Happy Anniversary

Today is my one year anniversary of launching my freelance writing career. Though I have been writing for a long time, it was January 12th, 2008 when I went out on my own--my first day as a self-employed writer.

There were many reasons for choosing to pursue this. I actually made a (lengthy) list of the reasons that were most important to me. I titled it "What I want more of". Here are a few of the things I jotted down:

1) More time to help others/causes I believe in.

2) Time for devotion/meditation every day.

3) To feel fulfilled through my work.

4) To do really well at writing--to reach others, to be paid well, and to be acknowledged as a good, hard working writer.

5) To give back and become more generous.

Looking back over the past year I see where I made mistakes (quite a few, actually) and where I was successful. I can honestly say that mistakes and all, this is the best job I've ever had and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Working for myself meets my needs--not just financially. It goes deeper than that. I'm back to being myself. For a long, long time I was someone who tried to stuff myself into the molds that other people expected me to fit into. Now I feel . . . free.

For any of you out there who are contemplating a big leap of faith, I offer this unsolicited advice: Don't over think it. Pray, pray and pray some more. And then let go and be amazed.