Pursuing Our Passions

I had the pleasure of attending a book signing by an author that I
didn't know much about this evening. Her name is Beth Hoffman. She
wrote a book called "Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt."

I like to go to signings to hear the authors speak about their books
and I find that it can give you great insight about their books
contents. Some seem overwhelmed with being on a book tour. Some just
seem to be filling their contract requirements for their publishers.
Many enjoy hearing how readers have interpreted their books.

But the best treat of all is an author who has a love for the craft of
writing and is astonished that their love to write has become a
successful book , loved by so many. Tonight was one of those!

She spoke of her life as a child, remembering how she imagined stories
and even wrote some about imaginary people. How she started a very
successful interior design business and how through a series of
amazing and well timed events in her life, her love for writing was
rekindled. Her delight in writing was evident in everything she
said. And this woman has been out on tour for months and yet she was
still smiling and elated to share her story with all of us (and I got
the very clear impression that this would be the case with any
audience anywhere that people gathered to hear her speak).

The part of the story that I wanted to talk about briefly here was
this......
This amazing author went into the interior design business because
other people along the way made her feel that she could not succeed
financially doing what she wanted to do. How many of us can relate to
that? She then worked hard to prove them wrong but ended up in a
field with a different form of creativity. She spent a number of
years working 70+ hours a week until that almost killed her. While
recovering from a very serious illness due to her crazy, driven work
schedule, she came across something that reminded her of her love for
storytelling (which had been long forgotten while pursuing her
career). And then, through a few other well placed incidents, she
found her way back to her passion of writing.

Which brings us to today and this miraculous story.......can you
believe this book (her first book) hit the NY Times Bestseller List
only 12 days after it's release?!!! It's a favorite amongst readers
and filled with wisdom and warmth. The other audience members talked
of how her book meant so much to them and the characters seemed so
real and like good friends. The joy in their faces and words was
apparent.

So why am I writing about this? Because I believe that there is
valuable wisdom to be found here.

First.....Look what amazing things happen when we follow our dreams
and passions : ) These gifts are meant to be used. They are birthed
in us to share with others. Meant to inspire or bring hope. Maybe to
just make someone smile. Maybe to fill a lonely place in someone
else's life. Maybe to make someone laugh. Maybe to be the backdrop at
someone's wedding or birth. Maybe to bring beauty into a dark and
barren place. Maybe to change the world! And all are of so much
value and importance.

Second......Can you imagine how many beautiful, life changing, gifts
have been smothered by well meaning friends and family members and
never shared? How many songs were never written or played or sung? How
many stories were never told or written? How many pieces of art were
never created? How many businesses were never started? And so much
more....
I can't count the number of people that have shared their doubts
with me about their own artistic (or other) endeavors. They're torn
about what to do. Should they continue to pursue their dreams or throw
in the towel and get a regular job? They are feeling so pressured by
others. The burden is written all over their faces.

I believe that you were given these dreams and passions because YOU
are meant to pursue them. That doesn't mean that it's always easy. In
fact it's not usually. But that's what makes it worth the ride. I
always tell people that it's a lot like giving birth...a lot of
difficulty but worth it! And YOU were chosen for this. Isn't that
cool?! Do you know how many people would love to have the gifts that
you possess? Enjoy them! Use them! Share them!

So, learn from this story and pursue those dreams and passions. You'll
be glad that you did! : )
Now, go out and do it!

And one more thing.....Thanks Beth for following your passion so that
we get to enjoy your work and thank you too for being such an
inspiration to all of us!

Love,
Kim