Some of you may be familiar with the prayer that’s been attributed to Mother Teresa commonly referred to as “Do It Anyway.” One of the stanzas goes like this:
What you spends years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
I often think of writing when I read these lines. I think of the years I’ve dedicated to one manuscript, hoping it will turn into a wondrous book, and that someday, that book will sit upon a shelf. I think of the research I’ve worked on, gathering information for one article, writing, editing, and polishing the words only to find that the market I pitched is no longer interested. I think of that one essay I’ve poured myself into, and yet, the thoughts are wrapped up in a neat little document on my computer, because time after time, the essay’s been rejected.
But I’m a writer, so I create anyway. And I send my creations out into the world, aware that failure is an option, that an editor or contest judge or publisher or even another writer might stomp all over my writing heart and soul. I try anyway. Because I know what Mother Teresa knew. Sometimes, success is waiting.
Yesterday, I heard from a friend who won a wondrous grant for unpublished authors. And I had an article accepted in a market that I almost didn’t send to, because I thought I didn’t have the credentials to get published there. I have another friend who’s on a blog tour for her second romance novel, though she started her writing career with a memoir.
Keep creating. Keep trying. Success is an option, too.
(If you’d like to read the entire Mother Teresa prayer, as well as the original poem on which it was based, you can click here. As for the photo, that “V” in the water is called a “fish trap.” Native Americans found (I suspect after quite a few failures!) that they could pile up rocks in shallow river beds, thereby trapping the fish. Success at last-and a mighty fine dinner!)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Good post, Cathy. I have a quote in my office (don't know who said it) that reads "You haven't failed until you stop trying." (But some days are harder than others, aren't they?)Congrats on the article! 🙂
Great post, Cathy. I'm not familiar with that prayer but it's obviously awesome.
Thanks, Madeline, I love that quote! And thanks, Vicky. It IS an awesome prayer!
Cathy, you're a great writer, and I'm confident we will one day see Eddie dancing on the shelves.
Oh, Elizabeth, thanks! I'm deep in rewrites on a YA ghost story, but I haven't given up on Eddie. Probably never will. 🙂
Good post. Sometimes I feel like the little engine that could…only I haven't…yet. Your comments are a good reminder of why it is important to persevere. And you just never know what the next tide will bring.
Cathy,Thanks for the inspiration. My philosophy has always been, All they can say is NO. Then all I can do is try again.
I have fallen into a "why bother" attitude. So needed this. I am hoping over to the prayer now.
Lisa, I disagree. I think you're the little engine that's plugging away. And I'm certain your ship's on the horizon. (Um, mixing metaphors there, but you know what I mean!)And Linda, with you, I absolutely agree-and your philosophy is working well!
Lynn, I hope you like the prayer. And I hope you'll definitely start bothering again. Well, that didn't sound quite right…I hope you'll get motivated soon. Yeah, that's better!
Hi Cathy,I hopped over and made of copy of the prayer.Your post reminded me I needed to get to the post office and buy some Mother Theresa stamps, which were recently released. While I was there I had a conversation that gave me an idea for a story.Thanks,Donnahttp;//donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
Yay! Let me know how the story ends-:-)