One of the questions in this month's writing prompt asks, "How can you celebrate your [writing] progress
and how God has led/is leading you?" This begged another question, namely "What does the verb celebrate actually mean?"
celebrate [ sel-uh-breyt ]
verb (used without object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing
to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities
to perform a religious ceremony, especially Mass or the Lord's SupperIn the case of one's writing, the occasion to celebrate might be the completion of an oeuvre, the receipt of an offer to publish, a writing award or contest win, being hired for a freelance job, or achieving some other accomplishment. The definition of success will look different for each writer. For some it might be as simple (or challenging!) as maintaining a writing streak of 500 words a day for 21 or 40 days.
How do we celebrate such things? With a party, a break for self-care, a glass of champagne? If it's going to be a fete, there's much to consider: guests, venue, food, table arrangements, decorations and activities, to name several.
But I'm getting ahead of myself, at least when it comes to thinking about a book launch or other big shindig. So far there are no major book deals, the unfinished novel is still unfinished, and though I've entered several contests this year, I haven't won any (or even placed second or third). My successes have been relatively small, and that's okay. I'm beyond thrilled to have had a column in FellowScript and I enjoy writing posts here most months. While I may not have won or placed in any contests, I have been writing, so that's a plus. I also made the decision to work with a writing mentor this fall, and hopefully that means I'll finally finish the novel I've been working on for far too long. Oohrah!
For the most part the journey God's been leading me on this last year-and-a-half hasn't been about writing - at least not on the surface. It's been about trusting Him even when the going gets tough, even when things don't make sense, even when the chickens counted on didn't hatch in the way expected. Can I still celebrate?
I've probably shared this verse before, but it never gets stale:
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. ~James 1:2-4, NLT"Consider it an opportunity for great joy." Doesn't that sound like a celebration to you?
God is developing my endurance, perfecting and making me complete. And that's a story that'll be worth writing when the time is right.
I feel a party coming on.
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You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com
I read many successes in your post! Yes, a definition of success looks different for everyone, but the definition of trusting Him is a truth, a faith-filled success, always. Thanks for reminding me to be celebratory of His goodness.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Lynn, and thanks for your affirmation as well :)
DeleteSpiritual growth and learning to trust God more are the biggest and most impactful successes for anyone. Confession: I had to look up the word oeuvre. Nice! I learned something new today, too!
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to help enhance another's vocabulary, Tracy! :)
DeleteGreat article!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. Someone once told me that we should stop measuring our successes. Big or small - they are still a success. Thanks for sharing. All the best to you as you hope to finish your book
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vickie, and those are wise words. We really should follow that advice!
DeleteHi Susan, First of all, thanks for giving us a definition of "celebrate" and the video. I agree with the writers above that you have had many successes, even though they may look small. As I write this, I think that God looks at us who follow Him faithfully and celebrates us with His words of commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, Sandi; thanks for that. And this was the first time I had seen the video myself. Another new song with which to praise God!
DeleteThanks, Susan, for writing about joy and celebration in regard to living our faith and following our call to write. Your idea of a writing streak of 500 words a day for a month or more is a good one. Are you familiar with Jeff Goins free “500 Words a Day Challenge”? I’ve done the challenge twice, I believe, but I didn’t work on a particularly work--it was more like journalling, but I did keep up with the challenge for the month. One could switch that to writing the 500 words on one specific work. As you showed, we can do the math and writing for one month is a significant accomplishment that is worthy of celebration!
ReplyDeleteI think I had heard of the challenge, Sharon, and maybe even attempted it for a while quite a ways back. It's hard to be consistent when you're in the throes of eldercare plus. Right now I'm happy to get any writing done, and am thankful my mentor is helping with that.
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