Are You Content?

I've been thinking a lot lately about contentment. And, I've finally decided that once I'm content that feeling goes away rather quickly.

I wonder why?

I think we're all pretty much like that though-- or at least I hope I'm not alone on this. It's not that we aren't happy with what we have or accomplished, I think as a species we are always wanting something bigger, better--something more--even though what we already have is good. You know the saying, "the grass is always greener..."

And, when it comes to writing, well...I don't think a writer is ever content.

I'm lucky to know a ton of talented writers (dare I say I call them my friends). The cool thing about all these relationships are that each and every writer I know is heading up a different path on this writing mountain of a journey.

*Some are published.
*Some have agents and are revising for that agent.
*Some are in the process of querying.
*Some have just finished their first draft of their first story and are revising.

This is what I've discovered though about all of us--none are content exactly.

*My friends who are published are wishing that their novel would have sold more and are freaking out about the next one.

*My friends who have agents aren't wishing their novel would get published.

*My friends who are querying are wishing that they would just land Agent Awesome

*My friends who have just finished their first draft are wishing that could just query already.

So, here is my grand thought for today: We should be content where we are. We need to sit back and enjoy the adventure no matter what part of this process we are in--why? Because:

1. We are always going to be wishing for something greater

2. No matter where you are in the process, you should be proud of what you accomplished! Even if you manage one sentence a day, good for you!

3. While you're thinking that that other people are in a better situation/part of the process, they are probably thinking the same thing about yours (people who aren't published want to be published while people who are published sometime wish that they didn't have that added stress at times)

4. You have more knowledge today frm what you had yesterday, so use that! Help others too.

What are you content with today--as far as your writing life goes?

Me? I managed to finish my latest chapter the other day bring my grand total to a bit over 17k-- WOOT!