Tag: Write 2 Be blog

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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

Knowing is Half the Battle

January 21, 2012January 21, 2012 jcladyluv

One of the things I struggle most with when it comes to writing is my consistence in the art of procrastination. As much as I want other writers out there to buckle down and plant their butts in a chair and as much as I tell myself the same thing, lately it seems like any minor distraction can deter me from writing, mostly the TV.

I think I might be addicted to television. I mean even if I turn the sound down on the TV it doesn’t help but if I turn the TV off then it’s too quiet and I can’t focus when it is too quiet, I need some modicum of sound. And it’s not as if I watch TV for the sheer enjoyment of watching it (at least not most of the shows I watch) but rather I watch it from the standpoint of a writer. I watch the storylines and pay close attention to the dialogue and analyze it in my head as to what I, as a writer, could bring to that TV show or movie.

I am going into detail about the distraction of TV because although I have many other distractions that just come with everyday life and being a mom, the TV is basically my kryptonite and sometimes (not all the time) it weakens my desire to write. Well now that I’ve been honest with myself and you, hopefully I can take the proper steps to resolve the issue of that distraction.

I think when I used to go to Borders to do my writing it got me away from the TV and I felt inspired sitting in the bookstore surrounded by all of these great writers (I mean of the books on the shelves) and it just made me want to work harder. Ever since they closed down Borders I haven’t had anywhere to retreat to get away from the distractions of being home with the TV. I guess I have to find another place now where I can get away and still feel inspired.

I suppose this means I’m not one of those writers who can do my work 100% from the comfort of my home. I guess getting out of my home office will also help me to network with other writers as well. Now that I figured out why I haven’t been writing much lately I know exactly what I need to do to fix it. Well knowing is half of the battle isn’t it? Until tomorrow…It’s good to know your flaws and your weaknesses, because if you don’t know what they are you can’t fix them.

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

So Close and Yet Still So Far

January 20, 2012January 20, 2012 jcladyluv

Have you ever felt like you are so close to something but yet so far away? It seems like I am constantly within reach of something I want only to have it yanked away from me, sometimes slowly and sometimes quicker than I can say ‘how did that just happen’. Some days (like today) it is hard to see that it is all for some rhyme or reason, that God has my best interest at heart. But because I know and believe that to be true, on those days I just have to resign to look forward to the next day when the reason becomes vaguely clear, and then the day after that when things get even clearer.

You know how people always ask the old favorite question, ‘why do bad things happen to good people?’ I was reminded today when I was watching (don’t laugh) The Little House on the Prairie earlier today that God doesn’t always protect good people from misfortune, but what he does do is give them the strength and the willpower to come through it stronger and more determined than ever.

I just have to keep that thought with me throughout all of the road blocks that I will undoubtedly encounter this year. I may be further away from attaining what I want but I am still certainly closer to it then I was yesterday. Until tomorrow…You’re closer then you think you are, stay on the path!

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

Are You in a Role That Serves Your True Purpose?

January 19, 2012 jcladyluv

I firmly believe that everyone is put on this earth for a specific purpose. Though you may not realize your purpose in its entirety all at one time, by the time you reach a certain age you realize what you were meant to do. Of course you have those that are indefinitely seeking out their purpose and that are not yet sure what it is they should be or do but somewhere deep down inside once they figure it out they most always realize that they knew it all along.

I also believe that when you don’t serve the purpose you were meant to in this world you not only do yourself a disservice but also those around you. Let’s take the Captain of the Italian Cruise Ship disaster for instance. Now clearly he thought that he was cut out for the job, maybe out of some sense of wanting to be in a position to be a hero and to have the power of being Captain over all of the lives that he is in charge of protecting on any given trip. However, it is clear that he was not cut out for the task of what that position of power and heroism entails.

