The other day I got an email from an author-friend who is working through the edits of his forthcoming novel. The email said, “I’m where you’ll be before too long.”
I wrote back, thanking him for believing in me, and telling him I’m looking forward to being where he is now.
His response: “You will be.”
That’s a good friend. That’s the kind of friend this writer needs.
The email reminded me of that Mark Twain quote:
“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”
This author-friend believes in me and reminds me to believe in myself. In her book Finding Water, Julia Cameron calls such friends Believing Mirrors.
“They may not be artists themselves,” she writes, “and they need not be. What they must be is optimistic, believers in the essential goodness of life… They reflect back to you your competency and potential. They are on your side and bring to your discussions a sense of optimism and hope. You owe it to yourself to be in regular contact with these individuals.”
August was rocky. September has been a month of regaining balance, resetting my course and getting down to work. I’ve been able to do this thanks to the help of my Believing Mirrors. Now I’m looking forward to see where October takes me. Doors are opening. I have goals set and friends who believe I can reach them.
Thank you, friends. ♥
Do you have your own Believing Mirrors? Have you thanked them lately?
My life has become infinitely better since I began finding friends like the ones you describe.
I’m glad to hear that, Lisa. And I concur. Mine as well!