Okay, if you’re wondering about the title of this post, it’s only because I have that particular song from Sound of Music (one of my favorite movies EVER) running through my head today. It’s not without good reason. I’m very close to sharing some good news (I can’t today– sorry) and my husband reminded me last night that I’ve been at this Kid Lit writing/drawing adventure for a few years now. He was posing this as a “lesson” for our 11-year-old… on how “Mama never gave up” and “You can learn a lot from this…” That kind of thing.
And this coincides with a recent Facebook post from a fellow writer-ly friend–it may have been a quote from some long-ago dreamer/writer. It goes something like this:
If you’re on the right path, you’ll never stray from it.
Friends, I HAVE been on many paths in my life. I’ve strayed–oh how I’ve strayed! But I’ve always been successful–mildly to wildly–on just about every path I’ve chosen (or has chosen me).Yet still I would stray at some point on each of them and and off I would go tackling a new one.
I say this now because I am struck by how I have not… for even one millisecond… ever thought about doing anything else, once I commited to doing THIS. Not one millionth of a millisecond. I felt that when I first started on it. And I feel it even moreso today. I was born to do what I’m doing right now. And when I’m old and gray(er), I’ll STILL be doing it. I have no doubt.
So I would encourage all of you–if you do not love, and I mean really LOVE, what you do… find what it is that YOU were meant for in this life. We only have one life (or so I’m told… I’m not entirely convinced). Enjoy it. Savor it. Don’t waste one precious millisecond of it veering off other paths in the name of fortune or glory, or even–dare I say it– survival. You may have to work your passion while working other jobs. That’s okay. It will work out.
And once you find it, don’t ever leave.
(Don’t worry. You won’t want to.)
From Desiderata:
… And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Kid Lit Dish 
Love this post! Excited!
So inspiring! I’m excited for you.