Lila Johnson's Blog - Posts Tagged "determination"
Never, Ever Stop
The recent passing of my cousin has reminded me of one important thing in this life, never stop. It doesn't matter what it is; writing a book, making a quilt, caring for an ill family member or baking the worlds best chocolate cake according to your best friends. What ever it is, never stop giving it your best.
A few weeks ago I received a hurtful book review. It took my breath away and for a brief moment, it made me not want to write another book, article or even a note to a friend. But after a deep cleansing breath and a conversation with another author friend of mine, I realized that if I had stopped writing I would be miserable. I have been writing as long as I can remember. It has always been the only thing that really mattered in my life besides reading.
Like an actor, musician, scientist or one of a million things that a person does in his or her life, you push yourself to become better, stronger, wiser. The thing that you love is not work but a joy to do.
So when my cousin Freddie passed away unexpectedly, all I could remember were the messages of encouragement he would leave on my Facebook page or speak to me in person.
So to the critics and naysayers of my books I say, "Sorry but I'm going to be around for awhile. I don't plan to stop writing. My goal is to become a better writer each and every time. To you I say, no, I will never, ever stop."
A few weeks ago I received a hurtful book review. It took my breath away and for a brief moment, it made me not want to write another book, article or even a note to a friend. But after a deep cleansing breath and a conversation with another author friend of mine, I realized that if I had stopped writing I would be miserable. I have been writing as long as I can remember. It has always been the only thing that really mattered in my life besides reading.
Like an actor, musician, scientist or one of a million things that a person does in his or her life, you push yourself to become better, stronger, wiser. The thing that you love is not work but a joy to do.
So when my cousin Freddie passed away unexpectedly, all I could remember were the messages of encouragement he would leave on my Facebook page or speak to me in person.
So to the critics and naysayers of my books I say, "Sorry but I'm going to be around for awhile. I don't plan to stop writing. My goal is to become a better writer each and every time. To you I say, no, I will never, ever stop."
The Case of Ms. Riley
A recent trip to New York City placed me in it’s underbelly, the subway system. This typical Friday afternoon had its share of passengers seated and standing upright while holding on for dear life to prevent flying into the arms of a stranger as I did just minutes ago. At one particular stop, a light skinned, petite girl, possibly seven or eight-years-old with numerous braids stepped on board.
She was a determined little thing. With an air of confidence that I hadn’t seen in someone so young in years, a blinged out tote bag swung from one shoulder. In her hands she held a clear, green plastic folder containing pictures. Riley (I would learn her name later) set about, one person at a time, presenting her items for sale. In a polite and confident tone, she would say, “Excuse me, would you like to buy my art work?”
I was fascinated by her behavior as she approached each adult. Some reacted with kindness in turn, saying “No thanks,” if they chose not to engage. One passenger pulled out his wallet and gave her some money but refused the hand colored artwork that she tried to give him. Then it was my turn.
I held the folder as she explained the prices of her work starting at two dollars and as high as twenty. When asked if she did all the work herself, Riley confessed that she and her sister worked on the project. I told her to pick out a picture that she colored. It said, “I Love You” surrounded in brilliant colors. How could one not smile at something so simple? I held out three dollars to pay for my purchase. She said, “That’s a two-dollar picture.” Impressed with her honesty, I told her it included a tip. Her big smile warmed my heart. I asked for a hug which she did not hesitate in giving.
Placing the money in the blinged out bag, Riley continued, business as usual. A maternal need to protect her came over me as I watched a man purchase a picture with an ocean scene and afterward a lady paid five dollars for her purchase then shook Riley’s hand. I continued to watch the little entrepreneur handle her business with a smile, filled with determination, one person at a time until she disappeared from my view.
Ms. Riley taught me two lessons that day; don’t let anything get in the way of business and if you have persistence and determination you will succeed. She was the kick in the pants, a blessing in disguise, that I and so many of us need when we feel like whining about how tired we are when goals or dreams don’t go our way. Yes, we all need a little Riley to make life worthwhile.