With any such position you have to know your role. A Captain is supposed to be the last person off a ship if his ship should happen to go down. A Cop has to put the lives of others around him before his own. A Fireman has to be willing to sacrifice his life for those inside of burning buildings. But along with knowing your role you have to be sure that you are meant to be placed in that role. I knew a long time ago when considering roles like a Cop, a Fireman, or a Captain of a ship, not only was it not my purpose to serve those types of roles, but I am not built for those types of roles. I would let the fear of risking my life take over in a heartbeat and I would not apologize for it. That is why I never sought out those types of positions.

I think that this Captain, somewhere along the way, did not follow his true purpose in life. He did something that he thought he could possibly be good at, maybe that would give him a sense of power, maybe it was just good money for him. But ultimately he did not think about the fact that he might at some point have to act like the Captain of a ship and save lives.

I think that when people are not serving their purpose in life that it hinders them and it affects the people they come in contact with. I think that if you follow your heart and work hard to fulfill your purpose that you will eventually land right wherever it is that you are supposed to be. If you are not fulfilling your purpose then you are only hindering yourself from making progress. You have to know your role, and you have make sure that you were meant for that role, or else it is all for nothing. Until tomorrow…Are you serving your true purpose?

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

In Tribute

January 16, 2012 jcladyluv

I didn’t have much to say today (due to computer issues all day which are just now getting fixed) and I was just going to let this day go by feeling like it was a total bust. Honestly I thought that I wouldn’t even get to post anything but my computer literally just got its act together so I will just post this quote in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King and that goes so well with how I am feeling today (or should I say a quote that I needed to tell myself today). I hope this makes someone else feel like they can make it to the next step in their journey.

“You may not see the entire staircase, but it is important that you take that first step.”

~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Until tomorrow…Hope you keep taking steps until you get to the top!

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

Slow Progression

January 14, 2012 jcladyluv

It is coming up on the third week of January and I already feel like I am so behind on my action plan to accomplish my goals this year. Yes I know that it is only week 3 of a new year and I have the whole year ahead of me. But in case you’re not aware of it, that time will fly by without you even realizing it. I suppose that the important thing is that I acknowledge I can be doing better and I put forth the effort to continually make progress.

I know that next week will be a challenge because I am finally going to get around to getting started on sending out at least one of the four query letters that I set out to send on a monthly basis (I might increase that number later on in the year). Also I plan on getting back to the novel that I worked on during National Novel Writing month which I took a longer than unexpected break from. Not to mention that I have a Magazine to finish putting together for its debut.

With all of that said I am going to go read now because to be a better writer I also have to become an even more avid reader. I know that I’ve got to get moving on my goal list (because it is quite long) but I am just glad that I haven’t completely stalled. I am making progress, even if it is a slow progression, it is progress nonetheless. Until tomorrow…What counts is that you make progress, not how quickly the progress is made.

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

From the Outside Looking In

January 13, 2012 jcladyluv

It is funny how the people closest to you can see things in you and possibilities for you that you never even had in mind for yourself. We plan things for our life and never count on the unexpected opportunities that pop up along the way. You know those things that you never thought you would be good at but that somehow fit right into you niche that you are carving out for yourself.

Ms. L has foreseen something for me that somehow fits right into my other plans for my Media Company and that might actually help elevate things to the next level but it is something that I never even thought about doing before. I must admit (she’s going to say I told you so later) that her foresight could be quite lucrative if it is as successful as she thinks it could be. But I am just afraid that because it’s something I could never see myself doing, that other people will look at me with that judgmental look and the lingering questions in their mind of ‘how can she possibly be successful at this’. Why not, it’s the same question I have for myself.

But I promised her that I would give it some thought (and I don’t want to say what it is until I’m sure that I would actually do it) and that I would stop putting that wall up for myself and telling myself that I can’t do something before I even try. Sometimes Ms. L sees things in the bigger picture that I never even saw and it’s amazing what the opinion from someone on the outside looking in can mean to your projected future. I think I like Ms. L’s view of my projected future. Until tomorrow…What do you project for your future?

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”