Tuesday, February 06, 2007

A Work in Progress...

If you look really closely at this picture, you can see an angel in the sky. (She was much clearer from another angle, but this one is her just before I got my camera and she disappeared - hint - she's in the clouds.)

As you can see, things are shifting a bit here! I've decided that I am done being irritated and bored with myself. I am formulating a plan! Step one is changing the look of my blog (although it is far from done, I'm just testing the waters in the land of colour!)

Step two is the biggest part of my plan. Some time ago someone (I can't remember who so let me know if you can so I can credit them properly!) suggested that people do a 21-day challenge. Lots of people did it and I was really impressed with their tenacity and their ability to follow through. I have a funny view of myself and I thought I'd better not sign up because there was no way that I would be able to do it. Ugh. I know. More about this in a moment.

Two months ago Thea introduced me to The Secret. It's a book and a DVD and it is all about getting what you want. By following a few steps and making a few commitments, it says that your life will change. Well I watched it and I have had amazing things happen since then. (Unexpected income!!!!) Today, though, I was thinking about it in the context of what I really want and I had a serious talk with myself. At times I have very limited thinking. I hold a lot of fear and worry and anxiousness about a lot of things. I tend to view myself in terms of those emotions a lot of the time. When I was watching it today again this quote jumped out at me:

"If you want to change your circumstances you must change your thinking."

Guh. It was like a smack on the side of the head. I'd read it before. I think it was Oprah who said, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." Today for some reason a light bulb went off in my head. What I have been doing so far has not gotten me to where I want to be. Despite me throwing all kinds of energy towards them, I have not gotten to where I want to be. Clearly what I have been doing in the past ISN'T WORKING. I need a radical shift in thinking. I need to do something different to get something different.

A few months ago, Laini and Alexandra talked to me about the advice that they got at the SCBWI conference that they went to. The biggest advice that they shared with me was, "Write the Damn Book." Besides being great writing advice, boiled down to a metaphor what that means is quit talking about it and DO IT. Get your ass in gear. What do you want? Well then get started.

So here's my plan. On February the 8th I am going to put myself on a 21 Day Challenge. I am going to focus my attention on what I REALLY WANT and every single day I am going to take an action that will get me there. I am going to ask you to hold me accountable, dear friends and readers. If I do not post about it, please ask me about it. I am going to try to post every day I am able. If anyone else would like to join me in a 21 Day, "Write the Damn Book" Challenge (metaphorically speaking or not) please do!

"I feel my boots
trying to leave the ground,
I feel my heart
pumping hard. I want

to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings."
-Mary Oliver.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Megg,

I'm so with you. I find watching The Secret the second and third time really helpful. I think it's just too hard to take in and apply all of it in one sitting. (We are watching it again with The KungFu Master this week.)

It's amazing how much affect how you look at the world and think about yourself has on you!

I'll keep checking up on your 21 Day Challenge. I'm moer than happy to kick your butt :).

Anonymous said...

I watched the secret for the second time, last week. Certain things hit harder the second time. I hope the third time, it will slam into my system ;) I love the idea behind the secret and I'm trying to figure out what I really want at the moment...so I wish you good luck and I'll be checking back to read your progress.

xoxo Sophie

luzie said...

I haven't watched The Secret yet but since so many people talk about it I guess I have to catch up soon.

I love your committment and your courage to change and I wish you the best of luck. I'm looking forward to seeing you chart your progress.

xo

daisies said...

i watched the secret last month and it had my mind tripping about but i'm watching it again on the weekend with a friend so maybe it will kickstart my stubborn brain

:)

the 21 challenge sounds really exciting!! i totally know you can do it!

Julie said...

I keep hearing about this movie, but when hubby checked on gettin it for me for Christmas, he said it was outrageous for a video. Maybe I'll have to check out the book

At any rate, I think it's wonderfull that you're gathering your courage and making a plan. Can't wait to see how it all goes (and it will be fun to have you posting so often!) Good Luck!

Colorsonmymind said...

Oh dear-I was just getting ready for bed-thinking of you-wanting to connect-be connected. Missing your voice.

Being mad at myself for being a poor inconsistant correspondant.

I would love to commit to eating the blood type diet for 21 days.

I am nervous and hesitant but I am ready baby.

This post really moved me off my butt so to speak. I think I am watching the secret tomorrow again:)

Colorsonmymind said...

I love you and miss you madly and deeply.

I am super excited to do a 21 day challenge while you are too:)

snuggles and kisses

M said...

You go girl!! This sounds brilliant!! And I totally think you are capable of getting what you want - you seem to have such a clear idea of what it is, now you can take all your strength and make it happen. I'm totally joining the support Megg team! Just watch how your mind tries to suck you away from these new plans...tell it to get lost!!

Anonymous said...

I JUST put a hold on the Secret DVD and book at the library...hurray! I've heard SOO much about this, that I cannot wait to watch it (and read the companion book).

I'd like to use the 21 day challenge to "Continue Writing the Damn Book"...and I'm happy to kick your butt if necessary. ;)

Alex S said...

Megg you're just amazing and this post is beautiful and real and very you, and I am inspired by your deepening dialogue with yourself. And that Mary Oliver quote, I am copying that into my journal right when I finish this comment! I'll do the 21 day challenge with you. Thats just what I am needing right now on one specific goal. Sending an email your way! xo

boho girl said...

i feel such an amazing energy from you here, Meg...i really do.

things are shifting in your life. our thoughts are so powerful and it is so fabulous to read all this here.

i feel inspired. you always inspire me, though.

i miss you and cannot wait to hug you soon.

i am so excited to watch how all this unfolds for you.

write that damn book!! tee hee.

Kay Cooke said...

I see the angel - I do I do I do! :)
Love the new look.

Anonymous said...

The Secret - I hadn't heard of it before but I'm intrigued to find out! I'll do the 21 Day Challenge with you. I find Procratination a very comfortable sweater that I need to throw out - or at least hide in the back corners of my closet!

Jessie said...

I'm going to join you in this challenge, Megg. Because everything in my life is pointing me in this direction.

My life (and my writing) has been feeling like it is falling apart. The depth of my struggle has been getting the best of me and I'm beginning to fear that if I don't move forward, I'm going to crumble.

So anyway, thank you for this invitation. I accept. ;)

Julie said...

I was going to e-mail you about the 21-day challenge but don't see a link. So I'll tell you here that I've decided to jump in with you. The vision board I've been stagnating on since December will be finished in 21 days.

Anonymous said...

I came over here from Thea's blog and would like to join you all in the 21 day challenge. I've been training like an athlete for months now, but not fueling my body like one and this is what I want to change. My body can't handle the junky way I feed myself and now 'acts' out in physical manifestations that hold me back. I've got a nice new journal to help record my efforts. Thank you for the jump start!