She was a determined little thing. With an air of confidence that I hadn’t seen in someone so young in years, a blinged out tote bag swung from one shoulder. In her hands she held a clear, green plastic folder containing pictures. Riley (I would learn her name later) set about, one person at a time, presenting her items for sale. In a polite and confident tone, she would say, “Excuse me, would you like to buy my art work?”
I was fascinated by her behavior as she approached each adult. Some reacted with kindness in turn, saying “No thanks,” if they chose not to engage. One passenger pulled out his wallet and gave her some money but refused the hand colored artwork that she tried to give him. Then it was my turn.
I held the folder as she explained the prices of her work starting at two dollars and as high as twenty. When asked if she did all the work herself, Riley confessed that she and her sister worked on the project. I told her to pick out a picture that she colored. It said, “I Love You” surrounded in brilliant colors. How could one not smile at something so simple? I held out three dollars to pay for my purchase. She said, “That’s a two-dollar picture.” Impressed with her honesty, I told her it included a tip. Her big smile warmed my heart. I asked for a hug which she did not hesitate in giving.
Placing the money in the blinged out bag, Riley continued, business as usual. A maternal need to protect her came over me as I watched a man purchase a picture with an ocean scene and afterward a lady paid five dollars for her purchase then shook Riley’s hand. I continued to watch the little entrepreneur handle her business with a smile, filled with determination, one person at a time until she disappeared from my view.
Ms. Riley taught me two lessons that day; don’t let anything get in the way of business and if you have persistence and determination you will succeed. She was the kick in the pants, a blessing in disguise, that I and so many of us need when we feel like whining about how tired we are when goals or dreams don’t go our way. Yes, we all need a little Riley to make life worthwhile.
Believe and Be
It’s been nine months since Covid-19 invaded our land. Unfortunately, the number of reported cases continue to grow and too many deaths are a result of it. I have personally worked with a few of these cases in the outpatient dialysis setting. I’m thankful to say that those patients have survived and moved onward with their lives. This past Sunday, while watching several renowned ministers on television, the one factor they stressed that I know for sure is that we must BELIEVE. As Dr. David Jeremiah stated, “Get your mind right.” We must push out the negative and speak on the positive.
For example, to help my dialysis patients take the focus off of their anger or disappointment of being on treatment, I wear crazy hats. They never know and look forward to what I may have on my head. It could be a pizza or taco hat. Throughout October I wore an array of spider, bats and even a haunted house headband that lit up. On Halloween day, I came dressed as a disgruntled plumber; a plunger hat with toilet paper hanging off of it, a coat with toilet paper and baby wipes with a note, ‘Do not flush the baby wipes down the toilet,’ and other plumber related statements. It was a hit!
This simple act helps me keep my mind right; sharing a laugh, making others smile. It allows me to stay positive and know there is always hope and light even in the darkest nights or tunnels of life.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let us not only celebrate safely but be thankful for our health, life in general and for strength to push forward in our dreams and determination to survive. Here is a wonderful quote from one of my favorite books by Paulo Coelho.
“And, when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.” The Alchemist
For example, to help my dialysis patients take the focus off of their anger or disappointment of being on treatment, I wear crazy hats. They never know and look forward to what I may have on my head. It could be a pizza or taco hat. Throughout October I wore an array of spider, bats and even a haunted house headband that lit up. On Halloween day, I came dressed as a disgruntled plumber; a plunger hat with toilet paper hanging off of it, a coat with toilet paper and baby wipes with a note, ‘Do not flush the baby wipes down the toilet,’ and other plumber related statements. It was a hit!
This simple act helps me keep my mind right; sharing a laugh, making others smile. It allows me to stay positive and know there is always hope and light even in the darkest nights or tunnels of life.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let us not only celebrate safely but be thankful for our health, life in general and for strength to push forward in our dreams and determination to survive. Here is a wonderful quote from one of my favorite books by Paulo Coelho.
“And, when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.” The Alchemist
