I was about to make my move to strictly fiction writing when a Facebook friend asked me to help with his social media.
“Sure. I’d love to.” I said.
I’m grateful for that relationship because it seems to have been fated. It has propelled me from point A to Point C. It was important and the decision felt right at the time. It’s still a good business relationship.
Not long after, I was approached to teach online classes in social media for writers. “Of course!” I said. Oddly enough, as I began each class, some ridiculous catastrophe occurred that completely spoiled my reputation.
- A power surge took out my computer and tablet in one fell swoop.
- The constable informed me I had 3 business days to move out of the house I’d been renting because the landlord defaulted.
- My internet connection was interrupted.
- I became so sick that I could barely sit up.
- My Outlook mail went boots up.
- One thing after another…
Then another friend suggested his friend who needed website assistance call me. Of course I said “Yes” as a favor to my friend. Then my friend wanted a new website. Now he’s talking about sending more friends my way and making me very rich.
I’ve realized something very important:
I don’t want to be rich.
I want to be happy.
My guides told me to “Do the thing that is waiting for you.”
I wondered what that meant.
Yesterday morning, I browsed Amazon.com and read the reader reviews of my books.
One out of every three reviews said “I can’t wait for the next book!” or “Waiting patiently for the next book” or “How long before the next Task Force 125 story?”
I was overwhelmed with gratitude for these people who had read my books and enjoyed them as I realized that this too was fated.
They’re waiting. The characters are waiting. I’ve been waiting to be able to JUST WRITE.
The thing that has stopped me has been not being able to say “No” when people think they’re doing me a favor and I think I’m doing them a favor. I’ve been so wrapped up in pleasing the wrong people, or at least not offending them, that I haven’t done anything for myself. I’ve set my priorities aside and made serving others my priority. This may be an admirable thing, but I keep telling my other friends they are not a public service – and yet, I’ve been allowing myself to be one. It’s time I take my own advice.
I need to be able to simply say without guilt “No, I’m sorry. I don’t have time.”
It’s time to give myself the sort of consideration I’ve been giving my friends all along. It’s time I do what brings me joy, the thing that is waiting for me,
WRITE.
Personally, I haven’t had a drink with a bubble in it since the year 2000 and there isn’t anything about Sauza Tequila that is going to make me start.
This is not the way I want to be spoken to. I outgrew the wine cooler when I was 18. It seems to me that Beam Brands is marketing their products to 18-21 year old straight female and gay male drinkers of the U.S. who are buying their booze at mom and pop package stores that don’t check identification. 
