I'm a bit early this week, but we'll be away on Saturday and I am in the midst of preparing for the Muse Online Writers Conference that is kicking off on Monday, October 13th.
I found this quote today from one of America's most well known and best loved 19th century writers.
"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when we bring what is within us out into the world, miracles happen." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thinking about this quote from Emerson, I wonder how self-doubt and past failures hamper what we feel we can accomplish today and how fear of the future and the unknown cripple aspiring authors from moving forward in their careers.
Now, keeping in mind that before Emerson became a writer and public speaker he was first a Unitarian minister, it is easy for us to discount this quote as religious gobbly-goop. Miraculous happenings fill the pages of the Bible and it would seem likely that Emerson reached into his religious background when he said this.
But does this quote apply to a secular world--a world filled with believers and non-believers?
I think it does. I believe Emerson is saying that what has happened in the past and what might occur in the future is nothing in comparsion to the power that is inside us. And if we allow that power to come forth, we have the ability to shape and change the world--whether it be our own little world or on a much larger scale.
Self-doubt, dwelling on past failures, and fear of the future do not allow us to move forward with our writing. They stop us from bringing forth the power that is inside us. They stifle creativity.
Don't let this happen to you! Allow self-doubt to keep you humble and able to accept new ideas. Put your fears in perspective, but don't be afraid to take the chance that stands right in front of you.
The power to shape your future is inside you. Bring it out into the world and watch the miracles happen.
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