Tag: dreams

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Let Providence Be Your Guide

January 23, 2012 jcladyluv

I was watching Oprah’s Master Class last night and this particular episode was about Morgan Freeman and his long journey to success. He spoke a lot of letting Providence be your guide. I know that this is going to sound funny but I had never really heard of that saying and I didn’t quite understand what it meant. I mean I realized what meaning it had by the context he was using it in throughout the telling of his life lessons but I still (being the constant researcher that I am) had to go to Google and read more about this Providence. In short, it refers to God’s extraordinary intervention in the life of people.

When Morgan Freeman continually mentioned Providence intervening at the right moments in his life he spoke of the countless times that he might have been leaning towards making wrong, or worse, desperate decisions to maintain a somewhat decent living while in search for his dream that frankly took way longer to come to fruition than he would’ve liked. He spoke about his attempt in joining the Air Force in which case he quickly realized he wasn’t cut out for that. Providence had intervened.

He talked about his attempts at being a ‘clerk typists’ and working for this company as a temp. When he tried to get the job full time the hiring manager told him that that was not what he was supposed to be doing, and that he was supposed to be an Actor. Providence had intervened again. He spoke of his collecting unemployment and having to search for a typical, clerk typist job which kept him from looking for acting jobs. He said that he had gotten frustrated enough to go to the supervisor of the employment agency and told her that by them making him look for typical work that he just wasn’t meant for, they were keeping him from being who he truly was, an actor. She approved his benefits anyway and gave him six months to get an acting job. Providence intervened again. There were countless other people in his life that ‘intervened’ with him trying to lead a mediocre existence and steered him even further towards what he was born to do.

In the beginning of the program he made a statement about things happening as they should and that you are going to have those certain times in your life where you think that you should have been doing something else, something more, but that’s not necessarily so. He said that you probably should be doing whatever it is you’re doing, just to do your best at it. I thought about that, and the fact that I always feel like I should be in a much different place, a much better place. But in listening to the life lessons of Morgan Freeman, a man who didn’t really come into his career until he was around the age of fifty (although I really hope it doesn’t take me that long), I realized that he’s right.

I mean I would like to not have gone through a lot of the things I’ve gone through in life. I’ve had opportunities pass by me that just seemed like they should have been mine but somehow didn’t pan out. Perhaps that was Providence also intervening in my life. Without all of the things that I have gone through, those things I sit and wonder ‘why me’ about, would I be the person I am right now. Would I be as strong, as determined, as persistent? Would I be this much of a fighter? I don’t know that I would be if I hadn’t had all of these tests and obstacles along my journey.

Perhaps Providence has protected me from something I might not have been ready for. Maybe the opportunities that passed me by weren’t really mine to begin with. Maybe I should just do the best at what I’m doing now and be the best writer that I can be right now, in this moment, and let Providence guide me. Maybe we all should let that spiritual force be the guide that steers us in the direction that we should be going, not necessarily in the direction we think we should be going. Until tomorrow…Take stock in what you are doing now, it most likely is right where you should be.

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

Where There’s A No There’s a Yes Right Around The Corner

January 18, 2012 jcladyluv

Rejection is a part of the process of becoming a successful writer. I mean unless you have a lot of connections and you know all of the people you need to know to be placed right where you want to be in your career then you are pretty much starting at the bottom of the barrel. That means that you will more than likely be rejected more times than you would care to count. Now if you have nerves of steel and can stare adversity in the eye with a straight face then you will have no problem forging ahead right out of the pile of rejection letters that you are likely to receive before you become that top selling author you desire to be.

However, if you are anything like me, where being rejected makes you rethink every decision you ever made and has you constantly second guessing yourself, then this business (writing) is going to take some getting used to and quite frankly a lot more of a backbone. I’m not talking about having the talent for writing, that’s only about 20% of being a successful writer. It’s the other 80% that takes diligence and determination to really make it as a writer. Now I’ve always been afraid of the rejection, and with writing it’s so much of it, but I know that I can’t give up on my dream.

I was watching an up and coming author who was on the Anderson show yesterday (Amanda Hocking) and she spoke of how she had been rejected at least a thousand times before she went the route of self publishing in which she sold over a million copies on her own and then was eventually picked up by a major publishing house. At first I was taken aback by the amount of rejection she endured but then I was just in awe of how she powered through it and moved her own career forward and look where she is now, on a nationally broadcasted talk show talking about her books.

So from now on I am not going to be discouraged by my rejection letters (I have a small stack growing on my desk) and I am not going to doubt myself every time someone decides to pass on an article. I am not going to stop at one rejection, but rather power through and press on until someone gives me the yes that I know I deserve to hear. Of course when I get my media company up and running I may not even need someone’s yes, I’ll just create my own. Until tomorrow…Don’t let rejection stop you when there’s a yes right around the corner!

