Hello, World!

Well, here I am, folks. I've been debating starting this blog for some time and hadn't done anything, but a recent phone call with a long-time friend put things in, not only perspective, but motion. We've had plenty of these talks, he and I, in the years since I started working for and obtaining my graduate degree. And on this latest call, he said to me, "You have the talent; you have the credentials, so why not?" And I got to thinking, yeah, why not?

Why the wait?

So, what kept me from starting before? Insecurities. Yes, yes, my majorly deep insecurities. I always wondered why anyone would want to listen to anything I have to say. I always created my own doubt, keeping me from even exploring the idea and opportunity. But that talk between two old friends really sparked something in me that I couldn't shake. And I'm grateful.

As much as I wanted to start this, I'm filled with anxiety as I write. I've been too worried about what others might say about my writings and ideas for too long. I've written so many stories--short and novella-length, essays and personal entries but they're all sitting in a box or a drawer, or written on paper somewhere under a pile of books, never to have been read by anyone other than myself... and maybe a chosen two or three others. I'm such a private person and the thought of opening up to allow anyone else to read my thoughts and feelings and hopes and dreams is so nerve-wracking.

I took an eight-week memoir writing class a few years ago and was too nervous to share what I had written throughout the course, and didn't share until the last day of class when my instructor hinted that it would be nice to hear from everyone (as they looked in my direction). I was still nervous, and it took SO MUCH for me to even share the first line. I put so much of myself into my writings that it can be hard to separate myself from the criticisms and critiques of my writings.

But...

Not this time. I'm not shying away anymore. I'm not going to keep myself from doing something I've wanted to do. I'm diving in. I'm doing this for me. And for those that have supported me boastfully and privately :) (Thank you<3)

And I'm excited. For once, I'm excited to engage and allow someone else to read my writing, and I welcome comments and discussions about them, your ideas, everything.

So here we go.

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