Keeping Your Focus: After The Playground

My daughter is an intelligent, thoughtful and kind person. During her childhood people would say, “Oh, you’re shy. Why are you so shy?” Although they were well-meaning, I jumped in to defend her. I thought it was important because the labeling wasn’t helpful, and implied there was a better way to be.

“No,” I’d say, “she just doesn’t speak as much as some other people. She knows what she wants and will speak when she needs to, or wants to.”

What I know? We can learn from the quiet types.

One day when my daughter was four years old, I brought her to a playground. She was playing with sandy mud, on her own, completely immersed and enjoying herself. 

HER ARMS WERE DEEP IN THE PEBBLES, DIRT AND GLORY OF IT ALL.

Along came another child, making a fuss. “Ewwww!” he said. “That’s so gross! Why are you doing that?” He waved his arms around as he said this, and expressed his opinion that she should stop.  

I moved toward her ready to help, but I wasn’t needed. My daughter looked up at him. She watched as he waved his arms and said his words. Her expression remained unchanged. I am still blown away by what she did next. 

She waited, and once he walked away she looked back down at her muddy creations and CONTINUED. She didn’t contemplate whether he was right or wrong, and she didn’t look hurt or dismayed. She didn’t even shrug! I asked her later and she confirmed it. The boy’s thoughts and opinions had nothing to do with her.

SHE WAS COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED.
HER JOY AND BELIEF IN WHAT SHE WAS DOING WAS SO STRONG, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

This past year as I entered the online writing community, I cringed at the opinions I might receive, the scrutiny and !GASP! failure. But I tried to remind myself of my daughter on the playground, as I wrote and created children’s books. I felt joy.

Yesterday, was BIG for me! On my website under WRITING, I shared some of my picture book story pitches, as well as, my desire to develop a children’s book series in a chapter book format. 

*Update* As I was about to post my blog, this morning I saw an incredible contest opportunity in my Twitter feed about a Chapter Books contest! Ah, the TIMING!

And so, thank you to my daughter for teaching me every day. I love you.

This is a reminder from my daughter. Keep doing you. Keep your focus and your arms deep in the dirt and the glory of it all. 

Rosanna