Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Commitment

 

by Mindy Obenhaus

I’ve been a regular at my local gym for many years and during that time I’ve noticed there’s always an uptick in attendance in January. Almost double or triple the usual number as people try to uphold their New Year’s resolutions. By February, though, the numbers begin to decrease and by mid-March only a couple of those new folks remain. Why is that?

I suppose it could be the expense, but more often than not, it’s a lack of commitment. If one is truly committed to becoming fit, whether they do it at the gym or somewhere else, they’re willing to put in the time and effort to achieve that goal.

Writing is no different. It takes commitment, time and effort. First, one has to learn the craft and hone their skills. Then, once you sign that elusive contract, the work continues. There are deadlines to be met, edits that have you wondering why they bought your book in the first place, and countless other things that require time and effort.

Commitment is defined as “a state of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.” So what does commitment look like?

Commitment means you’re always learning – From the day I attended my first writers’ group, I have never stopped learning about the craft and/or the business of writing. And the fact that you’re reading this blog post proves your desire to keep learning, too. Whether it’s through books, blogs, virtual workshops, writers’ conferences or online groups, there are so many opportunities to learn and connect with other writers. And being with like-minded people is imperative to learning. Like it says in the book of Proverbs, iron sharpens iron.


Commitment involves sacrifice
– That could mean writing during your lunch hour instead of going out with a friend, attending an online workshop on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when you’d rather be outside, or forgoing your television time to do some research for your story. It could even mean waking up at three or four in the morning to write while the house is quiet, like someone on this blog does.

I don’t work outside the home, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a gazillion and one things demanding my time. So I choose to have regular business hours where I’m in my office either writing or addressing the business side of my career. Back when I had kids in the house, I carved out writing time based on their schedules. When something is important, you make time for it.

Commitment leaves no room for excuses – Just like going to the gym, there are times when it is so easy to find excuses not to write. I don’t feel like it or the story isn’t working. But those are simply code for, “Writing is hard, and I don’t want to do it.” Yes, writing is hard, some days more so than others. That’s when you have to ask yourself how badly you want to be a writer. Because it’s not going to get any better once you’re published. So throw those excuses aside, put on your big-girl pants and get to it.


Commitment means following in obedience
– When I first began writing I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Christian romance. Even when I did learn about it, I discounted it because I couldn’t imagine how God could use a sinner like me to write stories for Him. But God was persistent. He used people and music to speak to me and gently bring me into obedience. And even when I did give in, I said, “Okay, God, I will do this, but You’re going to have to help me.” Yeah, I still envision Him smiling down at me, all the while shaking His head.

Writing what God has called you to write, whether it’s for the secular or Christian market, is a humbling experience. We say that if He calls you, He will equip you, but I would add that if God calls you, the enemy will do anything he can to thwart you. So gird yourself with the armor of God so you’ll be able to extinguish those flaming arrows.

We’re not even a week into 2021. Have you set any goals, resolutions or chosen your “one word?” I’ll give you one guess what mine is. 😉 Whatever you set out to achieve, ask yourself how committed you are to it. Will you throw in the towel by March or are you willing to make a commitment to see it all the way through December?

Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, I’ve got a new book releasing late next month. So how about I giveaway a copy to one lucky commenter (U.S. mailing addresses only, please).

He didn’t realize he wanted a family… Until he suddenly became a single dad.

After his sister’s death, rancher Mick Ashford’s determined to ensure his orphaned niece, Sadie, feels at home. And accepting guidance from Christa Slocum is his first step. But just as Christa and Sadie begin to settle into Mick’s heart, Sadie’s paternal grandparents sue for custody. Now Mick must fight to keep them together…or risk losing the makeshift family he’s come to love


Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com  

58 comments:

  1. Well I am in love with that book premise and that cover... Oh my stars, be still my heart! Trials over child custody always have a place in my heart.

    And you know how I feel about commitment... it's the only way to go forward with assurance and it can be just like you said: set a time, sacrifice a time and go for it.

    Years ago I read John Adams quote on commitment: “There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of others.” Those words meant a lot to me, they rang true and I looked at how John Adams fought for freedom, sacrificing everything for the cause he believed in, I was inspired.

    Great post, Mindy. Thank you.

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    1. Ruthy, thanks, I am a huge John Adams fan, reading about him NOW (well, not literally as I type, but this week) as I explore the possibility of a possible Revolutionary War series. I respect all those early Patriots and slip down to Lexington and/or Concord whenever I can. I love the British too, but somebody had to stand up to them and because of them, there is Us.

