As I prep for the grand re-release of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass I'm reminded of one of its themes. Yes one of them definitely is envy, but there's another equally important theme: not being enough. Oh how I myself have felt like I'm not enough, not doing enough, not creating enough! On and on it goes. Just in the case of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, I decided to hire an editor so I would stop rereading it and making changes. (More on my fabulous editor in an upcoming post.) Not to mention, I still need to build my email list, create a platform and get out there and hustle. But hold everything, because while I'm at it, I need to figure out what's for dinner, fold the laundry and help my son who just told me his project is due - sigh - tomorrow.
Being enough is tough
As most women would agree, it's not enough to just to be in a relatively happy marriage or to raise well-adjusted, healthy children. We also need to be providers, have a career, be awesome on the inside and beautiful on the outside. It's insanely impossible like a ridiculous hamster wheel of falling short. In Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, Olivia has the big wedding, the family and the home. She doesn't have a career, enough money to pay the bills or an ideal weight. On the opposite side, Bethany has the career, money to live comfortably and is physically attractive. Yet, she feels the sting of being single each night. Put these two characters together and they make the perfect woman. That's the insane part. It takes two of them to do and to be it all.
I can relate. Can you?
For those of you who don't know my story, I left my teaching career to focus on raising my newborn twins and toddler son. Nine years later, my first priority is being a stay-at-home mom followed by growing my writing career. Full disclosure, while writing this blog and my novels have been infinitely rewarding, they are not nearly enough in the financial arena. I'm always wishing I had more time and more resources toward getting my novels to the top of a bestseller list all the while making sure I don't sacrifice being here and present for my family.
That's what she said ...
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." This original quote comes from the wise sage of a woman, Maya Angelou. Without giving away the ending of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, Olivia and Bethany discover this sentiment. Throughout the novel, they fight to become bigger and better only to nearly lose everything precious to them. The only peace these two characters (and any of us for that matter) find are in believing they are enough. And, I'll admit, it's a daily practice.
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." This original quote comes from the wise sage of a woman, Maya Angelou. Without giving away the ending of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, Olivia and Bethany discover this sentiment. Throughout the novel, they fight to become bigger and better only to nearly lose everything precious to them. The only peace these two characters (and any of us for that matter) find are in believing they are enough. And, I'll admit, it's a daily practice.
This Elizabeth Gilbert quote seems to make the most sense when I'm in need of a boost. "Embrace the glorious mess that you are." Perfectionism is overrated. All that matters is we strive for excellence within ourselves. And the only way to grow is by allowing ourselves to make mistakes, fall short, learn from it, get up, brush ourselves off and try again and again. (Now that I wrote that, I better darn well follow my own advice! That's the hard part!)
What about you?
Do you ever feel "not enough"? How do you deal with it? What practices do you do to feel enough?
Do you ever feel "not enough"? How do you deal with it? What practices do you do to feel enough?
I'd love to hear from you. Comment here or on my Facebook Page or Tweet it @AudryFryer!
Embrace the "Free": Free First Chapter! Free Giveaway!
Sign up at www.audryfryer.com! My next newsletter includes the newly revised entire first chapter of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass and insider info of when I'll be giving away Going Barefoot in Greener Grass for free! Go, go, go to www.audryfryer.com
>>> Going Barefoot in Greener Grass is your next feel-good read! But don't take my word for it. Click the "More About Going Barefoot in Greener Grass" tab above this post to hear what other readers had to say! <<<
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments Welcome and Encouraged! I would love to hear your thoughts, reactions or just say, "hi".