100 Days - Positivity, Self-Esteem & Others
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Just got off the phone with my husband... I just asked him, point blank, if he would support me getting my MFA... he mentioned money... and said if the money is there for it, sure... he supports me 100%... so that is really all I needed to know... that I have his backing emotionally or whatever... he's on board 
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: far away
Posts: 392
Hey jennie ,
I'm right on it with you, it seems the addiction and escape has held us in the dark ages for long enough. I couldn't see the wood for the trees in the fog as its called. I too feel alot of negativity and rigid ness from people. I was thinking how much of life I can get if I be more positive. Congrats on the big hundred , that's excellent!!
Peace :-)
I'm right on it with you, it seems the addiction and escape has held us in the dark ages for long enough. I couldn't see the wood for the trees in the fog as its called. I too feel alot of negativity and rigid ness from people. I was thinking how much of life I can get if I be more positive. Congrats on the big hundred , that's excellent!!
Peace :-)
Faith and reason
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Posts: 941
Congrats on 100 days, Jennie! That's wonderful! So good also that your husband supports you getting your MFA.
I know what you mean about people not seeing online writing as work. I also write online for a living and when people ask what I do, they look at me like I'm speaking Mandarin when I try to explain it to them.
Also, my mother keeps saying to me that I haven't worked for 3 years. As you said, writing is work. Sigh.
I know what you mean about people not seeing online writing as work. I also write online for a living and when people ask what I do, they look at me like I'm speaking Mandarin when I try to explain it to them.
Also, my mother keeps saying to me that I haven't worked for 3 years. As you said, writing is work. Sigh.
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Originally Posted by Louise82 
I know what you mean about people not seeing online writing as work. I also write online for a living and when people ask what I do, they look at me like I'm speaking Mandarin when I try to explain it to them.
Also, my mother keeps saying to me that I haven't worked for 3 years. As you said, writing is work. Sigh.
Also, my mother keeps saying to me that I haven't worked for 3 years. As you said, writing is work. Sigh.
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 227
Congrats on the 100 days, I look forward to that number myself.
As to going back to school, it doesn't sound like you need any encouragement but I thought I'd throw in my experience. A couple of years ago, I went back to college to do a second degree about 15 years after the first one. It has been great, though not always easy, and I am so happy that I did it. One more semester until i graduate and I am going to miss it. I hope you enjoy it as much as i have.
As to going back to school, it doesn't sound like you need any encouragement but I thought I'd throw in my experience. A couple of years ago, I went back to college to do a second degree about 15 years after the first one. It has been great, though not always easy, and I am so happy that I did it. One more semester until i graduate and I am going to miss it. I hope you enjoy it as much as i have.
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Originally Posted by misterritter
A couple of years ago, I went back to college to do a second degree about 15 years after the first one. It has been great, though not always easy, and I am so happy that I did it. One more semester until i graduate and I am going to miss it. I hope you enjoy it as much as i have.
Can you tell me what your biggest fears were going into it... and some things you've learned about yourself since?
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
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Nice work on the 100 days!
Sounds like your family/support group might just be anxious about your life choices (my close circle certainly was VERY eggshellish when I began to throw career moves and lifestyle choices around).
I think my simple advice would be to see if you can shrug off that frustration. You can do whatever you want, professionally! Nobody's going to stop you, nobody's going to take away your computer or something crazy. So what if nobody's standing up and cheering - those close to you in support positions might feel these are delicate times and not want to weigh in too much. Remember where you just came from. There's a natural nervousness that brews in your support group when you announce some "get back on the horse" type of news.
You are well on your way to shaking this off, I think, and not over-complicating it. You want to publish something on line? Start working on that website! Good luck.
Congrats again on 100!
Sounds like your family/support group might just be anxious about your life choices (my close circle certainly was VERY eggshellish when I began to throw career moves and lifestyle choices around).
I think my simple advice would be to see if you can shrug off that frustration. You can do whatever you want, professionally! Nobody's going to stop you, nobody's going to take away your computer or something crazy. So what if nobody's standing up and cheering - those close to you in support positions might feel these are delicate times and not want to weigh in too much. Remember where you just came from. There's a natural nervousness that brews in your support group when you announce some "get back on the horse" type of news.
You are well on your way to shaking this off, I think, and not over-complicating it. You want to publish something on line? Start working on that website! Good luck.
Congrats again on 100!
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Olympia, Washington, USA
Posts: 135
Congrats on 100 days!!! WOW!! MFA is Master of Fine Arts right? That sounds awesome! I'm working on my finishing my BS degree (I have an AS now), at age 47! Something I've always wanted to achieve. You can do it!
MFA is Master of Fine Arts right? That sounds awesome! I'm working on my finishing my BS degree (I have an AS now), at age 47! Something I've always wanted to achieve. You can do it!
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Originally Posted by AlexaDaly
Congrats on 100 days!!! WOW!! MFA is Master of Fine Arts right? That sounds awesome! I'm working on my finishing my BS degree (I have an AS now), at age 47! Something I've always wanted to achieve. You can do it!
