Friday, January 15, 2010

Pick Up and Dust Off


People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.
- George Bernard Shaw



Lately, I have been a terrible coward.

It's difficult to admit it, but there it is.

You see, this Fall, I took a chance to do a kind of writing I haven't before. I wrote a weekly feature article for an online publication. It was work I enjoyed, and my writing was well-received.

My feature highlighted blogs and bloggers whose work deserved to be showcased. In return, I was supposed to receive compensation. But benefits promised never materialized, and my sense of trust in the people I had devoted time and work and energy to promote eroded.

In the end, I stopped writing my weekly feature. Stopped cold. The response?
Silence.

Looking back, I understand that I was taken advantage of. It's awful to have to admit that, because it was the most recent of many failures 2009 held for me. But worse than just 'not panning out', it truly made me feel foolish to have trusted untrustworthy people.

Afterward, I lost my motivation to write altogether. Even though I wouldn't admit it, in some way I blamed myself for the dishonest behavior of others. (And thanks to Stacy at 4everMom for picking up on my funk almost immediately. You're quite an insightful friend.)

But it's time to stop moping.

So, here I am again. Back at Midwest Moms. And, quite honestly, it feels good to be writing in my own space. Here, I write to my own deadlines and standards. My work is driven by my own sense of creativity and purpose. And the friends who come to visit and leave a note are exactly that -- friends.

So, let's agree to pick up and dust off. I have a feeling 2010 will be a better year.

- Midwest Mom

9 comments:

  1. So funny, I was just worrying about you today...must have been a nudge from above.

    I'm sorry for what you went through. That's just inexcusable and of course you would feel burned and betrayed. I'll look forward to reading you here and I'm glad to see you back.

    Let's hope that maybe the people just got in over their head and didn't know how to get out. Not excusing it, just hoping their wasn't total maliciousness involved.

    (((Hugs)))

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  2. Julia I'm so sorry someone took advantage of you like that. That is not nice at all. You are such a kind hearted person.

    Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement. I love what you had to say! You motivated me even me.

    Have a blessed weekend. ~Melissa :)

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  3. Try not to take it personally, though I know that's easier said than done. You tried it, you enjoyed it, and you were good at it! That's an accomplishment right there. Now, as you said, on to a brighter and better 2010!

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  4. I can't imagine how upset you must be over something like that. I'm glad it didn't keep you from moving forward though! 2010 will be better, I'm sure of it.

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  5. we have to stop doing this to ourselves. Alowing other people to determine what we are. This is all too familiar for me!

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  6. Oh no, I'm so sorry! It's awful that you were taken advantage that way. If it helps at all, please know that your writing was really appreciated (I think I know which writing you're referring to). I'm glad you're going to keep on writing. You do it very well.

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  7. I, and thousands of others, have been in a situation similar to yours. It hurts. It makes us feel used and foolish. It also tarnishes how we see our future in that particular endeavor. BUT, not all people are untrustworthy. If we allow a few bad apples to dirty our minds about trusting others then we have given in to the evil in this world. Because large or small, big or little, there is evil.

    To get up in the morning and to face each day as a new beginning is not only a good thing for us, it is a good example for our children. It also shows the evil doers that we are resilient and that we are better than their efforts to defeat our outlook on the world around us.

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  8. That stinks. I'm sorry you were taken advantage of, but know that your talent is appreciated HERE!

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  9. I haven't been following you long enough to know something was up, but looking back I did wonder where you were. I am so sorry to hear how you were taken advantage of. I truly hope you can rebound from that and keep on doing what you're good at!

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