© Copyright 2004 by silli_artie@hotmail.com
This work may not be reposted or redistributed without the prior
express written permission of the author.
An author posted a message on the alt.sex.stories.discussion newsgroup, bemoaning the poor response a story was receiving, saying, “I guess it wasn’t very good.”
This was my reply:
Taking up the spirit of Bobo-Roshi, the Zen master who achieved Enlightenment in a house of ill repute...
Grasshopper -- come here, sit with me...
Whack! A backhand to the student’s face!
What the FUCK do you care if people like your stories or not? Why do you DEPEND on whether people like your stories or not?
If they like your stories, that’s great! If they don’t, that’s their problem!
When you let other’s opinions affect you in such a way, you have given them the power to make you happy, and you have given them the power to make you unhappy!
Why would you want to do this?
Not very bright, grasshopper! YOU are responsible for your happiness, and for your unhappiness. Using reader comments to improve your writing, that’s one thing -- always learning. Letting reader comments shape your emotions, mmmmmm...
If someone offers you a gift of flowers, graciously accept such a gift! If someone offers you a bag of shit, do you accept it, smear yourself, then moan and cry? No! Graciously decline such gifts! Do not accept them!
And please remember -- all is change. All is impermanence. It is from attachment to the impermanent that suffering arises.
Sad because of a reader comment? Impermanence -- this will pass.
Happy because of a reader comment? Impermanence -- this will pass.
Write, and write your best. When you have written, let go of your words. Go write more.
Namaste-
artie