Also, a big congratulations to IWSG on it's second birthday! Two years. Wow. This is an awesome group. Make sure to check with Alex to see what news he has for us.
A few weeks ago, my son and I were being artsy. We painted, and I took out all the art supplies. Puff balls, glitter glue, stickers, beads, etc. He went on to turn his orange and yellow painting into a grand jungle with animals, flowers, and trees. Once he had some clouds in the sky, he put the elephant on top of one.
Me: What's the elephant doing on the cloud?
Boy: Dancing.
Me: That's so silly. Why is he dancing up there?
Boy: 'Cause he always wanted to dance on the clouds. It's silly and fun and he loves it. It makes him happy. Happy is good. You gotta do what you love and be happy.
Sometimes when you tell people you're a writer, they'll snicker and give you that you're-silly look. Sometimes people will tell you your writing is ridiculous or over the top. Sometimes people won't believe you can write a book, and if you do, that it won't be successful.
It doesn't matter what they think. You write because it makes you happy. Be a little silly, a little out there, and write what you want to write. Write because it's fun. Write because you love it. Sometimes wisdom does come from the mouths of babes.
Be that purple elephant dancing on the clouds.
Great post with an awesome message. Toddler wisdom indeed. I definitely want to be the elephant dancing in the clouds.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of a Tina Fey quote...
"Do your thing and don't care if they like it."
Your son sounds very wise!
ReplyDeleteYay, purple dancing elephants, I'm definitely in! Lovely post and wise young man.
ReplyDeleteAww, that's so cute! I love the meaning behind it, too. I'm totally all for emulating dancing purple elephants! :)
ReplyDeleteYour son is so cute and wise, and I completely live my life like that (or I try to).
ReplyDeleteI loved the elephant!
ReplyDeleteNice post! I love the elephant, reminds me of a song about pink fuzzy unicorns dancing on rainbows :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Also, the purple elephant reminds me of an episode of Arthur, lol!
ReplyDeleteAww! That's so true! And love the purple elephant dancing in the clouds!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful message, Christine. Your little boy is very sharp.
ReplyDeleteKids are so honest. No filter. I love that. I write because it makes me happy. =) It's all that matters in the end.
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths of babes!
ReplyDeleteElsie
I think the worst response I've gotten about being a writer is from my in-laws. They simply ignore it, like my writing, my craft, my passion doesn't even exist.
ReplyDeleteLove the innocence and wisdom of the very young!
ReplyDeleteMe too, I'm dancing in the clouds, but it is so easy to misstep and land hard on the ground - being an adult can suck!
And family can be the worst with negative words. But we've all gotten used to ignoring them - right! :)
Happy IWSG Anniversary!
That is so cute! And yes, people are pretty quick to tell you to hurry up and be grown up. It's like you don't get to be a real adult until you're grinding away doing something super boring.
ReplyDeleteI choose writing, and everything else is just to keep the zombie bills at bay.
The picture made me smile and your son's comment was so perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt would make a great poster.
I love your son's comments! Now I want to be an elephant dancing on clouds. ;0)
ReplyDeleteTrue words, Christine. And I'm TOTALLY SMILING!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun. :)
Kids can speak such uncluttered truth with complete open and trusting conviction. No wonder we're told to be more child-like sometimes!
ReplyDeleteAww, this post brought such a smile to my face. So true and your son is a smart little guy. Love the elephant!
ReplyDeleteThank you all. My little guy is a clever one. I hope he retains that as he grows older. I write because I love it. I've had a lot of negative reactions too, but after a little chocolate, I keep writing. :)
ReplyDelete" You gotta do what you love and be happy" - I want that on a T-shirt. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope we all remember how fun it is to dance on the clouds. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGood advice that I'm gonna take with me. I like the thought of dancing on the clouds.
ReplyDeleteThis post is brilliant, Christine! I think I might just reply, "Because I wanted to dance on the clouds." the next time someone asks me why I wanted to become a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I tell my friends that I'm a purple elephant dancing on clouds, they might think I wrote myself a prescription for some hallucinogens. But I get the point. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat IWSG post!
Kim Lajevardi
(This Writer's Growing)
Smart boy. Very smart boy. I'm betting I know where he gets his imagination!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
We must do what we love.
And...I would love to go for ice cream! That sounds like fun. :)
Heather
Out of the mouths of babes. Perfect post for me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour son is so cute and so right! It's great advice. I hope you and your family have a great week. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove your son's wisdom...he's got it right. Got to keep doing what you love and makes you happy. Perfectly said:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the purple elephant on the clouds dancing. How sweet. Yes, I agree, as writers we need to dance on clouds as if no one is watching.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Christine .. out of the mouths of babes come starlight, laughter and dancing elephants ..
ReplyDeleteGreat kid!! Cheering us all up - Hilary
I like the purple elephant. I like things that are silly and a little out there, but are original ideas. Your son has a vivid, impressive imagination. I hope life doesn't educate that out of him.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend Christine.
.....dhole
Here's to being happy and silly!
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteI love the purple elephant dancing on the clouds, and I also love the words of wisdom from your little guy! What a profound statement! He's right, and I'm going to keep his words in mind the next time I doubt myself.
Thanks for sharing, Christine! :D
Good advice. I've been so lucky in that my friends and family always support me and are so excited when I tell them about my writing. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the purple elephant dancing in the sky. Silly is wonderful. Your son is wise. We must do what makes us happy.
ReplyDeleteI love the elephant and clouds.
ReplyDeleteGreat message in this post.
What a smart kid! So, so true. Do it because it makes you happy :)
ReplyDeleteA great sentiment from your little boy, give him a hug for me to say thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's this simple truth that reminds us of why we started writing in the first place.
It is a wonderful elephant :)
ReplyDelete