This morning, I decided to take a stroll along the local trail, despite the rain. I must confess, I made a poor choice in footwear – opting for my beloved sneakers with tiny holes in the front. Oh, how I adore those shoes for their comfort! Little did I anticipate that I’d return home with soaked socks. I felt kind of chilly, but my heart was happy. But isn’t that just a metaphor for my life? Trudging through the rain, getting my socks wet, yet brimming with stories to tell. I’ll take wet socks any day if it means going on an adventure.

Years back, I began a blogging journey titled “Inside Things,” spurred on by my music producer’s advice. With little expectation of readership, I felt liberated to express myself as I pleased. I wrote occasionally, when I felt like I had something to say.

But one day, after deciding to pay attention to a growing desire to record a Christmas album and then bring it to life on stage with an orchestra, I committed to daily blogging under the subtitle “The Elephant Diet”.

I adopted the philosophy that daunting projects, like elephants (and music productions) must be tackled one bite at a time. And so, “The Elephant Diet” was born.

As I started writing the details of my adventure, a curious thing occurred. To my surprise, people began reading, cheering me on as I pursued my aspirations. Eventually, both dreams materialized. I kept on blogging.

Fast forward to this past Saturday, and three hefty volumes of hardback books – the culmination of my Inside Things blog posts – arrived at my doorstep.

Upon seeing the box, I was awestruck. Seeking to preserve my blog’s legacy, I entrusted a company with organizing and printing my posts, complete with pictures, into tangible volumes. Three volumes! I never realized I’d written so much.

On Sunday, I delved into the first volume. I laughed, I smiled, I gasped – and I resolved to keep blogging, wet socks and all.

Reflecting on the journey, I’m grateful that I heeded my producer’s advice all those years ago. Starting the blog, even with doubts of readership, has gifted me a precious treasure: my musical life captured in three hardcover books. If only I’d begun blogging sooner.

As I flipped through the pages of these tangible volumes, I couldn’t help but think about the journey ahead as a newly published author. The realization dawned on me that just as I’ve chronicled my musical endeavors through blogging, I now have the opportunity to document my experiences as a published author around my upcoming book launch in October. My blog has been the perfect platform for keeping my readers informed about what’s currently happening in my life, and I’m excited to continue sharing this journey with you.

And so, the journey continues. I’ll share snippets of my life – from rants about feeling overwhelmed to the behind-the-scenes of a published author’s life. Yes, it’s still sinking in. Of all my dreams, becoming a published author wasn’t on the list. Go figure! But you know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s a delightful byproduct of cultivating one’s heart’s desires, one step at a time.

As we set out on this new adventure, I invite you to find a comfortable pair of shoes because another journey awaits. We’re gearing up to launch Portraits of White: Hope and Inspiration for Those Who Struggle with the Holidays. The book is now available for pre-order and will officially launch on October 29, 2024.

According to my publisher, pre-orders are a big deal for new authors. Stay tuned as I reveal more fascinating secrets about the path of an author.