An inspirational piece by a writer whose dream of writing was realized after several failures in life.

The Universe has a way of raising the curtains and exposing you to your true self. Of course, we never think it is the right direction. Sometimes it’s like a tug-a-war……you pulling stubbornly in one direction and the Universe in another.  Finally and often quite unconsciously you say - Enough! And you watch your true passion come alive.  That’s what it was like for me, and now it’s difficult to even think that I actually thought I had another ‘passion’.  I was born to write….to create images with words that impact life.  

Growing up in Jamaica, I was following a path that I thought was the right one…..a traditional career in nursing.  Somehow I reasoned that my love for children and an interest and fascination in the medical profession meant that I should pursue a career in pediatric nursing. 

I totally ignored the fact that, as far back as I could remember, I could write.  I wrote school plays…I wrote poetry…. and it seemed what ever I put my mind to, I could write it.   But who makes a living from writing?? That’s not the kind of career you considered.  Was it even a career?  As far as I was concerned, it was a hobby.  I am not sure if I came to this all by myself or the occasional pats on my shoulder followed by “that’s nice jen”… encouraged my decision.   Everyone in my family new I would someday be a nurse.  So I had a way with words, so what?  “That’s nice jen,…..you have talent…..just something you were born with…”  

The first hint I got about the direction to take was in high school…. I failed biology – miserably.  How was that even possible??  It was my favourite subject.  Of course all my efforts to get into nursing school failed, and I thought I was about to have a nervous breakdown.  The questions clogged my brain.  I didn’t have an option.  All I ever wanted was to enter the medical field.  What was I going to do??? 

Then my first real job after high school was as a receptionist in an Advertising Agency.  It was then that I started to look at my collection of poems and short stories in a different light.  By the time I got to University,  I was very clear about my professional passion….my dharma.  It was with me all along - the art of writing; the vision to create something beautiful with words. 

When this is realized as your passion, it is quite difficult to turn back no matter the criticisms, the doubts, and the disappointments. Some may say that you will starve to death because like most true artist or creative mind, you will never earn a living.  Well, so many in the world at large have proven that belief false. If you have to earn a living some other way to pay the bills, go right ahead.  But this does not mean you put your passion on the back burner.  

If you have discovered that your true passion is writing, then you must write.  It’s like having this urge to scream and the only release is to scream.    I write because I have to, it’s as simply as that.  Sometimes it’s not even about putting down an idea on paper. It’s about developing and encouraging that mental preparation.  There are things happening in your head long before pen and paper, keyboard and screen come together.  The point is however, you have the need to unleash that passion.   No matter what you write, just write.  Start with a journal if you feel the need.  It could be three lines or ten.  Eventually you will secure your niche.  You will know if you want to write that great novel, poetry or whatever.  Were you born to write?  Is writing your truth, your passion?  Face the question head on. If in true honesty the answer is yes, then what are you waiting for? Start writing.