Seth Godin has pinpointed the horns of my dilemma. Of course, I would choose a life where I needed no escape. My life is much like many writers who have had day jobs, from Geoffrey Chaucer to Nathaniel Hawthorne, not that I belong in such august company. I am very good at my day job, but honestly, I tend to invest too much time and energy in it. There are months, or even years, where I do not have the energy for anything else.
However, I want to do more, and believe I have something to offer. Even so, I find it difficult to put my writing above other parts of my life. I feel selfish, and worry that my belief of something to offer is merely the figment of an inflated ego. I often think I should wait for retirement, but I also remember someone who worked for me once, and unwittingly gave me a lesson in waiting for dreams. For years, he had planned travel and other unfulfilled wishes he would accomplish once he was retired. Sadly, he passed away less than a month after his retirement, leaving so many unfulfilled dreams.
I believe I will make the leap of faith to write now. Dreams delayed often are often dreams unfulfilled.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell 