On Becoming a Janitor
Last Friday morning, I woke up with a single word on my mind. Aplomb. Um. Yeah. Don’t know if I’ve ever said that word out loud. But since it was the one slapping me awake, I decided to at least pay attention.
Aplomb. I ended up needing it that day, for discouragement nearly got the best of me. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to build a platform? (My platform is the stage that becomes the vehicle which drives Let Me Fall book sales.) If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said “I can’t do this.” to myself, I’d be quite well-off right now. It would be so much easier for me to quit and become a janitor. Floors don’t need scintillating and thought-provoking writing. Floors don’t need me to be an engaging speaker. Frankly, floors don’t care who I am. They just need to be swept and mopped. And you always know where you stand with a dirty floor.
But I can’t afford that luxury—of quitting, that is. I must persevere. Oswald Chambers said in My Utmost for His Highest, “Perseverance means more than endurance—more than simply holding on until the end. Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Faith is the supreme effort of your life—throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.”
So what about you? Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now?
Oh, yes. Thanks to a VERY inspiring book I read recently, I’m working on my 4-month plan to become a writer full time. I’m excited, frightened, and a bit overwhelmed right now, but there’s so much peace in the midst of it. If it doesn’t work, I’ll gladly be a janitor and be forever grateful that I leapt–even if only for a little while.
That is so cool Rosemarie!!! I’m thrilled to hear of your leap!
Your platform should be Awesomeness & how to achieve it: starring God, an Ewok, & Wall-e. Although, Wicket might be a tad controversial. Lol. All goofiness aside, I think platform & brand can be really intimidating until you think of them more in terms of the philosophy you have about life and not a public persona. I struggle with that daily. 🙂
Hahahahahahaha! I love it! Wicket says he’s up for the controversy. 🙂
Really good idea here. Seriously. Even though I’ve never stopped to think about it, I guess I do have a philosophy about life. 🙂
Guess what? I am a janitor. I went back to cleaning houses, which I used to do a hundred years ago.
No, I haven’t given up writing and it’s a long story (not really, but I won’t share it here) about how it all came about, but it’s actually helping my career. Not that I’m suggesting you quit and clean, just thought it was funny that you wrote this post. It’s the second one I’ve read this week about cleaning. I think it’s a sign. 🙂
Never give up! You’re such a talented writer.
Hugs and hope!
Kim
I’m happy that you know where you stand with your work! I do want to hear the story. 🙂
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
I don’t know a whole lot about platforms, but I came across an appropriate response from a pastor friend of mine. “A bird sitting on a branch doesn’t worry about the branch breaking. He is confident of his wings to be able to fly.
Believe in yourself.”
Very cool quote!
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