Overcome Rejection 2nd of 2: Before

Consider It is impossible to discourage real writers. They don’t give a damn what you say. They’re going to write.  – Sinclair Lewis Wordsmith Stars Overcoming Rejection Part 1 explored situations authors have faced with finished manuscripts, but having a story [or goal or idea or plan] refused after it’s developed is one thing. What about before starting? Psychology Today reported, The fear of rejection is one of our deepest human fears. Biologically wired with a longing to belong, we fear being seen in a critical way. We’re anxious about the prospect of being cut off, demeaned, or isolated. We fear being alone. We dread change. The depth and flavor of fear varies for each individual, although there are common elements at play. If we’re willing to look, what is our actual felt experience of rejection? What are we really afraid of?  Read more Calm Sage offers these cures for fear of rejection, Engage in positive self talk Know that rejection does not define you Be kind to yourself More   Nobel prize winning author Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  The same for any, marvelous hope or dream. But if, for the moment, ambitions feel thwarted, here are resources that can fortify, Succeed and Soar has examined F.E.A.R. a few times, including the January 16, 2021 post  “False Evidence Appearing Real”   and the March 21, 2020 post, “Face Everything And Rise.” 7 Authors Speak of Rejection as an Enormous Part of Writers Lives 50 Iconic Writers Who were Repeatedly Rejected 10 Reasons Why Novels Are Rejected  Serenity Prayer  Succeed and Soar! Shop Sandra’s Art on Stickers As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. The high quality and unique Onesies produced by Fine Art America: Vinyl   in sizes: 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 6×6 Kiss-cut w 1/8” border Available with transparent or white background Adhesive back clings to smooth surfaces, easy to remove Adhesive backing with plenty of stickiness Clings to any smooth surface yet easy to remove Priced from $3.50 to $9.20 CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Buy Stickers Here Shop All Art and Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!

Earth’s Best Hope 3: Heaven

As a man thinks, so he is. — Proverbs 23:7 An easy way to defeat others is to get them fighting among themselves. In this way, an enemy never risks casualties or expense. All that’s required to destroy a group, a community, a country, even a family, is bickering that alienates. Some form of fear is often the fuel [False Evidence Appearing Real]. The Second Amendment says well-regulated militias could arm themselves to preserve freedom. That language has been re-interpreted so that Americans can easily buy military-style weapons and kill other Americans. Did you know that there were fourteen mass shootings during the Fourth of July weekend? Thirteen weren’t widely reported because the national news couldn’t cover them all. Washington Post  [Seems no outsiders need to attack US anymore.] Shouldn’t child bearing be a topic that brings US together? As stated in Succeed and Soar’s “Seek Quality Life” Post, wouldn’t We the people be better off focusing on birthing babies who are well cared for, educated and can flourish? Shouldn’t We The People require that leaders unite US in making this country [with its extraordinary diversity] what Abraham Lincoln called, “the last best hope of earth?”  How can the epidemic outbreaks of hate-speech, fear-mongering, stingy, intolerant, boorish behavior be cured so that We the people realize Lincoln’s vision of US as a second Eden? Individually, in your own life, create a little heaven on Earth. Perform a heroic deed daily [a random act of kindness] Be generous and encouraging Create beauty Seek uplifting people and experiences Cultivate wholesome, healthy environments Continue learning Pause, allow several days of self nurturing and refreshment each month Be honest and fair Insist that those who govern US lead by these examples Remember, What you believe and focus on becomes your reality. – Michael McMillan Our focus is our future, and what we focus on will multiply. — David DeNotaris Succeed and Soar! Succeed and Soar Galleries The inspiring and beautiful work in these Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE:  size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.  

