Dear Reader Column 05-22-07

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Dear Reader,

When I have a new idea, "Shh!" I don't want to tell anybody else about it, at least not right away.

I'm not superstitious, or worried that someone might steal my new idea. No, I'm more afraid of someone killing my dream all together. Especially in the beginning, when I'm still in the exciting, anything is possible stage, where nothing can break my spirit, except--hearing too many times, "Oh, no, that won't work because..."

People don't intentionally set out to squash creativity, but I'm here to tell you there are a lot of talented idea killers walking around. It's a skill friends and family don't even realize they possess and unfortunately, for most of them, it comes naturally. I'm fired-up, practically breathless, in the middle of describing my new idea, my arms are waving around in the air, but even before I get to the really "good part," I see the verdict in front of me. The lines in their forehead are all squished together and the lower half of their body is bobbing up and down, like a kid who has to go to the bathroom, but he has to wait his turn, and at this point I don't want to stop talking, because if I relinquish the floor I know what I'm going to hear, "Oh, no, that won't work because..."

So, in the beginning, it's much safer to keep my new idea close. I need to sit with it for awhile, and maybe add a few new things, before I open it up for discussion. Because if my little-bit-of-genius hasn't had time to really become part of me, it's not going to be easy to brush aside negative comments. And every time I have to re-rally the excitement in my own mind, it's more likely I'll simply dismiss my dream.

Yes, I do have a new idea, but, "Shh" it's not safe to tell anybody else about it--at least not yet.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. "Suzanne's Cookies Rock!" Enter this month's cookie giveaway, see a photo of last month's winner Ken and his bowling buddies, and read all about their cookie-inspired bowling success. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/cookie14.html

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Comments

[Bob]

Thank you so much!

[Sharon]

This reminds me of that old song, "They All Laughed". Remember it?

"They all laughed at Christopher Columbus
When he said the world was round
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother
When they said that man could fly

They told Marconi
Wireless was a phony
It's the same old cry..."

Inventors and artists and poets and entrepreneurs all think a little differently than the average bear and thank heaven they do! I say, whatever your idea, grand or small, go for it. You'll have to practice your benevolent smile for the naysayers---they don't get it.

[Bob]

It sounds like you've got it---the writing bug, syndrome, itch, whatever....
Thanks.