Every disappointment leads to an appointment – lessons from the Next Top Spiritual Author Competition
July 15, 2010 by Marguerite Orane
Filed under Featured Posts, Trust
This has been a difficult post for me to write, but writing it has made it so much easier.
Last week the results of Round 2 of the Next Top Spiritual Author competition were announced. I have not advanced to the next round.
I have been through the gamut of emotions since the announcement:
- Disappointment – I was really looking forward to Round 3
- Anger – how dare they reject me? Can’t they see how brilliant, how spiritual and how wonderful I am?
- Guilt – did I do enough? Should I have been more aggressive in my marketing? Should my book proposal have been longer?
- Shame – how do I face everyone who voted for me?
- Fear – what will happen now? Is this the end of my dream to be a published author of a Free and Laughing series? Is this the end of the dream to step up on the world stage and help millions rather than hundreds?
In my heart I knew that I had to shift from these fear-based emotions. They would only lead to inaction at best, and destruction at worst.
Easier said than done ….. So I allowed myself a few days to wallow a little, to explore these emotions and to clear out the underlying beliefs. The first thing I had to do was to follow my own “Free and Laughing” principles of firstly being present. I moved myself to the present moment where rejection does not exist and neither does hope. The present just is. Now I could observe the emotions I was experiencing without attachment. And once I released the attachment, I was able to accept them – which is why I can now write about them and share them with the world.
The turning point was my trusting that this is all for my greater good. It is said that “every disappointment leads to an appointment”. What is the appointment here, I am wondering.? While I joyfully await this revelation, I realize that there is so much to be thankful for in the competition:
- I finally wrote a book proposal! After months of researching and procrastinating, I was forced to write my book proposal. Now I know what to do and how to do it
- I expanded my subscriber base to www.freeandlaughing.com – the first step to spreading my word globally
- I met many new friends on Facebook and Twitter
- I received so much support from friends, acquaintances and strangers
- I was asked to do an interview with WL Lillard of www.starplanettv.com
- I was asked to do an interview with a new magazine in Jamaica
- I connected with 3 of the other authors
- I learned so much more about the book publishing industry
- But mostly, I was able to clarify and expand my vision of who I am and what I am about. More than ever, I am determined to spread my message far and wide.
WOW! What a multitude of blessings for this Top Spiritual Author!
You are,indeed,a winner, Marguerette. Looking forward to continued great work from you.
Lovingly,
Catherine, Jamaica
Hi Margie,
You are a bold little soul, full of fire and sometimes you make some energetic moves that are always interesting to watch. So, maybe this exercise was not about winning a competition, it might have been your way of inspiring your community of friends. It may also have been your way of filling in the blank spaces and exploring a new idea in distant land, … only to be reassured that you have not gone anywhere as the entire Alleluia Chorus was right there at your side in cyberland. So, this is not a disappointment. This is Phase I of something! What? I do not know … but stay alert … observe and listen … so that you will hear when the messenger arrives with the news!
Bless you and have a good day!
Denise
Thanks Catherine!
Thanks Denise – you are always such a wonderful supporter. You have been so giving of your time in terms of encouraging me and giving me practical feedback and advice. Thanks for sharing this free and laughing journey with me!
Love and blessings
Marguerite
Someone (can’t recall who)said: “A failure is someone who has blundered but is not able to cash in on the experience.” One of the reasons I am in awe of you is that you do not let anything get you down or in your way. You experience and learn in tandem. In so many ways you have advanced to Round 3″ – Not theirs, but most certainly one in your growth that will make you shine further. I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU! And I LOVE YOU!
MO:
You continue to inspire me…I look forward to your upcoming Free & Laughing series.
Love Ya,
Melody
So this is like a marathon – everyone is a winner. Good for you! And good for us too – your Free and Laughing Global Family……we can get the new book(s) soon!!!!
The end of every project always brings a new one, in some shape or fashion – it is how we mould, nurture and grow it that makes it come to life.
Love love love
How timely this gift is to me Margie!
Having experienced last night the very same “gamut of emotions” you listed, over the fact that I felt that I had not given the most eloquent, stirring and sparklingly perfect speech to 50+ people and elected officials, I was wracked with emotions over this and it has flowed over into this morning, leaving me feeling drained and wishing for a “do over”.
At times, I am my own worst critic and replayed the event and comments of “you were fine, but..” over and over, never letting go of the past and not heeding the connections I did make with the audience.
In the midst of this I was left with thinking: “What would Margie do?”, and it was then that I was able to calm the voices of critique and to soothe and temper my feelings of perceived “failure”.
You are indeed a Rose of Sharon and a balm in the Gilead of my spirit.
Thanks so much for all you do.
You are a great teacher and an inspiration and one heck of a super cousin.
Love and blessings
Andy
Marguerite,
We always say in Jamaica -“every disappointment is for a good”, and now we truly know that there is always a greater good to be experienced than our limited perpective can show us. This is part of the muscle building for wing strength, to enable you to soar. Better mus come. You’re already a winner!
Carol
You are a true inspiration. I am constantly in awe of God’s divine timing….I received this message at the “right” time. Bigger and better awaits us all.
Big up my sista!
Thank you Sandra. I too am always in awe of the Divine Timing. When we understand and accept that, then we know that everything that happens does so at the right time. So we can let go of the “why did this happen now” and “why isn’t this happen yet” – everything in good (God) time!
Thanks Carol – I am now in a state of “Bring it on Universe!!!!” It’s a great feeling!
Oh Andy – “what would Margie do” – you really asked that? Sweet. Happy to have helped, even from afar. You are so right in your analysis of your event – you made the speech, it wasn’t what you would have liked, but you know what? It was just perfect. that was the speech you were meant to make, and these are the lessons you are meant to learn from it. Important thing is to learn and make sure not to repeat the same “mistakes” – otherwise you will have to do the lesson again (speech you are not satisfied with). On and on to greater heights my cuzzie – I’m with you
Love you mucho
Marguerite
Your marathon analogy is perfect! Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Melody – and you will be planning the JA launch for SURE!!!!
Great way to look at it Cantu – I HAVE advanced to my own Round 3! Thanks for that!
Thanks Denise. I think you are right. There have been a lot of questions raised about the idea of “competition” and “spirituality” and some people were uncomfortable with it. But truly, it never was about the competition – it’s about spreading the message and building community. And that has been, and continues to be achieved! Free and Laughing to the world!!!!!
Thanks Catherine – now working on book #2!
Marguerite, the outcome of our journey is not ours to control… Divine purpose is working itself out in our circumstances! Keep planting and nurturing your seeds of inspiration… we are being fed!
Thanks for sharing from your heart, I wish you continued strength for the journey.
THanks Sanguine! You are so right! “Life is a journey, not a destination” – great to have fellow travellers like you!
Love and blessings
Marguerite
Hi Marguerite,
I love your analogies and your attitude! Of course you are allowed to have your own pity party, but you are brilliant enough to know that there is so much more work for you to do, that staying in that space wouldn’t help.
You are our #1 Spiritual Author, and we look forward to reading more from your Free and Laughing Series!
Best wishes,
Daisy
Thanks Daisy – just one example of a beautiful appointment – our growing friendship, even though we haven’t yet “met”!!!