. If I measured my self worth by my work and writing (fledgling) careers, you'd have to peel me off the floor.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic post, and one of my favorites from you. I'd never heard that quote from Louis L'Amour, but it is going in my personal quote book now.
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