I think I can…I know I can…I will!

Sometimes I have these awful down days where my mind tells me I can’t ever be published because I’m a nobody author. I have no credit to my name yet, and perhaps I’m not even that great of a writer. My mind wrestles with my heart. My heart knows and believes in me and what I’m capable of becoming. But my mind is at war with that idea. It constantly informs me that my stories may not be that great, may not be that impactful or meaningful, may not even be worthy of being read.

On these days when my mind wins over my heart in the war over my self-esteem and belief in myself, I give into the despair and decide I probably won’t ever get published and there’s no reason to continue writing.

But then the next day, my heart cries out and reminds me that I can do it. I have the ability; I have the talent and am capable of doing this and taking on this journey, no matter how hard the struggle may be or how much rejection I may face. At this point, I believe again and am back on the road to conquering my dreams and chasing them until I have them firmly in my grasp, with sweet victory written across my face.

Being a writer is hard. It’s definitely been a journey already. I’ve been told so many times that it’s not going to be easy to take this path, but I know I was born for this. If I don’t try to pursue this dream, I know I’ll have lost the battle and allowed my mind to win and destroy all chances of real happiness I could have had by doing what I love.

It is within me. I know it! I guess my heart is in the right place today. I CAN be a published writer. I CAN be read worldwide. I CAN be an author others write about and talk about. I CAN do it! I CAN achieve my dreams because I am capable and I have faith in myself.

To all you other struggling writers out there who battle with your own self-doubt and the criticism from other people who don’t dare to dream as high as you-just know that you CAN do it! I’ve learned it just takes hard work, passion and drive if you want to succeed in life.

I used to say I’d never be able to write an entire book. Now I’m on my way to finishing up my fourth book and still finding inspiration to write more. I believed in myself enough to take on the challenge, and I’m willing to embrace more challenges. You should be too. If you have a story to tell and the words to tell it, then tell it! Don’t let your mind win the war over your heart’s desire. It’s all yours if you want it. And don’t get stuck on the number of people who may read it or not or how much money you can make. To me, it’s already a big enough achievement to have thousands of words written out on a page and to have a book completed under your name. That’s a great victory, and one I’m going to be proud of myself for.

I just have to remember that most every author has been rejected one time or another, before they found their niche and made it to fame. Don’t believe me? Look no further than Stephen King, J.K. Rowling or Dr. Seuss (who was rejected around 20 or more times). It’s a process; it’s hard for sure. But just like anyone’s dream, it’s going to have its ups and downs. The big question is if you and I are willing to wrestle with them to get what we want. I believe I am willing and I believe I will wrestle with them until my knuckles are bloody and my body is sore and my inspiration is dried up. I hope you will too.

So don’t stop in the middle. Finish your story until you get to that last page and can happily say, “The End,” knowing you gave it your all and you poured your everything into it. Join me in conquering our dreams! We CAN do it! We WILL do it!

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