There is a quote by Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it” and I have just proven that to be true. On May 25th I will become a published author in the compilation publication From Shadows to Light, A Whole Human Approach to Mental Health. In this book I have contributed a chapter wherein I share pieces of my healing journey, how I came to choose the work that I do now, and my vision for the future of mental healthcare in Canada. I have dreamed of becoming a published writer for almost twenty years now and it is finally coming to pass. Some days it feels surreal; hard to believe this is actually happening. Other days it feels all too real and I get a little anxious about having my story be so public. Most of the time though, I am tickled pink with excitement and the satisfaction of achievement.
I first saw the opportunity to become a co-author of the Shadows to Light compilation on the Holistipedia Facebook Group Page where compiler Olivia Kachmann put a call out to any interested writers wanting to share their mental health story. The moment I saw the post I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for and I jumped at the chance. I was able to move quickly and decisively because a few months previously I had made a commitment to myself to start writing with the express intention of becoming published. The problem I had been having until that moment was deciding what to write about. I couldn’t decide where to start. Should I write my life story, or should I take a particular angle or maybe even scrap all of that and fictionalize my story for greater creative freedom? Not being able to decide I wrote only bits and pieces of ideas, nothing with any real focus.
Then I became part of the Shadows to Light project being launched through Get You Visible Publishing and suddenly I had a subject to focus on, a word count limit to fulfil, deadlines to meet, amazing editors to work with and co-author community Zoom calls to attend as part of my commitment. The universe had conspired to provide me with all the tools, inspiration and support I could possibly need to actualize my dream. Wow! Thank you Universe!
The last year spent writing and editing have brought about some incredible changes for me personally. I have become more confident in expressing myself. While it feels vulnerable to share some of my lived experiences, I also feel that I am comfortable enough inside myself to be more visible. I enjoyed sharing the story of how I came to be doing RosenMethod Bodywork and I am hopeful it will be an inspiration to others. During the editing process I was also gifted with the opportunity to reconnect with my father whom I had been estranged from for some time. This has brought a deeper level of healing for me personally and for my father. If I had not written this chapter I may never have had the opportunity to reconcile with my father, a childhood dream that I had long ago let go of. Wow! Thank you again Universe!
I guess old Walt Disney was right. If you can dream it, it can happen! My next dream is to publish a solo book and then another solo book! I wonder what amazing things will come to pass with this dream? For now I am content to complete this first step and enjoy every minute of promoting and advocating the Shadows to Light publication.
Sign up to be on the mail out list for more updates on the Shadows to Light publication and to be notified when the book becomes live on Amazon. We are working hard to get a best-seller status for the book on launch day so sign up here https://mailchi.mp/99e0bbb332f7/from-shadows-to-light to receive the notification!