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This week: Observations: Janus-ly Speaking Edited by: Fyn  
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"Every day we slaughter our finest impulses. That is why we get a heartache when we
read those lines written by the hand of a master and recognize them as our own, as the
tender shoots which we stifled because we lacked the faith to believe in our own powers,
our own criterion of truth and beauty. Every man, when he gets quiet, when he becomes
desperately honest with himself, is capable of uttering profound truths. We all derive
from the same source. There is no mystery about the origins of things. We are all part of
creation, all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, only to discover
what is already there." ~~Henry Miller Sexus
"The poet is he who inspires, rather than he who is inspired." ~~Paul Eluard
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." ~~Irving Townsend
'Some folks are wise, some are otherwise'. ~~Tobies George Smollett
'Courage is the first of human virtues because it makes all others possible.' ~~Aristotle
'Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.'~~ Dr Seuss
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~~Marcus Tullius Cicero
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." ~~Albert Einstein
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According to Roman Mythology, Janus is the god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. He looks both forward and back at the same time.Looking forward towards new ideas, goals, and changes from the forward-looking face all the while still seeing and aware of what has gone before: mistakes, choices, paths taken or not, decisions and what resulted from them. It is also where the name of the month January comes from! (Your trivia tidbit for the day!)
At this time of year, I always try to find some time to look at both where I've been and where I intend to go. I look back at the optimistic goals I set a year ago and figure out where I succeeded and where I failed -- and why. I look back at choices that may or may not have hindered progress and at the ones that catapulted me forward. I try to figure out how each may have been different and how they were similar. In essence, most of the time, it is a grey blur of both highs and lows that time, distance and focus have softened the sharper edges and made the less than stellar moments seem not quite so distracting.
Overall, this has, personally, proven to be one of the 'good' years. Much of what I set out to accomplish; I did, indeed, accomplish. Other things did not happen or didn't happen quite the way I had originally envisioned. Time to take stock, learn from what I experienced and go forward once again. Those stumbling blocks become, now, stepping stones as I go forward.
Looking forward, keeping in the (ahem - pun intended) back of my mind what has gone before, I can plan, fix, alter, re-imagine and plan to go forward in a way that (hopefully) proves out to be up even better pathways. Change can be a good thing, if one is willing to try, to experiment or to envision new ways to do old things.
A week or so ago, I was miserably unhappy for a silly reason. It mattered not to me that the essential thing making me unhappy was small, unimportant in the grand scheme of things. It wasn't the way I wanted it to be, the way I thought it should be, and there was virtually nothing I could do to change it. After a rather large pity party, a lot of moaning and groaning and a healthy dose of 'not going through this again,' I settled down, figured out what needed to change, did the research and figured out how I might best change what needed changing even though I really did not what to change a few things/ give up a few ideas that I realized would be lost in those changes. Rather, I have figured out how to implement the 'going forward' choices and manage to hang on to a new version of an old idea. Cryptic, perhaps, but it is the realizations I figured out that are what is important here, not the specifics. *smile*
Playing Janus, I also thought about all the good, positive and exciting things that were started this past year and envisioned how they will morph, grow or expand in the coming year. I thought about good friends (the 'through thick and thin' variety) and how valuable they truly are. I thought about disappointments and resettled them in their assorted categories, being sure I gave each the proper amount of time/respect it actually deserved. (or didn't)
I made the choice to let some things go, as worrying or stressing over them simply wasn't conducive to a healthy, happy me. I looked blame--assigned, accepted or unintentional and smiled as I consigned it circularly as necessary. But even still, these were instances that I learned something from! All things for a reason.
Going forward, I'm making some big changes, switching up initial concepts and rather than looking back at what I wanted but didn't quite achieve, I am looking forward to how things can be once the changes are integrated into every day routines. Resolutions? No, not so much as redefined goals, new mile posts and hopefully, less stress and more accomplishments.
Now if only I can apply all this good, forward thinking to making time to write, life will be so much better!
So now I'm sitting down to finish this up. The fire is crackling away, carols are playing and I just finished wrapping a few presents. The dog's asleep on my lap and all is more or less right with the world. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza -- May you enjoy peace, a song in your heart, have someone to hug and people to love!
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Some Christmas-y sort of things!
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Zheila  says: Hi Fyn;
I must congratulate you for the funniest way to explain the process of publishing a book. Dogs are my favorite, and since I own one I understand your writing better. If that is the picture of your dog, she is beautiful. I love to have my book publish one day. But I know I have to learn how to write better first. Have a great thanksgiving Day with your little one. Sincerely, Zheila, a member of writing.com
We did!
Vivian  writes: Love this newsletter -- so true. Good job, Bear. I go through the same things with 4RV authors and illustrators and editors. Even I have to remind myself to go over everything over and over carefully. The point about not scheduling a book signing until books are in hand is excellent. I'm borrowing that one.~~Viv
It can save a LOT of heartaches!
GaelicQueen  commented: Bear, you have pecked a page full. Writers should read their "proof set" of book before the it is printed for distribution. I really liked your article.
ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams  said: THANK YOU for the lovely surprise for featuring Who's The Boss in your awesome WDC Newletter: For Authors. i was both amazed and proud. Christina PS: I cried when I read Bear's story.
Awww :)
mickykarim writes: OBSERVATION FROM PUBLISHING PUPPY
What an ingenius affront, guessed this applies to me. One little four legged crawling brilliance to a full fledged upright homo sapien.
Fantastic.
Lesley Scott says: All dog owners think they have the perfect, loving pet. This is true. Most dogs are loving and eager to please. I think I have an unusual story about my dog that no one else can claim.
Jellyfish in Morocco adds: What a lovely newsletter Fyn  I have enjoyed reading your dog's take on publishing - a clever cannine indeed!
She is that. *smile*
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For Authors: December 18, 2013 Issue [#6054]
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