MFA is Master of Fine Arts right? That sounds awesome! I'm working on my finishing my BS degree (I have an AS now), at age 47! Something I've always wanted to achieve. You can do it!Congrats on getting your BS
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
Jennie,
I think that you must follow your heart on this one. You are an educated, very smart, talented woman that deserves to make her dreams become a reality. I think that getting your MFA is powerful. I support you 500%. I recently started a BA program, and it has improved many areas of my life. Its the best decision I have made. Go for it!
I think that you must follow your heart on this one. You are an educated, very smart, talented woman that deserves to make her dreams become a reality. I think that getting your MFA is powerful. I support you 500%. I recently started a BA program, and it has improved many areas of my life. Its the best decision I have made. Go for it!
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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Originally Posted by SoberJennie
Yep. Master of Fine Arts. I have BAs in Philosophy and Psychology. Graduated from college in 1999, age 23.
Congrats on getting your BS Which field?
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Congrats on getting your BS
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Night owl
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Orion spur of the Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 2,050
Congratulations on 100 days! And on deciding to follow your dreams, that is really what recovery is all about after all. Getting our lives back so that we can dream and make those dreams into reality!
I enjoy reading your posts and imagine you would be a great writer! It inspires me to think beyond my limitations, too. I also want to write though haven't invested anything into it. So, who knows......
I enjoy reading your posts and imagine you would be a great writer! It inspires me to think beyond my limitations, too. I also want to write though haven't invested anything into it. So, who knows......
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Originally Posted by mecanix
Congratulations on the 100 days .
For me having ambition and dreams is all very well insofar as it dosn't effect my serenity and contentment , certainly for this alcoholic having high hopes and ideals was one of my problems .
I don't build my happiness in life upon anything in the future as it dosn't exist , what i have now is key .
I'd say steady as you go , don't burden yourself too much, build a real solid foundation in sobriety .
Plan what you want to do and work it step by step
Bestwishes, m
For me having ambition and dreams is all very well insofar as it dosn't effect my serenity and contentment , certainly for this alcoholic having high hopes and ideals was one of my problems .
I don't build my happiness in life upon anything in the future as it dosn't exist , what i have now is key .
I'd say steady as you go , don't burden yourself too much, build a real solid foundation in sobriety .
Plan what you want to do and work it step by step
Bestwishes, m
those high hopes and ideals were all wrapped up in reasons I drank before, I'm sure of it.Sent from my iPhone using SoberRecovery
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Appears I'm quite late to this thread. First off..congratulations on your first 100! That is absolutely spectacular.
Secondly, regarding the poster who says something about not taking classes regarding writing..you can or you can't. That's a bunch of freakin' malarky. One of my favourite authors Donald Miller wrote this absolutely hysterical chapter in one of his books about his experience with writing workshops etc. The man, IMHO, is a fabulous writer and he took classes. Professional singers work with vocal coaches.
In simple terms, you do whatever it takes to keep your "chops sharp".
And thirdly, when I first spoke to others about the dream of opening my current business...I got A LOT of push back from some people quite close to me. And I believe there were a variety of reasons for that. One in particular is simply a glass half empty kinda gal and I believe she thought she was doing me a favour with her negativity. I also believe it stirs up people's crap about their own unfulfilled or unchased dreams...the world is full of unsolicited advice and most of it...is crap.
So get writing and give yourself permission to write a helluva lot of shite first drafts. IMO, writing is very much about finding your own voice and is as cathartic for the writer as it is enjoyable for the reader...when we get it right.
Just do it.
(and p.s. I highly recommend Bird by Bird by Ann Lamotte for laughs and writing inspiration)
Secondly, regarding the poster who says something about not taking classes regarding writing..you can or you can't. That's a bunch of freakin' malarky. One of my favourite authors Donald Miller wrote this absolutely hysterical chapter in one of his books about his experience with writing workshops etc. The man, IMHO, is a fabulous writer and he took classes. Professional singers work with vocal coaches.
In simple terms, you do whatever it takes to keep your "chops sharp".
And thirdly, when I first spoke to others about the dream of opening my current business...I got A LOT of push back from some people quite close to me. And I believe there were a variety of reasons for that. One in particular is simply a glass half empty kinda gal and I believe she thought she was doing me a favour with her negativity. I also believe it stirs up people's crap about their own unfulfilled or unchased dreams...the world is full of unsolicited advice and most of it...is crap.
So get writing and give yourself permission to write a helluva lot of shite first drafts. IMO, writing is very much about finding your own voice and is as cathartic for the writer as it is enjoyable for the reader...when we get it right.
Just do it.
(and p.s. I highly recommend Bird by Bird by Ann Lamotte for laughs and writing inspiration)
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Lol Nuudawn... Malarkey, yeah I agree with you there. Writing is a craft. It can always be tweaked and perfected. Not a better way to do that than in an intensive workshop, and an MFA program is just that. Plus, I will have that nifty degree at the end of it all. Gotta love that!
Reading Bird By Bird now actually! I love her Great book for any writer.
Sent from my iPhone using SoberRecovery
Reading Bird By Bird now actually! I love her
Great book for any writer.Sent from my iPhone using SoberRecovery
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