The Blessing of Hard Times

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain. Maya Angelou

Nobody I know welcomes hards times. We endure it, grit our teeth and make the best of a bad situation. But we don’t wish, “Just give me lots of obstacles, rejection and heartache. That’s what I want for Christmas!” And yet if you can manage to make it through and not be bitter, you can actually benefit from having it rough. Take this latest round of economic meltdowns. Many folks have been scared into changing some spendthrift bad habits. Since many of us got way too comfy living on money we really didn’t have (called credit), that kind of slap back to reality can turn out to be a real good thing.

Writers talk about the ever tightening market and lagging books sales. Shrinking shelf space and more folks writing books than reading them is another grim topic of conversation. But I think these “hard times” can force us to up our game so to speak. Not that we can ever afford to be lazy in our writing habits, but tough times can be a great motivator. Skip that reality show and write a couple of pages. Trim the fat and make every word count toward advancing the plot or deftly serve some good purpose. Toss out those old dusty cliches. Make room for some fresh writing. Agents and editors can afford to be super picky. I’m keeping that in mind.

Lean times make me thrify. For instance, I’m into saving. For one thing I’m saving my time. I’ve cut back on getting sucked into the Internet and following one more fascinating link (we all know hours can go by before you know it). Instead I use that time to not just write, but make sure my story has a freshness, my own unique twist on a story, plot turn or character.

I’m also saving up on confidence in my ability as a writer. I can’t afford to dwell on the gloom and doom POV about what us non-famous writers face. Instead I’m recyling all the encouragment and support I’ve gotten through the years from people who genuinely like my writing. Time to draw on the stored up love I’ve gotten from wonderful family and friends.

I’m saving my energy. Being negative and pessimistic is exhausting. I need all that power to create, dream, plan and then write. Writing is hard work so I need to be spiritually, emotionally and mentally well rested. I’m not saying I haven’t take a break now and then from the publishing rat race. But I never stop writing in some form or fashion.

If you’re caught up in in “What’s the use?” thinking you’ll miss wonderful opportunities. At least that’s been my experience. I’ve seen writers get so discouraged that when they do get an agent or editor truly interested they simply never send them the manuscript. They talk themselves out of a blessing.

Of course when you’re catching hell it’s hard to be philosophical. I’ve been known to seriously get into a Pity Party groove. Yet it really is true. Hard times can make you stronger, better, smarter and more creative. If you use what you’ve been through to grow that is. I love the line from a gospel song that says, “Sometimes you have to encourage yourself”.

How do you make it through a storm? Use it and write the fabulous story inside you.