Saturday, September 27, 2014

What Really Makes You Happy?

Many thoughts are swirling around in my head as I write this.

A thought echoes from something my sister said earlier tonight, which I can't repeat. I ask myself why I allow other people's opinions to influence and interfere with my drive and focus. I resolve that it's because I am open to change and improvement. But sometimes we have to learn to separate the external opinions from our personal truths.

It's been a busy week which ended on a good note. Tonight I attended an Evening of Tea and Readings (and wine & yummy treats...did I mention wine? :) at the Paper Based Bookstore at the Normandie Hotel, Trinidad

I am constantly reminded that there are sooo many talented persons in the world. Wow! I heard poetry from my old university professor who taught me a Linguistics course that I loved. Her name is Dr. Jennifer Rahim. Her words and humour put her audience at ease and were insightful and pure. Staccato applause endorsing her thoughts.

A few months ago I listened to short stories read by another lecturer Dr. Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw. Also refreshing and insightful. Both authors also read at the Bocas Lit Fest. 

Other readings tonight were from celebrated authors and film-makers such as Mariel Brown, Jan Westmaas and Vashti Bowlah. Felicia Chang also spoke about her experiences and what led her to form her own company. Her journey similar to mine was interesting to listen and learn about.

I am enthralled by creativity and those who dare to "throw off the bowlines" and follow their dreams with their whole heart. I am on this path and sometimes I feel like I can't get where I want to be fast enough. But my friends are the ones that remind me that I have lots for which to be proud and will get there in time.

photo credit  - C. K. Correia All rights Reserved.
Grafton Beach, Tobago

These days I am also getting excited and anxious hearing about the journey of another friend of mine who is also an author and about to launch her second business book. Little does she know she is inspiring me every step of the way.



Last night I dusted off my manuscript and made some changes. I started writing the 9th chapter of my new book. One more to go then I will publish I've decided. I haven't written in many months but yesterday I had a Moment of Truth. 

This book charts my journey as a writer and the transition from HR back to Communications...what led me to embark on entrepreneurship as a consultant and speaker. I wanted to come full circle in terms of my journey, as I thought I needed to do more. So I waited for this to happen.

Then I realized that there would always be more to do. I got a phone call that I was praying intently for just the night before and decided to pay a surprise visit to my friend Beverly yesterday as I was in the neighbourhood. For the first time I described the book to her and the source of my delay. 

Very calmly in her usual dignified, yet charismatic tone she dispelled my concerns and over lunch said this to me: 

"What more do you want girl? You have spoken locally and internationally. You have been "making your mark"  all along. Hurry up and finish your book so that I can read it!" 

Lol. Still I had my vision for the book. To this she responded that I should save that for my next book. 

I went home and thought about what my friend said hours before and decided that she was right. It's time. The journey will never be over. I have shared so much already with the intention to assist others "find" themselves and provide that extra nudge to embark on their own journey. 

I am in that place.

I am happy.

I am doing what makes my heart sing.

My sister is wrong.

I can hardly keep from jumping up and down...

I can live in this moment forever...(I may never leave my room:)

I can't wait for you to read it :-)

On to chapter 10!

Do what makes your heart sing!

Peace & Love
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain


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