June 21, 2005
above & beyond
above Oakland, Canon Digital Rebel
As I flew away this weekend, I thought, 'Holy shit. I did it. I submit my very first book proposal last week.'
This trip to San Diego was a celebration for myself. A way to mark this accomplishment and a way to acknowledge myself for the work I had done. I wanted to remind myself that no matter what, no matter who (if anyone) publishes this book, I had stretched myself. I did something bigger than I had ever imagined. I went above and beyond who I thought I was in the hope of reaching an even bigger dream-something I wasn't sure I could create.
I hadn't stretched myself like that in a while.
As I happily read through Oprah magazine in my airplane seat (don't you love that magazine?!) I came across a quote. "If you hear a voice within you saying, 'You are not a painter', then by all means paint...and that voice will be silenced." -Vincent Van Gogh
My eyes burned with tears and fell to the page. I realized that I wasn't just celebrating a goal being reached, another check off the big to do list, but something bigger. I was celebrating the joy of creating in the face of that voice, of moving beyond the place where I always get stopped, and the wonderful stillness and peace that comes from that voice being silenced.
....
Great resources:
The wonderful book called 2DO Before I Die will get you so inspired.
This online workshop by my pal Denise Mihalik starts August 28th. She and Jill Badonsky {Author of The 9 Modern Day Muses} are offering an online 12 week workshop in creativity. It's called "Online Musin: Ten Easy Ways to Unleash Your Creative Brilliance." You can find all the info here.
Also, SARK just reissued an updated version of Creative Companion. I hadn't picked it up in years and was so delighted to see it in its new form! SARK's New Creative Companion: Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit is here.
Posted on June 21, 2005 08:30 AMCongratulations on your book proposal. I'm a new reader to your blog...and after reading this entry, had to comment.
That quote - it was like something hitting me square in the face. Something I needed to hear. Thank you for being the catalyst.
Best of luck with the book!
Congratulations! And thanks for the SARK info -- because of you, I just bought it!
K.
Posted by: Karen at June 25, 2005 08:57 AMYou're a rock star. :)
Posted by: Laura at June 23, 2005 12:57 PMCongratulations, Andrea! Blessings!
Posted by: Susan at June 23, 2005 10:55 AMCongratulations on the book!
Posted by: Daniel at June 23, 2005 08:25 AMThanks for the Van Gogh quotation...wonderful!
Posted by: Jan :o) at June 23, 2005 07:41 AMThanks for the Van Gogh quotation...wonderful!
Posted by: Jan :o) at June 23, 2005 07:40 AMSO well stated, Andrea! You are gifted with an ability to articulate the most delicate of human experiences that most of us recognize as shared, but never even consider verbalizing.
Congratulations on making such a huge step in your creative life.
Muchlove, Shelley
Posted by: Shelley Noble at June 22, 2005 08:22 AMI keep thinking how I would like to leave a comment here for you as I have been reading your journal for a while now (about two months, maybe, and after the first few days I went right back to the beginning so I didn't miss anything you had to say) and I wanted to say I love your writing. You will see me commenting here more on here, for sure!
Have a great day :)
Posted by: Rosa at June 22, 2005 07:16 AMAWESOME! So excited for you!
Posted by: Carrie at June 22, 2005 07:02 AMBravo, Andrea :)
Posted by: Brenda in Toronto at June 22, 2005 06:47 AMGreat to hear about your books proposal. I actually mailed my children's book to a publsher last week. It's so exciting, isn't it. Whatever happens at least we have tried. Good luck!
Posted by: wynlen at June 22, 2005 06:31 AMYOU ROCK!
I've been reading your site for a while now and never commented, but you are so inspiring I finally had to. I'm an architect at home with my first baby after being laid off after maternity leave. Although it's an amazing job and I love being with my little munchkin, the passing days have gnawed away at my self esteme and all the creepy "I have no talent... my career is over!" feelings have been running rampant. Thanks for being so open about your experience, it makes us all feel more human.
Posted by: Robin at June 22, 2005 06:06 AMCongrats on the book proposal! That's wonderful. :)
Awesome quote. I could definitely use it & I think I'll pass it on to my husband as well. We've both been throwing each other undeserved pity parties lately... "I'm not good enough." "No, I'M not good enough." Between us we have a zillion ambitions and goals we want to achieve & are having to relearn patience and trust that by making the steps we ARE getting closer to achieving those goals... even if it doesn't seem like it.
Take care, Andrea. You rock. :)
Posted by: rachael at June 21, 2005 11:23 PMthanks for inspiring me to find that something that stretches me....i've been searching but you just kicked me in the butt to really figure it out!
good for you for celebrating YOU! We all celebrate you.
xo
Posted by: stef at June 21, 2005 11:02 PM"If you hear a voice within you saying, 'You are not a painter', then by all means paint...and that voice will be silenced." -Vincent Van Gogh
Words to live by.
And how exciting: a book proposal. I wish you much success.
