Band-Aids, Blows, and Beginnings.

Jan 06, 2022

New years feel like new beginnings. Are they? Not really—unless we treat them that way.

We are human. As such, it seems we often fall back into our old habits—good or bad—unless we make a serious effort to do otherwise.

I often take a day to sit down at my desk in January. (It’s one of the rare times I do since I use a laptop for writing and like to be more comfortable.) During that serious desk time, I think about what writing goals I can accomplish during the year.

How many novels, novelettes, and samples would I have time to start this year? How many can I finish? How many promos for new books, and for old books, should I schedule? How many newsletters should I send? How many ads should I create? How many writing classes should I take?

This is only the beginning of the questions a new author needs to ask themself. They are important questions. The answers to them will determine the course of my career for the entire year. They could make or break me—at least as a writer.

But, as much as I enjoy writing, those goals are not the most important ones in my life. Because as crucial as our work is, it is not the foremost thing in our lives.

No, the most important goals will be on an entirely separate list.

The beginning of the year is a good time to look at myself—as a person. Have I been as kind as I would like to be? Have I been as helpful? Have I been thankful for the help given me?

It doesn’t matter if it’s my family, fellow workers, or the lady serving coffee at the local cafeteria. Have I made their day better? Or at least not any worse?

The world is chaotic. People are hurting. I can’t help the entire world, but I can be a better person to the people around me.

I can be a Band-Aid or one more blow.

I choose Band-Aid.

Happy reading,
Maira :)