Have you ever had a surreal moment in life, especially when it comes to pursuing your dream? A moment when the whole world is trying to bring you down, telling you to quit what you are pursuing, but something, or someone, tells you to keep doing it? That maybe someone from above is actually looking down on you? And it’s that moment that makes everything so vivid. It pulls you back together and makes you realize that you are on the right path, and you should keep believing in yourself even if other people don’t. I’ve had many experiences like this when I began to pursue my dream of writing. I wanted to share one recent example of a surreal moment that happened to me.
I had a job opportunity that presented itself to me. It was a copywriting position in San Diego, right on the coast—my dream job! This company reached out to me to let me know they liked my writing background! I was thrilled when I read that. I’m an engineer who could never get an A on an English paper back in high school, and a company was telling me they liked my writing experience. It was definitely a confidence booster.
The company had me participate in a writing prompt before asking me in for an interview. I was getting excited just thinking about the chance of going to San Diego, and better yet, writing for a young, hip company. I wrote the writing prompt, and had a blast doing it. After it was finished, I thought it was beautiful. I submitted it, knowing it was my best work. I then went on vacation with my family to Killington, Vermont for a family ski trip and to take a break from the writing life. I needed to enjoy myself. I was so excited about this job opportunity that I didn’t shut up about it for the first half of the week with my brothers and parents.
Well, the email came along mid-vacation. The company told me thanks, but they were going to take this job position in a different direction. My heart dropped. I couldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t be flying out to San Diego for a job interview. I told my entire family and all of my friends about this opportunity. I was crushed. I tried my best not to let it get to me. I wanted to spend time with my family and be happy with them.
But I just couldn’t.
The thoughts came. I started thinking maybe my writing actually wasn’t that great. Maybe I don’t have what it takes to write for the rest of my life. Maybe everyone was right; I can only be an engineer for the rest of my life and never do anything else. It made me question myself, my beliefs, my goals, my writing, my book…everything.
I was in my room, not wanting to face my family. I was checking my phone, but there was nothing to check. I just didn’t want to face the world. But then I received a notification from Instagram. I opened it. It was a direct message from an old friend from high school who I haven’t seen or talked to in years. He wanted to reach out to say great job on the book. He told me he has been reading fantasy since high school, and he has read good, great, and not so great books. He told me mine was great, and that he was proud of me. He told me to keep writing, and he’ll keep reading.
Here is the actual post my friend sent me (what a great friend!):
I was bewildered, beyond happy. I just couldn’t comprehend how perfect the situation was. I could have received this message a day earlier, a day later, months later, or even a year later! But no, I received it at the exact moment I needed it. And he even told me to KEEP WRITING. The exact words I needed in that exact moment. Spine-tingling, right? I am not the most religious person, but I knew this was a sign from the man upstairs telling me to keep doing what I am doing.
It’s moments like this that remind me that I am on the right path and that I need to keep following my dreams, believing in them, and pursuing them.
So never give up. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll know you are on the right track when you encounter moments like this, and no other negativity in the world will matter.