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    2. That's a great quote, Ruthy. And because of his commitment, we are free today. I love that.

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  2. Great post, Mindy, with the encouragement I need to get started on the new year. So far I am trying to figure out my schedule to make that commitment. Please put me in the drawing!

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    1. Sandy, we all need a little encouragement these days. Praying God will guide you as you work out your schedule and open your eyes to what He wants you to do.

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  3. Mindy, this came at a good time, I was ready to quit earlier this week, don't ask, just another roadblock over which I had no control. And never will. We all need to remember, at various points, just why we do this. My "word" is going to be "release" because I need to let go and leave the results up to God.
    Your Kaybee
    Letting go in New Hampshire

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    1. 'Release' is a great word, Kathy.

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    2. Thank you Glynis. I realized this year that I have been holding on to Way Too Much.

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    3. Kathy, I like that word. And yes, sometimes God puts roadblocks in our path. It can be for our protection or maybe He just wants us to stop and sit in His presence for a while. Good for you for being obedient.

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  4. I have commitment issues :) Or maybe it's more like decision issues. I can never feel like I've decided on the right story, so I never have the commitment to finish it. I know I need to get over it and just finish something already, but even as I say that, I'm writing a few scenes of a new story to see if it's something that will work for me. The last few years have been hard for me to enjoy myself, so after some prayer and thought, I've decided that my word for this year is "enthusiasm". I'm going to get excited about things, I'm going to relish them in the moment, and then find the next thing to enjoy. At first I was afraid that word sounded too hedonistic, but I really feel like that God is saying it's okay for me to be enthusiastic about things--my writing, my life, my family, my job. So that's what I'm going to do! Maybe the commitment will come along with it :)

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    1. Glynis, you cracked me up with that first line. But, boy, do I hear you on the decision issues. I can waffle with the best of 'em. That's when I have to hit the Pause button and ask what it is God wants me to do. He may only give me what I need right at that moment, but He is always faithful.

      Then there's the whole "new story love" factor. New stories always sound better than what we're working on. They seem so exciting until we get to the middle of the story. Could that be why you have a hard time finishing? Because you get bored or don't know which way to go with the story? Trust me, we've all been there. I go through that with just about every book. But I have to push through, trusting that God will show me which way He wants me to go.

      I love the work enthusiasm. It's easy to allow life to bog us down. But that's not how it's supposed to be. Even in trials we can have joy. Remember, Jesus came so we could have life to the fullest. I will be praying that you have a very enthusiastic year, Glynis.

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  5. Commitment is everything and sooner or later it brings progress. Grit and determination take us places talent alone won’t.
    I write 6 days a week and study craft almost daily. I’ve been doing this since kid #3 moved out in 2017.
    My word this year is IMPERVIOUS and it’s already helped me plow through some things.
    I set new goals every year by quarters and months and then each week and day. It keeps me on track. I homeschooled my kids for 20 years so I’m pretty used to being home, butt in chair.
    I live on a small horse ranch with plenty of chores and furry distractions but it’s ideal for a writing life and I’m completely blessed.
    Your book looks too good to pass up so I’ll have to nab it!

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    1. Dalyn, IMPERVIOUS is an interesting word choice. I may need to chew on that a while to grasp the full meaning. You sound like a real go-getter. Very disciplined. That will serve you well. You are, indeed, blessed.

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  6. Commitment can be hard but oh so rewarding in the end. It takes a lot of inner strength sometimes and maybe even putting up with some ridicule from others but that just helps to show what a strong person you are.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy, you summed that up perfectly. Nothing worth having is ever easy. But the growth we experience is so worth it.

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  7. Thank you, Mindy, for an encouraging post.....yes, we all need it! Excited about your new book releasing next month, and would love to be entered for your giveaway.
    Happy New Year to you and your family!

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    1. You're welcome, Jackie. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  8. I like this word: commitment. I dont keep resolutions very well, that is why I do a monthly than weekly goal. Thank you for this wonderfully encouraging post today. I love the cover of this book. It sounds like an interesting book. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. Lori, I don't care for the word resolution either. Probably because new year's resolutions seem to be so easily broken. I prefer the word goal. Perhaps it seems more attainable and can be broken down into bite-size pieces.