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

Someone’s Always Watching You

January 17, 2012January 17, 2012 jcladyluv

I was told today that I was a motivating source to someone who I hadn’t even realized was paying attention to me. This guy in the gym said that every time that he thought about staying in the bed and not dragging himself to the gym he thought about me and my hard work that I put in at the gym, and the fact that I constantly push myself to do more and to push through even when I don’t feel like it. He said that I motivated him to push through and come to the gym even if he didn’t feel like it. I was amazed and shocked because this was a guy who was relatively new to the gym and who I would’ve never known was paying attention to anything that I did. As he was leaving out the door he said that you never know who might be watching so keep up the good work.

Aside from feeling flattered I felt confused because I never saw myself as motivation for anyone but I suppose that just as there are those that might not realize how much they motivate me, I too, might be recognized by others. As someone who is naturally an observer I notice people and their actions all the time. I find myself continually motivated by these ambitious people (unknown to me personally) that I see striving to be successful in everything they do and who are determined to make their dreams a reality.

I guess if I’m watching others it’s not so far fetched to think that someone could be watching me. Hopefully someone is watching this blog, and my writing development through the internet world and recognizes that some day as well. For whoever is watching (or should I say reading) this blog, I write articles on a multitude of topics, I edit manuscripts for a reasonable fee, I am perfectly fine with my blog being turned into a book, and I am always looking for new clients to work with. Until tomorrow…Work hard and be diligent because you never know who might be watching you!

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

Back to Business

January 2, 2012 jcladyluv

So now that it is the second day of the New Year everyone should already have their Christmas Tree taken down (or put out in case of those who actually like real trees), the decorations back in their storage space (only to be taken out next year), and the new calendar up with important dates already marked. Hopefully another thing that everyone also has is their game plan in place for the 2012. The holidays are over and now it is time to get back to the business of accomplishing the goals that you set for this year. Whatever your goals are today is the time to begin working on them. Take those plans that you began making in December of 2011 and begin acting on them as if your life depended on it, because it does. I know that I’ve got a novel to finish up and a magazine that needs to be finished and put together by the end of January (preferably before the end) so I’ve got to get moving myself. Until tomorrow…Get moving on those dreams, there’s no more time to waste!

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

The Gift of Giving

December 23, 2011December 23, 2011 jcladyluv

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me food to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in. Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.”
~Mother Teresa

When Christmas comes around every year we get so caught up in worrying about what gift we are going to get for which person and whether or not we will be able to get everything that the kids wrote down on their lists or dropped hints about way back around Halloween. I admit that I am guilty of being determined to get every single little thing on my daughter’s list (knowing that I can’t possibly in good conscience get everything). I admit that it is for the sheer joy of seeing her face light up as the gifts go under the tree and on Christmas morning when she thinks I’m a rock star because I actually made the attempt to get everything she wanted.

Now I have explained to my daughter that Christmas is not in fact about getting gifts (as society has made it out to be) but I think that when she continually sees adds and cartoons and other children so focused on getting gifts that it’s still hard for her to understand what Christmas really means. They say this is the season of giving but I’m not sure that whoever said that meant gifts of toys and all sorts of material possessions. There is so much that we have to give to this world and our children then just the latest toys or electronics and video games.

There are a lot of reasons that I would like to be wealthy but one of the main reasons for me is so that I can be in a position to help people who are struggling and need it the most. I was watching the news this morning and there was a woman who talked about her foundation that she started to help the families of the wounded and deceased navy seals who died or were injured in the war inIraq. All I could think of in watching this story was ‘I wish there was something that I could do to help’. In fact I would love to be able to be someone else’s Christmas Angel for once.

I got to thinking about all of the many different foundations out there put in place to help others and made a small list which I included below. I think that everyone should compose a small list of what they would do to help if they could. Maybe it will inspire someone out there who has forgotten what the true meaning of Christmas is to be reminded once again.

Make a Wish Foundation
Local Homeless Shelter
Habitat for Humanity
UNICEF
Locks of Love
The People inHaiti
The People in Japan
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The International Child Art Foundation (ICAF)

These are just a few of the organizations that I have wanted to help in one way or another for quite some time now. This gives me even more motivation to see my dreams through, so that I can firmly place myself in a position to be able to help others struggle just a little less so they can see their dreams become a reality and then hopefully they would one day be able to do the same for someone else. What organizations would you place on your list? Until tomorrow…Remember that we are all worth more than just the things that we possess.

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

What’s The Worst That Could Happen?

