Motivation: Being Open

Last week my husband and I went to an open mic called OutLoud at the Joy Center. Basically people come together to share stories, songs and poetry. I was really nervous about sharing my poems. But hearing the other's stories I knew that I was in the right place.

So I shared.

And at the end of the night as everyone was bundling up to go home, a woman approached me and explained that she was the editor of a local magazine called Health & Happiness  that promotes well-being. She gave me her card and asked if I'd be willing to send her one of the poems I read. Without even thinking I replied, Of course.

The thing is that 6 years ago if she had asked me the same question I probably would have thanked her and declined. I was so caught in where to be published and how to be published that I would have turned up my nose.

Boy, have I learned a lot in a few years.

Humility.
Gratefulness.
Openness.

It's not about accolades or prestige or the publishing game for me any more. Right now it's about opening myself up to what the world has to offer. And getting the chance to share my true love of writing poetry seems like a pretty good deal!