Not long ago I made the decision to stop editing and consulting for other writers. 
It was not an easy decision to make. I like helping other writers. I had several clients that I knew I’d sincerely miss. The venture also brought in some added income. But I couldn’t deny the little gnawing feeling I had on the inside every time I said “yes” to another editing project.
I think part of me was sure that the world, or at least my world, would stop spinning if I cut out this part of my life.
And to be perfectly honest, I also know that several of my clients will go on to be bestselling writers and will likely land TV shows and my little prideful heart had to die to the fact that I would get no credit for helping them get to that point. (Just keeping it real, folks.)
So I laid it all out before the Lord and agonized for longer than I should have before I finally made the decision to stop doing for others and start doing for me.
That was a few weeks ago.
Not one time have I missed editing and consulting. Not. even. once.
I feel so light, like an enormous weight has been lifted, one I didn’t even know I was carrying.
And that peace tells me one thing- I did the right thing!
Sometimes we have to prune our writing lives and simply let things go.
Do you see that pretty Carnelia bush in the image above? The year before that photo was taken I did a massive pruning, removing buds and cutting off every single branch that was dead or withered. The following year the bush was literally covered in blossoms as you can see by the fuchsia carpet of petals below it.
You see, it’s a principle of life. Sometimes we have to cut off the unproductive elements in order to make room for new growth.
So, I ask you. Is there any part of your writing life that is unproductive, burdensome, dead weight, going nowhere, keeping you from your chief objectives and main focus? If so, lop it off. Get rid of the old so God can bring you the new.
Doesn’t the new look beautiful?
5 comments:
Letting go of something good, to make room for something better. Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration. Abby
Congrats! I'm making some decisions myself. I think I take more things on in order to AVOID doing what I should be doing, ya know?
This will be hard... very hard. :)
NIce to hear from you!
I get his. I have done the same with music students. I am, however, always glad to see you here. I hope that this branch will continue to bear fruit so it may stay.
Ugh! Bonita - really needed this today - four weeks after you wrote it! Four horrid weeks of stress and "when will this semester be over" thoughts! And, yes - pruning does feel good AFTER the fact. Getting to the fact is the struggle - and for me these past three months - humiliating. Not to mention seeing my daughter off and married with all the flurry of odd emotions associated with that on top of too much work on my plate - here's hoping I pruned enough and the winter/spring semester at my Constellation Academy for homeschool families moves along more effectively and balanced.
Joy!
Kathy
Bonita, timely post for me, thanks for your honestly. God has purned me more then once and each time there is lightness in my life afterwards. There are so many needs out there that it's easy to forget we have needs too. My husband and I are in a stage where we now have plenty of time to read and soak up God's word like never before. Our ministry is the easiest one we have ever had. And I think because of that people want to plug us in all over the place but we know God has us in a place where there is a rest. so we continue to say no more then yes these days, very freeing. Good post
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