"Ham and eggs: A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig."

Are your goals ham, or eggs?

Some of my goals (sewing projects, learning Spanish) have been eggs - a passing passion I indulged, achieved, moved on from.

Some of my goals (marriage, motherhood, writing) have been ham - a lifelong commitment. The marriage and motherhood thing has been every bit as rewarding and, judging by my wonderful daughters, as successful as I ever imagined or hoped for. The writing thing - I have to admit, at times I thought it would turn out about the way ham turned out for the pig.

Fortunately, unlike Picasso (and the pig) it's beginning to look like I may see my goal of writing realized this side of the grave. I've just been signed on by New York agent Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency.

The cool thing about lifelong commitments is you never know where they will take you. But it's beginning to look like it may be an interesting ride.

I can't wait to keep you posted!

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best."
- Henry Van Dyke

Have you ever hesitated or avoided using a talent you had because you feared you weren't "good enough" - that others had more talent than you in this area?

Reality shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Got Talent" often make fun of those who think they have more talent than they do, but what is the message here? Than only superstars should sing or dance, only Mozarts should compose, only Shakespeares should write?

When we laugh at people who aim higher than their reach, are we mocking, maybe even killing, our own creativity?

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
George Washington

There is a set of religious, or rather moral, writings which teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery in this world. A very wholesome and comfortable doctrine, and to which we have but one objection, namely, that it is not true.
Francois Fenelon

Which of the above quotes do you agree with? Why? Can you think of an experience in your past that led you to think this way?