My daughter called me early this morning from her home in Seattle. "We bought a car last night. I hope you will be proud of the deal I got."
Three years ago, she and her new husband bought their first car together. The deal proved less than desirable but it was their first time out working with a car salesmen. When her husband wrecked their vehicle last week, she called me for advice. Both my husband and I coached her on how to do research and get the most for their money and most of all--not to be taken.
"You did awesome!" I told her when she shared the details. "I'm so proud of you."
After I said those words, I could hear the anxiety in her voice disappear. Her smile came through the phone. It reminded me of the many times during her softball games when she'd looked back at us after a good catch.
Funny how we need that approval. Someone to tell us how proud they are of our abilities.
I still need that with my writing as much as she still needs it with her spending.
Who pats you on your back for your writing efforts?
As a community of writers, I hope we continue to do that for each other, no matter how many times we've been published or not.
I like looking over my shoulder and seeing all of you. I hope you can see me cheering you on.
34 comments:
I have many back patters--all my blogging friends, my beta readers, my husband, my mother--but the best ones are my children. The other day, my son said to me, "I can't wait until you publish a book. It'll be so cool to tell my friends that the book they're reading was written my mom." (I write YA. I hope he's still a YA when I am published. :))
compliments and approvals are important but we also need to be motivated by our need to express our deepest feelings and ideas. we don't want to be codependent...
I'm cheering you on as well, Terri! Input and encouragement from other writers are a big help to me, and of course, acceptances ate too! :) Blessings to you and your followers.
Yes, definitely! We need to cheer each other on! I'm so thankful for this blog community!
What a sweet story! I hope my children will still ask me about stuff like that when they grow up. My blogging buddies and my critique group are who I draw from when I need cheering, and when my heart is breaking I seek out my Heavenly Father...and then I go to the mall. lol!
Hi Terri -
I'm here, cheering for you! Rah! Rah! Rah! (Visualize pom-poms here.)
My late husband encouraged me, my Mom still encourages me, all my blogging and Facebook buddies, plus friends and family. Wow! I'm a blessed woman.
Susan :)
It's so importnat to have that encouragement from online friends, because it isn't always there 'in real life'!
Thanks for being there Terri!
There are so many, but at the top of my list would be my husband, Doug and good friend Mary at Divinely Designed.
Blessings, andrea
Hubby is my number one cheerleader!
Bloggie friends and other writers are great encouragers too!
You know that I believe in you and always envious of the beautiful way you te.ll a non-fiction story
A lovely post, very encouraging. And, Terri, I feel your pats up north, I hope you feel mine too.
I ordered that Chicken soup since I didn't win a copy. Can't wait for Amazon to deliver it.
Hi Terri, what a great post! Thanks for all your encouraging words. It truly means a lot to me that you use your most precious time to even read my blog.
My back-patters have been friends. My childhood friend, Jill, has been my most vocal supporter. She should blog herself! Others have been two friends who read my blog but will not post comments. And now you, a new friend!
Just that pat on the back, smile, kind words or I'm proud of you look does a lot for me included. Encouragement and encouraging others is wonderful! :O)
I still look for that approval, too - did they like my book? will they like the next one? *smiling*
and when someone emails me or leaves a comment on my blog and tells me they enjoyed my book - I am overcome with joy --and a relief, too!-- always...I love hearing from readers.
I think that is lovely your daughter calls you and seeks your approval ...makes me smile
What a sweet post this is! Yes we do all need that pat on the back and encouragement to keep us motivated. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I might be able to encourage others more.
I love that your daughter calls you for advice. What a blessing!
you are the best Terri. The one who supports me the most with my writing is my best friend and fellow-writer....
YOU are a great writer! And I do feel you cheering me on - thank you for that.
I also have a great family and friends who cheer for me also.
From just the little I read on Mary's blog, I can pat your back! You have a lot of talent!
Way to encourage, Mom. Without the uplifters and back-patters, life would be a whole lot sadder.
I am out here as a faceless blogger so I guess I am getting these pats from you lovely blogger friends. Thank you so much. It keeps me going. Bless you Terri.
Encouragement is very important especially to use writers! There can be a lot of rejection in our type of work!
My twin and my hubby are my biggest encouragers.
Thanks for the wonderful post!
Your daughter sounds very sweet! You, too, are a sweet person.
I noticed that you learn readily and willingly from the letters that editors or publishers send. Even though you are wonderfully talented, you have a teachable heart. God will honor that. He loves a humble heart. Bless you! Cheering you on!
Encouragement is a huge part of what propels us forward. It is one of the main reasons I began blogging.
So many talented writers that spur each other on to good works!
Interdependancy is so less lonely than independency isn't it?
Knowing we have made a difference makes a difference to us if we acknowledge it or not.
We never outgrow the need for acceptance and approval, do we? I get it largely from my wife. If I've flubbed up on something I tell her first and she'll usually say, "That's ok, we can work with that" and I immediately feel relieved.
We all definitely need cheerleaders! Blogging friends provide so much encouragement. And so do my hubby and mom!
I have a dear writer friend and also my crit group who help encourage me. :-) I definitely need it and am so thankful for my writer friends. :-)
Congrats to your daughter! Getting a good deal always feels great.
Great post! It's so true that a pat on the back keeps the journey in perspective. My husband, Mom and several of my blogging friends give me the much needed encouragement that helps keeps me writing.
God bless!
You're a great mom. I still love approval from my parents! I don't think I'll ever outgrow it! Have a great weekend!
Oh, Terri, that was such a wonderful blog. I love the "over your shoulder" part. I think that is why I love this blogging business so much. The comments help us to go on and do more and be more. I love that you are looking at me. I'm waving and smiling and saying to you, "go for it."
Great message Terri. I would say my hubby for sure.
Great post.
Blessings.
You are a great back patter. Your blog is great and so is our long distance friendship. I think the writing blog community is terrific at supporting fellow writers. I have appreciated all the kind comments and encouragement.
Isn't it funny how our married children still need reassurance? My daughter is having her forth child and has been married for six years, and still needs me to tell her she is doing a good job. My son who lives with us is always looking for that "good job" from us.
When I write my blog, my husband is the one who is the critic. Usually, he is the one to say, "that was a good one, good job."
So, so true! Which I think is why the Apostles rated the gift of Encouragement so highly in the early Church. Encouragement comes in different packages but it is SOOOO important. Sometimes a good word at the right time is the difference between a child growing into a God-fearing citizen, or a criminal.
This is a wonderful message. I just recently read Tim Madigan's "I'm Proud of You" and have made it a point to start letting the people I love know when I am proud of them.
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