My Surprises & Successes 2020 💖

In the last three years, I have participated in the "12 days of Christmas for Writers" by Julie Hedlund. During day 2 and 3 of the challenge, she invites us to write on an empty piece of paper the surprises and successes of the year to focus on our accomplishments instead of New Year’s resolutions. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made comes from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or achieved in the previous year.

 

I think it is important to recognize the effort of this tough year. 👉Here is my list of my major professional accomplishments for 2020.

My biggest surprise this year was the cancellation of all the events, conferences and invitations due to COVID-19. Amazingly, it opened the doors of unexpected experiences:

1. Wrote second editions of 4 of my books published by LuzDelMes during the Quarantine.

2. Attended Authors for Authors Conference following all new safety regulations using Face Mask and Social Distance. 

3. Participated in a Virtual Conference with AZ Libris Show as speaker about Human Ecology and its, cultural influences. 

4. Contributed in FIVE Anthologies in USA, Mexico and Japan. 

5. Joined 30 VIRTUAL events worldwide via Zoom, Google Meet and Jiomeet that I have never knew exist.

6. Received recognition by two cities: Miami Dade, FL for my contribution to the Spanish literature.

7. Produced a Tri-Anthology with 25 authors from four continents in three languages: English, Spanish and Greek during Summer. 

8. Launched a Virtual Conference in three languages to present the LuzDelMes Tri-Anthology Fall 2020.

9. Took three classes for my Post-Degree in Theology for Educators.

10. Had good care of my mind, health and body during this pandemic year.

11. I survived and reflected in the current situation writing several essays and articles on my blog LuzDelMes about "Time for Priorities." 

12. I made a research on Human Ecology and Environment. An Abstract is my blog LuzDelMes in English and Spanish. 

I accomplished more things than any regular year. Feeling blessed! 

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠

 Maritza M. Mejia writes to inspire others to be their best selves.

Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

Member: ANLMI, FWA, SFWA, Delegada ANLMI

Awards: Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Author’s Talk Book Show 2017- American Eagle2020 -Social Media: @luzdelmes

12 days of Christmas Reflection ~ 12 días de reflexión Navideña

 The Writing Project LuzDelMes

Invites you to follow these THREE principles for the New Year

THANK-ANALYZE-ADD

12 day of Christmas Reflection

A dear friend asked me, “How do you achieve everything you set out to do each year.” I can tell you that I always look for challenges that I know I can achieve. I never compare myself with anyone else since I am my only competition. I have three basic principles to follow: I do not forget to THANK God for the surprises received each day. ANALYSE with open mind and generous heart plans that did not result in the year that passed and how I can improve them.  I think of a positive word I want to ADD to my life to be better every year.

I invite you to follow these principles. Resolution lists do not work if they are only based on the negative. Let's make our list based on achievements for the effort made and the desire to be happy. The idea is based on the "12 days of Christmas for Writers" Challenge by Julie Hedlund and the Japanese concept Ikigai (生 き 甲) is a Japanese term for "a reason for being". In other words, "a reason to get up in the morning" to enjoy life.

The year 2020 brought me surprises, successes and a lot of challenges due to the pandemic, but I close December feeling blessed and excited for the New Year 2021. I don’t have too many plans in mind, only take care of myself and celebrate each success with enthusiasm.

This year, I would think of my Resolution Word as a VALUE to add to my life.

What would it be? ...

El Proyecto de Escritura LuzDelMes 

Te invita a seguir estos  Tres principios para el Nuevo Año

AGRADECER-ANALIZAR-AGREGAR 

Me han preguntado cómo logro todo lo que me propongo. Te puedo decir que siempre busco retos que sé puedo lograr, nunca me comparo con nadie, yo soy mi única competencia. Tengo siempre tres principios básicos a seguir: No me olvido de AGRADECER al Altísimo por las sorpresas recibidas cada día. ANALIZAR con menta abierta y corazón generoso los planes  que no resultaron en el año que pasó y como los puedo mejorar.  Pienso en una palabra positiva que deseo AGREGAR a mi vida para ser cada año mejor.

Te invito a seguir esos principios. Las listas de resoluciones no funcionan si solo se basan en lo negativo. Hagamos nuestra lista basada en los logros por el esfuerzo realizado y en el deseo de SER feliz. La dinámica está basada en “12 days of Christmas for Writers” por la escritora Julie Hedlund Y el concepto Japonés  Ikigai (生 き 甲) es un término japonés para "una razón de ser". En otras palabras, "una razón para levantarse por la mañana" para disfrutar de la vida.

