What If...

I’m jumping out of my skin to share some really exciting news with YOU!

A Christmas wish came true.

However, before I continue, I want YOU do something—read these words by stepping into the story. Will you do that? I promise you’ll get more from it that way. And, you too, just might believe that WISHES REALLY DO COME TRUE-—if you’ll give them a fighting chance.

Now, think of a dream, wish or idea that’s been burning, turning and SCREAMING to come out. Got it? If not, don’t read another word until you name your wish. After all, how can a wish come true if you don’t name it?

Okay, now that we’re all on the same page, wish in hand, or in mind, as the case may be—read my story with YOUR wish in mind.

For years, I wanted to write. For years, all I did was talk about wanting to write. Then, my dear husband Greg said something really profound. Are you ready for his profound words of wisdom? Here they are: “Susan, writers write.” Then, he casually went back to reading his paper.

Hmm. I thought about his statement and fired back a series of ‘What if’s:’ “What if no one reads what I write? What if they hate how I write? And, what if they dismiss what I write?”

Ahh, as that last ‘what if’ rolled off my tongue and into the airwaves, I heard my answer.

I didn’t write because I feared being DISMISSED. In fact, that all too familiar feeling of being ‘the weird one,’ ‘strange,’ and hearing those dreaded words reverberate in my head as they quickly began to drown out all sense of truth and reality: “Susan, what you have to say doesn’t matter.”

Are you still with me? Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? Perhaps you just felt that pit go thump in your stomach. Good. Remember, you’re supposed to be the main character in my story.

So tell me, what’s your ‘What if?’ What’s stopping you from taking your next step; and therefore, from making YOUR wishes come true? Yes, I believe YOU’RE the one responsible for preventing your wish from being realized. Okay, I hear a few of you firing your ‘what if’s’ back at me. Hang in there for just a few more seconds. Then, tell me I’m wrong.

It’s those dreaded ‘What if’s’ that you’ve allowed to roll around in your mind, that are squelching, extinguishing and keeping your dreams or wishes from being birthed.

If you don’t believe me, stop and recall that dream, wish, or idea that you named just a few sentences ago. What’s kept it from becoming a reality? Could it be, like me, you fear rejection and ridicule?

Here are a few Words of Wisdom from a woman who has walked in your shoes:

Your dream is just that—it’s YOURS. Embrace it.
Everyone won’t share your dream or believe in it. Share it anyhow.
Those who never dared to realize their dream will never support yours. Realize it despite their doubt.
Birthing your dream isn’t just for you-–it’s for all the lives your dream will impact. Birth it.
And, living your dream is the one thing that will make you feel most alive. Live it!

Are you ready for a Simple Tool? Write down all of your ‘What if’s.’ Yes, you have to write them down. Now, run, don’t walk to the nearest trash can and burn them. Only then will your dream, wish or idea that’s been burning inside of you, illuminate the world!

Oh, I almost forgot to share my exciting news with you. YIKES!

My wish of seeing my book don the shelves of a bookstore was realized TODAY!

Town House Books and Cafe is carrying Divine And Perfect Order, A Companion Journal: 52 Simple Truths, Simple Tools & Simple Words of Wisdom for Your Life.