Kelly Deeny

Keep Moving Forward Challenge: Week Four

LET’S RECAP

In last week’s entry of the KMF Challenge I wrote about doors swinging open and indicated that I’d have a lot to report during today’s post. That I do!

I received a plethora of helpful suggestions, insights, and advice in response to my Writing to Inspire…and Earn a Living blog entry. As a result, I’m riding a wave of possibilities.

MOVEMENT

I went right to work (pun intended) researching employment options, strengthening my resume content and format, and evaluating what it is I’m seeking to achieve with my writing.

One of the helpful pieces of advice I received this week reminded me that even though I may write something, it doesn’t guarantee that it will be read. I could write a piece full of lyrical beauty, stunning imagery, and insightful suggestions, but does it still hold true if no one knows it’s there?

Picture, if you will, an art gallery. Work made with care, passion, and inspiration hangs on the wall to display the artist and their creation. She stands in the gallery waiting for the public to realize they want/need to see the inspiring artwork, but the artist greets only those who knew she was there. For reasons abound with self-preservation and fear of rejection, she neglected to notify the public of her presence. She expected that simply because she made it, they would come.

So, while I take great care with the words I choose and the stories I create, I need to apply the same dedication to marketing my work. Or else, I’ll be left waiting for an audience that won’t know to come.

GOALS FOR MOVING FORWARD (Week 4):

Research marketing/advertising options for promoting my written work
Seriously consider my time spent on social media and it’s return on my investment
Replenish my wallet with business cards and proudly hand them out to friends and strangers, alike.

How did you do this week? Did you encounter hurdles, get stuck in your journey, or find a creative outlet to help you keep moving forward?

*REMINDER: Use #keepmovingforwardchallenge on social media to connect with others who have joined in this journey.*

Motivational Monday: Movie-ing Forward

An original poem inspired by a great year in film!

Our favorite films can inspire

They offer insight into the world

And to our perception of it

We ponder, reflect, and grow with each frame.

The films that remain in our collection

Don’t always receive their due credit

Yet there’s a reason they matter

Embrace that. Explore why. Promote it with pride.

With each roll of the camera,

The actors take action

To help move the story from page to screen

As each part, behind and in front, plays their role

They create lasting effects that are truly special!

Keep Moving Forward Challenge: Week Three

I kept moving forward during week two of the challenge, though my steps were small. First, let’s recap what my goals were for last week:

Finish edits for Part One
Send out resumes and/or apply for at least three job positions
Research and write at least two posts for my entertainment blog

How’d I do? Did I accomplish all I set out to? Not exactly, but I had quite a productive week nonetheless.

I finished the edits for part one of my YA novel within 24 hours of posting last week’s entry. I wrote five entries for my entertainment blog and researched one. I still need to confirm some technical elements before posting, so stay tuned! As for the job search…

When one doors closes, the rest stay open but remain unmarked. However, when one door swings open, so do the rest on that floor. Part of moving forward requires that I believe in my abilities and the goals I hold most dear. In order to progress, develop, and grow (professionally and personally), I must step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself.

The post just prior to this one (Writing to Inspire…and Earn a Living) was not comfortable to write but necessary. As such, I’ve moved from the muddy forest floor to an office complex hallway filled with open doors and streaming light.

The coming week is bound to be quite interesting, and I’m sure to have lots to report next Thursday!

How did you do this week? Did you encounter hurdles, get stuck in your journey, or find a creative outlet to help you keep moving forward?

REMINDER: Use #keepmovingforwardchallenge on social media to connect with others who have joined in this journey.

Writing to Inspire…and Earn a Living

One of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned over the past year is that others can’t read my mind. If I need help, I must ask. So, I’m asking: Help me motivate, inspire, and spread an uplifting message by sharing my blog post entries with friends, family, and social media followers.

During the 111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge, I’d get excited every time someone would “like”, “comment”, or “share” my entry through social media. I’d say, “Wow! This is my highest-viewed post to date.” My father would smile and respond, “Did anyone send you a check?” I’d laugh but quickly realize he was right. The only payment received was through spiritual growth and personal satisfaction. It doesn’t help pay my bills and takes time away from applying for jobs that provide me with an income. To state it in business terms, “What is my return on investment?”

I now have a substantial online portfolio of my written work, and I expanded many of my skill sets: blogging, photo editing, character development, inspirational & motivational writing, social media, metatags/SEO, and more. I discovered that people enjoy reading my work almost as much as I enjoy writing it. I remained structured, focused, and determined – setting deadlines and adhering to them. I went to work every day, for 111 days, and rediscovered my passion for the written word.

