Okay, let’s try that.
So someone says to me, “Those pants look terrible on you.”
I will do my best to respond, not react. And think. Their remark has zero to do with me. It is about their opinion, likes, dislikes, courtesy (or not!), mood, day they’re having, etc., etc.
When I can take nothing anyone says or does personally, it is better for me. If I could learn from their input, I can figure that out.
The excellent book by Don Miguel Ruiz, “The Four Agreements,” has taught me so much over the years, and as I return to it.
– Be impeccable with your word.
– Don’t take anything personally.
– Don’t make assumptions.
– Always do your best.
Take nothing personally is often followed closely for me by not making an assumption about whoever said something off-the-mark to me. O la la.
.
.
Tenacity.
.
These foxgloves have it. The little one on the left has a curved stem as it has reached around the steps on my deck to get through and bloom. And bloom.
Tenacity: unrelenting determination , persistence and commitment to completing something.
Like publishing a novel.
.
(c)MDessein
Write it. Get it formatted to be acceptable to agents. Do the search for an agent process. Learn about contracts, perhaps contact your attorney.
O la la.
Yup, I am in the agent quest process. I have queried scads of literary agents, will now wait and see who and what turns up. I am excited, pleased, and relieved.
Oh yeah, tenacity! And I take nothing personally as the first few declines come in!
Thanks for reading.
Michele Ohge
May 25, 2026 at 2:39 pm🌹🐚🎹🎼🩷📚😊🦋
I hope all the emojis show
Mary
May 25, 2026 at 2:46 pmThey do! Merci beaucoup~
Judy Ridge
May 25, 2026 at 4:51 pmAs usual I love your blog. Good idea not to take anything personal!! I try not to. You have written a wonderful novel!’
Mary
May 25, 2026 at 4:54 pmGrazie!
Judith Alexander
May 25, 2026 at 5:59 pmGood luck with the agent-search process, and congratulations on having the novel finished. Looking forward to reading it some day (sooner rather than later!)
Judith
Mary
May 25, 2026 at 6:21 pmThank you, Judith, and thanks for reading~
Robin Dachenhausen
May 26, 2026 at 11:59 amBy taking nothing personally, we are taking ownership of our own self-esteem. This is a big step. This is an important step.
Mary
May 26, 2026 at 5:01 pmYup, yup! Thanks for reading, Robin.
Mary Diefenbach Duke
May 26, 2026 at 7:25 pmWonderfully written Mary.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
❤️😊
Mary
May 26, 2026 at 8:44 pmThank you, Mary. Best to you~
Joanne Talmadge
May 27, 2026 at 7:07 pmMary….
My response to taking nothing seriously may sound a bit arrogant ….but…first
-Consider the source-
Looking forward to your book….I have the first one. I think it was the first book you autographed!
Mary
May 29, 2026 at 12:09 pmJo! How great to hear from you, thanks for reading. Ah, consider the source… that applies several places~ And yes! You got the first autographed copy of my “When I Was a Rock Star” book! Best to you, more soon~
Joy R
May 31, 2026 at 6:13 pmtenacity,,,,,,what a great tool day by day
Mary
June 1, 2026 at 2:51 pmHiya Joy. Tenacity comes in various forms, right? Thank you~
Joy R
June 5, 2026 at 6:52 pmi have a fox glove gracing my back yard …….celebbrate…….this season i have so gathered so much positivity from seeing the color bloom thru the last couple of months ,,,,,,so grateful
and grateful too for your haring and connecting in these hugs,,,,,joy