I am truly overwhelmed by all the blessings God showered upon me this year.
This is not to say that 2015 was an easy year. It was not.
This spring I suffered several health issues that required so many doctor visits the receptionist at my doctor’s office joked about giving me a key to the place.
This summer the smile I wore at the Bloganista Mini-Con was a mask, hiding indescribable pain because the day before the conference someone I love dearly committed suicide.
And this fall I prepared to completely shut down See Jane Write because I had decided that the work was just too much.
But I changed my mind. And I changed my mind because of you. I changed my mind because I am committed to helping you become the author of your own life.
I’m not sharing these things because I want pity. I’m sharing because I want you to see that even when your world is falling apart you can still succeed in the end.
And I believe that joy is a choice. So as I look back at 2015, I choose not to dwell on adversity and trials. I choose to focus on accomplishments and triumphs.
On Monday, December 14 See Jane Write hosted a workshop on how to write your vision for your personal and professional life. This free event was led by Lois Weinblatt of True North Business Development. Lois specializes in helping entrepreneurs and organizations craft visions to guide their futures. This workshop was the perfect way to end 2015 and get excited about 2016.
Do you have a vision?
You probably think you do, but there’s a great chance that you don’t.
Each year, I challenge the women of See Jane Write to publish a new blog post every day in the month of November. I call this challenge #BlogLikeCrazy. And I’m so glad that every year a few ladies (and gentlemen) accept.
Today I salute the #BlogLikeCrazy All-Stars for 2015 — the bloggers who succeeded in giving their readers new content every day in November.
After being away for nearly a decade — living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Seattle, Washington; Berkeley California; and Louisville, Kentucky — I moved back to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama in 2009. For the first year and a half after my return, I was miserable.
I couldn’t find community. I couldn’t find a group of like-minded women who shared my passion for writing and my love for blogging.
I couldn’t find purpose. I called myself a feminist, but I didn’t feel as if I were doing anything to live out my beliefs.
And I couldn’t find fun! I was singing the same tune of my teenage years, declaring that “There’s nothing to do in Birmingham!”
Then on March 24, 2011 I started See Jane Write and that changed EVERYTHING.
In See Jane Write I found community. I found a group of women who loved writing and blogging just as much as I did and who had dreams as big and bold as mine, too. These women began as writing partners and blogging buddies but quickly became my friends. Now, many of them I consider my family.
In See Jane Write I found purpose. Through See Jane Write I strive to empower women to share their stories, whether through books, blogs, personal essays or even speaking engagements. I hope that I also encourage them to be the author of their own lives. And that is what my feminism looks like.
In See Jane Write I found fun! The women of See Jane Write helped me fall in love with my hometown. They showed me that there is ALWAYS plenty to do in Birmingham — so much so that most weekends I have too many events to choose from!
I woke up this morning, the day before Thanksgiving, with my heart overflowing with gratitude for See Jane Write and how it has changed my life. And I decided I wanted to do something special for the women who’ve supported this little project of mine — which began as a small writing group and has become an award-winning business.
Now through Monday, November 30 I am offering one-hour consultations for only $50! That is less than half of my normal rate of $125. During these consultations you can pick my brain on blogging, writing, or building a business or I can even help you set up your blog, if you’re ready to launch. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this deal (a deal I will NEVER offer again), click here to submit your payment. After making your payment, email me at javacia@seejanewritebham.com so we can schedule your session. (We will meet in December, but you must submit your payment by November 30.)
