My dream meant absolutely nothing as long as I held on to it and let it be just a dream. I had to give others a chance to get to know me, share my dreams and visions, and go from there.
I have dreamed of becoming a successful author since my junior year in high school, when we were given a creative writing assignment to complete in English class. English was (and is) my favorite subject, so this new assignment was an exciting challenge. I scored well on the paper, and thus my love of and for writing was born, along with my dream.
Now, the only drawback to my lofty ambitions is that I’m a bit of a wallflower. I’m very shy and not at all outgoing. Born to a shy, quiet, 22-year-old single mom, and teased mercilessly in elementary school, the last thing I ever wanted to do at any time was approach people. The very thought terrified me. I was never one for the limelight or center stage; I made sure all my high school extracurricular activities were ones in which I could blend into the background (band for example). Eventually, in college, I ventured out, joining the Drama Club and playing lead in the year-end production. I even wrote a few articles for the university newspaper. Still, I silently held onto my dream.
I have previously done some publicized writing. Some years ago I wrote a poem for a going-away party for a supervisor at a local department store where I worked. One of my co-workers liked it so much she asked me to do a poem for her mother’s birthday celebration. The family enjoyed it tremendously, and she asked me to do it again year after year for a few years. I was delighted when she asked me to do a special poem for her daughter’s wedding. That was a real high point for me.
Still, I felt I needed more of an outlet for my writings, my ideas and opinions. I held onto and nursed my dream for quite a while, until a few months ago. While browsing online, I discovered a site geared toward writers. I took a chance and joined, and found it to be a very pleasant experience. Eventually, I started being recruited for other similar sites as well as sites geared toward women entrepreneurs and stay-at-home moms. I found a wonderfully amazing camaraderie from other women who had similar ambitions, and who gave me their unconditional support and encouragement. Ultimately, I began posting blogs and poetry I’d written, and the response was awesome. One of my poems even won the prize in a contest on one of the sites. I was so excited! I had finally found the starting gate for my dream.
So what am I saying? I’m saying, had I not just taken the chance and joined those sites, I would not be on the path I am now, experiencing this opportunity. I had to take a chance, take a step, and put myself out there. My dream meant absolutely nothing as long as I held on to it and let it be just a dream. I had to give others a chance to get to know me, share my dreams and visions, and go from there. I have received amazingly positive feedback on the work I have posted, and made some wonderful friends in the process. I’ve met people who are already published, and they’ve been only too happy to share tips and information on getting published. Taking a chance and putting myself out there is how I ended up connected with The 5-Second Commute, and thus ended up here.
Do you have a dream that you’re nursing? Are you longing to share your vision and your passion with others, and enjoy a successful career through that passion at the same time? Then go ahead: Take A Chance, Take A Step, and Put Yourself Out There. Like me, you will be so glad you did.