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  9. Hi Mindy:

    Like Ruth, I, too, love the theme of your new book. I'm reading Ruth's book on the same theme, "Finding Her Christmas Family", and it is the best motivated and researched romance I can ever remember reading. It takes commitment to go the extra mile to dig out the research needed to give the story that solid feel of reality.

    I like the idea of 'commitment' but I ask you this: what about dedication? If you are devoutly dedicated, does commitment ever even come into the picture? Find something you are truly dedicated to and commitment will be something you need to get your other stuff done.

    When I was a kid a baseball manager, probably Leo the Lip, (who was married to Laraine Day) said, "As long as you are green you can grow but once you are ripe, all you can do is get rotten." Stay green, keep learning, and expand your horizons.

    My One Word for 2021 is "Expand". Expand dreams, goals, horizons, vision, knowledge, wisdom, and the capacity to love.

    Are we going to do a "One Word" post this year?

    Vince

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    1. Vince, I loved Finding Her Christmas Family. That book took the adoption thread to an entirely different level. One that was thought-provoking and challenged the reader.

      I think commitment and dedication go hand-in-hand. Actually, they're synonyms, but I can see slight differences. I don't know if anyone is going to do a One Word post, but I like your word. Expand is good, unless we're talking about waistlines. ;) Expanding is movement and keeps us from growing stagnant. BTW, I love that name "Leo the Lip." :D

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  10. P.S. Mindy: I can see the child on the horse now that I know that she is there. I think it is a great cover now.

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    1. P.S. Vince, you won a copy of this book back in December but you didn't send your address to the Seekerville email. If you'll do that, I will still get it to you.

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    2. Hi Mindy:

      Thanks for the notice on the book win. I just sent the winner notice email to the right address.

      The Seerkers have had several different email addresses and I knew that the new one was a 'gmail' with the number '2' in the address but what I didn't know was that they have had two very similar such addresses: seeker2@gmail.com and seekerville2@gmail.com. My email program places the first and wrong address in the address line automatically as soon as I type 'se' so I've been thinking it is right. Well, it is 'gmail' and it is the second one.

      Other winners may have had the same problem. It must be true: you learn something new everyday but it is not often you learn something that you 'knew' was true but really wasn't!

      I guess that sometimes the object being sought finds the seeker. ☺

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  11. Some goals that I have made for this year is to read 200 books and write 50 reviews

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    1. Angeline, my eyes just bugged out of my head. I can't imagine reading 200 books in a year. Then again, I'm too busy writing them, so I don't have as much time to read as I'd like. I am in awe of people like you.

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  12. Karen Witemeyer is doing a reading challenge for the year in her group. January is to read a book by an author whose last name starts with the same initial as yours and I thought of you. Sounds like a good book to start with.

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    1. Linda, that sounds like perfect timing to me. ;)

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  13. Mindy, I truly enjoyed this read. I have found that as I get older, I am much more careful about what I commit to. There have been too many times in the past that I got too zealous and overcommited and suffered for it. I take commitment very seriously, and once I give my word on something, I will see it through.
    I think my word has to be "Choices". I tell my children and grandchildren to be very careful with their choices because almost every one they make has some kind of impact on others. That can get kind of scary if you think on it too much, so I am going to move on.
    The Lord has blessed me beyond all measure! For the most part, my life has become very undemanding. My husband spoils me rotten, my kids are grown and all doing well, I have no 'real' complaints! I am totally blessed! But, every day I am still faced with choices, even though most are small and irrelevant...or are they?
    I need to clean out my freezer, that is not a choice, but WHEN I clean it out is my choice. Do I do it today and get it over with? Or do I put it off and let it gnaw at the back of my mind as I procrastinate?
    I need to clean out my overstuffed closet so I can actually find what I am looking for.
    I need to...and the list goes on!
    My choices for these trivial matters don't really affect anyone but me. Does it? Yes, it does because as I let these things eat at me, I am not as focused on writing, or anything else. As I become less productive, I am less happy, and then my mood starts to show through to everyone. Not to mention the misery I cause myself because of bad choices.
    So, yes, I think "Choices" is a good word for me. I will make a 'commitment' to make better choices!
    Your book sounds like my kind of reading. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
    quiltingquest@gmail.com

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    1. Lynne, "choices" is not only a good word but a good one to teach your grands. Sometimes, especially when we're young, we forget that our choices have consequences. And as far as your choices on those trivial matters, you are spot on. When I have something hanging over my head, it can be a HUGE distraction and, consequently, I'm less productive, as you said. And I just remembered that pile in the laundry room. Hmm...

