There are twists and turns in life and while we can try to anticipate and plan, it is, to some extent, a futile attempt. If we don’t know what is coming our way, how can we ever be prepared? Simple: expect (and embrace) the unexpected. That is the best way to handle the surprises in life. There were unexpected events in my life in 2010, but, upon reflection, only good things are coming from these disappointments.
This blog was consistently building readership and online recognition with each passing month last year. Everything related to Naked Girl in a Dress was better than I anticipated. Then, in a short period of time, I lost the momentum. I started school in September and my writing suffered as a result.
There was another unexpected turn last fall in my personal life. There is no more eloquent way to put this than to say I was dumped–kicked to the curb in a cruel, drawn-out, mean-spirited way. While it was upsetting at the time, I recognize it as such a blessing now. I am so happy to be free of the heartache that too often came as a result of a bad relationship.
What does 2011 hold for me? I have no idea, but I am excited to find out what will be waiting at every turn.
As for Naked Girl in a Dress, I am coming back with a fresh perspective for my writing. What I have already realized is that, while I expected a painful process to build up my readership again, my readers never left; they waited patiently for my return. I also thought the exposure for the blog would take time to re-build as well, but I was wrong. Something exciting will be announced next week (good exposure for Naked Girl) and the blog is currently nominated for a couple of awards even though my posting dwindled towards the end of the year.
As for my personal life, I am excited for this turn in the road. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but something wonderful is blossoming as a result. It was worth the pain in the fall to get to where I am right now. I am happy and filled with anticipation.
For Song of the Week this week, I decided to share Sheryl Crow’s Everyday is a Winding Road. It’s a great song to kick off the weekend and the New Year.
I used to fear the winding road, but in the last six months, I have learned to embrace it. Disappointment is temporary, but something even greater can be around the bend.
Happy Friday!
Just got a friend request on StudioThirtyPlus, so I dropped over here to see this naked woman in a dress person… found her to be an okay read, so far. Might stick around, or at least come back for updates when she feels like writing.
Friend request will be accepted as soon as my technologically impaired ass figures out how to do it without shutting down the internet or wiping the Pentagon files (my first Eddie Izzard reference, probably last)
Later,
Squatlo
Squatio,
Thank you, I think. (: I guess “okay read” is better than “you suck.” Do come back for updates. I will visit your site and leave a similar comment. Somehow I think you will enjoy that.
i love a “happy accident”!
and that douchebag who dumped you, did you a big favor. now you can move on and find someone who will love you for the kick ass person you are.
Thank you Patty! You are the first to call him “douchebag,” but I will add it to the long list of names he has been called by my group of friends and family.
Yes, I am free to pursue something better in my life.
Okay, I apologize for not being more complimentary. All I meant was I hadn’t scrolled through ten pages of your posts devouring every word… yet… I was just responding to this friend request thing I barely understand and wanted to see if you were a flaming neocon Republican with fascist tendencies or someone who might one day be on an FBI list, implicating me by my mere ‘friendship’ acceptance. Can’t be too careful.
You don’t seem to have any blatantly obvious character flaws, unlike myself, so I just wanted to say Hey, I’ll be Back, thanks for asking!
Do you post any of the photos you take? I was curious about the camera questions…
Oh, I am not easily offended. I was just having fun with you! You will have to read more to decide if I will screw things up with you by mere association! You are funny.
We’ve been out for dinner, just got home and now have company, so this will have to wait.
I appreciate not being blacklisted upon arrival, and I’ll try to be a little more careful until you’re used to the abuse.
never did say anything about your photography, which is suspicious… Nikon people tend to be a secretive and sneaky lot…
Ohhh…I am a Nikon person. You must be Canon??
So true that you never know what’s coming in life and have to stay flexible. It’s too bad we can’t see the good that’s coming to us as we’re wading through the sh–.
I’m looking forward to reading about your 2011. BTW, I’d like to comment more, but I typically read blogs on my cell, and for whatever reason I can’t for the life of me find a comment link on there. So I read much more than I comment (which is a rare, rare thing for me. :D)
Kate,
That would be wonderful if we were able to see the good times that could be just around the bend when we are struggling; that would help make the challenging times more bearable.
I appreciate you reading frequently! Thank you for following me in the New Year.
Hi! Thanks for the friend request and I really enjoyed reading what I have of your blog. This is my first attempt at blogging so any advice is appreciated. I will keep reading!
How amazing…those who learn to embrace the journey no matter how difficulty or challenging at the time truly find themselves one day in a place of perfect peace and happiness! It is quite clear that you are on this path…look forward to seeing what 2011 has in store for you! 🙂
Thank you HDSDIM. I am happy you will be following on this adventure in 2011 as well. And thank you for your inspirational writing. I enjoy your blog.
Love that song! I also love another quote from a different Sheryl Crow song, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got!” Great post. Full of positive energy.
It is funny that you would quote that Sheryl Crow song because another Song of the Week was that song with the same quote I wrote in my post as resonating for me. Looks like we think alike!
Nice to *meet* you and welcome back. Though I wasn’t here before – but hopefully you get what I mean. Sometimes it takes a break to help us realize what it is that we truly do have in this oddly entertaining, terrifying and incredible virtual world out there. 🙂 Looking forward to reading more from you!
Andrea~
I do hope you visit again and thanks for leaving a comment to introduce yourself. I will be visiting your blog. The chili recipe sounds delicious!
I had a bit of a break that harmed my readership over the summer as well so I know where you are coming from. And then I decided to start something new that was all about me and my writing so getting that built up to the same level has been frustrating.
Here’s to 2011 and amazing the pants off the blog-osphere 🙂
Visiting from RDC
Carrie~
I hope 2011 is rewarding for you in your writing/blogging endeavors as well!