On Purpose

Jessie: Reveling in the magic of NH as the growing season unfolds

Lately I’ve been hard at work on the third manuscript in my Sugar Grove Mysteries series. And I’ve been doing quite a number of author events. This all needs fitting in around the rest of life, which here always includes appointments, trips to the grocer and frantic last minute birthday party gift purchases. Schedules have needed a great deal of juggling; there has been a rash of dragons that required slaying. Under most circumstances I am not a cheerful juggler or a blood-thirsty sword wielder. Mostly so much busyness leaves me feeling quite crotchety.

But I haven’t been surly in the least. In fact, every day as I settle into my desk chair and dig into the tweaks and wiggles necessary to guide a manuscript from where it is to where it needs to be I feel a sense of eagerness that is quite unlike anything else I’ve experienced in my life. Even on bad writing days, after a few minutes of picking away and evaluating word choices or rearranging text for better flow, I find myself keenly focussed and deeply content.

When I prepare for author events I am surprised to notice how much I am looking forward to them. No matter where they are, or how many or how few people I connect with, I end up having a great time.  I was a cripplingly shy child and I am astonished at how almost none of the author events I have done have given me even the slightest case of nerves.

All of this leads me to believing I am lucky enough to be “on purpose”. I think that when you are living your purpose and aligning with your dreams you do find time, space, complaints and insecurities all fall away. Purpose replaces burdens with passion, openness, joy and quiet confidence.

I am so grateful to have had so many people supporting me in following my heart to what it was I really wanted and for clapping and cheering as I took tottering baby steps in the direction of my dreams.

Readers, do you have a passion that puts a spring in your step even if it isn’t the one that puts bread on the table? I’d loved to hear about your purpose.