Follow Your Dreams

One of the reasons I decided to travel to Europe was to follow a dream. I have always wanted to write full time, but I always came up with a list of reasons that justified why I couldn’t. Not enough money, not enough time, can’t make a proper living from it, not good enough. The list was endless. Then the reality of my life hit and I recognized that I’m getting older. The big 50 is not that far off and although I don’t feel my age, I have to be realistic that I am what I am.

I don’t want to live my life with regrets or excuses anymore. I believe that if you don’t like a situation, you either accept it or do something about it. You have a choice to walk away from it or stay, but whining is not an option.

My decision to leave came from a business contract ending early. It had been extended a number of times, so I thought it would continue for another year. Very abruptly, it came to an end and so did my cash flow. For 24 hours, I was distressed. My dreams for travel were thrown out the window. My only concern now was how I was going to feed my daughter and pay my mortgage and bills.

The next day I awoke and saw my glass half full instead of half empty. Ok, I didn’t have work. But I also didn’t have commitments! I was free. Albeit poor, but free. I decided that if I was going to follow my dreams and do this trip, now was the perfect time.And I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to experience the world!

It was a huge leap of faith to book a trip to a part of the world that was unfamiliar to me and to do so without a regular income or guaranteed outcome. I wanted to travel to Oxford, surround myself with like-minded people and write with the intention of getting published. Oxford has more published authors per capita than any other town in the world. It’s steeped in history and all the things that make my heart sing! I had to take a chance and do this. I just had to. A life of no more regrets is what I want.

As soon as I made that decision, the Universe worked with me. New clients came in, old ones returned. Work was so busy that I did six months’ work in three.  I hardly slept. But I made it. I am finally here in Oxford.

I am sitting at my tiny desk in my tiny apartment, writing to you. It feels so right to be here. Mostly, because I know how much courage it took to come. I could still be sitting back at home with my excuses. But instead I’m in the City of Spires, listening to church bells and being inspired. Will I achieve my dream to be published again? Who knows, but it’s exciting to be awake and in the middle of my favourite dream.  I’ll keep you posted.