How Finding Your Stars made me face my clouds

If I’m being honest, one reason I wrote the book was to make a case for the power of positive thinking to my husband and kids. But just like parenting — writing is so humbling!

I think of my early parenting years as my “c” years — with two young kids, full-time work and creative ventures on the side, my life was a chaotic cacophony of “career, crunch, confusion, clutter and crying,” with a little “creating, cultivating and counselling” in the mix.

What kept me going, I felt, was a focus on positive thinking. I was always able to see the bright side.

I originally created Finding Your Stars as a way to show my less optimistic husband and kids the power of positivity.

I wrote a poem centred on a “curious trick” about our “stars” and “clouds” — that whichever one we focus on will build and grow stronger. But as the book developed, and I worked with the incredible illustrator, Lena Lee, the story took on a life of its own. 

As Lena added a layer of storytelling to the book through her endearing watercolour characters, the book evolved to emphasize the importance of making space for our negative emotions as well.

Lena’s Cloud was a good pal of Star’s — sharing fun moments on the playground and delighting in ice cream together. It was only when tensions flared that Cloud became threatening. And those moments weren’t fun for any of them. 

In bringing Finding Your Stars to life, I learned to make more space for my own fears, worries and doubts — and in doing so, I could more fully appreciate the positive moments as well. 

I embraced my clouds — which helped me shine my stars even brighter. It also helped me shift over to what I think of as my “e” years.

Now, I do a lot more “embracing, exploring, expanding, exhaling, enjoying and evolving.”

Just like parenting, writing can be humbling. But even if we realize we aren’t “right” — we usually end up learning a lot.

So I hope you’ll join me in embracing your clouds – and shining your stars!

— Carolyn Morris, author of Finding Your Stars

Finding Your Stars is a beautifully illustrated children's book that encourages children – and parents – to find and nurture their strengths and talents, while also accepting their fears and difficult emotions. You can learn more and buy the book here.