I have had several identities throughout my life – daughter, sister, cousin, mother, granny, friend, counselor, Christian, business owner, among others. Up until about a year ago, “author” and “speaker” were two identities I didn’t even dare to consider. I have read more books in my life than I can count and admired a great number of authors. I have always seen authors and speakers as being people who have something “special” to say that is worth the cost of their writings or speaking events. On top of that, I never considered that what I read or heard in one book or talk wasn’t necessarily original, or new, information from all of the others. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for an author to reference another resource that ended up on my book shopping wish list. I expound on my personal story a lot more in my first book as an “author” titled You, Restored: Turning Trials into Triumphs from the Inside Out.
I have gone through the process of challenging my thoughts that only those with original and new information author a book or speak to an audience. It was a truly profound moment for me when I realized that “what” is said may not be new but “how” one delivers that message will be uniquely theirs. Once I resolved that in my mind, I then began to contemplate what makes the difference in those who put themselves out there to write versus those who don’t.
That is when I began to think about the “why” because without the motivation there will be little movement toward writing. I would dare say there are a multitude of reasons why people choose to write or speak. I had a long list of reasons “why not” write a book and the main reason is the risk of safety. I then evaluated my “why” which is my passion for helping people find hope and healing in this crazy journey called life. Only then was I able to accept the fact that my “why” passion was in direct conflict with my “why not” fears. I then had a choice to succumb to my fear and allow my passion to be smothered out OR I could be courageous enough to face those fears in hopes that “how” I deliver the message will help others.
I write this blog as a starting place for this part of my journey. I hope that somehow it will inspire others to think about their “how” and “why” of doing things that are uniquely you. The world needs more people who are living unapologetically you. I hope you will read the book and come on this journey to hope and healing, to turning life’s trials into triumphs, from the inside out.
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