I questioned clicking the Publish button on yesterday’s post. I had a passing thought, perhaps a warning.

The same thing happened last week. Just before I turned onto the interstate entrance ramp, a thought crossed my mind: I hope I don’t have a flat tire today. Out of nowhere…the thought came and went. Two hours later, I was buying a new tire.

I was filled with hope and a little excitement as I prepared to publish yesterday’s post. I’ve been holding all the experiences close to my heart, not sharing them, in fear they would vanish before my eyes. Call me superstitious, but I haven’t wanted to jinx the forward motion. Nevertheless, I wrote and I published. And I breathed a sigh of relief that I was finally able to share something good and positive happening in my life. {I’ll be the first to admit that my writings have been less than enjoyable the past few months.}

Thankfully, I’d started reading The War of Art on Sunday night. The entire first section is dedicated to the resistance that arises when we start trying to fulfill our callings. So it really came as no surprise that a couple of hours after publishing yesterday’s post, resistance started having its way with me. The circumstances don’t matter. What was important was my internal response.

I was resolved not to experience defeat. The day was absolutely a struggle, but it was a battle for my mind and attitude that I determined I would not lose. {I’ve lost way too many of those battles over the last few months, and I’m tired of losing!} So every time a whisper of giving up crept into my mind, I stopped the thought process. I chose to think about things for which I am thankful; the work I’ve accomplished so far; plans for new ideas. Basically, I chose to stay positive and to see the resistance for what it was.

There were moments yesterday when I wished I hadn’t published the post. But after the day’s struggle and a night of rest, I can say that I’m thankful I did. I’m thankful that I didn’t give in to fear. I’m thankful that I had the strength to fight off the whispers of defeat and despair. I’m thankful I’m learning how to choose to stay positive in the face of resistance.

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal…” – Thomas Jefferson