I have a 4th of July tradition. I enjoy
going to barbecues, watching fireworks and other typical holiday celebrations,
but my ritual is more contemplative. I spend a few minutes concentrating on how
I can use my skills as a writer to help others.
I don’t remember exactly when I started using
Independence Day in this regard, but I DO know it predated my professional
writing career which has been going strong for at least 30 years. Well, some
years stronger than others. I earned my first paycheck for something I wrote
back in 1983 when the Arizona Republic
published a story I wrote about an unwanted Christmas tree. I earned a whopping
$30, but the pride carried me through many years of pennilessness for my
freelance work. No wonder they call it “free.”
I was not becoming rich for my efforts, but I was
prolific typing weekly articles for Campus
News, the weekly newspaper for Scottsdale Community College and occasional
submissions to the Buddhist periodicals the World
Tribune and Living Buddhism. I also penned plays, skits,
video scripts, screenplays and teleplays.
Eventually I earned a Bachelor’s degree in
journalism and was hired by Mesa Parks, Recreation and Cultural Division as a
public relations practitioner. It was a part-time position but I cranked out
press releases, feature stories, speeches, letters and brochure copy like a
machine. I worked with wonderful people and enjoyed putting my skills to good
use for eight years.
One of the benefits of working for the city is that
I could see the direct results my words had in making the community a better
place. I wrote about the wonderful events, classes, volunteer opportunities and
programs MPRCD offered, people read or heard the news via newspaper, radio or
TV and came out in droves to enjoy them. Unfortunately my position was
eliminated in spite of glowing performance evaluations.
Things went downhill after that. My marriage ended
and I had a string of writing jobs that didn’t work out. Eventually I took a
more stable position working for a local non-profit organization. Unfortunately
my writing skills were rarely needed. I felt a part of me died. My attitude
must have tanked too, as I eventually was fired from that job as well.
In spite of this setback and hiatus from being a
professional scribe, every year on the 4th of July I reignited my
desire to be a writer that would serve humankind. Unbeknownst to those around
me, I would launch my wishes into the universe and wait for the brilliant burst
of color in the night sky to remind me that my desires could burst forth into
reality if I could remain steadfast in my commitment.
My Independence Day ritual predated The Secret, the
Abraham series and What the Bleep Do You Know. However, my issue was I didn’t
hold onto the dream long enough. Once a year does not an expert make. Eventually
I read (and even co-wrote) books and articles on creating a positive attitude
and fulfilling your life’s ambitions. To date my most successful work was
penning the popular self-help book, Erase
Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within
(with fellow author Jacqueline Howard.) Nothing
is more gratifying than knowing something I created has improved the life of
another person.
But I’m human and sometimes take a stroll on the
grouchy side of life. At times I wonder if the words I write have any impact, I
worry my expertise as a public relations expert and professional writer will no
longer be enough to pay the bills, as well as any number of negative thoughts
that can swirl in and out of my consciousness. Fortunately I’ve trained myself
not to wander down that rabbit hole of negativity for any length of time. It’s
like exposing ourselves to radiation – a little might be necessary at times,
but too much is toxic.
Fortunately today is the 4th of July – my
day to rewrite my personal history. Holidays are great reminders of important
dates and people in our lives. It doesn’t matter if the holiday is secular or
non secular, all have value.
You may or may not want to read my articles, book or
adopt my practice of using the 4th of July to remind yourself to
launch or reactivate your life’s purpose. But in the words of my father
(imagine a Yiddish accent when reading the next four words) “What could it hurt?”
