Am I Convinced?

It's hard to believe Ben graduated 5 years ago.  It's hard to believe he turned 24 this year.  Everything that has happened in his life the last 24 years is easy to believe because Ben believes in himself.  He dreams big, he lives large.  This blog is inspired by Ben and the people he has touched. 

I've yet to live my biggest dream, maybe my only dream, to write professionally.  Sometime soon I will say I lived my dream.  I've never discussed my dream with Ben but he has finally convinced me to write because that is what I want to do.   Forget what anyone may think.  Throw away my fears, tear up my excuses and go for it.  I've adopted his attitude, not his advice.

I started writing shortly after Ben was born.  I wrote a children's book about Ben and our dog. I researched publishers, I have a copyright, I had my best childhood friend do some illustrations.  I did everything right.  I received kind and encouraging rejection letters. I still gave up.  Since then I have written dozens of pieces, all about and for people that I love.  That has been my criteria; you have to touch me in some way. I tried again 15 years later when my close friend Arthur died.  Again, I thought I had my masterpiece, again I heard encouraging feedback by an editorial assistant, and again I gave up.  I created this blog on March 25, 2011 and this is my first post. Right now, Ben is my muse, probably always has been and it is with him I will start, or actually return to for the inspiration and the content. 

I've heard it before, my mom has reminded me; write what you know.  When my mother in law read a piece I wrote about my wife Elizabeth and her best friend Marjorie she too said, "you have a gift, write what you know"  I know Ben and he has influenced more lives that anyone I know, none more than mine. I am convinced, I will succeed and it starts here.  I hope you stick around for the show.