I am going to start entering contests...

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This blog is quite long, but it explains why I am going to do, what I am about to do... =============================================================== Though my day did not end well yesterday, I do want to share a very nice compliment that I received. I have had a friend that I have known, since I was about 16 years of age. She was like a "spiritual" mom for me. I met her when I attended Beaches Chapel. Her husband just recently passed away. Many of you saw my post. Her name is Lydia. I am not saying that she is the only one...but she is one of the rare few, that has remained consistant with me throughout the years, concerning her behavior towards me, and our friendship. She is a wonderful example of Christ's love. Anyway...she made a comment on one of my posts yesterday. It was not something that I have never heard before. But what she said yesterday, was a confirmation of what I believe God has been speaking to me about. I have been gifted with many talents. That is what has made it hard for me to choose, what I was suppose to do in life. There is not too many things creative that I can't do. What I have found is...that many folks spend their whole lives taking their passions in life, and turning them into hobbies. Mainly for the fear of either being rejected, or not believing they can make a good living at what they are passionate about. The thing is... When you have a desire to do something. It will always be accompanied by obstacles and challenges. It is almost a given...that the stronger the desire, the bigger the roadblocks. So...what many of us do is...we stay in our comfort zone. We work jobs that are safe. We may not hate them, and even rather enjoy them. But they are not our passions...what we think about when we consider what makes us happy. Even though Lydia told me something I have heard my entire life, as I mentioned...it was like God was telling me that it was time for me to turn my passion into a career, and a ministry. That passion is writing. God reminded of a scene from the movie Sister Act. Where Woopie Goldberg played this nun, who was trying to get this student to join the choir. She knew it was her passion, and she had the talent. She told the student to read a book, that could help her with her decision. And in that book she mentioned something the author said: "If you get up every morning, and all you can do is think about something...then that is what you are suppose to do in life. If all she could do is think about singing, then she is suppose to be a singer. Well...God said the same thing to me. If all you can think of Teresa when you wake up in the morning, is writing. Then you are suppose to be a writer. And that is exactly what I do. I can't wait to get up in the morning to write. I eat, and breathe putting pen to paper. Or in my case...fingers to keyboard. I love reading, and have several books going, at the same time. I don't have children, and so I want to leave something behind that says Teresa was here. I want to be able to bring joy, entertainment, wisdom, knowledge, and enlightment through the words I speak. I enjoy sharing my stories, and writing poetry, and even writing short stories. But I also dream of writing novels, or maybe something more, like song lyrics, or episodes for sitcoms. All my life, people have told me that I should be a writer. I remember when I was in a bank refinancing my home loan...out of the blue this CEO walks in, and tells me that I should write a book, he believed it would be a best seller. When I inquired why??? He said... I have listened to you speak. Share your story. And your words have such eloquence. Based on your conversations, I know you are very intelligent. I was shocked that he was evening listening, much less said this... So I thanked him. When I was in college...I had professors, staff members and even fellow students, tell me that they had visions seeing my name in credits from television shows, as a writer. Or they wanted my autograph then, because they believed one day, they would tell others: "I knew her when"... They saw my other gifts. I could paint, and draw like my dad. I could sing like my uncle. I could cook (chef style), dance, act, be a designer, sew, make crafts, and even sell (I succeeded at it very well)...you name it. If it was creative...I could do it. Never understood why I had so much talent. But anyway...there were only a handful of these talents, that were my passions. And again...my strongest passion was for writing. Whether it be stories, poetry, or even writing song lyrics. I always wanted to write song lyrics, that other artists could sing. Many people have made a good living doing that... But I also loved poetry, and want to write novels, and become a best selling author. I could see myself doing it. But I was always afraid of being told no. Well... I'm not now. I guess you could say that my experience being homeless for almost 2 years, has made me stronger against my critics. I have been rejected by many, including the folks within my church, when they should have been my strongest supporters. If I can be rejected by the ones I loved, and survived it. I can survive being rejected by strangers. Almost everyone in any industry has been rejected in some form, or another, before they became a success. My friend Lydia's words to me, were almost prophetic. They struck a cord deep within my soul. Like a light bulb came on. When she spoke, it was like God was speaking to me. My friend does not say anything unless she believes it to be true. Lydia Walton said: "TERESA I believe you have a calling to write a novel of some kind, because you have a talent for writing! Once I start reading your message on Facebook, I can't stop no matter how long it is! You really have alot of talent there, I usually can't hardly wait to see how it's going to end. Your very good with details too. Have you ever prayed about this? I think that could be where your fame to fortune could be!!!!" Even now... I am writing on other blog sites, and recently have had a couple of those members tell me something similar. One even asked me if I would let her know when I put up a new post; that she could not wait to read my next one. So with all this being said: I asked the Lord... How do I get started? Turning my passion into a career and ministry? Then the Lord showed me. Start entering writing contests. I know people that do this with photo contests, and win all the time. The Lord showed me. Once I start doing this... Than that will increase my exposure, and my audience. Even if I don't win all the time, I will keep writing. And eventually...other doors will begin to open up for me, and one day a publisher/editor, will be interested in signing a contract with me. So that is what I am going to start doing. Enter as many writing contests that I can find out there. I will need to make some changes where I am at...so I can have a good setup. I will need to get rid of my lumpy old couch. Get a table and some chairs. I am only in a 288 square foot space, so I don't have a lot of room. Plus, I will need a computer, and not just a tablet. This tablet does not offer me all that I need to write, and store things. It is a start, but will need more. So if any of you know where I can find some of these things, and even wish to pray for my endeavors...please feel free to do so, and let me know. So there you have it... I am going to be a writer, and a best selling author one day. I know it. I can feel it. I can see it. It is going to happen.