Have you have ever entered a race and placed first? Second? Third?

Did you make it over the finish line?

If you did, I hope you had a squad of cheerleaders, family, friends, acquaintances, cheering for you.

Once upon a time, when I was a kid, I would watch the Olympics with my parents.

I only ever liked gymnastics.

During the medals ceremony, I would never focus on the Bronze medalist.

Not even the Silver.

To me, the only person who counted in this race was the Gold medalist.

When you’re a kid, coming in first is THE objective, THE whole point of the race.

Kids and their ideals.

Then you grow up.

You grow up and you twist yourself into an adult and you busy yourself with adult things.

Hopefully, you make time to spend on your passion projects.

Those might be remnants from childhood or new pursuits.

Those passions may sit on a shelf or in your computer or in a notebook or, heaven forbid, may be tossed into the trash.

But sometimes…sometimes you think, “Hey, there are people doing what I do and entering their passions in contests.

Even winning.

Why not me?”

Why, indeed.

And, suddenly, you allow your passions to be judged, looked at, even enjoyed by others.

Do you have to win the contest?

Certainly not.

It would be nice.

But you know what?

Just having the courage to allow your projects to be judged is a Big Deal.

That alone can feel like a win.

Congratulations!

Maybe your efforts earned a Bronze medal?

Oh my goodness, that’s fantastic!

Congratulations!

You got Silver?

Amazing!

You made it over the finish line?

Kudos!

Do you know how many people don’t even put themselves in the race?

Have you ever watched the Oscars and heard nominees say, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.”

Who believes that?

I do!

Yes! Yes, I do!

If you get no further than a nomination, CONGRATULATIONS!

You were part of something.

People liked you and your work.

Getting nominated is fantastic.

Again, do you know how many people don’t even put themselves in the running?

All that being said, it’s difficult for me to share my work.

Then it’s equally difficult to share if I get good news about it.

It feels icky, like I want to scrub myself clean.

But here I go anyway.

Bear with me.

I entered a short story in the Writer’s Digest magazine’s 92nd Annual Writing Competition.

They awarded me AN HONORABLE MENTION in the Children’s/Young Adult Fiction Category.

It’s a far cry from first place.

But it’s not nothing!

Judges, authors/editors who read my story, LIKED IT!

I’m dating myself, but who remembers Sally Fields’ Oscar acceptance speech, “You like me. You really like me.”?

No, it’s not first place.

It’s not even third place.

Or tenth.

But, holy cow, I received a nod!

Yay me!

What does that get me?

Well, now I have an opportunity to mention this Mention in my query letters to literary agents for the manuscripts I’ve written.

It gives me credibility.

It gives me a toe in the door, or at least a louder knock.

All because I thought, “why not me?” and sent in a story.

So in the midst of all your adulting, take a step to enter your passions in competitions that are meaningful to you.

Right there, you’re doing more than a lot of your peers.

No one is going to notice you while you sit on the couch watching TV.

Put yourself out there.

Maybe you’ll earn a Gold medal.

Maybe you’ll earn a Silver or Bronze medal.

You might even earn an Honorable Mention.

Maybe you simply entered the race.

And that, friend, is not nothing.

Have a great week.

~gail

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