FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS - YES YOU CAN!

"Passion is holy...If we do not give outward expression to our passions, we will experience self-immolation - the spontaneous combustion of our souls."                              ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Our creative expression does not have to succeed in the world. It does not have to make a fortune for us. We may not even break even. What matters is that we honor our inspirations and give expression to them in some way. 

Yesterday's quote for Today's Touchstone was

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold." 

 (Maurice Setter)

There are many situations in which we may miss the joy because we did not strike gold, win the gold medal, or achieve the golden title.  

When I published

The Twelve Gifts of Birth

, I hoped it would at least break even. I just knew I had to bring it into the world as best I could. Reaching sweet success with it was like icing an already delicious lemon yellow cake with honeyed icing.

Some books have not done so well. For example, my children's picture book,

A Perfect Name

, did not even go into a second printing. 

I have a close friend who has faithfully honored her creative passions with card-making and selling whimsical gifts for the home. You can hear the joy in her voice when she's working with her artistic expressions. She hasn't reached gold. Not yet, I should say. Who knows what's ahead? 

Actually, she has achieved gold - gold for her soul. She may not yet have made a lot of money. But for sure her soul will not combust, burn a slow death, or die from neglect.

We are all talented in so many ways. Some we have not yet recognized. No matter how old or young or busy or poor we feel, whatever our present circumstances, let's take a few deep breaths and bring freshness not only into our lungs but into our minds, hearts, and souls as well.

Be ready. Inspiration can come in any moment. Welcome it. Honor it.

Joyfully express yourself. Follow your dreams. With love and courage you can. You will!

Hope and faith too,

Charlene

PS - Another example is a tongue-in-cheek little booklet I produced titled,

 You're Right.

 The inspiration for it came with fiery passion. I paid for a simple design, did the necessary filings, and had a couple hundred printed for family members and a few friends. I knew that product would not deliver financial rewards. But it brought joy to me and laughter to others. We all deserve to experience this kind of joy. I would love to hear your stories about this issue.