The Encampment of Discouragement

I have spent most of the morning hearing: "It is nearly impossible...," "Beware of...," "More than likely you will never...," "Unless you are already (fill in the blank), you should not expect..." Each statement an arrow aiming to pierce my armour and kill off my belief in what I am doing.

I was seeking information on publishing a book of haiku poetry. I already knew that poetry is a hard-sell because of the unfortunate fact that it is a niche market - there are many more people who would prefer to read the latest summer sensation than would read poetry. I'm not against the summer reads - I would be happy to have one published and sold and am working on a novel or two. But, I think there's room for writing such as poetry. In fact, I think it's vitally important as it holds the art of the times in words and just as film will never take the place of a beautiful painting we know that both are needed and valued.

I began to feel discouragement set up camp just outside and march in formation attempting to intimidate me enough to give up before I even try. While thoughts of drowning myself in chocolate called to me, I began also to think about something more useful - defenses to this discouragement. What do I have at my disposal that can simply make it possible to walk right by the camp of discouragement unharmed???


Belief

This is something I’ve already blogged on – you have to know that what you are doing has value and value it accordingly yourself. That belief needs to be nourished to the point of becoming a knowing that infuses your very bones.


Tenacity

I remember years ago there was a drawing that many found charming (though I can’t find the artist to give credit to). It was called Never Give Up and was a cartoon of an Egret trying, unsuccessfully, to swallow a frog. The attempt was unsuccessful because the frog, already having his legs inside the egret’s mouth, had wrapped his arms/hands around the egret’s neck and wouldn’t let go. This is tenacity.

Whatever you wish to succeed in, never give up on. Inherent talent, training, diplomas, money – all of these will fail before tenacity will. Many talented people give in to discouragement and are never heard from. If you have that determination to be heard, all that you need will eventually be yours and you will succeed.


Take out the Trash

I heard a ton of negative things today. But, I also found some useful information. One of the sites I looked at gave the warnings, yes, but also gave helpful guidelines and very useful links. It was a welcome voice of knowledge amongst the battery of “no”-ledge (sorry, cheesy I know but I couldn’t resist. :) ).

It is important to learn what is useful and what is simply not. Usually what are not useful are those things that would destroy your dreams and discourage your attempts. What are useful are those things that will move you forward. What does not help you, throw out. What does help you, keep and use and build on.

Already, in reminding myself of these things as I’m reminding you, I can see the entrance to the path that will have me safely navigating around the encampment of discouragement.

And I am struck with a final thought (not to worry, it didn’t hurt me… ;) ) on getting past discouragement. Well, it’s a question really. Do you believe you are worthy of success?