Wealth is absolutely personal, and it’s up to you to define it. To me, wealth is time, freedom and creativity. It means being able to wake up whenever I want and enjoy a slow morning, to take a nap after lunch, to indulge in a long walk in the sunshine with Mr. Brinkley, to meet a friend for coffee, and to pack my red suitcase and take off for my next adventure without owing anybody an explanation or, God forbid, asking for permission.
Many years ago, somebody asked me: “What would you like to do, if you could do anything in the world?” I answered: “I would travel and write.” And that’s what I’ve been doing all my life, in various ways. My wanderlust and restlessness have led me all around the globe, allowed me to experience wonderful adventures and meet amazing people. For a very long time, too long if you ask me, it was just a hobby, a big passion that I longed to follow full time but I lacked the courage and resilience to do so. Surrounded by those I trusted who convinced me to play it safe, I did.
Recently, there seems to be a very strange bug spreading among some of my friends. All of them are beautifully talented and fabulously creative. All of them once had a big dream, a wonderful vision. But somewhere along the way, when the road got bumpy and the journey seemed to be taking too long, when the first book didn’t become a New York Times bestseller, when the first attempt to get a client didn’t work out, when they first got rejected, when they immediately didn’t become millionaires, they decided to fill their life with excuses and quit. “It’s too hard. I’m not really talented. This is not meant to be. It’s frustrating. I can’t afford to.”
When you finally discover your Inner Compass and bravely face the root of your Ecstatic Joy, you may feel like “this is it”, and everything’s going to be smooth and fun. However, you will soon find out that that’s where the battle begins. And it’s not any old battle: it’s the battle for your soul.
Recently, I have found myself in a very special space, that I personally called “accelerated expansion”. I have so many new ideas that I can’t write fast enough to put them down on paper. And I’ve been extremely sensitive to those things that don’t make me happy anymore. It feels like my body is cooperating with my soul, making it physically very difficult to do everything that may be called joyless.
It’s February, the famous month of love, pink teddy bears, heart-shaped chocolates and engagement rings dangerously hidden in desserts, waiting to be choked on. The month that reminds me how much I actually don’t need all this because my most magical flame is everlasting, super strong and very Italian: I have a secret, passionate love affair with my life.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Listen to yourself, to your heart and to your intuition, because only you can really understand what’s going on for you and what your true path is. If being a full-time, prosperous author is what you desire, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. You absolutely can do it if you’re willing to do more than sit on the couch, read self-help books and chant affirmations. Everything in this life that’s really worth it requires three P’s: Passion, Patience and Perseverance. With them as your companions, you are bound to succeed and you will love every step of the journey.
There seems to be an ongoing discussion on the Internet about what’s better: To be an author with a day job, or to take the leap and become a full-time author. Tomorrow I’m going to tell you what I think about it, but first let me share a few interesting resources that might help you get deeper into this online discussion, and also into your own way of seeing this issue:
Beating yourself up about what you did, didn’t do, could have done and shouldn’t have done, won’t take you anywhere and it surely doesn’t get those creative juices flowing. We writers are our own worst critics but we shouldn’t turn into our own biggest enemies. Your inner artist is fragile, needs tender love, encouragement and wise parenting.
Creative energy is what keeps us alive. People die when they have nothing more to say. Your desire to create your life’s work is the fuel of your life. Literally.
Barbara Conelli is a travel writer, polyglot and lifelong nomad. Blessed with ample enthusiasm, energy and stamina, she is always on the move, embracing her free spirit … [Read More...]
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