My first book signing in 2011

As I celebrate almost six years as a published author, there are times to reflect back on the evolution of this goal.  Below are some excerpts from my first book, Navigating Life’s  Roadways, which chronicle the process of birthing those words.

A good memory is a blessing and a curse.

            Growing up during an era of shifting social trends in my family and society has made me attentive when it comes to listening and observing others. I remember a lot—stuff lingers in my brain’s recesses. Some described me as ‘quiet’ but I’ve always had a voice on matters. This trait at times has served me well or done me in. This blend is evident as you read my stories. The blessing has been in recalling these memories, allowing me to share my insights. Hanging on to these same memories has at times blocked possible moments of my inspiration.

This is not a perfect book because it’s written by an imperfect person —I’ve tried to do my best in imparting what I hope are helpful narratives. Readers may or may not see the relevance in some of my stories. The ways in which I present positive things from my life are ‘no brag, just fact’. Painful times of my journey still sting, but have proven instructional and strengthening.  Some redundancy can be found in the lessons and concepts, but that’s what happens in life sometimes—we hear and see things a few times before we get it!

Discovery

I’ve discovered that discovery is a good thing; particularly discovering how your life works in terms of its unique cycles and circumstances. Why so? Knowing the design of our flow helps us navigate and heed the messages in the ebbs and flows of our seasons.  I have come to realize that my life has to hit the low place before I slowly make my way out to higher ground and another level that God has waiting for me.

Also moving through the roadways of our journey we have different emotions and experiences that bring out our strengths as well as our frailties. This history accumulates, becoming cargo as we launch in another direction. Whether it’s good or bad we carry this load.

Within those pages my life is carved into metaphors that portray these discoveries, seasons and cargo as I’ve navigated challenges using my God-given gifts, while displaying the emotions of my flaws. My hope is that readers will find correlations through our shared humanness.

Once I was led to and committed to writing, energies from everywhere cooperated—seems like phrases, memories and lessons abounded at every corner. My mother knew of my writing aspirations and I feel this creative force was her way of working through God to stir up my spirit. While out walking, ideas would flood my head as I looked at the sky or the landscape around me. I’d hurry back to my office and quickly capture the thoughts—adding fresh words to the manuscript on my computer.

Nature abhors a vacuum. Latin proverb

We give to fill a void. I am single and don’t have children, so birthing  books is one of the ways I hope to leave a footprint on the world. After my mother passed in March of 2010, I’ve felt a chasm of many emotional proportions. Yet the process of grieving her transition gave to my writing books in ways I couldn’t recognize at first. She left a legacy in the circle of life.

The journey continues, well worth navigating the hills and valleys.

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE