Raise your hand if you often find yourself trying to fix everything and everyone around you. Do you dive headfirst into friendships, trying to mend them, suddenly taking responsibility for their changing moods, and trying to help them navigate the hurts caused by others? Don’t!

Once upon a time, I thought that a writer sat at their table with pen and paper or at their desk with fingers on keys, pouring out their thoughts. Maybe it would be challenging to find an agent, but once one believed in them and their project, they’d be on the downhill – whooshing by the next steps while the agent nimbly guided.

-Insert screeching halt right here.-

With determination and careful planning, it is possible to find inspiration. I’ve found these key steps help me to stay on the path or at least hop back on it when I get pushed off!

Have you ever found yourself trapped in a cycle of making the same mistakes over and over again, despite your sincere intentions never to repeat them? It can be frustrating, discouraging, and even disheartening. You are not alone. Many people face similar struggles, (It’s me – I’m one of the ‘people’)

Most of the men chewed tobacco, and those who occupied centre seats had to exert considerable skill to spit clear of the other passengers. Americans are generally adepts in this art, but we had one or two unskilful professors, although it must be admitted that they had hardly a fair opportunity of showing off their proficiency, from the jolting of the coach.

But we serve a God who defines perfection in a different way. A God who created crooked trees and knobby knees and flightless birds, and calls it all good.