Andrea, How wonderful, and brave and inspiring you are!! Regardless of how your book proposal turns out, you are a resounding success simply by getting it together,and going for it. A big "congrats" to you. You deserve it. Enjoy basking in the peaceful and joyful feelings that come from being more than you ever imagined you could be. I am truly happy for you. :)
Posted by: Julia at June 21, 2005 07:33 PMThat's HUGE, A. Way to go!!
Posted by: Marilyn at June 21, 2005 06:08 PMHello! Is there any possibility you will share with your readers what your book proposal is about? I'm so curious as well as looking forward to knowing.
Thank you!
Soar strong and high, my dear!
You are such an inspiration to so many peeps and I'm so very proud of this accomplishment. You did it! Through all the doubt, all murkiness, all the voices...all the things that are put in front of us to stop us (make us fearful). You stomped on them all and kept going....above and beyond. ABOVE and BEYOND!
Party down with your fabulous self!
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen at June 21, 2005 04:53 PMtha'ts a damn nice self-treat --- much deserved!
my book is currently out to 4 agents requested by them for review and i must remember that what i've done, though not published, is still big. and important.
i KNOW you will publish that book.
Posted by: kristen at June 21, 2005 02:59 PMWow. That's just wonderful. What a great reminder to take risks, live fully, and treat yourself to celebration once and a while. Love it.
Posted by: Sweet Pea at June 21, 2005 01:20 PMAndrea,
I can't begin to say how much my hear filled with love when I read this. Love for you being able to stretch, love for thought of being able to own a book by someone I care for, and love for being reminded that just when we think we can't do something, we just need to take a deep breath and jump.
As always sweet girl, you are so inspiring.
Thank you.
Jenn
Posted by: Jenn at June 21, 2005 01:15 PMWow Andrea--congratulations. After I read your previous post about the "book that could have been" I knew you had the impetus to finally get around to your book ideas. I'm glad that you bit the bullet and did it so quickly.
Posted by: Carolyn at June 21, 2005 12:55 PMLike so many here, you have really inspired me with your expressive encouragement, and brave personal revelations! I, too, am beginning to make some moves--largely stimulated by the energy I see alive in you.
Best of look with the book proposal, I'm sure I'll be among your first wave of buyers! :)
Posted by: Pamela at June 21, 2005 12:55 PMI breathed little gasp of happiness. YOU DID IT! I cannot wait to read it. My dear, YOU are one of my muses.
Posted by: Kate at June 21, 2005 12:42 PMgoosebumps...
Hooray! Congratulations Andrea! What a great achievement. And I'm not suprised at all to hear that you did it.
Posted by: lindsey at June 21, 2005 12:19 PMcongratulations! i wonder what the book is about! can't wait to hear more/see it down the road.
thanks as always for sharing your thoughts/journeys!
Bravo!
I hope it's accepted because I really want to read it. I've been fighting to move on myself although on a smaller level, so I find your courage to be very inspiring.
Posted by: Lora at June 21, 2005 11:32 AMCONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Yes, moving past that fear to something bigger than your old idea of yourself...growing into the big you is the best thing so far to come with the sparkly package of "almost 40."
Posted by: Cori at June 21, 2005 11:31 AMCongratulations Andrea! I lift my glass to you and celebrate with you. Thank you for sharing this with us so that we can celebrate you, support you, and allow your risks to inspire our own risks. When the book is published I will be in line to get it!
Posted by: Michelle at June 21, 2005 11:14 AMfelicitaciones! thank you for being so inspiring:) i can't wait to read your book!
xo, mati
Bravo Andrea! Thanks for sharing this experience. You have every reason to be proud of yourself for taking this step. Celebrate! I am flying to New York in one hour - with a stack of copies of my new book in my suitcase. Your post couldn't be more appropriate. I'll be thinking of you also & I'll raise a glass to you in New York, too...
Love, xo
Stephanie
i got chills reading your post about stretching and reaching and silencing your inner critic... I AM ELATED FOR YOU...
i think its huge.. REALLY HUGE
cause now you are unstoppable
a publisher would be SILLYAZZ not to publish you
and if they are .. hit me up...a good friend can probly help with that too..
YOU DID IT! YOU REACHED AND YOU ACHEIVED...creation applause for you
BIG STANDING OVATION APPLAUSE
u rock
you muse me all the time
Mazel tov on wanting something and going for it.
Posted by: Neil at June 21, 2005 09:37 AMCongratulations Andrea on continuing to amaze me and yourself with every passing day!! Enjoy the moment.
Cindy ;)
Posted by: Cindy at June 21, 2005 09:12 AMDon't you envy pilots their amazing world view, day after day? "The world as it was meant to be seen," Karen Blixen wrote, of her flights over Africa with Denys Finch-Hatten. The pettiness of life just falls away in the face of such grandeur.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse with us, Andrea.
Anne
Posted by: Anne at June 21, 2005 09:08 AM