On Life and Writing

Believe, Gratitude, Inspiration, Life, Progress, writing 1 Minute

This past week, I googled Dr. Wayne Dyer quotes. If you ever need inspiration, he is an amazing go-to. Anyway, while scrolling, this one spoke to me:

We tend to pity ourselves when we perceive that fate is against us. I know a person whose son battles a severe brain illness, and her house flooded from a hurricane a few years ago. Recently her mom died, and just a month later her dog died. I understand how she might say, “Poor me.” A person can dwell on those thoughts or reframe them. “We are alive. My home has been rebuilt. My memories bring comfort and joy, and I am blessed to have them.”

Both Dr. Wayne Dyer and William Wordsworth proclaim the ability to create our own realities—through thoughts and intentions. How encouraging is that idea when it comes to our writing?

We can create our thoughts: “I am a writer. I am good. I am improving.”

Our thoughts can create our intentions: “I’m going to read at least three books a month with the goal of improving my writing, and each weekday I’m going to practice writing and check in with my writing group.” Our intentions create our reality. Little by little, in the same way that Wordsworth set out one summer with the intention of crossing the Alps. He didn’t even realize he accomplished his goal. He just had the thought and showed up and put one foot in front of the other. In the words of my friend Narayan Kaudinya—

Self-pity will inevitably sneak up, self-kindness is a practice, and I know what Dr. Wayne would say—

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

68 thoughts on “On Life and Writing”

  1. Inspirational message Crystal. I still recall the message I saw on a ceiling poster as I lay back in the dentist’s office….Change your thoughts and you will change your world. As humans, we tend to live inside our mind and that can be a very dangerous place to live. Stay well. Allan

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I’m learning to acknowledge and let go. It’s a process. I have had a tendency to stuff the bad things down, and then those things come back. But acceptance of what I can’t change helps, along with forgiveness (even for myself) and gratitude. You are right, Priscilla. It is hard. I just keep trying.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Self-pity is a practice, but so is self-kindness. Great point.

    You’ve endured a great deal over the past twelve months, Crystal. Yet your pen still flows— make that a keyboard.🙂 I am encouraged by your resilience.

    One thing I’d like to get better at is not thinking of myself so much, good or bad. Someone once said education is about turning mirrors and windows. Yeah, I want to be that guy, someone who is more into others than into himself. Not quite there yet. 🙃

    Hey, you also survived the greater Houston “Snow”pocalypse❄️❄️!

    Blessings.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hi David,

      Thanks for the follow up message. I found this one in SPAM. I have noticed if I use more than two or three emojis that happens. 😂 I noticed you used four. That’s only a guess based on my experience.

      The nature of blogging is quite self-centered. I just try to take my experience and find the meaning in it.

      Thanks so much for taking time to read and support!

      Liked by 4 people

  5. Hello Crystal, Great Essay! Check out these books, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen and On Writing Well and Writing About Your Life by William Zinsser. Have a SUPER DOODLE DAY! Jerry

    Liked by 4 people

  7. Love this Crystal! I’m a firm believer in rewriting our stories by focusing on the positives. It’s easy to get caught in the emotional pull of negative emotions but I notice when I greet them, don’t shame them, allow them space, they’ll move along more quickly. No guilt zone, C

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Dear Crystal, thoughts are so important and thank you for blogging.
    What came to my mind is that many people have a tough time with self-worth – I know that I have at times due to dealing with illness. Our minds can tell us all kinds of lies, that we are broken or not good enough, that everything is falling apart when we are just having a rough day or rough period.
    I am reminded to say that we don’t have to believe everything we think. I think sometimes I am my worst critic, and I suppose others are like that also.
    So where am I? Thoughts, perhaps we need to step back in prayer and be quiet and kind to ourselves; then take the steps we need to, no matter how small. – all the best ♥ David

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Those self deprecating thoughts always seem to sneak up, and I remind myself I don’t have to believe everything I think. But when I think of you, David, I think of joy. Take care, my friend.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for looking, Crystal. And thanks again for the tip about not using too many emojis. I had no idea why some of my comments were disappearing. Now I know. The next step is to learn to communicate without emojis. (Insert thinking face)

        Liked by 2 people

  16. Just loved Wayne and I still connect to him as a guide! I finally starting to train and use my thoughts as a tool for all that’s good. The ego bullied and controlled them for years but now I’m using my heart to create new thought loving pathways.

    Liked by 4 people

  18. Love Wayne Dyer and am a true believer that our thoughts (aka our interpretation of reality) create our feelings and intentions, which create our actions (or inaction). We see examples of both positive lives and negative lives being lived as a result. I don’t believe in toxic positivity, but I do believe that how we choose to look at things, our perspective, has a huge impact on how we live our lives. Great post.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for this reflection. I also think about toxic positivity vs. choosing thoughts. Another one I’ve learned from Wayne Dyer is to acknowledge (whatever it is), thank the thing for lessons learned, and say goodbye. It’s more about releasing it vs. stuffing it down. I am working on this idea of releasing certain thoughts and choosing others. And there is power in the “I am.” Have a great day, Collette!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Thoughtful post, Crystal, in more ways than one.

    First level – we create our thoughts, and our thoughts create reality. Yep, I think so. Agreed.

    Then come the second thoughts – yeah, but what happens when circumstances just won’t cooperate (a dynamic, alas, you know all too well)? What then?

    Finally, we rise on a third and final wave – reassurance. The initial situation may not be to our liking, but conditions change, and so too should our initial reactions. When we refuse to let, well, “things” block our way, to confine us to negativity, we’ve found a way to rise above them. You know what happens then? It’s the situation that gasps for breath.

    Lots to consider here, Crystal. Thanks for the mental workout!

    Liked by 2 people

  22. Thank you for sharing!!.. some interesting thoughts indeed!.. I generally avoid following a crowd and follow my heart with a open mind, rarely go wrong…“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” (Joel Brown).. 🙂

    Until we meet again…
    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 2 people

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