Wow. 2010 rocked in so many ways. I thought about doing the whole “Top 10 in 2010” thing – ’cause I like lists like Scarlett O’Hara likes hoop skirts (well, in the beginning of the movie, anyway). But we’re already a week into the new year and my list might not be so meaningful to anyone else anyway.
I will say, though, that in looking back, an inordinate amount of the ridiculously cool things that happened in 2010 happened on the third weekend of the month. Kinda weird, huh? My nephew’s birth, ACFW and winning the Frasier Award, MBT retreats, writing “The End” on Tuesdays with Cully, even visits to family members and friends. So, well, let me just say that next weekend will be the third weekend in January 2011. I expect great things, people. Great things. (And hey, “great” is flexible. A sale on Diet Coke with Lime totally counts.)
Okay, seriously though, when I reflect on 2010, I realize it really was, in many ways, a year of risks for me.
Before last year, I’d never entered a writing contest. In spring 2010, I entered two.
Before last year, I’d never pitched a book before. Thanks to Susan May Warren’s MBT Pitch and Polish Retreat in May, I had the opportunity to practice pitch to one of the country’s top agents. Then in September, I made a formal pitch at ACFW.
Before last year, I’d never really shown anyone my real writing. But in October, after months of polishing and a series of gulps and twitches (yeah, funny mental picture, I know), I sent off my completed manuscript to an agent.
Before last year, I’d never written a book proposal. In November, I buckled down, invested in a couple resources, and proposed my heart out.
Each item on the list required risk.
Pitch my book? Are you serious? What if I find out I’ve wasted 83,000 words on a crappy idea?
Each item also took surrender.
Enter a contest? But this is my dream we’re talking about. What if I don’t final and end up crushed by the judge’s scores?
Each item took a little dash of courage.
Just do it. Just hit ‘send.’ She’ll like your book. Or she won’t. Either way, you’ll live. Right? Right??!!
Seems, though, that last year’s bravery was confined to one category: my writing life. Well, now it’s 2011. I’ve decided to deem this year the year that I keep taking risks, braving up – only not solely in my writing, but in other areas of my life. I truly believe last year’s open doors came from God. And, yeah, in some cases so did the hefty nudges needed to get me through them. But cool things happened as a result. God-things. Things that boosted my confidence…not in me, but in God’s so-much-better-than-mine plan for my life.
So my prayer today, one week into the new year, is that more and more I’d respond to those nudges, those invitations to risk and surrender quickly, excitedly, unreservedly.
Without fear.
*****
If I had made that Top 10 in 2010 list, right at the top would’ve been my adorable miracle of a nephew, Ollie. I can’t help sharing this, my favorite photo of him from Christmas. So, so, so precious! Ollie’s been at home with his parents for a little over a month now. He makes his first trip back to Kansas City tomorrow for a check-up. He’ll likely have his next – and hopefully final! – surgery in April or May.
Comments 2
Ollie is so precious–he deserves a special place on your blog!!
I love this post. You’re so right about risk and surrender–they go hand in hand.
You’ve had an exceptional year, and I expect 2011 to bring you even greater opportunities. And then I can say, “Yeah, I know Melissa Tagg, the bestselling author. We’re buds. We’re roomies. We’re like this (picture middle finger crossed over index finger.”
Awww…thank you, Lisa!