Maya Angelou Says it Best
Boy oh boy, did I ever need this quote today. As I am embarking on the upcoming release of The Silver Lining: A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer, I am definitely being tested in the “proof” category. I have found myself sliding back into my “old wiring” that includes self-doubt and criticism. And it feels yucka.
I remember being so academically and athletically competitive when I was a young girl – through college, if I’m completely honest with myself – NOT because I wanted to be the best that I could be, but rather so that I could prove myself to…whom? My family? My teachers? My coaches?
Why did I do this? Well because I doubted myself and because I felt the need to prove and validate myself.
I swear…sometimes it feels like a racquetball game going on in my head. Today the self-doubt is rearing it’s ugly head in the form of wondering: do I have enough academic credentials? Will the book get into the hands of the people who need it? Do I have enough clinical experience? Part of my brain says, “YES!” and another (doubting) part says, “We’ll see.”
The Silver Lining is that I’ve done enough internal work to believe the “YES!” so much more so than the “We’ll see.” I remind myself that THIS is the book that I wish I had when I was going through treatment. THIS book will be the lifeline that WILL help those people whose life is touched by cancer.
Oh the letter that I could write to my sweet younger self… I would tell her that “you don’t have to continue holding on to the negative habits and thought patterns that have held you back. No-sireee! These assumptions are quite simply, untrue. You DON’T have to prove anything to anyone. You, alone, are enough.”
Another Silver Lining is that I have the great and wonderful opportunity to not only teach, but also model this healthy philosophy with my daughter, Suddenly Seven.
By the way, you can pre-order the book here:
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=silver%20lining%20hollye%20jacobs
- Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-silver-lining-hollye-jacobs/1115892749?ean=9781476763507
- Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781476743714
I can tell that you appreciate and have learned what Maya Angelou's quote is saying. You alone are enough; you don't have to prove anything to anybody. Your book will support this viewpoint.
Just an aside, as I scrolled down your page I was so happy to see that the book title is, "A Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer", because at the start of this article the title read, "An Supportive and Insightful Guide to Breast Cancer", and that just wouldn't be right.
A, not An. Just a miss in the proof-reading.
I have pre-ordered your book Hollye, and look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the proofreading, Carolee! Will change now. Whoopsie!