An Inspitational Evening

For those of you who have high dreams, expectations that seem to supersede reality, and belief in yourself, hear this.

We all have something hidden deep within us. Something so powerful that we ourselves may fear the actual knowledge of. It's that something that encourages us to trudge forward day in and day out with the hope that tomorrow will be a better, more profound day. Some of us dig deep-taking the time and energy to, not only realize, but grasp who and what we actually are. We are all more than who we are. We can all do more than we do.

True happiness presents its self once our dreams are realized. Although, realizing them is not enough. By far, it is just the beginning. There comes a time, in all of us, that the need to achieve our dreams supersedes all else. It is those of us who make the time, find the way, and bomb the disillusionment that there is no map to fully uncover, unfold and live our dreams. Dreams don't necessarily need to be big or small. They just need to be exposed and lived.

I was a closet writer when I was a child. Not that I kept it a secret, but I actually sat in my closet to write. Those who knew me would never truly understand my need to write stories, so I did it in the confines of my literary hut. As I grew, so did my confidence and desires.

Writing, to me, is no longer a shadow of who I am. It is not anything to be shameful about, but proud of. It is who and what I am made of. Surely if I were to be x-rayed they'd find nothing but a bunch of stories, books and desires inside of me.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Not because I have a dream and I am trying to live up to it, but because I took the time to indulge in my dream and took notice of who I really am.

I'm not so sure, but I sometimes wonder about angry, irritable people. To me, for someone to sit on and never let their dreams be known, just might be like walking around with an open wound and trying to ignore it. Believe me when I say it's better to nurse it, pamper it, soothe it and all your pain will disappear, as will the irritability with it. Who really knows, but it might be worth a try.

So, all of you out there with unrealized dreams-stop sitting on them. Give them room to breath and grow. Show the world who you really are-you'll be a much happier person for doing so, as will those around you.

I had the honor of meeting Jon Clinch last night at a book signing. What an inspiration that was. It still lingers in my mind today how he is actually living his dream. His debut novel 'Finn' sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it. He's taken Huck Finn's dad and created an unusually compassionate tale about him. Not that there really is anything compassionate about the old guy, or that compassionate is the right word, but just read it for yourself and see.

As for even more excitement to the evening. I am part of a writer's forum called Backspace. It's even better than the whole 'writer's section' of B&N. The entire site is a wealth of knowledge and the friendliest, most helpful group of people you'd ever know. I was lucky enough to meet three of them last night at the signing. Carrie, Elizabeth, and Stella are all wonderful ladies. I can't wait to meet up with them again in New York in May.

For all of you reading this do me, and yourself, a favor. The next time you have a bad day, or you're angry and don't know why, take a moment to search for a flattened, deflated, ignored dream. If you find one, do the only thing you can, try, just try living it.

I wrote this poem when I was a young-girl-closet-writer and it still sticks with me today:

Life's A Dream

To sing a song is joyful
To play a game's amusing
To live the life we live
Is very much confusing.

To sing a song the words are there
To lose a game is never fair,
But what is to compare?

To a life that lives on dwelling
Of a future not foretelling
'Tis needless to surrender
All hopes and dreams of splendor.

Any dream is worth chasing
And obstacle worth partaking
Of any dream you wish to explore
And follow through with what you endure.

And in the end you'll discover
No one dream is like another.

When all is over and you're at your peak
You just might find there's more to seek.

Dreams don't end
They only grow
And yet you'll find
There's more to know.

When your dreams have been met
Without the feeling of regret...

Your song's been sang
Your games been played
For this truly fulfilling
Life that you have made.

I'm not so sure it's a 'good poem', but the meaning of it was good enough to stay with me all these years.