It’s often said that writers live not one life but many, and that may be true, but when you realize that you only have one physical life… you may want to start taking the chances you’re being given. Inspiration can hit at any moment and this blog is a great example of that, I’m recording it whilst I drive, safely I promise. If you’ve ever thought about doing something with your life, something specific, like traveling to another country or writing a book or skydiving but then you talk yourself out of it because you think about how you’re too tired, or that you don't want to today, you may not realize just how much we’re actually putting off.
I am driving home from work today and I listening to Adele on the radio and I'm thinking about how I've always wanted to be British. Strange dream, I know, but accents make me smile, and there’s so much history over there, and food. Cheese, I like cheese. Wouldn't it be amazing to live in Europe, to experience new things and talk with a beautiful accent, and be immersed in the history that would surround me everyday? As I start to think about that dream it’s easy to let fear start to creep in. That would be a lot of work, or I’m only twenty-seven, I have plenty of time, or, what about work, and kids? All of the current and future commitments start to invade and I justify why it can never be possible.
Part of me might believe that and I think, I’ll just catch up with that dream in my next life. But won’t be here for my next life, not like this, not this incarnation of me. Today, it’s just me who so badly wants to go to Europe and speak like they do, and eat cheese, and see the Eiffel Tower, and see the white buildings of Greece. So why would I put off a trip to Europe, or writing a book? Why do I go home everyday after work and say, “you know I've had a really rough day, I worked really hard, I made good money doing it, and I'm satisfied with that.” Why do I settle for that? I think I need to try to stop and think about my choices, and instead say, “why am I spending ten hours a day doing something that's really difficult and saving money? What's the point?” Isn't the point so that I can spend the money? To tuck it away in a savings account for future kids, or plan a trip to Europe, or save it up so I can take a month off of work and write a book. Isn't that the point of working hard, so I can get to my dreams?
Part of me might believe that and I think, I’ll just catch up with that dream in my next life. But won’t be here for my next life, not like this, not this incarnation of me. Today, it’s just me who so badly wants to go to Europe and speak like they do, and eat cheese, and see the Eiffel Tower, and see the white buildings of Greece. So why would I put off a trip to Europe, or writing a book? Why do I go home everyday after work and say, “you know I've had a really rough day, I worked really hard, I made good money doing it, and I'm satisfied with that.” Why do I settle for that? I think I need to try to stop and think about my choices, and instead say, “why am I spending ten hours a day doing something that's really difficult and saving money? What's the point?” Isn't the point so that I can spend the money? To tuck it away in a savings account for future kids, or plan a trip to Europe, or save it up so I can take a month off of work and write a book. Isn't that the point of working hard, so I can get to my dreams?
What have I learned today while I mumble to myself, alone in my car? Next time my brain says, “wouldn't it be be awesome to,” or “I’ve always wanted to do this,” I’ll try to stop and think about my dreams and figure out what I can do to get myself closer to it.
Every little step counts, do something to further your goals. We can do it together. If you need me, I’ll be at my desk, writing a new story about a woman who grabs her dreams… and the first flight she finds to the UK.
Every little step counts, do something to further your goals. We can do it together. If you need me, I’ll be at my desk, writing a new story about a woman who grabs her dreams… and the first flight she finds to the UK.
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