Day of Hope #109

Thursday January 13 – Day of Hope #109

Goal: Prepare for my vision and stay committed to my dream

Quote: “Everything is Figureouatable” – Marie Forleo

Today was one of those Days of Hope that felt both quiet and powerful at the same time.

I started the morning early, logging into a virtual work meeting from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Not exactly how I would typically begin a Day of Hope, but sometimes life blends in, and that’s okay. Hope doesn’t require perfection; it just requires intention.

Once I logged off, I shifted fully into my day.

Every year, I have a tradition that helps me reset and refocus, I watch The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It centers me and prepares my mind for vision board season. My sister was coming into town soon, and we had plans to create our boards for the year ahead. I could already feel that sense of possibility starting to build.

I also met my daughter and granddaughter for a movie and lunch date. We saw Sing in the theater.

Next, I treated myself to a facial at Two Rivers Spa, one of my favorite places to unwind. Afterward, I grabbed a Café Yumm bowl, a Starbucks tea and headed home, ready to settle into the next part of my ritual.

I curled up on the couch and turned on Eat Pray Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, another yearly tradition. I’ve watched this movie so many times, but each year it hits differently. It’s like a checkpoint for my own journey. And this time, I realized something…

I’m in the love phase. That felt really good to acknowledge.

But the most unexpected part of the day came in the form of an email. I received a response from the very first publisher I had sent my manuscript to.

And they had read it.

They responded on the 13th, of course, which made me smile immediately. That alone felt like a sign. While they ultimately decided not to publish the book at this time, they gave me something incredibly valuable: feedback. Real, thoughtful, constructive feedback. They shared that memoirs need to truly stand out, through humor, originality, bold concepts, or deeply layered storytelling. They encouraged me to go deeper. To expand on my struggles and successes. To draw from broader examples and strengthen the message.

And then they said something that stuck with me:

They appreciated my ability to teach introspection and offer practical ways to make progress. That meant everything. Yes, I felt a moment of disappointment. That’s human. But what I felt even more strongly was… determination.

Because to me, “NO” doesn’t mean stop.
It means: Next Opportunity.

I responded with gratitude and told them I was ready for the challenge.

My angel card for 2022 is Vision, and I am not letting go of that. I know this book is part of my purpose. The foundation is there; it just needs to be expanded, refined, and strengthened. And the truth is… I’m proud of myself. I had the courage to write it. The courage to send it. The courage to receive feedback. And now, the courage to keep going.

To end the day, I poured myself a warm bath and spent some time meditating, letting everything settle. The doubt, the excitement, the clarity all found its place. And if traditional publishing doesn’t work out? I’ll find another way. Maybe I’ll publish it myself. Because I truly believe this:

Everything is figureoutable.

Bonus – Vision Board & Sister Time

Later in the month, my sister came to visit, and we spent time working on our vision boards together. It was everything I needed, connection, laughter, and dreaming about what’s ahead.

Watching her on her own journey, growing and evolving, made me so proud. There’s something incredibly special about sharing this process with someone who truly understands you. 

My Lesson of Hope: Rejection is not the end of the road, it’s a redirection. When you believe in something deeply, you don’t stop when it gets hard… you refine it, grow it, and keep going. Your vision is yours for a reason. Trust it.