RETURN TO WRITING STRATEGIES

Dreaming to Succeed
By Terri Mrosko

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." ~Thoreau

These words from the great American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau appeared on the front of a card I received this past year.

"I am so proud of you for fulfilling your dream as a writer! I know if you keep going, you will succeed greatly. I love you so much Mom!" ~Natalie

These words from my 11-year-old daughter appeared on the inside of the card.

The card now sits in a prominent position in my home-based office where I spend my days and nights confidently pursuing my dream of a freelance writing career. The card is a celebration of my first published article appearing in a December issue of a community newspaper.

My 18-year-old daughter Marlo also gave me a gift--a writer's journal and a pen inscribed with the words "Your dreams at your fingertips."

The pen and journal set sits on my shelf, amid my "how to be a writer" book selections. The journal is filled with my ideas for essays, articles and ideas to query, usually scribbled there in the middle of the night when yet another insistent thought calls to me to get it down on paper.

The emotions I experienced when I opened these gifts and read the words were beyond imagination. While my daughters were expressing pride for their mother's accomplishment, it was all I could do to contain the pride I felt for those two girls. Their understanding of the significance of what I achieved helped me realize my dreams belong to my family as well as to me.

The idea of spending more time with my family was an important factor in the decision to pursue my own writing business after two decades working within the confines of a corporate routine. I missed many significant events from my older daughter's life due to the rigors and demands of the corporate schedule. I was now determined to make up for it by setting up shop and working from home.

I had incredible support from my then-fiancé, now husband. His first words to me after learning my 20-year corporate position was about to be downsized were "Now you can become a writer."

So began a new path for all of us, not just for the one losing her job. We soon were going to learn the true meaning of sacrifice, compromise and the words "Not now, I'm writing."

My vision of life as a freelance writer was now my reality. Only it wasn't as simple as I thought. There were frustrations, tears and hurt feelings along the way. The words "everything has its price" suddenly took on new meaning for me--for all of us.

A hundred published articles and one year later, I realize it definitely has been worth it. The price would be greater had I not chose to pursue the dreams, to let my spirit soar and strive to be all I dreamed I could be.

As I sit here in my office created by the loving hands of my husband and the help of my children, my eyes stop and rest for a moment on a framed picture on the desk next to my computer. It is a wintry image of snow-covered mountains and evergreens, with the words "Believe and Succeed. The key to happiness is having dreams…the key to success is making dreams come true."

It is a gift from my mother.

I realize now my dreams, my life, has come full circle. I am overwhelmed by the significance of all these words about dreams and success and belief in one's self.

Thoreau said success is to transcend one's own limitations, to live life to the fullest and follow the path of one's dreams.

I say success is knowing the most important people in your life believe in you as well as your dreams. How can I not succeed?