El 2020 me trajo sorpresas, éxitos y muchos desafíos debido a la pandemia, pero cierro diciembre sintiéndome bendecida y emocionada por el Año Nuevo 2021. No tengo demasiados planes en mente, solo cuidarme y celebrar cada éxito con entusiasmo.

    12 días de reflexión Navideña:

Dic. 26: Escribe 12 cosas por las que te sientes agradecido...aun en tiempo de pandemia. ¡Escríbelas!

Dic. 27: Haz una lista de los éxitos del 2020. ¡Olvídate de lo que no lograste! Enfócate en lo positivo.          

Dic. 28: ¿Cómo podrías superar los éxitos del 2020? ¡Escríbelo!

Dic. 29: ¿Qué aprendiste de ti durante la pandemia?  ¡Analizalo con amor y objetividad!  

Dic. 30: ¿Cuáles fueron los retos del presente año? 

Dic. 31:  Inicia el 2021 con corazón agradecido. 💖 ¡Sobrevivimos 2020! 

Ene. 01: Empieza un NUEVO AÑO con fe. ¡Disfrúta! 

Ene. 02: ¿Estás listo para disfrutar el nuevo año? ¿Qué te motiva a SER?..

Ene. 03: ¿Crees que debes cambiar tu enfoque de vida? … ¡Hazlo hoy!

Ene. 04: Toma tu tiempo para despegar tus ideas del Nuevo Año. ¡Organízate! 

Ene. 05: Cambia la forma de hablar HOY, solo usa palabras positivas. ¡Verás lo que pasa!

Ene. 06: Inicia el Nuevo Año en modo agradecido. ¡Que la Estrella de Belén guie tu año!

Piensa en tu Resolución como un VALOR  agregar a tu vida. ¿Qué sería?   

                                  ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Member: ANLMI, FWA, SFWA, Delegada ANLMI

Awards: Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Author’s Talk Book Show 2017- American Eagle2020 -Social Media: @luzdelmes

Writing Goals for the New Year

I believe Writing Goals for the New Year need to be based on previous achievements rather than failures. I usually learn more from mistakes and obtain courage from success, but it is important to take time to Plan, Prepare and Project a Blessed & Successful  writing goals.

In the 12 Days of Christmas for Authors” by Julie Foster Hedlund, I learned that the reason resolutions often don’t work is because they start from a place of lack, of negativity, of failure.  “When times are tough, when you start feeling as if your dreams are eluding you, it becomes MORE IMPORTANT to reflect on your accomplishments and give yourself credit for all that you DID achieve.” 

Prepare you list of goals with a positive mind and a grateful heart ready for expectation, challenges, surprises and successes.

Here is my list of my major professional accomplishments 2017 based on activities from previous years:


1. Participate in the Fefi.Teve Forums. 

2. Participated in Book Fairs in my County.
3. Participated in an International Book Fair (FILBo). 
4. Received the Author’s Talk Book Show Award for my FIVE books published.
5. Published Vanilla and Chocolate Second Edition.
6. Joined Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
7. Joined Rhyming Revolution
8. Joined ReFoReMon
9.Joined Poetry Marathon Challenge
10. Joined a Critique Group and Wrote My first Rhyming Picture Book.
11. Accepted poems for The Poetry Marathon Anthology 2016 & 2017.

12. Accepted a Children Story for Anthology at La Nota Latina 2018.

All those achievements  were possible becasuse...
I'm thankful for my supportive husband and children. 
I'm thankful for my flexible job that allow me to enjoy my writing experience. 
I'm thankful for the supportive Kidlit community and online critique group. 
I'm thankful for an excuse to read books and review them for my blog to support authors. 
I'm thankful for a creative career that makes me happy and the hard moments that make me stronger.

For Writers is important to set up goals to finish a book . Here is my Blueprint 2018:

1. Work on my RPB to make it submission-ready this year. 2. Have one event per month to be able to keep writing and researching for my next non-fiction book. 3. Take car of my health, eat well, rest and walk more. 4. Support more authors. AND 5. Enjoy the ride.

What is your writing goal?

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Educator, Bilingual Author and Translator

Website:www.luzdelmes.com

Recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006, VCB Poetry Winner 2015, Author’s Talk Book Award 2016, The Latino Book Awards 2016 and Author’s Talk Book Show 2017.