The Princess of Wands

A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping stone to the optimist. — Eleanor Roosevelt A story about the Tarot’s Princess of Wands suggests she had to learn to become so courageous, she could fly naked against all opposition. As the Princess crumbled all barriers to her goals, she dragged by the tail the giant tiger, the fears she’d slain. See Princess of Wands Stepping Stones are large, flat rocks that allow crossings of streams or rivers. They can also be turning points, highlights and moments of truth. If ‘Stepping Stone’ were a crossword clue, Wordplay’s  Crossword Solver suggests  ‘isle,’ a stepping stone for a giant.   [Imagine being big enough to need an island-sized footpath.] If ‘Stumbling Block’ were a crossword clue, Wordplay’s  Crossword Solver provides 30 solutions, including:  roadblock, hurdle, snag, barrier and fly in the ointment. I hunted for some wisdoms about obstacles and found: Take a limitation and turn it into an opportunity. Take an opportunity and turn it into an adventure.  – Jo Franz A new challenge keeps the brain kicking and the heart ticking. – E. A. Bucchianeri You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice. – Bob Marley Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. – Christian Larson More quotes about obstacles. So, how can obstacles be overcome? Psychology Today offers eleven ways, including: STOP: Stop. Take a Step Back Observe. Proceed Mindfully. Find Meaning. Ask: What lesson can be learned? Set Small Goals that can add up to a big achievement. Read more. While in his mid 40s, knowing he had six months of health left, CMU Professor Randy Pausch presented his last lecture. He said many fun and uplifting things. One inspiring reminder was: Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren’t there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want things. View Highlights of “The Last Lecture”  [39:57] Succeed and Soar! Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Celebrate Saturday, October 16:  National Dictionary Day   Noah Webster was born on this date. Did you know that this teacher created the first dictionary in order to define the differences between American and British English? Beyond that purpose, learning words empowers. As  the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” [More words, bigger world.] Sunday, October 17:  National Pay Back A Friend Day  Bank of America created this day to remind that no matter how long it’s been or how much or little is owed, friendships are greater than any debt, especially since research shows money can be a key stressor in friendships. Monday, October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day   Now, this is an event worth celebrating! Fabulous recipes.   Sandra’s Gifts, my online shop at RedBubble.com, shares my art as mouse pads, phone cases and shower curtains, as mugs, dresses, journals, greeting cards and more.  Everything is great quality and well priced. What beautiful and inspiring fun! Shop Here Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Of this post’s featured image, My daughters, grandson and I were exploring a remote part of the Lake Erie shore when I spotted this feather, left on the rocks after a bird took flight. My art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here  Thanks!

False Evidence Appearing Real & Cosmic Destinies

I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but is to be — that man may have cosmic destinies that he does not understand. And so, beyond the vision of battling races and an impoverished earth, I catch a dreaming glimpse of peace. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. An acronym is word spelled from the first letters of other words. FEAR is an acronym that can be built from over 40 phrases, like: Frighten Everyone About Race False Evidence Appearing Real Forgetting Everything About Reality Future Experiences Appearing Ruined Felines Enraged About Rodents FEAR can also be an acronym for:  Face Everything And Rise.  Read more. Here’s an Acronym for FEARLESS:  Faith Exquisite Appealing Radiant Leap Ecstatic Sense Success Let’s be fearless! 7 Things That Are Perfect for Your Soul Fear is a big cause of stress, as well as resentments and worries about loss.  This beautiful video offers seven ways to transcend life’s trials, to succeed and soar. [05:16]  Click on picture to view. Here’s the YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/pWM-2mLiDMM ***** “The healthiest of all human emotions is gratitude.” — Hans Selye & The Birth of Stress  Dr. Hans Selye, who studied stress, its causes and effects, found that gratitude both improves and produces more positive emotional energy than any other attitude.Scientific studies have shown that people who practice sincere gratitude feel better, enjoy happier relationships and need fewer doctor visits than those who focused on their aggravations. Thomas Jefferson said, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Imagine a world where the same is true of gratitude. “Gratitude conserves the vital energies of a person more than any other attitude tested.” — Hans Selye Wisdoms Collection   The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE:  size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.  

Face Everything And Rise (fear)

When I was in tenth grade, my family lived on a lonely hilltop . The narrow, two-story house was surrounded by apple and pear, cherry and peach trees.  One gray afternoon, as I strode from the kitchen, a dark and monstrous form loomed above the other side of the doorway. There are several acronyms for FEAR, like Forget Everything and Run. I screamed and fell flat on my back. My little sister had climbed on a chair beside the dining room wall. Silent, she hid herself in the shadows. When entered the room, she arched her arms and wriggled her fingers above my head. I think she was too shocked by my terror to laugh … right away.  Nowadays, on the rare occasions I recall my sister’s stupid “Creature from The Black Lagoon” imitation, I think: If I’d looked up and seen what was real, I wouldn’t be blushing now. I think of other acronyms for FEAR. Each has its own time and place, phrases like: Forgetting Everything About Reality For Everything a Reason Fail Early And Responsibly Face Everything And Rise Read more The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Men in Black star Will Smith’s three minute video about his first sky-diving adventure provides a funny and cool way to understand FEAR. Click on his picture [below] and enjoy. Featured image: “Catalpa Blooms 04” (c) 2020 Sandra Gould Ford. Prints start at $9.49. Visit Gallery.

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