This time last year, my fellow first year teacher and I were counting down the seconds (instead of days) until school was finally out for the year. Things were so bad that we dreaded coming to work.
If you had seen me teaching then, you would understand the complete turn around that I've had.
As a matter of fact, around this time last year I was starting to become more confident in my teaching skills. Now, after receiving a great evaluation, I see that it was smart to stick it out and not let my terrible first year of teaching scare me away forever.
I had many mentors in the building, but one gave me some words of wisdom that have stuck with me. "The kids can tell when someone is only here to make a paycheck, and trust me, they have it worse than you. When you are really there for them, that's when you can find your reason to keep going."
That advice, along with the advice of others, helped me get to where I am as a teacher.
What does that have to do with writing?
Well, it gets me thinking about my future. Do I want to write books for fame and money? Honestly, I can say that the answer is no. I have had countless dreams and ideas that I want to share with people because of my love of a good story. This is what keeps me going, no matter how many times I've had stories rejected or critiqued to bits. I'm here for the art of it, the freedom of expression that writing provides. If I was in this for the money, I'd have abandoned writing a long time ago!
I know that writing is my passion, and I will continue to write to fulfill that passion. If someone were to ask me why I write, I would tell them this: God didn't give me this gift to not do anything with it. If this is what he wants me to do with my life, then I'll do it. If He means for this to be the way that I pay my bills, so be it. If not, oh well. At least I won't be sitting on what He's given me.
“You can make anything by writing.”
― C.S. Lewis
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