Living my dream

My heart is full of joy! I’m still wearing the smile I wore last Monday night at my first book launch back home in Georgia. Yes, the number of friends and family who filled the upstairs room at the Harris Arts Center overwhelmed me. But what really filled my heart with joy was their engagement, enthusiasm, and genuine support. I saw the love in their eyes as I spoke, interrupted myself, lost my train of thought, and bounced from one story to another. They laughed with me, not at me, when I scanned the crowd, recognizing more and more faces.

What I thought might be a nice little get-together turned into something so much more—a celebration of family, friendship, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Family and friends from so many of my circles filled the room. Fellow writers, gym buddies, former students and teachers, parents and grandparents of students, and neighbors sat (or stood) listening to me babble about my travels and my childhood dreams to ride my bike and become an author. The love in the room came from my sister Sandi, who, along with my brother, inspired the dream, but also from friends of friends who hadn’t even met me. It was an emotional evening from the moment the first guest walked into the room until I signed the last book over two hours later.

The energy overwhelmed me. Having so many people there made the struggle worth it. Thank you to all who helped to make the launch of Finding Joy in the West a success. And thank you to those who will continue to support me as I write my next book, Finding Joy in the East.

Writing is hard. I have much to learn. But on the flip side, I’m traveling, riding my bike, and writing about people I meet and places I visit. That’s what I have wanted to do since the third grade. I’m living my dream. Riding and writing fill my heart with joy.

So, tell me . . . what fills your heart with joy? What is your dream? Are you living it? If not, figure out what is stopping you and find what fills your heart with joy.

*Photo by David McEntire