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    2. Sorry. Don't have time to chat...I'm cleaning out my freezer! ;)

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    3. Oh, where's my laughing out loud emoji when I need it? :D

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  14. Mindy, I love the cover and premise of your book! And I love your word commitment. My word for the year is flourish. I had originally chosen persevere but I decided I didn’t want to just push through. I want to grow and have an abundant harvest. I am focusing on one fruit of the spirit each month and I soooo want to GATHER an abundant harvest this year. I’m struggling with my next medieval story and am having a hard time making myself work on it. After reading your post, I see I need to buckle down and follow through on my commitment. 😊

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    1. Sherrinda, I love your reason for choosing flourish. You didn't want to just settle, you wanted more. That's wonderful. I'm cheering you on!

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    2. "Flourish" is a lovely word!

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  15. Great thoughts for the new year, Mindy!

    Like Glynis, I have some commitment issues. Or maybe it's just ADHD showing up late in life... Over the past year I have been getting bored with my WIP - no matter which one I'm working on! So a few months ago, I decided to commit to finishing BOTH of them. So far, the commitment is working. I take one story to a major plot point, then put that one on the back burner while I bring the other story to its next major plot point. The great thing is that the story on the back burner simmers away, and by the time I get back to it, some of the story problems have already been worked out and I can move forward.

    Hey, it's working, and I'm honoring my commitment to finish the books!

    Congratulations on your new book! I'm looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Jan, it sounds like you had a plan and are working that plan. Good for you. And soon you'll have two completed books. Woot!

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    2. That sounds like a great way to go about it, Jan. So glad you're getting some momentum. Send a little my way :)

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  16. I guess my word would be "reboot" because the kids are grown now, one is married, we've rented out the farm ... life is so different now. Waiting to see what God has in store.

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    1. Ann, change can be good. Scary, but good. Especially as you look forward to what God has planned.

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  17. Love the cover, Mindy. A cowboy riding a horse, carrying a child. My heart is melting. I can't wait to read it!

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    1. Mary, a cowboy and a kid gets me everytime, too.

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  18. My New Years Resolution is to quit buying clothes online. I own a lot of clothes I will never wear. Add in, I never go anywhere so I don't need ANY clothes.

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    1. Mary, Lord willing, we'll actually be able to GO somewhere.

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    2. Oops, I hit Send too soon. I mean to say Lord willing we'll be able to go somewhere later this year.

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  19. Thank you for this wonderful post I love it and The book sounds amazing please enter me in this amazing book giveaway! Happy New Year Mindy!

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  20. Congrats on your new book. I love the cover. This sounds like a wonderful book.

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    1. Thank you, Emma. I hope you get the opportunity to read it.

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  21. Congratulations on your new book. I’m committed to caring for my mom. Blessings

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  22. Mindy, what a great post and what a challenging word for the year! Your upcoming story sounds wonderful! I am committed to writing. I'm fast-drafting a book right now, and my goal is to submit it in a few months. We'll see where God takes it.

    Sacrifice is necessary for anything worth pursuing.

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  23. Sounds like a great story, Mindy!

    I finally do have my One Word: Steadfast. And my verse is Isaiah 26:3 (NIV).

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    1. Hi Missy:

      Funny, I was thinking of selecting the word 'steadfast' too! I usually only see it used in bible quotes these days but, if you remember, Cheryl Wyatt, wrote a military romance with the title "Steadfast Soldier" -- and I still love that book. I hope Cheryl is okay. I was also thinking of using 'dedicated' which is a synonym of steadfast. I would love to see a "One Word" post this month. It's a lot of fun and everyone can take part.
      by Cheryl Wyatt |

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    2. Thanks, Missy. And steadfast is a great word.

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  24. Great post, Mindy. And great word.
    My word for this year seems to be maintain. I'm hoping to maintain my speed in the forward momentum I gained last year (yes, something good did come from 2020) in my career and keep on going. :-) And keep the rest of my life from going any crazier by doing more maintenance on it and me. That's the hope. I'm launching a book in a week and a half, another in September (my novella will be part of a Christmas anthology then), and another in December. And hoping to write two more novels, too. Here we go!

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    1. Amy, sounds like you've got lots of goals for this year. So "maintaining" your momentum sounds like a great plan.

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