
work in progress
Have you ever noticed how people tend to focus on the negative. If someone asks you how your day is going, does your mind come up with the good stuff, or all the little crappy things? Isn’t it interesting how one little crappy thing can overshadow all the good?
On the weekend, I watched a review of the book I contributed to, “Journal It!“. The review was positive overall, and the reviewer recommended the book to her viewers. However,there was one part where she’s flipping through the pages, and while showing my page, she says something about it being the same old stuff. I admit, I was hurt.
But then I remembered how cool it is to be in a book, and how proud I am of what I did contribute to it. And I remembered how one of my goals is to inspire people to create, and while my art may not inspire her, it will hopefully inspire someone else. I remembered that her voice is but one voice, and I need not let it ruin all the positive energy I feel around this book and my work. Also, she is encouraging people to buy the book, which is great!
So, I guess this post isn’t just about remembering the good stuff, but also about remembering how good WE are. When things like this happen, it’s a reminder to me about how fragile my self-esteem can seem, and how I still take other people’s comments way too personally. It hurts in the moment, but I have noticed that I bounce back a lot faster than I ever used to. I’m sure that says something about how I’ve grown, and I’m glad for that.
Do you tend to focus on the positive or the negative? Do you let a negative comment ruin your day?
Remember to enter my “Journal It!” free book giveaway
Some days it is hard to ignore the negative stuff, but overall it is worth the effort, so I try to make an effort to let it go.
Love it, Belinda! And you ARE so wonderful!
It IS very cool that you are in the book.
Who was it that said: “We (or is it ‘You’) can’t please all of the people, all of the time.”? My dad always repeated that saying to me while growing up and it helps me when I feel like I have let someone down or I am not somehow feeling good enough.
I have the book and love the whole thing!
After getting rejection letter after rejection letter from art shows, book submissions, etc. I have only the highest regard for anyone who gets in! Congratulations. It is the good stuff.
And thank you for all of the inspiration.
I love that saying, Grace. Thanks for the reminder. It’s so true! I don’t like everyone’s art, so why should I expect everyone to like mine?! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I have that habit of letting the negatives outweigh the positives. But, I just got Journal It in the mail and I have really enjoyed it so far! The artwork is really great!
Yay, Marcia! So glad you are enjoying it.
Just so you know, I had never heard of you or seen your art until I saw a preview of the “Journal It” book on another artist’s website I follow. I bought the whole book just so I would have your pages. And I have been following your blog ever since with great interest. Congratulations on publication in the book. It’s a huge accomplishment, and you should take great pride in it.
Connie – you have made my day. Thank you so much for letting me know. It’s so funny to me how things come around… there are many artists that I found out about through books, and now I know them personally. I always wondered what it would feel like to have someone find me online after seeing me in a book. Totally thrilled. Thank you.
Bel, your work is so lively and vibrant and filled with glorious cheer! It has evolved with a calm maturity and brings me joy when I see it. (Even when I don’t comment.) I’m sorry for your moment of not-so-good. I find it hard to move past negative too. I think it’s important to acknowledge it, and let it be a jumping point back to all that is good and right (on a good day. . . ). AND you are in a book!!
Thank you for the kind words, Lori-Ann!
I got Journal It for Christmas from my son (I dropped big hints!)….. I came to visit your blog because your pages in it are my very favourite ones.
Yes …be happy you were published. GOOD FOR YOU!
and you’ve reminded me to focus on the positive…. thank you!
Karenx
Yay! Thank you so much!!
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