The year is 2000. I'm working in the finance department of an international corporation and I have been there for about 12 years. I have gone as high in the company as I will be allowed to go and it's time for me to make a decision. I can either step out into the world and meet new challenges to continue to grow as a person or I can stay where I am comfortable and slowly die from inertia. For me the choice is quite clear. If you're not growing, you're dying and I'm not ready to stop growing. I leave the comfort and cushion of a routine I am familiar with and step into the world of martial arts. I'm nervous and unsure of my future but know in my heart it is the right decision for me.
I come to the same conclusion in my writing life. I come back to writing with the intention of being able to grow. The challenges I come across this past year are hard. If forces me to be open to the possibility of change...changes within myself, changes in my writing style, changes in how I see the world around me. When I have doubts about my ability to make this writing thing work I remember that I can either grow as an author or I can die as one. The choice is mine.
An amazing thing happens as I give myself permission to grow. I get stronger. I gather more writer friends around me. I ride on the wave of positive encouragment from this writing community. And my stories continue to grow. If I'm lucky, one day I might even be rewarded for my efforts...