INSPIRED READING

Readers seem to gravitate to my motivational and inspirational writings. When I am honest, open, and willing to discuss both struggles and successes, others respond. I’m honored, pleased, and proud to know that the care in which I choose my words makes a difference (even in the smallest of ways) as someone else stumbles along their journey. But, I must be completely forthright by admitting that I secretly hoped that the 111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge would open doors to a writing career.

To those of you who commented, shared, or hit “like” on each post, THANK YOU! I appreciate all the support from friends and family during that venture. I decided to do the pledge to not only keep myself motivated, but to inspire other people. I believed that the topics I wrote about weren’t being discussed and could potentially fill a void in a world overwhelmed with negativity, violence, and hatred. I sought to lift us up, not knock us down. To my disappointment, the hashtag never “trended” and, while I gained over 100 new blog followers, the pledge didn’t go viral.

“Glass half full, Kelly. Glass half full.” That’s what I keep telling myself. “Look on the bright side,” I say (now I have the SPAMALOT soundtrack running through my head). “You are healthy. You have friends and family who’ve stepped up to help through emotional and financial support. You overcame tremendous personal struggle this past year. You are brave. You are strong-willed. You are stubborn. You are passionate. You are a free spirit with a broken wing. Get up, stop doubting, and MOVE!”

MOVING FORWARD

I am moving forward, towards a career in the arts that fulfills on both a personal and professional level. One of my biggest hurdles this year was realizing that my stubbornness sometimes works against me. I attempted to prove others wrong and succeed all on my own; the challenge was that I needed advice, insight, and support to do so. I’ve learned my lesson, and though asking for help does not come easy, I am reaching out – My passion for and knowledge of the arts makes me an ideal candidate for entertainment companies. If you know of any open positions in the film, TV, radio, or theatre industries, please visit my CONTACT page.

I wish you all the best as you move along your path and thank you for supporting mine!

Motivational Monday: Move Forward

Some extra inspiration during the KEEP MOVING FORWARD CHALLENGE!

Stand tall

Your head held high

Plant your feet

While you reach for the stars

Sway in the breeze

Letting the crisp air heighten your senses

Be imaginative, creative,

And alive to new opportunities

Acknowledge challenges,

Hurdles, and disappointments

But don’t wallow or let them

Impede your progress

You are strong.

You are brave.

You are love in its purest form.

You can move forward!

Keep Moving Forward Challenge: Week Two

WEEK TWO

Picture taken at the Terranea Resort in California. No endorsement implied!

I started week one of the challenge motivated and excited. I was going to stay focused, be productive, and have tons of accomplishments to report this week.

Yeah, you guessed it – that didn’t exactly happen as I anticipated. I got distracted along the path, my attention swayed by genealogy research and television viewing, time that I could have spent editing my novel. Despite the veer off-course, I’m proud to report that I didn’t dwell on the negative (like I have in the past). I accepted the choices made and refocused my attention.

As a result of my renewed determination later in the week, I am almost complete with the edits for part one of my book, I posted new entries on my genealogy and entertainment blogs, and did tons of employment research.

MY GOALS FOR WEEK TWO:

Finish edits for Part One
Send out resumes and/or apply for at least three job positions
Research and write at least two posts for my entertainment blog

How did you do during week one of the Challenge? What kept you moving forward?

Please make sure to use #KeepMovingForwardChallenge on social media so that we can comment, like, share, favorite, or retweet!

Keep Moving Forward Challenge: Week 1

WEEK ONE

I’ve been informed that I focus too much on the past instead of living in the present or planning for the future. I suspect that I am not the only one who does so. While I journey along my path towards an artistic career, I challenge you to keep moving forward even when the destination remains clouded.

It’s easy to get caught up in the what-could’ve-beens, regrets, and lessons learned. When current situations overwhelm, reflecting back on past experiences can help provide clarity, understanding, and motivation. Unfortunately, sometimes we tend to get stuck in that place…in that time when negativity, doubt, and resentment fill our every thought. We focus on all the reasons not to move forward, thereby cementing our position.

I got “stuck in cement” roughly nine months ago and spent all the time since struggling, fighting, and growing frustrated at my inability to move. I swayed back and forth but couldn’t find the strength to pick up my feet and take the necessary steps towards progression. It wasn’t until I stayed still, became aware and alert to the present, and focused on my future that I discovered the motivation to keep moving forward.

I’m smashing those concrete blocks that restrict my movements and moving forward one step at a time. I walk towards joy, hope, strength, fulfillment, passion, creativity, artistry, and economic stability. I walk with a pen in my hand and a song in my heart.

