Do you know what it’s like to pick up your dream again?
I do. You see I started writing when I was a teenager. I would write poetry for myself. It was my way of getting away from the realities of life.
I must admit I would write when I was sad about something. People have their own way of venting and expressing themselves and for me it was through writing.
There was something about putting pen to paper and letting the words find each other artistically. I did it for years. It’s amazing the things that you can do when you simply begin.
I wrote for free for a few years until I landed a freelance job as a columnist for a newspaper in Ohio. I loved it and then got published in a couple of books.
Have you ever felt on top of the world?
That’s what going after my dream felt like. My writing also evolved because of it. I was able to write about various topics. I grew an audience as well.
Was it easy?
Easy may not be the word I would choose, but I became better at it. Rejections come with the business of being a freelancer and luckily I was able to develop a thick skin.
I kept on trying. To this day I still try. I have been trying to get published with Chicken Soup For The Soul books for years! Does it stop me from trying? Absolutely not.
The things that happen to us along the way sometimes serve as a catalyst. The very things that bring you hardships, hurt or loss are what can reignite your fire.
Have you ever gone through a hard time and postponed your dream?
For myself I had gone through some tough times the last couple of years and finally in the winter of 2016 I changed that. I started going to the gym. I got a trainer and started working on myself. On top of that I started Archery lessons too.
I started doing things that were leading me down a much more positive path. Ups and downs happen in life, but ultimately it is up to each of us to dictate how we will live our life.
It is either choosing to always be the guest at our own private pity party or be the guest of honor at our success party when we achieve our dream. I chose the latter and am a better person for it.
All of these things were leading me to dusting off my dream. It had been sitting on my shelf for a while now. It would beckon me to come back every now and then. However, I would put it off.
Have you ever decided to pick up where you left off?
Events have a funny way of working together to get you to revisit a dream, a goal or a passion. One thing led to another and one day I was sitting down having a latte with my business coach.
All because it started off with an introduction at my church and a picture that she posted that piqued my curiosity. That’s not luck by the way. It is divine intervention at it’s best.
What I did next was act on my dream. We came up with a plan together and the next thing that happened was my website. Lula Lucy was born.
An extension of me and a way for me to continue what I had started. 2016 has been my best year ever! I have learned so much. Through experiences, through pursuing different venues, networking, etc.
Ever feel like you have to keep on going no matter what?
Well you can. There will be times that you will want to quit, but that’s not an option. Think about what it would feel like if you did quit. There is no reward in that.
You dream first, you write down your goals and then you act on them. You don’t wonder about it, worry about it or procrastinate. It’s that initial first step that gets you going to amazing places.
My friends it is so worth going for. Sure it will be scary at times and difficult, but those are only temporary circumstances. This is how I did it in 2016.
We all get this one life to live. Why not live it by pursuing that dream? If your dream is sitting on a shelf collecting dust like mine was, go clean it off. You owe it to yourself.
I dove in with my dream and will continue to pursue so many things with it. I can’t wait to see what the future brings my way. Exciting times are on the way for sure!
Are you ready to do what you’re meant for with your dream?
Ask Lucy:
Have you been pondering over a question that you aren’t sure about? Need advice on it? If you would like to have your question featured on an upcoming “Ask Lucy” segment please email me at: hello@lulalucy.com
