The Races We Run

I spent this weekend at the LDStorymakers conference. I think it was the best one I've been to yet. I'm excited to try all the new ideas I got. I met authors and editors and made new friends. One of the most exciting moments for me was meeting Kimberly Griffiths Little, author of The Healing Spell. I love the voice and imagery in her books. I picked up Circle of Secrets, her newest novel. She talked to me for a while when I went to get it signed. I think I've mentioned before that I've been surprised at how kind and helpful most of the authors I've met are. She was no exception.

This morning I decided to read a conference talk while eating breakfast. I read Elder Holland's "The Laborers in the Vineyard" from the April 2012 conference. As I read, I couldn't help but recall the writing conference and the atmosphere I felt there. Elder Holland talked about not envying others' successes. He said "We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed . . ." 

When I think about life like that, I feel peace with my own steps and progress. In the writing world, its easy to be dragged along that race. We think, what if someone else has an idea similar to mine and gets it out there before me? What if I don't become the next Stephanie Meyers or even, what if the Publishers already have too many books being published this year? The list of doubts and worries goes on and on. I think these kinds of worries are found in other places in our lives too, not just writing.

The thing of it is, if we really trust Heavenly Father to have a plan for us, to be able to use us for what He needs, then none of that matters. If one person is changed by what we write, say, or do, then we've been an instrument in His hand. Elder Holland promised this: "There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized."

Maybe we won't be the next J.K. Rowling. Maybe the only success we have will be a single reader who was inspired by our work in progress. In the Eternal Plan of our Father in Heaven, I don't think He values any less our actions, kindness, or words, whether they reach millions or never go further than the baby wrapped in our arms.

Maybe this is why LDStorymakers is often remarked about as being different. Imperfect as we are, we all have felt that there is more to life than the money we earn (which is nice, I know,) or the fame we gain. God's work is about people, the one soul. Ours can be too, no matter what we job we do.

As an aside, I wanted to share this music video someone recommended to me this week. It's powerful and so beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It's called "I Will Rise."