We may not walk side by side, but we walk together!

CHALLENGE:

I will post an entry in the Keep Moving Forward Challenge every Thursday from now through March 2015. To join in on the journey, use the comment section to tell us about how you “kept moving forward” that week. Write about it on your own blog site (and include the link in the comments), make a video, and/or use the hashtag #KeepMovingForwardChallenge on the social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Day 111 of the Artistic Spirit Pledge: The Finale

111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression

Day 111: Artistic Spirit Finale

*I wrote the following piece many years ago, during a time when my spirituality was strengthening and my religious identification floundering. As I’ve stated before, I consider religion and spirituality to be separate entities, and it is not my intention to promote any specific religion.*

GROUNDED: (Originally published on one of my other blogging platforms, for those of you who may recognize it.)

My feet are firmly planted and have been for a very long time. I have stability and security. I am grounded. I remain in control of my life. Yet at the same time I have grounded myself. Punishment for even desiring a life that was different from the one I imagined God planned for me. I was born with a heart defect yet I survived. That had to mean I was born to do great things. He had to have a purpose for me. Right? My life must’ve had meaning; wouldn’t you say? If so, then why was it so difficult to separate His “wishes” from my own?

Whenever I would pray to God the words went something like this, “Dear Lord, please help me find the strength inside myself to… (Insert any action here).” I never asked God or wanted Him to fix my problems for me. I asked for the help in figuring them out on my own. I asked for strength and guidance, but I made decisions that were acceptable with what I thought God expected of me. I believed God gave me certain gifts, skills, or talents that I should honor Him with utilizing but still do so in my own unique way and in my own time.

Granted, He never spoke directly to me and said, “Kelly, I want you to remain tightly wound in fear and security. It is my plan that you put everyone else’s well-being ahead of yours and live a life that leaves you constricted.” I don’t recall ever hearing that message. So how did I come to live by those words? Feeling so strongly that life held great purpose had to mean I was bestowed a gift that most others either didn’t receive or chose not to utilize. That meant I was supposed to make a difference. I had to put all my attention and efforts towards helping other people at the expense of my “superficial” dreams. Pursuing a career in TV or music when I could instead devote my time and energy to ministry or a career of the same methodology? I craved creativity and found music and serialized television re-enforced my own artistic needs. Unfortunately, I spent so much time living life through someone else’s stories that I didn’t pay enough attention to creating my own.

It’s only now that I realize my life has been enriched by the creativity I bring forth. I embrace the significance my writings and musical abilities bring to my life. I can’t claim that I hold regret and resentment in my heart any longer as my life’s path led me to where I am now. How much was influenced or assisted by a higher power? I’ll never truly know. All I can do now is learn from what didn’t work out well and remember those decisions that helped me flourish. If I never try I will never know. If I don’t spread my wings and fly then I’ll remain grounded.

**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. THANK YOU for your support along this journey!!!!!**

Day 110 of the Artistic Spirit Pledge

111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression

Day 110: After the Pledge

As of midnight tomorrow (January 31, 2015), I will have achieved a goal that seemed both daunting and exciting at its start – 111 days spent writing about the link between art and spirituality. Some posts were more literal while others featured an exploration of my creative spirit (poem and original short stories).

The blog entries that follow in February will reflect the lessons I learned from the Artistic Spirit Pledge, how they apply to my personal and professional goals, and where I am on my path towards a career in the entertainment industry.

One week may have a daily post and the next, only one. It depends on what my schedule allows as I build my resume, writing portfolio, and income level.

Tomorrow, I’ll wrap the Pledge with my creativity in full force. Thank you again for all your support and keep checking back as this Artistic Spirit walks along her journey, creating a fresh set of tracks as I go!

Day 109 of the Artistic Spirit Pledge

111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression

Day 109: THANK YOU

There are only two posts remaining (after this one) in the 111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge! Since I already have specific posts planned for tomorrow and Saturday, I wanted to take a moment and say “Thank You” to all of you who read one, many, or all of the posts. I appreciate all the comments, likes, and sharing via social media.

I sincerely hope that this artistic journey of mine inspired other artistic spirits out there. If so, I’d love to know how you were inspired.? Did you revisit an art form you long since pushed aside? Were you motivated to pursue a dream in the arts that at one time seemed implausible? Have you created your own pledge?

Stop back tomorrow to find out how the Artistic Spirit Pledge inspired me to create a new motivational challenge – one that starts February 1st!

Best wishes to you,

Kelly