A little dream of mine came true this past Thursday. A couple of weeks back and on a huge whim, I sent in a writing of mine to a local newspaper. A funny thing happened after that. They published it. (And spelled my last name a teensy bit wrong, but that’s totally okay. They could have made my last name FinaBoBina and I still would have been giddily satisfied.)
Sending this in was terrifying and hard for me for a few reasons. The article was about a restaurant I used to work at that has recently closed. As soon as I heard they weren’t open for business anymore, a lot of emotions came tumbling forth. In the year I worked at this place, I learned a lot about myself and even more about life. I became a stronger and wiser person because of it. But working here also forced me to see that the world isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. I lost a lot of my naivety and, because of my decisions, had to grow up very fast. I, the girl who for years didn’t know how else to wear her heart except for on her sleeve, quickly became an extremely guarded individual. I think I started to believe then that openness was synonymous with stupidity. But when a million different thoughts came forward, instead of repressing them like I’ve learned to do over the years, I wrote about them. I had to. To write about my thoughts, I also had to really feel them. Feeling things is scary to me. Especially scary is feeling things that I’ve purposely stored in the back of my mind for years, in order not to feel. But I did it. I wrote about them and, not really knowing what to do by myself with my foreign feelings, I sent them somewhere. I didn’t know if anyone else would really care to feel my feelings with me, but I figured it was worth a shot. It was. The editor emailed me to tell me it was great editorial, and that he was considering running it. This was maybe the scariest part. Others–so many others–would be able to read and criticize and think about my honest thoughts. I would feel really vulnerable if he ran my article. He ran it. I felt really vulnerable. And, you know, that was okay. Because I also felt ecstatic and joyful and accomplished and refreshingly open. I’m grateful to him for that and I’m proud of myself. The editor ran my article and I’m not running away from the stuff in my head and heart.
I’m facing fears and feelings. I’m a little blown away by the results. Things are happening, y’all. Really good,scary,amazing things.
You can read my whole article by going to the Cedar Park/Leander Statesman and looking under “Opinions” or by just clicking here.
Wow! That’s awesome! Congratulations on being a published writer!
Thank-you! 😀
Yay!!! A baby things gaweaviy! I really like the Stokke Bounce & Sleep Bouncer, the Chicco I-Feel Infant Rocker, or the Nurseryworks Storytime Rocker (looooove that rocker!).
That is awesome! I am so proud of you for putting your guard down and just going for it! Congrats 🙂
aw, thanks girly! 😀
Congrats on being published!
thank-you! 🙂
Congrats on both triumphs! 🙂
🙂 thanks friend!
You go, girl!! So happy for you! 🙂
thank-you!!! 🙂
CONGRATS!! This comes at an interesting time b/c I am publishing a post today in which I am very open and vulnerable, maybe not compared to other bloggers but more so than I have ever been. As soon as I saw the title of this I was like published thoughts, what?! But reading about how you feel OK makes me feel better about hitting “publish” today, so thanks 🙂
Aww. This comment makes me happy 🙂 Glad we’re in the same being-vulnerable-is-hard boat and tackling it at the same time! 😀
omgee omgee girl, congrats! i have had a few things published and it is such a high-happy-rush feeling!!! makes all the writing and doubts and edits worth it 🙂
that’s awesome! and yes, an amazing feeling! thank-you 🙂
How very awesome, congrats on being published!!
thanks girly! 🙂
This is AWESOME!!!! I am so inspired right now! You rock, seriously..huge step and a huge congrats to you!
Aww..thanks girl! 😀
Wow that is really amazing Christina – go you! I think it’s inspirational that you pushed past your fears and put yourself out there 🙂 Massive congratulations for getting published!!
Thanks lady, for another smile-inducing comment! 😀
How awesome is this?! Congrats!
hehe. thank-you!