21 of #100daychallenge: vote
Give the people what they want.
Honestly, not my first instinct, so I'm learning more and more about this right now. I don't know that it's a matter of not wanting to give people what they want or that I am rebelling. I think it's more that I need to know what I want, so that I know what I'm giving and why. In fairness, I am not in the habit of giving myself what I want without question.
With this #100daychallenge, I have been including a photograph or illustration of myself as the third visual on instagram. I took a selfie after I voted to include in today's post and I made the decision to make it the first visual for today's @instagram post because that's what people want to see today. And, I agree that it's important. I do want people to know I voted, that I value my rights and I believe I matter and have impact.
After I voted, I went to our neighborhood block party, and it was fun. Although, people who know my do not believe I am shy, I do clam up in social situations and sometimes avoid talking to new people. I never understand why this is still an issue as an adult, it is actually very uncomfortable and embarrassing, but I'm aware and know I can change. There are unfortunate side effects of this compulsive tendency. Sometimes people think that I do not like them, am not interested or that I am simply aloof. It's actually the opposite. I like everyone. I find them fascinating. I am simply an observer and often put others on a pedestal. If people saw what I see about them, they would feel amazing and worthy everyday.
At the block party, I saw someone I coached when they played volleyball in junior high! She lives right around the corner from me and has two of the cutest kids I've ever seen. It was fun to see her and so crazy that we've been neighbors for five years and didn't know it until this year. That is mind boggling. She's a cool person. Real. I'm glad she is happy and doing well. I'm looking forward to more neighborhood activities, even though shyness still trips me up sometimes. Seeing everyone come together really makes me feel grateful for our neighborhood and makes it feel safer.
Give the people what they want.
It's a great mantra that I must keep in mind for social situations, because people just want to connect, take a break from the to do's and laugh a little. I am also sensing that this is a mantra that I must keep in mind as I write my book. I've been writing for myself all my life and sometimes to others, but I've never really considered writing for an audience larger than one or two. I'm learning about the book proposal process and it is very clear that I do need to consider if I am giving the people what they want — agents, publishers, booksellers, editors and readers. This is extremely challenging and I'm learning a lot, because I am not an extremely gifted writer. I get a lot out of my writing and sometimes people I know have been touched by it, but I truly do not know if a stranger would find it valuable or enjoyable. In the beginning, I told myself that I am writing this book for myself and that I didn't want to think about writing for a specific result or group of people. There's still a bit of fear that I won't be able to finish it if I start considering marketing too much before I even have a full draft.
Give the people what they want.
It doesn't just have one meaning. It's the kind of thought that can be considered and useful in one way and then flipped in different directions for more consideration and uses. Sometimes I am the people and I need to give me what I want. Sometimes it's letting family members be. Sometimes it's foregoing what I want for the collective good.
I really love writing. I really don't care if nobody is reading my writing, but I like being able to share it. I really do appreciate it when someone tells me that what I'm sharing has affected them. It's more about the concepts and the expression, than the technical aspects of being a great writer. I am a great writer just because I love it so much always. It doesn't get in the way of my relationships or ability to learn with others. I'm glad I showed up today to write what I'm reading.
Maybe you voted today, maybe you didn't. Notice how you feel. If you did vote, what did you do to guarantee the action you took? If you did not vote, why didn't you feel like it or what got in the way? No judgment. Just a few moments to notice the patterns inside of you that affect what works and doesn't work for you. It's none of my business, of course. I noticed that I kind of wanted to skip it because I was hungry and tired after work, but then I knew it would break me down if I didn't vote. I have this feeling ingrained in me that there simply is no excuse for me to not vote.
Follow @blueprintwellness.life to see my #writing #alltheloveandnoexcuses #100daychallenge unfold.
Brightly,
Laura
