Thursday, April 26, 2012


Instead of making New Year’s resolutions last January 1st, I decided to engage in wishful thinking.


This effectively places the responsibility for success or failure in someone else’s hands. Above all, I WISH my novel would publish to rave reviews. I WISH that one of my essays or stories would win recognition. I WISH that the structure for my next book would fall into place for me.
This has a more optimistic ring to it than forging resolutions which smacks of self-discipline, grim determination, and then bitter self-reproach when you mess up. For example, I could have promised to journal first thing every day this year…but what if I have to wander outside because the sunrise is too heart-achingly beautiful to miss? What then?

I could have resolved to write one thousand words every day…but what if my dog wants to take a walk at the lake? How can I say no to her?

Resolutions are sometimes simply destined to fail.

Optimism, on the other hand, is an empowering force and hope is a saving grace. There is no limit to what you can WISH for. Just a couple of days ago parts of Pennsylvania received over a foot of snow...in April! So I WISHED for sunshine and warmer weather...and yesterday the thermometer hit 70 under a clear blue sky. See? It works!

And (ta-da!) my short story, "On a Different Note" was published this month in The Storyteller Magazine--my first publishing credit.

Try it. It might just work for you, too.

What are you WISHFULLY thinking about?
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“Anything is possible if you WISH hard enough.”
--Peter Pan--
c/o Sir James Matthew Barrie
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In my next post we'll try to figure out what exactly the X-FACTOR is.
jan


8 comments:

  1. Love it! Having a backbone might be more productive, but having a wishbone is ever so much more fun. I'm a firm believer in optimism and positive thinking. Even if all those wishes don't come true, it sure beats going around with a long face and grumpy disposition. Congrats on getting that first byline!

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  2. Jan
    love your view on life
    optimism
    I'm a dreamer so not hard to tell a dreamer to wish on a star or in my case a moon
    so delightful to meet you and hugs for that story being published!!!!
    Moondustwriter's Blog

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  3. Congratulations on getting published. Maybe I'll try some wishfull thinking, too.

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  4. Congratulations, Jan!!! WONDERFUL news!

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  5. congratulations on the publishing credit. Love your post especially since I know lots of hard work and determination earned you that pub credit.

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  6. Thanks, Everyone! And thanks for stopping by my blog. In this business I think you need all the (blind) optimism you can summon up. And then...enjoy the ride.

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  7. I've stopped making resolutions---I just go ahead and do things!

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