"The Path We Choose"

We never really know where the path we choose will lead us. As I reflect on a simple choice I made a little over five years ago, I find myself counting all the changes in my life that have come because of it.

While sitting in a Relief Society Planning meeting, we were asked to tell something about ourselves that nobody knew. At the time I wasn't doing a lot of writing and the only things I'd had published were in magazines. Even then, I'd kept that to myself, so when my turn came I reluctantly shared my secret with the group. It got the same reaction as everyone else when they'd shared, a few oohs and awes, then they moved onto the next person. Afterwards, a new sister in the ward approached me and said she was also a writer and that she and some friends has started an online magazine--Segullah. She gave me the link and asked me to check it out.

That night I scrolled through the magazine, and even though what I read was impressive, it wasn't what caught my eye. On one of the sidebars was an advertisement for the LDStorymaker's Writer's Conference. I clicked on the link and the rest is history.

Because of that one confession, sharing a bit of myself in a room full of LDS women, I've been blessed far beyond what I could have ever imagined. I've made friends, met people and made valuable contacts with professionals that could change my life. I've also written my first novel, been blogging for over a year and been asked to blog for Mormon Mommy Writers on Saturdays.

As I sit here writing this post, I'm waiting to hear from a publishing company about my manuscript. I sent it in last Friday and I know it will probably be weeks before I hear from them, but I can't stop wondering where it is in the process and what they think of it. The biggest irony of the situation is, the very first person I had contact with when I emailed for more information about the conference, is the same person I addressed my query letter to. She is the aquisitions editor for the publishing company I submitted my manuscript to. I've come full circle.

I guess the main reason I write about this is because I almost didn't go to that planning meeting 5 years ago. I had so many things I needed to get done and could find plenty of excuses not to, but a voice kept screaming in my head to get off my fanny and GO! I'm so grateful that I listened.

So, as I reflect on my choice and the blessings that have come from it, I understand how the littlest of decisions can affect our lives. Who knew that night would have been a pivital moment for me and that sharing a simple thing about myself could change my life?