Intentional Tuesdays
I've Never Thought Someone Would Read My Stories
Can someone diagnosed with severe Dyslexia become a successful writer?
I’ve never thought I could have an audience with my writing. To me, writers were my heroes. I envied their ability to transform beautiful images or thoughts into words that others could see in their minds.
One day, while I was studying Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), I was asked to explain my most intimate and secret dream, I said:
To describe the perfume of a rose in the morning. The rumbling sound of the sea rushing back and forth into the sand. The love you see in the eyes of a baby staring at the face of his mother. The feeling of caressing a puppy. Or the sweet taste from biting a peach as the juice trickles down your lips.
The teacher looked at me and said: Well, you just did, now put it into words.
And that was where I froze. I couldn't see myself as a writer. Not someone with severe Dyslexia, and so, I discarded the idea.
In 2020, I read an article about making money on the internet without a job and living alone. I found this platform.
My daughter asked me if I could write for a living, and I said, “YES” I can.
What does my intuition say?
It’s been a dream all my life to write for a living and publish a book. Nevertheless, I have to consider that having Dyslexia makes this more challenging. I always have struggled with grammar and spelling. Also, the fact that English is not my first language makes me doubt it.
But after a year with no income, a drained savings account, I don’t see this as an option but as a must.
Does this align with my values?
Absolutely yes, this is the next step in my life and my career as a Communication Coach. To share knowledge and ideas to help people break the barriers and communicate better with their family, friends, co-workers, and partners.
I want to share all that I learned during my process, from an introvert to a professional speaker and coach. And say if I could, you can do it too.
Does this align with my purpose?
As I wrote in my article explaining my Dyslexia Decalogue, I have the quest to help as many other people with Dyslexia as possible. Help them overcome the challenge and make the rest of the world understand that we don’t have special needs. We are special people.
Am I saying yes out of love or fear?
At this moment in my life, I would say half love and half fear.
I am amazed to see my work in big publications with over 160K followers, having an article read by 5K people, and finding out that almost 200 people follow my work. And I say, not so bad for the 3rd. Grade dyslexic kid whose teacher told him he should go to a special school. Because the regular school would be too much for him to handle, and he will always struggle writing.
But at the same time, as the months pass and my savings account gets smaller each day, I wonder with every rejection email if this is the best time and place to be dreaming about one day becoming a writer.
Would I say yes to this if I knew no one would be disappointed?
Yes, I would. As people say, I’d put all my eggs in this basket and enjoy a life full of happiness and stories to write about, without fear of what tomorrow might bring.
Takeaway
What is it you are wondering about? What decision are you afraid to take?
Today is the best time to do that thing you are postponing. Go ahead and follow your dreams, tell that special one, “I love you.” Now that you have the chance to get the vaccine, don’t wait and take the shot. Don’t hold anymore to hug and kiss your kids.
Don’t wait. If there is something I have to thank 2020 for, it was to give me the opportunity to face my mortality.
Go, and as the Nike slogan says: Just do it!. Because you’ll never know if tomorrow you’ll have the chance.