When we're in troubled economic times, the news in the papers, on TV, across the internet is filled with doom and gloom. I see it, too, in the comments from writers I know who are lamenting the increasing difficulty of selling their work.
Publications have budgets which regulate the number of submissions they can accept. Books to be translated are put on hold until times get a little better. One editor had to scrap three good pieces for her Mother's Day issue because the newspaper had not sold enough advertising for that month.
Lately, it appears that we are all facing more negatives than positives in our writing careers and in our everyday lives, too. When the TV and radio newspeople deliver one bad news item after another, it's pretty hard to keep a positive outlook. I'm of the opinion that bad news makes a better story, so the 24/7 news people keep throwing it at us.
Being me, I would far rather they accentuate the positive things happening. There definitely are some good stories for them to report amongst the negative ones. I think that if they would try to show us the roses rather than the thorns, whenever possible, it would help build confidence in people. We need that confidence in the business world, the investment area, and in our personal lives. Should we buy a new house now? Should we trade in our car? Should we go on a vacation or stay home this year? Should we self-publish our novel now or wait another year?
Just this morning, I read a wonderful story in the Kansas City Star about one of the victim/survivors of the Colorado shootings. It was so uplifting and emphasized the many fine people in our world as opposed to the extremely small group of those akin to the shooter in Aurora. If you want a bit of inspiration and help to renew your faith in humankind, read the story. It's definitely one of the roses for me today.
Whenever you can, appreciate the roses instead of focusing on the thorns. The poster above seems to be a keeper, one that will be a good reminder when we get to feeling down.
What a moving story about the cyclist. Thanks for sharing, Nancy. It's a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteFocus on the rose is hard when weeds seem to be the only thing the world sows these days. But sanity and sanctity may be maintained by the liberal use of
ReplyDeletethe weed spray of positivity, Nancy. It is difficult for everyone today, to be constantly bombarded with negatives 24/7. I try to filter what I can.
Focus on the rose is hard when weeds seem to be the only thing the world sows these days. But sanity and sanctity may be maintained by the liberal use of
ReplyDeletethe weed spray of positivity, Nancy. It is difficult for everyone today, to be constantly bombarded with negatives 24/7. I try to filter what I can.