“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen
As I was preparing today’s morning prayer, I came across this essay that expresses, far better than anything I could say, how to safeguard against the vice of envy. He writes:
“Remember that the writing game is not a competition. The fact that your friend got published does not decrease your chances of being published too. Your association with your published friend may even help your career, but only if you put friendship before career.
"Unfortunately, you must also remember that there’s a good chance you won’t be published, not ever. I’m sorry to write those words, but it’s just a matter of reality. Not every writer gets published, and that’s a good thing. Not even every good writer gets published, and that’s a shame. If you, unjustly and unfairly, fall into this group, does that mean you lost, or that you’re a loser, that you should take up macramé instead, that you should have been envious after all?
"No. As long as you are a writer, writing because you love to write, you’re a winner. The real joy is in the writing itself. Being published is wonderful, but the true high is in the creation, not in the marketing.
"If you don’t believe that, then perhaps you’re not a real writer after all.”
Today’s virtuous antidote is trust. Trust that, however long you’ve been slaving away at a particular project, God has not forgotten you. (That’s not to say you will get it published right away, but sometimes the most important things we write are for our eyes alone.)
And so … without further ado, go read "Writer's Envy”!
Jesus, I trust in You!
Then please join me in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the intentions of the Holy Father as well as the intentions of all those attending this conference. The chaplet concludes:
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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