My father always told me, “Kelly, avoid the highs in life, and you’ll avoid the lows. Be realistic in your dreams.”
Dad urged me to be a teacher, an honorable profession no doubt, but I knew in my soul that I was a writer. But the dream of writing a book? Too unrealistic! Â I might as well believe I will be an Oscar-winner. Â Instead, I chose a “safe” way to continue to write and studied advertising and marketing.
From 1991 until 2007, I churned out proposals, slogans and web copy. I penned the best marketing fluff I could muster. Funny, but the writing left me empty inside. Â Was I adding anything to the world that made a difference? Â One night about three years ago, God called me back to the floor of my bedroom to my old dusty journals from my school years. Â Pages and pages of poetry sprinkled the hand-penned stories of my life. As I read the entries on bedroom floor they brought tears to my eyes. I felt the old pains of growing up as if each event took place hours ago.
Then I heard Him whisper, “This is what I created you to do. Â Write for me.” “Okay,” I thought. Â “but God, it’s too hard to be published. Â Think of the odds! ” Â A year later, I had a publishing contract. Â The next year my first book was released, and guess who inspired me in the writing phase, calling every few days to encourage me? Â That’s right, my dad. Â He’s been my biggest supporter since.
Why am I telling you this story? Because I now know that we only have one life. We need to make it count. Â My advice to you, then? Go for the highs!
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