The Third Chapter: Writing Journey Update
Like every journey you take in life, you don't always see the end from the beginning. You never know the bumps and obstacles you would face along the road when you start. You may have a vision, a dream, or a vague picture of what you feel would be the end, but you never really see the end (obviously, this excludes situations where one gets a clear vision from God about the end of the journey). Yet, you take that step of faith, hoping, pushing, and trying to make the best decisions until you get to the end.
Well, that’s how it’s been in this writing journey of mine. July 18th marked the 3rd year since I took that step of faith. I started with the determination to just keep writing no matter what life throws at me and yes, I did. I am honestly very thankful for the people God placed in my life including my awesome readers who keep me on my feet at all times.
The fact that I committed to writing every month binds me to my word and the great thing about the Holy Spirit is, once you make a commitment and you ask for His help, He will help you. I remember countless times each month after I had procrastinated until the last day, He would not only remind me to write, but He would also give me inspiration on what exactly to write.
In this past year, I reached major milestones in my life. My business, Ohifumere Designs turned One, I started a Recycled Fabric Accessory line, I got accepted into an amazing 6weeks Accelerator program where I learned great tips and strategies to move my business forward, I pitched my business to a panel of seasoned judges for the first time, and I won the $1,000 grant at the end of the program. Best of all, this year I learned a couple of lessons that I’ll love to share.
- Consistency doesn't mean doing it every day, it just means making a schedule and sticking to it and it always pays. It may not always be financial, but you learn with each day that comes, and you get better every day.
- Accountability is Important. On any journey, it's important to have people who would constantly check on you and remind you to stick to what you said you would do. Get an accountability partner or partners you trust to help you stay on track.
- Take a break. Sometimes, you need to retreat. Take a break, clear your mind and get back on track. Fun fact: I wrote Writer's block a few months before the day you all saw it. At the time I wrote it, I thought I had writer’s block but I didn’t, shortly after I started writing it, I was inspired to write something better. However, June was a very stressful month and by the end of the month, my creative juices were not flowing, so that poem came in very handy and it truly captured my state at that time. This leads me to my next point.
- Just write. Even if you don't feel like it, even if you’re scared, just do it. This has saved me many times. At the times I write it usually doesn't make sense but later on when I need something to refurbish and publish, that's when the ideas start to flow and I end up with a masterpiece.
- There is no need to fear. I learned this in a sermon my pastor (Andy Osakwe) preached. Paraphrasing, he said, the reason why all those things happened to Job was not that God hated him or wanted to test him, (God is a good God, he doesn't need to use evil to achieve good) but it was because Job was afraid of losing it all (For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. Job 3:25) and that opened the door for the devil to strike. Since then, this has stuck and my outlook on life and has changed, and every day, I practice this by casting out fearful thoughts as they come.
- Lastly, remember to celebrate small victories and milestones. So much was happening in my life, that July 18th came and went like any other day, and guess what? I forgot about my writerversary until I published The 31st Proverb at the end of the month. So, I’ll have to save that date on my calendar.
I hope these lessons help you in any journey you’re currently on. Thank you so much to everyone who takes time out to read my stories and poems. You guys make it all worth the while and I appreciate you. Of course, you know, I can’t end this without giving glory and thanks to the person who gives me peace of mind and inspires me every single time, Holy Spirit. Until next year, stay blessed everyone.
If you’re new here, you can read my previous journey updates, One Year of Poetry: The Journey so far, and Two Years Writing: My Journey Update.
