Dun dun da da! Here it is, my manuscript in it’s entirety. After five years of working on and off on this project I have finally complied all of my thoughts.
I have to admit something to you though, this last week has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster. As excited as I am about having completed my first book, it’s also a little scary. One of the first reactions I had when I picked up the 244 pages of my own writing was fear. My inner critic was having a field day yelling all sorts of self defeating thoughts in my head.
I wondered why all of a sudden these fears were being voiced when just moments before I was completely elated to hit the print button. Then my dear friend, Melissa (who accompanied me on the writing trip to Weymouth), sent me an e-mail with one of my favorite quotes attached as a reminder.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
—Marianne Williamson
I cried as I read these words and remembered their truth. Not only have I called forth my own inner light, but I’ve written it all down on the page to help inspire others to do the same. Sure my ego / my inner critic is scared. This is BIG and there is absolutely no hiding it once this book is out there.
We all have dreams and visions of ourselves living our highest possible lives. And we are all tested by our internal critic as well as many external voices in our lives. They tell us our dreams are impossible, that we simply can’t do it, that we will fail and that it’s not practical. They are basing their opinions in that unhealthy state of fear. But we, who have seen our own inner light, know the power of love. We know within that love anything is possible, we are the creators of our own lives.
Are you living in LOVE or fear? Every day, every moment of our lives, we have the option to choose which one it will be. My dream is to see you and I living in a constant state of LOVE for ourselves and for each other. I see beautifully happy, healthy, creative souls radiating their inner light so brightly that it sparks the same light in everyone we pass.
By writing this book on Love, Life and Self Discovery I am letting my light shine. I give you permission to do the same. Move towards your dreams, your highest vision of yourself, let it shine! Be the beautiful, creative, joyful self that you were put on this Earth to be! It is sincerely my hope that the work I do will help to keep you inspired, confident and constantly moving towards your dreams!
“For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.”
– Aristotle –
I recently read “Courage and Croissants: Inspiring Joyful Living” by Suzanne Saxe-Roux & Jean P. Roux. It was a fantastic story of breaking out of the box and following your heart. I won it in a give away and would like to gift it back to the world to help spread their inspirational message. To enter to receive my copy of the book simply leave a comment below. I will randomly choose a winner next Wednesday, March 7th. Good luck!
Love & Blessings!
-Jeniffer
March 2, 2012
I so enjoy all of your correspondence that I receive in my “Inbox”! You never fail to inspire and encourage me as I grope my way through this life. It always seems like you know just what to write that is applicable to my circumstances, whether good or bad! Thank you for the opportunity to let you know how great your work really is!
Laura Thykeson
The Altered Book Nook
Taz’s Corner Blog
March 7, 2012
Thanks so much for naming me as the winner of the drawing for the book!! You have made me so Happy, I am just bursting at the seams!! Thanks again, Jennifer, you are a sweetheart!
March 8, 2012
Your welcome! The book will be on it’s way to you shortly 🙂
March 2, 2012
I had this ‘moment’ driving yesterday. I thought “what if we all said YES to that voice inside that says to _________ (insert write, paint, dance, whatever it is we are afraid to do). What a powerful world tht would be!
March 2, 2012
I wish you the best of luck with getting your book published, Jen! You’re inspired, inspiring, and you always have a positive message to share! 🙂
March 2, 2012
Jeniffer, I know how hard you have worked to make this book happen – you are an inspirational role model for vision and determination. I wish you the success you deserve with the book. Just keep doing what you are doing… you are already a success 🙂
March 3, 2012
Congratulations on finishing your manuscript!
And what a powerful quote.
So nice to meet you through FB’s Magically Mixed Art Community.
All the best,
Mary
March 3, 2012
We are all so proud of you and really can’t say that enough!
A lot of time, energy and emotion went into this book and I hope to see it published soon. I’m sure many people will benefit from reading it.
You are an inspiration to all around you! 😉
much love,
Judy
March 5, 2012
Hi Jennifer, I love following your blog and receiving your e-mails. I join all of your workshops and you are truly inspiring to me. I have started my own visual journal about a year ago and have shared it with several others and inspired them to create their own. i love looking back at it and what is amazing is as i look at a previous page, i can still remember how i felt the day i was writing or drawing it.
Thanks for You!
March 7, 2012
And the winner is….. (insert drum roll)… Laura Thykeson. Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone for your super supportive and inspirational comments. I love you all!!!