"You are enough." If I say it enough times I might believe it.

First, the big news: The re-release of the professionally edited version of Going Barefoot in Greener Grass will go on sale March 21st! In honor of it's re-release, here's the first in series of "Going Barefoot" blog posts. *Plus go to www.audryfryer.com & sign up for my next newsletter which will include a free first chapter and when you'll be able to download Going Barefoot in Greener Grass for free!* 

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. 

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?

I'd love to hear from you. Comment here or on my Facebook Page or Tweet it @AudryFryer! 

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"You are enough ..." and Other Words of Wisdom from Maya Angelou

When I saw the news report that Maya Angelou had died, I immediately did a web search of her quotes seeking to revisit her timeless words of wisdom and maybe discover a few I've never heard. As tributes poured forth, I easily found many gems. Of course, I couldn't resist going on Pinterest and adding a few pins to my board To Inspire.  And, get this, I transformed one of my pictures using a photo writer app to include a favorite quote that fit too perfectly. Check it out:

(Side story: The day before this rainbow appeared, we had been hit by a rare hail storm. While the quarter size hail did minor damage to our vehicles and to my garden, ten to fifteen miles away received much worse, as in golf ball size. I'm glad it was a rainbow and a photo moment on this day. Look close, it's a double!)

As I read quote after quote, such as:

"I've learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."

"If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."

I came across this quote:

"You are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." 

These simple words, "You are enough", more than any other quote produced such a sense of calm.

I don't go through the world feeling like I have to prove myself, but I do carry "worry" with me nearly everywhere I go. As a mom of three, there's always something, or more like many things, to produce a hardy batch of anxiety. I worry that I forgot something (it's usually the water bottle for soccer practice), that I'll be late (I'm always five minutes late), that whatever I'm wearing is the right look and/or appropriate attire for the temperature (like anyone is taking notes), that this writing career is worth the time and effort (it is worth it). 

The truth is, like most of you reading this, I worry if all that I do is enough. No one ever wants to fall short, especially if you're a parent. But, you know what? This quote is about who you are, not what or how you do it. And, so if I may be a "rainbow in your cloud", allow me to share with you the words of a wise woman:

"You are enough." 

Believe it and repeat it! 

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Audry Fryer is the author of two women's fiction novels:

 

Learn more at www.audryfryer.com

Hungry for a page-turner? Check out a novel of delicious deceptions:
SECRETS, LIES AND APPLE PIES is available for Kindle and Nook.

Looking for some kick-off-your-shoes fun? Check out what happens when two friends become green with envy in:
GOING BAREFOOT IN GREENER GRASS is available for Kindle and Nook.