December 21, 2011 jcladyluv

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”
~Leon Joseph Suenens

I am typically an overly cautious person who has to literally think of every single positive and negative before saying yes or no to anything, usually ignoring my first instincts. I tend to talk myself out of wonderful opportunities and rationalize it with legitimate excuses (lack of money, or no time) that hold me back from doing a lot of things that I would love to do. I have found myself wondering lately, what if I just said yes to every opportunity that came my way. I mean what’s the worst that could really happen?

Now I don’t mean literally to just anything because I’m not in my early twenties with no responsibilities and no one to be held accountable for. I mean opportunities that I would normally find any reason that seems legitimate to say no to. I think about the movie Jim Carey played in called Yes Man and even though he had some not so good experiences in saying yes to everything, he had some really good ones too, some life changing experiences. I guess I will never know what it is I’m missing if I just keep finding an excuse to say no.

So I think that I am going to challenge myself for the year 2012 to say Yes to any opportunity that comes my way (within reason of course). I am not going to let what I don’t have stop me from exploring what it is I could have if I just said Yes. Now I don’t know how effective this is going to be because I don’t think I have ever done anything without giving it an excessive amount of thought but I sure am going to try to live up to this challenge. After all, what do I really have to lose? Until tomorrow…What do you think would happen if you just said yes to your next opportunity?

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

Where Credit Is Due

December 20, 2011 jcladyluv

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

~Mahatma Gandhi

I am reminded every morning when I go to the gym to workout that I am a lot stronger than I think I am. Each day when I do something else that I never thought that I could do or that I said that I would never even try, it reminds me that I sometimes don’t give myself enough credit. A lot of us tend to do that in general during the course of our everyday lives. We get it in our heads that we are only as good as the limits that we set for ourselves, not realizing that we often set the bar too low and don’t give ourselves nearly as much credit as we deserve.

If we think about it, each time we reach an obstacle and find ourselves saying that we can’t handle anything else, not only do we surpass that obstacle but it builds us up stronger for the one that is sure to come after that. They say that which doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger, and while sometimes I find myself wanting to throw a certain finger up at whoever started that phrase, I find it to be very true. My struggles have not only made me stronger but made me more ambitious and determined. I feel that with each road block I face during the course of my journey I am made to be hungrier and more driven to reach my destination.

Someone at the gym told me that I have been coming to the gym lately with a new drive and as if I was on a mission for the year 2012. I am on a mission. I plan on setting that bar increasingly higher for myself and raising my own expectations right along with it. I am strong enough to achieve anything I desire despite the struggles I have to face along the way. I am going to stop counting myself out before I even make it to the starting line and start giving myself the credit that I deserve. Until tomorrow…Ask yourself if you are giving yourself enough credit?

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

Don’t Throw in the Towel Too Soon

December 19, 2011 jcladyluv

“Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”

~Richard L. Evans

Did you ever wonder if you gave up on something that you wanted too soon? Sometimes we hang in there so long that we start to get the feeling that maybe we just weren’t meant to achieve that goal or dream we long for. We start to become doubtful and discouraged, and to put it bluntly, we get impatient. We forget (at least I know I do) that there is not a specific time table on when your dreams can come true. More importantly we forget that sometimes we have to put in our dues and struggle to get to the point of our destination. We have to exhibit perseverance and not be too quick to throw in the towel. Remember that if it is in your heart to accomplish your goals and you were given a purpose then it will all be worth the wait in the end. Nothing that is worth having has ever come easy and with great struggles there are also even greater rewards. Don’t give up on your dreams. They are more than likely right around the corner and well within your grasp. Until tomorrow…Don’t throw in the towel just yet!

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

No Shortcuts

December 13, 2011 jcladyluv

We all seek something meaningful out of life. We have a sense of purpose that is sometimes beyond all rationality. And when it seems like it will take forever for us to reach that destination that we are striving to get to, we all sometimes wish that we could just wake up one day and be there, right where we feel we need to be in life. Unfortunately life does not work that way. Or maybe it’s fortunate for us that it doesn’t.

I was watching my soap opera today (Young and the Restless) and something was said on there that really struck a chord with me. What good is reaching your destination without having the experience of getting there? What good is it, it means nothing, and you learn nothing? I never thought of it like that.

If I were to just wake up one day and have it all handed to me, everything that I want in this life, without having the struggle of actually getting to those proud and joyful moments, then would it mean as much? Without all of the blood, sweat, and tears put into making my dreams come true, would they mean as much and would I work just as hard to hold onto them? I can say that I would but I don’t know that.

Sometimes it is the struggle of the journey that makes the end result worth every bit of hardship that you went through. Sometimes there are no shortcuts in life, and I am discovering (though it took me a while to realize) that taking the long way to your destination can sometimes be the best thing you could ever do to satisfy your purpose. Until tomorrow…Don’t always go looking for the shorter way around things.

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”