Learning about Yourself

My husband and I just returned from a cruise on the Ohio River. We traveled down the Ohio from Pittsburgh to St. Louis on the American Cruise steamboat “Heritage”. It was a great trip. I learned a lot of things: about the river towns, the Ohio River, the people we traveled with and about myself. I enjoyed everything. Well, maybe not the day I got a cold/sinus infection. But sleeping for 36 hours took care of that.

I met people who love to cruise on the American rivers, learning the history and lore of the region while sampling regional foods created by the chefs on board. Imagine being 93 or 94 and cruising all by yourself on the riverways. I’m not that brave. I’m also more of a homebody. I certainly wouldn’t have been an intrepid explorer like some of the characters in the books I write.

I wanted to learn and get the feel for moving along the river and I certainly did that, taking time to sit on my balcony and watch the trees along the riverbanks, listening to the water lapping along the shore and the boat in contrast to the constant thrumming of the ship’s motors. I was told the early steamboats, powered by wood/coal and steam were much louder, and dirtier. So, I’ll need to remember that for my tale of travel down the Ohio for the next two books in my Trevellian Family Saga, Seasons.

That brings to my mind the travails I and my agent are facing with my novels. As she shops the manuscript to traditional publishers, the comments, “well written, but not enough light-hearted romance” keep swimming to the surface. My agent’s last email encouraged me to enjoy my cruise and to consider revisions when I come back, have me thinking and doubting my own writing abilities.

Getting an email telling me I did not make the long list in a writing contest was also a bit of a downer. Not that I expected to win… but I guess I was hoping against hope for something. Sigh.

Then I happened to think about a gift one of my grandsons gave me a couple years ago. He knows I like birds so at a Christmas shop he bought me a bluebird sitting on a rock that says “Believe”. It encouraged me to think beyond my setbacks and to keep focused on what God has given me to do. To write stories that show that God is with us no matter what we go through. Just like the characters in my book, I need to believe He will take care of me no matter what I face.

Sometimes it can be painful to learn about yourself. Other times it may be inspirational. What have you learned about yourself lately? Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you.