Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

Gratitude in Everyday Moments

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You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing, and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.
– G.K. Chesterton

I’m especially grateful my two college boys are coming home today. Counting the hours until I can hug them! Happy Thanksgiving, American friends. Wishing you joy and grace in the days ahead.

There is no such thing as behind.

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I’m coming to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with me just as there’s nothing wrong with you when your actions don’t fit what may seem expected or obvious or when you leave opportunity on the table in favor of something more meaningful to you at the time. You aren’t missing out, and neither am I.

When it comes to creativity, personal development, spiritual formation and life with God, your pace is your pace and there’s no such thing as behind.
— Emily P. Freeman

I am a goal setter and a dreamer. I want to live a life rich with meaning. These good things sometimes plague me with their demands, especially when it comes to my work. As a person who loves to measure change and chart progress, I unwittingly ratchet up expectations: When I’ll finish a draft. What I’ll tackle this month. The new projects I’ll begin this year. The old ones I’ll complete. What I’m saying is I can be relentless. I’m not always my own encourager and friend.

When there’s progress in my work, that growth often comes with conditions. It’s sometimes hard for me to appreciate if it happens outside the timeframe I intended or unfolds differently than I first hoped. I’m quick to despair and fret and worry, and whew, it wears me out.

I love the gracious words Emily Freeman speaks. Her thoughts aren’t new or revolutionary. I’ve posted similar sentiments here before. But if you, like me, need a reminder that life and creativity are not a race, I invite you to take a deep breath.

May you face whatever is before you in your time. On your terms. Without condemnation but with the freedom to enjoy — even celebrate.

Hold it loosely. Take the long view.

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When there’s enthusiasm for your book
before it meets the world,
hold it loosely.
When there’s only silence,
take the long view.

When your book gets great reviews,
hold it loosely.
When it feels like everything said is unkind,
take the long view.

When your book makes a splash,
hold it loosely,
When it’s quickly forgotten,
take the long view.

When your book makes lists or wins awards,
hold it loosely.
When your book has nothing
attached to its name,
take the long view.

When you receive praise
and are treated as someone special,
hold it loosely.
Don’t believe you’re any more important
than others doing the same hard work.
When you feel unnoticed,
Take the long view.
Don’t believe you’re any less important
than others doing the same hard work.

When you joyfully lose yourself in your writing,
when a reader connects with your story,
remember: this is the gift.

* A special thank you to Melanie Crowder, who recently reminded me of the importance of long view in the author’s life.