Welcome to the “We are the World Blogfest” (#WATWB ). The #WATWB was inspired by a simple conversation about how all the negativity on social media was weighing on us. Wanting to make a difference we decided to try to do our part to infuse social media with all the good stories that are out there. We hope to share the stories that show kindness, compassion, hope, overcoming challenges and in general, the impressive resilience of the human spirit. For every dark, negative story out there, there is a positive, heartwarming story that will add some light and lift the human spirit. The last Friday of every month bloggers will share their stories led by five co-hosts, this month’s co-hosts are Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Damyanti Biswas, Lizbeth Hartz and Eric Lahti.
Life is all about learning, growing often facing failure and adversity along the way. For many we give up, abandon or avoid following our dreams because we are scared to fail. As a writer, I have to admit I have done this too. I have actually destroyed manuscripts in haste because of rejection or self doubt. I have given up on more than one occasion for reasons ranging from not having enough time, to health issues which in all honesty weren’t as much reasons as excuses. Yet each time I have given up or failed, I have picked myself up, dusted myself off and have tried again, possibly because I am stubborn but more simply because I love writing.
On one of my “giving up” phases someone once mentioned a quote that was blunt, but rung true:
‘If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying as hard as you could be’ ~ George Church (Harvard)
I am not the first writer to face rejection and I won’t be the last Stephen King’s first novel “Carrie” was rejected something like 30 times before it was accepted. King gave up and threw his first book in the trash. His wife, Tabitha, retrieved the manuscript and encouraged King to finish it. Now, King’s books have sold somewhere in the neighborhood of over 350 million copies, he’s become a household name, with almost every book making various best-seller’s lists not to mention many have been turned into major blockbuster movies and television series.
No matter what your dreams are I can pretty much guarantee that someone who is a role model in that field has failed and had to overcome adversity multiple times. Check out this infographic from www.invaluable.com for more inspiration…
Love this wonderful post. Certainly hit home for me. Remembering Andi’s mantra, “Reach for the stars and make your dreams come true”.
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Glad you enjoyed it! Andi was such an inspirational woman.❤️ Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment…so appreciated!😊 Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
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Thanks for the inspiration, Belinda!
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A wonderful reminder to not give up on your dreams no matter what obstacles are in the way. I know you will make your dreams of being a fiction author come true. Thanks for sharing this with everyone and for being an integral part of #WATWB.
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To struggle, fall, and get back up seems the way to success. We will make it Ms. Belinda. Thanks for sharing this with everyone and for being a part of #WATWB.
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I meant, we will make it, Ms. Belinda. You know how it is – the eye doesn’t catch the typo until the “publish” button is pushed.
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Thank you for this wonderful WATWB piece. I needed this as I was on the verge of giving up on my dream to live in a cottage in the HImalayas. I bought the cottage last year but now, due to a pesky neighbour was even contemplating selling it and looking for another. But no, every place has problems, it’s just about digging in your heels and believing you can surmount them.
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Thank you for a wonderful post and for reminding us never to give up. I needed to be reminded
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You’ve succeeded in making me smile with your #WATWB share this month.
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Thank you Belinda for sharing this, it was very inspiring. I shall keep it in mind next time I have filled the wastebasket.
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Hi Belinda – great infographic … so many here and so many more … let alone the struggling ones of us in the background – inspirational for sure … my dustbin is my hard drive! Stimulating our thoughts – good mix … cheers Hilary
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Such wonderful examples Belinda! Thanks for this great and inspirational #WATWB. I’ve exempted myself for this month but am surely stopping by and commenting and getting a dose of good uplifting ‘news’ along the way 🙂
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As they say, the fact that one has failed is the first indication of success.
— bpradeepnair.blogspot.com
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